No More Learning

There is,
says the author, very little useful infor-
remembering his early Christian train-
mation to be found here, and no criti-
ing, established the principles of the
cism of the universe, but only a chroni-
Christian religion so firmly in this pecul-
cle of plain pleasures, and friendly
iar community that the almost unknown
observation of men and things. It is
island in the South Seas became
from cover to cover an out-of-doors book,
conspicuous example of an earthly para-
dise.
one for the fireside on a winter night.
This community, maintaining its es-
Mutineers of the Bounty, The, by sential characteristics, still occupies Pit-
This latest pub- cairn and Norfolk Islands. Its members
lished account of a long unsolved ocean carry on a constant correspondence with
on
a
a
a


## p. 444 (#480) ############################################

444
SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
on
was
relatives and friends in England. Many Still, if the objectionable portions of the
photographs of the islanders, reproduced Lettres Persanes) were removed, there
in this book, represent a people prepos- would yet remain enough matter to fur-
sessing in appearance and apparently nish a volume at least as wise as Ba-
comfortable and prosperous.
con's Essays, and far more witty.
L
The Life and Pontificate of Leo the
ettres Persanes, Les (Persian Let-
The
Tenth, by William Roscoe. (2 vols. ,
ters), by Montesquieu, were at first
1868. ) This work is a natural sequel to
published anonymously in 1721. The
its author's (Life of Lorenzo de' Medici,
book is a piquant satire French
which made his reputation. It
society during the eighteenth century,
translated into French (1808), German
its manners, customs, oddities, and ab-
(1818), and Italian (1816-17). Though
surdities being exposed through the
the Italian version, Count Bossi's, was
medium of a wandering Persian, who
placed on the Index Expurgatorius,
happens to find himself in Paris. Usbek
2,800 copies were sold in Italy. The
writes to his friends in the East and in
work
Venice.
was severely criticized by the
The exchange of letters with
Edinburgh Review for an affectation of
his correspondent in the latter city has
for its object to contrast two centres of
profundity of philosophy and sentiment,
and for being prejudiced against Luther.
European life with each other and with
On the whole, however, it is one of the
Ispahan, the centre of social life in Per-
best works on one of the most fascinat-
sia. But Montesquieu is not only a
ing and instructive periods of human
keen and delicate observer of the fash-
history, containing not merely the bi-
ionable world, — some of his dissections
ography of Leo but to a large extent
of the beaux and belles of his time re-
the history of his time; describing not
mind one of Thackeray,– but he touches
only Cæsar Borgia and Machiavelli,
with firmness, though with tact and dis-
but WolseyBayard, and Maximilian.
cretion, on a crowd of questions which
his age was already proposing for solu-
It was the first adequate biography of
Leo X. ; and its attempt to prove him
tion: the relations of populations to gov-
widely influential in the promotion of
ernments, laws, and religion; the eco-
literature and the restoration of the fine
nomic constitution of commerce; the
arts, as well as in the general improve-
proportion between crimes and their
ment of the human intellect that took
punishment; the codification of all the
laws of the various provinces of France;
place in his time, is certainly successful.
liberty, equality, and religious toleration. Reference, Works of. The chief en-
These questions were particularly men- cyclopædias falling under this head,
acing at the time the author wrote, and which are still of interest to readers,
the skill with which he stated them begin with a work projected by Ephraim
through the mouths of his Persians had Chambers, under the title, "Cyclopædia :
something to do with their ultimate set- or, an Universal Dictionary of Art and
tlement. The portraits of different types
Sciences, containing an Explication of
in the Lettres,' sketched with apparent the Terms and an Account of the Things
carelessness, would not be out of place signified thereby in the several Arts,
in the gallery of La Bruyère; they are Liberal and Mechanical, and the several
less austere, but they reveal more force Sciences, Human and Divine. ) It came
and boldness. The work is, unfortu- out in London, 2 vols. folio, 1728, with a
nately, disfigured by many scenes that dedication to the King. It imitated an
are grossly immoral; and this fact had as earlier London work, by John Harris,
much to do with its extraordinary suc- the first secretary of the Royal Society,
cess as its pictures of ideal social virtues. of which the title was Lexicon Tech-
Its mysterious and incomplete descrip- nicum; or, An Universal English Dic-
tions of Oriental voluptuousness delighted tionary of Arts and Sciences,' I vol.
the profligates of the Regency. To the folio, 1220 pages, 1704. This was the
philosophes and skeptics of the time, first alphabetical encyclopædia written
also, the Lettres) showed that Montes- in English. It attempted an account of
quieu was one of themselves; and they the arts and sciences, but omitted antiq-
were happy to have an opportunity of uities, biography, poetry, and theology;
laughing at the Christian ligion, while and dealt only with the terms of ethics,
pretending to laugh at the Mohammedan. grammar, logic, metaphysics, and rhet-


