Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1892-11-03
WITH PIN AND NIX.


1T LEw-
Two bezr-ifaI nsE editions Of Il
Bzusefs noTel, The Little Minister, =
are announced By LoyeIi, CoryesI * Co
70 be bOurd IN sslIun and gold and
illustrated with exquisite etchinzs- Bar
re has been Advancing steadily in public
fzroy- These two editions issred sinai
taneouslg By one firm, attest his increzs-
ing popularity His last book, The
Little Minister, (" has much in common
with his delightful 'yFiD5ow in Thurrns, y
and yet the books are different enough 70
81 oDe wondering if the young writer
may not be trying his strength in various
directions TO he sure hoE be can use II 10
best purpose. THE Little Minister
contains infinitely more plot and action
than the other etory, and would hold the
attention as q story even If Il we're les
admirably told; whereas, the whole
charm Of "A Window In Tburrns, t" is due
TO The delicate pzfbos, the tender uanli-
ness, and the fine humor a Bsrie's in
dividuzl style. More readers viii be won
by ''The Little Minister" but more
hearts by "A Window in Tburms." In
his short literary career, beginning prac-
tically about five years ago, Barrie has
shown remarkable degree a versatility,
and taking his books chronologiczlly, one
is struck By the steady upward progress
Of his work. Two Of his old books,
When Mans Single, . and San Edin-
burgh Eleven" have been lately re-
issued, to meet the demand created BY
his growing reputation; and unforfn-
nately, have been mistaken, in some
quarters, Tor recent work, although they
bear 30 plainly the marx Of imrnzturify
that it il difficult to understand how the
error arose. Barrie has already left his
earlier performance far enough behind
for it to seem only the whispered promise
II what he has since accomplished. As
he has advanced in his art, certain
quality Of earnestness and sweet human
sympathy has become more and more
in-wrought with his stories II is this
subtle but pervasive individually Of the
man back Of his story that in the end
determines our attraction on repulsion.
The story is bu. the tune, which may be
strange or familiar, the indivuality Of the
writer is the timbre Of the instrument
upon which the melody is played; nc
skill can bring forth harmony unless the
quality Of the instrument itself be sweet.
Delicate and shrewdas is Barrels humor,
fine az il the blade Of bis analysis, he
owes more Of his charm TO the timbre d
bis nature, the human kindness tina,
shines through his stories than to any
other one quality. Too true to himself
and his art TO gloss over the follies Of the
Thurms world he knows 10 well, be vel
has most winning fashion Of turning
the lights Of his tender penetration upon
his hard old ScotchmeD, suddenly bring
ing out snch hidden goodness that oul
sympSthies gush out to even the ''douresl
most unloyable man in Thuims," az
though he were the hero OF the tale. He
paints suffering and wickedness with
something Of the tender reluctance o.
Fra Angelica in those queer old canvasei
in'which hell is represented as being in .
remote corner Of the picture, where per
force, orthodox devils are keeping ur
the fire and tbrusting in the wicked fol
fuel; but the fore ground is entirely de
voted to joyful, hilarious angels, who are
eztatically welcoming the regeneratt
spirits, struggling upward from purga-
torial flames. The devils are painted
with none Of the fierce inquisitorial spirit
Of orthodox churcb-painters OF that day
they are perfunctory, almost mechanical
in their activities; it is to the redeemed
and redeeming spirits that the angelic
painters heart went out, and over theil
beaming faces that he fingered, to expend
the pitiful resources Of that early art
that for all it's limitations transcends oul
own.
1t is perhaps fanciful to see in Barrie's
work this spirit Of compassion; but, a
all events, the wholesome kindness of hi
spirit is unmistakable, and he who seeks
q book that will interest and charm him
leave his heart tenderer to mankind, and
make this world more homeIike plact
to live in, will find it in Barrels little
Minister"
For sale by A. F. Stevens, price 5Oc.l
MAGAZINE NOTES.
The Scribner for November opens with
richly illustrated article upon Venice