New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-21
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
John sWINTON,s TRAVELS.

JOHN sWINTON's TRAVELS.
CURRENT VIEWS AND NOTES OF FORTY DAYS IN
FRANCE AND ENGLAND I By 90hS c s~iNioN'
Mr. Swinton made flying journey to London and
Paris last Summer and after returning home, wrote
ont in brief paragraphs the impressions which sur
vived the ea-vpyage back to New-lork and we're
freshest in his mind. These paragraphs thrown to-
eether without much method form the little PAM
phct with the title quoted above. They are bright
pontct and readable, as might be expected of the
work of a veteran journalist Mr. Swinton was
delighted with the Substantially, comfort and
acceptabity" of Paris, which he calls
the model city Of the world. Nothing
he had read or heard about France before
his visit had gwen him any proper idea of the pros
perity and practical welfare and well-being OF her
people He believes in the French Republic 1t IS
an established accepted and overpowerlng fact, he
saws having the intellect industry. interests hopes
and genins of France on its side. He saw Llberte!
Egate! Fraternite ~ the doors of all the pub
lie buildings and of the churches too. lie went TO
Pere la Chase and saw the monument Of Raspaii,
the intrepid Republican agitator, covered with
floral offerings, decorations crowns, inscriptions OF
praise and sireamers with words of Affection while
that of Theirs the Versailles politician. was bare.
lie went to the abodes of the prOtetdI1dt,
and found the working people enjoying
believes those of any other city in the world, and
so far beyond those of London, Birmingham and
Liverpool or those of New York. that any COM
parison is ont of the question. They did not seem
TO be overworked or unnamed by underieeding;
they were always lively and chatty. often gay, and
never discourteous. HE saw nothing OF drunken
ness but much drinking of light wines and too much
oil absnthe. The people were prudent, economical
and clcinly: family morality had strong hold
upon them they showed high grade OF intell-
gence and were well versed in political questions
London did not please Mr. SwIuton. He got
dazed sense # its tremendous volume of actisity,
but when he sought out the ab0des OF the WORKING
rlasses, In which h. felt special interest, he was
overwhelmed by the spectacle of the lidcous squaor
the sunken hopeless degradation of the swarming
masses The horrors of hundreds of localities IN the
central and eastern quarters of the city would, he
saws obscure even those of D1ne's place III nell
called MaleboIge.p Even when he walked IN the
Strand near midnight, from Cbarng Cross to Lud-
gate Hill. he encountered Babylonian denominations
and a swirl of putrdny impossible TO describe.
TUE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKE
SpEARE. with he OF the roet. explanatory l0cl,
Elliian BY the Roy. HENRY n. HUDSON, Professor
O Shakespeare Boston Tn versit, 20 w ulnes.
I2mo Boston: CHM leah.
This admirable work might with much fitness be
called the epicurean Shakespeare AMI ii taken in
the intended, best sense. higher designation OF
praise could be offered il. Mr.. Hudson evidently
believes that poetry hike other forms of beauty Is its
own excuse for being, that ITS purpose Is TO be en-
loved. and that the enjoyment of it enno5les the
character and sweetens the spirit of the pariaker
This attitude of tie editor perhaps less app1r-
ent heretofore, although the Hudson Shakespeare
has long been priced as of the best editions for
general readers. But the Harvard Edition." which
now enters what must prove a long lease OF
public favor. has but object, and that IS to
popularize the writings of the worlds first poet. by
Offering every possible aid aud removing as far as
possible, every obstacle 10 healthy enjoyment OF
them Mr. Hudson feels the force of Bacon's say
ing that tue first distcmper of learning IS when
men study words and not natter He has due
reverence for the work of the few great Shake
spearean scholars and Is over modest in disparaglng
his own right to be called "Shakespearean y; but
be has no patience with the who would use the
great poet as raw material for scientific manufac-
ture, and who seem to think that pure poetry is no
ways bit for the ordinary man, but must be anal
wed and systemat.zed and passed through some
gerund- grinding lab Oratory," before it will be
clear to his comprehension. Mr.. Hudson hkens |
the scientific expounder to him who would dlssect
song bird 10 find out where and how the music
made.
Simplicity and clearness the key-notes of this
edition and they first struck in the printing and
arrangement. The volumes are of convenient size,
each one containing two PLAYS only, and making |
about $50 pages the type being clear and the |
printing neat The special feature of the edition is |
two sets of notes for each play The notes that ex
plain the text are printed at the bottom of the page,
10 facilitate reference for the author recognizes the
Inherent laziness of most readers, who prone 10
pass over obscure illusions unfamiliar words |
without understanding them if they must be to the
trouble of looking for explanations at the end OF the
volume. Notes containing textual comment and |
criticism are printed at the end of each play, and
are intended more for special students than |
for general readers In the foot-notes particularly
the editor follows the rule that is better 10 with
hold a needed explanation than to offer needless
one He is scholarly withon, appearing to enforce
instruction. The am has been 10 aid the average |
reader over difficulties without making him feel |
that he is much indebted to anyone for the easy,
pleasurable reading, except Shakespeare and his
own good understanding. lie wants the reader as
be says to live. breathe. think, and feel with the
poet. The plays grouped in classes as come
dies histories and tragedies. and the plays in each
series are grouped the chronological order of the
writing.
Ii IS proper to speak here of the edition Of Twelfth
Night which Mr.. Hudson has prepared for use in
schools and families and which is issued by the |
same publishing house, as above. Though the ed
itoi's daily duties include those of Professor of
Shakespeare in the Boston University he approaches
the subject Of Shakespeare IN the classroom with
caution and grain of doubt as to
beneficial results. His doubts will be more than
shared by those who have experienced the aversion
me is ant TO feel in after life for the books and
pecially the poetry that read in class analysed
aud parsed at school, If Mr.. Hudson could inspire