The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-21
CHATS ABOUT BOOKS,
"SOCIAL PRESSURE


'frhis Is what | look forward to ali day."
said the Doctor, az the family gathered around
the library fire after leaving the dinner table.
~ don'r wonder that men grow eloquent on
the subject OF defending their own fresides II
they are all as attractive as this. And here comes
the Professor to add the charm OF his genial
countenance to our family circle"
The MorHER-Proiessor. you are welcome, and
after you have "shaken hands all round" Fred
Will wheel up the "Sleepy Hollow" for you to settle
down In for the evening. We have a most delight
full book under discussion, Sir Arthur Helps
''Social PRESSURE, (Roberts Brothers. q sort OF
continuation OF the "Friends in Councu.- see
by the appreciative twinkle IN your eye that you
have read the book, therefore we look to you for
some valuable opinions on the subject.
The PROPEssOB-You do me too much hon or,
madame. 1 have read the book, as you have
shrewd!y surmIsed, and have enjoyed 1t, as l do
all OF its gifted authors writings. Sir Arthur
Helps Is one OF the few writers OF the present
day who draws wholly from the swell OF English
Undecided 1t Is a pleasure to read anything
coming from his pen.
The DOCToR-ln the present volume he has
crack. so to speak, at the sanitary condition OF
London, in an essay, emitted Towns May Be Too
LarQe,- read by Milverton who, by the way Is
the one among the 'Friends'i who usually express
FELICrA-lt Is a very clever idea OF Sir Arthur's
to air his hobbies IN this form. What he has to
say reaches audience that would turn IN nor.
ror from pamphlet, but which reads all the
"Friendsn discussions with avidity. !, .or one,
would give q pampnlet on the same subject to
James 10 light the tire with. while an essay ON
.The Condition OF England" presented IN this
appetizing manner. IS eagerly devoured.
Miss RACHEL-The sprinkng OF lighter subjects,
such as 'The Art OF Leaving o." ''Chaflng,r
&C., make delightful side dishes to accompany the
more solid food.
FRED-I can't say that l altogether ike the
idea OF these discussions. for after all one cannot
find out exactly what Sir Arthur Helps opinions
are. And 1t Is opinions t1at want-for what ne
gives out as his own Is sure to 10 valuable. no
sooner say to myself, That's a. true as preach
ing,u 10 something ElIesmere says than long
comes Mlyerton with his broadsword or Maulev-
erer with his rapier and let's the wind into the
beautiful theory.
The DoCroR-sir Arthur Helps Is a reformer in
the best sense oftnat term, and whatever he has
say on the subject OF social abuses is worth listen
ing to, whether he puts 1t in one mans mouth or
anotner's, and n you keep your wits about you
you will see that he allows no tnrusting at his pet
theories. He IL clever enough 10 let the d Ierent
questions be discussed In their several bearings
general reader.
The PROFEssoB-Englishmen are, OF course
more interested than we are in the government
reforms OF their own country, though the subject
is not undressing in America. He complains OF
the want OF permanence IN the administration and
cleverly says the statesman is worse Oh than
the circus rider for he must leap through his hoop
whenever 1t ID offered him."
The DocroR--If we once begin to quote the good
things said by the "Friends" We can go on for the
whole evening. For instance, what could be
truer than this.-"It Is only the busy and over
worked men upon whom you can throw any extra
work with Some chance OF It's being welcomed"
FRED--In ''rhe Art OF Leaving or | am re-
minded OF the way the Professor used to treat my
youthful manuscript II ever prided myself upon
a sentence he was sure TO draw his pencil through
1t, so that when he was not here TO a friendly
eye over my "copyr made II a rule TO cut any.
thing in 1t that particularly pleased me.
The DocToR-You don't live up to that rule now
adays, imagine
FRED-One cannot be SO careful, with a room full
Of hungry printers calling for copy"
The DocToR-opeaking OF the cart OF Leaving
on calls to mind story my father used to tell
with great deal OF gusto: young clergyman
invited Q worldly friend to spend Sunday with
him. The invitation was accepted ana the two
vent 70 ehsreA togeshss. Alter teA servsce TIE