Among the books belonging to the “Famous Women Series,” the biography of
Harriet Martineau[B] takes a leading place. The life of this remarkable
woman is written by one whose clear insight into human character, and
keen appreciation of that which tends to make it noble and strong,
render her eminently qualified for such an undertaking. The style of
the book is simple, unadorned, direct. No step has been neglected which
could add to the author’s information, or, as she quaintly expresses
it, could help her “get touch” with her subject. That Mrs. Miller is
something of a hero worshiper is evident from the fact that, with but
one or two slight exceptions, she justifies all the facts of the life
she relates. The rigor of Harriet Martineau’s early home; the longings
of the young girl for freedom from a needless restraint, and the desire
to read and study, which led her to steal the time for it in the early
morning and late at night, might convey a lesson to many a mother who
now insists upon having her daughters follow the conventional methods of
living. One can but rejoice in the advanced position women have attained
as he reads of Harriet Martineau, the statesman, and sees that she is
as thoroughly understood and appreciated in this aspect of her life by
her biographer as in the more womanly elements and instincts of her
nature, which were never in the least violated by her study of political
interests. Excepting the skepticism which marked all the mature years of
Harriet Martineau’s life, one finds in her a good type of strong, noble
womanhood. Christian readers can but deprecate this fact, and also that
it is justified by Mrs. Miller.
A volume of the prose writings of N. P. Willis[C] will be received by
the reading public in much the same manner as the work of a new author,
so little are they known. His reputation rests almost entirely upon
his poems and a few Scriptural sketches, which it seems natural to
think of as belonging to the early periods of American literature. It
will probably strike most people with a feeling of surprise to recall
that his death occurred so recently as 1867, and that he was therefore
contemporary with Bryant and Longfellow. Just why this recent oblivion
has fallen upon his writings is hard to tell, for the collection in this
volume shows that they deserve a better fate. The character sketches
are fairly drawn; and the bits of description indicate powers of a high
order in this particular. The personality of the author is manifest in
all the articles; the reader is conscious of constantly looking through
the writer’s eyes. The wild, unchecked bent of his imagination is shown
in such pieces as “The Lunatic’s Skate,” and “The Ghost-Ball at Congress
Hall,” somewhat resembling the more intense works of Poe. Aptness in
illustration, implying a delicate perception of resemblances, and a happy
faculty of associating ideas is a marked characteristic. He fails to
touch the deeper emotions of one’s nature, and there is a lack of both
strength and plot in all he writes. Whether Mr. Beers succeeds in making
Willis’s works live or not, he has by his selections and editing, and by
his introductory memoir, given to the public a very interesting work.
Perhaps no one ever more perfectly caught the spirit of all things
Egyptian than Professor Ebers. The _genius_ of the country which brings
under its sway all that comes within its domain, affecting them to such
a degree that one can but fancy even the sphynx would be less gloomily
impressive in any other land, gained such an influence over him, and so
makes itself felt in his books, that it is almost impossible to imagine
him otherwise than as a man wrapped round with that somber, mysterious
air which constantly hints of the power to reveal things more and more
wonderful. From the beginning to the end of Serapis[D] one is conscious
of being under some spell that fascinates and charms. The little
party introduced at the beginning gives rise to a sense of the vast
possibilities hidden away in each life—even that of little Dada, the
merry-hearted, seemingly thoughtless, young girl—and the sequel reveals
in each one these possibilities realized. The story is laid in the times
of the Roman emperor, Theodosius I., and its interest centers in the
destruction of the Serapeum, the Alexandrian temple containing the statue
of Serapis, the great Egyptian divinity, which was also mutilated and
torn down. A description of the races is given in such a way as to render
readers virtually eye-witnesses of the scene, and it is with an effort
that one keeps himself from rising with the crowd as the decisive moment
nears, and shouting in the general frenzy of excitement. The author lacks
the power of putting his readers into nearer relation with his characters
than that of mere acquaintances, in whose welfare a general sympathetic
interest is taken. One prizes the book for its impressive historical
facts and beautiful descriptions.
“Troubled Waters”[E] is a novel with a purpose. The question of capital
and labor is discussed, and the plan of coöperation is upheld as the key
which is to unlock the difficulties thickening fast and threateningly
around the business interests of to-day. The dangers lurking in the
fact of poorly compensated labor, as it watches the fast increasing
gains of capital amassed at its expense, are vividly set forth. In the
strike of the Tradelawn mill hands, will be seen a faithful picture
of what transpires in many a similar town. The style of the book is
vigorous, independent, and clear. The number of persons introduced, and
the characterization of some of them, particularly Mr. Thomas Street,
reminds one of Dickens. In the web of adverse circumstances enmeshing and
ever tightening about the really noble Robert Croft, until he is driven
to the very verge of desperation and crime, the greatest power of the
author is shown. Of course all ends well, and as one leaves all the hands
in the new mills, in which every worker is a stockholder, contented and
happy, there remains with him a conviction that coöperation is the right
principle.
One of the most attractive of all the books of its kind is “The
Chautauqua Birthday Book”[F] just issued. Daintily bound, and containing
illustrations of the places so familiar and endeared to all Chautauquans,
it can not fail to receive a warm welcome at their hands. The “Prefatory
Note” is written by Chancellor J. H. Vincent. The selections made of the
best things said by the best authors. As one turns the pages bearing
the dates, the eye lights upon the names of many familiar friends, and
the pleasing memories that instantly arise make one glad for the happy
thought that originated so genial a souvenir.
No undertaking more deserves the thoughtful consideration and hearty
support of every community than that of the introduction of a line of
classics for children into the public schools. Mr. Ginn has already
edited for the use of scholars of from nine to fourteen years of age, a
number of very attractive books, among which are “Tales from Shakspere,”
by Charles and Mary Lamb, and Scott’s “Tales of a Grandfather.”[G] The
original works have been changed very little. A few verbal alterations
were required, and the parts beyond the comprehension of a child were
omitted. A young boy or girl after reading these editions will have
practically the same knowledge that the older acquire from the unabridged
works, and they certainly will be equally as much interested in them.
[B] Harriet Martineau. By Mrs. F. Fenwick Miller. Boston: Roberts
Brothers. 1885. Price, $1.00.
[C] Prose Writings of Nathaniel Parker Willis. Selected by Henry A.
Beers. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
[D] Serapis. By George Ebers. New York: William S. Gottsberger, 11 Murray
Street. 1885. Price, paper cover, 50 cents.
[E] Troubled Waters. A Problem of To-day. By Beverly Ellison Warner.
Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. 1885. Price, $1.25.
[F] The Chautauqua Birthday Book. Arranged by Annie M. Cummings. Buffalo,
N. Y.: H. H. Otis. Price, $1.00.
[G] Tales from Shakspere. By Charles and Mary Lamb. Tales of a
Grandfather, Vol. I. Being the History of Scotland. By Walter Scott.
Abridged and edited by Edwin Ginn. Boston: Ginn, Heath & Co. 1885.