New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-15
RECENT FICTION.
NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES.

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TIE Lesson OF THE MASTER AND OTHER
STORIES. BY Henry James. 12mo PIP. 3o2.
In Mr.. Conan Doylc's "The White Company. We
have another romance Of action. but this medieval
story IS on much higher plane Of ethics and sentiment
than Mr. Hnrgard's. and its barbarism
Is relieved by plenty Of humo:. 1t follows tn
fortunes Of a certain free military company in the
French war. with Edward the Black Prince a. central
! figure. in the person Of Sir Nigel LOring skill
fully and dclcatelY drawn picture Of Of the last
remaining example, of chivalry. is presented and
| admirable character the gallant little knight Is. The
story indeed has many well differentiated and lfe-
like personages scattered through II, such rs Awkward
| the archer, and Horde John, and Black simon. and
| Sir Oliver. Among the historical portraits. tina, Of
Bertrand vuguescn is perhaps the most striking and
impressive. There several vigorous battlcscenes
| and Of course No stint OF dues and skrmishcs and
varied adventures Mr. Doylcs antiquarian researches
have been undertaken honestly and with thorouglncss
ard he has been Qnie successful In Reproducing a
far withdrawn past and in describing social and other
conditions as alien 10 those which surround as
those Of the hcnrest antiquity. The strangeness
OF the scenes and situations do not interfere In the
least with the interest Of the narrative which is
sustained throughout vigorously. and there is q
patriotic ring in the authors relations Of heroic deeds
done before the Of gunpowder which can hardly
| fail TO stir the blood OF his countrymcn.
Miss Marie Corel has a strong tendency toward the
mystical and supernatural, ana generally she employs
these motives In her novels with n great deal of
adroitnes.. In The Soul Of IJlith' however II an
pears to that she has u extent fallen short
@ her aim. which Is q izc frtIU of
devoted TO material science alone and from
which love and faith excluded. The hero FL
Rami, Is an Eastern Of great learning who has sue
ceeded In so far resuscltating Gead child that he
Keeps her for several years in trance state and By
mcsmcrsm establishes rapport with her which brings
him much curious information about other words This
however, does not help him in his search for evidence
Of another life. for he is unable find demonstration
Of the trnih Of Lilith's relations The whole Of this
episode Of the dead alive girl is wanting In cearnes
OF conception and frmieSs OF purpose. Another In
cident. namely, that Of the philosopher and the re
volving mirror. seems to be intctectcd without any
particular object. and leads to nothing The end OF
the hero Is failure and confession and while the style
Of the author is agreeable lend certain charm
tto the tale. 1t suffers from inconsequence and un
rpeness which interiercs seriously with 1t, final effect
such books should be thought out very fully or not
written al all.
@On the Plantation" has for subtitle " A Story OF n
ucoiEla bo) adventures buTIho tic war; ana IL Is
under stood that many, II not most OF these adventures
are In the nature OF autobiography. Whatever elc-
mcnt OF truth there may be In this rumor. 10 doubt
can be entertained TO the charm and interest of the
story. 1t is largely description OF Georgia plantation
life. The printing press IN the woods, the runaway
slave, the coon and fox hunts. the stories Of Con
fedeate soldiers. stand out clearly and pctircsQucly
and may easily be believed TO represent real and per
sonal experiences The whole book indeed Is per
vadcd by an and natnrancss which doe, not s,,c
gest invention but rather recollection. Needless 10
say that the author has taken advantage Of hi, CD
portinity to Introduce some negro stories which
Iacy OF the soil on which " Uncle Rcmusn was do
velopd. and good In all respects. "On the F'ania,
ton Is. In short most enjoyable book and Mr.
Kcmblc's Illustrations In full harmony with The
text.
Mr.. Henry James has brought together six stories in
this volume. namely The Lesson Of the Master 1.-THE