## p. 445 (#481) ############################################

SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
445
(
or
was
>
a
oric. It was reprinted in 1708, and a 1875-89, 24 vols. and Index vol. , with
second volume of 1419 pages was added many plates and very many wood-cuts.
in 1710. It was long very popular, and At one time — namely, in the beginning
prepared the way for other works. That of the present century - the Britan-
of Chambers added ethics, grammar, nica) commended itself to George III.
logic, metaphysics, poetry, politics, rhet- as a publication calculated to counter-
oric, and theology. It was a work judi- act the tendency of that pestiferous
ciously, honestly, and carefully done, and work, the French Encyclopædia. In
long held popular favor. It sold no less our day it is engaged neither in attack
than five editions, 1739-52. A Supple- nor defense of the articles of the politi-
ment came out in 1753, 2 vols. folio, 3307 cal or the religious creeds. In the strife
pages.
Abraham Rees made a revised of opinions “the encyclopædia is not
and greatly enlarged edition, 1778–88, 2 called upon to take any direct part. It
vols. folio, 5010 pages, 57,000 articles, has to do with knowledge rather than
and 159 plates. The famous French opinion, and to deal with all su jects
Encyclopédie. (Vide (Synopses,' page from a critical and historical rather than
160) grew out of a plan to reproduce a dogmatical point of view. It cannot
Chambers's work in a French trans- be the organ of any sect or party
lation.
in science, religion, philosophy. ”
But the great successor to Chambers (Preface to the 9th edition. ) Besides
the "
Encyclopædia Britannica. '
, the highly authoritative treatises on the
which «digested into distinct treatises or natural and the intellectual sciences, the
systems,” 45 in number, the arts and (Britannica' in its ninth and latest edi.
sciences analyzed in Chambers into 47 tion is specially distinguished for its his-
<divisions of knowledge”; and which tories of the literatures of the whole
gave in addition numerous separate arti- world, and its articles on Biblical Criti-
cles on many of the terms occurring in cism, Theology, and the Science of
the treatises. A printer, William Smel- Religion.
lie, was the editor, and the writer also Brockhaus's Conversations Lexikon,'
of the larger part of the work. Pub- German popular encyclopædia, was
lished at Edinburgh, in numbers, begin- first published in six volumes (1796–
ning with December 1768, it was com- 1808). It was from the first a popular
pleted in 1771, 3 vols. quarto, 2670 pages, work, as its title indicates: designed to
and 160 plates. The second edition give such information as one feels the
came out 1777–84, 10 vols. , 8595 pages, need of in daily intercourse with the
and 340 plates. The addition of bio- world, — the original meaning of “con-
graphy and history was now first made, versation. ) The Conversations Lexi-
constituting this edition (an encyclopæ- kon was addressed to the educated
dia not solely of arts and sciences, but public of Germany, not to the learned,
of the whole wide circle of general and it attained great popularity; no
learning and miscellaneous information » other work of the kind was
(Quarterly Review, cxiii. 362). The frequently copied, translated, imi-
successive editions of the Britannica tated; the first Chambers) was the
since the second have been: 3d, 1788-97, tenth (Brockhaus) translated and
18 vols. , 14,579 pages, and 542 plates; abridged with
additions. The
4th, 1801-10, 20 vols. , 16,033 pages, 581 14th edition of Brockhaus) was
plates; 5th, 1817, 20 vols. , 16,017 pages, pleted in 1895, 16 volumes of about
582 plates. Constable, who had bought 1,000 pages each, with plentiful illus-
the chief interest in 1812, brought out a trations, plain or in colors, also elab-
Supplement in 6 vols. , 4933 pages, 125 orate maps, plans of cities, etc. Not
plates, 1816–24. The 6th edition had only the geography and the history of
been completed in 1823, when Constable all the countries of the world are ade-
failed in 1826, and the work became quately treated, but also the biography
within short time the property of and the literature of each, with a fullness
Adam Black, whose house have pub- hardly equaled in the encyclopædias of
lished these editions: the 7th, 1830-1842, the countries themselves. For example,
21 vols. , 17,101 pages, 506 plates; the the partiality of Chambers) for Scotch
8th, 1853-61, 21 vols. and Index vol. , notabilities is well known; yet in many
pages, 402 plates, and many instances a far more accurate and sat-
wood-cuts in the text; and the gth, isfactory account of the writings of
ever
SO
or
а
some
com-
a


## p. 446 (#482) ############################################

446
SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
а
on
no
or
Scotch men of letters is found in Brock- 1874, was still largely an adaptation
haus) than in Chambers. )
of Brockhaus; but the third edition,
Another popular German encyclopæ- completed in 1892, is an original and
dia is Meyer's (Konversations Lexikon,' independent compilation, the articles
Brockhaus's most formidable competitor. written by eminent British and for-
It is a noble competition that these two eign scholars expressly for the work.
encyclopædias have carried since All the important subject-matters of
1860, when Meyer's first appeared; the science, history, art, philosophy, reli-
effort of each has ever been to win the gion, etc. , are treated with all needful
palm of superiority by introducing new thoroughness, yet with the minimum of
features of solid value, rather than by scholastic technicality. It is the model
resorting to tricks to win popularity. of a popular encyclopædia: concise,
All the resources of art are availed of exact, easily understandable; with a
to beautify the volumes with exquisite sufficiency of illustrations and maps of
colored plates of natural-history objects countries, and plans of noted cities.
and the like; yet in this is seen The International Cyclopædia,' 15
pandering to vulgar taste for mere pict- vols. , latest revision 1898, is a thor-
ures, but, on the contrary, a serious oughly revised reproduction of the 1874
purpose to bring art into the service edition of Chamber's Encyclopædia, with
of science: no encyclopædias published additions of American matter and no-
in the United States can compare in tices of some of the more important his-
this respect with Meyer's, even torical occurrences and scientific discover-
Brockhaus's. And in the letterpress the ies of the last twenty-five years, together
same conscientious effort “to promote with many biographies of living persons.
general mental improvement by giving Appleton's New American Cyclopæ-
the results of research and discovery in dia) began to be published in 1857; the
a simple and popular form without ex- last volume, the sixteenth, appeared in
tended details,” is visible on every page. 1863. Its editors-in-chief, George Ripley
The fifth edition of Meyer) was com- and Charles A. Dana, were also editors-
pleted in 1897, when the 17th volume in-chief of the revised form of the work,
was published: it contains 10,000 figures (The American Cyclopædia,' 16 vols. ,
in the text, and 1,000 full-page and two- 1873–76. There has been no general
page pictures, maps, etc. It must be revision of the work since that time.
added that while subjects are treated The publishers of the American Cyclo-
in simple and popular style in the pædia' have since 1861 published the
body of the text, very full technical American Annual Cyclopædia,' designed
details are given, in «inserts » appended to record the progress of science and
to every title of importance in science the arts, and the world's history from
and art; for example, the title (Spin- year to year, and to serve as supple-
ning' has eight pages inserted, describ- ments to the American Cyclopædia. '
ing with figures the different kinds of It is in the same form as that work,
spinning-machines. Thus the work is octavo, and comprises about 800 pages
serviceable even to the technologist and
per volume.
the expert.
Johnson's New Universal Cyclopæ-
What is now known as "Chambers's dia' first appeared in 1874–77, in four
Encyclopædia began to be published in imperial octavo volumes.
It was
1860, when its first volume appeared; pecially strong in the departments of
not until 1868 was the last volume pub- natural science – physics, chemistry, me-
lished. The number of volumes has chanics, etc. , -and American gazetteer
continued to be the same in the two matter. In its later form, Johnson's
revised editions issued since that time; Universal Cyclopædia,' 1893-95, 8 vols. ,
namely, ten in octavo form. The first with a change of publishers, the work
edition of Chambers) was founded » was thoroughly revised, by a corps of
on the ioth edition of the German pop- thirty-six editors, under the direction of
ular encyclopædia of Brockhaus; that is, Charles Kendall Adams, LL. D. , assisted
it was largely a translation and adap- by eminent European and American
tation of the articles in that work, with specialists.
additions of matters relating to the The "Grand Dictionnaire Universel
United Kingdom, Scotland in particu- of Larousse, in sixteen folio volumes of
lar. The second edition, completed in about 1,500 pages each, began to be
)
es-


