GEORGE W. CHILDS, PUBLISHER, Nos. 628 & 630 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, GEO. N. DAVIS, 119 Rua Direita, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Agent for South America. A. ROMAN, San Francisco, California, Agent for the Pacific Coast. STEPHENS & CO., 10 Calle Mercaderes, Habana, Agents for the West Indies. Subscriptions or Advertisements for the "American Literary Gazette" will be received by the above Agents, and they will forward to the Editor any Books or Publications intended for notice. OUR CONTINENTAL CORRESPONDENCE. APRIL 16, 1866. PARIS, March 2, 1866. THERE are eclipses of the sun and eclipses of the moon. When the latter occur, a few idle people thrust their heads through the window and languidly stare at the struggling moon. The former arrest all business, make every body look up, disturb the rumination of the beasts of the field, and frighten the birds of the air to roost. So there are, too, receptions at the French Academy of eminent men, who shine with their own particular and splendid light above the literary horizon; and receptions of less distinguished men, whose effulgence has various phases, and is never original, and is never dazzling. One of these lunar receptions has taken place since I wrote you. It attracted what in these days is considered a full house; but the dimensions of our wives and daughters have so dwindled the capacity of our public buildings, that, crowded as the house was, it contained only onehalf the number of persons which in pre-crinoline days would have been considered a full audience. This social nation is so fond of conversation in company, as to flock in numbers wherever the national passion may be gratified, even to halls where the conversation is carried on in discourses each of which is an hour long. The distinguishing 'difference of the receptions at the French Academy does not lie so much in the number, as in the quantity of the audience. At the more brilliant receptions every person in the audience has a name familiar throughout France. At the obscurer receptions, there is scarcely a person whose name is known beyond his baker and his milkmaid. essays. The captain's susceptibility at first revolted The reception of M. Camille Doucet was one of these obscurer receptions. I do not think, however, it deserved M. Villemain's epigram, for Count Alfred de Vigny's reputation was founded upon unquestioned talents. M. Flourens was to have replied to M. Doucet's speech; illness kept him to his chamber. A gentleman lamented to M. Villemain M. Flourens' absence. "Call him a lucky fellow," rejoined the sarcastic perpetual secretary of the French Academy; "he has escaped the hard-pupil, M. de Vigny, having corrected the last proofship of pleading extenuating circumstances for two miserable sinners." You know the academician who answers the new comer's speech is obliged to praise the departed, and the elected member. M. Doucet's eulogy on Count Alfred de Vigny contained some interesting passages which I think you may regret not to see. Will you forbear raising a taunting finger if I break the dry bones, and lay the marrow of the speech before you? He said: "Everything for letters, everything by letters is my life,' said to me one day the illustrious author of 'Eloa,' 'Chatterton,' and 'Cinq Mars.' In speaking in this manner Count Alfred de Vigny painted himself better than any person could have done. . . The biography of Count Alfred de Vigny is to be written rather with the history of his works than with the rare accidents of an unanimated life, without anecdotes and voluntarily passed in retirement. Without having had the honor to be admitted into his familiar intimacy, I knew him well enough to appreciate his person as much as his talents. . There existed then in Paris a very piquant review, La Muse Française,' which was both literary, political, romantic, and royalist; for which writers, nearly all of whom are dear to the Academy, labored. M. de Vigny gave his first pages of prose to this magazine, and I shall not offend the memory of the author of Cinq Mars,' but I shall astonish you when I say the magazine hesitated to publish these essays, so incorrect did their style appear. M. Emile Deschamps and St. Valry were obliged to take upon themselves to make considerable changes in these sheet of 'Cinq Mars,' wrote his private opinion of this work in these words: 'Dec. 9, 1826, ended revising the last proof-sheet of 'Cinq Mars. The originality of this work consists in everything in it wearing the air of romance, and everything in it is history; but it is a trick of skill of composition for which nobody feels grateful, and which, while making the The testamentary executor and literary heir