The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-11-15
NOTABLE NEW BOOKS.
A Powerful Dramatic Poem by Young
Washington Author.

Washington Author.
Mr.. Richard Hovey, who has resided much
of his life in Washington and who has large
circle of friends here has written a book
which is likely to give him a place among
the notable literary men Of the time. 1t is
the first work which he has published, and Its
power and beauty are unmistakabe Its title
is "Launcelot and Guinevere, Poem in
Dramas" 1t is q tragedy preceded by an
introduction or prelude bearing the title OF
'The Quest of Merlin," flnely-wrought
poetic fantasia The tragedy itself, which is
foreshadowed in the prelude, appears to be
the first OF trllogy of plays intended to
cover the Legendary histories of King Arthur
and Launcelot du Lac and bears throughout
the impress of superior mind stored with
learning. 1t is in five acts and Its construc-
tion shows a technical knowledge OF the
stage and strong dramatic instinct. Gifted
with power of analysis to marked degree,
he has undertaken to delineate, as the para
mount object of the work, three types of love
which, In whatever age we may seek and find
them, have been all-potent factors OF human
action In Peredure, the poet and brother OF
Guinevere, he has portrayed the ideal form of
love, which in its ruthless destruction must
end traeically. In Morgause, the Queen OF
Orkney, the sister of King Arthur, he has
created character OF perfidy and passion be-
meath a fair exterior. Between these two ex-
tremes, vet immeasurably removed from the
one by strength, and purity from the other,
is the love OF Launcelot and Guinevere,
characters so fine and yet so human that their
very divergence from moral standard seems
to claim ethical indulgence. The work
merits much larger share OF space and at
tention than can be given it here There can
be little question that "Launcelot and Guine-
we're" will be ranked with the finest products
of American genius. AS the author, son OF
General Charles E. Hovey, of the Army, is
not vet 30, it is to be expected that he will
appDmnl,sh Inllph prpGtpr thinpS In the futnra.
Bound in robins-egg blue and gold, the ex-
terror of Max O'Rell's latest volume, GA
Frenchman in America is as pleasing to the
eye as the interior will no doubt prove to the
mind of the lover of whipped-cream litera-
ture. The book is finely Illustrated with 130
sketches by E. W. Kemble, and can hardly
fail to prove as popular as the other writings
of this clever Frenchman. The pecnliarities
of Americans and American society are COM
mented on with refreshing freedom, but
always with good temper and in graceful,
breezy, literary style that carries the reader
along with unfaggng interest. He has some
thing to say about nearly all the cities and
towns he visited on his lecturng tour in this
country, which will naturally insure the book
a sale in these localities; but for the general
reader the chief charm of the book will be in
the reflections on American traits and types
and the anecdotes scattered through the
pages. The author excaims with delight
over the beauties of Washington, and
calls the Capitol Building an epic poem.
He gives an account Of visit to a colored
church here, and devotes no little space to
Willards Hotel and its historic associations.
ga Frenchman in America is published by
the Cassells, and can be found at Brentano's.
The friends of the Hon. George Bailey Lor-
ing will read with much interest and pleasure
the journal which he kept while in the United
States diplomatic service abroad and which
has just been issued in handsome form by the
Putnams, with the title '!One Year in Portu-
gal" Mr.. Loring gives an account of his
experiences and impressions while travelling
through England, France, and Spain on bis
way to his post of duty at Lisbon, and while
on excursions in Spain and Italy. He tells in
pleasant, chatty style much that is new
about the Portuguese court and the charming
society of Lisbon and Cintra. He also gave a
good share of attention to the life of the
Portuguese peasant class, especially to those
who till the soil, and includes much informa-
ton that will, be valued by those who, like
himself, are interested in agriculture. The
book is beautifully bound and well illustrated.
1t will be found on sale in Washington at
Brentano's
From Cassell's comes a charming book of
nursery rhymes giving fresh versions of the
old but ever new tales of "Tom Tucker and
Little Bo-Peep." 1t is written by Thomas
Hood and daintily illustrated by Alice
Wheaton Adams. 1t cleverly weaves In many
familiar nursery legends with fresh, modern
variations that will give them new fascina-
tion for children old and young. The book is
beautifully printed in brown and the we'll
drawn illustrations are artistically colored.
Brentano has 1t for SALE