## p. 447 (#483) ############################################

SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
447
ers
published in 1864, and was completed
in 1878. Since then two supplementary
volumes have been issued. In the de-
partments of natural science, mathemat-
ics, and the fine and the useful arts,
(Larousse) is very full: the articles on
the literary men of France and Italy
and their works would seem to meet
every reasonable requirement; the writ-
of other countries receive less
adequate treatment.
In this respect
(Larousse) is far inferior to the German
Conversations Lexika. " Nevertheless
the (Grand Dictionnaire Universel) is a
splendid monument to the learning and
the indomitable energy of its founder,
Pierre Larousse.
(Men and Women of the Time) is a
dictionary of living notabilities of all
countries; the latest edition is very re-
cent. It is an English publication, and
obviously of indispensable utility. A
similar work in French is Vapereau's
(Dictionnaire des Contemporains. ) The
English work is revised at intervals of
about ten years; the French at longer
intervals.
Among the notable annual works of
reference, belonging to the same class
as Appleton's Annual Cyclopædia,' is
(Hazel's Annual, a volume which gives
a brief summary of the political and
economic conditions of all countries; no-
table events of their history for the year;
the year's necrology; record of the year's
progress in science, art, literature, etc.
The Statesman's Year-Book,' also an
English annual, is devoted wholly to the
governmental conditions of the countries
of the world, and gives the personnel
of the several monarchies, republics,
and other States, their statistics of pop-
ulation, commerce, production, and
industry, finance, army and navy estab-
lishments, internal communications, edu-
cation,
etc. , compiled from official
returns: it is a work of unquestioned
authority.
The Library of American Literature,'
compiled and edited by Edmund Clar-
ence Stedman and Ellen Mackay Hutch-
inson, comprises eleven volumes of about
600 pages each, published 1887–91. It
gives, by means of selections from the
works of the more noteworthy writers,
a general view of American literature,
from its beginnings to the present time.
The selections are representative, and are
made with judgment; and no attempt is
made to gather in every book written
in America during the period since the
beginning of the 17th century. The
reader is thus saved from having thrust
upon him much trivial and ephemeral
matter; and the selections are of such
volume and compass as to present a
fairly adequate specimen of each au-
thor's style and mode of thought. This
principle of selection is happily likened,
by the editors in their preface, to the
law of selection which should govern in
the formation of a national gallery of
fine art, designed to show the develop-
ment of art from age to age. Here we
have presented to us the whole history
of our literature: the changes of topic
and style, the rise of learning, imagina-
tion, and creative power, resulting finally
in a true home-school. of authorship.
Appended to the last volume are short
biographies of all the authors repre-
sented in the work.
Appleton's Cyclopædia of American
Biography,' edited by James Grant Wil-
son and John Fiske, was published in
six volumes of about 750 pages each,
from 1886 to 1894. The “American » in
its title is employed in the most com-
prehensive sense, relating to North,
South, and Central America and the ad.
jacent islands; hence it is a biographical
dictionary not only for the United
States, but also for Canada and for the
Spanish-American, Portuguese-American,
and other countries of this hemisphere.
The biographies are of contemporaries
as well as of men of former times; and
the names of men of European birth
and residence who have had any promi.
nent part in the history of America, are
included, — as Columbus, Berkeley, La-
fayette, Whitefield.
The Dictionary of American Authors,'
edited by Oscar Fay Adams, is the suc-
cessor of the same editor's Handbook of
American Authors, published in 1884;
the new work appeared in 1897. It com-
prises, in one volume of 450 pages, the
names and titles of works of more than
6,000 writers in every department of
literature, whether famous or obscure.
The fullness of the information given in
this work is equaled by its really exem-
plary accuracy.
Novum Organum, The, by Francis
Bacon. The Novum Organum,' or
(New Method, forms the second part
of Lord Bacon's great philosophical work
entitled Instauratio Magna,' (The Great


