The New York Herald Newspaper, February 10, 1879, Page 5

- A Page from the History of France * Under Louis XY. LITERATURE. | | | | THE SECRET OF A KING. The New Fancy in Book Publishing—Anec- -* otic Literary Biographies. * ‘WASHINGTON IRVING---ENGLISH POBTS LAUREATE Henry Greville’s Latest Novel—New York Etiquette—Literary. Gossip. > THE DUC DE BROGLIE'S LETTERS OF LOUIS Xv, WITH HIS DIPLOMATIC AGENTS. The volumes which the Duc de Broglie has given to the world are of great value as throwing light ‘Upon a singular episode in the career of Louis XV. The events with which they deal belong to the his- sory of the eighteenth century, and have rio connec- tion with the more recent history of France. Ina few pages of introduction the author states how he ‘was led to present his work to the public. Hesays:— The existence of a secret correspondence carried ou. by Louis XV. with his diplomatic agents, un- oar) to his Ministers, is a remarkable but ell established fact, suspected even durin; the lifetime of the monarch and confirmed by an official tion of his successor, 4ll the writers of the time, all the historians of Louis’ , allude to it. But what was this mys- terious ? * * * To whom was the secret in- trusted? What effect had this clandestine diplomacy On the political events of that sad epoch? On’ this subject, until a very recent date, the vaguest and the mosterronegus ideas have prevailed. A portion of the veil, however, was lifted a few years since by M. Bontaric, Sub-Director of the Archives of the State, a ‘scholar, whose loss is still mourned by science. * * *, Af, Boutaric published in 1868 two interesting yolumes made up trom the Bt, national collection of which he was in charge. ut in giving to the public # portion of what he had discovered in the Archives the intolligent editor Limself pointed out the gaps which had provented pee tion of his work. * * * M. Boutaric’s y re, even in its title, tho hame of @ member of my » excited my had often in curiosity without gratifying it. childhood heard of this eeutiancte and of his secret correspondence with the King, and I felt certain, trom various indiestions in my father’s papers, that his communications with the King, like those of the other secret agents (which M. yutatic regretted that he did not possess) were still preserved in the Department of Foreign * * * Thanks to a conjunction of lights kindled at various sources, I can to-day present a complete pic- ture of the origin, sims and sudden turns of Louis XV,’s secret correspondence. I shall Le much deceived if the roader does not share my im- ion, aud if he does not find in this story an- bo ped neouer peg that oe earn the de- lopment of an amusing ue; particu- lar, the character of the chief actor in this little drama, ‘the Comte de Broglie, does not always pre- pent to Lim, through many weaknesses, the attrac- tive spectacle ot a mind familiar with elevated vie of politics, and @ soul ardent for the public good. Unrortunately, I cannot say as much for. the per- ages who elongside of him, and m- fen of Louis XV., whose reputation (which had nothing to loge) will not gain, I fear, by beng seen in a new light. ‘The Duc de Broglie kindly warns his readers that e is not writing of the fee jonas of Versailles and hat he brings no new, discovery in regard to the amours ot Louis XV., “tor happy monarch is such the author’s Ey, 2 * By a singularity. perhaps igen the very things which the weak Louis '- took pains during twenty ears to conceal from his subjects ss well as om his Ministers were those which did him the most credit, * * * Whil» too often abandoning tue exercise of his power to the favorites of his mis- tresses ke secretly sought (though without intending to follow it) the advice, frank even to rudeness, ot hardy politicians. It was under the triple seal of a the reputation of this un- as to warrant suspicions of cipher correspon that he poused out all that Pemained at the botiom of his of sentiments ‘worthy of the throne and of feeble wishes for the public good. ‘The first volume deals almost exclusively with Louis’ underhand efforts to obtain political influence 4m Poland, and the importance of that ynfortunate eountry in European affairs in the middle of the last century is clearly demonstrated, Its dismember- ment is spoken of as an act of Diplomatic brigandage, performed under the indiff- erent eyes of Europe, without the sovereign of France having bad the clear-sightedness to detect the plot ‘which had been prepared, or the courage at the moment to prevent its execution. will never forgive those who made hin stand inattentively or powerlessly by at the ruin of an oldally, and one of the most atrocious crimes that ever Ge ines fod rights ’ of nature and of men. * * * To with Po- Jand it was equally and unsatis: to ldress its nominal chief. An ambassador to ngage himself, iu the conflict of parties, to embrace the cause of a faction, to support ong of the com- -titurs, whether it be the people or the Crown. but fis sort of aig omeey. though frequently practised y Frauce, by Russia, by Austria, and even by Sax? ony, was af expensive a8 it was compromising. For France it was particularly disadvantageous. So dis- tant were the two countries that French advice and French supplies seldom arrived early or opportunely iu Poland. In promising protection to a party the Pesponsibility incurred was greater than the au-,| thority acquired, Powerful iriends could readily Gispense with external aid, while the weak were apt to ‘claim assistance that it was often difficult to render. More than once France was compelied to desert a faction after having espoused its cause, and, to the it detriment of its honor, leave in EZ those who had been led to rely upon her word. ence it was that, in the sixteenth century, the Duc d@'Anjou (afterward Henry Hl.) placed upon the throne by a numerous perty, had to fly from Poland when barel; ed, und the Prince de Conti, seut crown by Louis XV. to attempt the same adventure, could hot wait even to be proclaimed. Finally, it bad been acen how Louis XV.’s own father-in-law, Stanisias Lecsinski, re-established, then abandoned by our arms, and reduced to flight to save his head, on which ‘the Russians had set a price, was forced to surrender his rights to his itor, Auguste III., Elector of é the imperial courts. These successive reverses led Frauce to rea- fon like the fox in La Fontaine's table; but the arrival of s number of influential Poles Whose ancestors had befrionded the French cause in Poland, aud who desired to piace # Frenchman on their throne at the expected death of Auguste LIL, tuspired Louis XV. with new hopes regarding that huportant country. The Prince de Conti, grandson of Louis XIV.'s