The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-12
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

as translator from the German. not only be-
cause of the excellence of her literary style but
her sagacious choice of authors and their works
that the mere announcement that she has pro-
duced a new story is always sufficient to create
popular demand for it. Her latest transla-
ton, entitled "Quicksands"-fr the German
of Adolph Streckfuss-a a fresh ilustra-
ton OF admirable literary taste and felicity of
expression. The novel which she has selected
for introduction to American readers is, in many
respects, remarkably clever piece of fiction.
The opening of the story Is very original. just
as the hero of the story, the son of rich Berlin
banker, utterly wearied with the pleasures of
life, Is about to put pistol to his head he dis
covers young student OF his own age about
to drown himself in lake. The latter plunges
headlong into the water, and the former, with
out stopping to consider the inconsistency of
the action, Immediately jumps in after him
and drags him ashore. The student at first is
not at all grateful, but he soon RECEIVERS his
spirits and at the solicitation Of his rescuer re-
lates his melancholy history. His weakness is
gambling and it turns out that he has Just lost
sum OF money belonging to his uncle, while
on his way TO accept a position as tutor at the
Castle Osternau. The other in turn, recites
his own histOry-how, satiated with follies and
tired of life, he had determined to commit sui
eide. lie concludes by proposing bargain
he engages to give the student, who rejOices in
the absurd name Of GottIeb PiggIeWiteh,
enough money to make good the latter's losses,
providing he will exchange clothes and permit
him to assume his name and identity The
compact is made and the new Pigglewitch, in
quest OF adventure in world which hitherto
he has found stale and Improbable HES him
self to Castle Osternau and presents his ereden-
tlals. Ills odd appearance creates a sensation,
and the mystery deepens when il is found that
he is an accomplished musician and linguist,
daring equestrian. and in manners and social
qualities well-bred gentleman. His pupils
are young lad and his sister-a sweet maiden
just blossoming into w0manhOOd. He loves
her. but he dare not reveal his indentity.
Meanwhile, there is great hubub in Berlin
society over the mysterious disappearance of
the rich bankers son-he is supposed to be
dead-and the abrogation of the marriage en-
gagement which, without his knowledge had
been entered into, on his BEHALF with young
lady OF distinguished family, by the heads Of
both houses His betrothed, whom he has
never seen, repairs to Castle 0sternau for
visit, and there meets Mr.. Pigglewitch, whose
identity she does not, however, for a moment
associate with that of the man to whom she
| had been affianced. The situation at this point
of the story is extremely romantic, and our
readers will find the sequel a very interesting
subject of speculation. In the end the tangle
is, of course, satisfactorily Strengthened out
and although the latter part of the story is by
no means as dramatic as the first, it is still
well worth reading The publishers are J. 3.
Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia.
From D. Appleton & Co, New York, we have
a volume entitled Practical Essays" by Alex
ander Balm, Ii. D., the distinguished pro-
lessor Of logic in the University Of Aberdeen,
Scotland. Mr.. Balm has been a copious writer
on metaphysical subjects for many years and
his works have been largely used as text books
in American colleges. This last work Is really
Of
these have no direct connection with each other,
they all, as the author declares In his preface,
have practical character. Among the subjects
discussed are popular falacies or, as ne puts it.
/ Errors of the Mind" 4" Civil Service Ex-
| aminatiens" the Classical Controversy
Metaphysics and Debating Societies" "The
| University IDEAL Past and Present !" s.The Art
OF Study" and Procedure of Deliberative
| Bodies" The last named essay treats. from a
thoroughly practical standpoint of the delay so
common to the proceedings OF modern deli5era-
| tive bodies, and many of the corrections which
! he suggests IN the parliamentary order of bust
ness are quite as applicable to the course OF
/ procedure in our own Congress. His principal
/ idea is that the time occupied in set debates.
whose only effect is to empty the benches, could
readily be saved by simply having the speeches
/ printed and distributed among the members.
/ He also thinks that leave to introduce bills
4 should not be granted unless the application of
/ the author IS supported by sufficient number
of seconders to warrant the assumption that il
Is measure of general Importance. If only
Tor the sake or the novel views set forth Ia this
essay the book is well worth attention. 1t is
for sale in this city By Brentano Brothers.
Apropos of Mr. Stockton's "The LADY, or
! The Tiger" which has just appeared in book
/ form in collection of short Stories and a re-
| view of which recently appeared in these col
umns, it is said that soon after its first appear
/ ance IN The Century, where it attracted great
deal of attention and was the subject of much
! comment and guessing, the author received a
| note from member of a wellkDown literary
/ club In London, sayingthat be had read the story
| aloud one evening to the members present and
after discussion vote had been taken and had
| resulted in a tie; six voting that it was the
i tiger which was behind the mysterious door and
/ the same number believing that the unhappy
combatant would find the rival of the Princess.
! To settle the matter, the note went on to saw,
the writer took the liberty Of asking the author
for decision. Mr.. Stockton humorously re-
/ piled that be hadn't as vet arrived at solution
of the problem, and that that was the reason
the story was left as it is. He intimated that
this was ali advantage, because for the price OF
| one magazine the reader can have whichever
| ending he prefers. Mr.. Stockton IS shortly to
contribute some new and clever stories to the
Century.
From John F. Ellis & Co, 937 Pennsylvania
avenue, the weli-known music publishers OF
this city, we have number of new and ex-
ceedingly attractive compositions, the first of
which is " Hon. James G. Blaine's Quick
| March 20 the White House." lively piece OF
Instrumentation by Steven r. Jecko. Other
entertaining pieces are 4 song. "Alack-a-Day "
music by Danks), sunny Weather" music
also by DankS) The Clover Challenge" fmu-
sic by Theodore Moellingl, and four clever
arrangements for the piano OF popular airs
from the operas. Merry War;" Mascotte, y
Queens Lace Handkerchief" and Donna
Juanita.'
The Hope Ofthe Republic, the Patriotism of Sons