## p. 448 (#484) ############################################

448
SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
ous
Restoration) of Science. The first part, remainder of the work is devoted to
entitled De Augmentis Scientiarum,' is illustrating, particularly by observations
an extension of the previous work on of the action of heat, the true mode of
the Advancement of Learning. The making and comparing observations of
third part is the Historia Naturalis. ? natural occurrences. In conclusion the
The Novum Organum) contains the author refers to man's fall from a primi.
outlines of the scientific or inductive tive state of innocence and his loss of
method; viz. , that of proceeding from his dominion over nature. This is how-
facts to general laws, instead of inferring ever capable of restoration first by reli-
facts from assumed general principlesgion and faith and then by the arts and
which have never been proved. This sciences. For labor is not always to be
latter, the philosophical and metaphysical a curse, but man shall (eat his bread in
method, was repudiated by Bacon, and the sweat of his brow,» not indeed in
together with the superstitions of the- vain disputations and idle ceremonies of
ology, was declared to have no place in magic, but in subduing nature to the
the new learning. The New Method,' uses of human lite.
therefore, is an attempt at an interpreta-
tion of nature from direct observation.
Greek
reek Studies, a series of essays by
«Nature,” says Bacon, «we behold by a Walter Pater (1892), are concerned
direct ray; God by a refracted ray; man with some of the most beautiful and
by a reflected ray. ) At the beginning uncommon aspects of Greek thought and
of the Novum Organum) we read this art. The first two essays on Dionysus:
first of the series of 180 Aphorisms of The Spiritual Form of Fire and Dew,
which its two books consist: "Man, the and on (The Bacchanals of Euripides,
minister and interpreter of Nature, can treat of the mystical significance of the
do and understand only so much as he vine, of the religion of the grape as a
has observed in her: more he can neither cult, - subtle, far-reaching, and mysteri-
know nor do. ” As obstacles to correct as Nature herself. The essay o
observation and inference from nature, the Myth of Demeter and Persephone"
he mentions the four kinds of «Idola," goes back likewise to the great natura.
or preconceptions which prejudice the source of the magnificent worship of
mind at the outset and which must earth and its revolving seasons. Hip-
therefore be removed: the Idola Tri- polytus Veiled) is a study from Euripi-
bus, or the misconceptions growing out des. The remaining essays are devoted
of our nature as man; the Idola Specus, to Greek art, the heroic age, the age of
those growing out of our individual or graven images, to the marbles of Ægina,
peculiar nature surroundings; the and to the age of athletic prizemen.
Idola Fori, misconceptions imbibed Pater's treatment of these subjects is
through common speech and opinions remarkably subtle and sympathetic. His
leading to much idle controversy; and peculiar gift of insight into the spirit of
finally the Idola Theatri, or fables and a great dead age here finds full mani-
fictions of tradition that continue to be festation. In no other of his writings
sources of error. He refers contemptu- is the style more perfectly adapted to
ously to the Greek Sophists, and quotes the subject-matter; polished, chastened,
the prophecy of the Egyptian priest con- chiseled, it · resembles in its symmetry
cerning the Greeks: «They are always and beauty a monument of Greek sculpt-
boys: they have neither the age of
science nor the science of age. ”
The second part begins with the Jowett Benjamin, M. A. , D. D. , LL. D. ,
Aphorism, “It is the work and intention MASTER OF BALLIOL COLLEGE, Ox-
of human power to generate and super-
By Evelyn Abbott and Lewis
induce a new nature or new natures Campbell. (2 vols. , 1897. ) A work excep-
upon a body already given: but of a tionally rich in personal interest and in
nature already given to discover a form Oxford interest during nearly sixty
or a true difference, or a nature origi- years (1836–93. ) Born April 15th, 1817,
nating another nature (naturam naturan- and a student at St. Paul's School 1829-
tem) or a source of emanation, this is 36, young Jowett won a scholarship in
the work and intention of human learn- Balliol College, Oxford, in 1835; and from
ing. ” The study of forms is therefore 1836 to the close of his career remained
the object of the new method; and the at Oxford. While yet an undergraduate
or
ure.
FORD.


## p. 449 (#485) ############################################

SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
449
as
a
was
he won a Balliol Fellowship, 1838, achieve
ing thus early rare distinction
scholar. In 1842 he became a Balliol tu-
tor, and also an ordained clergyman. He
was an Examiner of Classical Schools in
1849, and again in 1853. In 1854 the
death of the Master of Balliol gave him
a chance to be elected to the position, as
beyond question the ablest of Balliol tu-
tors, and an eminent university man; but
the more conservative party among the
Fellows defeated him by a single vote.
He served the same year as a member
of the Commission on Examinations for
the Indian civil service, and wrote their
elaborate report. He published, in June
1855, his remarkably bold and thought-
ful commentary on Thessalonians, Ga-
latians, and Romans, with special dis-
sertations which greatly stirred public
interest. The same year Lord Palmer-
ston's government appointed him Reg-
ius Professor of Greek, with, however,
only the nominal salary of £40. He
was obliged to add his new duties to
those of tutorship, and to figure as the
most eminent scholar of his college, and
an educator second to none at Oxford,
not given a decent support. Jowett
accepted his Greek chair as more to
his mind than any other “except one
of theology. ” But influences adverse
to him on account of the broad views
expressed in his Commentary) were at
work. A favorable review of the book
was stopped in the Times office by
these influences after it had been put
in type, and even the beggarly Greek
position would have met the same fate
if it had come on a little later. An
accusation of heresy against Jowett was
brought before the Vice-Chancellor, and
the indignity put upon him of being
summoned to appear and anew sign the
Thirty-nine Articles.
assumed
that he would not, but he did it, and
taking up the duties of his Greek chair
began lectures on Plato's Republic,
which he called the greatest unin-
spired writing.
” Though practically un-
paid, he made the lectures free, and for
many years made them a great suc-
(I often think,” he said, “that I
have to deal with the greatest of all lit-
eratures. The sharp attacks made upon
him caused a rapid sale of his book,
and he gave great labor to its revision
for a second edition, and it came out
in the summer of 1859, much enlarged
and in great part rewritten. The Times
now published his friend Arthur P.
Stanley's review of it. But the period of
disfavor with conservatism upon which
he had entered, and which specially
found expression in the repeated defeats
until February 17th, 1865, of all effort
to provide pay for his brilliant labor in
the Greek professorship,
made
greatly darker in 1860-65 by the storm
which
the publication of
Essays and Reviews. ' In 1863 a pros-
ecution of Jowett on account both of his
Commentary) and of his Essay) was
set on foot, but only to collapse upon
being pressed. Two years later, the
scandal of a great scholar at Oxford
brilliantly discharging the duties of a
professorship of Greek for ten years with
hardly any salary came to an end. The
next three years, 1865-68, saw liberal
measures carried in Balliol councils, and
great advances made. In 1869 Jowett
was appointed preacher to the college.
The next year, June 1870, brought a va-
cancy in the Balliol Mastership. A plan
for a second Essays and Reviews) vol-
ume was earnestly pressed by Jowett in
1869 and 1970, but not finally executed.
In February 1871, the earliest four-volume
edition of Jowett's Plato' appeared. The
second edition, with very great improve-
ment of the translation and large addi-
tions to the introductions, came out in
1875. The final edition, constituting
Jowett's magnum opus, was published in
1892, with the perfected work in notes
and dissertations, the matter and style
of which are the author's lasting claim
upon a high place in the literature of the
century. From Plato, Jowett in 1871–72
went on to the translation of Thucydi-
des, which appeared in 1881, and to
a translation of Aristotle's Politics,'
which was published in 1882. A work
on the life of Christ had a place in his
plans almost to the end of his life, but
he did nothing towards it. His idea
was that the life of Christ should be
written (as a history of truths, to bring
the mind and thoughts of Christ a little
nearer to the human heart, in the spirit,
not in the letter); and this he thought
might be the work of another genera-
tion in theology. In 1882 Jowett be-
came Vice-Chancellor of the university,
and held the office four years. It was
his final recognition as the foremost of
Oxford educators. His Life) is exceed-
ingly rich in indications of character, in
penetrating thoughts on a great variety
It was
»
arose
over
cess.
XXX-29