unsuccessful candidate for the crown, was the choice of the Polish deputation, and he succeeded in persuading his royal kinsman to espouse his cause. A grant was obtgined from the privy purse, and the French Resident at Warsaw was secretly instructed by the King to keep up friendly Intercourse with Polish noblemen favorable to the Aintorests of France, When, later on, Russia and Aus- tria tried to win tho alliance of Poland, and France Openly endeavored to thwart their efforts, the Count de Broglie was named by Do Conti as ® desirable am- Daskador to advocate his personal cause, Louis allotted $100,000 for secret service, and sent De Broglie to Poland, where he was to use the unsus- pecting Fronch Minister as an agent in advancing bis master’s actual designs. Communication with the King was carried on through De Conti unknown &» the Mihister of Foreigy Affairs. But the Count ‘waa too high spirited to enjoy such underhand work, and bitterly comp! to De Conti of his disagree- able position, trengthening French intu- ence in Poland he was uot so particular to carry out the peculiar wighes of the Prince, who was much Offended by his independence, But the alliance be- tween Austria and France, effected in 175g. threw Poland iuto friendly relations with BR and De Broglie, abandoning De Conti's personal inter- exts, sought by allying Saxony with France to restrain the growing influence of Prussia. Yet ho was not the less suspicioug of Austria, and did his best to convince Louis of the inconvenience of having her for an ally. The Pompadour influence, however, all powerful with the complaisant French monarch, was ‘bast in favor of Vionna, aud, while De Conti's schemes tho longer met the royal attention and support, Do Broglie wae made use of, though equally against his will, to carry out the objects of the Austrian al- Hance. His efforts to overturn the intorests of Russia in Polaud were of so vigorous a nature as to annoy beyond enduranco his indolent superior, the Abbé Bernis, and his defhand for absolute authority to curry out the King's secretly exprossed wishes offended the good natured King himeelf. No satie- fuvtory answer was given. Before long Bern’ wuccveded in the Ministry of Foreigu Aflairs by NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1879.—TRIPIF SHEET, Choiseul; anf Tercier, the head clerk, through whom, unknown to his superior, de Broglie’s secret correspondence with his sovereign had been carried on, was removed from office. Neither the Count nor | his brother, the Due de Broglie, were of a temper to please Mmo. de Pompadour; yet mattérs had como to such a pass that the commend of the French armies had to be offered to the latter. His letter on this subject to the Abbé de Broglie shows to what an unhappy condition the country and its defeated sol- diery had been reduced by the influence of an ambi- tious and intrigning woman. ‘This letter was shown to the King, and its tone dia not displease him. The Duc de Broglie was relue- tantly induced to accept the command; but, as he had foreseen, his orders were uot obeyed, and after the battle of Fillinghausen, boiling with indignation, he and his brother, the Count, who acted as chief of the staff, repaired to Versailles to state their griev- ances'to the King. This led to their banishment to the Chitteau de Broglie, where, however, the Count continued, with his royal master’s permission, to draft elaborate planus for overthrowing Kusaian infiu- ence in Poland on the one hand and holding Prussia in check on the other. At tho death of the Czarina Elizabeth the Dauphin vainly interceded with the King to grant # personal interview to De Broglie; nor when the brothers visited Paris to attend their mother’s funeral would Louis grant them the privilege of appearing at court. Yet on his return to banishment the Count concluded ® despondent letter to Terciw with these words;—I am aware that my zeal carries me away. Ihave not profited by misfortune and I acknowledge that nothing can diminish my devotion to the interests and the glory of the King.” And this he immediately proved by engaging in “a now enterprise, no less chimerical than the first, and which, well nigh led to consequences still more fatal.” ‘This was a proposed descent ‘upon England, of which land Louis felt the old French jealousy. ‘The Count drew up an elaborate plan, which met the King’s approval, and M. de la Rozitre was sent to England to confide the secret to that remarkable ad- venturer, the Chevalier d’Hon, then acting as Secre- tary of Legation, and who afterward became Minister Plenipotentiary at the English Court. When the Comte de Guerchy succeeded the Duc de Nivernais as ambussador to England difficulties soon arose with d’Eon, from whom it was proposed to'take his newly conferred title. The Chevalier’s imsolence lcd to his recall, in very offensive terms, and there was great fear that th secret with which he had been intrusted would be betrayed. Indeed, he went so far as to accuse Guerchy of an attempt to Poison him and invoked the protection of British law. To intimidate Louis still further the adventurer published, in pamphlet form, the ‘correspondence preceding and attending his rupture with the Fréuch Legation, which caused great scandal both in Lon- don and Paris. Thon he wrote to De Broglie that he would never surrender his secret papers while De Guerchy remained ambassador, butif the Count him- self should-stccecd the latter he would agree to an amicable settlement. Louis sent De Broglie, in a pri- vate capacity, to England, to bring d’Eon to terms, but s messenger between the Count and the minister ‘was seized at Calais by Choiseul’s em{ssaries and the Count’s -sccretary was likewise arrested and thrown into the Bastile with the messenger. It now soemed impossible that the secret should be kept from Louis’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Choiseul, unless the papers which had been seized could be recovered. To this end it was necessary to admit Sartines, the Lieutenant of Police, into the affairand invoke his assistance. Success attended the Count’s efforts to prevent anything damaging to the King being olicited af the trial of the prisoners, and the attempt to silence d’Eon was renewed. An annuity of 12,000 livres was proposed, and the King allowed De Broglie to mortgage his ancestrial estate in pledge ef the royal word. Bat before thearrangements were all concluded Guerchy was indicted by the Grand Jury at Wegtminster for an alleged attempt to have d’Eon poisoned. Tho latter thereupon became so audacious that Louis deomed it necessary, in addition to the annuity which he had already offered, to authorize him g resumo his secret agency and send regular re- ports fo the King. Finally the Chevahor was induced to surrender the papers which he had received from Louis and received the promised annuity “for ser- vices rendered in Russia, in the Held and in other commissions.”’ Zhis was to continue until the King “saw fit to confer an appointment the emoluments of which should exceed %™,000 livres.” The Count de Broglie was not altogether satisfied with this ar- rangement, particularly as d’Kon retained sev- eral letters of 8 compromising nature written by Bim. These the latter afterward depos- tentious and is not justified either by the author's claims or by the subject matter of the book. In fact, there is a possibility suggested that the pub- lisher's and the author’s views were at cross pur- Poses, and that the former have had more to do than | the latter in making a swan of the author's goose. Actually, the book is an admirably arranged work of its kind, taking its place in a literary sense with the harmless biographical gossip that Mr. James T. Ficlds gave in “Yeaterdays with Authors’ few years ago, although, be it said, that Mr. Hill's work is of more practical value than its predecessor. In fact, the author’s style is more practical than elegant, and until the concluding pages are reached there are few evidences of the author's claims as a skilled littéra- feur, Asan analyst Mr. Hill has not the acumen to deal with such a chargcter as Irving’s. In sum- ming up the causes of his failure as a dram- atist, he says:—‘Irving, like Milton, was too niuch of an artist for a dramatist. He could not narrow himself into a variety of characters by subjective illusion.” The author's meaning is per- haps evident enough, but his analysis cannot be commended as clear or competent. The extracts made in illustration of the biographer’s text are well selected and so bestowed as to emphasize the leading idea of the author in exciting on interest in this subject and hie works, A quotation from a reminis- cent letter of Irving written from Madrid on his sixty-second birthday was well worth the trans- planting to new soil. In it he says:— My life has been a checkered one, crowded with lents and personages, and full of shitting scenes and sudden transitions, Ali these Ican summon up and cause to pass before me, and in this way can pass hours together in a kind of revery. When I was young my 2 ag tried was always in the advance, pictuging out the future and building castles in the air; now memory comes in the place of gination and I look back over the region I hav@ travelled. ‘Thank God, the same plastic feeling which used to deck all the future with fhe lines of fairyland throws a soft coloring on the pest. ‘until the very roughest paces. through which I struggled with many @ eartache, lose all the asperity in distance. Mr. Hill does not agree with Mr. G. P, Lathrop in affirming that Irving's pathos is always s lamentable failure. “Who has ever thoughtfully read ‘The Widow and Her Son,’ or “fhe Broken Heart,’ in ‘The Sketch Book,’ or ‘Annette Delarbre,’ in ‘Bracebridge Hull,’ ” he says, “needs no réfutation of this sweeping as, sertion.” The author nurrates an anecdote that he maintains is better evidence of Irving’s' power of pathos than metaphysical proof. An American gentleman whd visited Lord Byron in 1824, two months before his decease, relates this story:— He (Lord Byron) rose from his couch when I en- tered, and, pressing my hand warmly, said:—‘Have ou brought ‘The Sketch Book?” I landed it to iim, when, seizing it with enthusiasm, he turned to “Tho Broken Heart,” “That,” said he, “is one of e finest things éver written on earth, and I want to ear an American read it. But, stay, did you know Pyne I replied, I had never seen him. “God bless ‘him,’? excluimed Byron; “he isa genius, and he has something better than genius—a heart, LwishI could see him, but I fear I never shall. Well, read ‘The Broken Heart'—yes ‘The Broken Heart.’ What a word!’’ In closing the first para- graph I said, “shall I confess it, I believe in broken hearts.” ‘*Yes,” exclaimed Byron, ‘and so do land so does everybody but philosophers and fools.” While I was reading one of the most touching por- tions of that mournful piece I observed that Byron wept. He turned his eyes upon me and said: “You see me weep, sir. Irving himself never wrote that story without weeping, nor canI hear it without tears. I have not wept much in this world, for trouble never brings tears to my eyes, but I always have tears for ‘The Broken Heart.” Sir, how many such men as Washington Irving are there in Amer- a oon don’t many such spirits into the world,” JHE PORTS LAUREATS OF ENGLAND. Who would not be ‘The Laureate bold, With his butt of sherry To keep him merry, And nothing to do but to pocket his gold ? —Bon Gaultier, . England has had twenty-four poets laureate, a history of whom, with an account of their office, has been written by Mr. Walter Hamilton and published by Eliot Stock, of Landon. Some of these men are almost unknown to posterity, and even the little that is known of them does not redound to their credit. Five hundred years have elapsed since Geof- frey Chaucer, the first laureate, assumed the reapon- sibilities of thut office. All the Taureates have beon Englishmen with the one exception of Nahum Tate, who was an Irishman. The carlicr holders of the office derived their chief fame from their dramatic works, Ben Jonson, Dayenant and Cibber being directly interested in theatrical enterprises. The odes it was ofice the custom to compose for the King’s birthday, and New Year's day, were sung to music composed by the court musicians, in the great council chamber of St. James’ Palace before the King, Queen and court. These are no longer exacted, but they were ited in a sealed packet with » member of the opposition in England. Shortly after this the Anibassador, Guereby, foll fll and died, partly owing, it is suid, to his troubled experience in Englind, snd the Count de Broglie returned from his irksome banishment to the family home. Natufally enough he re-entered the distinguished circle of society in which he had been received and féted in his youth. There he was compelled nightly to meet the Duc de Choiseul, with whom he was on anything but pleas- aut terms, the latter being the favorite of the so-called “reformers,” of whom Mme. de Pompadour was the patroness, while the Count naturally belonged to the party of the Dauphin, wholly devoted to the interests of the King. When Auguste ITI. died the question of the Polish succession again agitated France," and the government was compelled to choose be- tween active interference and forced indif- ference. Choiseul hesitated, while De Broglie instantly decided on the latter course. Poniatowski, the destined successor, approached