The daily critic., 1890-08-02
THE "KREUTzER SONATA.


Naturally. the order f1rbilirg the
uCtfthe mails for the transu ission Of
TDlsrtis last work the "Krcutzer
S,uaio has had the effect Of stmu-
atirg speculation, not only as 10 the
character Of the book itself but the
circumstances under which the ban
was laid
As regards The book, the bulk Of iu-
ttlHeeui comment seems 10 be 10 the
effect that # is not wicked or immoral
though II treats Of immortality. Per
haps as fair q criticism as can be found
is that made by TruR, the we'll known
literary periodical, Of New York.
IyHb says
Il fancy that this is the most daring
as well as impressive, book Of modern
times. II Is outspOken as q thunder.
clap, but as innocent as a breath of
spring. There Is no evil IN this book
though 4 treats % evil. II Is an ori-
Einal view Of the question Is marriage
Il failure, and the reader must Judge
whether IL Is a true one or not II is a
pleasure 10 call attention 20 the trans
lalion Of the kTeutzer Sonata Tnis
startling and impressive work Is now
for the first time presented 10 the
American reader In clean, concise aud
emphatic English. such as can be
plainly understood, and yet is free from
the coarse brutality that a more literal
translation, such as those usually put
forth of the works Of foreigners, is apt
20 present. The idioms OF the original,
although not Tepulsive In the Russian
tCIgue are 50 semi Oriental aud almost
bsItaIie In their strength that, when
given in their native cTudity, they not
Culy fail 10 express the authors true
meaning, but also impaTt taint Of yul-
paIiiy 10 the book that Is very far In
deed from the earnest but decent inIen-
lions Of Count Tolstoi Ia Russian the
book Is simply strong and uncOmpro'
missing IN a literal translation it Is, or
seems 10 be coarse and almost brutal
The present version is absolutely true
O. the authors thought, and the trans
lat0I cannot receive too much praise for
Lis execution Of a most difficult task. p
This is practically the verdict Of pro-
fessiOual critics everywhere. The opin-
in Of Assistant Attorney General
Tyner Of the Postofllce Department IS
tLe only one 70 The contrary that has
eIaI aied from any responsible aud re-
sTeCtable source.
But the controversy and the c0nlec-
tune as 10 the circumstances under
which the book was tab00ed BY the De-
paItment have brought out some not
very pleasant incidents. An Associated
Press report from Boston. dated August
I gives the translator and publisher Mr.
Benjamin r. Tucker, as authority for
The statement that AIr John Wanamaker
of Philadelphia made various efforts 70
secure q large supply Of the 'KreutzeF
Sonata for sale 10 his book department,
butasthe Boston publisher wanted a fair
rate The trade vas aot c0nsummated.
Alr Tucker remarks viii be read with
great interest Before / published the
lock says Mr Tucker, i sent 0ut a
CiIcalar % The book trade Offering a
special discount ts dealers who should
place advance orders. One Of these
circulars ] sent b John Wauamaker.
Al first ! did nOl hear from him bul
after he book appeared and was
selling Tapidly be wrote 10 nae
pretending that be had mislaid the
circular. aud had been thereby pre-.
vented from placing an advance order
lut gov giving me large order for the
work Il tie special discount named
replied that unfortunately Il was toC
late and thai I could alioE him onlI
he regular discount Il nov appear.
tLaf fbe book which John Wanamaker
merchant vas willing @ sell il hg
could only buy q cheap eRough Is al
Judged by John Wanamaker, Post
master General. unfit for circulation ID
Tie mails.
OF course. public judgment Wtl bl
suspended uudl 81 tie fac.s of The ease
shal have uaBapiEed and been duly
Feiiaed Meanwhile however the
Postmaster General of the United
eiatls slaIda charged vita haFlng ca