Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-14
Navy HnOlls.

The History Of Darid Griere. BY Mrs.
HUMPHREY WARD. New York. McMM-
Ian 4 Co.
The literary world has long been looking
for the appearance of this book. which
will be read with eager curiosity every
where. 1t would be difficult appetite to
please. indeed, that it does not satisfy.
Robert Elsmere" was IN many respects
a notable novel. but Tho History of
David Grieve" will take its place at once
as one Of the great works of fiction and
its author as the greatest English-speaking
novelist of her time. We except none.
Not since GEORGE ELLIOT turned out
her marvellous stories has there been
one to compare with her. though 1t
is evident that in this book she
has taken BALzAc Coz her model in
her brilliant rendering Of the North
country character and dialect. in her in
tense realism, in her deep insight into
human nature, in her turn for philosophi-
cal inquiry. and in her strong dramatic
power, she most resembles and suggests
the genius which created Maggie Tuiliyer
and Sllas Mariner. The world is the richer
in this book by one more great master
piece Of English fiction.
The story is, properly speaking, the his
tory of two persons-Davld and his sister
Louie. They are Lancashire children.
orphaned at an early age. and reared in
the hard North country life by an uncle
and aunt, the former rather nonentity.
the latter O virago Of the most vicious
type, whose cruelty at length causes David
to run away to Manchester, where, after
serving an apprenticeship to book
seller. and then establishing himself
in the same business. he. after q
few years. sends for Louie. The con-
trast between brother and sister is
most pronounced. He is sturdy. honest,
intellectual, studlous, ethical, and philo-
sophical -seeking always for the truth.
His studies trend towards Voltaireanism,
and in early manhood he becomes an inf
del ChistIan, so TO speak, thoroughly pure
and upright Though he suffers one dread
full lapse). The sister is fiend incarnate--
selfish, wilful, passionate, violently bent
on having her own way at all costs. Both
are supremacy handsome, and both inherit
the traits of their parents. Louie's mother
was French woman, who went to the dogs
and took her own life in despair. The
! daughter followed in her steps and met the
same end. David reflected his father. BY
| this il will be seen that the book is in real
,ty study in heredity, and that the theory
| that we are what We make ourselves
is repudiated by the author. The lives
of these two are followed infinitely,
| the character Of each, with its fateful ten
| denotes, being patiently and masterfully
| worked out to its logical development.
| The most striking part of the book is the
| Parlsian episode. Brother and sister go TO
Paris for fortnight. There David meets
| his first love. young artistic, too much de-
voted TO her art to be capable OF love, but
| she yields to David's fiery passion. He,
| with his yoltairean education. easily tails
| in with tho "pUnion libre" code of lower
Paris, and flies with Elise to Barbson,
| throwing overheard in his infatuatioh
honor, business, worldly Advancement,
| and, worst OF all, his sister, who. with her
vicious instincts and fiery nature, goes to
| ruin without an effort and never RECEIVERS.
David was responsible for her fall. but 1T
ayerted it finally. After very bad six weeks,
Dsvid's love deserts him. He is utterly
| crushed, and in the act OF committing
suicide is rescued by his old ministerial
! friend Ancrum. He returns to England,
| gradually gets on his feet again, mentally,
morally. and materially, marriss. and be-
comes q father, Q widower, and finally .
most respectable and eminent member of
society. This is the baldest outline of the
| book, which is . succession OF surprises
| from beginning to end. Il Is crowded
with characters. Is inexhaustible in Incl
| dent. and 10 written with force and bril-
liancy that are no less than wonderful. II
gives ample food for thought and i'm
presses itsclf on the mind 90 that 1t will
| not be forgotten. II Is lacking in humor,
but the author evidently does not take .
| humorous view Of life, therefore It 10 CON-
ustent. It will be long before another
such novel will gladden. the hearts OF
| lovers of English literature.
| For sale by WEsr. JOHNSTON 4 Co. u.
| Lectures on he History Of EHglleA Liter1hsvs.
BY TaoMAs Camille. New York /:
| CHARLES ScArBxxR's Sous.
These lectures. twelve In number. were
| delivered by OARLYLE ct II Edward street,
Portman Square. London, during the
second quarter Of the year 1853. They aye
| now published for the hrst time. Eull ~
| ports Of them we're taken By NJ. Tuo1gAa
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| manuscript thAt the volume NJ oomnilod,
| The literature oz the world y oonGdofod
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