Hennin, the French resident, who feared to entertain his pro- posals, and wrote to Louis for instructions. The monarch made no reply. Then the Marquis de Paulmy wentfrom Dresden to Warsaw to support the Prince of Saxony’s pretensions, This inspired false confidenco in the national party, for the Duc de Praslin, informed of Poniatowski’s overtures, despatched General Monnet to consult with him, Threo French agents of Poland were thus acting inde- pendently of one another. Prince Xavier, of Saxony, demanded the support of France, but received no satisfactory reply, and withdrew from the contest. After the oponing of the Electoral Diet the Nationals, having no candidate, likewise withdrew. Russian troops were already noar Warsaw and Louis ordered his ambassador, Hennin, to leave, and the other French agents followed him. Poniatowski was elected; but the patriots were opposed to his rule, and their cause was espoused by De Broglie. Choiseul made a desperate effort to prevent the dismemberment of Poland, but failed in all his attempts. His fall was caused by Mme. du Barry’s support of his enemies. It was long bofore Louis named his successor, and De Broglie did his best to obtain the appointment, but without success, The Duo d’Aiguillon received the coveted position. His unsuccessful rival was overwhelmed by the eubsequent division of Poland, ‘and it was small consolation to be cailed upon to furniah the King a report on foreign politics, When Louis XV. died, and was succeeded by Lonis XVL., De Broglie, then in exile, wrote to the. young monarch for iustructions, but received a cool reply, and upon offering to report in Paris and undergo examination was merely told to dvatroy his secret correspondence, He refused to do #0 and demanded to justify himself. Finally he was recalled, thougli not fully restored to favor. When a descent upon England was again proposed the Maréchal de Broglie was given the command of the army, bat the Count received no appointment. After many more disappointments he withdrew from public lite and died of a fpver contracted while drain- ing the marshes near Rochefort. ‘The Duo de Broglie’s work is an admirably written account of many interesting and entertaining events, Michel Lévy Fréres, Paris, are the publishers. “WASHINGTON IRVING.” ‘The present fahey in books seems to be for epitomes of # quagi literary character. A veteran publishing house set the fashion two years ago with tiny volumes in drab paper covers, following it with s series in sombro biack vellum, and now ethers are following in the same line. The latest offering in this way isa series called “American Authors” (Sheldpn & Co.), which brings forward, with the usual preliminary flourish of trumpets, its initial ydlume, “Washington Irving,” by Professor David J. Hill, of Lewisburg, Pa, Tho initial volume is disappointing, as the series is likely to be, in that it attempts more than is prop- erly within the scope of a small duodecimo of 200 pages, As a skotch or a compendium of gossip it is satiaiactory and interesting, but its running title, “Lite of Washington Irving,” is misleading and pre regularly supplied by laureates from the time of ‘Thomas Shadwell down to the year 1813, when, on the death of Henry James Pye, it was resolved to leave the odes at the poet’s option. As a matter of history it is to be regretted that no collection of the laureate odes and poems has ever been published. From 8 literary point of view there is little to be ro- gfetted. With a few exceptions the laureates have been surpassed as poets by their contemporaries. The official duties of a laureate are light and the pay a butt of canary wine. Among the most singular ap- pointments to this office was that of “Colley Cibber. His ‘claims to the name of poet were of the alightest. He wrote clever plays, however, and vigorous proso. His apology for his life is one of the best known books of itsday. It seems that his daughter wrote & biography without attempting an apology, which would not have been unbecoming in her. She was a singular creature. She appears to have received a liboral education, but having no tastes for feminine duties or pastimes, ex- hibited unmaidenly eccentricities at an carly ago." Frequenting stables, curry-combing horses and shooting were her favorite amusements. Once when ® mero child she defended the house from au attack of thieves by firing pistols aud biunderbusses out of the windows. When very young she was married to s a eas violinist, but the match was a miserable one, she went upon the stage, making her début in the small part of Mademoiselle in “The Provoked Wife,” in 1780, being then twenty-seven years of age. She soon rose to such characters as Alicia, in “Jane Shore,” and became a very creditable actress, in re- ceipt of a good salary. But by and by she quarrelled with the manager, abruptly quitted the stage and opened @ grocery and oil shop in Long Acre. In three mouths, finding that she knew nothing of the trade, she relinquished the business and sat up a puppet show in St. James street, Haymarket. Here she lost everything, and had to sell for £20 what, she says, cost her 500 guincas. She so offended her father that he utterly discarded her; then she wrote a piece called “The § Battle of the Poots,” in which she = scurri- lously lampooued him. She was arrested for asmall debt and only released by @ subscription of the most disrepntable characters of Covent Garden. She then assumed a male costume and wandered about the country with strolling players until a young lady fell in loye with her and proposed mar- riage. Next she engaged herself as a valet to a noble- man; not remaining long in this situation she took to making and solling sausages; tien becamo head waiter in @ tavern; after this she went back to stroll- ing for a time, until by the assistance of an unale she was enabled to open @ tavern in Drury lane, This, Likezall her other undertakings, proved unsuecessful. For @ short time she joined her brother at the Hay- market, but soon afterward tho theatre was shut by order of the Lord#Chamberiain, Back to strolling and puppet shows, She published an autobiography and upon the proceeds of its sale opened another public house and made another failure, Finally she died in great destitution, in misery, only two years after the death of her brother, Mr, Hamilton gives ‘a biographical sketch of each of the pocts laureate, that of Tennyson being the least interesting. He has gathered no fresh material for a skotch of that poet, so confines himself princi- pally to ® criticism of his work, Mr. Tennyson haa not written much poetry to order. ‘The odes on tho -toyal marriages have more than an ephemeral in- terost. ; “PHILOMENE’S MARRIAGES.” By