Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-11-17
BOOK REVIEWS.
A woNAS's REASON. A Novel. By William D.
Howes. Boston: James r. osgood Co. Sac
rsmento: W. A. & c. S. Houghton.

woNASs REASON. A Novel. By William D.
| Howells. Boston: James R. osgood & Co. Sac
ramento: W. A. & C. S. Houghton
Mr.. Howslls' magazine serial, "a Wo-
mans Reason" comes to Us in very present
able book form. It is novel with two EN-.
phatic purposes-to illustrate the obstacles
that must be surmounted by 8 woman who
is thrown suddenly upon her own resources
and is fred by determination to do some
thing to make living, although by education
and training she is untitled for labor in most
vocations in which woman is permitted to seek
a livelihood. The second purpose is to ex-
emplify by story of naturalness and sim.
| plicity the impractical character of the usual
| education given to young women born in
affiuence. These two themes compose the
chord sustained throughout in this volume.
Perhaps the most impressive of the two les
sons the author seeks to teach is that which
deals with the hollowness of most there is in
fashionable training. OF all the heroine of
this story knew she was unable to
the very time when all the knowl-
edge she possessed Was needed to
euable her to supply her physical wants. The
girl was possessed of the energy, the deter
mination, the will power to win her way in
the world, but the weapons at hand were
edgeless, mere reeds and bulrushes, on which
she could place no reliance True, she had
some knowledge of art, but her work in this
line proved unequal to the competition which
tests art in an unsympathetic market. She
turned to literature next, that common resort
for the helpless, and with the usual result !;
to the ornamentation of bonnets, but failed to
impress milliners with the skill which, in her
own boudoir in her happier days, was to her q
mere amusement. Her judgment was ap-
proved. but her fingers lacked the dexterity
that is born of long training under competent
instruction. Coming down to a class of
needlework and millinery that required less
skill and but ordinary taste, she had some
prospect of success, but her customers soon
found that she WAS unable to rise out of q
groove and meet their desires for improve
ment. Still she was not disheartened and re-
solved not to give up the struggle, when at q
Economically opportune moment she finds an
old love that she was once SO unwise as to re-
ject, and accepts the support of husbands
arm. The story does not move upon highly
romantic plane. 1t is simply, even plainly
told. 1t is not msrred by the evil
dences of effort, but it is an eff
fort nevertheless, and a most successful
one. The purpose of the author is attained,
and in that attainment his skill is made mani
fest. He fxe, his lessons upon the readers
memory indelibly, he imprints them upon
the mind, he carries conviction to the soul,
and though the necessary overcolor is ap'
parent, the entire ressonableness of the chief
events of the story is not to be denied. This
novel of Mr.. Howell will not address itself
to the scholarly taste it will not rouse the
critical instinct, nor call for analytical efforts.
1t may be read without mental strain and
grasped without any special effort of the in
tellect. 1t is, therefore, novel that will
meet the demand of the popular novel read
ing. And this is not saying that its author
has not done himself honor in its writing, for
to writa for popular reading calls into exer.
else a literary skill of rare order, and of
which Howells is largely possessed.
PLATo's BEST THOUGHTS Compiled from Professor
Jowetts Translation of the Dialogues of Plato.
By Rev c. H. A. Buckley, D. D. New York:
Charles ScribnerS Sons. Sacramento: W. A. Il
C. $. Houghton. SvO. 81 So
The scheme of this book is novel. 1t can
scarcely be called literary work it is rather
an index rerum with Plato's expressions for
the subjects. That such compilation,
arranged something after the style of die.
tionsry of quotations, has its USES, is true.
For speedy reference by the scholar it will be
exceedingly convenient in the study library.
But we doubt very much if its value will ex.
tend very far beyond that. To whosoever
has not read the dialogues of Plato this book
will have the minimum significance. It was o
very laborious task to dissect the dialogues
and arrange the matter under several thou
sand index heads and the success with which
this has been accomplished is creditable to
the industry and scholarly ability and dis
elimination Of the compiler, who says regard.
ing Plato: with his dialectic skill, uni
versatility and purity of style, every scholar
and thinker should familisrize himself. Their
influence on all ones mental processes cannot
fail to be stimulating and Strengthening"
This is very true, and very forcibly stated
but is it the best way in which to introduce
Plsto's thoughts to those who have not yet
taken up his text? Is this piecemeal, dis
jointed and photographic method likely to
stimulate desire for a reading in proper
order and sequence? We think not. But
we have said it may go somewhat beyond the
value it will have as work of reference for
admit, is measured by the taste or desire of
those who have not time or opportunity to
peruse the full TRANSLATION of Professor
Jowett. 1t is possible that some may find
this book to serve the purpose of stopping
the few gaps of time in which they may rest
from the busy toll of active life. DIR, Buckley
himself says that the obj5ct is to give the
reader a fair idea of Plato's diversity Of
thought. To this there could be no reason
able objection. excepG for the fear that sll
this kind of dissection, this disjointing, will
not present Plato as he deserves, and that it
will lessen, rather than augment. the desire
to read in full The Doctor says: 1t is
hoped these limited morsels of Plsto's Hymet.
tan honey will excite the desire for fuller
feast" But the assurance that it will cannot
be given. There is no reason to believe that
sach will be the result. He adds that those
who cannot reach the headwaters may, by
the aid Of this book, refresh themselves with
limited draughts of Plato's lore "bottled
up for them. from his perennial springs of
thought. 1t is concerning this same " bot
ting up process that we have and express
our doubts. But to this compromise we r1aY