New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE DOMESTIC TALE.

REpUTED CHANGELNG. or Three sevSu'ny ars,s
Two Centuries A ,Isc0,,l ny { Sn co
S,rn',,r ~ IN i. CANON A California Story. by
Kate Douglas wiggn, Crown svo' pp' 2'2'
n'"sn u, ,r,hor ~ Miss Tooseys Mission
Ia T. addies etc I6mo. PIP. SOL Roberts Brothers.
TIE RECToRY CHILDREN By Mrs WORDSWORTH
i6mo PIP. el2. Macmillan d TO-
RE1-TY LEICESTER BY sarah Orne JewelI iemo'
DID, 2s7. Houghton. Mihiln d Co.
The Domestic Tale of to-day has an advantage
oxsr irs predecessors in that il teaches without
nrosing. 1t is fresh, gay sometimes almost witty
" often exhibits human nature as II really is,
and in can even be pathetic without sentmentallty
In is decidedly something 20 be grateful for-keep-
ing always in mind the fact that il has It's own
Mace in fiction and is not to be considered outside
of III
The list set down above really represents the
Domestic Tale at it's best Not one Of these
books is didsc;ic, but all are suggestive. Miss
Yonge's story leads, by virtue of its incurslon
into the field Of history. II opens in the England
of Charles II, and ends with the sound OF the
bells ringing for Queen Annes coronation
Charles James, Queen Mary Beatrice of Modena'
and other historical pcTsonagcs appear Ill us
pages, brought in deftly and naturally, IL III
somewhat more modern spirit than we are ready
10 believe could have existed two hundred years
and mothers, and goes 10 show that children
who are thoroughly misunderstood ana wrongly
disciplined are thereby cruelty warped Tor NE
Miss Virgins book tells the story of camping
Marty and tells it charmingly. 1t sDarkleS with
fun. with shrewd hints OF character ana WIN
wholesome and not obtrusive notions OF rshU
thinking and living. The wildwood atmosphere
is maintained throughout, after fashloh WHICH
makes the reader long for summer ana tent
Lii is winsome girl who despite the sad tact
that she lies in mattress grave, Keeps up 4"
healthy interest in life, and makes everybody
about her the happier and the better Tor hef
rresence Perhaps there is a little too much OF
the invalid" in modern fiction OF the domestic
type but in this she is not TO DC objected TO-
thread of romance, introducing rGhtiul ana
wrongful heir, gives FLIP to the tale III Is noO
60 touching a story as TpCat" but it is
pleasanter one
We do not altogether agree with Mr. Swinburne
in his enthusiastic estimate of Mrs. Molesworths
work: there was a muchIlamented writer, Mrs.
Ewing. 10 whose books his adlcctircs more justly
amply. To Mrs Wordsworth, however. one may
readily give the second place for refinement OF
STYLE and suggestivencss in all things pure, NOBLE
and unseliish The Rectory Children has not
unite the charm of U.s. but it is wise, as
well as entertaining, little book. Like Miss
Yonge's story il is partly addressed to parents
who misunderstood their childrens characters ana
motives: and il offers lesson of energy and IN
selfshness to younger readers.
perfume as of wild thyme and sweet clover
breathcs from Miss Jewetts dainty volume. Tier
Betty is fascinating bit of girlhOod brightly
good, little naughty, altogether what her mates
would call nice" The people who surround her
are true and delightful, Miss Jewett's New
Enganders always are There is an old woman
met by Betty on the ears, who is so real and 50
amusing, faint as is her portrait, that one Will
not easily forget her. Slight as is this little
story. it speaks of the artist with conscience;
Miss Jewett puts as perfect polish upon her
pine as upon her mahogany. SO far as this tale
has moral it is TO make the best of thngs-to
find the possibilities of "a good time and a helpful
time in what is nearest.