The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-05

where II Is produced In profuson lies in close
proximity to Mexico. These are striking facts
which il is not the Office Of this handbook 10 ca
plain. but they certainly prompt reflection.
" Little Thinsummy,7 ny Alphonse Daudet.
In lie Tem Chose. or, as IL may be COLO
quay translated, Little ThinRummy." VI.
ALPnoNsB DAUDET presents TO us n picture of
school and domestic life somewhat resembling
Jack" Daniel Eyssette. the hero Of the novel.
is a feeble dminutve child-whence his nick
name-living in small town in the south OF
France. where his father is n manufacturer of
silk handkerchieis Commercial reverses com
pei the family to remove to Lyons. and from
there Daniel goes to live as a teacher in u pro-
vnca academy Here he has experiences not
unlike those Of Nicholas Nckleby. and in his
misery attempts to commit suicide. but is pre-
vented By a compassionate fellow teacher who
furnishes him with the means Of getting to
Paris. Being Of literary turn. he writes n
poem which ia published and fails. and then he
engages rs an actor at a suburban theatre. in
company with an adventures who has taken
fancy to him. and the pair fall into wretched
state Of degradation. Finally, his brother res
cues him. ho marries the daughter Of n crock
cry dealer. and ends by becoming his partner
in business.
As a whole. the book Is sombrc and painful.
though not without redecming features. The
descriptions in 1t OF persons and places are in
tcrostlng. aud some Of tho characters are
worthy of admiration. Daniels elder brother
Jaquos, who, ON a salary Of 500 n month. con
trivcs 10 support both himself and Daniel. so
that Daniel may have leisure TO pursue his
literary labors. and who bravely assumes the
cost Of publishing his unlucl1y poem. is model
Of self-sacrilcing devotion. Camille Pierrotte.
the daughter Of the crockery merchant. is n de-
licious specimen Of the Innocent homc-hrcd
girl. oftener found In real French life than in
French novels. Her father. Monsieur Pier
rote the CeNcnnee peasant who began life rs
an itlnerant JUNK dealer. il an bon est. grateful,
and loyal fellow. whom It would la pleasure
TO do business with. And inasm uch as the
hero is finally landed In the safe ha ven Of mat
rmony with virtuous and wcll-doW 'ercd wife.
we can contemplate his career wit certain
degree of satisfaction.
These bright lights. however. relic, Y n back
ground of Intense and sometimes 81 ,prrs-ivc
darkness, a. they do in the paintings Of Rom
brandt and Cartyagsio. Except the III rec that
We have named. all the pcrsOnagos of H. enoyel
are either insignificant or repulsivc. IA : Dau-
det seems TO have taken Balzac rs his ,aster
and TO have striven 20 initiate him in dep letting
rs for'ibly a. possible The weaknesses and vices
His hero in this book l. represented rs bcin z rs
fcrhlo in mind a- he Is In body; he d-pll n Il
morbid and ridiculous vanity: his advcntu res
are nearly all disagrecahe. AMI the pooilc "a It'll
whom he Is made to come IN contact eNhi bit
moral traits which II is far from pleasant t.
contemplate. Indeed. If we may believe a. e
school ~ noyclists OF which Balla, ana Daudt /
are typos. the French are q cruel. trcarherous.
ayaricious. and hcartless nation whom 1t would
be n good deed 90 sweep from the face OF the
earth. and among whom life Is little better than
It would he among the thieves aud prostitutes
Of tho Five Points.
When Daniel Eyssotte. for example. after his
father ; financial ruin. sois out on the steam
boat for his native place, where his old euro is
% give him recommendation for situation
as u-l, In ncighhoring academy. his vanity
leads him into the most ridiculous conduct
Monsieur the phiio'o,l,, wa. prom,naln- un ami
dNwn ne eN. IT. hands m nj pocket hi. hrii tlrNh
uc WON, n ,if,,,ti t.c hsuis I'D tn,ir wo,t .,ir.d
y i"' inr boat az ~ I" N'rnm Pc n'd d ' ho"' .
ia .u ,,ul l.ul,ui.I mn lha' n.'dc lam ,,, proud
This lie abouthis position he repeats to IN Old
servant of bis mothers whom he meets On his
way e. the academy. When he arrives tuore, hc
is invited To- "a p'uiA ijtu'. given IN % cabaret
hy his predecessor to his friends 40 first.
Daniel - reserved ami quiet. hut 49, tLo punch
warns him M. his vanity breaks oDt anew:
olalnt.N l'c r.utOnlN % I.'- H' d. .'l
IT. .il n.fl H. l.-inn'.ntri
o,, .tr aer-a.t ',. tn.t. n, i.... It.. ,.ry
u'aH...' ani NAT l,.l c,'Un. r,n l,'
, ,,', 90 i,'..ea' d. ,' IS .a. h.aa.yr'
The effect ofthis ouloe.ou- roman.us wo are
tDll Wl- 20 90 .ur laI ID ..ll~IN i.'l. -lN Il