Year: 1875




Of his ride team in the United States.


NEW ENGLISH BOOKS.


LONDON Oct. l, 1875


The great annual London competition for fame Is
about commencing, and the question Is Who is to
carry Of the palmY or the ninety and authors
whose works are now in the press each IS OF
course firmly persuaded that his her book is to be
the most successful OF the Months have been
devoted TO the production or the manuscript which
has been submitted 10 a well known author.
The points which to make the hit have been dis
cussed and again with the publisher,
and allowed 70 be excellent and novel few literary
friends at little dinner al the "Athe
naumn have expressed their unalterable
viction that the book is all others,
the very the public most wants. The author
merely waits for that morning when be or she is 70
rise to find Fame beckonng at the window. To the
ninety and eight present ndulging in these pleasant
and seasonable reflections Fame will 1t
is singular and rather remarkable fact in connection
with authorship that ever sat down
to write a book but had implicit faith establishing
claim rank among the exalted OF the guild Of ltera
ture. 1t honorable and lofty ambition to cherish
but Of the thousands of people who write how many
place were going 10 say even on q cob
web Of the niche where the bust Of the goddess
stands2 How many? And, If it would not be inper-
tinent ask the question, What is the pro-
portion that the unsuccessful bears the successful
in the great competition for the laurel which
popular favor DEGREES the winning writer or the
year2 Ay, and how often is that laurel
worthily bestowed by the tickle and shifting Of
the public9 The practsed eye will the list Of
Forthcoming books" and win select in moment
those which the greatest chance Of being read
but, by and by from some and hitherto
known corner, comes book which, in way, takes the
world by storm and entities its author to rank himself
among those few whom Mr. Charles Reade claims can
legally hold the honors Of authorship.


GREENS 'HIsroRY ENGLISH PEOPLE,


At the beginning OF this year had remarkable evi-
dence OF this gentleman, hitherto unknown,
tent 10 labor anonymously the stad OF the Saturday
Revie,c spending his busiest hours the library
OF Lambeth Palace, and, doubt in his
mind feeling that lie as unlikely gain the prom
nent place he now holds in literature as exchange
places with the Archbishop Of Canterbury; this
known writer produces book which, by universal con
sent admitted here bo the best short English his
tory written. Neither Mr. Green nor his publish
ers had the remotcst idea when the manuscript
being considered that in book form i would with
such a reception from the public need issue Of
20 900 copies within little less than a twevemonth.
Yet Mr. Green's "short History of the English People,
has reached this edition already and there is evidently



fore, that as Ear as this present year and
season are concerned Mr. Green VIII
the front place among the host or known
and unknown writer's over here who
eagerly waiting present their books the public
This book in the press the smaller volume in great
part rewritten and enlarged to three volumes, will
doubtless meet with the largest share of what may be
called lasting public favor; whether the short his
tory in library form, Il will appear next month, will
prove great pecunary the less pretend
ing present book only the Macmillans themselves
able 10 forcte Mr. Green will have make hoy while
the shines, His health very Indifferent He spent
the greater part Of last the South Of France
under medical advice and il is extremely doubtful
whether hard work research any kind during the
winter months win be allowed him in London. lie has
spoken or paying attention American historical
subjects, In view of possible short history Of tho
American people; but a work OF the kind,
fear, would have little chance in England
and less IN America unless written by some closer
student Of American social and political life. II only
needs note the lack or shown here IN Hig-
ginson's excellent "Young Folks History of America"
% judge Of tie chances Of great attending
the issue Of such book from Mr.. Green's pen Mr.
Hggnson Lad All the advantages Of a close connec-
tion with American lie for years whereas NJ Green
has mover visited the States Even the prestige be-
longing y the author Or the hor History of tho Eng
lish People, would carry positive success to
hastily written il-considered work.


i sLiFE AND LETTERS on LORD xAcAuLAYn
The Harpers have purchased Trevelyan's life and
Letters Of Lord Macaulay,n now in the press for b.
\ multancous issue In America. No doubt when this
letter reaches you the book win be out The word
'Mncauayn is the enclng bait the reader 60 that
the editor or author stands but poor chance
OF recognition. Nevertheless Mr Treveyan ought to
gain some praise for his work, and doubtless wilL
Member for the border boroughs OF Scotland in itself
distinction he is, besides something of writer a
scholar and student His "Competton Wallah, a
book which attracted great attention here because
OF its outspoken attacks upon Angiondian system,
will perhnus entitle him 10 be called the first Tho
act OF his being scholar classical honors Of Trinity
College. Cambridge will bring him within tho ranks
of the second; and his close connection with tho
radical party Of the House Of Commons, and eager
advocacy OF liberal opinions in whatever form pre-
-ontod shows that he has not neglected to study In
the dneult but eminently practical school Of every
day politics But Mr. Trevelyan should produce good
book for stronger reasons than these He married an
heress which keeps him far above the want OF money,
and he bas abundance Of leisure. The sum paid him
or the American copyright ! am given TO under
stand not oxorbanty large; but then this is no
criterion q a books worth. may mention, perhaps,
a. a matter of gossip that Ar Treveyan is indebted
for The honor ofbemg editor 81 the Life and Letters
&C., 70 the fact Of hs fahcrhayng married the SITTER
OF Lord Macaulay


TRAVEL


The visit Or the Prince Or Wales 70 India Is, Of
course, going % nunaae vs. with Literature. heavy aud