of Count Alfred de Vigny, in giving a report of this reception in the newspapers, makes the following comment on this statement: "When M. Doucet prints his speech, I would advise him to omit the doubtful story of de Viguy's first efforts in prose, which were so negligent, so incorrect, it was necessary to have them corrected by a friend and the polite editor of some review. Alfred de Vigny's labored and delicate talent was too early mature in its individuality for this particular to have proba bility and value. We are even at this day familiar with edi tors of magazines who make these imputations and corrections, Usually the most wonderful thing about these adventures is, not the writer's insufficiency, but the corrector's sufficiency. phal. M. Doucet probably got it from M. Antony Deschamps This gentleman is mistaken in thinking the anecdote apocry who is still alive, the brother of M. Emile Deschamps. M. de Vigny's literary heir relates an anecdote which explains a felt that M. de Vigny was not made senator; it was notorious mystery that puzzled many persons here. Great surprise was he was in circumstances of straitened fortune; the Emperor and Empress were both very fond of him; the newspapers have made him easy (a senator receives $6000 a year)for repeatedly announced his promotion to the honor which would the honor never came. This is the reason of it. Just before the birth of the imperial Prince, the Minister of Public Instruc of the new dynasty. He replied: "I don't know how to write tion asked M. de Vigny to write an ode in honor of the hope such things." Lockhart's Memoirs of Scott and Fenimore Cooper's account of his interview with the Author of Waverley tells very different tale-Scott did not begin to break until after 1830. APRIL 16, 1866. his work. This harmony may be discovered even in his person. It may be said of him that he was like his talents; he was, so to say, their faithful and living image. You expressed a regret at not having lived on a footing of familiarity with him. Console yourself; nobody ever lived on a footing of familiarity with him, not even he himself. . . . Let us say, that nothing may be wanting to his praise, he lived almost straitened in mediocrity, which was anything but gilded. He had, in the small domain which represented his whole patrimony, an aged forest, which, if felled, would easily have doubled his income. He would never consent to cut down the trees his fathers had planted, and under whose shade his first dreams had bloomed. I confess we have not heard without astonishment that the editors of a literary magazine were obliged to retouch the incorrect prose of Alfred de Vigny. He belonged to a class of powerful writers; he handled prose in as masterly a manner as he handled poetry. We may detect in his writings some study, but by a unique privilege, his labored style does not exclude grandeur." Here I end my extracts; for were I to give you the sketch which M. Sandeau drew of M. Doucet, I should fear your reprimand (which I am not altogether confident I shall escape) for sending a letter of unwarrantable length. reading of history more attractive by the play of the passions, makes it suspected of falsehood, and of a truth does falsify it sometimes.'. . M. de Vigny, scarcely 38 year old, definitively abandoned letters militant, and separated himself from the external world to shut himself up in his austere house, where deep afflictions were in store for him between his wife, who was always ill, and his mother, who was more than ill. That incomparable mother, who in pages of the most touching eloquence had formerly addressed him advice worthy of them both, was now wounded in the intellect as her son was wounded in the heart, and recovered her noble faculties only at the last moment to return them with her life to God. The 13th Dec. 1837, he was surprised by a visit flattering to his vanity and still more honorable to his character. The Bavarian ambassador, with whom he was unacquainted, came to ask if he would agree to enter into correspondence with the heir of the Bavarian throne, a young prince then 26 years old, assuring him the prince had the first idea of soliciting his correspondence in reading his works. After the most delicate hesitations, which were met by the most pressing appeals, he consented to accept the proposal, asking only secrecy and the express condition that neither in the present nor in the future the prince should feel obliged to show his gratitude in any other way than by a letter. He said upon any other terms it would not be a service, but a sale. The same evening, after recording this incident in a confidential note, he added: 'I read all the evening Sainte Beuve's "History of Port Royal" to my mother. She listened with extreme pleasure and a more settled and clearer mind than at any time these four years.' Three days after the 20th Dec. he had strength to add only these words: Poor mother.'