The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-15

hscted that in so far as her little book is read
it will be teacher, and that it's virtues will
scatter sunshine, or its impurities leave
stain. poem, like a letter, is
to its contents. Judging by several OF her
poems, Ella Wheeler holds religion in light
esteem, if not in actual contempt. They
breathe OF sensual materialism, and discount
all religious experience or. when she does
seem to reach after a religion originating
from God, it is in a very teshly and unspir-
itual way. In her poem Conversion, after
recounting life of skepticism, she says:
"But now I know that good God reigneth,
GeBeruus-hearted, and kind and true;
Since unto a worm like me he deigneth
10 send SO royal a gift as YOU.
Bright as star you CLEAN on my bosom,
Sweet IS a rose that the wild bee sips;
Aud know, my own. my heautiiul blossom,
That none but a God could mould such lips.'
"Fer IN the joy of yOur shy, sweet Kisses,
four pulsing touch and your languid sigh,
am nlled and Thrilled with better bllsses
IMAM ever were claimed for souls on high"
This is placing very low estimate on the
Joys promised the faithful, and if this hete-
rodoxy be better than faith, then is the
world wasting precious moments while alb
staining from the allurements of the flesh.
In another stanza of the same poem the
writer employs still more objectionable Ian
guage and sentiment that cannot be de-
Tended
In the Farewell of Clarimonde," sug-
gested by the Clarimonde of Theophile eau
tier, she says:
"Adieu. Romauld! But thou canst not forget me,
Although no more haunt thy dreams at
Thy hungerng heart forever must regret me,
And starve for those last niOments of delight.
Naught shall avail thy priesty rites and du
Nor fears Of he'll, nor homes of heaven beyond:
Before the cross shall rise my fair forms beau
The lips, the limbs, the eyes of Clarimonde.H
If this be not mpious, it is far too realistic
TO be enjoyable, coming from a woman.
A man may we'll hesitate to paint some
subjects; woman should never delineate the
indelicate or impure. 1t may be unreason-
able and unfair to limit woman tn certain
fields but from earliest times all civilized
people have regarded her as somewhat purer
ana better than man, and it Is disappoiut-
ment at once humiliating and painful when
1t is found that she is not all that tradition
painted her. If Ella Wheelers genius is SUI
ticient to win fame for her from doubtful
themes it is enough to win love and honor
from pnrer sources, and it were altogether
better had she been content to deal with
those passions which leave no stain upon the
mind of the reader, no remorse or regret in
the heart of the writer.
LoYs LORD BERREsFoRD AND OTHER TALES
plncOtt x Co, Philadelpn Bowen. Stewart
Il Co., Indianapolis. Price, 81 %.
Seventeen stories bound in one volume,
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written.
CoBBETT AND HIS GRAMMAR. By Robert Wa
tiers: James W. Pratt, rs Fulton street, New
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The title of this volume is deceptive. In
stead of being simply treatise on Cobbett's
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is devoted to sketch of Cobbett's life from
early manhood in the army to his crowning
tr1umphs as public man and author. This
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and should find a wide patronage.
LINDsAY's LUCK. By Mrs. Frances Hodgson
Burnett. T. b. Peterson & Brothers, PhiladeI-
phia. Paper 80 cents.
A commonplace love story written with
apparently no other object than to fill an
order for novel.
TOBACCO: IT'S EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN SYSTEM.
BY DR.. William A Alcott. Fowler & Wells,
New York. Paper; % cents.
A pamphlet on the habit and effects of to-
bacco smoking.
THE NATURAL CURE. BY Z. E, Page NJ D.
Fowler & Wells, New York.
A book on the practical treatment of dis
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out the employ Of medicine Contains
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For THE MAJOR. Bv Constance Fenimore Wool
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An interesting story, written in simple
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