the claborate preface published in advance we had our appetites whetted for the coming of Heury Gréville’s new novel, “Philoméne’s Marriages” (T. B. Peterson & Bro: We must confess to some disap- pointment in tho book. The author professed a desire to introduce to Americun readers the home Ufe ot everyday French, people, so that they may admire the sterling qualities of her country people rathe® than their immorality. Why, then, sho should have selected a low, cunning, commonplace peasant woman as her heroine we aro puzzled to dis- cover. The title, “Philoméne’s Marriages,” seems to usa misnomer, Philoméne was married but once, and that before the opening of the story. When the reader is introduced to her she is thirty-cight years of age, the widow of a sea captain and a woman of repulsive appearance, for we aré told that her teeth were yellow, that her chin needed shaving, and that her “regular features, once delicate, had grown large, and sunburn had hardened her skin.” Wecan hardly believe that she was ‘still good-looking.” although the author assures us of the fact. When united to an unpleasant face we find contemptible traits of charscter there is little to admire in Mme, Gréville’s new heroine. We are given to suppose that she was a woman of little or no edu- cation, yet she writes letters that would puzzle a cleverer woman to compose, and this is not the only inconsistency in Philoméne’s character, There are, however, some interesting people in the book. ‘The young novelist, Verroy, and his charming wife, who ‘was Philoméne’s cousin, aud the actor, Masson, in- terest us exceedingly. The relation# between Verroy and his wite are of the most entirely sympathetic nature, very different from the usual French novel husband and wife. Masson, we fancy, is somewhat above the general run of French actors trom a moral Point of view. The loye of the vulgar Philoméne for this dashing young fellow is amusingly depicted, ‘The pages describing the evenimg he, all unconscious of her passion, took her to the theatre to see him act, are fullof genuine fun, Philoméne, in Paris for the “first time, thought that she had never seen anything so handsome as Masson when he came upon the stage in @ crimson velvet cap and a velvet mantle em- broidered with gold, and fierce black mustache upon his lip. His part consisted of but one line:- *By heaven! my lords, you have done a surry task.’”” To Philoméne it was an entire play. While she sat in front devouring an orange with her tect and him with her eyes a fellow actor asked who she was. Hg replied, “That is my tailor’s aunt; I am in luck!” Poor, unsuspecting Philoméne! a Mme. Gréville is, if anything. more minute than ever in this story. We are teld that, Mme. Layonel was “knitting indigo-blue woollen stockings, the dye coming off on her fingers,” and that she pushed her “fifth needle under the band of her Normand coijfe.” Sach minuteness of detail gives a tone of reality to the story, though sometimes it seems forced, if not downright unpleasant, as on page 90, when Verroy is described as “yawning enough to make himself nauseated.” Notwithstanding a number of small faults, the book, particularly the latter part, is enter- taining. Of course it is full of clever sayings and is Never dull; it could not be the work of Henry Gré- ville otherwise, but for all that we prefer her Rus- sian stories to this ons. ‘The translation is made by Miss Helen Stanley, SOCIAL ETIQUETTE OF NEW YORK, ‘The dainty little volume on the etiquette of polite Society in New York (D. Appleton & Co.) is not with- out a certain value, in that it affords the opportunity for the discussion of social topics, not ordinarily trenched upon from so serious a standpoint either by the press or by other media. It canuot be denied that, in the absence of any aristocracy of title, the subject of the manners and customs of society in the American metropolis is one of some interest when seriously considered by an observer familiar by con- tact with the usages that prevail in fashionable circles, The author of the volume, which under- takes to give shape and substance to the hitherto unwritten social code of New York, we take to be of the gentler sex; and beyond this we may add that the book shows a closeness of observation and a minute attention to detail that bespeaks the writer’s thor- ough familiarity with the subject, both in theory and practice. That consiferatencss, kindliness and all the gracious courtesies underlie and support all the artificial forms of social culture the autlior recognizes, and does not hesitate to read pointed lessons to those pretenders to gentle breed- ing who assume a virtuo if they have it not. It is evident from the careful perusal of the tencts laid down in “Social Etiquette” that culpable of- fences, according to the “code,” are frequently com- mitted, and that people aro sometimes innocently naughty when designing to be “nice.” Now, the passing salutation of a lady with whom ong is out of favor is a delicate matter, that undoubtedly requires the most delicate adjustment of social rules. Says our manual on this poirit:— There may be circumstances when a gentleman may lift his hat to a passing lady, even though he “cannot bow to her. She may be offended with him, and yet he may respect and focl kindly toward her. He may deserve her disregard, and it is permitted him to express his continued reverence by uncover- ing his head in her presence; but be has no right to look at her as she passes him. He must drop his eyes, What would be the fearful penalty if he, who, under the ban of displeasure, yet dared to raise his eyes with a pleading glance toward the fair face of the offended one, theauthor fails to state. The author does afford the reader some solace, however, as to the exactions of the fair sex when # genticman is in the saddle. Under these trying circumstances a ‘‘cordial bow,” or the “lifting of the hat” or “touching its rim with his whip,” if he be earacoling down the avenue, sat- isties the most exacting of ladies. Some sensible suggestions as to gift-making at wedding anniversaries are included in the vol- wine:— ‘The vaiue of 8 gift has come to be measured by sons of delicacy by the motive which prompted its bestowal, and there is @ decidedly serious cfort being made by our refined and influential leaders of pe escape from an unpleasantness that may be suffered equally by the giver and the receiver of formal presents. Nothing within the proper scope of a mannal of etiquette seems to have been neglected. With the young rosebuds just blooming into fragrant flowers of society this epitome of Fashion’s laws will doubt- less prove 9s inseparable a companion as was the “Complete Letter Writer” to a past