New-York tribune., 1883-06-19
THE JULY MAGAZINES.

Mr.. Crawford's new story, "A Roman Singer. F"
tho openinp portions of which appear in the July
Atlantic is another proof of his unusual versatility
In method and style il IS wholly unlike either
"Mr. Isaacs" or "Dr Claudius." The strength
with which it opens suggests that it is to be bet
ter story than either. We could easily pardon 10
Mr. Crawford much more serious literary faults
than he has yet displayed for the sake OF the whole
some stand which he has taken as a writer of ro-
nance. Mr.. Lathrop's Newport" in the same
mum Der, shows TO what amelancholy pass the blind
acceptance of the James cult will bring a not
uuslllful writer There would seem TO be no good
reason for recording the sort of empty chatter,
which if we may believe Mr.. Lathrop, is committed
by the summer idlers at Newport The unimDort-
ance of it Is painful to contemplate. 1t is, more
over previously interspersed with hnical descrip-
tions after Mr. James's worst manner. What,
pray, does Mr. Lathrop mean by q cool, ample
eye"i Is tho human eye table-cloth or Spanish
cloak, that it should be "ample"f This ample eye
is also "noiseless "-it being we'll known that the
eve ia usually most turbulent organ. That Mr..
Iatbrops plot is a good one hint here and there
already bstrays; it pity that he prefers to give
rs. instead of story, faded and inexact photo
graph.
Mr. James in the first Of his series OF papers on
the French Provinces, describes IN his most beauti-
full aud finished style region full of romance and
of poetry As the essayist of travel Mr.. James has
a perennial charm. The restrained elegance of his
manner is now and then frightened by such happy
flashes of description few writer's have the art 10
give
Mr. r. G.. Whites satircal sketch, Mr.. Wash
ington Adams in England" comes to a comical con-
clusion. He has succeeded in painting neat por-
trait of the Yankee as conceived in the imagination
of tia average Englishman. Mr.. o. B. Frothing-
hams article, Some Phases Of IdeaiSn in New
England" might perhaps have been more properly
called Some Idealists in New-England," dealing
as it does with some of the most noted OF the early
rebels against the theology oftho Msthers the Nor
tons and the Shepards Whatever may think
OF Mr. Frothinghams beliefs or the justice of his
transformations one cannot but enjoy the clarity
of his style, the graceful simplicity of bis state
ment.
"P. Demingn is possibly nom de plume but it
ehoud be held in honor for the sake of the touching
little story which is printed above it, 1t Ia thus faI
the best short story of the year.
The poetic engraving Of Nr. Churehis picture,
The witcRs Daughter which faces the first page
Of Rayp@, gives an earnest Of the illustra-
tions which follow II. The number is especially
rich IN the fruit of the graver. There are two or
three sketches in the opening article, "A Famous
London Suburb" which have more than slight
suggestion of the spirit of Hogarth. T. +, Broyt-
Nails Gibbet Elm" is CHASTITY thought, but it is
powerful one. too. The second paper on the
"Romanoffs' is both careful and picturesque Mr..
Charles Reads's short story of the Irish
man VINO was born to good luck has
all the fire and sparkle of his best work Mr. In
grams paper poor young Chatterton is pleasantly
written. There is q lavishly illustrated article ON
Cincinnatti which ought to interest all Ameri-
cans. Mr.. Egglestonsfdeas on The Education of
Women" in most particulars practical and wise.
With the exception of Mr.. Readcs SKETCH the short
stories Of the number are poor, and Que of them,
"Qnits Private" 10 the merest twaddle Mr..
Warner ,s apparently firmly seated in his new sad