The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-11
NEW HOOKS RECEIVED.
Publications From Putnam and Mac
milan,

MILAN
TIT, ODD WOMEN. BY George Giss-
ing New York and London. Macmil-
Ian & co. 1873. 81. For sale by West,
Johnston & Co
ANY discussion OF the marriage cues
ton Is interesting TO all classes. The au-
thor OF 1.-THE Odd Women takes very
positive and strong position IN regard 70
this question, waging a yerltable battle
around IT, The story which he selects as
the means of transmitting his peculiar
views. while not in any sense a thrilling
one. IL yet original and bold. Two wo-
men Of intellect and ability, who have be-
come honestly Disguised and alarmed at
the existing state of the marriage relation
70 TO London and there establish an IN
stitution where young women or rehhe-
ment and sense can be taught thoae
things which will fit them for practical
business career. such as men pursue.
These women, impressed with the I'm
portance OF their mission, are earnest
and strong. and though at times II seems
likely that one of them may desert ana
20 over to the enemy, the cause IN the
end triumphs and the work is prosecuted
in a consecrated spirit Some very hearty,
genuine love making and an indiscreet
marriage or two enliven the interest OF
the book, all Of which is given, though.
ito point a moral" The view taken OF
marriage is a most discouraging one. The
marriages OF to-day are mostly repre-
scented as failures-the only one given In
which any happiness at all Is 10 be found
being that between two people who nave
waited for each other through twenty
years Of grinding poverty. and hnaliy
marry when all Of youth Is gone. In the
simplest Of homes this faithful pair eX-
perience a sweet. unquestioning content
as they go down together 10 the grave
This picture is only a side issue. ana
cannot touch materially the subject under
debate. marriage in its strict and true
sense being for men and women who look
forward to life aiming to work out some
Of its grave problems. The root Of the
trouble I'm Mr.. Gissing's mind Is con-
tanned In the fact that marriages are
made for every reason under the sun
except for the one Of love. The result Is
inevitable-wretchedn bitterness, Of
ten hatred between the contracting par
fies. Though Mr. Gissing does not say
much about the matter, OF course this
view must all depend upon what love
really is He at least arrives at one SOUND
conclusion. that young women must Dc
made Independent and self-respecting, and
allowed their heads about marriage JUST
as men are. Women are discounted In the
business world because they lack sys-
fematlc training and accurate knoWledse.
"Tbe odd Women" suggests plan py
which this disadvantage may be removed.
and the hurried. indiscreet marriages OF
penniless. dependent girls be avoided by
tbelr becoming self-sufiicient and indie
pendent In view Of the fact that women
are greatly I'm the majority, and that. in
the natural course OF events, many or
them cannot marry at all. any scheme
advanced 10 realize their practical indie
pendence is interesting and worthy or
considering Mr.. Glssing has written seri-
ouslv and thoughtfully upon the subject
and has succeeded I'm producing very
strong book The spirit Of London middle
class life is very clearly given. the local
color being well painted. Taken as
whole. THE odd Women" cannot fan 70
impress the serious-minded reader.
'''p'' n. b. W.
4 LITERARY CCURTSHIP. Under the
auspices of Pixies Tfak. BY Anna
Fuller. G. p. Putnom's Sons. New York
and London. 1898. 81. For sale by West
johnston x Co.
",Ts but the fancy Of an idle hour
shut in betwxt the pages Of book.
What / charming fancy! Nothing couiu
he fresher than the contents OF TINS niue
hook. which could be carried IN a Hes'
rocket and read within an hour. ms
happy conception fairly scinullates VII.
uirth add humor. II is the mrtn ana
bumer Of a man, yet the writer IN very
decd IS q woman, who certainly wen
understands all the secrets OF sood ON
radesbip. once before the same author
has dalichted her readers with sketches
from her pen. known as Pratt Portr MS
n hook ike the present one, 'apouhui"s
I'm humor Of a quaint and relr
quality" AS a story "a Literary Ooull
chin" * a most original and surprising
affair moving on 10 a dellsllIiui
nouncement through the most dlnHsl"6
and pleasing scenes. The literary p"..
mas none OF The grind OF the MN duyu.
II: ii Is a grand literary JOKE am ilo''' 90,
from beginning 70 enc anu Ci-,h A.,
eret glimpse into the Pow-wow cluo III
| Taw York 10 the happy elimination
,,.de. the auspices Of Pixies Feah'
60 MES NJ western scenery, done WIN
tras appreciation of nature, give one
- i,,pression Of that wonderful Color
1rbicb creeps into the Colorado foiase
ord renders that country 50 SIdhbs'9
rteb and beautiful The desire 10 give
~" The story is very tempting, 1t -
- a ROYALTY good story, but II would
% ,,rsaIr 10 WELD 10 it, especially as the
-, dvandles into nothing when com
,,'.rod Win the mode Of telling whlch inc
i,,,bor sdopts. To one DESTROYS Oh SOME
tb,ng c,isp and palatable-a good INNS
Cor morning tourney-we recommend
a Literary Courtship,' secure IN me
belief that it will please. ~ D. W
rrEETNG THOUGHTs-By Caroline
Fdwaris Prentiss. G. 7. Putnam
sons New York and London. 81. For
sale %, West, Johnston a co.
The tile Of this little book OF poems
does nj prepare US, perhaps Tor the
variety bf subjects touched upon OF sus-
The sble IS simple, the English pure;
some ofthe poems lack decided tone d"u
color. ht others are gem-lke' Deihs Iuh
of exquisite imagery. After giving us
brief alb little prelude, the author some
times Surprises Us by graceful, ioFcl-
ble treIment OF some very human
frailtes. We read the first few lines
~ whimsical Fairies without a sus-
picion mat we are to be introduced 10
eldns { gossip, SANDER, malice and
hatred. These elfns are treated deity,
and atthe close the greater power Of
love ard good will Is brought out with
a charu that is rare.
In the introduction we are told OF the
writer's intention to speak OK her
though entire" but one OF the special
attracids Of this little book. SO dainty
withoutand within. is the pleasure we
often lid IN the novel mode OF present
ing an ct-told theme.