The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-20
LITERATURE.
BOOKS OF THE wEEK-NEw LIBRARIES OF
FICTION = CUPID IN PETTIcoATs - THREE
STRINGS TO HER Bow-Is HE PoPENJoY?-

BOOKS OF THE wEEK-NEw LIBRARIES OF
FICTION ~ CUPID IN PETTIcoATs - THREE
STRINGS TO HER BOWS HE PoPENJoy?-
ANTHONY TIoLLoPE's LATEST STORY.
Harper Brothers with their usual enterprise have
started two new libraries OF fiction within the week.
one Library OF American Fiction" tho other the
"Frankn Square Library" Tho former Is inaugu-
rated by Alice Perry. who writes novel called esther
Pcnnefather." II certainly has OF the qualities
claimed Tor It by tho publishers, and that is strkng
originality" We are assured that Miss Perry Is
young author and this her FIRST work, OF which
statements We would for moment pretend to dispute
That this young author has facility aud that she lves
promise OF still larger performance In tho future" we
also believe but that does not prevent our thinking
tho present volume the most curious combination Of
misplaced cleverness we have seen. esther
Pennefather" Is unquestionably the work OF school
girl It bears the stamp OF enthusiasm that only
buds during tho caow days OF pina.ores and slate
peneils Taxing this INTO consideration Is not bad
performance, and We gay to this Young author, Try
again. for IL Is we'll worth your while Tho theme OF
story is tue love of young lady teacher in board
ing school for tho lady principal. All the love In the
book Is Of women for women. While would be tho
last In the world to sneer At the friendships OF women
for wo know OF INSTANCES where they hive
lasting as lilo, VIC clnnot but smile the passions
painted by Miss Perry. Esther Penn oaihcr Tell vio-
lently in love with Miss Snow, the principal OF tho
school whore sao taught, and would rain burning
kisses on her hand as she passed her IN dark pas
sagos, or she would walk Tor miios for the sake OF
touching her dress. Miss Kcn,ley, another toachor,
had a similar passion. and Emily Wise, OF tho
pupils who had gone homo because she great
Invalid TO study had 10 be sent back for fear sho
would dic out OF tho sight Of her idol Miss Snow This
a-conqucrng Miss Snow IS described as exceed
ingy beautiful woman, with classic head and the
form OF Juno. She cold she classic and
toycd with tho affections OF her girl lovers cat
does with mouse. To show tho sort Of worship
Esther had for Miss Miriam Snow, let quote para
graph from tho book:-"Taking another
IRON the tho table, sho (Esther)
knelt ana fastened it in Miram's hair
with bowed head. like knee!Ine before
altar. IL thu altar which shc offered up hcr-
SELF her hopes and her young life, with triumphant.
gladncss that thcy worthy to be accepted thcre
rough, rowdyish sort OF man, Fred Docpfncr. the
son oil basket weaver, saw Esther at COMFORT
and fell In love with her He knew that no could
reach her through tho ordinary channels. but, know
ing her affection Tor Miss Snow, he himscf with
o secret OF hers and couronts Esther with IL He
speaks to her for the first time tell her that
knows tnat Miss SHOWS brother forged little check.
and that unless she tEsther) consents TO marry him
he Will publish Il TO the world. To friond's
feelings sho marrIes the rough, lives hts unhappy
wivo for years ana dies OF fever, calling upon
Miriam with her dying breath. Another girl, Elsie,
the daughter OF the weaver, climbs out Of second
story window at tie dead Of night to meet still an
othor girl, Rachel Fairfield in the Ecdgo row, where
they swear etornal fidelity. Rachel Is rich ana fair
and Elsie Ia OF very humble belongings Rachcps
elder sister, Helen, locks herself up in her room
and never comes out FOR years, until sho
Is gray and wrinklcd. because her mother
won't let her visit g,r she loves. Rachel takes
her place In tho family and Is made much Of Her
cousin Alfred Preston, married man, tells her that
she is unconsciously standing IN her SISTERS light;
that If she out of the way hor sister would be
stored 10 her rightiu position Rachel, conscience
stricken consents TO elope with her married cousin.
although engaged to fne young follow at tho samc
time. Elsie, who Is now servant girl In family,
dcvotes her tmc 70 the discovery OF Rachel, and In
her tramps about tho city meets with some gallant
policemen. she happens to be In at tho murder OF
| child, but Is not detsiucd q Witness. Tho police
captain ssnds her home with one Of his men, who
tells her she had better DO moro careful how she
| prowls about, that It Is not safe; to which she
auswors, with smile, III don't think I've been In
any danger, sir; nobody has troubled mc.n whcrcat
The gallant policeman says with roady tongue 'rhat
must be because your hair is so like hale thcy took
you for wandering saint" She finally finds Rachel
and restores nor TO the bosom OF her family
wo have doubt that boarding school
girls will weep over tho woes OF esther
Pcnnefathcr, for tho tears OF boarding school
girls lie very near the surface, and then thor ttlo
world is filed with loves for another, mono Of
which sincerely hope will lead tho tragic results
recorded in this unique story. We must say
word praise or tho OF this new SERIES which
are extremely pretty aud original