Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-02

tSn: houshton, Mifiin & Co. Washington:
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. An inquiry into
he Moral, the Practical. the Political and the
nehgious Aspects Of the Question. By AP
kIcHARD With Appendices by Prof. David
swing, and others Chicago: Rand, McNally
JONATHAN AND HIS CONTINENT Rambles
Through American society.) BY MAX o'RELL,
author Of 'John Bull and His Island" etc,
etc, and Jack Allyn. New York: Cassell & Co.
Washington: BrentanO's.
TIE AUSTRALIAN BALLOT SYSTEM: As En-
DOdied in the Legislation Of Various Countries.
VIII an HISTORICAL INTRODUCTORY by JOHN H.
WIihoKE, Of the Boston Bar. Boston: Charles
C. Soule.
JOE: A Remarkable Case. By Col. Z. Il. ROE,
author Of The Gray and the Blue" ETC. Chi
cagOc Rand, McNaIly a. Co.
REM: or, The ssowBIED. BY Mrs. CAROLINE LEE
HESTZ. Philadelphia: I. b. Peterson q Broth
ers.
IL is quite within bounds to say that the gen.
ersl reader has little idea of the extent to
which Washington is becoming the home of
writers, and therefore a distinctively literary
center. or course, pretty much every one
knows that a great part of the literature of
scientific and allied specialties which reaches
the public is contributed from IL not published
IN this city; but aside from workers in these
lines, the number of residents engaged
in strictly literary pursuits, either
directly indirectly, is quite large.
and constantly increasing. 1t need not be
said that Mrs. Burnett easily heads this
list both in reputation and number of books
produced; but there are others less known who
are well entitled to mention, as well for what
they have done as for what is expected of them
Without desiring to provoke comparisons on
the subject our attention is called to it for the
moment by Mr.. A. G. Riddles latest cOntribu-
ton to fiction, entitled The TOry's Daughter
"a Romance of the Northwest-lSl2-l re-
Gently published. How this busy gentle
man finds time to write novels is a puZ-
zle. especially when it is remembered that
he has written several. and that his first
effort, Bart Ridgeley," produced in
advanced in life. In the Magazine of
Western History there recently appeared,
after late fashion of authors, Mr. Riddles
account of his books, and why he wrote them.
1t seems that Bart Ridgeley" was written to
indulge a homesick longing for the scenes
of his pioneer boy life, in the northern Ohio
woods. 1t is redolent of the flavor and spirit
of that now comparatively remote time, and
into which he unconscIously wrote so much of
himself, as Is inevitable with one of his per-
sonality. The book proved an immediate and
decided success. showing that at least the author
could tell a story. This was soon followed by
The Portrait" stronger but less successful
book. In 1t the writer recounts the planting of
Mormonism in northern Ohio, sketching Joe
Smith, Sidney Rigdon and others, as he knew
them As boy he was acquainted with the
Shows, Lorenzo and Eliza; saw Brigham Young;
knew the Angels, one of whom became Brig
hams first wife, Eliza Snow became one of
his many later 'sealed" help-meets.
Mr.. Riddles last venture. mentioned above.
10 what the new school in fiction calls literary
impossibility, viz: historic novel. but to
which so excellent an authority President
White OF Cornell. speaking of SCOTS novels,
ascribes his interest in and taste for history.
The author in PREDATORY note, hopes to at least
awaken an interest in the forgotten history of
the great northwest, then but a shadowy out
line, now the seat of the political power of the
republic. Ii seems to rest on care
full study of the writers of that day on both
sides. and of those who have since written of
it. The great leaders Harrison, Brock and
Tecumseh. the smaller Proctor and others.
move naturally and easily through the scenes,
until the reader seems to recall them as per-
sonal acquaintance. One feels that the author
has idealiZed Tecumseh. inevitable in
one OF Mr. Riddles temperament The story
of the fifteen months war. from the fall of De-
trolt. July 10, 1872, to the battle of the Thames
October .. 1913. is clearly and graphically told;
some Of the battle pieces are striking and eff
fective. and the Harrisons of to-day certainly
have no cause to complain of the treatment
their great ancestor receives at the hands of
the author
As a work of literary art. THE Tory's Daugh-
ter IA better finished than any former work
OF its writer. The book deals throughout with
robust life In the open air, and in the woods
tale of adventure and well drawn characters.
Another Washington author, very much
younger. and of the opposite sex, whose first
venture made quite a hit, and who is pretty
certain to win an enviable reputation as
writer Of fiction. is Miss NJ. T.. Seawell. Miss
Seavell has had considerable experience
with the pen; but it not until few
months ago that she concluded to essay
what the critics call sustained effort. 1t
appeared under the title of 1.-THE
Berkeleys and their Neighbors." published
by the American News Company, and
became at once a success. The scene is mostly
laid in Virginia,-with whose people atmos-
phere and local color the writer is perfectly
famlllar,-with glimpses of life also in Paris
and Washington. Its portrayal of character is
excellent; the CatacaZy incident" during
Grants administration, is introduced with fine
dramatic effect. and the story as a whole
though slight and sketchy, is bright and crisp
and. for a first effort. is in the main well con-
structed- OF the title character so high an
authority as the Boston Transcript says: Col.
Berkeley is drawn with all the JUNCTION that
Thackeray brought to bear on such subjects"
while to the book a whole the New York
Herald gives the high praise OF saying; Many
novels of Virginia life have appeared in the
last few years, and all entertaining, but '.The
Berkeleys' Is as good az the best"
Since the appearance Of The Berkeleys"
second story by Miss Seawell. rather longer and
more ambitious, entitled Hale Weston" con-
stituted the novelette, in Lppincott's Magazine
for January; and il is understood that she has
had proffers from other publishers, and has
now couple of stories completed, with two or
three others well under way.
-
Still another Washingtonian who is rapidly
coming to the front as popular writer is Mr..
VIM E Curtis. For a long time Mr. Curtis has
been known here as Ia correspondent, but he
has lately been giving his attention to more
strictly literary pursuits, with view to finally
adopting literature as a career Up to the
present time his efforts have been rather de-
scr1ptiye IN character, his first volume being
devoted to a European journey and experiences
IN Russia. His next, and much more important
In scope as well as better in style. was devoted
TO the countries and capitals of South America
and has been remarkably well received both
by the critics and the public. 1t is understood
that Mr.. Curtis Is likewise engaged on a work
of fiction, which will shortly appear under the
auspices Of a popular and well established
publishing house.
or course no reference to literary people in
Washington would be complete without men,
ton Of George KEENAN,. John Hay, and John
q. Nicolay, each of whom is already well Oh
the way 20 fame and fortune from literary
r. liza Anr II na, l..