. . The revolution of 1848 gave the last blow to his discouraged soul. His modest fortune having suffered by this catastrophe, reason, if not necessity, obliged him to retire to his small Chateau du Maine Giraud... Everything about M. de Vigny bore a family likeness-his character, his talents, and his reputation. Very timid, very reserved, very self-absorbed, his principle was to give publicity to his ideas and to conceal his life. His life deserved to be exhibited in broad daylight. None was simpler, more respectable, or free from all intrigue; full of decorum and distinction, a dreamy and delicate nature, not lacking in tenderness, but lacking, perhaps, communicative- a young writer, M. Jules Vallès, the author of a ness; polished, gracious, amiable, but very firm in work entitled "Les Refractaires," wrote a very flathis ideas and persevering in them with something tering article on M. Sainte Beuve, and mentioned like tenacity, he said to the Bavarian Ambassador: in the course of it that he was one of the brawlers 'Don't trust to my gentle voice; nothing is more who drove M. Sainte Beuve from his chair in the obstinate than a dove. I once knew one which it College de France. M. Sainte Beuve, on reading would have been necessary to kill to drive out of his article, sent him this note: "Ah! I have found my chamber. I left it there. It won its suit.' you out! my dear refractaire. Well, after all, you Gentle as his dove, and like it winning his suits, did me a service in interdicting that chair to me he was fond of talking, and kept the floor, express- eleven years ago. What would I have done? I ing himself slowly and preferring monologue to should have gone from Virgil to Horace; I should dialogue. But this monologue was full of sub- have returned from Horace to Virgil; I should stance, lofty, philosophical, original, without great gently have rocked myself in the study of antianimation or gayety; it was throughout shaded, quity. Have I not done better to take to sea again, but with celestial shading. He thought, acted, and to struggle with the waves? I have won ten spoke and wrote like a high-born gentleman; con-years more of active life. So I thank you for the sequently popular among the upper rather than past; I thank you for the present, and for that oriamong the lower classes, his name will remain surrounded by an aristocratic halo or cloud." M. Jules Sandeau, the well-known and universally respected novelist, replied: "Aye, M. De Vigny was both a rare poet and a rare man. I know no purer fame; I know no worthier and more justly honored life. He is a figure apart in the literary history of our day; and, view him in what light you may, it is impossible to avoid being struck by the harmony which exists between the writer and I gave you in my last letter a translation of a note from M. Sardou to M. Alberic Second, and the latter's comments on the 1000 pages of the rough draughts of the former's comedy. M. Sardou, on reading the latter, sent the following letter to M. Alberic Second: "My dear friend: I was too unwell to reply to your packet when it came. Thanks again for stating in so charming a way a truth which so many persons are inclined to doubt, namely, that a good or bad play in five acts is not written without painful anguish, assiduous labor, and a great deal of torture. How many people have still on this subject the prejudice of the provincial mayor, who, last year, interpreting the liberty of theatres after his own fashion, refused to support the demand of the agent of the Dramatic Authors' Society, to whom the impressario of the town refused to pay our copyright. The mayor exclaimed: 'Pay your authors! Get out! Pay a set of jokers who write simply to amuse themselves!' A hearty shake hands. VICTORIEN SARDOU." A few days since, ginal indulgence you show to a mind which is of truth free, and which is, above all things, sincere. I will try to merit to the last this sympathy. Truly yours, SAINTE Beuve." Here is another author's letter: "My dear Mr. Editor: I published, some months since, in your columns (Le Constitutionnel') 'Le Trompette de la Beresina.' Carried away by the current of the narrative, I made Marshal Wittgenstein play an imaginary part, which has roused the just susceptibility of his family. APRIL 16, 1866. The dramatic authors of Paris are attempting to organize a publishing house which will bring out their works and leave them some profit, if the piece sells. Efforts are being made on every side to break down the present most unjust system