The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-10


well remarks that surely there is enough
genus in everything that Melville wrote
to make it worth while to publish COM
plete edition of his writings. But then
Melville has probably never been appre-
ciated at his true worth, and the fault
was partly his own, for he did not seem
to know when he was writing what de-
served to live (and will live as long as
the language lasts) and what was dull
and trivial Witness. his 'Mardi," the
opening chapters OF which surpass any
thing written about the sea. But the
greater part of "Mardi'' which seems to
have been designed to be political and
social satire, is quite unreada BILE"
Henry Drummond. the gifted Scotch
writer who died in his prime some wears
ago. was profoundly pious. Moody and
others who knew him well, bear testimony
to the fact. He was immensely
popular as religious writer at
one time, and his essay he call
ed THE Greatest Thing in the
World" had a sale almost phenomenal
for a production bearing on religion. |
believe it's sale went into the hundreds of
thousands. His Natural Law in the
Spiritual World made a profound impress
sion, and yet it was full of error that has
been well exposed. 1t was his ablest pro-
duction. 1t is announced that he left an
essay called Going to the Father" that
will soon be issued in this country. The
title is alluring, and as he was so uncom-
monty religious in his later years it may
be anticipated without violence to prob
ability that it is not only truly spiritual,
but blessed by attractive revelations
of the unseen. 1t Will be eagerly sought
when announced ready for sale.
The late English novelist but recently
dead, whose literary name was Seton
Merriman,' but who was really named
Scott, 1 have more than once referred
to- He wrote meritorious books and al
though an invalid most of his manhood,
he left an estate worth $3.50, coo, every cent
of which was made by his books. He had
skill in writing and in plots, and his books
are clean and impressive. 1t isstated by
Mr. Alden that Mr.. lie Queux is the most
read of present English novelsts. and has
, accumulated a large fortune l know
nothing of him to merit. Recently IN
London a prize was offered by one of the
great literary weekGes of that vast city.
the Pail Mall Gazette, for the winner who
should name the ten best novels of 1908.
The first place was given TO Mr.. SCOTS
| Tor Merriman's') last novel. "Barlasch of
the Guard It received 81 per cent OF
the votes Mrs. Humphrey Wards last
book, Lady Rose" was second. but 1t
got but 65 per cent of the votes MIR.
Alden says that Omissions were remark
able. He writes: Neither Mr.. Cor
RAIDS ''Typhoon'' nor Mr.. Morley Ro-
terts's iRachel MARI were placed
lsporting men would say. Now if the COM
petition had been limited to the ten most
popular novels Aof the year these oms
sions could readily be understood. but the
competitors were asked to name. not the
ten most popular novels, but the ten best
novels"
There is a new historical volume out
called "The French Revolution" 1t IS
volume Of 585 pages, and is sold for s1.25.
lit is really composed of three chapters,
taken from the late Mr.. Leckey's mas
tcrly History of England in the Eigh-
teenth Century" Like all he wrote it is
well worthy of study, for he was indeed a
safe painstaking, interesting and able
historical writer. This small volume is
prepared by Prof. H. E. Bourne. of Wis
ton Reserve University, who says Of 1t:
at should also be noted that he does not
treat the internal history of even the
early revolution quite III the same manner
or in as much detail as if this had been
his principal theme. He describes it suf-
lfcientIy to make clear its influence upon
English politics or upon the general Euro
pean situation, as this was likely soon
er or later to affect England
rever knew until recently that
Ieckv's account of the War of Independ-
ence in his sixth volume. as l recall it,
for Tread it with very absorbing interest.
had been extracted and also published IN
a separate and Independent volume. Its
title * "The American Revolution, 1903
17S3'' have heretofore held that
I.eckey's account is of genuine Importance,
and most valuable l obtained some lnfor-
nation from his researches that l had
not found in any histories by American
book writers had read. But l have not
read anv of the later American authors
as TO the Revolution.
am gratifed to see it announced that
Prof Dabney's Causes of the French
Revolution" is still selling, and has reach
ed its eighth edition. ! read 1t with profit
and interest when it first appeared some
| twelve or fifteen years ago. He IS a pro
| lessor in Washington and Lee University,
| Va. and is one Of the distinguished
Southern family Of that name. 1t Is an
| instructive book, and when ! had read II,
| said that it was not surprising that
great upheaval in France came, but the
rue surprise really was that 1t was SC
| DELAYED. Instead of breaking out IN 1883.
| he wonder is that it did not start at least
.orty years earlier. for the expressions
md outrages perretrated against the
French people at large by the Kings ano
nobility were enough to have precipltated
the bloodiest revolution many decades be-
-ore. 1t is proper that Americans
| should read and know the Peoples side OF
he causes that brought on deadly con
| let Watson's volume second OF The
Story CT France is most valuable.
| The new volume OF the Cambridge Mod
4rn History planned by the late Lord Ac-
| on. Professor of History IN the great
cambridge University England, deals Win
he Religious Reformation IN Europe
| The plan, well known now. IS for various
writer's to treat of different periods IN an
erent lands There have been thus lai
three volumes issued. This last Is really
Volume II. of the series. Without ex
1 lauSting the LIST 70 show how wide the