The National tribune., 1895-02-21
RECENT LITERATURE.

OUT OF wEDLOCK. BY Albert Ross. Published
by @. W. Dillingham; New York. Price so cents.
This story attempts to deal with two most
interesting phases of modern life which have
never before been used in similar manner by
a novelist. The direct dishonesty that obtains
in so many cases between husband and wife
in the matter of otfspring-the deceit that
goes to the bounds of illegality-ls exposed
fcarlessly and powerfully. This subject alone
might have sufiiced for book Of ordinary
size; but he has coupled with the unwilling
mother another who offers her entire self on
the altar of maternity, overcome By an intense
craving for little lips that shall lisp Mamma"
The contrast between Mrs. Brixton and her
daughter is so great as to show both OF them
in coiors that startlingly real.
Besides these leading characters "0us OF
Wedlock" has several others that are exceed
ingly well drawn, notably old DIR. Robinson,
the family physician, who is the friend of all
parties under most difficult circumstances;
Mrs. Ella Drew. lovabie everyday sort OF
woman. and her daughter Minnie. a typical
young wife OF the time; George Brixton, whose
whole life is shattered by q mistaken mar
ringe; Mr.. Medford. the narrator, and the
French brothers Fantelli.
RoSBAR. A counterfsit Preseutment BY r. g.
Dement,. Published by q. W. Dillingham;. New
York. Price Si.5O.
It may be doubted II a novel Of greater power
or interest, so wholly entertaining has been
printed in many decades. II is q masterful So
luton of profound and hitherto unmastered
problem; a portrayal of characters that stand
out from their clearly-defined backgrounds of
shadow and of light like splendidly-cut canoes;
q story you will read from beginning 10 end at
the first sitting. and then re-resd, and quote
whole chapters from at your club. You may
learn something from 1t; you will surely laugh,
and possibly cry.
THE PROBLEM OF CIVILIZATION SOLVED.
BY Mary Il. Lease. Published by Laird & Lee.
Chicago. Price 30 cents.
Mrs. Lease has the true Kansas ambition for
settling off hand. and out of her own head,
everything- under the shining sun. In this
work she runs over period beginning with
the construction Of the Sphynx aud extending
to the development of the Populist party. The
chapters in the book are headed: The Foes
and Elements Of Civilization, Anarchy the
Offspring of Monopoly, The Crimes of Diplo.
macy. Over Population, The Genius of Man
Eastern Question The naturalization of the
Races The Partition of the World, Federation
of the Americas, Colonization of the Tropics,
Paternal Government, The American Party,
Government Ownership OF Railroads and Tele-
graphs, The Commonwealth the Mortmain of
the Masses, Tropical Tenantry, Poyerty-the
Remedy. All these she discusses with fervid
lHnSudBo tHdb frequently Tises INTO EoAi eiO-
quence She has read much, thought great
deal. and though much Of what she says is wild,
exaggerated, and utterly impractical,
yet her book is very readable, and contains
much food for thought.
IMPRESSIONS. By George Saints
bury. Published by Dodd, Mead & Co., New
York. and for sale by Brentano, Washington. ID.
G. Price sl.25.
This Is dainty volume, which will be de-
light TO every book lover and every admirer of
Thackeray, Tennyson, Carlyle, Swinburne, Ma
caulay, Browning, Dickens, and other great
lights of the Victorian period. 1t is alto
gether fresh. keen, delightful study - no,
study" is too serious and stuffy word; it
is rather q talk of a cultured, studiOus man
about these great authors their work in life,
and their benefits to humanity. There is no
gush. no sounding rhetoric. no pretense OF fine
writing. no stilted criticism, but simply plain,
omprehensible. charming chat, expressive of
the real convictions Of the author.
Magazines and Notes.