generation, while older heads will find not a little that is diverting, even to the provoking of tho risibles, in the earnest insistance of the author upon absolute deference to the finest points of the “ode.” THE AMERICAN STATISTICAL REVIEW. This work, of which volume L., part 1, for January, 1879, lies. before us, claims to be “an epitomized encyclopedia, devoted to the reviewal of American industries; not one, but all—an unbiased exponent of the good and evilof oug national laws, as coim- pared with reaults ai by systems, governing other nations of the world.” It is edited by Mr. Charles 8. Hill and published by D. Appleton & Co. ‘The claim of “unbiased” exposition will probably strike most readers with astonishment in view of the severely didactic and even ‘“dociri- naire” character of this review, which is thickly interspersed with maxima in advocacy of the “union of capital and labor,” and betrays upon every page that it is written with a purpose—namely, the creation of a Bureau of Commerce in the State De- partment at Washington. To, this end a great num- ber of useful statistics respecting the commercial products of each of the States of the Union and of each civilized country of the carth are given, and all topics relating to political economy are haydied in # terve and condensed style. Fhe publication will doubtless serve @ useful purpose in directing attontion vo its very instructive statistics, but the moral to be drawn therefrom will not always coincide with the con- ¢lusions which Mr. Hill is so eager to set forth, RATLWAYS IN COLOMBTA, Two little volumes have been issuod by Mr, Fran- cisco Javrés Cisneros (D. Van Nostrand, publisher), member of the American Society ot Civil Engineers, with # view to the promotion of the construction of railways ftom Puerto Berrio to Barbosa, State of Antioquia, Colombia, and from the Bay of Buenayen- tura, on the Pacific Ocean, to the River Cauca, in tho same Republic. Both are accompanied by maps end contain abundant geographical information respect- ing the regions traversed by the lines in question. It is understood that New York capitalists have taken an interest in these two lines, and that they are to be promptly constructed. A glance at the maps suffices to demonstrate their utility, and the abundant topographical data furnished will much lacilitate the computation of the exponsa, JATERARY OMIT-CHAT. “Ensilage,” is the title of a new work that will doubtless be intoresting to a large number of agricul- tural readers. Jt referg to the preservation of corn- stalks (maize) and other green foddersin air-tight compartments, and gives a variety of curious facts couuected with the production and preservation of maize for the purposes of the farm, J.B. Brown, publisher, Beelouan street, New York, ry A new life of Swift is announced, Mr. Henry Irving is a contributor to the fortheom- ing number of the Nineteenth Century, Mr, Hamilton Pyte has given dp the snb-editorship of the Saturday Review on account of ill-health. “Meta Orved’’ is the nom-de-plume of a young Jady of Albany, whose real name is Miss Orr, A new translation of the “Luciads of Camoens,” by Mr. Robert French Duff, will soon be brought out by J. B. Lippincott & Co, Captain Burton, the trav- eller, and Mr, Hewitt, an American journalist, of Rio Janeiro, will each soon publish irauslations of this much translated author. It is hoped that the Cougress of men of letters of all | nations, to meet iu Loudon in June of this year, will devise some means by which authors’ rights may be protected abroad, The Athenaum does notthink very highly of Theo- dore Martin's translation of Heine. Mrs. Burnett’s early heroines wore pear! rings on their forefingers and swausdown around their throats, ‘The Spectator praises Bagehot's *LAterary Styudies,’” The same high authority speaks in terms of warm admiration of George Muacdonald’s lagt novel “Paul Faber.” It says the story is “full of the deepest and truest religious feeling, divested of every atom of dogma or sect prejudice,” The Baroness Bunsen, whose life and letters are given to the world by the Rev. Augustus Hare, was the friend of more than one reigning sovereign. “Out West” is not the only piace where editor's lives are in danger from indignant readers. A Rus- sian editor has recently been a target for murder- ous bullets. A new novel by Count Tolstoy is promised. “Marriage Before Death” is the title of » poem re- cently published in London. Marriage after death would be @ more original idea, A volume of Mr. Ruskin’s notes on his collection of the drawings of the late J, M. W. Turner, R. A., exhibited at the fine arts societies’ galleries, with a list of his engraved works, shown at the same time, illustrated with thirty-tour plates, has bean pub- lished in England ang imported by Scribner & Wel- ford. It seems by this volume that Ruskin has not exhausted himself on the subject of Turner. Yhe.literary correspondence in the American Book- seller is of more than trade interest. “Signor Monaldini’s Niece,” the latest no name, is attributed among others to Miss Anne H. Brewster, author of “St, Martin’s Summer.” | Alphonse Dandet’s forthcoming novel “La Reine Frédérique,” is being translated in Paris by Miss Grace V. Lord, of Boston. It will appear here simui- taneously with its appearance abroad, The Queen of the Belgians speaks fintteringly of Hector Malot’s new novel, ‘‘Sans Famille.” J A. volume of tales, by Erkmenn-Chatrian, has re cently been published in Paris. Miss Hadie Heller, with the co-operation of Mrs. Stephen Fiske, is preparing a life of the late Robert Heller. Carlton will publish the book in the course of six or eight weeks, A critical and biographical qrticle on Modjeska will appear in the next number of Scribner's Monthly. It willontain interesting glimpses of the romantic life of Modjeska and her husband on @ California ranche. The portrait illustrations are three in number. d ‘The Agent's Herald, published in Philadelphis, is » monthly journal devoted to the intereats‘of agents and canvassers. It is # comparatively new venture in journalism, but has met with success, having & very large subscription and advertising patronage. ‘There is a fashion in book bindings as in coverings for the human, the changes in which, from season to season, form a curious commentary upon the ca- priciousness of readers of current literature, Half a @ozen years ago cloth bindings, doubly stamped in black and gold, were introduced, and fora time the average book buyer would have nothing but these gaudy covered volames. This fashion reached its acme with the “Bric-a-Brac” series, with ita delicate pearl covers, set off with the incyitahle double stamp, and since that time book have been bought