The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-14

squatters and civilians generally but by those
commissioned 10 protect as well as control the
wards of the Government In awOrd, this story
has certain merits. and II is worth while. there
fore, to point out some OF its shortcomings. Tho
fact that one engaging character. Netty Dash
wood. Is logically and artistically developed
under the pressure OF circumstances. seems TO
indicate that the defective drawing OF other inn
agnary figures Is partly duo to want
Of practice. II we except the obvious portraits,
this is the only case where distinct conception
of the person introduced IL visible at the outset
and is consistently maintained throughout tho
volume. Ono Of the young ladies' for instance.
Juliet Brnton. Ia somewhat different being
mot leRitmatoy but anonymously different, in
the latter part OF the book from the girl outlined
I'm the earlier chapters. so. 100, n rather inter-
estlng type. that of the half breed NacDiarmid
is not only blurred by the inscription OF dscrep-
ant and not easily reconciable traits M different
times. but the writer leaves us In doubt
whether he means va to admire or dis
like him. The abrupt change. moreover.
about the middle OF the tale. from sober
narrative tone. to an ironicsl vein. is the less
easily tolerated because the writer's irony Ia
not fclcitous. Now these. we need not say, are
grave fnuns. and book disclosing them would
hardly call for serious notice unless there we're
substantial offsets. But there are so many
good things In " The Cadet Button" that We
arc disposed 10 think the author may hereafter
produce more coherent and carefully finished
work. Regarded merely as q photograph Of a
phase OF American life very rarely studied. this
novel has real value. and 1t will he read with
pleasure by those who know. or wish to know,
something about military service in the Indian
country.
Two short stories. both written by women.
but. we are bound to- say. Of very different quail
ity. have lately been added 10 Harper's Hall
Hour Series. One OF these. Screen Years aud
MAR. by ANNA T. sADLrER. Ia a very slight
sketch indeed. The scene is laid in the Orkney
Islands. and the andscsp be drawing is sufficient
ly well done. The author discovers. too. con-
siderable acquaintance with Morse legend; not
always accurate. however. as when she makes
SiRurd. the Norwegian. attended In his war ship
not by Scalds. but Minnesingers. There Is
a want Of dstnctncss In tho characters:
not 40 much. however. in tho preliminary con-
ceptions as in their adjustment aud projection.
OF plot in any rigorous sense there IL no sign.
and the title attached TO the story has no par
ticular significance. The writer will do well to
ponder what is meant by economy aud concate-
nation Of incident. and to master the funda-
mental principle Of exhibiting character. not by
description. but through collouuy and under
the impact Of circumstance. The deficiencies
here limited at might be passed over in the
work OF anovicc. II II were not commended TO
plain speaking by graceful and sprightly
style. aud by CLEANS Of insight which indicate a
capacity Of improvement.
Wa should imagine S"sssr I'M, by GLEN
ESrISA BLACK. to be tho work Of practiccd
writer. At nll events tho materials. though
homely. are deity put together. and the two
charactcrs-for In the foreground there are but
Il.