The Republican journal., 1881-03-31
Literature.
THE FAIR BARBARIAN.

The attempts to make it appear that Boston is
losing prestige as literary centre have not met
with great degree of success. In this connec-
ton the fact that Mrs Frances Hodgson Burnett
has selected J. K. Osgoot & Co. of Boston as the
publishers Of her latest novel, "a Fair Barbarian
is not without significance. This novel has just
been completed as serial in Scribners Monthly,
to the conductors of which the American public
are indebted for bringing to their notice one Of
the most pleasing, if not the best, writers of
rent fiction. Some of the characters in Mrs Bur-
netts stories are clevery drawn any to be
found in English literature, and there is not dull
page in her books. The heroine of the present
story, the Fair Barbarian" is an American girl
who has lived in Nevada, and whose visit to an
aunt in dull and decorous English town with the
suggestive name of Sowbridge affords the author
material for many racy scenes, and for some min
liable sketches of English life and character. The
Inhabitants of Slowbridge, thoroughly English
they are in all respects, not without their pro
totypes in our own country. Many American
readers will have no difficulty in discoverirg a
Lady Theobald, or Miss Chckie the village
dress maker, within their own circles. II the book
has purpose, and few we suppose will stop to
make the enquiry, it is no doubt to vindicate the
American giIi from the gross caricatnres of Henry
James and other writer's of the day. Mrs Burnett's
American girl is not an untalned hoyden by any
means She is, on the contrary, true womanly in
the best sense Of the term. She is kind of heart,
sympathetic and self respecting-a really lovely
it somewhat unconventional, person She is
irI, ~ al III,
willingness to learn the standard Of those among
whom her lot is temporarily cast the re is a charm
ing youthful dignity about her, which is one of
the best points in her delineaton
Its subject Of congratuation to Mrs Burnett
that she has chosen James K. Osgood for the pub
lcatlon OF her Boston book This firm has the
advantage Of long practical experience and of the
best traditions connected with the publishing
business Its members were educated in the cee
brated house OF licknor d Fields its senior mem
Der having been partner first in that firm then
III the firm Of Fields, Osgood a Co., which sue
ceeded it, and having become III Isl the heal of
the firm which bears his name Two OF the part
ners sons Of Mr.. William b. TckGor, who i'll
1882 founded the house of Ticknor * Fields and
both these sons have had long experience in the
business. Mr. W. D. Howes, lately the editor of
the Atlantic Monthly, has become come cted with
Osgood Co. vino will be the publishers of his
future books He is at present writing a new
story entitled "A Fearful Responsibility" which
| will be first published in Scribner's Monthly and
will afterward appear in book form from the press
| efJames r. Osgood l. Go. This firm are also the
publishers of Mark Twans books and he is now
engaged upon several works which will appear
under their auspices. series OF ai3nymous
novels, TO be known as the Round K lbin Series,
will soon be begun by these enterprising publish
ers, the first volume A Nameless Noblemau, to
appear early in April