of publishers, who really are vampires, while the authors are but the corpses which supply blood. . . . M. Sevastianof is now in Paris superintending the photolithographing of a manuscript of Ptolemy the geographer of the twelfth century, which he copied at Mt. Athos. It will be published in 4to., and the price will be about $8 or $10. The monks ask $20,000 for the original manuscript, which is illus trated with the most curious colored maps. . . . A Russian court martial has just given an odd judg ment in literary matters. A captain in the Russian army recently wrote and published a volume of critical studies, which his superiors found not to their taste, and consequently sent him before a court martial, which sentenced him to a week's ar rest, but, added the judgment, as the book is utterly ing the sale. . . M. Victor Hugo was recently asked if he could speak English. He replied: "I can not only speak English but write English poetry; and he laughed heartily, and said, "Just listen: Pour chasser le spleen His Highness, Prince de Sayn Wittgenstein, grandson of the illustrious Russian marshal, has addressed me a most courteous request to rectify my error. I hasten to assure him that the next edition of La Trompette' will be modified, and the character of Marshal Wittgenstein will be faithfully restored to him. I am, etc. PONSON DU TERRAIL." MM. Emile de Girardin and Arsene Houssaye are about to publish a new magazine, which will appear monthly or twice a month, it has not yet been decided which, Each number will contain a portrait, beginning with Mme. Sand. . . . It is said M. Thiers has in press a history of French intellect. A M. Cenac Moncaut announces that he has in press a work on the same subject. It will probably be read when M. Thiers' is forgotten; how much sooner I should not like to say. . . . M. Guizot is preparing for the press the second volume of his "Religious Meditations," and is correcting the last proof-sheets of the eighth and last volume of his "Memoirs"... M. de Falloux is preparing for the press a new volume of Mme. Swetchine's let-worthless and unreadable, there is no use interdictters. . . . M. Victor Hugo's new novel, "Des Travailleurs de la Mer," will be published next week or the week afterwards. . . . M. Gustave Doré proposes to illustrate the complete works of Shakspeare. He is now in negotiation with our principal publishers; but as his minimum is $80,000, and he expects to be paid $100,000 for his illustrations, the negotiations do not move rapidly. Men look twice before they promise $100,000... We are to have soon the Memoirs of Barras, and we are told, "If there are in his Memoirs most curious revelations, his narrative is free from passion; the most private and delicate matters are touched in them in the calmest and least acrimonious tone.". It is said M. Amyot is about to publish a review. Mme. George Sand has read a rustic comedy to the actors of the Vaudeville. M. Alex. Dumas, Jr., has nearly completed a satirical comedy. M. Charles Maurice, the founder of the "Gazette des Theatres," and the author of several entertaining works, having reached the age of 84, has given to the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal (which is famous for its treasures of theatrical literature) a complete collection of his newspaper, founded in 1818 and ended in 1849. . . The ultra montane organ here, "Le Monde,” is guilty of this enormity: "Goethe's Faust has been enormously praised, but its value ought to be reduced enormously. The first part is really nothing but an adventure of a grisette and a student, something like a story of the Latin Quarter, of the old Latin Quarter. Murger, less poetical, is not more immoral, and he has the advantage of being natural and true!"... I mentioned in my last letter that Prof. Ed. Buschmann had been made an officer of the Legion of Honor. To mark his gratitude he has presented the French Emperor the original manuscript of "Cosmos." It forms five thick 4to. vols., and was the "copy" from which Baron Georges de Cotta's printers at Stuttgard "set up" the work. It is in Prof. Buschmann's handwriting; he wrote it from the rough notes (which often were on scraps of paper, and observations hard to decipher and sometimes absolutely enigmatical) of von Humboldt. The latter revised, corrected, and augmented this manuscript; which has consequently undergone great changes, and been enriched by countless additions; von Humboldt's handwriting is on every sheet, either in the margin or between the lines, and the small, close-packed writing is in many places so fine, and so close-packed the printers were unable to decipher it, and Prof. Buschmann was obliged to write it out for them. The French Emperor has