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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1889)
THE HESPERIAN. 3 LITERARY. The magazine, literature for March is unusually interesting nml instructive. There arc the Century and Harper's, The Forum, Scribner's and a multitude of others with an attractive index. While it may he doubtful, whether or not the reading of monthly magazines, to the exclusion of every thing else, is conducive to a healthy literary taste, still that is the only way one can keep informed of what is going on in the world around him. And it is one's duty as a man, and especially as an Amer ican, to have decided and well founded opinions on current topics, whether historical (political), economic, or religious. It takes time for the writing of a certain period to crystallize into what may c caucu a "iiivraiurc, ucuv.u u um. uuuu.n.a himself to the rcrflling of what is called "standard" literature he will miss much that is fresh, that is new, and that has a direct hearing upon the life he lives. To be sure he will keep clear of a great deal of trash and "gush," but in reading current publications it is not supposed that one will goat it in a haphazard manner. Hence I think that a judicious amount of reading in magazines aud other periodicals is not only profitable, but necessary. Harper's for March, contains the continuation of the papers on "Norway and its People," mention of which was made in this column some time ago. There is also a very large amount of interesting reading particularly an article on "The Institute of France" by Theodore Child. The Forum contains a paper on the "Dar win Theory" that is worth the reading of any one. The Century, besides Kcnnan's usual paper, ana a story u George Jcssop, has a review by Edward Eggleston's on James Brycc's new book, "The American Commonwealth." This book comes nearer giving a correct representation of American political institutions, than any thing of the kind that has been written by a foreigner, for a long time. Compared with Max O'Rcil's book, "Jonathan and his Continent," this book may be said to give an absolutely life like picture of the United States. While it is not possible for all to read Trofessor Brycc's book, all can read Eggleston's review of it, a review that shows the faults that exist and gives ciedit for the uond. There is also in the Century the beginning of a serial story by Mary Hallock Foote. Those who have read "John Bodcwin's Testimony" by the same author will no doubt take pleasure in reading this new production, for while the pictures of western life represented, are sometimes too highly colored and overdrawn, yet on the whole they arc remarkably accurate, and commend themselves to anyone who knows anything whatever about the subject treated by them. A recent issue of The Literary World, contains a letter . . rir AJ-.ee HpC from an American gentleman, by tnc namcui va., -,, All are ,5w o ;; tn Ponnt Tolstoi. The visit must nave uec vC4 engaged upon at the present time. The answer containsd a great deal of information. It seems that there arc now in process of construction several books, principally upon relig ious and social problems. To Tolstoi the essay, or treatise style, seems preferable to that of the novel, for while a truth can be stated with as much force in a novel as in an essay, and pci haps with added strength, because of the indirect method of teaching the lesson, still the precept, of which the story is the elaboration, is lost on many as it is under a mass of incidents and dtscription. A great many people will read a book and miss the real good there is in it. They arc pleased if it "turns out right," but they do not see the appli cation of that turning to real life. So Tolstoi said to his visitor that he thought he would not employ the novel as a means of teaching some of the lessons he desires to teach. Among other books, the count is going to uuitc, or compile a "Book of Selections," ana to do this, he wishes the aid of Ameri cans. So Mr. Van Ness, whose residence is in Denver, Col orado, is commissioned to receive, aud forward articles to the count. Of course these contribut ons will be of a very high grade. This seems to bring Tolstoi nearer to America, for not only is he asking the opinion of Americans on certain topics, but he has a friend only five hundred miles from here, who is to collect those opinions. To many, Tolstoi is simply a Russian; there is no idea of a closer bond than that of com mon humanity. But there is more; the count speaks English reads English and is interested in English and American affairs. So that we sec the world is to be enriched by addi tions to its literature from the pen of perhaps the greatest living novelist. Notwithstanding Jthc statement in Mr. Van Ness' letter that the Count will write no more novels, the Current Liter ature says thatZhe is even now engaged in writing one, or rather is engaged in changing an essay into a novel. Accord ing to this publication, the work is all done, except the form in which it shall be, printed. This, if it be true, directly contradicts the words of Tolstoi as given in the Literary Wood's letter. However, be the truth what it may, the subject matter for the new book is a most interesting and important one. The aim of the book will be to show the lack of sincerity, or lasting qualities, in what is generally known as love. At first sight this seems rather a startling attempt, but if one is anything of a pessimist or a cynic, he will be slow to say that Tolstoi's idea is entirely wrong1 The "story" part of this discussion, will be the adventures of an unhappy couple, culminating in the murder of the wife by the husband. This, developed as only Tolstoi can develop it, will make an intensely interesting book. Whatever is the truth of the statement in regard to the new novel, all will admit that the alleged subject is worth the attention and care of evan a Tolstoi. But there seems to be a doubt as to whether the Current Literature is correct. For not only does its statement ex actly contradict the words of Tolstoi to Mr. Van Ness, bat there is in it an expression, or reference, which Tolstoi is credited with having made which it is impossible that he could have made. In staitng the line on which the book would be written the count says, "Not in one case out of a hundred does romantic love result in a lifelong happy union. ' Romantic love is like opium or hasheesh. The sen sation is overpowering, but it is passing. If Anna Karenina had married Leven she must have abandoned him likewise." Now everybody knpws that Anna Karenina never thought of marrying Leven; she was not in love with him at all, so the argument is of no weight but rather detracts from the proba- .. f i!...1hv1k e-rx :., K1 e ti ,1icrr ntionol U IS parutuiany w more or less familiar with the count, familiar that is, through his writings, so there is no need, or excuse for mentioning especially, that part of the letter which describes his personal manners and appearance. Indeed it is a question whether or not such a reference would pay for the trouble, so great is the distance (seemingly) between Tolstoi and the genera reading public in this country. But what all are interested ,n, and what all have a desire to hear of, is the writing of the gifted Russian. And by that I do not necessarily mean the pas works of Tolstoi, but that which he is.now doing, or contem- plates doing. Mr. Van Ness in me course m j he sta5ementi Ifti,e author of "Anna Karenina,' tion with the count, put the inquiry, as to what work he was V
