Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-26
FRE sAEVATiOK AMY.
Afphouse Dandst's New Book
AbOut Il.

PARIS. February 22.-Alphonso
Daudet's "Evangeliste,p already re-
viewed among the New Books in
Paris" is creating quite a sensation
both here and in London, having been
generally understood to be an attack
upon the Salvation Army.
Somewhere in Switzerland the feel
ing was so intense that Government
interference was necessary in order to
prevent the Salvation Army from
being literally stoned out Of the town.
The Evangelists have nothing whats
ever in common with the military
preachers Of the religion of peace.
The form purely Partisan institu.
ton, led by set of wealthy maniacs
as inscriptions as they are sincere.
Their meetings are held all over the
city. The Mime Autheman" Of the
book, one Of the principal fanatics, is
in real life the vile OF wealthy
banker in Paris. She is an indefati
gable proselytizer, working her way
into all the dens OF poverty she can
fud, where any alternative seems pre-
ferable to the misery Of the time
being. Lachaud, who died some few
weeks ago, was the lawyer who refused
mime. Ebsen's" case. Her enemies
must indeed be powerful to have made
the almost proverbially daring advo>
cate shrink from his duty. Strange
as it may seem, every word OF the
Evangelist" is strictly true; every
letter quoted is in NJ. Daudet's pos
session. He even has a prescription
composed of strychnine, atropine, &c.
put up by one OF the first chemists of
Paris and found by Nine. Ebsen
among her daughters effects. There
was also bottle containing concoc-
ton of belladonna and strychnine
strong enough to turn the best bal
anced brain.
Notwithstanding these OverWhelm-
ing proofs Nine. Ebsen could find no
one but Daudet with sufficient cour-
age to undertake her defence. They
say the number of threatening letters
he has received from hysterical and
hypnotized women is something in
credible.
Over ten years ago vague reports OF
this same religious scandal were noised
about. In the little village of Porte
Sauvreur, on the outskirts of Paris,
children bad been drugged with bell
lsdOnna, catechized aid converted
under its influence but then, as now,
the leaders of this cheerful sect we're
so powerful that the thing was hushed
up. 1t is doubtful, however, that the
"Evangeliste" will restore to Nine.
Ebsen the daughter she has lost. For
the last nine years, ever since the horri-
BILE scene at the end of the book, the
young girl has been living at Zurich.
The mother has accepted the situation
and given her up as lost, notwith
standing the brief cold letters received
from time to time, almost more pain
full to bear than silence. M. Daudet's
noble effort will at least act as gen.
eral warning, and may deal death
blow to hysteriOal propaganda which
recoils before no crime, and which to
save the soul does not hesitate to kill
the body. 1t is worth noting that
the lament OF the Rev. Mr.. Charles
worth, who complains that his
sixteen year old daughter, who, with
Miss Booth, was recently expelled
from Geneva, went thither against his
will. is striking parallel to the grief
of Elines mother over the infatuation
of her child. 7. B. Peterson &
Brothers unabridged edition of the
| book entitled "L'Evangeliste" can be
bad at all book stores, at nominal
price, and should be read and care
fully studied by all thoughtful people.