New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-14
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
AN OLD NOVEL.

curious. 1t was written in the year 1912 and was
published in the year 1S47 Whether it was
republished then in this country we do not KNOW
but to most of readers supoct that IL VIII DC
q novelty, and enhance the recent and special IN
terest in the career of the distinguished author Mr.
Lewes, in the preface to the edition OF le4I' 1ur-
nishes some information respecting the work 1t was
presented to the public in volume--it was
originally written in three; and it is suggested
that it has not been altogether benefited by so
great change in the structure and proportions OF
the whole" "Of these faults" Gays Mr.. Lewes, Il
became aware only when too late-when reading
the proof sheets: and all that now remains is to
confess and apologize" Mr.. Lewes was born in
1917, and when he published this novel only
thirty years old. This may account for much of its
crndeness. and for certain literary foppery too
plainly observable; and yet it was also in lS47
that he published his Biographical History of
Philosophy, from Thales to Comte." Noticeably
Ranthorpe" is dedicated follows: "To Her
who has Heightened the Burden of an Anxious Life,
this Work is Inscribed by Her Husband" This wife
thus tenderly addressed must have been the woman
whose subsequent misconduct, once heroically
condoned brought much tragedy into the life
of Mr.. Lewes, and whose desertion of her home
opened place for Marian Evans Ranthorpe"
we are inclined TO believe must be slightly auto
biographical picturing it does the early difficult
ties of young writer i'll securing pubic recognition,
in Germany in 1889 Mr.. Lcwes in demand as
writer for the literary newspapers and leading
quarterly reviews. Another novel by Mr.. Lewes,
entitled, Rose, Blanche and Violet" was pub
lished in 1S4S
Percy kanthorpe was the son of dIsagreeable old
gentleman who has been ruined by commercial i'll
luck, and who has great contempt for the cutiva-
tors of literature. Articled to lawyer and with
an exceeding dislike for the profession selected for
him. Ranthorpe reads writes studies and INDUCES
in ambitious Dreams Here is pretty sketch of
him before old book stall:
His eyes wandered over the titles OF the volumes
so temptingly displayed but nothing came within
reach of his finances His Barmecde feast
he cared not for editions, large paper coples
knowledge; he had passion for books-no matter
what editions, what bindings he cared not even
whether they had covers at all. He only thought
of the price -,
After obviously opening many a volume with
secret consciousness that his looking at the price
was all IA magnificent jug2e with himself as he was
certain not to be able to pay it, yet still pleased
with imaginary purchase; he at last came to
"a tub filled with dirty ancient books From this
tnb rose stick, bearing piece of cardboard, on
which was written:
ALL THESE ROCKS Sd. TIE VOL.
Returning home delighted with his acquisition Of
n volume of Shellcy's Poems" he encounters his
prosaic father, when the following scene ensues
What. more books"" rcproachfully exclaimed
his father. as he entered the room, What can he
do with Them all, can't think" This said
10 young girl who was at that moment preparing
Percy was silent He had been long accus-
toned to the and eproaches of his father ON
the point, that though he had not ceased to feel
them he bad quite ceased defending himself.
suppose" continued Mr. RanthOrpe. you have
trash'
Z dined frgsgany. and bought this book with the
Well if you like to starve yourself, for the sake
Of the books that's your affair, not mine Telonod
Mr.. Ranthorpe. With this observation-hs I'M
failing one-he let the matter drop.
In Ranthorpe's squalid home resides Isola
Churchill. beautiful orphan, daughter of former
partner of Mr. Ranthorpe, and adopted by him.
She encouraged the young man i'll his literary asp
rations and. of course. he is very fond of her. He
has written volume entitled Poems of the
Affections: his efforts to secure publisher
amusingy told, and let the reader into many secrets
of the trade. As the booksellers will have nothing
to do with the q Poems of the Affections" Ran
thorpe of course is i'll despair, and exclaims
shall die unknown, lsola! | shall die unrecorded
and unread. Oh! if the poems could but appear,
they wouid bc to succeed; know it f; feel il.
But these ignorant booksellers, thinking only Of
pounds shillings and pence know nothing of poetry
and nothing about it," To this lsoa
with exceeding good sense: But, darling, you
must not blame them; pounds. shillings and pence
their objects; they are tradcsmen, not critics"
The poems are sent to Backwood," who will have
nothing to do with them, and then to " Fraser"
with the same dire result. AT last one magazine
actually prints "Thc Poets Heartily Percy
Ranthorpe," to the authors infinite pride and
delight. This fixes hsellterary destiny as a like
appearance has fixed that of SO many others for
good or for evil. Rantlorpe determines to abavdon
his law apprenticeship TO the intense disgust of his
prosaic father who strikes him and orders him out
of the house. The young man having " only money
enough left for three weeks penurious existence"
becomes naturally journalist and is supremely
happy when he is made dramatic critic:
Passonatey fond of the drama he undertook the
task of criticism as luxury. He scarcely ever
missed an evenings performance. Beyond this
conceive the pride of being on the press" His pen
was power: at least he thought so. The printing
office irty murky and ill-vcntilated, was a sacred
spot to him He reioccd in its GASEOUS heated at,
mosphere he loved the smell of the ink and damp
paper. In word, all the disaSreeable things con
by the fact of heII relation to the great profession
of literature they were les cOuiisses of the great
theatre which he hoped to play so iustrous
part.
Every Sunday morning the paper lay upon his
breakfast-table, and made him feel that he
somebody" as he cut the leaves and eagerly read
over has own contributions
Old Ranthorpe dies, after extortng from his son
a promise to abandon the pursuits of literature,
which he seems to regard criminal, aud destined
to bring its votarcs 10 the scaiold. The beautiful
Isola becomes a governcss. Young Ranthorpe
gives up journalism, publishes volume of new
poems. and is suddenly literary lion his Dream
of Youth" being great success. We are at once
reminded of the antiquity of this book and of the
retrospective character of this review, when we
encounter our hero at ball given ly the Lady
Theresa. bending the pianoforte and talking
with the lovely young Giulia Grsi," who was
@supcrbly handsome at that period, like a Greek
statue in the mould of her head and bust" Ran
thorpe is dressed in the newest fashion," and as
MIR, Lewes remarks I" is quite picture He was