The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-26

A. Carter. Robert BOnners sons. Ne"
York 80 cents. For sale by west
Johnson az Co.
To our pleasure on reading this story
from the German must be added pride
that the difficult work of translation was
done, and done admirably, By young
Southern woman. Miss Peasants is a
niece OF Mrs Montgomery West, OF TINS
city, ard her skill as a translator rs the
result of careful study and fine natural
gifts.
and an earnest student, 1t IL not surpris-
ing that her work is admirable, but IL -
20 be regretted that her choice for rdnsla-
ton stOuld have been a novel whose CON
clusiOn is so Unsatisfactory and all the
disasters Of which are the result Of super
stition, which while II undoubtedly OBTAINS
I'm many countries of Europe, strikes the
modern practical American mind as su-
premely silly. But If that same American
mind viii take the trouble 10 go back
to the initial pages OF American history,
1t will find thereon a record apropos or
superstition and its results which may
lead to less impatient criticism OK MISS
I1ewald's charmngly told story.
Hea, on the shores Of the aBltlc, Is
the scene OF the story; forty years ago,
the time
"The Protestant Germans says the
writer, accuse certain Polish women OF
possessing the Evil Eye, and they beheve
that others have the power OF bewiteh-
ing men and animals and the Poles return
the suspicion. In this day. although the
influence Of the clergy and schools mas
abolished the witch-test in Hela, many
inhabitants retain a faith in IT, which can
only be eradicated by larger communlca-
ton with the outer world"
The heroine and central figure Of MISS
Peasants translation is girl of uncom-
mon beauty and rare nobility or charac-
ter, against whom supersttiOus scorn Is
directed, causing all the tragedy. OF her
blameless life. Loved by a.nopleman,
honestly and purely. her lovers death In
a duel fought in her defense IS followed
closely by her own murder. Christian, y
man in her own station. and another OF
her admirers, does the deed through Jeal-
ousy, then killing himself.
Such a denouement is not wholesome;
three deaths in scarcely more than three
pages, are somewhat depressing TO even
the best regulated ana least impression
able mind, and we could wish tnat MISS
Lewald's gifts as a story-teller and those
of Miss Peasants as an exceptionally me
translator, had been spent upon work
more calculated to please the general pun
lie.
However, in spite OF the climax, there is
much that Is delightful In the story, ana
Miss Peasants has Interpreted the orig
inal German with the most Charming
clearness and ease.
NEXATION AND BRITISH IMPER-
IAL FEDERATION. BY James Doug
las. G.. T.. Putnam's Sons. New YORK.
% cents For sale by West, johnson
&; Co.
This is one Of Messrs. Putnam's "Ques
tons of the Day" Series. In the neat
octave volume Mr.. Douglas discusses the
subject of Canada's political relations 70
her neighbOr and 10 the Mother country
intelligbly and with a simple direct
ness that Is enjoyable Stripping his
style of all useless circumlocuti0n ana
ornament, he goes straight to state
ment of facts as he believes them TO De.
Born in Quebec, he spent much OF his
early life in Scotland, and for nearly
twenty years has been actively engaged
in the United States, as metaiiurSist anu
mining engineer, OF several important
Western enterprises. His avocations have
Obliged him to visit almost every portion
OF the North American Continent. and
constantly bring him into intimate IN
tercourse with the people OF us most
ted TO arrive at correct judgment on the
subject with which his book deals.
With regard 10 Imperial Federation. his
opinion quoted from Chapter ii. is as
In reality there are but two alterna-
lives oIen either Annexation or lnde-
pendence. more or less complete. a thlrd
course that Of Imperial Federation, II
IL be- effected. is more likely to follow as
a consequence of a scheme for indcpen-
dcnce than TO precede ii; for any feasible
plan Of Imperial Federation necessarily
involves virtual independence Of the fed
Grated States Were the colonies still
colonies. subject, even nOminally, TO inter
ference by the central State, arguments
coming from her would SAVIOR Of COM
,nands. and suggestions Of coercion. No
people are so sensitive u sights as little
y ople. and weak persons are most prone
10 stand on their dignity, as they have
Generally little else 10 stand upon.
The discussion of a scheme Of British
Imperial Federation with a view To its
actual realization would lead TO practical
results only If carried on between per-
fectly INDEPENDENT autonomous powers.
The powers may differ widely in stength
and resources, and thus differing. modi-
~ their claims in conformity with their
real Importance but IL almost follows
without argument that it would be impos-
gibe 10 reconcile the divergent interests
of the many branches Of the British fam
ily. did not each enter the family council
with the fullest regits OF independent
action"
with regard to annexation he says as
follows: whether the question be looked
at from the point OF view of an American
cr a Canadian, most impartial will come
to one conclusion. that it would be better
for the two great communities which di-
vide the continent to live In closest COM
mercial and social intercourse, but in sep
arate houses.
Mr. Douglas then proceeds to state what