The Countess of Rudolstadt. (Sequel to Consuelo.) By George Sand. Translated by F. G. Shaw. Boston: Wm. D. Ticknor & Co. 2 vols. 12mo.
Consuelo is undoubtedly the best and purest book of its distinguished authoress. In the present work the long story of the heroine is concluded. It has great merits as a delineation of life and character, and evidences a wider sweep of mind than belongs to any other woman of the time; but it is deformed by the writer’s peculiar philosophical, ethical, and social system, and toward the end rather fades away into a dramatic statement of opinions. Perhaps, however, it is the best expression yet given of the whole mind of the authoress, and it might be profitably studied as an expression of the opinions and objects of the extreme radical party of Europe—the party which aims to supplant not merely political but social institutions—the party which would take the world upon its knee, as a Yankee does a stick, and whittle it into a new shape. George Sand, of course, with all her masculine habits of thought and action, is still rather ignorant of many of the topics she confidently discusses, and not unfrequently suggests that portion of the old song, which expresses pity that charming women should talk about what they do not understand; but she grapples with a large number of debatable subjects as well as most male reformers. Mr. Shaw’s translation is very well done.
Cyclopædia of English Literature. Edited by Robert Chambers. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln.
This work is now in the course of publication in semi-monthly parts, to be concluded in sixteen numbers at twenty-five cents each. It contains a history of English literature from the earliest period to the present day, and a biography and criticism of each author, together with extracts from his writings. It thus gives a view of the whole broad field of English literature, through five centuries of time, and in every department of thought in which the genius and talent of the nation have been exercised. The American edition is printed, we believe, from the English plates, and contains an immense number of portraits and illustrative pictures. It is one of the cheapest books ever printed, and one, too, calculated to afford instruction and delight to every order of mind. We trust that it will have a large circulation in the United States. It will be a good guide to the reading public in the choice of books, and enable them to see at a glance the relative value of English authors. It is both a library in itself, and a friendly adviser in the selection of a library. About a thousand authors are referred to in the work, and from most of them the editor has made extracts.
Travels in Peru. By Dr. J. J. Von Tschudi. Translated from the German, by Thomasini Ross. New York: Wiley & Putnam. 2 parts. 12mo.
To that large portion of the reading public who delight in narratives of travel and descriptions of foreign scenery and manners, this work will be very acceptable. It is the production of an honest and learned German scholar, and relates to a country whose population and natural characteristics are full of materials to interest the general reader, the student, and the man of science. The author is not a brilliant writer, and his narrative presents none of those flashing imaginations which delight the reader of Lamartine and Kinglake, but he is uniformly solid, judicious, and pleasing. He contrives to convey a clear impression of every thing which came under his notice, during a long residence in Peru, and gives the results of the most extensive researches and careful observations.
Ballads and other Poems. By Mary Howitt. New York: Wiley & Putnam. 1 vol. 12mo.