given this valuable manuscript to the Imperial Library. I am sorry to say M. Ponsard's health continues to give his friends uneasiness. During three days of the last week the nervous crises were so frequent Dr. Ricord allowed him to take belladonna to quiet him. He rarely leaves his room, and when he does it is in a carriage; he commonly reclines on a sofa in his chimney corner. The cause of his present relapse is his imprudence. He felt so much better a few days since, he determined to read his new play, "Galilée," which the Odeon will bring out before long in Mme. d'Agout's drawing-room. You know who Mme. d'Agout is? She is Daniel Stern. She invited Messrs. Dumas, Jr., Ratisbonne (the testamentary executor of Count Alfred de Vigny), Emile de Girardin, Dupont White, Henri Martin (the historian), Nefftzer and other literary men to meet him. He read the three acts, and was greatly fatigued by the effort and excitement. He has been ill ever since. J. S. NOTES ON BOOKS AND BOOKSELLERS. THE SPRING BOOK Trade Sale, NEW YORK.-The Spring Book Trade Sale, at the auction rooms of Messrs. LEAVITT, STREBEIGH & Co., No. 498 Broadway, came to a conclusion on Tuesday evening at six o'clock. This was the largest Spring sale but one ever held in the United States, and it was successful beyond the anticipations of all interested. The receipts amounted to over $200,000 in the aggregate. All the standard books brought fair prices; some of them, indeed, exceeding what would be charged on order by the publishing houses. The London invoices, of which the prin cipal was BoHN's, did very well, satisfying the agents of the various houses abundantly, and, of course, the auctioneers. The trashy books did not command very flattering prices, a fact compli mentary to the discrimination of the country booksellers, as well as being a gratifying sign of the times as to the elevation of American tastes. The highest priced and scarcest works have all gone to Boston, Philadelphia, and other educational centres, East and West. Although the books offered at this sale were numerous, the variety was remarkable, as the number of volumes of each work APRIL 16, 1866. was very limited, and no duplicates were available. | for conceiving the idea of such a publication and -New York Times. for conducting the publication itself in a manner SO fair, thorough, catholic, and scholarly. We may add as matter of information, that the subscription price is 5s. per annum, and that the books named can be supplied by the publishers, the descriptions given being from actual examination. TRÜBNER'S AMERICAN AND ORIENTAL LITERARY RECORD.-This valuable periodical has reached its twelfth number, completing its first year. The publishers thereupon take occasion to express their thanks for the support given them, and to say, "the interest excited by our monthly issues has been LIBRARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.-We exceedingly gratifying, showing, as it does, that we observe that a bill has passed the Senate of the have not been mistaken in our estimate of the U. S. "to transfer the custody of the Library of the wants of a large number of literary men. From all Smithsonian Institution to the Library of Congress." parts of Europe and the East, as well as from North This is a move toward the concentration of literary and South America, we have received substantial stores, which we should suppose must meet the proofs that this our Index of new facts, new opinions, approval of all who ever have occasion to consult and new thoughts in the hitherto unrecorded cura great library. It will render the Library of Conrent literature of the world, has been of some ser- gress more truly national, and with the increased vice in promoting that catholicity in the acquaint-range of information thus supplied, and the addiance with literature, the spread of which is a far tional facilities of access throughout the year which surer guide to permanent peace than all the diplo- we learn are to be hereafter enjoyed by the public, macy and commercial treaties in the world." In- it will go far to make that noble collection of books deed there is not in the whole body of biblio- a just object of interest and of pride to all American graphical literature another periodical of so much citizens. We are informed that the Smithsonian value to scholars, linguists, historians, and students Library embraces about 40,000 volumes, covering generally, as this publication by the Messrs. Trübner. (although with no considerable completeness, except It is literally cosmopolitan in its scope, for it in- in the transactions of learned societies) the whole cludes the literature of the United States, of Canada, range of science. It forms a most