The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-01-11
LITERATURE.
Ifs,t,ks.

There is no study In history more interesting
and profitable than the political condition o
France in the middle Of the 18th century, proceed
ing and leading TO the tremendous cataclysm q
1870 to '9S: and the key to that history il know
ledge Of the social condition Of France at thai
period, The power and Spendor which Franc,
had attained under Louis NV. were apparently
mistaken and undim,ned under the 18th Louis
| yet there was, IN the social corruption OF The
| times, a cankcr gnawng at her vitals that only
the history Of her inward life can unfold; and
such glimpse We get in the "novol" before us
The Pompadour, AS every student OF history
knows, was for years the real sovereign OF
France, and how with womanly tact and NOR,
than masculine skill she maintained that mastery
over not only the weak Louis, but men Liz,
RichelIeu, Fleury, &c, is problem tina, Loses
none Of its interest though solved TO us in a nov
ell. The story has with i, all an ingenious plot
which is wrought out with consummate skill.
ISAvHrI's ExpIATIoN. A Russian Story Transa
| ted from the French of Henry Grcville, by Ma
nv Neal Sherwood Philadelphia; T. b. Peter.
son d Bros. Chicago: Jansen, McClurg q
Co. Ottawa: For sale by Osman IL Hapcman
Price, SOC.
In the story Of the Pompadour, notic"d above,
We have glimpse OF social life in France in the
middle of the 18th century; in "Sayclfs ENpia.
ton we have a like portrayal OF Russian de1pot-
ism in the darkest period of her scrfdom. We are
amazed, and as we read these pages say to our.
selves surely these characters must be Ovcrdrawn,
yet the student Of history knows they are true to
the times Through all this savagcry runs pa
thctc, tender love story that enchains the inter.
est, and brings us to the cnd with sigh Of relief.
Henry Cirevillc is among the foremost of modern
French novclists, and in no preceding work has
he presented his characters and their surround
ings with greater ccarness and strength
RAYMoNDE. By Andre Thurie, New York: D.
Appleton ~ Co. Chicago: Jansen, NcClurg IL
Co. Ottawa: For sale by Osman ~ llapeman
Price, SOC.
This is a very pleasant story, depicting domes
tic life in Brittany, that division Of France in
which more than any other Of that viyacous land
the people live in comparative pastoral simplici.
ty and innocence. Raymondc, the heroine, with
out her own feelings and preferences being con-
suited in the matter, is the custom of the coun-
try, finds herself betrothed by an ambitious
mother to Il coarse but wealthy boor, against
r.,
many sore trials and pcrplcxities, conducts her
safely out of her dilemma into the haven Of
blissful union with the choice Of her heart. The
story, though translation, is charmlngly told
and leaves pleasing impression on the readers
mind.
McLEoD or DARE. BY William Black, author Of
"A Princess Of Thule" Daughter of Hcth,'
SC. New York Harper Brothers. Chicago
Jansen, McClurg * Co. Ottawa: For sale by
Osman ~ lIapcman. Price, Zoe.
1t would be AS presumptuous useless on our
part at this late day to attempt criique of this
last and best" story of William Black, whom
he literary world virtually recognizes AS the
cading novelist of the day. The story has run
through Harpcr's Monthly, as well as through
ialf dozen Of editions since then, and the con
inued demand for it attcsts alike its popularity
md excellence. Our only present purpose is to
ay, that ii is published as No. 25 Of the Frank.
in Square Library" Of the llarpcrs in clear, bold
print, on good paper, and can be obtained at the
moderate cost OF lOc
ruE MlsrLEToE BoUGm Edited by NJ. f. Brad. |
don, author Of "An Open Verdict" aurora
Floyd" Nc. Harper Brothers, New York Jan. |
sen, McCurg ~ Co.. Chicago; for sale by Os. |
man Il Ilapcman, Ottawa. Price, ljc.
series of Christmas stories, by this popular
uthcr, each fancifu'ly designated As Il separate
prig of a mistlctoc bough, there being eighteen
tories or "sprigs' In the collection. They fill |
10, 2G Of the same Franklin Square Library
hove mentioned, through which, for l5c, the
eader gets book ordinarily costing g..
ioDERN ENGLANp-lS20-lS74 BY Oscar Brown
lag, NJ. A., Senior Fellow Of Kings College
Cambridge, Price Doc.
DARK INHERITANCE. BY Mary Cecil Hay, au
thor Of "Old Myddleton's Money" Back to the
Old Home" &c. Harper Bros, New York;
Jansen, McClurg Il Co., Chicago For sale by
Osnan " llupcmnn, Ottawa. be.
The above two are numbers in "IIarpcr's Half
mes pocket for pcrusal while in the cars or 9th.
rwise idle anywhere. Most persons of ordinary
Intelligence have dim recollection of English /
story for the last sixty years: the return to spc.
lie payment and sound financial system after
he strain Of the Napoleonic wars; OF the brilliant
rcmierbhip of Canning; the passage through
OF the Catholic Emancipation bill and |
he subsequent Reform Bills; the abandonment
4 the corn laws under Peel aud the final over
dopton of free trade; the abolition of slavery
&C., &c Yet nothing is more comfortable than
o have these stirring events wildly recalled in
little volume over which one need
pend but an hour or two. Such is this lit le |
,ook of Mr. Browning, which is as crisp and D =
quaint as a sketch by Macaulay
Or if YOU prefer to kill an idle hour" over a |
omancc, you have 1t in C other vo'urhe, "A |
Dark Inheritance" 1t is by no means, however, |
Is gloomy as one might infer from the sound of |
Is title but very pretty story, which YOU will |
Irish well satisfied both with yourself and the
'uthor.
TuE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN HAND BOOK Mum
~ Co, 81 Park Row, New York
A very convenient little volume To persons hav. |
NJ To do with patents, caveats, designs, trade.
marks, copy rights, Nc, telling them exactly |
low to proceed intellgently and without uscl, So
roublc and expense. We also lind in it, v ~
eadablc sketch Of leading American inventors, |
rom Ben Franklin down.