New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
I. ROMANCE BY MARK TWAIN.

& Co.
An essay of Mark Twain's in the region o. ~
nance might reasonably be expected 10 oe Vi 49,
whatever else it was and his tale OF no -
and the Pauper '-of which We are aoio ~ 0P.s.
this date from sheets IN advance OF its puDIcation
-,a;nI ,r;I NOT disappoint this expectation in the
reader Like all other roInances' IL ASKS .n,' .no
roador sbai take its possibility for granted, put
tbi once granted its events follow each other not
,Iv with probability but with realistic force Inc
fascination of the narrative and the strength Oh to
implied moral are felt at once and increase together
to the end in a degree which will surprise those
who have found nothing but drollery In Maik
Twan's books, and have not perceived the artistic
sense and the strain of deep earnestness underlying
his humor Those who have read him win TINS
perception will recognize an intensified purpose III
the human sympathies that have hitherto expresseu
themselves in some ironical form. The book Is IN
This wav AN interesting evidence of growth in man
who ought still to have his best work before him.
II has minor faults enough. which any critic can
noint ont with little difficulty. 1t deals with an
epoch remote from ours. and the effort to preserve
the English of Henry Wills reign in the dialogue
sometimes waivers between theatrical lnslstahce
and downright lapse into the American OF Arthur
Presidency Some of the figures are conventional
and the CHARACTERIZATION is sometimes Daid anu
crude. As a general thing we should say that tue
minor literary virtues were, perhaps ottener absent
than present But the great and vital artistic
virtues the effects of bold and strong magma
ton, and the calm of a profound IDEAL are there
and make this very remarkable book
II can do it no harm with any reader who shall
take il up to know its plot; for he VIII ma IL SUM
GENTLY interesting page by page; aud we may
frankly say that the romance asks us 10 DeHeve
that by series of accidents the son of Henry Ill
aud stout boy whom he miraculously resembles.
change places The young Prince. who afterward
becomes Edward VII. is thrust out OF the palace
gate and falling into the hands OF the pauper
family is accepted as their own, while the pauper
begins life as the Kings son amidst the obsequlouS
compliances of the courtiers among whom MS
freakish exchange of clothes with the real prince
has left him. Edward Tudor leads from that time
on sne lie of beaten aud hunted beggar ana
tramp. and Tom CAVITY sees the other side oil the
raw of life which he once fanced so JOYOUS I'LL
they AT last by another series of accidents meet
face to face on the prnces coronation day.
charming and useful fact of the concet is that
each boy in his place loudly protests against the
mistake that has been made: Tom declares that
he is n panper the son of a begcar and a thief ;
Edward maintains that he is the Prince of Wales
Roth are thought mad the mock Prince IS gradu-
olIv silenced in his assertions by the Kings COM
mand. which forbids him TO utter them or his cour'
tiers To notice them; but the real Prince proclams
his right TO the very end, in all presences and cir
cupstances.
As IL was once favorite pastime of Tom Cantys
60 fancy himself king, and to form ragged court
of street boys about him, Edwards declaration Is
regarded by Toms family as the crazy lnveteracy
of this fancy and is met with blows and curses from
Toms drunken father, and with tears and lamenta-
lions from his mother and sisters. Inc frihce
escapes from them, and finds steadfast and power
fnl protector in Miles Hendon, soldier OF fortune
returning from long captivity to claim his fathers
estates. This good fellow rescues the Prince from
Tom Canty's father, and saves him from MOB.
He thinks the boy mad, of course but he concelves
n tender affection for him and the whimsical de-
votion with which he humors all the boys royal ex-
actions is charmngly studied. He hnds that he
nust stand uncovered while his ragged nIotege
dimes al his cost that he must sleep athwart rue
threshold while the Prince occupies his bed; anu
that he must serve the poor little tatterdemaon at
every turn. They wander down into the country
and after MANY adventures and separations they
reach Hendon's home at last and find Hendon
younger brother in possession. The latter refuses
10 recognize the former and denies his identity I;
ON Hendon's furious protests and demand Tor the
restoration of his property, the brother has MN
and the Prince-now King by Henrys death-toth
the life in this English jail are full of penetrating
pathos and of an istorcal truth and fidelity which
make us Indifferent 10 all questions of mere verbal
accuracy. Those horrible good old times, whatever
tongue they speak, live again in all their stupid
cruelty in all their sublimity, here:
Hendon's arts all failed with the King-he could
not nc comforted hut a couple of women VINO were
chained near him, succeeded Dettcr' dnner , eng 4
gentle ministratiOns he fonnd peace and learned
degree of patience. He was very grateful anu
cane to love them dearly and to delight I'D the
sweet and soothing influence OF their presence. ne
asked them why they were IN prison, and when
they SAID they were Baptists, he Smiled ana III
quired: :, u,;.or .
Now grieve for shall lose ye-they Will not Keep
We long for such little thing" -.
They did not answer anu Sad So sagerIys III '"'"
You do not speak-be god to me, and tell me-
there will be no other punishment PIithee tell
They tried to change the topic, but his fears were
aroused and he pursued It, :, -, -,
not be so criel! Say they would not. Come, they
Will not will they I"
The women BETRAYED confusion and distress but
there was avoiding an answer, 80 one OF tnem
said in a voice choked with emotion $500
40 thou'lt break our hearts, thou gentle spirit =
God 8ll help ms to bear our -
q II is n confession !" the King broke in. "Then
they will scourge you, the stony hearted wretehes
But o. you must not weep cannot bear IT, Keep
mn your courage-I shall come TO my own I'D time
20 save YOU from this bitter thing ana VIII 90 t
When the King awoke in the morning, the women
aThey are savedw he said joyfully; then added,
despondently " but woe is me!-ior they were my
coinfoiters" -,
zach of them had left shred OF ribbon pinned
TO bis clothing in token OF remembrance. lie SAID
he would keep these things always; and that soon
he would seek ont these dear good friends OF his
and take them under his protection.
Just then the jaer anne in with some subordl'
mates aud commanded that the prisoners be con
dneted TO the iail-yard. The King was overioyed-
II would be a blessed thing to the blue sky and
breathe the fresh air once more. lie fretted and
chafed at the sowness of the officers but Is turn
came at last and he was released from his staple
aud ordered to follow the other prisoners, with
Hendon.
The court, or quadrangle, was stonee:payed. and
,,on 10 fhe slv The prisoners entered 10 through