The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-06
"rHE LIGHT OF ASIA. >.

Roberts Brothers will issue Arnold's Light OF
ASIA" which is fairly we'll known to Americans
through its English edition. Houghton. Osgood 4
Co. will bring out 1.-THE Bodleys Afoot'' Saturday.
1t is very much like the other Bodley books in it's
general character although its story is and it
contains little advice to walkers which will in
terest the young gentlemen who contemplate enter
ing their names for go-as-youpease matches in the
parks Saturday afternoons. The is rather
amazing, like all the Bodley covers. and is partly
Japanese and partly English in style.
JULES vERNE's CHINESE ROMANCE
Jules verne's Calculations OF a Chinaman In
China" has been translated into English by Virginia
Champlin and will be published in November by
Lee shepard. 1t IS ono Of the most whimsical of
its authors books introduces the telephone the
phonograph and Captain Boy ton's life saving suit
familiar articles to an educated Chinaman. The
story opens by showing the hero at bachelor din
ner which he gives on the eve Of his marriage and
at which he complains that he is too fortunate for
happiness. Wang. the philosopher. his friend
thereupon prays that evil may befall him. and that
night he receives letter telling him that the Gen.
trail Bank OF California. in which all his fortune is
lodged. has suspended payment He immediately de-
termines commit suicide. but being good hearted
creature resolves to benefit his friend and his be-
trothed by his death. and goes to the Shanghai
Office OF the Centenary Life Insurance Company and
insures his life for 100000. threequarters of the
sum favor Of Leow. his bctrothcd and the rest in
favor of Wang and then he walks homo 20 die Un-
fortunately he has set his heart feeling
ton hen at the point death. and, finding himself
quite cool and comfortable when about to take
poison he gives up his plsn goes to Wang and makes
him promise to murder him before tho two months
for which his life insurance premium Is paid
shall expire. Kin-fo begins to feel SEN
sations OF fear but they soon de-
part aud he Is again unpleasantly comfortable,
when he suddenly learns that the Central Bank of
California has resumed payment. that its failure
was q money making protcncc. and that he is richer
than ever. He wishes to live but Wang has
disappeared. and with him has vanished a letter
written by Kn-fo and saying that he had committed
suicide. Now begins very pretty chase. the man
who wanted to DO murdered following the man
whom he chose for his assassin to tell him that he
prefers to live. and being guarded while engaged
in the pursuit by two Americans. agents of
the Centenary Life Insurance Company. who
are determined not to allow the corporation
to lose a valuable life. Tho three find Wang at last
but he runs away from them and apparently browns
himself. and they return to the home Of Kin-fo,
thinking that he is safo at last. This pleasing dc.
fusion s rudely disturbed by the reception of lot
the letter to Lao-Shon, TAPPING rebel and engaged
him to do the murder and to pocket the legacy.
Kin-fo and tho insurance company's agents
Immediately start to redeem the letter. and
begin the journey junk loaded
with collins of Chinese who have died in
America. The agents overhear a conversation
between some pirates hidden in the collins which
constitute the cargo and catching the name of Lao
shen infer that the life of their charge is in danger
Thcreupon they dress him. his valet and in
Boyton suits and take to the water thereby escaping
the massacre in which the of the vessel are
killed They land. and find Lao-shen just as the
two months expire. and the Americans bid Kin-fo
goodby, leaving him to shift for himself ana 20
back to report to their chief Lao-Shen captures
the young man, who falls in love
with life soon there Is danger
OF losing It; and. after grand of explana
in which It appears that Wang is not dead. but has
been teaching his friend a lesson. the story ends.
The phonograph is introduced as q means of COM
n,unication between Kn-fo and his bctrothed. and
also figures in small servant episode. The book is
entertaining, like all Jules verne's stories and is
well translated.