The New York herald., 1877-03-19
LITERATURE.


We have been more than usually interested in this
work. II we mistake not IL will become classic
among biblical students 1t Is the product OF two pens
and the story that depends from that fact Is an Affect
Ing one Dr.. Macdonald was. years ago, fascinated oy
the character Of the apostle whom Jesus loved, ana
pursued hts researches among tho stray bits OF sacred
literature which were hidden under the dust OF our
oldest libraries with ardor which promised grand
resuts He collected his facts slowly. arranged them
carefully and had almost finished his work o ovc when
he was taken III and died Dr. Howson eminently at-
ied for the task by scholarship which Is esteemed on
both sides OF the ocean, undertook tho somewhat un-
grateful task OF editing the work and completing H.
md has done It with commendable iaithiulnesa
Ncssrs scribner Armstrong h Co. have evidently
yrared no pains mako their part OF the task worthy
Or the subject matter. Tho paper and leterpress are
everything that could be desired and tho numerous
ilustratons maps pictures and portraits help TO make
complete whole We are especially gratinod 10 find that
Dr. Macdonald combats the usually received notion OF
D. Johns character From certain phrases In tho
New Testament naturally led TO suppose that
u. John was especially mild even to encminacy. In
lis gospel he attracts by his emphasis Of love. Hc
wcaries, either In his gospel or his eptscs, oi
baking about the which God bears toward and
OF hts favorte phrases IS "Ltlc children love one
another" From these circumstances we have been
led into grave concerning tho apostles temper
Smsnt He was undoubtedly q man OF strong and
positive elements Of character man o great boldncss
G utscrance aud decision. He might have been
Of the rebeous Galileans II he had been born
generation oarer for he possessed Aery ardor and
mighty will which capable OF doing great good
pv. according to tho direction which was given to
Ihcm. The searching eye OF the Lord found him, and
he became HIS steadfast friend from that moment
rho gospel OF ST John and parts OF his epstles IRE
printed with the biography, with copious and very
satisfactory notes Then follow tho always interesting
aegends which stand on the boundary line between
history fiction. They will bc read with proas and
pleasure We heartily commend the work as valuable
addition to tho students library.
PINE NExpLRs. By tho author Of ''Tho Wide Wide
World" Robert Carter Il Brothers
Tho name OF the firm which issue this volume 10 a
nfncisnt guaranty OF It's character Tho Carriers are
onscent,ous and sometimes careful IN their
slcc.ion Of the works which they indorse by putting
hcir imprint upon them. All the literature which
somes from their presses has a moral tone, II not
Airectly religious tendency. 1t Is pleasant in these
lays wncn novels OF questionable plot and influence
No thick leaves in vaor brosa, to be able to put
healthy story into the hands Of tho young one that
Sl not overhead the Imagination, or inaame passions
hat ought TO DO repressed Some parts of ''Pins
hesdles vastly Interesting shan Others but
Il Is thoroughly healthy reading TO the end. Unlike
most works OF the kind IL Is appeal and stimuant,
not only to the romantic element in human nature.
but 10 the intellect and conscience also. One
hardly read its constant illusions to some OF tho
most fascinating OF history without being excited
TO further study. These illusions really compose the
bulk OF tho volume. 1t seems though the author
had gathered from extensive reading pie OF pearls
aud then wrought dialogue, with q slender plot
under il a such way that It led up TO these pearls
ons after tho other until they all strung 70.
yether 1t Is great rcfreshment 70 got out OF tho
atmosphere OF many ofthe sensational works Of fiction
which all our libraries, and follow the plot OF story
which does not depend a mysterious murder or a
package OF poison or couple OF rufans with slouchsd
hats Tor Its interest or its excitement We commend
the volume to oil who bo amazed without being
over stimulated.
THE CoNvIcrs AND THEIR CHILDREN. BY Bertho,d
Auerbach. Translated by Charles I. Brooxs New
York: Henry Holt Co.
Mr.. Hot's .Leisure Hour Scries' is famous for the
good taste displayed It's selection and has become
one Of tho most popular series Of the day IL would
hard to tresome dull book III the seventy
odd volumes its Iist addition TO this
series 'The Convcts and Their Children" by Bcr-
:hold Auerbach. This story has great many Of It's
gfted authors peculiaritics Of STYLE whiio differs
very materially from On the Heights" the .'villa
on tho Rhine" ''The Convicts' evidently written
with object. and that to prove that ex-cqnvict
may become u useful member OF society. The two
convicts who are the hero and the heroine Of this
story, Jacob and Magdalen, although they served a
term Of years. In the penisentiary the other In
thc House Of Correction, could scarcely be called
criminals Jacob knocked man down who abused
him, the mans head struck against and he Tell
inscnsible with his feet in pool OF water, where lie
give chase to his team, which running away.
Tho taken down with fever and died,
and Jacob, whom tho Judge had soms compassion,
owing to his youth and good character, was let Off
with five years. solitary confinement Magdelen was
thrown into the House Of Correction false charge
Of theft, so that she entirely blamelcsa AT the
expiration Of their terms OF Imprisonment these two
young people were hired by members OF the Society
for the Benefit Of Convcts in tho village where
they for the first time. Jacob ard Magdelen were
no ordinary people. They capable, intelligent
and honest They loved and married Jacob became
0asman at o railroad crossing. ana he ana his good
wife reared family OF six children, who, with one
exception, did honor 10 their name DR.. Holster. a
judge and worthy man in every way, the devoted
friend Of tho ex-convcts and did everything
dinlculs task. II ranked in their bosoms
like thorn. As his nughters were
asked in marriage Jacob had to make his Illuminating
confession to his sons-in.law. Fortunately, they
men Of sense and were not disturbed by tho news
Ono was baron and missionary, the othor a farmer.
There Is nothing exciting about the book, but you
become so Interested In the family the railroad that
you cannot skip page OF their story. The book re-
minds one OF the old comedies, where is shifted
for overy new character aud situation. Hore every
new character and situation given new chapter,
even though contain but page. Each character is
completely drawn, and hcro Is Of sincerity and
homeIiness about tho book that gives II an unusual
charm.
''rHE NINETEENTH CENTURY"
Quito an event has just happened In tho periodical
literature OF England IN tho publication OF the nrs:
number OF monthly rcviow which attracts w,dcr
attention than new review has ever before received