The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-30
BOOkISHN ESS.

The so-called society girl Of to-day
NAV be a stranger to any theoretical
mode Of thought or study, but as an IN
ycterate and nmnievorouS reader S1e H''
not her equal in any sphere.
The genuine lterati are too busy III
their own manufactures TO dawde long
over the conceits of feiloww rkers. While
The reviewer is a reader but IN the sense
that a dissecting surgeon is an admFer
OF the human kind, so as an ainueht
luxury books are only given over 10 the
elegant idlers of the social world
When the thirst for a novel seiZes upon
a man he must have an open fire, pair
of slippers and a pipe, then straight"ay
he gets upon book spree that iasts hli'
until the last drop has been drained ou'
OF the intoxicating cup or fiction NOT 30
WIN the girl OF the period She "soaks
a. her literary beverages until time. place
and circumstances are subserVlent TO the
habit and she no more goes without
hook or periodical Ia her hand than
man does without money IN his pocket,
and for the self-same reason that II 10
there should it be needed. AZ the SUM
r,er resorts 1t was Ubiquitous, unfailinS,
a graceful pastime cutting the pages and
iang,,idlv scanning the Illustrations dur
ing the disconnected chatting or a group.
Under the trees IL was In view Az the
table when walters wer lettering ana
necbors unnerving. everywhere save the
ballroom. II seemed an answering COM
panion But most constant IS the mover
ia attendance upon her afternoon nap,
even the midnight OIL being sometimes
burned Just TO see If they finally mar
rled."
A. home the book habit docs rot re-
,o..so ira hold upon it's fair victims, for
seek her there. where or when you WILL
she invariably comes forward 10 greet
,ou with one slender, white finger serving
as bookmark between the suddenly closed
PAGES. ,.,. -.
Every season brings along With other
fashion a group Of books with THIS class
If readers as well as others devour as
| choice morselS The book that was most
| borrowed and lent, carried 10 walk py
romantic couples through shady lanes
swung in hammocks and tossed IN lux
.rious Yachts the season just passed was
ivan Blbber and Other Stories, by
| Richard Harding Davis
1t is a deservedly popular little work,
and Is the compilation Of several or the
authors happiest Inspirations which have
| appeared IN the leading periodicals. They
are unstrained, artistic and delightful
sketches from real life in America s
! greatest city. AS IS well known. this In
terestlng young author is endeayoring To
do for New York what Dickens did for
| London. IN filing a gallery with true
| pictures OF the struggling masses, catch
/ ing their expressions in both pathos and
| humOr.
Tess OF the DUrberyilles." II not SO
| generally popular. has been more OF a
| sensation in the fashionable reading
| world. AS far as treatme 1t and style go
| Il is a fauItless creation In the fine art OF
| English diction. AS q story or life sup
posed 10 have been led II is cruel. un'
clean and coarse improbability. Such
contradictions Of simple nobility and
pltiful wayering weakness as the author
Implants In the heart OF his peasant
heroine were never yet encompassed II
one human body. In defense OF this mos
Objectionable realism In Thomas Hard,
81 reviewer and ardent admirer pleads
These essential qualities of Mr.. Hardy
genius are as Inevitable as The pathwa,
OF the winds. that are supposed 70 piov
whence and whittier they VIII ADDING
that he Is not only the most Engiisn o