New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS
FINE SPECIMEN OF PARTISAN ART.


Routledge Sons
The not too exemplary Abb6 Provost declares
that he wrote his famous romance under the con-
yIcton that "precepJs of morality being ohly
vague and general principles have little enecC
upon the conduct of mankind until their.practicai
application is directed by the teaching OF expert
snce. He essayed therefore, to exhibit the MS
fortunes of young man of good sentiments anu
many estimable qualities, who allowed himself 10
he overwhelmed by the violence of his passions,
when a due regard to the precepts of morality
vould have brought him happiness and fortune
The reverend gentleman preached pretty crude
utltarian code of morals and he preached 1t after
n fashion which has never been in favor with re-
formers OF manners The Chevalior des Greux is
represented as tho slave of beautiful and sngu-
Iorlv vile woman for whose sake and in whose
company he commits numerous crimes and name
less acts of abasement always, however, with
profuson of sentiment" which, If not invariably
good is often highly genteel: and over the passion
of this very low young gentleman for a drab who
has not a redeeming quality except physical beauty,
we are invited to drop the elusive tear ana wipe
the sympathetic Lose The briskness OF tue story
the ingenuity of the situations, the viva pictures
of life and manners and the dir OF elegance WIN
which the practIced author carries his theme have
giyen Manon Lescaut" high place among french
novels of the last century but 1t is in truth real
hardly keep from smiling at the authors COM
nlacent boast that the whole work a moral
1-eatise reduced agreeably to practice" NJ. Guy dc
Slaupassant who contributes to the present edition
preface in tho IOuleUdrdie STYLE does not trouble
himself with any such moral illusions. To him the
chief arm of the book is the personality of Nanon,
over whose mouth and lips he seems TO hang ID
salacious ecstasy. "No woman" be says, has ever
been evoked SO clearly. SO completely as she; no
woman has ever been so womanly-nor ever has
contained the quntessence of her as this famous
person. so sweet-and 30 perfdious." With this 0lt
of criticism we may dismiss NJ. dc Maupassants
remarkably hideous little essay.
The sumptuous edition of the work which Messrs.
Routledge have put forth is entirely or French
manufacture, and in type, printing paper ana
makeup il is most beautiful specimen OF Partisan
art. We have seen not more than two or three
books of the present holiday which can bear
any comparison with It, The illustrations, by
Maurice Leloir, embrace twelve full-Uage etchlngs
and 225 vignette borders. In which every page has
an illustrative drawing, small but spirited, as the
central object in elaborate marginal design.
The grace fancy, delicacy and variety Of these
embellishments can hardly Oe praised too warmly.
and the purpose Of the artist has been eXQusltely
represented in the skill OF the engraver, jules
Huyot. The etchings, executed by l.. Ruet, after
Ielor's designs are notable examples of fine and
careful work. Not the least of the merits of the
illustrations lies in tho obvious sympathy between
the author and the artist. Leloir has faithfully
represented the society OF which Manon Lescaut'
is a shining picture; and while he has not been
nsensibe to the false feeling Of the reverend Abb6.
he has avoided the absurdties of the writer of the
preface.
The book is furnished in paper covers with
handsome portfolio case
SYRTIILA MINER. A Memoir 16mo. PIP. 100. Hough-
ton, Mlhn 81 Co.
This little vol ume, Of which Mrs. Ellen NJ OCon-
nor mOdestly announces herself as the editor" IS
n simple memorial of benevolent and persovering
woman who succeeded. amidst great discourage
nents, at time when slavery was supreme IN the
Government Of the United States IN establishing
n normal school for free colOred persons at the
National Capital. The foundation has been main
famed and is now an institution of considerable
Importance. Miss Miner was a woman of frail body
Int of stalwart spirit. She fairly conquered an
education for herself IN spite OF poverty AMI SICK
ness and held her ground against opposition In
Washington with a courage which may be estl-
mated from the fact that she judged 1t necessary 10
practise with a revolver Once she held a mob at
bay with this implement The story of the school
is told here by Mrs. O'Connor, and letters from
various friends add personal "reminiscences OF the
brave woman who created it.
Gus EASTER The music by tue REV. ALhLD
YOUNGi the words selected ana original cd o'o'
PIP. S3. Catholic Publication SOciety Co.
The present small and well-prnted brochure is
only the first part Of a publication which Is IN
tended to reach much more generous proportions.
In the growing taste for the singing of carols-a
charming old fashion whose revival we all welcome
"A selection embracing this does n large variety
of verses suitable not only for the church and
school, but for home festivities, deserves cordial
reception The Rev. Mr.. Young has made his seoc
lions with taste, from both English and American
sources and the music to which he has fitted them
is simple and appropriate.
VANITY AND INSANITY or GENIUS: By KATE
sANBoRN. 16mO. PIP. xv. 1913. George .Coombes.
Miss Sanborn has collected striking array OF
anecdotes, more less authenticated, in ilustra-
ton of the uncomfortable theory that genius is apt
to be vain and crazy. She acknowledges that COM
mpnplace people are quite often afflicted these
ways as their betters and this being the case, II
may be doubted whether her proposition needed a
book but she has given us some chapters of lively
gossip which show extensive reading, and the pub
Usher has presented them in an attractive dress.
THE SILENT SOUTH Together with The Freedman's
Case in Equity, and the Convict Lease System by
GEORGE W. CABLE. l6mo. PIP. VI, 1sO Charles
scribner's Sons.
The papers the present condition OF the South
err blacks, recently contributed by Mr.. Cable to
the magazine have been collected in a volume
which is sure of an attentive reading. The discus
sion started by these striking papers is so recent
that review of the volume now will hardly be
called for. We need only record satisfaction
that ESSAYS Of so much Importance are put in shape
for preservation.
CHILDREN's BOOKS.
1.-THE Autocrat of the Nursery" "a. c. Armstrong
a. Con, 10 ona of the most bewitchnp of the new