The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-19
LITERATURE.
COUNT roLsroY's ''cossACKs" eugene
scHUYLER's TRANSLATION OF THE FAMOUS


COUNT roLsroY's ''cossAcxs"
scHuYLER's TRANSLATION OF THE FAMOUS
RUSSIAN NOVELIST.
Al one time. and that not very long ago. the aver
age American had avsgus idea OF Russia - being
country governed BY Gear, where the people ate
cavare and drank vedka and from whore che leather
was Imported make travelling bags and pocket
books But times have changed. and q che present
day there foreign country in which we take
greater interest ana few that We know more about
Its wars have filled our newspapers; eur libraries
have been considerably augmented BY books OF uavei
in tpnt country by well known writersi one OF our
favorts novsliss, Turgusnien, Russian, and the
Russian Grand Duke has lived in our hotels and We
have seen him nghsy theatres; that we feel
as though were pretty well posted In
the mannors and customs Of Russia. Mr. Eugene
Schuyler, Who 1t will be remembered. was the 1rst
to introduce Turgusnsn TO American readers has
Just laid under double obligation By TRANSLATION
OF a newell by his rival Count Leo Tolstoy. Mr..
Schuyler that Tostoy 10 the most popular novel
list In Russia and after rurguenef, the best Eacn
novelist has numerous party OF admirers who claim
for their favorie the title Of s'bsst" Turguenief,
having made France his home, 10 better known
throughout Europe and America than Tostoy. who
enjoys the widest reputation In mis- own country.
gether ana rivals we cannot understand. They are
no more alike than soprano and centralto, or. to en-
ploy a better comparison, than Aillet and Titan.
Toistoy, though the nobleman, draws his subjects
from among the common people, and lays his ooiors
on with a sympatheto, but often rude hand, while
Turguenief writes Of the upper or middle classes,
and draws mouids his characters as care
fully as artist who begins with the nude
figure and adds the drapery a. he advsncea Tolsoy
suggests Walt Whitman 70 US more than any other
English speaking writer Rs has that same love for
tho simple and natural, and often we must say IL,
the coarse. Tostoy told. belongs TO no polit
cal party though he dlsikss the aristocracy among
whom he was born. He chooses his subjects IT
dom generally from among the people, To quote from
an able foreign critic:.-"What no detests
than the higher classes Of thoories: his phi
losophy consists In believing that the world goes
round without the direct participation Of Individuals
and that the latter, in mixing themselves in that
which not concern them, only damage The estab
Ished order. In his opinion reflection 10 mortal
enemy OF mankind; generalization 10 only lure and
TO have and do good II Is sufficient TO
consciously" This Is exactly the idea put forth
in ssThs Cossacks' CHARLES scribnsr's sons)
tho novel which Mr. Schuyler has translated
"rhs Cossacks" was written somewhere be-
tween 1856 and 1860 Toistoy served in the
Caucasus in 1851 and 1852, and IL 10 ut that time
probably that no picked up the material for this
novel, which Turguen,eff told Mr.. Schuyler he
sidsred sths finest and most perfect production Of
Russian literature" The plot OF "Tne Cossacks' il
simple aud the interest lies In tho descriptions Of
Cossack life and character. Oisnin, young gentle
man fortune and high brtb having controlled his
property tho age OF eighteen and done just about
as ne pleased, disgustsd with the arthciali.y Of
fo at tho advanced ago OF four his
upon the gayetes Of Moscow, joins tho army and
TO the Caucasus yunksr Olenin Is good fellow.
amiablo and kind hearted tut he has never been In
love for u longer time than one evening NO matter
how deep his passion has been BY candle light It
always FED before the dawn Of day He stationed
at Novomiinsk, right In among tho mountains. There
no passed a quiet life among the simple Cossaoks
until he fell in love with Martauka, the
belle Of the village, VINO is conspicuous
in the story for wearing nothing but sAirt she
went abou. her household duties Marianka was
little more than living statue, but OF Ciroassian
beauty. She was in love with Luka, q bravo, and
though she 1t one time encouraged Olsnin her
heart was to Luka Olsnin's love for this
beauty was Father singular, but then he was some.
what OF a Utopan, and had queer notions about sim
pl,c,ty. ssThe station OF Novomnnsk considered
TO be the centre OF the Grebna CossacKs" says the
novelist. 'Herc, more than In the rest were pre-
served the manners OF the old Cossacks, and tho
famous for their beauty throughout the
whele OF Caucasus. Tho beauty OF
the Cossack women is especially striking
by the union Of the purest type Of the Circassian
face win the broad powerful frame OF the Northern
women. The Cossack women wear she Ciroassian
dress-rarsr shirt, gown and drawers; but they tie
up their heads In ksrcbiefs In Russian style. Ele-
Rance nsatness and beauty In their attire and the
arran cement Of their cottages form habit and
cessity OF their liie In their relations to the men
women, especially girls, enjoy complete freedom"
This latter statement we are inclined TO agree with
after reading this book Maranka, though not
thought ovsrbred pretty well kissed BY the young
Of the village, and Rugged besides. Strong Ian
guage well strong drink to be peculiarly
OF Cossack women and men. Marianka's lover came
upon her suddenly, "Oh, you cursed devil, you
frightened me So" she SAID laughing. "By God"
and '.Oh, Christi were common expressions. The
little party given BY tho Prince Bestsky Ut mis- quar-
tors at which there one present but himself,
OIenn and the village girls, partook good deal OF
the free and easy orasr AZ picture OF Cossaok life
We suppose that this book 10 faithful reproduction.
Tho characters all skstchsd BY master hand and
the story without being arsistcay woven, 10 full OF
living interest ard warmth, and We have - thank
Mr. Schuyler for breaking thts new ground asd hope
shat he win follow up the lead. for ne has whst our
appesitss Tor more OF this brilliant writer's work.
The TRANSLATION is quite free some places, and
Others again, quite literal The authors style Is pre-
served and enabled 70 form an excellent idea
OF his work manship
LITERARY CHIT-cHAT.
"free Trade and Protection: An Inquiry into the
Causes Which have Retarded the General Adoption OF
Free Trade since It's introduced into England" BY
Henry Fawcstt, NJ. p. Macmillan Co.. London and
Now York PIP. l73 In This little volume Professor
Fawcett has very ably what are the arguments
upon which the friends Of the "Yrotestion" system