New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-09
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
RECENT FRENCH BOOKS.

Paris: caimann Lev levy Sew-TOrR j. w. BOnton
LA CONFESSION DUN AMANT, par Marcel Provost.
Paris: Dentu. New-York: J. W. Bouton
New-SorS: J. W. Bouton.
LIE PRINCE IMPERIAL Napoleon Iv), par lie Comte
dHersson. Paris: onendorf New-iork: j. W.
Bouton.
PIERILLE par Jules Clarete de academic Franchise.
PERIL, par Henri Geve. Paris Plon. New.York:
}. W. Bouton.
"Passionnette,5 which "Gyp," better known as the
ComtesSe de Marte has selected the title OF her
most recent and most clever novel, is a word wihch
will be sought for in vain In French dictionaries Ana
yet 1t is both pretty word and one which is SIN
guarly expressive. 1t may be defined as the ul'h"u
tive OF the French word "passlon, or passionate love
and purposes to describe not the love- Dut merely "c
passing inclination of woman of the world for man
OF the world-a mere superficial scratch on the heart
if with the point Of needle But yet trnihg as II
IT, Gypn is convinced that these scratches often prove
fatal and result in the death of the fair ones 10 "o
the hearts in question belong. II Is with We" Vi
proving this to be the case that she has rea'ea III er
usual inimable and sparkling manner, so thoroughly
Palisian the passionnette" OF tle |oin'"e'o nU'A
de Gueldre and her death.
The lion NJ the literary season in Paris IS young
engineer named Marcel Provost, whose recently pub
lIshed novel, La Confession dun Amant' proved
brilliant success. Notwithstanding the cha.
acer OF the title the book has nothing in common WIN
the unfortunate tone of the ordinary french NOVEL
On the contrary IL is Of rare deiicacy, ana its u
ence far from debasing the mind OF the reader Is ca0u
lated rather TO elevate H. It's strongest note is SYM
pathy sympathy which appeals directly TO the reader
and which cngs to him until the last page IL Is tie
plain, unvarnshed story, exquistely tola OF Souis
man whom principle and devotion to the two veheroie
and sanity old ladies' who have brought him mp from
earlier childhood impe him to resist the manifold
temptations to which Partisan life exposes young
man In the hands of less gifted writer the story,
simple as it is would have inevitably degeneraed lnto
q sentimental impossibility, inviting ndicue' put
wrought as it IS it has refreshing and cooling
draught 10 paates jaded by the realistic ana socaed
naturalist" tone of ordinary French literature during
the last generations. 1t is book which, without
permitting the interest TO lapse even for moment,
appeals to the conscience, and which, aiming at tho
best side of the readers nature, cannot tall % Gull
forth at any rate momentary and possibly laS'iis
elevation Of mind. 1t may be added that NJ Marcel
Prevosts book has been made the subject OF seVern
enthusiastic newspaper and review articles by Aexan-
DIRE Dumas Anatoe France, and several other OF the
leading French writers Of the age
There is sad interest attached to the charming novel
"Nieves," Just published. The author-Cech Standish'
O member of the ducal family Of des CarS-who was
full of promise died in February last at Nice ana te
book remains as a literary memorial of one who might
have achieved place in tho foremost rank of the
fiction writers OF the present day. Evidence OF the merit
of Moves" is furnished by the fact that II appeared
originally in the pages of the Revue des Deux Mondes
1t tale which cannot fail TO attract The attention
of readers who tired of realistic and psychol9gcal
studies The scene is laid in Spain, and the book
chronicles In peculiarly dainty and refreshing man
ner the loves of champion torero and Dona Moves
gel Rio sweet maid Of Seville, whose character Is as
sunny the skies Of her native AndaiiSia
one of the most bitter indictments ever drawn up
against the Empress Eugene is contained in the
remarkable book recently issued by Count dHersson
IDrfp Trn, rfa1 NOT
only furnishes convincing proof of the Legitimate
birth Of the llustrious and unfortunate widow. but
also demonstrates the pernicOus and even sinister
character of her influence upon her Imperial nus
band both while the throne and when in exile
So strong is the arragnmen that IL bears the impress
of far more powerful hand and more tgenclant pen
than that of the Count, and quite number Of pages
In the book could have been written by no one save
the late Prince Napoleon more Familiarity known as
"Pon Plon.n For the first time full and salts
factory explanation is given OF the lateTs attitude
toward Eugenic during the Empire, and Of his I'M
friendly conduct toward her after the death Of her
husband and son. 1t relates the difficulties which
arose in connection with the guardianship of the i'll
fated Prince Imperial. and the financial embaITass-
ments of the latter due TO the limited character Of the
allowance placed at his disposal by his mother. IL
deals likewise with the disappearance of valuable
papers from Chisehurst, and after giving numerous
details concerning the dsgraceful intrigues care on
factory evidence to the truth Of the mmor accord
ing to which the EmperOr's demise was due, not to
the effects of the surgical operation to which he was
subjected but 10 overdose of choral which he was
forced take sorcy against his WILL and that plunged
him into sleep from which he never awohe.
The books by French authors suitable for the read
ing Of young girls are few and far between and the
appearance Of NJ Claretie's FERTILE therefore,
merits a special welcome 1t Is charming village
Kyl showing the bright and sunny SIDE Of French
peasant lie without any indication OF those sombre
shadows which form Characteristic featurS Of
Emile ZOlas realistic novels Realism in its offensive
is entirely absent from this. the latest work of
the eminc&t Aoademican and Director the Coincide
FrancatSe, and the attractions of the volume are
further increased by number of graceful illustrations
Peril" may be described constituting one Of the
most successful efforts of the wellknOwn author
who writes under the pseudOnym of Henri Grevlle.S
The characters OF Eliette and of her lover NkO are
drawn from nature and fOIm delightful portraits Of
two snguiarN attractive persOnagcs While marked
by 1" Hem. Grevilles" usual refinement and simple
elegance of style, Peril" displays than ordinary
force and power in its descriptions of Breton coast
life and scenery, and tie interest IS maintained
throughout.