The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-17
THE BOOK TAELE.

THE BOOK TAELE.
II VIC must tell 1.-THE Truth About Iris
tenn Varick," 'twere best 'twere done
quickly and save the sudden blush that
arises at mention OF his name, and avoid
the hasty concealment when caught in the
act Of reading il. Not that II is any worse
than some OF this vile trash that passes
muster under the broad title OF current
literature" but it is neither morally nor
intellectually healthy, and from these points
Of view should be Stunned. From being
n profound student and admircr OF Balzac,
Edgar Saltus, the author, has become inn
bued with that French realism that today
makes Balzac and Zola prescribed authors
in a circulating library or a young ladies'
seminary. "Tristem Narick' is one OF the
books that come under the Baconian class
ification 'to be swallowed whole" To
hesitate over lis pages is TO lose confidence
in ones sell, TO be suspicious OF your best
friend. II is story OF that all
absorbing passion which draws its
victim TO committing heroic murder,
the reward for which is TO learn
that he has sinned in vain, that the muir
dered man was beloved by the girl whom
be 10 basely ruined. To Tristem's chiv-
alrous nature the truth issuch shock that
IL humans him and he calmly surrender
10 the demands OF memorable law, nobly
rcfraining from offering any palliation that
may criminatc the woman whom he once
ndored. Mr.. Saltus has written n clever
book, the startling denouement to which
saves Il from realistic triteness, but places
- 10 80
touch Il without being de1led. At best,
the abnormal sins which bcsct society are
suppressed aud hushed, and kind pity
stnooths over the ccnsorious verdict, but
in the book the fair sinner II proud Of a
shame which blanchcs the cheek Of Varick.
Saltus has given us book which does not
touch sympathetic chord in our nature;
does not lift our thoughts one jot above
sordid and selfish humanity, but shocks
the refined instincts that makes the socinl
| fabric what II IS.
Under the title Society Small Talk. "
| the eighth edition OF which Is Just pub
lishcd. some valuable hints for timid con
yersailonalisis are given. Ina farce which
appeared several years since the expires
| sion, che who hcsitates Is lost, was one
Of the pointed witilcisms which brought
\ down the house. The expression might
equally apply 10 the bashful bellies and
| bcaux who hesitate 10 use their tongues
or express their ideas. This little bool
gives timely topics for the dinner table
| ball room aud morning calls.
II Il for sale at Mansiord's. Price, sl.26
RP. whipple, In series Of articles OF
society, Literature and Politics." asks
"why Is not lowell apopular author 2
| The reason his books have not been do
mcsticatcd In the homes Of the ''unculti'
waited" IL on account Of their high price
When publishers give us cheaper edition
Of this author then his circulation viii Ia
crease.
II Is now admitted that Henry r. Keanar
Il the author Of tho Dread Winners" II,
Il also the author Of tie money Makers,
purported answer 10 the former work
Mr.. kcanan was Tor years Paris CORE
spoulenl 81 the New York Tribi1N, ant
its political editor Tor longer period.
Cupplcs & IIurd, Boston, will shoril,
publish "Siay Leaves from Newport" b,
Mn. VIM. l.. Wheeler, who IL n mcmbe
OF one Of tho most exclusive circles o
American society. II Is likely 10 create
sensation among the members Of this cir
Gle.
Peterson 4 Co. have batch Of books Il
press by southern authors. They are ken
meth Cameron" by Judge l.. q. @. Brown
OF Louisiana; "My Journal" by Mn
beaumont, OF Mississippi, and ''De Mo
lar" by Edmund flagv. OF Virginia.
In April UTds Awate, one Of those brigh
Journals prepared for children but equal,
Interesting 10 maturcr years, there appear
"rlea for the English Sparrow" Thos
who know this lililo creature only fruu
one side, should read this defense.
The Critic Of March "a contains answer
from twenty-five noyelisls 10 the question
asked them, "NIust an author I've moves
himself In order 90 excite emotion In hi
rndcrs?' The affirmative and ncgatlv
are about evenly divided.
In the portrait Of James whllcoml
Riley, which adorns tho April Book BpycT
thcrc h n striking resemblance 10 Bill Nyt
This resemblance between tho two me
also extends 10 the quaint humor in thci
writings
/ bttluft DclnK hluty NiicF " iM
powers, Thomas Nelson ragc has show
praiscworihy poetic instincts. scribneT
Sons x Co. have in preparation q yolum
Of poems by A. G. Gordon and Thomas \
Page.
Frank r. Stockton l. said 10 be al wor
upon a story longer than any he has -
written. EIcLong.
II Is hoped Il will be- no longer as sill
~ some oil his previous efforts.
In q preface 90 new edition OF Mn
Browmng's poems, Robert Browniag M
kindly calls attention 10 the fnct that .
the time OF their marriage Hho was fort,
while he WIS only thirty-iour.
II the dyspeplc hooking portrait IN ,h
April Ccni,rg h correct likeness oil Rol
cfi Louis Stevenson, We no longer wonds
ut that nightmare production oil ID
Jckyll aud MI. Hyde"
: The people Of New Orleans are fcelin
proud over laicadlo HeAra's ssor,