The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1890-08-02
GEORGE ALFRED ToWNSlND'S BOOK
IL IL Based ON the Life History of Alex
ander Hamilton.
Special Correspondence

| lopccIai
New YORK, June 3o-Mr. George alfred
townsend, who is widely known by his
nom de plume of Cath" has just pub.
lished a novel or romance which n causing
considerable comment. II Is based upon
the political intrigue which was designed
TO ruin Alexander Hamilton while secre-
tary Of the treasury, and included in the
| plot the interesting and hitherto mysteri-
Gus relations Of Mrs. Reynolds to him.
| The story is one of the most exciting and
dramatic in American history, and in his
romance Mr.. Townsend relies largely upon
his own Investigations, which appear ~
have been most exhaustive. The book is
attracting the attention of scholars like
John Hay, Professor Peck and Others in
teres. | in history, and is, in addition, of
extreue interest To the general lover of iic-
ton.
Where Mr.. Townsend finds the time to
write this and the other romances which
he has heretofore published is known only
TO himself, for he is one of the busiest
and in some RESPECTS the most successful
of American journalists. His daily "stent'
Of newspaper writing will average not less
than 5000 words, and he has kept this up
for many years, and sometimes far exceed
ing this amount He has been, too, one of
the few journalists who have, in addition
to providing daily support, amassed COM
petence, so that now. when he is in the
vigor OF his prime he can look forward
with assurance to "a life of such independ-
ence as he chooses hereafter
For many years Mr.. Townsend has lived
in New York. but some time ago he bought
an estate in the neighborhood of Antietam
or the South Mountain of Maryland, which
he calls Gapland and which is II most ro-
mantle and beautiful spot. His house is u
quaint structure, modelled after his own
designs, large enough for Il caravansary,
and is filled with choice books, rare pict-
ures and many interesting mementoes of
his exciting and widely experienced life as
famous correspondent. Stretching back
for some two miles his estate extends over
the uplands and here, in that quiet and re-
pose which he finds necessary to the best
literary effort. Mr.. Townsend purposes to
devote his life more and more to literature
and in the line already so delightfully."- de-
veloped by him in his historical romances
The latest novel Mr.. Townsend pub
fishes himself. His son-in-law is II well
known dealer in rare and curious books
and he has his assistance in the publica-
ton. This rather unusual step is taken
by Mr.. Townsend mainly on account of
experiences not fully satisfactory in the
publication of his other novels. He has
found, however, that the experiences Of a
publisher are tsssssNs ones and that it is
necessary to possess some militant spirit in
order to place ones own book upon the
market. That is spirit which Mr.. Town
send possesses, iis was made evident some
days ago, when. putting false pride aside,
be took copies of his book under his arm
and distributed them himself Mt the differ
ent book stalls in Washington.
Mrs. Reynolds and Hamilton" is distin-
guished by that singular analytical process
of thought which characterizes all of Mr.
Townsend's writings and is graced by his
superior powers of narration and descrip-
ton. The book is sure to excite criticism
because the intimation is plain that Jeffer-
son aided if he did not conceive the con
spiracy to ruin Hamilton's good name and
by the contemplate means indicated in
the story. Mr.. Townsend's ardent SYM
pathy with the old Federalists is man
ifested throughout the book, and his great
admiration for Hamilton he glories in
making evident. h. j. EDWARDS