New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-21

sons OF the plot by no means set forth as mooei
angels In the disguise of French country people, nor 40
they possess any wonderful attractions except perhaps
"a natural specimens Of certain vulgar shrc"dness
and cunning which exists perhaps in all classes OF
society oftcper than found out Miss Helen stan
ley has translated the story with good dea Oh spirit
but not always IN the choicest English.
GOLDSMITH BY lillian BLACK. l2mo' PIP. 49, Harper
& Brothers.
In this impartial monograph, Mr.. Black
does not present his hero in the favOrte coat OF Ty
rian bloom and buesilk brooches. with smart SWORD
at his side and his goldheaded cane in his hanu pu'
in the plain and somewhat worn apparel OF INC H'ea,
drudge OF the Johnsonian era. Nor on the otner manu-
is Goldsmith regarded the aspect set forth d Ills apo
biographer Mr.. John Forster as the victim OF creu
stances" sharing the evil destines OF men Vi
letters" writing for bread in garnet and dunned Tor
nilk-score which he cannot pay Mr. BLACK taxes
more rational view OF the subject, considers GoluHhh
as having pretty well of as the wOrlu goes ioI
great part Of his life and ascrbes his msforunes W
imprudence and rsshness rather than TO had luck UT III
treatment He suggests that so far from suffering from
neglect he was never called upon to do stroke OF WORK
for his living I'll after had arrived at mans estate
lie was maintained at college until he had TAKEN DIS
degree He was repeatedly furnished with luhuS loi
further study and foreign travel whch ho
invariably spent in gambling. Wmle "orAius
as a booksellers hack be received a4OO TOT
Natured Man." which he at once invested In the pH
chase OF extravagant chambers and went on borrowing
before. Though he died in debt for 92Ooo, ana was
indebted the orbearance Of his creditors for peace
full burial during the last years OF his HE TIC hSu
an annual income equivalent 70 $500 Of English cur
rency Goldsmith says Mr. Black. had no special voca
ton TO literature He had tried almost every means Tor
living before he began 10 write lie ALWAYS suffered
for of sefconfdencP. Any fool could discOhcert
him by an unexpected question He was too anxious 10
please easily fell into the traps that were laid Tor
him by his mischevous companions His character
Mr. Black comedies, was, the whole, loveabIe one
The literary history of GOdsmiths writings Is related at
length by the autnor and forms OF the most valuable
features OF the volume 1t IL far more o"e
upon the qualities which have given them such de
lghtful eminence in English literature than to rerace
the fobes and folcs which have cast shade over his
personal character The productions by which he Is
now chiefly remembered are as rich in hunor ana
pathos as they charming in expression and no pct
ter guide their perusal be found than that which
is furnshed in the present memoir
THE REIGN OF THE sTOICS. BY FREDERIC MAY HoI-
12mO, PIP. 24S Charles T. Somerby
The first part of this volume is devoted to
the history stoic with brief biographical sketches
of their principal writer's, including more elaborate
notice of the Emperor Marcus Aureius. Following the
lead OF several eminent critics and historians, MI Ho
land describes the iustrous imperial Pagan as perhaps
TEST spirit OF the pagan world, preserving through life
not only the most unbemished jpstce hut the tender
heart, combining, other ever did. the ut
most kindness. mdness, and humility. with the greatest
consciousness and severity toward himself cler
gyman OF the church OF England, tho Rev. f. W. Far
rar, in his admirable work Seekers After Good"
afrms that "a nObler, a gentler a purcr, sweeter
SOUL soul less elated by prosperity constant in
adversely soul more fitted by virtue and chastity and
sefdenal to the eternal peace never passed into
the presence of its Heavenly Father" Mr. Hollands
remarks the character Of Marcus Aurellus are
apt and discriminating, freely recognizing the defects
and OF his administration, while they do full JUG
tice his and noble personal qualities. III the re-
mainder Of the work. he gives popular exposition of
the ethical principles and speculative doctrines OF the
Stole philosophy. combining himself chiefly 10 literal ex-
tracts from the most prominent authors, without I'M
pairing their force by unnecessary critical comments.
In performing his task, which Is not OF an ambitious
AIM he has himself dilgent student an ardent
admror and faithful Interpreter Of some of the most
remarkable monuments of ancient thinking.
LEGTURFs on PREACHING P9IIvFHEP BEFORE RE- T I
THEW SIMPSON u. D.. Ii. d. limo. Pr. 635. Nelson q
Phillips
The counsels in this volume delivered by
the eminent preacher who called to address an
audience OF intelligent young men preparing for the
Christian ministry remarkable for their great PLAIN
ness OF speech their practical wisdom. their earnest
afectlonate spirit the abundance and felicity of their
7cripura Illustrations, and their entire freedom from
fornahty both in thought and language Bishop Simp'
son never scars above the heads Of his hearers in
cloud OF vapOrOus ances nor is lost from their sight In
a swamp of misty spoculatiOn; but he Is always
lucid ideas in expression ana follow
Ing the shortest way from the head TO the heart The
present work Is an example OF his most admirable
ner and not only forth the principles Of good
preaching but affords attractive Instance Of their
successful working.
THE STUDENTS COMMENTARY on TIE HOLY BI.
T. 4. Dutton & Co.
The complete work, of which the first
volume is now published. will be comprised
in six volumes, and is intended popu-
lar abstract OF The Speakers Commentary" which
has been received with such general favor both
in England and this country II contains the entire text
Of the Received English Version, with marginal
references together with abridgmen OF the notes Of
the original edition, enabling the reader to understand
the essential portions of the Bible without the learned
dsquson and elaborate details, which were required
for the "Speakcr's Commentary" The volume
sued contains only the five books Of the Pcnta,euch.
The Portfolio for February contains an en-
craving Of Ruth and Naomi" picture by Miss T. j.
Gardner an American artist, accompanied with slight
biographical sketch MISS Gardner is native OF New
Hampshire was educated at Anburndae, Mass and has
now lived Paris for twelve years, devotng herself to
the assduOus study Of painting under the direction OF NJ
Hughes Merle and VI. BOugeTeau. Her pictures, which
are chiefly devoted TO female historical characters and
children, have been exhibited seven times at the Paris
gallons and are very popular with American, French
and English pictuTe-buyers.
Among the recent issues of "Harper's Half
Hour Series" are Modern france by George ~ TOwle
succjnct history Of from the coup deat of Louis
Napoleon in 1851 to the present time including sketch
of the social military, financial industrial, religious,
and educational condition Of the French people English
Literature Primer (Modern Period), by Eugene Law
renee Astounding III various information concerning the
books and authors Of the present century, briefly and