The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-22

Mrs. RAcHEL-Perhaps SO; but to the outsider
IT is pretty poor reading. could stand the
knaves very well II they did not shine so in CON-
parison with the good people WAC such imbe-
Giles. Their high-nown talk is simply ridiculous
but when the author tries TO draw an amusing
character 1t is positively painful. His people are
always trying to make puns aud say smart things
which, however they may strike the writer, are
very nat TO the reader. There Is dreadful
mnuta in describing localities; almost every
CHAPTER begins by telling you exactly where the
scene is laid, Tor instance:-"On the corner Of
and Twenty1rst streets, west, stands the old
Commodore Vane mansion" &c. Then again.
in the third circle from the rear, and the second
desk rom the broad aisle, on the Speakers left
sat Charles Masonn &c.
FELIcIA-I suppose that is to give an air OF truth
| to the story.
Miss RAoHEL-The literary style OF the book is
dreadful Describing boys ride after friend
the writer says:-"He hoped here to catch sight
| OF the carriage on the hill beyond the beautiful
valley before him, and was disappointed. LORD
how that valley fed from under the mares pur-
! suing ieet." fit had been one OF the characters
! who made use or that exclamation 1t would not
| have been so bad but IN the author IL Is unpar-
donaole. This is the way the dialogue is written:-
"Who is killed % steadily. Colonel who9'
| firmly, with the paor growing about her lips. 81
|
and hestating. That way OF telling what the con.
versatonists are doing gets tiresome when spread
over several hundred pages.
| FELICIA-l should say that you did not enjoy
Alice Brandt Well DON'T blame you II 1t Is
| like your description. Come, we have been in the
house long enough to-day; let's 60 out for q con-
stltutlonal.
| FoGGY NIGHT AT OXFORD.
! FELICIA-You treated me to description OF
/
are recuperated shall give you the benefit OF
short story read this morning.
Miss RAcHEL-Just wait till get my knitting,
| for must finish this ''cloud" to-day. Now am
ready for 1T.
FELIcIA-To begin WITH OF all the stuff and
nonsense l have read In many long day this
exceeds. 1t is called "a Foggy Night at Orordn
IT. B. Peterson & Bro), and is by Mrs. Henry
Wood. IL Is not even up TO this writer's question.
able level. She is usually exciting and emotional,
but is neither IN this book. To tell what happened
on foggy night at Onord she begins generation
back and works up the story to the proper time.
She introduces characters and Incidents that have
no possible bearing on the story. After you be.
come reconciled to the fact that Raby Raby
(mawkish name) Is to he the hero she kills him
OF as easily as she would drown kitten.
Miss ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mrs. Wood ground out
the story under severe pressure.
FELCIA-Thar is the way 1t reads. Maria Saxon.
bury is the heroine. She is great nirt, and men
are ruined or die from the effects OF her cruelty
1t would seem as though she loved Edward Jan.
son, but she soon puts an end TO his aspirations
by telling him that ne is not rich enough for her
to marry. At last she marries Harry Yorke,
whom you are at nrst led to believe is a bad
jealous man, but who proves pretty good sort of
fellow IN the end, though rather eccentric. He
Is jealous OF his WIe'S regard for JansOn treats
her like brute all because ne loves her-so he
says. She bears his insults and abuse like lamb
and when she does rouse her anger it Is like a
chds. One nighttime fogey niSht-Janson is
murdered at ms garaen gate. Maria believes that
her husband is the murderer and drives him from
her door. 1t is now his turn to play lamb. and ne
goes without a murmur the sequel proves that
defended him boldly against the real murderer,
who at last confessed his crime. The conscience
stricken Maria sends Tor her Harry aud he returns
and they live happy ever alter
Miss KACBEL-Rather a sim plot, that.
FEMcIA-Ihe plot is not so SLIM as Its working
out,
''vICroR La rouRErrE."
FRED-ProIessor, want to get your opinion Of
you had walked OF with that advance copy MIR.
Niles sent me- and If 1t affects you as 1t did me
The PRoEEssoR-l don't know how It affected
you. but have not been SO charmed with book
FELICIA-rhere is too much religious discussion
! in IL Tor me. l should never have dreamed that 1t
was novel had 1t not been SO called on the title
MISS RACHEL grant you that there is more
|
nnds in novels, but tnat does not hurt 1t in my
estimation.
rather discuss religious topics any time than go
to the theatre.
Miss RACHEL rather severely Il should think
there was enough OF q story about the book to
satisfy your taste for light literature.
Felicia Don't take me up like that. fair cousin,
for liked the book exceedingly, though thought
the sermonizing was rather t,resome
FRED-When You ladies get through perhaps the
Professor VIII tell US what he thought OF the book
The PROFESSOR Il DO not want 10 Interrupt the
young ladies.
Miss RACHlL-We are anxious to get your views
The PRoFEssoR-We,l, then, as a novel, cannot
say mucn ior this volume, but It is we'll written
and very clever The autnor mas taken the most
enectnal means OF obtaining hearing Tor his the
ores and has so woven the religious talk with the
story that one is forced to read 1t IRON cover to
cover | could not SKIP a page.
Miss RAcHEL-rhe Characters are wonderfully
well drawn, think. They seem like real people
ONE. Isympatnized with Victor IN his search
for the Catholic Cnurcu. as ne interpreted that
The MOTHER entering the room, work basket In
hand What is TINS book that mas so interested
FRED-It is called .vlctor La Tourette, - mamma,
ana is the history OF a young man who was ed
ucated III the Roman Catholic Church aud finally
became a Protestant, and had such a hard time 10
find a Church which considered Thoroughly
Carnolic. lie at last was Ordained minister OF
the Epscopal Church. but never subscribed 10 the
thirty nine articles. He was at heart Broad
Churchman,n and founded q little Church OF his
own. Victor violently preudiced against
| revivals and velemently opposed the idea tnat
! any iuwrought change OF Eature was brought
about by miraculous agency. BY the way he
describes revlvai scene In very amusing man
ner. Altogetherit Is one OF the most natural
/ books ever read.
/ The MOTHER-I am quite interested IN the young
man already. You must lend me the book.
FRED suppose that some OF our reverend
friends would say tlat Victor unorthodoX.
1t strikes me- though, that lie had a good deal OF
reason on MS slde
FELIcIA-rne latter part OF the story Is quite
exciting. The II e among the Indians, the 1gnts
and other adventures.
| FEEp-The author eyldenty has a pretty good
opinion OF the Indians. AS he describes tnem,
they were noble race. | think, however, that
1t was just well that the Indian girl died before
the young Victor married ner Indians very
picturesque IN their native wlds, but squaw in
/ d parOr would be very much out OF place. This
Unknown author promises us another hook, de-
voted more decuedly TO the Indians than this. /
hope that he VIII receive sufficient encouragement
TO make good his promise.
BATCH OF FRENCH STORIES.