New-York tribune., 1881-09-11

folk lore. They had been preserved by the chron-
icer because they were local, and they most
commonly told loosely and dismissed by the teller
with contempt. But to him they were gems in
heap of rubbish and he did not mind the toll of pick
ing them out 1t Is impossible not to respect sus-
stained enthusiasm like that.
This is an age which has witnessed not few
catchpenny enterprises by publishers of books. 1t
may be doubted whether this catching snatching
of pennies has gone lower than in the proposal
to issue penny edition Of Scotts novels abridged
and edited by Miss Bradion Braddonized Scott
Is likely to be offensive than Bowdlerized
Shakespeare. There are not vo writers of fiction
who stand further apart than the author of Waiver
ly" and the author of Lady Audley's Secret"
Whatever qualities combined in Scott to make
him great name in Literature, and his novels
permanent addition to it, ar conspicuousv wanting
IN Miss Bradlon, whose highest aim has been for q
place not il Literature but in the Circulating Libra
ry, and who has certainly got what she aimed at 1t
happens that Miss Braddon's husband--he is
her hnsband-is a publisher. When Miss Braddon
became Mrs. Maxwell Tor even bcforeh the author
of Lady Audleys Secret" married into the frm
and her work OF late years has been of whatever
kind might contribute most to the profits of the hus
ness in Shoe Lane. Her recent novels have been
less popular, and presumably less profitable. than
her earlier ones and it has been thought desirable
that her industry, which is very great, should fund
l
| the original vein Of sensational writing worked
out. So Scott, whose popularity has revived as Miss
Braddons has waned, is to be made a victin
MeSsrs MaXWelPs announcement OF this precious
scheme is conceived in that tone of unctuous pre-
tence of regard for literature which is never
offensive than when used to promote ttA success of
plan for degrading great monument Of Literature
Miss Braddon, we arc assured has ardent a.mi
ration for the grea Master of Modern Fiction
which a of apJh har
Ahrdging and Editing of Scott Novels 70 be done
with reverentia roLard to tn r peculiar merits
and characteristics. Lest this should not suffice
the public IS further given to understand that
hitherto these Masterpieces of Fiction
and of Historical Research" " too naughty
for general perusal. Objections 20 them have been
felt by the cl~ric and the ayman but he New
Fanny Edition is to satisfy every scruple and real
ize every requirement and al lovers of pure"
literature should, II MossTs. Maxwclrs and Miss
Braddon's opinion, vie with each other IN trying to
sell this last patent mixture. If Miss }raddon has
gone i'll for morality, she miph1 try her hand at
eXpurga ing her earliest ovel, TO which critics who
arc not sratlaced have been found to object the
score both of pruriency and coarseness She is not
the first woman VINO has SOUGHT to
atone for tho follios. of eager youth
by profession of devotional auscr-
ity in old sge But she has improved
on the familiar exanpla of the French
Duchcsses who took refuge in converts from
the lovers to whom their charms were no longer
temNtation. Tney did penAnce in their own per
sons. Miss Brlddou does it vicarousy, and
Scott is the scapegoat of her uvenil" offences in c
tIon Well, Mcssrs. MaxW ell doubtless know their
market. If they choose TO compete with the penny
dreadfuls they viii do no harm to hat particular
public. What one wishes none the less i that Miss
Braddon might have shown more . revercnt regard
for Scott bv choosing other author for dsicure
ment and degradation.
correspondent writes to The Guardian that h,
has been counting the alterations made by the re-
wiser of the Authorized Version of the New Tcsa-
ment. The Bishop of Gloucester. DIR. Ellicott, took
upon himself to state, when the Revised Version
every five verses in the Gospels and Acts-whicb
seemed quite sufficient proportion. DR.. Elcott's
statement was accepted authoritative-not so
much because he Nasa Bishop because h, had been
president of the Revising Committee and as such
giving account of his stewardship in
Convocaton. But the episcopal enumeration fell
far sho' of the fact. The actual number of vara-
tions in the Gospels and Acts is instead of go
which was rs far as the Bishops arithmetic carried
him. no less than II, 4,G0l, while in the whole volume
the total number of changes reaches the enormous
figure of 36l91. Can anybody believe that any
great proportion Of these necessary. or thar
they are improvements that the rcvlsers did not
completely lose sight OF their canons of revision
and allow themseVe to be led away bv too mn. N
zeal and too easy readiness TO sanction needless in
novatlons2 What became of their rule of "A lheripu
strictly To the received text saVo where the neccs
sity OF change was impcratiyeR G.. w a