## p. 450 (#486) ############################################

450
SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
The story
owe
of themes, in sagacious independent crit-
icisms, and in reminiscences of Oxford
and of English culture during sixty
years, which will long give it a high
place among books of the century.
Tales from Shakespeare, by Charles
and Mary Lamb. This modest vol-
ume, which was to prove Charles Lamb's
first literary success, was written at the
desire of William Godwin, as one of a
series of children's books published by
him. It consists of the plays of Shakes-
peare transposed into narrative form,-
the comedies by Mary Lamb, and the
tragedies by Charles, and preserving as
far as possible the original language of
the poet's blank verse. Prepared for
children, its entire simplicity proved an
added charm for readers, young and old.
The scholarship and literary taste of its
authors, meanwhile, could but produce
not a mere prose version of the plays
for juvenile amusement, but a critical
introduction to the study of Shakespeare,
in the finest sense.
Collegians, The, by Gerald Griffin.
As a teller of Irish stories, Griffin
takes his place with Carleton, Banim, and
Miss Edgeworth. Boucicault's famous
play (The Colleen Bawn) was based on
this tale, which was published in 1828.
Not many years later the broken-hearted
writer entered a convent, where he died
at the early age of thirty-seven, under
the name of Brother Joseph. The inci-
dents of the book are founded on fact,
having occurred near Limerick, Ireland.
The story is one of disappointed love,
of successful treachery, broken hearts,
and evil fame deserved »; but in the
end virtue is rewarded. Like most other
novels of its period, it is diffuse and over-
sentimental; but it is likely to live for its
faithful delineation of Irish character at
its best- and worst.
The hero is a young rogue who begins
his career as guide to a rascally blind
beggar. The beggar ill-treats him, and
he avenges himself cruelly but comic-
ally. He then passes into the service
of a priest, a country squire, a “par-
doner,” a chaplain, and an alguazil.
The author leaves him in the position
of town-crier of Toledo.
opened the way for the novela pica-
resca, i. e. , the novel of thieves, to
which we (Guzman d'Alfarache)
and "Gil Blas); and is one of the best
of its kind. The author shows his ori-
ginality by breaking away from the
magicians, fairies, knights errant, and
all the worn-out material of the Middle
Ages, and borrowing his characters from
the jovial elements to be found in the
shady side of society. All his charac-
ters, as well as the hero, are vaga-
bonds, beggars, thievish innkeepers,
knavish lawyers, or monks who have
become disreputable; and all throb with
intense life in his brisk and highly
colored narrative. Every episode in
Lazarillo's checkered existence is a mas-
terpiece of archness and good-humor.
The work, which created in epoch in
the history of Spanish prose, is, un-
fortunately, unfinished: the author, hav-
ing apparently become a little ashamed
of this offspring of his youth, refused
to complete it. A second part was
added by De Luna, a refugee at Paris,
in the following century; but it is far
from having the qualities of Mendoza's
fragment.
was
ance
»
Lazarillo de Tormes, by Diego, Hur-
This pica-
resque » novel was first published in 1553,
but was written when the author was
a student at Salamanca (1520-23). Men-
doza's authorship has been questioned,
and it has been attributed to Juan de
Ortega, and to certain bishops, who
are said to have composed it on their
way to the Council of Trent. Still,
the probabilities are all in favor of
Mendoza, and it is the work upon
wluch his literary fame chiefly rests.
Le
es Miserables, by Victor Hugo, ap-
peared April 3d, 1862. Before publi-
cation it
translated
into nine
languages; and its simultaneous appear-
at Paris, London, Brussels, New
York, Madrid, Berlin, Saint Petersburg,
and Turin, was a literary event. It has
since been translated into twelve other
languages. Hugo's first novel since his
great mediæval romance Notre Dame
de Paris,' published thirty-one years
earlier, Les Misérables) is a story of
the nineteenth century. It gives a com-
prehensive view of Paris, and discloses
the author's conception of the present
time, and his suggestions for the future.
Though a novel with a purpose, it is
questionable whether the poet's feeling
for the ideal and picturesque does not
exceed the reformer's practical sense
and science. Les Misérables) is often


