The Republican journal., 1884-06-12
Literature.


| Literature.
THE FORTUNES OF RACHEL. BY Edward
Everett Hale. In This charming novel the all-
| thor has seized upon that element of romance
most characteristic of American life-its sud-
| den changes and sharp contrasts. ''Just as an
| English gardener" says Mr.. Hale '.would en-
| tirely fail who in our climate held to his Eng
ish rules so l think the American novelist
fails who transfers anything from the condi-
tions of the English novel to his description of
our social order. AS single instance, the
hero or heroine in an English novel accepts a
great deal from the station in life in which he
or she was born; but in America, in ninety
nine cases out of one hundred, ones life is
sef-made to Il much greater extent, and the
conditions under which he is born have com
paratively little to do with his life Mr. Hale
has so many of the qualities of successful
storyteller, that it is difficult in enumerating
them to tell where to begin. No writer of the
day has keener eyes, or knows better how to
use, in the most telling way, the facts they
furnish him The word cieter, even in the SUI
perlative degree, describes only one side of his
character. He is, as much rs any living man of
letters, the embodiment of the motto furnished
by him for the Look Up Legion of ChautauqlIa:
look up and down; Look forward and not
backward; Look out and not in and, Lend Il
hand" IIelpfulness, hopefulncss, rare and
kindly humor, an inborn genius for telling a
story, are all visible in nearly every page of his
work. and critics delight to honor the purity
and grace of his style. The fortunes of Rachel
pass through many vicssitudes, and in follow
ing them the reader meets some delightful
people. and secs a good many phases of life.
And we are mistaken if he does not end the
journey feeling that he is "a wiser and Il better
man. for having taken it in the company of
such IA delightful guide. Published in Funk &
WagnaIl>' (l0 and II Dey ST.. n. ~ Standard
Library. Paper, % cents
TWELVE MONTHS IN AN ENGLISH PRIsoS.
By Susan Willis Fletcher This book is the
outcome of ~ celebrated case" which IA few
years ago attracted the attention of SpiritualistS
in this country and in England. The author is IL
native of Lowell, Mass. Early in life she became
Spirtuali>t and medium and with her hus-
band has given >eanceS for Il number of years.
In 1879 Mr.. and Mrs. Fletcher made the ac-
quantance in London of Mrs. Hart Davies at
whose instance Mrs. Fletcher was subsequently,
arrested. While visiting her mother in this
country in 1850 the author was arrested on the
charge of obtaining jewels and clothing. "by
undue influence or false pretences," from Mrs.
Hart-Dave>, but on Il hearing was honorably
discharged. Learning that the same charge
had been made against her in England Mrs.
Fletcher Went to London to face her acctl,er,
She pleaded mot guilty to the charge. was
tried, and sentenced TO twelve months in Her
Majesty's Prison, Westminster. The trial
would be considered mockery of Justice in
this country, as this woman. who Voluntarily
surrendered herself for examination. was not
permitted 10 speak for herself or to have Il
hearing for her own witnesses. Even more
startling is the story of the authors lmpriSon-
ment, and of the spiritual phenomena which
attended it. The publishers say, in predatory
notice: The reader Of this book. whether
believer in Spiritu;lli>m. or one who rejects its
claims is delusivc and impossible. will be struck
by the clear and frank confidence shown in the
narrative. especially of the circumstances that
preceded the criminal trial, and will soon find
his feelings drawn into sympathy with the Ten
der, faithful. and courageous spirit of the
writer. The Ii art OF the book is the heart of
noble woman Cloth, $50. Ice & Shepard.
publishers, Boston.
BARBARA THANEK. lBy Mrs. Annie .Irnne-s
Miller. As Miss Annie Jcnne>>. the au. .hcr of
M, /,
England and other sections Of the country as il
lecturer upon social and educational topics
Having retired from the platform this able and
accomplished woman seeks. and viii find an
audience through the medium of this her first
novel. 1t is story With a mission and a NOR
al, and although not an autobiography is said
to have some points Of resemblance to the
authors own career. The critic of the Boston
Budget says: THE man who has been eagerly
looking TO see the American woman of the
period in Il no'el may now fold his hands In
calm content, for in ''I}albara Thayer" lie be-
holds her, the graduate Of a college. Il public
reader, and woman With ideas on the mar
riage question:" The social problem
discussed i. tie question whether or not wo-
fully. and the author treats it with unusual
frankneSs. and makes a decision which most
men and most women of the world would re-
gard as too rigorous, but which is in strict ac-
cordance with her hcroine's character" Cloth,
81. Lee 4 shepard. publishers. Boston,
But 4 PIIIIIsrlNE. BY Virginia +. Town
send. new novel by a successful author,
whose books while devoid of Scnsationuii-n
are interesting, instructive and hpathful in
tone. The story opens at home on the Maine
coast and of the view from the piazza we are
told that it .wa> bold and varied. On one side
wa5 the broken. rocky coast, the curves Of
shelving beaches, and the blue, cleaning sea;
on the other wa, the pleasant hi-countrv of
Southern Maine, while the neigIiboring village
showed its slender White spires and dark roofs
among empowering eims and naples" In this
pleasant retreat we meet and are introduced to
the characters whose fortunes we follow with
interest through tMe succeeding pages ana
there are no dull pages. we can assure those
who are not familiar with the writings Of Miss
Townsend. 10 those who lIayc read IN Wo-
mans Word" '-LenoN Dare" etc.. it i, not
necessary to recommend the present work.
Cloth, Sl.3o. Lee 4 shepard, publishers. Bos-
ton.
THE ONLY ONE. BY Harry w. French. The
author of this work is the we'll known and pop
ular lecturer, the writer of those standard iuvc-
niles "pur Boys in China" and ''Our BOYS in
India" and of other successful books. ''Thr
Only One was first published us serial in the
Boston Globe, and made sensation. and will,
no doubt. have Il large sale in book form Mr.
French Is a Keen observer, and having been a
great traveller he draws his material from
scenes and experiences at home and abroad.
In the present book the reader is given glimp-
ses of life In America, Italy and Persia The
characters are graphically portrayed. and the
interest of the story is well kept up from the
first page to the last Mr.. French is master of
dashing and graceful style. and those who
have read his former works will welcome thi,
latest production of his pen. Cloth, Il. Lee &
Shepard publishers, Boston.
BROKEN ENGLISH. 4 Frenchman's struggle
with the English Language. BY Prof. f. c.
Dubois. This neat little book is both inst rue
tive and amusing. Published in French and
English, on opposite pages, those familiar with
either language will find the text mrth-provok-