The Portland daily press., 1878-09-21

In Paradise (Appleton's Collection of For
eign Authors; Portland: Dresser s. McIellan.)
is the title of the English translation of Paul
Heyse's NOVELETTE, first extended romance of
his that has been offered to the American and
English readers. This is a novel of which the
scope, the strength and the careful workman
snip deserve more than a passing notice and
name 1t is romance that will last, and will,
In literary point OF view, establish Paul Heyse
as successful novelist of the German school
which since the days of "Wilhelm Mester," is
fond of presenting pictures of social life,
crowded with figures, full of action, less OF .
dramatic than If a philosophic nature, and
which, under various guises, attempts the
solution OF abstract problems of existence, or
paints life with careful minuteuess that con-
trasts with the generalties Of its reasoning.
After sincere praise has been given NJ. Hsyse
for the interest," the sustained power of his
romance-oertain exceptions will occur to the
American reader. The title, In Paradise, is
derived from the meetings of an artist clique in
Munich who endeavored to restore to the
"effete civilization" of conventional society the
primeval joy and the freedom of the original
Eden, and the story is made up of the doings
and sayings of this clique of Originals after
the old masters" Notwithstanding gener-
Gus proportion of serpent, the new Paradise
eventuates, to the readers mind at least, in be-
coming tiresome The dulIness of convention.
al society is dense-but II one be bored he can
charge it to circumstances. To be bored In
Bohemia is the acme of desolatien-for man is
70, fnlln Ia
what antics he will. he may assault the world
with his violent speech, he may stand on his
head and flourish defiant heels in the air, and
no man shall say him nay. And the outcome
OF 1t all is, that If man is born to be bored
that is if he lacks the genuine innate instincts
OF enjoyment-bored he shall be whether In
Bohemia or Philistia. And, Notwithstanding
the rerUe and spirit of M. Heyse's work, his
Paradise is tedious. American readers will be
likely to rebel against two bulky volumes (the
translator deserves thanks for the omission Of
sundry poems and other condensations-among
which might better have been included certain
rather blasphemous and not very funny with
cisms for which the translator naively apollo
gizes BY saying they do not sound so wicked in
the original Germany. Moreover, and this is
the most serious objection to the move, there Is
want OF morality about is, q certain
cold, slow, and mildly understated type
Of wrong doing that is scarcely recog-
nized at first as such, so calmly and
is it stated. NJ. Heyse possesses
undeniable talent, but In Paradise is not in
accord with American feeling. while at the
same time 1t will be recognized as an admira-
bly, executed work of the kind to which 1t be-
longs.
soma. translated from the French of Henry
GrsViile by Mrs. Mary Neal Sher wood (Phila
delphia: T. b. Peterson & co.. This is a
charming, original and p;quaut novel. executed
with the tender touch aud the brightness Of
conception that characterize the work of Henry
Grsville. Often dramatic to the verge of hor.
ror, there Is feminine brilliance and purity
that her novels always retain; q refinement
and honesty OF intention which the generality
Of French romances are apt to lack. The plot
Of Sonia is fresh and sufficient for the pur
poses of the romance. 1t is a story of Rus
sian society-of which the thin varnish of
Parisian manner at once disguises and def nes
the essential barbarism. The hero Is q young
man OF thoughtful and honorable character,
who, employed as tutor to an enfdnt terrible
and beautiful young girl, the children of q
Russian countess, finds out in time to save
himself from lasting trouble, the deceitful and
shallow nature of the lovely Lydie, his pupil
Sonia, the little serf-girl, is the heroine, and
her grave and noble character is defined with
The utmost grace and reality. Sonia, trans
lated with the spirit and fidelity of Mrs. Sher
woods pen, loses nothing of the charm of the
original and may be thoroughly recommended
to lovers OF foreign fiction.
The Arab Wife (New York: ID. Appleton s.
Co.; Portland: Dresser & McLellan) is an ex-
citing story of the Poynesian seas. quite differ
ent from the usual style of novel, and abound
ing in adventure and incident.
Sibyl Spencer, by James Kent, author Of The
johnson Manor New York: G. P. Putnam's
Sons; Portland: Loring, Short & Harmony isa
story of New England life, of manly and sim
cere quality and much quiet humor and fidelity
to nature in its characters and descriptions. Ii
will remind the reader of Mrs. Stoves New
England stories, although the touch of mans
pen is apparent throughout. 1t is novel
which will help to keep alive the pleasant and
wholesome traditions of our forefathers; and
affords some of the best and most hfelike pic
lures of New England that have been presented
by fiction. As specimen of the quaint mix
ture of the religious and secular life, the un-
conscious humor of the Yankee, may be quoted
the passage where the Deacon bids his daugh-
ter, "Jist call the help; we'll read chapter of
the blessed Book, and ask favor of the Al
mighty on this poor, suffering, Dimmicrat-
ridden country of ours, before we say good
night"
The latest addition to the Messrs. Harpers's
excellent Students Series" Is a manual of
ecclesiastical history by Philip Smith, the au-
Thor of the old and new testament histories In
the same series. This volum me Portland: Lor-
ing, Short s. Harmony relates the history of the
Christian Church during the first ten centuries
of its existence, that is, up to the full establish
ment OF the Holy Roman Empire and the rec
ognition throughout its extent of the paramount
authority of the Papacy. The work is in
effect, so far as sacred history is concerned,
of the "Nsw Testament History"
but it also necessarily deals fully with profane
affairs and so becomes chronicle of the civil
lied world during the centuries of which 1t
treats.
The work has been admirably done aud is
real addition to students library, putting him
in easy possession of facts for which otherwise,
he might be compelled to search long and far
and certainly much better fitted to his use than
Mosheim; for since the date of that work not
little history has had to be rewritten, and the
department of Christian antiquities has been
created.
This volume, we are promised, Is to be fol-
lowed by another relating the history of the
Medieval Church and the Reformation.
Mr.. Julian Hawthorne's novelette,, Mrs.
Diamonds 1New York: d.
Appleton & Co.; Portland: Dresser s. Nc
Lelan) is very startling and exciting. some
thing after the manner of Wilkie Collins; but
is by no means as well carried out as are the
novels of that pheuomenally Ingenious writer.
The interest of Mr.. Hawthorne's story is held
throughout, and the rapidity Of its motion
carries tha reader ovar manv weak nlacaa in