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SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
451
criticized for lack of unity and careless hero is dying. In this complicated his-
arrangement of its abundant matter; but tory, which involves many characters,
its enormous knowledge of life and his- chiefly types of the poor, the unfortu-
tory, and its imaginative power, give it nate, and the vicious of Paris, certain
an irresistible fascination. The central
passages stand out with dramatic intens-
figure of the five books which compose ity; among them being the famous
the story is Jean Valjean, a simple chapter of the battle of Waterloo; the
hard-working peasant, who, stealing a description of the Paris sewers, through
loaf of bread for his sister's starving the intricacies of which Jean Valjean
children, is arrested and condemned to flees with wounded Marius; and of the
the galleys for five years, a punishment defense of the barricade, where Gav-
lengthened to nineteen years by his at- roche, the best existing study of a Paris
tempts to escape. Cruelty and privation gamin, gathers bullets and sings defi-
render him inert and brutish; and on antly as he meets death. The place of
his release the convict begs in vain, till (Les Misérables) is in the front rank of
the Bishop of D- takes him in and successful romantic fiction.
gives him food and shelter.
The aged
Bishop is a saint, shaping his life in Red as a Rose is She, by Rhoda
literal obedience to the divine com-
Broughton. This commonplace love-
mands; but in return for his kindness,
story is very simply told. The scene is
laid in Wales. The heroine, Esther
Valjean steals his silver and escapes in
the night. When the police bring the
Craven, promises to marry Robert Bran-
culprit back, the Bishop saves him by
don, «to keep him quiet,” though caring
declaring that the silver had been a free
much less for him than for her only
brother. But on a visit she meets the
gift to him. Touched to the heart, Val-
heaven-appointed lover, and notwith-
jean henceforth believes in goodness and
makes it his law. His future life is a
standing her engagement the two at once
fall in love.
series of self-sacrifices, resulting in
Interested friends, who do
moral growth. He becomes in time a
not approve the affair, plot and bear
false witness to break it off. Esther
rich manufacturer, mayor of his town,
and noted philanthropist.
confesses to Brandon her change of
Among
other good deeds, he befriends Fantine,
feeling, and he is man enough to re-
lease her. Then ensues
a grisette abandoned by her lover, and
a period of
forced into a life of degradation to sup-
loneliness, misunderstanding, and hard-
port her child.
Fantine dies just as
ship for the heroine, whose character
Valjean is arrested by Javert, an im-
is ripened by adversity. When happi-
placable detective who has recognized
ness once more stands waiting for her,
the ex-convict. Valjean temporarily
she has learned how to use its gifts.
evades him,
but wherever he goes,
The story moves quickly, and is enter-
Javert ferrets him out. Finally to save
taining
another man mistaken for him, Valjean
surrenders himself and is returned to
. Like the other
the galleys. He escapes, and rescues works of Zschokke, this is renowned for
Fantine's child, little Cosette, from the its graphic description of natural scen-
cruel Thénardiers, sordid inn-keepers to ery, its precise delineation of society
whom her mother had intrusted her. and exact portraiture of the class of
She grows up a beautiful, loving girl, which it treats, as well as for its moral,
the solace of his life, and for her sake philanthropic, and beneficial tendency.
he accomplishes his supreme sacrifice. Its English equivalent may be found in
Marius, a worthy young man, falls in the charming tales of Mary Howitt.
love with her. Valjean arranges the Oswald, the Swiss soldier, «returning
marriage, conceals her ignoble birth, from the wars, finds his native village
and provides for her future. But Mar- of Goldenthal sunk into the depths of
ius misjudges him, and believes him misery and degradation; its inhabitants
guilty of unworthy conduct; and for Co- lazy, shiftless, hampered with debt, fre-
sette's sake, the old man leaves her. quenters of public houses, lost to all
But he cannot live without her; and sense of moral responsibility. He de-
when Marius learns his mistake, discov- votes himself to the amelioration of
ers that he owes his life to Valjean, and their condition; in which, by the help of
hurries to him with Cosette, the patient the lovely Elizabeth, the miller's daugh-
a
The Goldmakers' Villages by Johann


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452
SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
ure
ter and then his wife, he is successful: schemers and professional beauties, sol-
so developing the various sources of com- diers and merchants, princes and beg.
fort and improvement; so exemplifying by gars. Even St. Simeon Stylites on his
practical illustration the multiplied meth- | pillar is painted in all his repulsive
ods by which a patriot of philanthropy hideousness of saintly squalor. A pretty
may serve the best interests of his fellow- interlude to the development of the story
citizens and country, that in the end he is afforded by several charming interpre-
is rewarded by seeing the home of his tations of the old legend of Narcissus
youth on a par with the best organized, and the Echo.
best conducted, and best credited vil-
Jages of the community, and the “Gold-
ife and Letters of Lord Macaulay,
Life
The, edited and arranged by his
enthalers, from being a synonym to
their neighbors for all that is worthless,
nephew, Sir George Otto Trevelyan
(1876), is recognized as a biography of
at length known and honored as the
whose excellence English literature may
«Goldmakers, for the
thrift which
boast. From the great historian's cor-
changes everything it touches into pre-
respondence, private memoranda, and
cious metal. Although the precise local-
original drafts of his essays and speeches,
ity of the “Goldmakers' Village cannot
and from the recollections of friends and
be found, yet it is to be feared that
relatives, the author has produced a
many an obscure locality can be dis-
model book. Macaulay's untiring pa-
covered where, in many points, the pict-
tience of preparation, the tireless labor
can be matched, and where the
benevolent enterprise of another Oswald
expended in collecting materials, his
is equally necessary.
amazing assiduity in arranging them,
his unequaled memory, and his broad
“
popular sympathies, are sympathetically
Last Athenian, The (Sidste Athe-
described, and reveal to us the most
naren'), by Viktor Rydberg (1880),
distinguished, progressive, industrious,
translated from the Swedish by W. W.
able, versatile party leader of the first
Thomas in 1883. The scene of the novel
is laid in Athens in the fourth century
half of this century. The genuine hon-
esty and worth of his character, and
of our own era; and deals with the inner
dissensions of the Christian church, the
his brilliant scholarship, are as evident
as his limitation in the fields of the
struggles and broils of the Homoiousians
and Athanasians, and the social and
highest imagination. Throughout the
book Trevelyan suppresses himself con-
political conditions involved in or affected
by these differences. The corruption of
scientiously, with the result that this
work ranks among the most faithful and
the upper classes, the lingering power of
absorbing biographies in English.
the old religion of Greece, the strange
melée of old and new philosophies and Phases of Thought and Criticism, by
erratic social codes, are presented by the Brother Azarias, of the Brothers of
introduction of many types and individ- the Christian Schools (Patrick Francis
uals. But a confusing multiplicity of Mullany). A book of search for the
interests and characters interferes with a ideal in thought, with special reference
clear view. The stage is too crowded. to the cultivation of religious sentiment
The parts of the plot are woven together on the basis of the Catholic faith. The
about the love-story of Hermione, daugh- writer states the principles for which
ter of the philosopher Chrysanteus, and he contends, and what may be called
a young Athenian of the degenerate the logic of spiritual discernment, and
type, who from a promising youth then makes an application of them in
passes into the idle and heartless dissi- very carefully executed studies of the
pation of the typical Athenian aristocrat. (Imitation of À Kempis, «The Divina
Influenced by divided motives, he makes Commedia) of Dante, and the In Me-
an attempt to regain his moral standing, moriam) of Tennyson. These three
and does regain Hermione's confidence; studies show the author at, his best, as
but on his wedding night, he is killed an ardent traveler on the road that
by the lover of a young Jewish girl leads to the Life and the Light. ) The
whom he has betrayed and deserted. last of the three is the most elaborate;
The famous historic figures of the epoch and in it the zealous expounder of spir-
are all introduced into Rydberg's pict- itual method “watches a great modern
ure,
emperors and bishops, political poet wrestling with the problem of


