The record-union., 1892-01-30
new PUBLICATIONS.

In ''The Comstock Club Judge
c. c. Goodwin, editor-in-chief of the Salt
Lake Tribune, has given to recent
literature not only charming book,
notably rich in anecdotal treasures, but q
work of philosophic value, and one that
reflects with vividness and dramatic
1ntereSt-SuStained from beginning to
end-nearly all the phases of life in the
middle history of the coast, the period
that was marked by the greatest mining
activity; the period in which society
entered upon the process of settling down
into the sedater grooves.
1t is very difficult to convey in an ordi-
nary notice of this delightfully."- novel
book an accurate idea of its scope. 1t
covers such an immense field ofthought; it
takes up and discusses gracefully, forci-
bly, and with logical strength such great
number OF topics; 1t introduces us to such
host of typical characters; it is so
radiant in its humanity and so lofty in it's
hopes; 1t is so fruitful Of anecdote and SO
charming IN the eloqueuce Of its de-
Scrlptlve parts, that to attempt to review
II Is quite out of the question. Politics,
morals, religion, political economy, social
questions of current interest, finance,
national policies, analysis of human
motives, characteristics of different
phases Of civilization-these, and a score
of other topics would have to be passed
in review, and the authors errors and
strength pointed out and proved, 10 make
anything like just review Of so compre-
henslve and versatile a production of
genius.
We prefer to speak Of 1.-The Comstock
Club" as the work fan observant, expe-
rlenced journalist, student and thinker
who has studied society upon the Pacific
Slope upon its many levels and in all its
phases one who has q true comprehen-
sion of the character and labors of the
argonautS who laid the foundation of the
Pacific States and who began the erection
OF the splendid structures of organized
society that are rising upon them.
The style of Judge Goodwin-whoSe
diction is scholarly and whose method is
simple, clear cut and chaSte- in this book
is unique; it is so wholly original that it
gives peculiar and piquant flavor to the
story and the incidental tales and ESSAYS.
At times one cannot avoid the impress
sion that the style is eitortiul and tlorid;
that there is too much Of the adjectival in
1t; that the author has permitted a vivid
imagination and q brilliant fancy 10 give
wings to his Judgment. There are pasSa-
ges in which indisputably the author
( guShes and oVertloWS in laudatiOn, as in
others he is excessive in condemnation.
| But these are minor defects. Take
"The Comstock Club as whole and it
! is book that repays, is restful, helpful
clean, bracing and entertaining, written
! gracefully and is from a pen charged
with human kindness. 1t is brimful OF
anecdotal wit; it is garnished by the most
/ delightful humor; it is so gentle and true
in its sympathies; its charity is so broad;
/ 1t is so tender and compassionate in its
humanity; so brave and fearless in it's in
dependence; it is such capital story
teller, so vivid and brilliant in its discrip-
tive parts that we cannot put it down
without sigh of regret that there is not
more of il.
! The Comstock Club was a group of
miners OF Virginia, New, employed in
the lower levels of the mines of the Com
stock lode. Being men of intelligence
and of thoughtful disposition, above the
/ common run of miners in that section,
! they were naturally drawn together by
! the gravitation of mental superiority.
They tired of the saloon, hotel and res
! taurant life in the flush times of Nir-
1 ginia, of its hustle and revel and turmoil
/ They therefore rented house well up on
the flank Of Mount Davidson, furnished
| it comfortably and established themselves
in the best apology for home that could
under the circumstances, be devised.
! In this comfortable establishment each
evening they rested from their labors
! smoked their pipes, and around the glow
! my H6GI III lG1O COlIN0ISG. LII Is Iu6 SGOEy
of these mems lives as told by them
selves, the reminiscent anecdotes in
which they INDUCED, their debates of po-
| litical, social and economic questions in
which they engaged, their criticisms o
men and manners, which make up the
| story of the book.
The individuality of each one OF the
club is we'll preserved; the life of the club
! itself is kept well in view from its organ
ization to its disruption, with all the trag-
edieS and comedies through which il
! passed: the haps and mishapS to its mem
| bers; their sympathy and helpfulness tC
each other; the tragic death of some anG
the splendid heroism, magnificent chari-
! ties and glorious friendships of others
these constitute well-defined and inter.
esting and simple plot, through the
/ meshes of which are most adroitly wover
a host OF charming tales, another host O.
| humorous anecdotes, nearly all of which
are irresistibly provocative of laughter
chapters on Pacific Coast humor; descrip-
| tiods of Pacific Coast scenery; of life in
mine and mart; of times early and late; OF
social conditions; of formative influences
in the shaping of orderly society upon
! this coast; chapters in which mans duty
| to man in all phases are discussed from
various standpointS: essays on questions
| that have stirred the political and indus
trial world; philosophic dissertations
|
SO on through long catalogue of con-
| tents, but which are rarely wearisome
| There are some of these essays and deliv-
cries, it is true, that are too much drawn
out, some reflections that lack concise
ness and lose something of their edge by
] their insistence; but the work as whole
| is so satisfying that these minor bleln-
! ishes are to be given small consideration.
If all the well put truths, the wisdom
and the moral worth of the essays in the
| book are put to one side; if the reader
chooses to turn the pages of philosophic
soliloquy without reading, still there re-
mains volume of rare wit and humor,
| charming tales and rattling anecdotes
! that alone make the book most desirable
| for all who wish restful. humorous and
delightful anecdotal reading.
For example, we instance the recital OF
| how Abe w. assisted Bishop Whitaker
to build a church; the story of the Sister
of Charity in California mining town;
the apostrophe to and the soliloquy OF
| the locomotive; the character of the
humor of the Pacific coast; the story OF
! the champion liar; the description OF
| Mount Shasta; the story Of forest de-
struction about Lake Tahoe; the anecdote
| of an Irish miners courtship; the tales
of bravery and cowardice how dis
placed Superintendent revenged himselfi
the anecdote of the miner who robbed
| himself for charity's sake; the Irish
woman's anathema upon John Mackay-
these, with many of like character, alone
make the book pleasant companion
one that can be turned to at any time
with satisfaction, and that will bear thai
severest of tests, re-reading.
| The work is issued by the Leonard
| Publishing Company, Salt Lake, sells al
81, and can be ordered direct or had from
any leading book house.
"Lippincott's Magazine has intro.
| duced what it terms the Journalist Series
and begins it with one of the best storie: