Evening journal., 1892-06-08
RECENT LITERATURE.

RECENT LTERATURE.
In the Arena for June Mr. Flower gives
the following pen picture of the new
novel by Helen II Gardener. pray You
Sir. Whose Daughter Such is the
striking title of Helen II Gardeners
new novel. story, which, in my judg
ment, is the most finished and. in many
respee ts. the strongest work which has
yet come from the pen of this gifted
lady. Helen Gardener POSSESS In q raro
degree the power of holding the interest
of the reader. while she emphasizes in
most telling and effective manner truths
of vital moment 10 civilization. The
present is pre- eminently the age of pur-
poseful fiction Against this Innovation
conventiOnalism hes raised It's voice The
old slogan cry Art for arts sake, is
being drowned In the new and vital watch
word art for truth. The great cardi-
nal thought. from the side of utility, is
the picture of the crime against grlhood
tolerated by our present age of consent
laws. In Victor Hugo's masterpiece it
will be remembered that he sought TO
picture man struggles with unjust law.
In Miss Gardeners new book she paints
most yividly the struggle Of girlhood
with unjust social conditions. Like
Hugo. Miss Gardener also deals I'm types
Gertrude Foster, Francis King and Elite
Berton are types. but they possess moth
ing of the colossal nature of Hugo's or
Shakespeare great creations. There is
no plot In the story; but the interest Of
the reader is held from cover 10 cover
The most delicate subjects are dealt with ,
but they are so handled as not TO offend
and healthy Imagination, while the at
mosphere OF the book is pure and lofty.
ln Gertrude Foster we have a magnih-
cent picture of the modern girl; free,
educated ntrammelled. with strong
amp positive individuality; She broad
minded. nobe-sOuled modern girl, who
dares TO think and toact up her highest
convioiiOns of right regardless of conse.
quences.
Rabbi solomon SCHNEIDER the brilliant
Boston scholar. has contributed q most
interesting paper TO a recent issue of
the Arena ON lying, i'm which he takes the
new realistic story. "Who Lies as text
/ Ii may appear Pathological 10 speak of tn,
purpose and the motive Ofa literary
work ia one breath still, there is slight
distinction between the two and this
! distinction separates the former ideal
istic school of novel writers from
the modern realistic school II
would be unjust to say thai
writer's like Sir Walter Scott Eugene
/ Sue, Alexander Dumas, BerthOld Auer
/ bach. and others have lacked purpose
| when writing their admirable novels Eve
/ that motive that tendency. is indeet
/ wanting I'm them which characterizcsEth
works of realistic authors, Charles
| Dickens. who may be termed the connect
/ ing link between these two schoolf-th
novelist of the transition period adds
distinct motive 90 the purpose
when he attacks the the miserable schoo
system of his time. or the inhumarit,
with which the submerged classes ar
treated, or when he iidicules the hypC
crisv of the charitable institutions. Ste
by step we can thus trace the ovolutiO
Of the motive in the progress Of tn
realistic literature of our time.
Because we are progressive and IN,
the books of TO day, is no reason why W
should neglect the literary treasures q
the past, and imagine that all the wisdol
of the ages is concentrated IN our preseu
time aud prophets Each period has it
peculiar dover of genius and prophet
TO OK NNNNNN JUS NNNINNNrilNllN IiNtH fr1lhN 7
the listening ear. though perhaps SON
oars are particularly rich i'm wisdom o
fortunate in it's eXponcnts We of {,
, day are the heirs Of all ages and shoul
glory In our Inheritance from Oh
past, as much az least as we q
In our present achievements Nay. "
should glory even more, leaving tll
praise of our achievements to those VIII
come after US. FOR they can better apprl
ciato the true value of our work An bool
lovers should welcome the new edition
Miss piclering's works at a popula
price. soon TO be brought ont by H.
Peterson q Brothers, No 306 Chestni
street. Philadelphia, Pa Their nam,
are: Kate Walsingham "The pol
Cousin "rho Orphan Niece, "Tl
squire "Ellon Warcham, "Who Sho
: BE Heir THE Grumbler" This reliab
old house viii also publish many 9th
books which have been out of print +
, several years,