The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-23
LITERATURE.
A German View of the Labor Question
in the United States.
MRS. KEMBLE'S RECOLLECTIONS
Arctic Exploration = "A Poetical
Pitman-Chit- Chat.

Iudu-CnlC-CndL.
THE CONDITION OF LABOR IN THE UNITED
STATES.
In the year 1876 the German Minister Of Commerce,
Or. Arhenbach. in cooperation with ''Socety for
the Welfare of the Working Classes" senta young
statistical writer, Mr.. Arthur Won Studnitz, this
country to make careful report the general con-
dition of the laborng classes of the United States,
and this report is before in ayolume of nearly
six hundred pages, which contains good deal of in
formation and of statistics which
full and interesting even to American in
quirers. Mr.. Won studnitz used his opportunity
thoroughly; his various chapters concern not merely
wages in different branches and the manner of en-
ployment, but the of life, the houses, cloth
ing, comforts and pleasures the disputes, unions,
beneficial societies. savings and building societies.
the strikes the relation OF the labor laws and
in fact with German thoroughness everything which
could contribute to give to his German readers
the materials for picture of the life of the
laboring and in this country.
The book is magazine Of important facts.
a careful collection of statistics by an industrious
and trained observer and in this respect it will be
useful to economists here well in Europe. The
eighteenth chapter, in which the author compares
the most interesting to well as the most in
structive. The author tells his countrymen that,
while the American dslikes labor, he is perhaps for
that reason more ingenious, more thorough and
a more trustworthy workman than the Ger
man. He cites the remark of German engineer
who preferred Americans to Germans laborers
when he had to move heavy piece of statuary.
'.they take hold more skilfuly; if had Germans
should fear they would careessly knock off the
OF the figure The American workman is undoubt-
eddy by nature to labor; but because he is so,
and because of his intelligence, he is an admirable
creature to manage machinery and understands we'll
how to handle laborsaving contrivances." The Amer
lean. he adds, is punctual he comprehends
quickly what needs to be done, and he praises the
tools which beyond those of all other
tries not only neaer better fitted for the precise
work. but as adapted in surprising manner to the
individual needs of the workman. The Americans.
he adds, waseful of the material they work in
as they are economical of human labor. 1T might
be truly said that the German is economical or
terials. the Engishman of time and the American of
strength"
The book, Observation-Disclosures Arbeiterverhalt-
nesse.' Arthur Studnitz is published in
Leipzig by Duncker Humblot.
RECORDS OF A GIRLHOOD."
Mrs. Frances Ann Kemble recently published,
through Richard Bently Sons, of London, 1.-THE
Records of Girhood,' in three volumes. work
that will be reprinted by Henry Holt Co., in this
city. Two of these volumes contain the matter
which previously appeared in the Atlantic Monthly
The third is new As writer Mrs. Kemble is vigorous
and graphic. She has keen insight into and
things, and she writes boldly. With stroke of the
pen she describes man or woman so that one
with her eyes, OF play by Mrs. Norton she
atoms and ferocious circumstances Tinkering
starving. hanging-like chapter out Of New
gate calendar. OF course il made
me cry horribly; but then. of course, one cries
when hears OF people reduced by sheer
starving to eat nettlcs and cabbage stalks"
Wednesday, June s-"while writing to H
my mother came in and told me that Mrs. Siddons
dead. was not surprised; she had been i'll and
gradually falling for so long. could not be
much greved for self. for of had had but
little intercourse with her. though she was always
very kind to me when saw her. She died at eight
o'clock this morning peaceably. and without suffer
ing. and in full consciousness" June 9-"And so
am to act Lady Macbeth! feel as if were standing
up by the great pyramid of Egypt to see how tall /
AMI"
OF Rachel's singing she says:-"Her singing. as
heard it the STAGE in the drinking song of the OK
raordinary piece called 'vaera, in which she played
two parts, really nothing more than chanting
In the deep contralto of her speaking voice. and could
hardly pass for a musical performance ut all any
than her wonderful uttering of the .Marsel
laise,' with which she made womens blood run cold
and the mems hair stand end and cverybody's
flesh creep" OF Pasta she says:-'I admire her per-
fecty and she seems to perfect" While
playing in the little theatre OF Weymouth she
is reminded of the drol stories her mother used to
All.
who had passion for that town. and used go tho
funny little theatre there constantly; and how .the
prncesses used to dress her out in their own
fincry for of her parts" At Southampton
she Lawrence's portrait of Mrs. Sddons (now in
the National Gallery. which was painted for Mrs
Titzhugh. ut is fine. rich piece Of coloring but
there is want of and grace in the figure and of
life in the countenance, and altogether thought it
looked like handsome dark in a coral necklace .
Mrs. Kemble, while often in her criticisms
If others. does not spare herself her family Her
performance of Queen Katherine she condemns. and
her youthful attempt at playwriting. she says. was
only tolerated out Of good nature Mrs. siddons of
the stage. read gave mot the slightest indication
of unusual intellectual capacity of any sort" Being
lionizcd was very unpleasant to Mrs. Kemble. She
had large circle of acquaintance, the most of whom
she seemed TO like. There was Arthur Hallam, 80
clever charming and winning;' Tennyson, with
whose exterior she was always little disappointed.
"in spite Of his eyes which are very fine; but his
head and face striking and dgnified they arc are
almost too ponderous and massive for beauty in so
young man." and there was slightly sarcastic ex-
preston about his mouth" which frightened her In
spite Of his shy manner aud habitual silence'' aud
excellent Mr. Harness. OF whom she very fond
and many more.
JoHNsoN's NEW UNIVERSAL CyCLoPEpIA,
This work, published by A. J. johnson 4 Son,
New York. consisting of four large and hand
some volumes, averaging more than one thousand
seven hundred pages, has been completed above q
year, the first volume bearing date 1874 and the