The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-16

nting reality, and for that reason our Bense-
lions have the keenncss and intensity Of health,
and we experience the honest glow or panR OF
human sympathcs. In some Of Mr.. Farjcons
earlier works. however. while the conceptions
were clear and invested with the right dramatic
property Of sef-cvolution We have observed
want Of deftncss in the construction OF plot. and
a lack Of finish in the ncctics of verbal express
sion. His latest story. Solomon Tsddcs tCarle-
toni IL much less open to criticism on this
score. II possesses in conspicuous degree
the substantial merits above indicated. and IL
bears the marks of patient and delicate work
manship. This is n book which ought not TO be
overlooked. II will give tho reader lively
pleasure. and It will scarcely fail TO awaken
feeling Of esteem for the author.
Two recent additions to Applctons' Collection
ofForcgn Authors deserve particular attention.
one is VICTOR CHuRBuLrrz's Meta Hoide,,is. II
companion piccc TO Samuel Brohl Il Co" and
II book which should renew the notable success
gained 10y the English version of the latter
novel. As that introduced us TO n new and irrc-
sistiblo type Of male advonturcr. so in the pres
cnt volume We trace the fortunes Of win
some and insinuaiing govcrncss 80 hap
PLY fashioned by nature for strategy and
wilcs as to continually deudc herself.
Both figures arc drawn with that inim-
itablo air Of serene justice. that con-
tcmptuous good nature. 10 which the only ade-
quate parallel in English fiction is Thackeray's
portrait Of Philip Firmin. AZ we have pre-
viously spoken Mt some length of Chcrbuic2
In connection with the former work. we nccd
only add that the action OF Meta Holdenis" Is
somewhat more fervid and vigorous. and tho
development OF the plot more piquant to curl
osity. On the whole, we may commend II to tho
reader rs the most captivating translation from
the French which has been printed in a twelve
month, and we except neither Samuel Brohl"
nor Sidonie."
Tho other member Of the same series. The
To'cer Of Ptrccn,ond. will be remembered ~ tho
story which Nine. DuDEvANT published in the
columns OF the Recue DIES Deur Mondes but
short time before her death. We could not un-
dertakc in these notes to mark the lustrous
qualifications and the undeniabc deficiencies
ofsuch an artistsuch as George Sand. SO bound
less were the stores OF observation accumulated
10y this writer. and such the experiences acquired
10y the incessant practice OF long life that. dur
ing her last years. she was able 20 throw OF sto-
rics Of more than average charm with cxtraor-
binary celebrity. THE Tower of Pcrcemont >,
would scarcely he assigned place in the first.
or even second rank OF the authors works. but
it was well worth translation; and had it pro-
cccdcd from an unknown hand. II would chal-
lcn.c more unstinted approval.
The .hutals Of a Bdby tCarlctonl Is by SARAH
BRIDGES STEpDISs. the author of the misnamcd
but striking story. He and l." to which we re-
fcrred some time ago. We have no hesitation
in saying that if this book had happened to see
the light before IIclcn's Babies II would have
discounted the success Of that extremely popu-
lar work. In delicacy Of drawing and in tcchni-
cal workmanship as well as for airy playiulncss
Of humor and some poignant touches Of emo
tional power. we should incline to set 1t higher
than Mr.. Habborton's brochure. We have sell
dom known an instance whore an author had
more ample ground for repeating the formula
sacred 10 certain species Of ill-fortunc-
Icreda gu ante nos aOstrd drissen.
The Pctcrsons have published another story
by Mrs. L. II. BURNETT. to whom we were in
debted for That Lass o'Lowrics." Like
Thco.' which we noticed some weeks ago. this
work bears signs of being an earlier venture Of
the authors. but the motive OF the tale is more
acceptable and the action moro energetic and
coherent. In this instance some Of the charac-
ters are studies of interesting types. and they
are projected with considerable distinctness.
We may add that there is an unaffected brisk
moss. and. so 10 speak. unconscious precision.
in this writer's dictiOn which is very pleasing.
The present story bears the title Of Pretty PoUv
Itt"bDfpH and taken altogether. Will dctract
but little from the reputation which the por-
iraycr III That Lass O Lowrio's " fairly earned.
The Sarcasm NJ Desimy. by VI +. W. $. tAp-
pleton's). scarcely deserves notice But in JUS
tire 10 the least successful Of the authors above
scrutinzed. we must pronounce this perform
ancc unmitigated rubbish. In construction.
Characterization. and in style The Sarcasm Of
Destiny is wholly beneath sarcasm. And here
We may rs well say once for all that the counte-
nancing Of such productions 10y publishers Of
high standing and magazines OF some pretcn-
sions is well calculated 10 discourage meritori-
Gus writers, and to materially blight the not
very hardy growth of American literature.