The herald., 1898-03-27

Hi-iiSSil---ds IL Ilt IiiNe QtTC1Qy H1u
q vision of what might some day come
to him. This chapter alone would make
the volume valuable. 1t makes the Anglo
Saxon rejoice that, while our courts may
err on the side of delay, the accused may
not be browbeaten from the bench, as has
many times happened even in modern
France.
The execution of Salvat is not pictur-
csquoiy or impressively described, but is
commonplace and fails to give the reader
any exalted idea of the self-stylcd martyr.
Paris may even now be going on to new
outbreaks, but Zola does not show US u type
of refornlers that give promise of anything
much better than the ills Ge have. This
is the disappointing side of the picture He
does not show us great souls in the work
which he processes to believe is going on,
while the worst of the vices he pQrtrays
and dwells upon are not the fruits of any
one system of any one age, but great cities
in all times have been cursed by them.
Much less does he show US how any form of
anarchy or revolution can bring peace and
purity.
But Paris" is a volume well worth read
ing, despite its sophistrios and its apparent
ly needless, if not mischievous, tendency
to teach disorder. The great city has ad-
vanced with the rest of the world, ad-
vanced in spite of the wild ways of the
mob. The Bastile IS no longer possible;
nor. let us hope, another bloody revolu-
ton. And is it wholly groundless, this new
hope of Pierre? Who shall say that SCI
ence may not yc. tell us more of the facts
of life. as it has told Us of the facts of the
natural world? AT any rate, have not
mortals a right TO express hope of this?
IF the domain of science embraces the
acquired truths" why not some that re-
main to be acquired? Zola makes Able
Froment express the hope and belief that
"a religion grated on science is iie indi-
Gated. certain, inevitable finish of MANS
long march toward knowledge" And it is
for this end that the young prizes. has been
made to figure in three cities through all
his strange experiences.
Zoias dream, as interpreted by Pierre's
conclusions, is of 4 future which shall
find society with work 10 do, and bread for
the workers; Justice. not charity, for the
poor; and Truth and Love that shall take
UP their abode and rule in the huge city.
FREE TO SERVE. A TALE, OF COLO
NAL NEW YORK. BY e. Raynor
Copeland & Day, Boston.
Here is Il very fine, large volume that
tells us a strange, stronG story Of Ihe
oldcn time. The romance opens in rural
England nearly three centuries ago. a
wild Young man, who has wasted his sub
stance in riotous living, determines to try
his fortune i'll America, just then begin
;.ing to offer opportunities for adventure.
At the very last his sister resolves to pay
his debts and accompany him in his new
life. Just as they arc about to embark
on the little vessel lTulke Ncvard. in order
to secure the passage for himself and sis
ter, of titled family though they be, is
compelled to agree that if he does
not provide the money at *ic end
of the voyage-contingen upon mcetins
IN Indian trader on landing in New York
the sister may be held as a bond servant
of the captain. The Indian trader is not
met. being al Albany, when the little ship
arrives in New York. and so after much
waiting. Aveline. half crazed over the des-
perato straits, is bound to service in the
family of a rich Dutch settler as G lady's
maid.
1t is here that the story really begins, Il
story crowded with incidents of no COM
mon OTCCT. Inc licW servant III once
wins the heart Of honest old Pieter Fcljer.
and then the madame 5. which triumph is
again followed by the Jealousy of the two
sons over her Meantime Avcline keeps to
her duties in fine. high-bred way, and the
brother, too, has mended his fortune as
partner of Roger Bennett, the famous In
dian trader A bitter feud arises between
the two sons. mainly over -AYcline, and af-
fairs come to Il desperate pass before rea-
son prevails and one is ,nadc happy over
her possession, while tho others troubles
end in the winning of his domu:e but heroic
little cousin, Miss Pro5ity ThaXter.
1t is a simply told. wholesome, old-fash
ioned story that is exceedingly refreshing
to come across in the nazes of modern in
vention.
Notes
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