Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-22
NEW BOOKS.

Perhaps if the results could be
weighed, baled, or measured, the fierce
zeal OF Luther would be found Of
less moment, than the jolly, biting,
scornful laughter of Rabelais. This abil
itv to be possessed of mission, to live
with great purpose at heart,an at the
same time preserve, or rather work out
glorious end by means of quip, and
joke, and sarcasm, developing an eter-
nal verify by eternal laughter, is char.
acteristic of reformers of Latin blood.
One of these has been pulled from
temporary oblivion by Benjamin M.
Tucker, of Boston, who has translated
and published Mon Oncle Benjamin, a
humorous, satirical and philosophical
novel, by Claude Tillier.
Tillier's life forms an appendix to the
story and is as full of romance, of iollity
and misery, of struggle, bravery, failure
and achievements, and heroic devotion
to principle, as was only possible
to a keen progressive mind,
which found itself in France
in the first years OF the nineteenth
century. Tillier fought the good fight
of the cause of the people, the over
throw of shams, the development of lib
erty. Nothing can be pictured more
somhre than the features Of his life,
but judging by Oncle Benjamin, few
natures could contain more contempt
for misfortune, or laugh more at sorrow.
1t is the ability of the Latins to be
brave and gay. The men of Angle
blood are none the less brave, but they
always have to be serious about it. The
Frenchman cries "a la bonheurl'
whether on his way to fete or to the
guillotine.
Oncie Benjamin is picture OF Niver-
nese life in the last century. The humor
is bit broad, and Miss Veneering or
Mr.. Shallowpate may be pleased to
term it sometimes vulgar. The student
of life and OF humanity will
revel in it. 1t is creation which is
scarcely less vigorous than Don Quixote,
Gil Bias or Tristan Shandy; one which
people laughed at and benefited by fifty
years ago, and which will be just as eff
fective in centuries to come.
MON ONCLE BENJAMIN-By Claude Tillier.
For sale by Edwards & Mcknight, Los An
geles.
*x%
Fifteen Years in He'll is the title
under which Mr.. Luther Benson writes
of portion of his life. Mr.. Benson is
now temperance lecturer, and a zeal
Gus, sincere worker in the cause he has
chosen. For many years he was a
drunkard, and with wonderful frank
ness he describes his essays to overcome
his habit of drinking. 1t is a dreadful
picture OF horror, degradation and weak
ness he draws, but he limns it bravely,
he unbares his soul, and calls on the
world to gaze into it's recess
es. The book is as effective
a temperance argument. as any lesson of
its kind can be. Its kind is OF the buga-
boo type, with which parents seek some
times to frighten children from ill-doing.
To weak ma lures it may be an effective
means. No man on reading Mr.. Ben
sons experience could deliberately wish
to become drunkard, yet the efficacy of
such lessons is very doubtful. Humanity
cannot be frightened into or out of its
course. The bugaboo argument is not a
satisfactory method of teaching children,
much less men. If there is "a temper
ance question:" the solution of it cannot
be found by holding up to view terri
BILE examples" A refining influence as
a reformative poweris immeasurably su-
perior to mandatory or admonitory
measures.
FIFTEEN YEARS IN HELL-By Luther Benson.
For sale by Merrill Il COOK, Los Angeles