The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-05

nv Nrwrouyp RIVER. A novel. BY Thomas Nell
SON Page. Price 81. West Il Johnston.
The above title belongs 10 MIR. Pages first

son Page Price 81. West Johnston.
The above title belongs 10 Mr. Pages first
novel. issued by the Scribners, Of New York,
and 0sgood & Co., Of London.
The success of the authors stories long ago
raised the hope that in him the South was 10
welcome a novelist for whom no apology, was
10 be made, and who might be measured by
the same standard by which the great writers
of fiction are measured.
While the limitations OF this story confine
Il to the transactions OF single neignDorhoou,
and In a great measure. to the doings OF q
single family. this very restriction IL not 10 De
regretted, 80 long as it does not interfere with
the skilful and dainty treatment OK the SUD-
In spite of Just such limitations The Vicar
of Wakefield" and The Angelus" stand 10 all
lovers OF art in the foremost rank. because OF
that elevation Of thought and exaltatlon OF
sentiment which characterize these great
masterpieces. n -
one charm about whatever Mr. Page has
written is the setting of his pictures; sur
rounded as they are by an air OF the tehdefes'
sentiment. ,O. ~
Judged by the best standard, ION New
found River is worthy OF place with the
best novels of the time.
The plot is an excellent one-sufficientiy IN.
tricate TO be worthy of the consideration OF
the most critical reader, and at the same time
reasonable enough TO satisfy the Judgment OF
those who demand 1.-The possible" in al such
cases.
There is no straining after effect anywhere
| In the story. and yet the interest never rags.
The STYLE is excellent, characterized by SIM
plicity. seasoned with a true Literary hayor.
| II is not too much to say that the story Is a
beautiful idyl filled with touches as delicate
As any master hand could have given;
IAN mankind love a lover" And from the
time our heroine as a child finds the sleeping
boy and thinks him her fairy prince until she
| finds herself years after, princess rullng ms
| every thought and action, she Is most en-
| chanting. A type as true to lie as she was
| true TO all that she held sacred.
| Landon Hall, with its historic environment,
so typical of past regime, IS presented TO US
| in Mr. Pages best style.
! The commanding mansion; the perennial
| abundance of the harvest from the rich low
| grounds, the 500 negroes; the overseer the
! runaway all are shown us as the parts OF a
/ great system presided over by the mistress OF
/ the house as a queen, to whom husband and
son acted as ministers Of state.
We here SEQ not only the relationship be-
tween the master and his servants, but be
tween him and bis poorer neighoors. rms
| relationship was unique. There was great
! independence md great dependence. Zach
respected the other.
! The owner of LandOn Hall is found at one
| time talking with one Of his neghbOrs about
/ the most trivial subjects connected with ther
/ life at another receiving populations OK THESE
neighbors at his house and Offering them tea
! from silver service. On the other mana MS
/ good Qualities are discussed throughout tne
/ neighborhood by these same people, who saw
! in his haughtiness only the idiosyncracy, OF a
nature beneath which goodness and kindness
/ of heart constantly dweit
Many of the situations found in this story
are truly dramatic, and might well afford the
! groundwork of good play.
/ The trial ut the crossroads Is aS Vel de-
scribed as any scene we remember IN fiction.
The pragmatical justice, jealous OF his position
yer somewhat in awe of the litigant before
! him. the interest of the idle crowd in all
| that was passing, the incidents OF the trial
| finding q climax in the action OF the success
! full party. who filings the recovery to the old
negro and rides away mysterious object OF
interest TO ali about him.
The villain POkeberry is we'll drawn. Pre-
| tending to catch runaway. negroes, he makes
! his living by inducing them 20 leave their
masters and selling them when IN his power.
The character of this bully Is in striking
| contrast with the quiet but determined cour-
| age of some Of the neighboTs OF Landon Hail'
| The interest and pride taken by the neigh
| bors in the boy Bruce we believe to be true
picture. yet one peculiar to the section de-
! scribed by Mr.. Page.
The influence Of just such a people has
| often had marked effect in shaping the
| character of our foremost men.
While the shortness of the story prevents
any very deep portrayal of some of its charac-
/ ters we are Justified III saying that the book,
/ taken as a whole. measures up to a high
standard, and prefls the promise OF its author
made to the public when he published the
! beautiful stories that are 50 well known
| among us.