The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-04

AoSIlN ELLlOTT. A novel by Henry
New York, 81. For sale by West,
Johnston d Co.
Although simpler In plot, and display
ing, on the whole, considerably less vigor
uniform edition of Henry Kinssiey's
novels is yet marked by what may be
called the authors unique naturalness
His qualities are of kind 80 strongly
In contrast to those Of the latter day
novelist, that we are especially able TO
enjoy them, and they are not qualities
which belong to mediocrity. The market
Is Hooded with the purpose novel. and
the novel whose writer counts upon the
prurient taste of the general public for
what is senSuouS or abnormal; and upon
this market Mr.. Kingsley's books come
with a racy freshness and a piquant
purity.
His heroes and herones are delight
fully human people, who find 1t quite
possible 10 make themselves interesting
without trenching upon the boundary
line of decency. or going into Mysteries
In order to present to the dear public a
demonstration of a pet theory in connec-
ton with human nature; and, frequently
feminine human nature.
A little of the great M jority of to-
days novels goes a long way, but reaches
the waste basket less surely and less
frequently than 1t should, unless, indeed.
we except those omnivorous human
use in giving 1t place.
Messrs. Scribner are certainly. TO be
congratulated upon re-introducing in
this fine edition, an old fashion, assuming
that its entire healthfulness will make
II welcome to brains weary in their effort
TO find other than neurotic and unwhole
some fiction on the book-stand An emil
nent physician states that what many
women pronounce "a good novel; has
the Identical effect upon their nervous
systems that brandy exercises upon a
mans, and assumes that to these women
"a good novel; signifies a novel of the
intensely hysterical school. Possibly this
may be due TO the fact that we have few
living novelists who possess sufficient
genius to make goodness united to sim
plicity. forceful and vigorous. Therefore
let us be thankful when a leading Ameri-
can publisher takes the initiative and
begins Ito dust the books" that have
been for some years laid upon the shelf.
Austin Elliott opens just as three
at the gates Of Christ Church College.
oxford. TO pursuedivergent paths across
the world 1t is with the son of one
OF these men, and the daughter OF an
other that the story proper has TO do.
II conducts them TO matrimony by
most interesting If tortuous way. and on
the road numbers of minor travellers
meet us.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. A study in
Elizabethan literature, by Barrett
Wendell. Charles Scribner's Sons,
New York, $175. For sale by West,
Johnston Co.
1.-THE purpose OF this study" says Mr..
Wendell lis to present q coherent view
OF the generally accepted facts concern
ing the life and the work of SHAKESPEARE.
It's object. the common one OF serious
criticism, is so to Increase our sympa-
thetic knowledge of what we study that
we may enjoy ii with fresh intelligence
and appreciation. The means by which
We shall strive for this end will be
constant effort TO see Shakespeare, so
far as Is possible, at this distance of
time, as he saw himself.
OF one thing we may be certain. To
himself Shakespeare was a very different
fact from what he now seems to the
English speaking world. To people OF
our time he generally presents himself
as an isolated, supreme genius. To peo-
pie of his own time, and he was a man
OF his own time himself; ne was certain
ly nothing of the kind. He was no divine
prophet, no superhuman seer, whose ut
terances should edify and guide poster
ity. He was only one OF a considerable
company OF hard-working playrights:
whose work at the moment seemed
neither more nor less serious than that
OF any other school of theatrical writ
ers."
Having stated his purpose, Mr.. Wen
dell devotes one chapter to a summary
Of the leading facts In the life of the
<ers have agreed that he was a typical
good fellow" merry, daring, convivial,
popular with his fellows. and as far as
possible unlike our ideas of the regula-
ton supreme genius"
Tho remaining chapters are devoted to
q discussion Of Shakespeare as his plays
show him, nor can any who have not
enjoyed Mr.. Wendelrs book realize In
what a really delightful style he makes
his arguments and presents his opinions.
There Is not a dull ror an unmeaning
passage in 1t. and 1t contains within its
small compass one OF the most valuable
and attractive contributions to Shakes
perian criticism that we have yet seen.