some. what less for their bindings tan during the “black and gold” epoch, Some interesting corrections of standard histories of our revolutionary epoch are suggested by the biographical sketch of Lieutenant Colonel B.C. An- ‘derson, which G. P. Putnam's Sons have just pub. lished, with the title, “Soldier and Pioneer.” Crabb's ‘English Synomyms," a book which has been long and favorably known, has just been re- issued by the Harpers in modern binding and with some emendations, corrections and additions. The scope of the work is indicated by the index, which includes more than five thousand words. “New Greeeo,” by Lewis Sargodnt, is one.of the few books that have been translated into modern Greek. Messrs. Cassell, Petter & Galpin, of this city, have just produced a new edition in English. They have also a new edition of Professor Moulton’s “History of the English Bible,” published last Sep- tember. The February (or Washington) number.of the “Magazine of American History” (A. 8. Barnes & Co.) is exclusively confined to unpublished Washington matter, among which are original documents, letters and notes. It opens with “Washington’s Opinion of his Gonerals,” in which he describes with much frankness the personal traitg of twenty-three officers, There are also many admirable literary and artistic subjects. NEW BOOKS RECEIVED. Memoir of George David Cummins, D, D., First Bish of the Reformed Episcopal Church. By his wife. Dodd, Mead & Co., publishers, ork, Signing the Coutrac What it Cost. By Martha Pin! <4 kd, Mead & lishers, Civil List and Forms of Go: Funent of the Colony and Stato of New York. Edition of 1978, Weed, Parsons & Co., publishers, Albany, Bibelots and ios, &@ Manual for Collectors, with « terms. By Frodurie Vors. ton & Co., pubii . New York. ‘Tho Aworican Naturalist, Devoted to the Natural in thefr Widest Sense. February, 1879. “MeCull blisvors, Philadelphia, Dip Nature and Treatment, Vartetios and Lo- cal Rxpromsigns. by Morell Mackensio, M.D. Loud, Lind. say & Blakiston, publishers, Philadalphis. ho Purase Book of 21 1 Phouography. | By Jamos E. Munson. J. E. Munson, publisher, Astor House, Now ork, Goetifo and Sebiller; Their Lives and Works. Inclading @ commentary on By Hjalmar H. Bose wen, Charles Scribner's Souk, publishers, New York. . Paul at Athens; Spirituat Chriatianlty in Relation to Sone As] rn Thought. Nine sermens preached h. Westbourne Park. iiy Charles D. Apple- Sona, publisners. of iziom as Ilus- By F. Max Mullor, M.A. D_D., former raphy at» ae .. Concord. and — first Von hire. ew Edited by ‘& Co., publishers, New vents, By Joseph blishers, Boston. » Hawthorne, Thackeray, ae Bt and others. I ¢. BR. Worthington, pubs cut « M a. Edward Seluberth & Co,, publishers, New York, The English Reformation; How It Game About and Why We Should Uphold It, By Cumaingbam Geikio, B.D. D, publishers, Appleton & Co. TTeaith and low to Promote It. By Richard, Meshorry. M. D., Profossor in University of Maryland. Appleton & Co, publ —,, By George D, Bourdnan, here hronicles of the Blue Bell D, Appleton & abs Roclet fishers. BOSTON BOOKS. HARD TIMES COMING FOR BOSTON-—A SATIRE IN VERSE —NEW VOLUME BY HENRY JAMES, Sh. — ANNOUNCEMENTS, Bosron, Feb. 9, 1879, “Unconscious of their doom the little victims play,” secording to the poet, and equally happy the people of Boston go about the streets ignorant of what ia to fallon them within the next fortnight. First is the Rev. Joseph Cook's new book “Huged- ity,” whieh appears to-day; next, Henry James’ “Society,” announced for the last of next week, and, lastly, ‘Back of the Moon,” a satite, by “A. Lunar Wray.’ Mr. Cook's volume completes the firat hun- dred of his lectures, and also the series in which- finding that hetetodoxy and his political enemios were 10 longer objects that he could attack in such a way as to draw a crowd, ho devoted himself to sen gational topics and gatherod audiences who came to sub whether he would aay anything that would gratify the current morbid taste for discussing cer- tain physiological questions properly relegated to the medical schools, The author of “Behind the 5 Moon” disposes of Mr. Cook by giving the following abstract of one of his lectures: — Maret? @ behind and 4 before, And therefore it is plain te me ‘That aa ark was bale be one named Nosh, Who suiled the primal lunar sea. There is an up and there's a down, And so, 12 logic doesn’t tail, ‘The reason Jonah didn’t drown Was the compassion of @ whale, Thore is an ont and there's un in; Who the conclusion can escape ‘That all men fell in Adum’ssin And woren’t developed from an ape? ‘The plan of this book is by no means original, for itwimply gives thinly veiled descriptions of things in America as objects seen in cities of the moon, whither the author went in an air vessel manned by Kane and Stanley, or rather Yelnats and Enak, for names and many other things go backward in the lunar land, Tie landed in Notsob when he first reached the moon, but Yelnats took him to Wen Kroy, saying that Notsob was a dead provincial littlé town beside it. ‘he only peculiar thing that the visitor noticed in this lauded metropolis was that the prevailing style of salute among the women was to “lift the nose on high” when meeting any one not dia mode, and he went back to Notsob, where he found— That those born out of Notsob town Were Noboddees of no renown, And even a man in Notsob town, Who in its sa air first drew His breath, mus: yet toward the mors Suil o'er the waves to Eporne, Betore that he could hope to be A full-developed Sumboddee, A well known clergyman is fairly well drawni-— In Elbib’s name he taught the people What style of shot gun to indorse; Aud how to win the chase called “steeple,” And how to rear “the perfect horse.” He held that thus to him ‘twas given 'To teach the people to be tast; For those who here could win, at last Might reach life's greater goai—in heaven. It is not poetry, but it is verse that sticks in the memory and that will always be easy to quote, The publishers of the book sre Lee & Shepard, SOCIETY THE REDEEMER. It is Henry James, Sr., whose book is to appear next week—not the author of “The Europeans,” but his father, whose last work was published ten years ago, and who is one of the very few Americans who have a claim to the title philosopher. The full title of the volume is “Society, the Redeemed Form of Man, and the Earnest of God's Omnipotence in Human Nature.” It is in the form Of letters ad- dressed to a dear friend who has written to him te say:— I cannot bear to think with any purpose of my private regeneration after haying so long committed all my Godward ad to the destiny of my race, Least of all should I be likely to entertain that ques- tion just now, when the labors of