The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-10
SOME NEW BOOKS.


this Ia tho first OF Iola's books TO appear in nm
English version. and It Is worth while. there
fore. TO consider why none Of this authors
books. or the remarkable works Of his teacher.
Eiaubert have been introduced to English read
ers. wo may say however. at tho outset. that
many details in the original have been ex-
plunged or softened. and that the translator has
done her utmost to make the acrid and ruthless
realism OF Zolas pictures endurabc by the un-
married women who in America and England
form 80 large n part OF the novel reading public
Unluckily. however. we do not take young
girls into the dissectng room, unless they are
studying to be doctors, and we are not accus-
toned TO regard tho social evil rs q fit subject
Tor their conversation or meditation. So. too
while II is acknowledged that adultery exists
among us. we prefer that young maidcns should
regard 1t as phenomenal and well nigh iucred-
lbe offence rather than emphasize its existence
and conccde its frequency by dwelling on its con-
sequences In other words the English novel,
owing to the peculiar character of the audience
1t addresses. is constrained to ignore the crime
which any among It's feminine readers are
most likely 10 commit. 1t is not to be sup
posed for instance. that any Of Nudes lady
subscribers will be tempted to perpotrate arson
or burglary or to experiment in posons. and
therefore II is not feared that Miss Braddon's
highly colored pictures will greatly pervort
lheir morals So far rs murder or theft Is con-
cerned, 1t ia not assumed by the censors Of tho
English or American press that ignorance is
essential to innocence. In France. on the other
hand. where mono OF the novels in vogue are
avowedy read by unmarried women the author
Is perfectly free MS regards choice Of subject.
and is only answerablc to tho right thinking
critic for the character and influence OF his
treatment: and IL tho Illicit affection OF mon
place in French novels out Of all proportion
to the prevalence Of the phenomenon in life. tho
explanation is not far to seek. That virtuous
affection Of young men and moidens. that WOO
ing OF a girl for tho good motive as II is called
which forms the staple Of the scores OF novels
issued monthly from the English press. is not
available for the purpose OF French fiction.
for the simple reason that 1t scarcely
exists in the French world. II. therefore. love
Is to form the theme OF French novelist at all
1t must be the sober affection Of married folk
developed under the homcly influences OF do
nestle life. or 1t must needs be the wayward
passion that dehes the laws Of wedlock. Eng
lish novels substantially confess that romance
Is inconsistent with the faithful attachment Of
avoided pair. for they all end at the church
door. For double reason. therefore. 1t lie pre-
posterous to Judge French and English fiction
different and the ante marital relations OF the
sexes. with some infrequent exceptions in pro-
vincial life and under phenomenal circum-
Stances. are totally distinct.
Now as regards this work by Emile lola. we
may note. in the FIRST place. that it is one OF
twenty. eight OF which have been already pub
lished. The whole series is an attempt TO in
ierpret the romance Of life from a physiological
point Of view, to weigh the relative effects Of
heredity and environment in interesting sltua-
tions. There is n certain relationship between
the principal characters in all OF these books
as well in those projected in those
already produced. and the present vol
ume is prefaced by n genealogical tree in
which the physical and mental tendencies Of
progenitors are exhibited rs modified by sue
cessive intermarrages and social conditions.
The heroine Of the book before us. owing to
a iudicious admixture Of blood In the preceding
generation is n robust. hcalthful. and we'll
balanced creature; but the hereditary faint
comes out in her daughter. Jeanne. whose ex-
uuisitely sensitive organization is prone to
hysteria and commissions. The gradual sublcc-
lion Of an honest and generous nature 10 a
physical attraction. which il powerfully reen-
forced by intellectual and moral sympathy. Ia
traced with masterful distinctness yet with tho
calmness and frigidity Of an anatomist. The
author never seems 10 apologize for the wrong
going Of his heroine. He scarcely seems 10 for
Give her: but he enables us TO understand her
mistake and compcls Us to regret H. In Zola's
book the way Of eyil-doers is not path Of
flowers. and the reader. far from being tempted
10 pursue 1t, turns aside with a positive con
tempt and loaihing.
As regards the moral bearing OF his pic
ture. the author has followed closely in the
footsteps Of his tutor Flaubert. and there
are not wanting those who see In his
accurate portraiturc tie most eloquent and In
cisiye sermon. The controversy which engaged
the most competent critics Of the French capt.
tai. Including Saint Beuye. when Nine. Be-
vary was arraigned for lcwdness will not soon
be forgotten. and tho final verdict Is well
known that the writer had not embcllishcdbut
IillOried the aduitercss. II seemed 10 be the
special object Of Flaubert to mark out with pitt
less veracity the lies. the tricks the muluiorm
thunlings and doublings. the infinite base
ness and shabbncss engendered by the habit
Of deliberate breach Of faith. On the other
hand. Zola's purpose in Helene is TO trace
the Interruption and disrupture Of the most
wholesome and sacred relations. like that Of
maternity for instance. By a Maynard. unayow-
able appetite for which there is no place in an
honest home BY logic which cannot be
questioned, and by q combination OF events
whose pressure is irresistible. the qualification
Of a base. unworthy attachment Is made 10 en-
tail the swift and utter arrangement Il Il
mother from her child. and tho death Of doll
cate and sensitive being who cannot bear tho
anguish Of moral isolation For tho sake ~
fugitive satisfaction, whose lreyity and
meagreness are markell with a pen OF IRE. a
woman sacrifices the nohlest and most eudur-
ing Of affections and bartcrs the slow canker Of
fe's remOrse for moments giddy intoXica-
hon. In word Of this love episode it may be
Baid that the treatment is caustic and austere.
md might even be called heathiul. IL that term
could be applied To a study in morbid anatomy
Tho two latest additions 20 Appetons collec.
lion Of foreign authors have been very happily
selected. The story entitled Hcmorse by n
lady who signs herself go TIL Benton. origin
Ally appeared IN the H,rue lies Dcip M0udes
The work attracted muoh attention from the
grace and Yvacity Of its style. and from the
singular ylgor cyiueed IN the portrait OF a lit
srary parsonage whose successive love affairs
were turned to the account u his poetry and
novel writing. The essential shallownuss and
meanness Of such a nature were strlkingly con-