Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-26
Now Hooks.
At FauH. BY KATE CHOPIN. Pub
lished by the Nixon-Jones Printing

New Books.
Al FduH. Bv KATE CHOPIN. Pub
lished by the Nixon-Jones Printing
Company, st. Louis.
Here is strong novel bya new writer
new at least to US. 1t portrays life on a
Louisiana plantation and in the city OF
st. Louis. The latter is, We suspect,
the authors habitat, though this suspi-
cion implies no disparagement Of her
knowledge OF southern life and character
rs displayed in her book. In her CABLE
has q strong competitor. Her Creole
and negro characters are alive, interest
ing, and true. The heroine, a widow of
thirty-fve, is an especially good type.
She loves and is loved by divorced hus-
band, but being Catholic cannot marry
him. She counsels him to remarry
his wife, who is q slave to drink, and
to endeavor to reclaim her. He does
SO. but tho experiment fails. The mis-
mated pair have miserable time OF 1t,
which is finally terminated by the tragic
death of the woman by drowning, When
the lovers are free to marry. The in
terest of the narrative is well sustained
and the denouenent is both natural and
effective. There is also an illustration OF
the sometimes disastrous results of q
young girls flirting.
We desire especially to commend this
book for its strong conception, vivid
Characterization, clever execution, and
excellent style. The author, in trench
ing upon the domain of BALZAc, the ro-
nance of middle age, is to be congratu-
lated. Young love is mostly insipid,
and a change is refreshing. We shall
look for further work from her pen with
interest.
The Story Of the IHad, for Boys and
Girls. BY EDWARD Brooks, A. M.
This, as the title purports, is prose
version of HoAfER's greatest poem,
emendated and simplifed. The authors
purpose is, as he says. "to furnish
story for young people which will be
both interesting and instructive to
them" and to inculcate "a higher APP
probation Of the great classics OF litera-
ture." These are worthy aims surely.
Whether, however, he has been wise in
his choice of vehicle may be ques-
toned. Too early acquaintance with
literature beyond ones ken is apt to pro-
duce lasting prejudice against it. Such
works as the Had and Paradise Lost re-
quire peculiar mentality for proper APP
probation, or, at all events, an adult in
telligence. Mr.. Brooks has, however,
performed q clever and interesting lit
erary feat. The book is published by
the Penn Publishing Company, OF Phil
adelphia, and is model Of Topographic
cal excellence.
For sale by II. NJ. SrARKR & Co.,
Richmond.
Epitome of the Worlds History. BY
EDGAR SANDERsoN, NJ. A. revised and
condensed by JOHN HARDMAN, A. Nj.
The title of this work is sufficiently
explanatory. We think the book a very
valuable one, either for the class or the
home student. The authors have sue
ceeded in bringing together, in small
space and convenient form, the leading
facts OF history, ancient. medieval, and
modern, eschewing philosophical discus
sions. In this age OF multiplied studies
condensation is absolutely essential, but
it requires peculiar qualifications to
epitomize so as to retain proper sequence
and knowledge. This has been success
fully done in the work under notice.
The volume is beautifully printed, pro-
fusely illustrated, well supplied with
maps, carefully indexed, and contains a
sDorld of information. The Boston
School Supply Company are the pub
lishera For sale by booksellers gen.
orally, we suppose.
Best Things from Best AUTHORS.
"Of the making Of many books there
is no end" The same may be said of
authologies. This volume, the sixth of
the series, covers a wide field and dis
plays good taste and judgment Mo
dern authors predominant, many of
them being still alive and writing. Some
of our most distinguished public men,
not known as authors, are also quoted.
The book is well adapted for readings
and Rotations Published by the Penn
Publishing Company, Philadelphia
For sale by u. III. SrARKR & Co.
Asbein, from the Life OF Virtuoso.
BY OssP ScHUBIS. Translated by
ELISE l.. LArHRoP.
This is called "a musical novel," but
it is 80 only in the sense that the leading
characterize can scarcely be called
hero-is musician. he is said to be
intended for RUHssrEN. He is wild,
volcanic, half-savage creature, who wins
the love ola beautiful and gentle Russian
princess. with whom he lives q life Of
ideal happiness for time. then breaks
loose into BohemiAnism. 10 unfaithful,
but d too easily forgiven by his gentle
vita. He grows worse and worse. until
they separate. Her heart is broken, and