It is evident, from the variety and excellence of the
contents of the January number of Scribner' s Magazine, that its conductors mean it to be a formidable rival to the Century and Harper. The best articles are the most solid, such as the first of a course of articles on "The Man-at-Arms," by Messrs. E. H. and E. W. Blashfield ; and "The Great Pyramid," by Mr. E. L. Wilson. Mr. Holden, who gives what he professes to regard as "A New Light on Balzac," tells us that "in one sense Balza.° may almost be said to have created intelligent France, which to- day approaches nearer and nearer to the type he has exhibited, along the very path he has prefigured." This is true, we fear, though not perhaps in Mr. Holden's sense ; and most emphatically, pity 'tis, 'tis true. We are rather sorry to see that Mr. R. L. Stevenson has consented to write an essay per month for Scribner. There are good things in the first of these, "A Chapter on Dreams," but it is not up to his usual mark. We should rather have Mr. Stevenson silent, than condescending to write Stevenson-and-water.
Previous page