Mcsara. Moody and Sankey and the rhetoric of Rev. Joseph Cook seem pro utially intended to show us the vulgar ego- tism and the blatant unbelief in the divine name, with which it is almost sure to be associated, “Now,” says Mr, James, “I have as little respect for Messrs. Moody and Sankey, and for their flashy, histrionic colleague, as you can desire, and think our daily papers might easily furnish better food to their readers than the puerile stuff they give us as reports of these men’s sensitional sermons and lec- tures. But what interests me chiefly in the extract from your letter is the general sentiment of pref- erence you exhibit for a fixed life of relation to God over one of afree and spiritual character; that is, for a life of passive submission to your race destiny ver one of active'private regeneration.” Mr. James protests against the idea of a destined life and alleges that man has both moral and spiritual freedom, still, however, afirming a divine destiny for mankind, but affirming it in the interest of the divine name alone. He defines nature as a most strict process or functionary of the divine love aud wisdom toward our spiritual mauhood; God as @ being whose “insufficiency” to Himself alone is abject; that he is incapable of realizing Himself except in others, “I neither can nor will spiritually confess any deity who is not es- sentially human, and existentially thence exclu. sively natural; that is to say, devoid of all distinc- tively personal or limitary pretensions.” ‘These passages give an ides of the boldness of the book but not of the closeness of its argument or of the manner in whieh it is sustained trom first to last. He tells this story of a strange spiritual expe rience which preceded his introduction to the works of Swedenborg:— One day, however, toward the close of May, having eaten a comfortable dinuer I remained sitting at the table after the family had dispersed, idly gazing at the embers in the to, thinking of nothing and feeling only the exhilaration incident to di- |. gestion, when suddenly—in a lightning flash as it were—‘“fear came upon me and tromi , which made all my bones to shake.” ‘To all appearance it war a ectly insane and abject terror, without os- tensible cause, and ouly to be accounted for, to my perplexed imagination, A some damned bee ad squatting invisible to me within the precincts of the room ant ae from his fetid personality influ. ences fatal to life, Tho thing fad not lasted ten seconds before I felt myselt a wreck; that is, reduced from s state of firm, vigorous, joyful manhood to one of almost helpless infancy. The only self- control I was cay of exerting was to keep my seat. I felt greatext desire to run incon- tinently to the foot of the stairs aud shout for he]; to my wife—to run to the rondside, even, and to the public to protect me; but by an immense effort I controlled these frenzied impulses and deters nrined not to budge from po Benen? till I had recovered iy lost se!f-porsession. is purpose I held to for a good long hour, as I reckoned time, beat upon meanwhile an ever growing tempest of doubt, anxiety and » with absolutely no relief from any truth I had ever encountered save a most pale and distant glimmer of the Divine existence, when I resolved to abandon the vain struggle and communi- cate without more ado what sec! any sudden bur den of inmost, implacable unrest, to my wife. A MISTAKE SOMEWHERE. ‘This lasted for two years, efter which, feeling that he had never caught a glimpse of truth, in spite og having searched for it all his life, he entirely neg- lected all his previous researches, thinking that they had been useless. [tis highly probable that Mr, James mistook dyspepsia for despair, and some form of mania for a manifestation of spiritual poverty. It would be as mteresting to know what he ate as what he thought during the two years that he was pestered by “the damned shape.” Two years of nightmare would not be a bad title for a fygure work relating his physical as well as his spiritual expe- rience during that period. Was it beans or the Bible? POPULAR BOSTON RELIGION, Mr. James gives the following neat summary of three forms ot belief, and manages in it to hit every_ body so equally that no person holding cither one can well help being amused, and Boston must laugh at herself tor once, He says:— Professioual religion, I repeat, is the devil’s mas- terpiece for ensnaring silly, selfish men. . The ug!: Deast bas two Leads: one callod litualism, Late: to devour a finer and fastidious style of men, men of sentiment and decorum, cherishing scrupulously moderate views of the difference between man and God; the other called Kevivalism, with a great red mouth intended to gobble up a coarser sort of men, men for the most part of a fierce carnality, of ungov- ernable appotite and passion, susceptible at best only of the most selfish hopes, and the most. seifish fears, toward God. I must xf we are uot greatly devas- tated here in Boston—though occasionally vexed— by either head of the beast; on the contrary, it is amusing enough to observe how atraid the’ great beast himself is of being pecked to pieces on our streets by 4 little ind ons bantam cock which calls itsel? Radicalisin, and which struts sud crows aud scratches gravel ina manner so bumptious aud por emptory that I dety any ordinary barayard chanti- cleer to imitate it. COMING BOOKS, ‘The ofty announcements aro Howolls’ “Lady of the Aroostook” and the twenty-seventh volume of “Poems of Places,” which contains verses about tho Middle States. In the next namber of the Atlantic will bea poem by Lougfellow, “The Chamber Over the Gate,”’ and one by Whittier on the death of Bayard Taylor. Loring has in press “How We Saved the Old Farm,” a story in which are many practical hints for young farmers, WIOKEDNESS IN TEXAS. {From the Belton (Texas) Courier.) Tho late report of the commissioucrs and superim tendent of the Texas Penitentiary shows that among the prisoners since the opening of the Penitentiary there have been one under ten years old; between ten and fifteen, 63; between fifteen and twenty, 1,035; between twenty and twenty-five, 2,068, Neglected intellectual and moral training and bad faxgociations are justly chargeable with this alarming exhibition of crime among the young. Parents are often neglifent of theit children’s habits. Boys are out &t night ‘at the gaming table, in the very power of tempts tions, in the midst of the groseest crimes, while their parents are quictly resting at home withouta thought of the piace or company claitwing their boys’ atten, tion. Parents, take care of the moral habits of your children, and they wili be sure never to wear the airives por toil uader the mucale of the musket,