New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-15
LITERARY NOTES.

Mr. Hamlln Garland has thus dedicated his recently
publlshed novel TO Mr.. Howells: ITO william Deau
uowells the foremost historian OF our common hvcs
and the most vital figure in our literature, dedicate
this study Of the great Middle West lis HE anu
landscape
Mr. Garland has said elsewhere-with the air OF
announcing an entirely theory-that the novel, IN
MS destination, should be an Intimate s2ciai history.
This is hardly neat way OF putting his idea Out ~
q. intsibe and might reasonably be suggested u
him that it is not entirely new one
The most noteworthy feature OF The Andover Re
view, for August is keen analysis by professor bIsss
of the proposed revision OF the Westminster Confeso
lie finds little to commend in this proposei revise"
ana declares that It's adoption would result III "ie
secession OF conservatives In the Presbyterian On'"
on one side, who would resent Its needing "iVn many
old statements, and in the secession OF Proerc'si'e'
ON the other sde whose Views are not aueluao'y Ca
pressed In the changes made by the committee oer
more or less interesting articles are =" Man hoose
nature , NV the Rev. Luc,s Curtis; "The Marble
Faun,n by Mrs. Jessie Kingsley Curtis An EAci'
sion Among the Periodicals" By +. IL. biar '
Study OF American Literature IN American Coheses'
bv Professor Newton NJ. Hall, and "Uihas anu "'0
Conversion OF the Goths," by Professor A. G. hophns
As usual, the editorial discussons VI 'ni' h"
practical and helpful.
"The Hope of the Gospel" by George MacDohaiu
IN Anneton a. Col Is a collection OF Twelve scrlhon'
INIT whether they were ever preached by inc aut'o
or only prepared publication Is not indica'eu ~
the yonme However this may be, they are ies"'
helpfnl and stimulating. The vogue Of oeorso i"s0
Donald does not appear to be as grea, ''s ~ VOC
some years ago. Perhaps he was TOO lh'iospcou'o
and preachyn to retain for any length OF uihe' INC
attention OF that part Of the reading pubic "mch
mortally hates to do much thinking. Or psrhaps
other writer's who have arisen have drawn 10 them-
selves some of the admiration that was once whoiy
oven to the Scottish novelistpreacher Most though
I readers can vet remember the sometimes almost I'M
eannv charm Of Robert Falconer" and "Wiiiriu
Cumbermere,s when they read them on their nist
appearance. And yet many OF these same rc''ocrs
would fall to be impressed in the same way shouia
they take I'D these stories again. Whether II IS that
they have changed, that the influence OF the
author Is not permanent need not be discussed here'
the fact Is merely noted These discourses now
ever written in the authors best manner, Will please
oil his old admirers lie always was essentially
preacher even when he was "noveling," II we may
bo permitted to use neoogs, invented, we believe by
Mr. Howells and into these applications OF Christianity,
le throws the whole OF his strong personality.
Luminous and often brilliant in STYLE and pregnant
with ethical suggestion, they Will interest alike the
preacher and the layman. Whatever we may
think of some Of Mr.. MacDonad's views
we can all agree In admirng alike the
noble ethical purpose that through all his writings
and the rare literary charm In which he clothes IT,