Life — November 27, 1884 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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- LIFE: as well as writer of stories, so that his experiences are more varied and entertaining than those of a purely literary man. . * * and pleasing specimens of it are published for the first time in “ A Sketch of the Life and Times of Sydney Smith” (Harper & Brothers). * * ° T HE Commerctal Advertiser's series of short stories by | American authors is happily begun with Boyesen’s “ Daring Fiction.” It is free from the somebreness which is found in so many of his stories, and has the basis in it of a very entertaining three act comedy. . . . RET HARTE'S “Sarah Walker” opens a similar series in the Sun syndicate of newspapers. It is a humorous and sympathetic sketch of child-life. * * * | ENRY L. NELSON is the clever Washington corre- spondent of the Boston Pos¢ and secretary of Speaker | Carlisle, who in the late campaign made some dangerous remarks on the free trade views of Governor Cleveland. He has just published a novel, “ John Rantoul,” which is credita- ble to his skill in using clear, crisp, effective language. It is also a matter of congratulation that, although the scene is partly laid in Washington, we are saved the picture of political, official and social snobbery which has become the | stock-in-trade of Washington novels. There are two well- drawn characters which stand out from the rest with considerable individuality. The lay-figures are indistinct but unconventional. But why should such a clever writer afflict the public with another phase of adulterous love? The | term may be strong, for no positive sin is committed; but we have had a deluge of popular novels lately filled with . false sentiment on this subject, and it is time to plainly call a halt. The French have long since proved that they can supply the demand for all such literature, and their gilding of vice is far more brilliant and artistic than any home imitations. (J. R. Osgood & Co.) Drocu. * * + HE most attractive calendars thus far received are those of Holmes and Emerson, arranged by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. ° . ° HE sensations one experiences in looking over Mr. Ved- der’s illustrations to the famous poem of Omar Khayyam | are multifarious and conflicting. The work is that of an artist, and of an artist with a vigorous and poetic fancy, but of a purely intellectual order. The receptive individual who is informed on good authority that these drawings are soulful and “subtle” can, by putting his whole mind on it, realise, or think he real- ises, the profound profundity of Mr. Vedder's meaning. There is much, however, that is stiff in composition and clumsy in drawing between the beholder and the idea to be 299 grasped. Mirth and melancholy struggle for supremacy when we see the washerwomen from the covers of the Cen- | tury figuring as Persian beauties in poor Omar's poem. THE wit of Sydney Smith is ever fresh, and many new | BOOKS RECEIVED. The Century Magazine, November, 1883, to November, 1884. | The Century Co., N. Y. The St. Nicholas Magasine, Vol. XI. Century Co., N. Y. Baby World, compiled from St. Nicholas by Mary Mapes Dodge. The Century Co., N. Y. An American Politician, by F. Marion Crawford. Houghton, Parts I, and JI, The | Mifflin & Co., Boston. Dark Days, by Hugh Conway (F. J. Fargus). & Co., N.Y Chey Susan, and other Stories, by Wm. Henry Bishop. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. The Field of Honor, by Major B,C, Truman, Fords, Howard Henry Holt | & Hulbert, N.Y. On a Margin, N.Y. Flower Song Series. and Glen, ete. N.Y. Anonymous. Fords, Howard & Hulbert, Roses and Forget-Me-Nots, From Moss By Susie B, Skelding. White, Stokes & Allen, THE FROLICSOME LION. A’ old Lion, having concluded to have some fun, dressed himself in the skin of an old Kentucky Mule and set out ona journey for the purpose of deceiv- ing people by his little joke; but he had not gone far before an old Farmer, who, thinking that he had dis- covered a stray Mule, seized him, and having hitched him to a plow, broke up four acres of rocky land with him before discovering what kind of an animal he was subjecting to such indignity. Mora. :—This Fable teaches that not every Philosopher would sparkle and flourish as a Clown; and that too many jokes often mar the symmetry of a grave discourse. comicbooks.com