The herald., 1893-07-02
LEY L. BMHYEER.l

BY L. BMHYEER.
Harper Brothers have just issued a
new book from the pen of Lillian Bell
entitled The Love Affairs of an Old Maid.
ANY of the readers of the gentler sex
who have turned their faces resolutely
toward the setting sun will thoroughly
enjoy this little book. And for the
other readers it will be not only source
for passing away few long summer
hours, bnt will act ae merry maker, 1t
is 30 fun OF jolly wit and repartee. 1t is
pity that there is no prettier term to
bestow upon girl bachelor of any age
than "old maid" "Spinster" is equally
uncomfortable, suggesting, as it does,
corkscrew curls and immoderste attenu-
alton of frame; while "maiden LADY,"
which the ultra-punctilious substitute,
is entirely too mincing for sensible,
whole-soued people to countenance.
dare cay that more women would have
the courage to remain unmarried were
there 30 euphonious o title awaiting
them as that of 'bachelor," which,
when shorn of its accompanying adjec-
tive, old, simply means unmarried. The
term bachelor" too, has somewhat of
q jaunty sound, implying to the sensitive
ear that its owner could have been mar
ried-oh,i several times over-if he had
wished. But both ''spinster" and ''old
maid" have narrow, restricted attri-
butes which, to say the least, imply
doubt as to the past opportunity.
Names are covertly responsible for
many overt acts. Carlyle, when
he said, sThe name is the easiest gar
ment you wrap around the earth-visiting
me. Names? Not only al common
speech, that science, poetry itself, if
thou consider it, is no other than right
naming" sounded wonderful note in
moral philosophy, which rings false
many a time in real life, when TO ring
true would change the whole face OF
affairs. And the author is perfectly
right in boldly affirming, that were there
o proper sounding title to cover the
class of unmarried women, many a
marriage which now takes place, with
either moderate success or distinct fail
ure, would remain in pleasing embryo.
The writing of this book came about in
q peculiar way. One evening in a con-
versation concerning modern marriage,
the unwisdom people display in choice,
and the complicated affair it has come
to be from pastoral beginning, the su-
thor said lightly: 81 shall write book
upon this subject some fine day, and 1
shall call it The Love Affairs OF an Old
Maid; because popular prejudice de-
crees that the love affairs OF an old maid
necessarily are those OF other people,"
No sooner had the name suggested in
broad jest taken form in her mind than
straightway every thought in her pos
session crvstslized around it, and NAL.
evolent fate impelled her to begin the
the book. And so the book was written
and the reader will enjoy it.
The existence OF this particular
''old maid" has often been preca7ious
one; she has been surrounded by
danger, once narrowly escaping crema-
tion. But the humanity shown TO dumb
brutes by the author e%hss always eaved
her. She might have sacrificed
woman. but she could not kill cat. So
the ''old maid" lives, unconsc1ously
owing her life to her cat. And so che
comes to the reader, bearing her friends
in her heart. The writer would scarcely
dare to ask you to welcome her, did she
not suspect that her friends are yours.
You all have your Flossy and your
Charlie Harding without doubt. Pray
heaven you have Rachel to outweigh
them. This book, although one with
which to pass away an idle hour, has
many good things iu it. 1t is we'll for
US to learn, even from light summer
novel, that there 10 much in life which
we could not see at the beginning, but
which grows with our growth and gradu-
ally bears uH company in the richness OF
evening.tide.
"'Tis, greatly wise to talk with our past
And ask them what report they bore to
heaven,
And how they might have borne more well
come news"
Yet there is sadness also in looking
back. One eees 30 many lost opportuni-
ties lifting their wistful faces and
dumbly pleading to be accepted wlth
their promises, yet we carelessly pass
them by. Lost faces come up before
you which you might have gladdened
oftener. Voices sound in your ears
whose tones you might have made hap
pier if you would. And the pastis very
often far away and wrapped in q
shadowy rainbow mist. Read thie book
and find study OF character very acute,
tuo dIdlycin VI IlUblVe5 Huu COuQuCb 80
skillful. and withal, the wit and satire
60 keen that you will not tire from COM
aepcement to finish.
%*&
Another valuable little book issued by
Harper & Bros, 10 one full of hints for
everyday life by Lady M. Colin and
M. French-Sheldon, entitled Every
body's Book of Correct Conduct. From
a careful perusal Of this little volume
we find it ia intended for guidein
everyday conduct in all matters, and
at the same time Gs mentor in the i'm.
portant afairs of life. 1t is certain that
he who lives correctly every day will
find himself following the higher laws
of morality and rectitude. As pre-
cepter for young and old alike, it will be
found invaluable, giving as it does the
rules to be observed by children in their
conduct toward their parents and the
duties of parents toward their children.
1t goes into the etiquette of entertaining
and visiting thoroughly and it will be
found most useful either to the inexpe-
rienced hostess or to the visitor unso-
customed to society. In the relations
between husband and wife it gives rules
which will induce and preserve har-
mony; to the business man it teacher
code which will win for him respect as
we'll as success: and TO the sportsman it
imparts the necessary guidance in con-
duct which will enable him to obtain both
pleasure and popularity. No part Of
daily life haa been omitted, and this
book will most assuredly ell vacant