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SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
453
men
bridging the chasm which yawns be- Open Letter to the Moon,' A Bitter
tween agnosticism and Christianity. ” Complaint of an Ungentle Reader, are
some of the fantastic and alluring titles.
My
The essayist owns the artistic soul, and
Hugh Miller (1854), is one of the
finds A Pleasing Encounter with a Pick-
most delightful of autobiographies as far
pocket) pleasing, not because the pick-
as it goes. (It stops with Miller's as-
pocket was marched off by a policeman,
sumption of the editorship of the Edin-
as would be satisfactory to the ordinary
burgh Witness in 1840 - after which he
victim of his cleverness, but because he
was teacher rather than pupil. ) The
author desired it to be regarded as “a
displays such ability in eluding that fate
that the despoiled one applauds him as
sort of educational treatise, thrown into
a fellow-artist. "The Great Playground
the narrative form, and addressed more
especially to workingmen); but
is a charming paper on out-of-doors; full
of the gipsy love of freedom, which is
and women of all classes find it good
almost greater with the author than her
reading For seventeen years covered
love of books, of dogs, or of old things.
by this volume, he worked at the trade
of stone-mason,— though he had been
(An Inquirendo into the Wit and Other
Good Parts of his Late Majesty King
carefully educated by his two uncles,
Charles the Second) attempts for the
and possessed an extensive knowledge
Merry Monarch what Froude attempted
of English language, history, and liter-
for Henry VIII. The piece is in the
ature,- spending his spare time in geo-
form of a dialogue between a holder of
logical research and in reading. His
the generally accepted view of the Sec-
remarkable powers of observation he
ond Charles's character, and a devoted
must have developed early: he speaks of
admirer of that sovereign, who wears a
remembering in later life things that
sprig of green in his hat on the anniver-
only a sharp eye would have noted, as
far back as the end of his third year.
sary of the Restoration, and feeds the
swans in St. James's Park, because his
Having disposed of his parents' bio-
Majesty once loved to do so.
This apol-
graphy in the first chapter, the work
ogist considers Charles II. as the last
narrates his earliest recollections of his
own life, his school days, his youthful
sovereign with a mind; and for that
merit, he can find it in his heart to for.
adventures, the awakening of his taste
by one of his uncles for the study of
give much to that cynical and humorous
gentleman.
nature, his first attempts at authorship,
visits to the Highlands, choice of
trade, moving to Edinburgh, religious Nelson, The Life of, by Captain A. T.
Mahan. This monumental biography
views, illness, receiving an accountant-
ship in a branch bank at Cromarty,
is a sort of supplement to the author's
(Influence of Sea-Power. ) He considers
marriage, the death of his infant daugh-
Lord Nelson as “the one man who in
ter, etc. It abounds in stories, interesting
himself summed up and embodied the
experiences, keen observation of natural
objects, and anecdotes of prominent
greatness of the possibilities which Sea
Power comprehends, – the man for whom
men,- all in an admirable style.
genius and opportunity worked together,
Patrins, by Louise Imogen Guiney, is to make the personification of the navy
a collection of twenty short essays
of Great Britain the dominant factor in
on things of the day, with one disquisi- the periods hitherto treated. ” Earl Nel-
tion on King Charles II. The little son arose, and in him all the promises of
papers are called Patrins, from the the past found their finished realization,
Romany word signifying the handfuls of their perfect fulfillment. ” Making use
scattered leaves by which the gipsies of the materials of the many who have
mark the way they have passed; Miss written biographies of this fascinating
Guiney's road through the thought-coun- personality, and even richer materials
try being marked by these printed that came into his possession, it was
leaves. The essays are distinctly lit- Captain Mahan's object “to disengage
erary in form and feeling; the style is the figure of the hero from the glory that
grace itself; the matter airy yet subtle, cloaks it. ” His method is to make Nel.
whimsical and quite out of the common. son «describe himself, tell the story of
On the Delights of an Incognito,) (On his own inner life as well as of his
Dying as a Dramatic Situation, An external actions. » He therefore extracts


