The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-24
Aleu- CIVILIZATIONS.
a N N O NICE M e MT

Approaching the fact that while all readers
of English have been DESTROYS of obtaining an
edition, properly translated. Of the works Of the
greatest OF French authors. Honore de Balzac,
the privilege, consequent upon the extreme
cost of the hitherto published editions, has been
denied. save to n comparative few. it is with
considerable satisfaction that We make the an
nounccmcnt OF the publication of n new. com.
plctc, and adequate edition, in English text, at
a price that will enable those vino recognize the
value OF such an author to place on their shelves
with Shakespeare. Dickens. Scott. Hugo. and
other writer's whose names are Synonymous
with standard" an edition OF this grea, genius,
who has compelled the admiration Of all critics,
both contemporary and journalistic, and stirred
these literary giants into seeming to vie with
each Other in commentator Of his work.
In literature Bll2ac was n master: he was
never "A follower. Tho amount of has work was
prodiSious. He wrote. and his pen pictures are
enthralling.
The tlncsse Of his work is such that his road.
cTs are brought into n Y wonderfully intimate 40.
QuaintanCs with his characters. The details Of
his descriptions both OF persons and places, seem
to carry one right to the scene and tho charac-
tiers appear real. and although SO innumcrable
are the types Of this marvollously gif' ed creator
each one possesses a distinct and particular indi-
viduality.
He possessed such power OF drawing lines and
shadows that ovcu in the handling Of the most
delicate md ri-qu" cond lions. this great word
painter never descended into tho brutal or vul-
gar. He drew a y! tire OF the phases OF life with
which he had made himself acquainted, and
mace the picture attractive, but never indecent
Bllzac is never offensive. In reading him one
doesn't fec! the sensation VI oppression and the
necessity OF a change Of surrouniin gs 20 fro
oucntiy accompanying the peru-ll Of the mod.
crn French romHnCes, but through the wonder
full treatment OF his subjects he gradually lifts
one out OF an atmosphere where viCiOusncss or
immortality may bc the prcdOminatinR element
to environments which charm only the more by
reason Of the comparison. and leaves morality
on the vi nacI". shining, towering. triumphant
BaudclHire snys: Every one in Balzac. down
10 the very s%cuilons, has genius. In the power
Of investing his creations with apparent reality
hc stands first among HuVc.i-ts.,'
His analysis ~ cnuractcr and conduct was SO
keen, and his observation and knowledge COW
cred such a wii" range, iha, he has been called
tho Gihhon and MaCauiay OF daily life. in
houdoir and garrett"
Bul2aC understood human nature, and COM
hiuiug with such understanding - versatility
hlIi IA klNIC more powerful IMAM mat OF any
writer Of fiction hat ever lived, he produced .
C]rralou. ia biz "Com"dc Humane. which
VIII endure 10 all time, IN all nations, recognized
as he work. ~ - mrsjcr.
II may reasonably be- expected 20 obtain from
n winter whose wh"lo tim" has been absorbed In
the study % one vocation, Of one particular sub
fc,,. % n.uut.r and detail comprehensive in tho
composition, and commanding recognition and
even admiration Tor it, completeness. but that
one N II Should compass - many phases OF life,
20 vaTicl, and picture lAcm all with an accu-
racy which leaves nothing 10 be desired. makes
us stand HEhAat aud amazed at such versatility.
Unlluc treats o'li'" IN III" country and In tho
city. and both arc masterpieces OF character
drawing Ii!- treatment Of Politics, Mil., airy
IItc, ~r.on,o, !;cur on, hrins.r orli IN portrayal,
in proper connection and consistency. dclinea-
tiou- Of tho VARYING human passions, Is superla-
tive both in Ilotirr and stale.
Fac, movement Of his characters. each scene
ia hi, Whole WORK, il, based upon a motive tho
Interpretation ~ wh,,h is 50 strong that tho
r,adcr is enabled to follow and comprehend
fully the progression ~ ~" storics, and under
stand ID" nn.ID'uuhy of his "Itl,us and his do
yc.oumcnt of sheets from oau.os.
The e. COmca,c llGmaiHo u "a hi-ipryi = ais
tory Of Tranc, a- u Wa m BalHacs time. tho
fysl half Of ~, u'u"'""U'h century, an! con-
strucicd with ,u,h ~nithrluo.- and honesty N
detail that an oNtct and comprehensive picture
Of the age is thOwH.
dickens, Scott. Th,ckcrHy. Hugo are great.
but all critics agree 'bnl Iinlzrc stands Ous
among the g~rralr,r. The construction Of tho
"Comcdic lIu'naIuc" has engraved, edo by
-idc with that Of Shakespeare, tho name OF
Bilzuc.
Upon rccciY' NJ request VIII be pleased to
send, without ,narso. specimens Of iyp""ork
AMI iilU-'rH''pu7.
.. 800. 800. q, O ... ..