valuable comMexico, Cuba, Brazil, Peruvia, the Argentine Re-plement to the present library of Congress, the defipublic, China, India, Australia, Turkey, etc. Then ciencies of which it will supplement in a very it makes special collections of titles; for instance, important direction. Dante's birthday was celebrated last year, and in connection with that important event the "Record" IT is said the Ways and Means Committee have furnishes us with an enumeration of 134 works in decided to report in favor of the repeal of the revenue Italian, French, German, and English, published for tax on printing materials, such as paper, ink, and the most part in 1865, relating to the illustrious type, together with the materials which enter into The association of western poet-a list invaluable to the student of Dante. So their composition. also the literature relating to the Zendavesta and printers and publishers have, we are informed, been the ancient Zoroastrian faith, is represented by a urging upon the Committee the request that soda list of 120 different works containing the fullest ash, wire gauze, bleaching powder, felting, cloth, account of the literature of this subject that has and materials used in the manufacture of paper yet been produced. In like manner a bibliography shall be put on the free list; that the present duty of the literature of Hindu law as found in the of twenty per cent. on unsized paper shall be reoriginal and reprinted text-books, is furnished induced to not exceeding six per cent. They hold one of the numbers. In twelve numbers the pub- that cheaper paper will increase the demand for lishers have recorded no less than 4,360 works in that article. different languages, and in the special department of American literature, to which ample justice is done, in addition to a synopsis of the contents of our periodical publications, there have been given particulars of 1,775 volumes, nine-tenths of which have been published during the past year. Of these it may interest curious statisticians to add, that 222 are Theological, 165 Historical, 129 Poetical, 113 Novels, 117 Works for the Young, 99 Biographical, 77 Medical, 67 Legal, 66 Geographical (including Books of Travel), 53 Commercial, 45 Political, 38 Philological, 35 treat on Natural History, 43 on General and Practical Science, 33 on Military Matters (in addition to 186 named in a list of American Military Books), 22 on Agriculture, 20 on Navigation and Naval Science, 20 on the Theory and Practice of Education, 19 on Conchology, 13 on Philosophy and Metaphysics, 13 on Mathematics, 12 on Geology, 11 on Photography, 12 on Freemasonry, 5 on Architecture, 4 on Bibliography, 3 on Astronomy, and the remainder on criticism, belles-lettres, etc. We give these facts and figures in order that the reader may gather from them rather than from our commendation, some adequate idea of the scope and utility of such a complete "Record." It is rapidly attracting attention and winning favor on this side of the Atlantic, and is universally regarded as a most important medium for diffusing among the reading public of England, the Continent, and the east, a knowledge of the issues from the American press. Publishers and students are alike indebted to the Messrs. Trübner RESPECT TO THE LATE J. E. TILTON.-A meeting of the publishers and booksellers of Boston was held yesterday afternoon in the counting-room of the store of Messrs. Crocker & Brewster, to take action concerning the death of Mr. John E. Tilton, of the firm of J. E. Tilton & Co., Washington Street. Mr. Brewster was called to preside, and Mr. W. H. Dennet to act as secretary. On motion of Mr. William H. Lee, a committee of three was appointed by the chair to prepare suitable resolutions. committee, which consisted of Messrs. M. H. Sargent, C. M. Clark, and William H. Lee, retired, and soon presented their report as follows: This Whereas, in the Providence of God one of our number, as publishers and booksellers of Boston, Mr. John E. Tilton, has been removed by death, therefore, Resolved, That we in convention assembled would express our deep sympathy with the family of the deceased in their loss, and our earnest desire that this severe stroke may be received as from a Father's hand who doeth all things well, and that the God of the widow and the fatherless may comfort and cheer the widow and children in their loneliness. Resolved, That we will attend the funeral services as a mark of our respect for the deceased; and that our respective places of business be closed from 12 M. to 3 P. M., on Tuesday, April 10. Brief eulogistic remarks were made by Mr. M. H. Sargent, Deacon Henry Hoyt, and others, after which the resolutions were adopted. The meeting then dissolved. |