The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-02


Coincident with the return OF Mr..
George w. Smalley to this country, to
begin his writings about America and Am
orleans in the London Times, comes his
book, "Studies OF Men, F" from the Harper
press book made In consonance with the
contents, in dignified and bookish form,
printed on proper type and chastely
bound. There are few readers in Amer
lea, who do not know Mr.. Smalley's
work, and there are few among
this majority who are not willing to con-
cede that his style is eminently readable.
We are willing to ignore his insinuating
egotism for the sake of the clear idea we
get OF the men and things he describes.
In this volume he chiefly deals with men
the men whose prominence In European
affairs puts them In the class of those we
feel we must know. Some OF them have
indeed passed off the stage, as Cardinal
Newman, Parnell, Spurgeon, Tennyson,
Iyndall, W. W. Phelps and Carnot, but
they have not yet ceased to be operative
forces I'm the world-except, perhaps, the
late French President, who is well-nigh
forgotten already. We only get surface
view with Mr.. Smalley, as Is inevitable.
The sketches were written for the New
York Tribune, with one exception, and
were meant for pictures rather than esti-
mates. AS views they are satisfactory.
They are better than mere portraits, as
they have perspective and certain amount
of color and backgrounds l find i'm this
book, and its like, excuse for literary in
dolence. There Is informing grace In IL,
and there is entertainment without stress.
One can read ii and rest, and at the same
time oe free OF those stings of conscience
that often lie in the esub-consciousness as
the lazy delights OF time-killing literature
are absorbed. Here is the delight OF easy
going pleasure, but there's enough sub
stance TO still whatever qualms ones
INSTINCT for profit keeps on the qui vive.
l.. l..
devoid OF turgidity OF any sort, so unaf-
fectionately dignifed.
While he may not be as amusing as that
other great journalist, who has recently
published book-George Augustus
Sala-he is infinitely more tasteful, vastly
expression. preston Il Rounds, Provi-
dence.
Mr. Edwin Pugh's "a Street in Su-
burbia," (Appletcn) is in many respects
the best of all the books OF lighter litera-
ture brought out this season. 1t is more
thoroughly artistic than any other book |
have happened to see. 1t is pure literary
delight, from cover TO cover-a series OF |
side lights on the life of a street given !
over TO people rather below the middle |
class, but living lives nearer to genuine |
ness than those lived in better streets |
bits OF the finest writing that have come |
to battle with the maudlin muck OF the |
reialsts-sweet with the SAVIOR of human |
humor and pathos. The story OF Jack |
Cotter's proposals in the first chapter is a
classic only comparable to the exquisite
study OF child life In Mammals Angel"
or the straining pathos OF "Hiram Slike
& SO, or the subtle humor of the account
OF the new parsons debating society The
account OF GA Cynic's Dinner" is worth
TO literature more than all Mr.. George
Moore will ever find time TO write about
4 hR IL inUc ~ 3 ha a
ent imaginations of his girls, who can
neither resolve to live decently or become
wantons in body as well as I'm mind III. |
Gregory, Providence.
Into the Highways and Hedges - by
r. II. Montresor, is novel that has been
already much talked about and written
about, mostly in laudatory view. 1t is
one OF the tense things one really feels
like approving, yet il battles one to find
proper cause for approval 1t is rather
misty In outline, rather murky I'm sub
stance The motive is not altogether
clear, and the motif is not exactly plain.
et one feels the power of the book, as
one Is apt TO feel the power OF an indivi- |
dual who has determined purpose OF
himself in a cause we believe
10 be inadequate. This book is the first
novel of talented young woman who
nay eventually emerge from the haze that
seems to envelop her now and do work
hat will not need to be spoken of quail
iedly. There are indications that she is
capable OF it. This book is story of
Margaret Deane, gentlewoman Of family,
he motherless daughter OF good natured
Dut yielding father, too much under the
influence of Mrs. Russelthorpe, his hard
latured sister Margaret finds no help or
owe from her aunt. She is converted by
Held preacher, Barnabas Thorpe belong
ng to yeomau family, and after perilous
light on the Dover Cliff, where Barnabas /,
escues her, she marries him, in form, to /,
ave herself from 'ner aunt. She goes ,
lome with him to Caulderwell Farm, and
ives there resignedly but not joyfully, /;
While Barnabas is absent on his preaching
ours. A man OF some natural nobility. =
e falls in love with his wife, but respects !.
er comparative aversion. He finally falls /.
nder suspicion of having assaulted Mar ;
aret's former lover, George Sauls,
ewish lawyer. He is thrown into New
ate, and there Margaret, who had always
espected him, learns To love him Sauls =,