Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-03-18
A Brilliant Literary Production.

Mr.. Lee Davis Lodge, Of Gaithersburg,
this county, Professor of the French Ian
guage and Literature in Columbian Univer-
sity at Washington, d. G., has issued through
Msssrs. John Murphy 6 Co., of Baltimore,
brilliant and absorbing literary work, en-
titled, "a Study in COrneille." Although
this work has only been out ofthe publishers
hands some three months, it has already re-
ceived an extensive and most favorable
criticism in the prominent and leading
papers Of the country.
We have read with the most intense pleas
ure and interest this most charming produc-
tion from the gifted pen of the professor,
and we appreciate our incompetency to give
1t such review or criticism as its beauties
merit and classic taste so fully command.
Some portions of it are superlatively beau
tiful in style--a moral sentiment like golden
thread runs through every part of it, whilst
the reader is kept constantly in contact with
the workings of an inventive and brilliant
mind. The entire volume is one of mag
netic interest and is calculated to exert a
purifying and ennoblng influence upon all
who read it, and fully justifles the elaborate
encomiums that have heralded its appear
ance in this country. 1t will undoubtedly at.
tract large circle of readers, as 1t will be
sure to occupy choice place in the most
select libraries. The typography, indeed,
the entire mechanical execution of the book
is not only one of the best editions we have
seen from the popular publishing house of
Murphy & Co., but one of the handsomest.
Bishop Vincent, of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, and the originator of the Chau-
tauqua movement, says Of this book, "Fhe
task has been performed with skill and
ability-the work exceedingly well done"
In order that our readers and the many
friends OF Prof. Lodge may form some slight
conception OF the merits OF this his first en-.
enterprise in the literary world we append
part OF oae Of the many favorable notices
given through the press;
The author of this book chooses a subject
Which could not fail to be fascinating one
lor himself; and he makes it an exceedingly
Interesting one to his readers Perhaps at
the outset we ought to say that he is dealing
10 what he writes wholly with the drama as
literature. Occasionally in the history he
gives of the French drama he lets it be
known what pernicieus elements such itera-
ture may reveal, as also how the theatre it.
sell In catering to depravsd popular taste
may become itself depraved. In his main
subject, however, he is able to treat the pro.
auctions analysed, and so in a sense repro
duced for his readers, purely as literature;
the writings of Corneile, at least those with
which the author is mainly concerned, be
ing Of that class in which neither apology
nor discrimination at the moral point of
view becomes neediul. The book opens
with an historical account Of "The Develop.
Inent Of the French Drama" Next we
have "The Formative Period in Corneille's
Career" follow which are, "The Full Bloom
OF Genius" LIE Cid "a Character Study :
Horace "a Tragedy Of the Golden Age of
Rome; Cinna;" The Great Dramatist at
the Meridian Of his Glory. Poyeucte :"
closing with a"Final Estimate of Corneille :
Classicisn and Rise OF Romanticism Latest
Development" 1t will be at once evident
from this restatement OF the contents of the
book that 1t is, what the author terms IL, "a
Study" More is contemplated than simply
even what concerns Corneille himself. The
great dramatist is viewed as representing
the dramatic literature of France in its su-
preme form and value, and as thus afford
ing theme in the illustration of which op.
portunity is given for a more or less critical
survey OF this literature as a whole, in its
history, its evolution, its characteristics, its
faults and excellences. In dealing with
those dramas OF Corneile which he selects
for analysis, the author puts his reader quito
in possession OF what should enable him To
enter fully into the meaning and spirit OF the
play, in each case, almost as if in presence
of the original itself 1t was difficult thing
to do. Especially difficult is the transla
ton OF French poetry into English. In
every respect, as it seems TO us, he shows ex.
cellent judgment and skill. The reader en- =.
tiers into the story, with understand ing and
with eager interest, and feels when he has
done that he has real idea and cemprehen.
sion OF the worklitself, and Of the genius of
the poet The historical and critical por.
lions of the book are of much value, as
studies in the history of French literature at
this point OF view. We may, indeed, con
gratulute the author upon his success in an
undertaking which had some rather form-
dabe difficulties, yet in which these diff.
culties are dealt with in the spirit of the true
scholar and with genuine critical ability
Chicago Standard.