The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-05
LITERATURE.

EIElHkS Dy Henry t1dTlaDu (Oyuney 1JuSKdl.
T%4S (New York: The John ". Lowell
Company. Cloth. 347 pp., 81 25.).
This is the latest work from the pen of the
author of "As 1t Was Written" 1t is
book made up of six parts and is the story
OF Russian exile and his daughter. who
were forced to flee in order that the father
should escape the wrath of the Gar. They
take up their residence in Paris and have
hard time of it, tho daughter being forced to
exc out an existence for her father and self
by teaching. The father is continually
plotting to regain his lost estate, and in the
meantime is a believer in the doctrine OF
chance and INDUCES in little game which
results disaStrouSly to him, aud he finds him
self in debt-a debt of honor which must be
paid, and he sends his daughter to borrow
the money from a friend, composer, who
gladly lends the sum asked for. After that
the friend becomes frequent visitor to the
exile and his daughter and is their confdeI-
tial adviser. In course Of time an American
art student takes lodgings IN the house in
which the exile and his daughter are
living and in the course of time they
become friends. The artist declares his
love for the daughter, but bemoans cruel
fate which has left him poor and prevents
him from asking her TO become his wife.
She, however, very much In love, en-
courages him and finally he decides to turn
his face to America, and if possible work
his way, and then come back and claim her,
but as is not unusual in such cases the
father does not fancy his daughters alliance
to one who is not the equal of what they
were in Russia, and he intercepts the artists
letters in the hope that the daughter will
think he has forgotten her. Alter that,
certain Russian Prince appears and he be-
comes madly infatuated with the daughter
OF the exile, who, in times gone by, had been
friend of his in the land Of the Car. He
makes violent love to the daughter and offers
his hand in marriage, but he is rejected as
she cannot find it in her heart to love him.
Finally, to win her love he offers to obtain
a free pardon for her father and have his
estates restored to him. The friend of
the family warns her not to have anything
to dc with the Prince, as if she marres
him she will be forever unhappy. Despite his
warning she, to place her father at ease In
worldly way again, consents to marry the
Prince. For year or more the husband
does all that one can do to please his wife,
but she having such hatred of him, real
izing that she had sold herself TO him, and
her mind being always with her absent ar
list lover, she cannot bring herself to love
her husband. This leads to a serious talk
between husband and wife, and finally he
slaps her face, and from that moment the
hatred on the part of the wife becomes
more bitter. She threatens to leave and
return to her father, but her husband in-
forms her that if she does he will at once
have her father arrested anu sent, with his
head half shaved, to Siberia. To save her
father she concludes to remain with her
husband, but their lives are extremely mis-
cradle. The husband goes away from home
for time, and while absent goes to place
where he is found struggling in the water
man unknown to him. This man turns out
to be the artist. who had returned to the
Continent, had become famous aud was on
the high road to fortune. The rescued nus
band, unaware of the previous relations that
had existed between his wife and the artist,
70 =, har nd tl,a. tot 10
followed by stormy scene during which
she claims tine protection of her
former lover At a subsequent meeting
with the wife tie artist declares that the
Prince is a brute who ought to be removed
IRON the face of the earth, and that he would
not have any more conjunction TO put him
out of the way than he would have to stick
a pig. He manages to involve the prince
in duel, and at the first fire kills him. At
the time he feels that he has rendered his
former love great service, but on calmer
reflection comes 10 the conclusion that he
has acted but little better than murderer,
and is unable TO be in the company of her
he loved so much, for the reason that there
is body between them. blood-stalned
body, and his conscience smites him so that
lie writes her a letter in which he an
nOunces his determination to put an end
to his life. She then falls i'll, and finding
herself without the one she had suffered so
much for has no further desire TO live. The
story is told in Mr.. Harland's customary
strength and directness, and is the equal of
any that be has ever written. This is the
first velnme of new series of novels which
the publishers have in preparation. 1t is
offered by Payot, Upham & Co.
In PAPER COVERS. S. Ogilvie of New
York has issued as No. II of the sunny
side Series" very entertaining move! en-
titled Master and Man." written Ivy o. y.
B. Strayer. 1t is good book for summer
reading.
"Woman's Duplicity," written by P. ].
pany Of Chicago as an addition to the
IN lies Series" Mr.. Duff has some good
ideas which in time may place him within
the line OF acceptable authors if he can
bring himself down to presenting those
ideas in frst-cass English and avoid a ten
dency to use expressions that are somewhat
slangy. Such expressions have no place in
what aims 10 be good novel.
The Jewish Publication Society Of Amer
lea has issued The Persecution of the
Jews in Rus sia," a timely pamphlet gotten
up under the direction OF the Russo-Jewish
Committee of London. This edition is
reprint 1t gives a full history of the
troubles in Russia and of the measures that
have been taken for the purpose of assist
ing the unfortunate people who have been
driven from their home by order of tire Gar.
Through the South and West with the
President" is the title of a book in paper,
issued by the mail and Express 3" of New
York. 1t was prepared by John ). Shriver
OF that journal, who, on the Presidential
tour, WAS sort of advance agent for the
Presidential party, being always about
twelve hours in advance of the party. In
this book of 1j2 pages Mr.. Shriver presents
collection of all the speeches deliv-
erred by the President on his recent tour
through the South and the Pacific Coast. 1t
also gives brief sketch of the reception at
each place the L resident visited.
THE VISION OF MISERY HILL, Legend
of the Sierra Nevada-By Miles L'Anson.
New York: G. p. Putnam Il Co. $50 pp.,
cloth and gill edge, 81 25.) This is book
of verse, dedicated by the author to his fell
low miners of California and the Pacific
Coast. The author. who is now resident
of Newark, n. j., tells in very entertaining
verse the story of Tom Bowers, queer
character who lived on Misery Hill, in the
Sierras, who, while out prospecting,
was caught under caving bank and
buried, and whose ghost, it was believed,
haunted Misery Hill ever after that This
and the other poetic sketches that make up
the book are all inspired by the air of the
Strras and the mountain camp, and are
very readable. The book is one that can be
taken up at any time and the reader will al
WAYS find in it something that is acceptable.
1t is handsomely bound and illustrated with
a number Of good pictures Offered by The
Bancroft Company.
On TIE HEIGHTS OF HIMALAY-By Prof.
A. Van der Naillen New York: The
United States Book Company This is a
second edition Of this book, which when
| first issued, several months ago. was re-
| viewed at length in this column. This
author Is well-bnown professor of a school
| OF engineering in this city, and his book has
been so well received that his publishers
have found it necessary to issue a second
edition in order to supply the demand. The
present edition has been carefully revised
| and q number of finely executed engravings
| have been added. The book is one of the
| good class; one that a reader does not care
| TO lay down until it has been read from first
| to last. The publishers in their preface to
| the new edition say: "The work has ap-
peaied most strongly to the seekers after
| supplied philosophy particularly needed
| by those who have left beaten and unsalis-
! factory paths. but who have lacked the con-
| fidence to cross the threshold of the more adj
yanced and, therefore, more technical teach.