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454
SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
a
And among
re-
from the voluminous correspondence ex-
tant passages that enable him to detect
the leading features of temperament,
traits of thought and motives of action,
and thence to conceive within himself,
by gradual familiarity even more than
by formal effort, the character therein
revealed. ” In the same way as he thus
reproduces his individuality, so he treats
of his military actions; showing not
merely what he did, but also the princi-
ples that dominated him throughout his
life. The author's logical faculty stood
him in good stead in thus concentrating
documentary evidence to bear on mooted
points, and he most skillfully unravels
tangled threads. At the same time his
vivid and richly embroidered style, com-
bined with just the right degree of dig-
nity, makes his presentation of mingled
biography and history as interesting as
a romance and as satisfying as history.
The two stately volumes are adorned
with numerous portraits and engravings,
and with maps and plans explanatory of
the battles and engagements described.
Am
merican Conflict, The, by Horace
Greeley. This history is not
stricted to the period of armed conflict
between the North and South in the
sixties; but purports to give, in two
large volumes, an account of the drift
of public opinion in the United States
regarding human slavery from 1776 to
the close of the year 1865.
The most
valuable feature of this history is the
incorporation into it of letters, speeches,
political platforms, and other documents,
which show authentically and beyond
controversy the opinions and dogmas
accepted by political parties and their
chiefs, and approved by public opinion
North and South; as the author justly
remarks, nothing could so clearly show
the influences of slavery in molding the
opinions of the people and in shaping
the destinies of the country. Thus the
work is a great magazine of materials
for the political history of the United
States with regard to slavery; and what-
ever judgment may be passed on its
author's philosophy of the great conflict,
the trustworthiness of his volumes, sim-
ply as a record of facts and authentic
declarations of sectional and partisan
opinion, is unquestionable.
The Oxford Reformers of 1498: JOHN
ERASMUS,
THOMAS
MORE: A history of their Fellow-Work,
by Frederic Seebohm. (1867, 1887. ) A
work not designed to offer biographies
of the persons named, but to carefully
study their joint work at Oxford. John
Colet, a son of Sir Henry Colet,
wealthy merchant who had been more
than once Lord Mayor of London, and
was in favor at the court of Henry
VII. , had come home from study in
Italy to Oxford in 1496; and, although he
was not a Doctor, nor even a deacon
preparing for full clerical dignity, he
startled the conservatism of the church
and the university by announcing a
course of public free lectures on the
epistles of Paul. It was a strikingly
new-departure proceeding, not only in
the boldness of a layman giving lectures
on religion, but in new views to be
brought out. What was called the New
Learning, starting from study of Greek,
or the world's best literature, was tak-
ing root at Oxford. Two men of note,
Grocyn and Linacre, who had learned
Greek, were working hard to awaken at
Oxford interest in the study of Greek.
the young students Colet
found one, not yet of age, who showed
the finest type of English genius. He
was called “Young Master More. ” The
fine quality of his intelligence was even
surpassed by the sweetness of his spirit
and the charm of his character. He
was destined to be known as Sir Thomas
More, one of the great historic examples
of what Swift, and after him Matthew
Arnold, called sweetness and light. ”
Colet was thirteen years older than
More, but the two held close converse
in matters of learning and humanity.
They were Humanists, as the men of
interest in all things human were called.
Colet and More had been together at
Oxford a year when a third Humanist
appeared upon the scene in 1497, the
year in which John Cabot discovered
North America. This was Erasmus, who
was already a scholar, after the manner
of the time, in Latin. He came to Ox-
ford to become a scholar in Greek. He
was scarcely turned thirty,- just Colet's
age,- and had not yet begun to make a
great name. The story of the three men
runs on to 1519, into the early dawn of
the Lutheran Reformation. Colet be-
a Doctor and the Dean of St.
Paul's Cathedral in London (1499), and
on his father's death (1510), uses his
inherited fortune to found St. Paul's
School, in which 153 boys of any nation
comes
AND


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SYNOPSES OF NOTED BOOKS
455
assumes.
were
or country should be instructed in the must modify a religion; of the general
world's best literature, Greek as well as lines of progress; of the extra-national
Latin; and not monkish church Latin, extension of a conquering religion; and
but ancient classical Latin. Colet de- of the universal religions, which he limits
clared that the corrupt Latin which the to three: Brahmanism, which has grown
later blind world brought in, and which into Buddhism; Judaism, which has grown
may be called Blotterature rather than into Christianity; and the old Arabian
Literature, should be «utterly banished faith, whose product is Islam. And the
and excluded. ) Erasmus wrote a work outlook is that as the great civilized and
(On the Liberal Education of Boys. ) | civilizing nations of the world, in whose
Colet wrote a Latin grammar for his hands are science and philosophy, lit-
boys, by which he hoped they might be erature and art, political and social
helped to “grow to perfect literature. ) progress, hold also to the tenets of
It was in line with the new learning, Christianity, they will carry that faith
that Erasmus edited, and secured the with them and plant it wherever they
printing of, the New Testament in Greek, go, but in a higher form than it now
hoping it would lead, as it later did, to
an English version. He said of «the In following the subject proper, Pro-
sacred Scriptures: I wish these
fessor Toy begins with the period repre-
translated into all languages, so that sented by the name of Ezra, examines
they might be read and understood. I the prophetic writings, and follows the
long that the husbandman should sing literary development of the time as rep-
portions of them to himself as he fol- resented in the ceremonial and uncanoni-
lows the plow, that the weaver should cal books. The progress and variations
hum them to the tune of his shuttle, of the doctrine of God and of sub-
that the traveler should beguile with ordinate supernatural intelligences, both
their stories the tedium of his journey. ) good and evil; the Jewish and Christian
It was in the same humanist spirit that ideas of the nature of man, his attitude
More wrote his Utopia,' published in towards God, his hopes of perfection,
1516, and embodying the visions of hope the nature of sin and righteousness; the
and progress floating before the eyes of inclusions of the ethical code of both
the three «Oxford Reformers. ) More Jew and Christian; the two conceptions
was about entering into the service of of the kingdom of God; the beliefs re-
Henry VIII. ; and he wrote the intro- specting immortality, resurrection, and
duction or prefatory book of the (Uto- the new dispensation; and finally, an
pia, for the express purpose of speaking examination of the relation of Jesus to
out boldly on the social condition of the Christianity,—these occupy the remain-
country and on the policy of the King. der of the volume.
Mr. Toy concludes that both the Cath-
Judaism and Christianity, by Craw- olic and Protestant branches of Christ-
ford Howell Toy, professor in Har- ianity have followed the currents of
vard University. (1890. ) The sub-title modern thought; that there is not a
of this valuable book modestly describes phase of science, philosophy, or litera-
it as a sketch of the progress of thought ture, but has left its impress on the
from Old Testament to New Testament. body of beliefs that control Christendom,
The history opens with an introduction yet that the person of Jesus has main-
of less than fifty pages, as clear as it is tained its place as the centre of religious
condensed, on the general laws of the life. The tone of the book is undog-
advance from national to universal re- matic; and its fine scholarship, clearness
ligions. The rise of Christianity out of of statement, and delightful narrative
Judaism Professor Toy treats as a logi- style, make it agreeable and instructive
cal and natural instance of progress. reading for the laic.
He points out the social basis of re-
ligion, and analyzes and describes the emoirs of General W. T. Sherman,
growth of society, with its laws of ad-
written by himself.