Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-10
EDITOR'SBOOK TABLE.
sRApoocK, A STORY or FRENCH
AND INDIAN WARS.
xamuua repd,stsn's "Cona piicatien Of
8esrss"-was Lincoln . Chris
sian? Ect.

COLUMBIA. ESlEN Az d. ~
oJsTINE." "PoCAHONTAS," THE
pI.GRIMs." ETC. ETC. ILLUS
TRATED BY r. A. CARTER, NEW
YORK. FUNK & wAGNELLS CON-
PANY. 1893 81 PIP. 40.
We have already had occasion TO refer
10 this series OF Columbian Historical
Novels which the Messrs. Funk and Wag-
nails are publishing. They are intended
primarily for The young. meaning ito
unite the charm OF imaginative fictitious
writing with the general outline OF historic
fact. This IS tho third which deals d.
rectly with the history of Virginia--the
romance OF Pocahontas' life, and the
stirring narrative OF Bacon's rebellion be-
ing the two preceding ones.
The story of Braddock's campaign at
Fort Duouesne. near the modern Ftls-
burg-teYritory then claimed by VIZ
cinla as well as the modern Panhandle
in which Wheeling is situated-has always
been a favorite with Americas youth.
1t is important in many ways. IL was inc
first opportunity that the gallant WASH
ington and his noble Virginians had 10
aupear on the national arena. The struB-
Gle meant for them. not only the deieal
of n common enemy as men OF the An
rlo-Saxon race: but they were fighting for
their homes. il was restraining the toe
of Indian marauding on Virginia borders.
The national significance was even deep
era spirit the Virginian always shared.
The struggle with the Frenchman, wheth-
err on the heights OF Canada or on the
borders OF Virginia. was 10 decide whether
the future possession and development or
the country were 10 be in English or
in French hands. And this decided IL
became the prelude 70 the greater ana
prolonged struggle for the principles or
local and self-government.
So much for the significance or the MS
toric basis underlying the slight DOOR,
We would not be able TO praise these
works from any serious artistic or schol-
arly point of view-but that is not their
purpose. II they give pleasure and en-
tertain. and lend interest to the early
history OF our country, and afford a de-
sire and inspiration to the youthful reader
TO know more of bis own antecedents.
they will have accomplished worthy
mission.
The dates covered by the narrative are
between 1900 and 1760-the first half or
the Eighteenth Century. period of
schooling and training in every way to
the venturesome colonists OF America
Washington IS treated as romantic
cLaracter-and the traditional story of
his unsuccessful first love is given with
embellishments. Thackery's "Nirginians"
was probably used as autotype ana
drawn upon for some of the cast and
setting Of the book. as we have seen
Hawthorne was used in former volumes.
The romance of Ill these narratives
group about the highly colored figures Of
different members and generations of the
Stevens faTnilv--the thread which is as
sumed to connect them all
The present volume is one OF the most
successful and stirring Of the series
deriving these qualities in large part
from its subject matter. 1t Is well illus
trated. and in its appearance very at
tract.va volume.
"a COMPLICATION IN HEARTS" A
NOVEL By EDMUND PENDLETON,
AUTHOR OF "A CONVENTIONAL
ITANCE." ONE WOMAN'S WAY"
ETC. NEW YORK, THE HOME
PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1895. PIP.
2i PAPER. 50 CENTS.
This is a novel of the Ouida order in
matter OF contest without the superficial
brilliance Of Ouida's style and undeniable
fascination of Ouida's manner. From an
artistic point OF view. it is too over
wrought, high-strung and intense, and
must be ruled out of court. AS story
II Is slight. being intended rather to con-
vev an impression of Washington society
and lie. As picture of manners 1t is Il
failure for there is no faithfulness OF
detail TO lead the mind TO believe this must
be true. however disagrecable or charm
ing the picture itself. which is presented.
The figures are mere puppets, moved on
the string OF the author along the fanci-
full lines he himself has mapped out.
They are not creatures who move them
selves. There is a resemblance of a
knowledge of 1.-THE world"-a philosophy of
life-but it is all shallow and perfectly
superficial indeed. for the most part,
fauciful and self-imagined.
From a moral point of view-but then
what has such book to do with morals?
And yet the highest art must contain
moral and unrefutable elements of some
sort But we have already above denied
works OF this class the category of any
semblance of artistic power or form.
The Complication in Hearts," which
the title records. arises from a young
Congressman. once with high ideals as
10 his country's good. falling desperately
N love and winning the heart OF a mar
lied woman who respects nothing in her
own husband save his name.
The conventions of society having
been trampled under foot in the bulk OF
the work. at the end they are reinstated
and the cause Of good morals sustained by
the obliging death of the husband and
the implied reelection of the young
vould-be statesman.
The one reflection we have is, who on
earth reads such stuff? and with what
object In view? Is there really a nominal
reading and intelligent public that Graves
something so far away from their ordi-
nary average life and existence that they
with 10 forget themselves by inhaling the
unnatural miasmatic odors that arise from
such moral intellectual and artistic
wastes?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: WAS HE A
CHRISTIAN BY JOHN r. REMS-
BURG. NEW YORK. THE TRUTH
SEEKER COMPANY. 1893. PAPER. 80
GENTS. PIP. 1885,
The authors wish is to add TO the
greatness OF Lincoln by the demonstration
and perpetuatton of the conclusion which
he reaches that Lincoln was not Chris
tan. and In this was In advance of his
generation. Self-assumptions character
ise the style and contents Of the work
throughout
"sToRIEs OF THE SEA" CONTENTS:
THE PORT OF MISSING SHIPS"
BY JOHN r. SPEARS; THE FATE
OF THE GEORGIANA," BY MARIA
BLUNT: CAPTAIN BLACK" BY
3 CHARLES T.. CORRYL: THE LOST
SLAVE SHIP" BY GEORGE HOWE,
n. d. CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS,
CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. 70 CENTS;
ALSO PAPER. 80 CENTS. FOR
SALE BY WEST. JOHNSTON & CO.
We have already had occasion to COM
ment on these delightful collections OF
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