The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-01
York: Harper & Brothers; Portland
Loring, Short 6 Harmony

AlOoo NuIICube. 10y Adt IAbSoSi"
Dickens. This novel will be sought by
readers from curiosity to see what talent
and manner of fiction may be possessed
by the granddaughter of Charles Dick
ems But it will also be read with inter
est for it's own sake. First of all, Miss
Dickens's work is not in the least degree
initiative of that of her grandfather. 1t
is refined, feminine, concerning itself
with the psychological problems OF a
beautiful artist nature, its heroine, Selma
Malet. The general tone of the romance
is rather serious; it's moments of humor
cause no wide-throated laughter such as
is awakened by the broad grand-parental
comedy; nor is the pathos overhandled
until it becomes slightly maudlin, as was
not seldom the case with the great Boz.
This is not to say that Miss Dickens's
writings are likely to win popularity,
long-continued and enthusiastic, as those
famous novels did; but merely to assert
that she has treated an interesting theme
with good taste and acute feeling and
with a steady, if inexperienced hand.
The cross currents in Selena Malet's ex-
istence are her love for the dramatic art,
and for the man who, although he is I'M
able to sympathize with her aspirations
of an actress, would have given her
woman's best happiness. Her artist adj
visers-one of them not wholly disinter-
ested-lead her to choose the stage and
renounce the home. Her lover consoles
himself with a simpler bride. Selma
finds the. society triumphs of the favorite
actress to be utterly delusive, and at last
arises to solemn content in the endless
progress toward the ideal beauty sought
by every form of human art. This is a
story that promises much for the future
of it's author. (New York: D. Appleton
6 Company; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmon. Price: $1.00.)
Etelka's Vow. By Dorothea Girard.
This is very dramatic story with the
advantage of romantic and novel environ
ment-the puszta region of Hungary.
Its tragic plot hangs upon the result of
an American DUEL" between two young
men, one favorite of fortune, the other
neglected and unlucky. since childhood.
Partly by fault, partly by accident, the
latter duellist omits to release his oppo-
nents from the obligation of the black
pellet-the first i'll luck that fate had
played to Geza Paloghy. He, in obedi-
ence to The debt Of honor, shoots HIM
self, leaving unnamed the man who con-
strained him to the act. Etelka, his be-
| trothed, vowes to devote herself to the
search for the opponent, and to revenge.
| The further Development of the excit-
ing story shall not be anticipated. Its
author should be able to write power
full and effective play for the stage. She
| possesses the arts of construction, con
| densation, and portrayal of character.
| (New York: D. Appleton d Company
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon
Price: $1.00.
The Foot-Path Way. By Bradford
Torrey. Mr.. Torrey, well known te
readers of the Atlantic Monthly, is one
| of the most observant as he is one of the
most agreeable, of writer's upon natura
| history and phenomena. He is free from
the self-conscious and exclusive tone Of
those provoking recluses for whom no
body except Dame Nature is good enough
company. He is humanity social anc
affable, even liking people SO well tina
he willingly recognizes kindred traits O.
theirs in his other friends, the animals
and the birds. Mr.. Torrey's scorn o.
"sport'' fine.
| Two years in succession Che says have seel
men old and young, numbering sandpipers ant
plovers at wholesale for the mere fun of dom!
It. Had they been spot hunters" seeking tt
earn bread by shooting for the market, SHOULD
have pitied them erhaps-certainly / SHOULD
have regretted their work; but should hav'
thought no i'll of them; Their vocation woult
have been as honorable, for aught know, a
that OF any other butcher "A littl
cent and beautiful creatures have ! seen limp
ing painfully along the beach, after the gunner
had finished their days amusement! Even nov
/ think with pity Of one particular turnstone
Some being 'Inade little lower than the an
gels' had fired at him and carried away one 0
his legs. My heart ached for him and it. burn
| now to think that good men find it paStime tt
break birds legs and wings and leave them tt
perish
This indeed, is the manly, as it is thu
just and merciful way to look at the sub
ject of ''sport''-the murder of littl
weak, defenceless creature by one large
strong, and armed with a gun. Sham
upon such cowardice and cruelty (Bos
ton: Houghton and Mif1in; Portland
Loring, Short & Harmon. Price $1.25.)
His Life's Magnet By Theodore
Elmslie. This is story of English life
rather conventional, not without fire
quent libations of tea, frequent citations
of poetry, descriptions of village life. an,
some moralizing. But it is rather bette
than most of its class of fiction; and will
be read with much enjoyment by thos
who like diffuse story, with plenty O
mildly sparkling dialogue, and are no
vet inaccessible to the shudders boun,
to be caused by aprophetic village crone
nobly rash hero and a lofty mansion 0
which the ancestral curse ends in con
fiagration. Really, tits a pretty an
readable tale, and one ought not t.
smile at its rather naive effects! (NeN
York: D. Appleton & Company; Port