Ten Tales. By Francois Coppee. Translated by Walter Learned. (Osgood,
McIlvaine, and Co.)—It is difficult to give any idea by description or criticism of the power of these tales, or rather "studies," for a conte is, perhaps, more of a study than a tale The old soldier, who is reclaimed from his dram-drinking by his kindness to the crippled girl, is one of the cheerful kind. Cora monly, M. Copp6e's work has a gloomier hue. " The Substitute." for instance, is a tragedy in its way. The escaped criminal who has struggled into an honest life, finds that the friend he has made has committed a theft, and takes the guilt upon himself. He cannot bear that the lad whom he loves should go the same way to ruin that he has himself trodden. "An Accident" is another tragedy. It is really a murder, but the murder of a scapegrace for the sake of his innocent family, The satire of the " Dramatic Funeral" is very powerful ; and the same may be said of the pathos of the "Voluntary Death," where the disabled writer hastens his own end because the expenses of a long illness would swallow up the provision that he has made for wife and child.
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