The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-01
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
books -Triumphnnf.

A volume or essays by Mrs. Carlna
Campbell Englesfeld. of Indianapolis. APP
pears among the spring output OF books.
Mrs. Englesield is well known in local
club circles as the author of papers OF meT-
1t quite beyond the ordinary club essay.
The seven papers making up this collec-
ton have been gathered from the Chau-
tauquan, Sell Culture and other magazines
In which they were first printed. AS the
felicitous title. Books Triumphant" ir-
dicates. they deal with literary themes.
IL is difficult in brief space TO give a COM
prehensive and satisfactory estimate Of a
volume of this character. Each essay IS
complete in itself. each deals with a dis
tinct and separate line of literary thought,
and necessarily, as in all such collections.
differing degrees of interest attach to the
several papers-the difference in this in
stance depending rather on the individual
readers preference as to theme rather than
on the authors treatment OF the subjects.
IN general. it may De said that the essays
are thoughtful. well considered and well
expressed. the outcome. evidently, of wide
reading. a reflective mind and a discrimi-
mating taste in literature. The first essay,
which gives the title to the volume, dis
cusses the triumphant" the immortal,
books. In defining them she says:
The line separating the triumphant from
militant books is a very Irregular one, at
times so slight as scarcely to be perceived,
and we are in doubt on which side the book
stands. Mathew Arnold's three estimates
may aid US somewhat in fixing the status
or a Dook-the first being the measure OF
strength and joy we derive from the book,
the second the historical, and the third the
personal estimate. Yet one thing is certain
no book is immortal to us If il does not
triumph serenely over the first
we must derive some positive pleasure,
some good from the book, must be up
lifted and cheered by it. DIR. Johnson put
the matter in a nutshell when he said:
"A book should teach us either TO enjoy
lie or endure il.
In this connection is given incidentally
this definition of the purpose of fiction:
The office of literature, broadly stated, Is
enjoyment, and to insure this laudable end
there must be, alas,r too frequently, forget
lulness of self. 1t is such a good thing 10
forget ourselves, our duties. our wasted
lives, our petty ambitions, the hurry and
rush of things. and live in the satisfying
realm of a book. This is the function.
ABOVE all others, of the novel, and the
sole reason for its being. The novel which
Tor the time makes US Danish sorrow, dis
appointment and failure does a very gra-
cious thing, and its influence on our lives,
at least, is supreme
In "a World Literature" the possibility
is considered of bringing the masterpieces
OF ali nteratures and all times into such
form mat they may be used by the stu
~ ASa liz III Nltd5t
ana pleasure and widen his horizon, but
mat thereby he may be aided to acquire a
mastery OF his own style and subject mat
ter. The third paper, "A Plea for Auto
biography will meet the approval of the
many VINO nave an especial liking for
mat form OF literature. The author takes
what Is probably the correct view. how
ever, when she says: Il doubt whether we
snail ever see any Improvement made in
the writing OF autobiography, though it is
certain that the number of such works
Will continue to increase as cur curiosity
TO know the writer's, who interest us, con-
tlnues TO grow. But the field has changed
ana my notion is that we must go to the
novel to find real confessions and perfectly
truthful histories of mems souls. We have
the same eagerness to fathom the secret
OF a man 5 inner life, the same curiosity to
see motives and springs of action unfolded:
human nature is nowise different in this
latter end OF the nineteenth century. but
we are not so simple, so outspoken, so in
nocently vain as were the men and women
or a younger generation. The heart is as
interesting to-day as it was when ST.
Augustine penned the fiery record of his
tumultuous experience. but we prefer To
mask the histories Of our souls in the garb
OF nctitlous character, and when personal
experience purns at white heat and We are
driven by an memorable force to unburden
ourselves, We do not write confessions a la
rousseau, but rather take our souls to the
p iha IN the guise of a novel. This is
biographies Is gone by, and if ever again a
man is driven 10 pour out his secrets with
out reserve or shame, 1t will not be done
with the purpose OF publication in view.
put rather TO relieve the terrible tension of
nina and open an outlet for the sur
changed agony of the soul"
In this essay quoted from are MANY pleas
ant illusions to and quotations from au-
toDlographles of note. In "A National
american Literature the author treats OF
the beginnings and growth of Ameri-
can literature and 1t highest achievements
The Benefcence of Limitation is an op-
timistic study Of life's conditions, trials
/ and nr0na G ~. To- H.
ume is justified by the bearing an adj
herence 10 the sane. cheerful and revential
II not religious. attitude has in preventing
decadence in art and literature. "A study
OF our limitations" the author saws. con
duces to clearer knowledge of our own
natures and enables us the more practical
~ 10 handle our resources. 1t leads also
TO a belief in the wisdom of existing things
to a helpful optimism and away from the
pernicious influence of the pessimism which
hangs like a baleful cloud over the minds
inference of the existence of God, and il /:
a hopeful tendency of the times that it is
also gradually creeping into our creeds."
In The Influence of War on Literature
Mrs. Eaglesfeld follows the course of his.
tory down to the present time to show
what an inspiration war has been TO writ.
ers of all classes, but particularly 10 poets
1T has been said" she remarks, that tn,
poetry of occasion is not the finished
product of art; that it is rather i'm,
passioned Oratory set to tempestuou,
music; but il wOuld be a delicate and diff
cult point to decide. Does the recent wal
poetry of such artistic and careful work
ers as Edith Thomas, Imogen Quincy
Robert Underwood Johnson and Meredith
Nicholson show a falling off in finish?
think not: rather the force given by tn,
enthuiasm of the war and by the love fol
their theme has added a human note and
warmer sympathy which might have beer
absent in the dull and uninspiring days o
peace"
The final essay deals with German
Humor." and. contrary to the common
view. the author holds that il really ex
lists to a considerable extent and of fai
quality. and is to be discovered in tn
literature of the country.
While the excerpts given above do no
convey an adequate idea of the scope o
these essays, they may serve 10 indicat,
their drift and general quality. The bool
is "A dignified and meritorious addition 4
current literature. +. Tennyson Neel-
Company, publishers.
Abraham Lincoln: His Book.
The little volume TO which this title i