The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1895-05-18
NOTES AND COMMENT.

"Have you read Robert Bars first
novel, called In the Midst OF Alarms?'
/ have restored health to two invalids
with it. I prescribed it for two men
who were suffering with melancholy. that
com's with Ia grippe and guaranteed a
cure. In each case it lifted them out Of
the slough Of despond and put them on
their feet and back at their desks. DO
not imagine that you can get along
without it simply because you are we'll
and strong. 1t is like fresh air and
sunshine-as good for the rugged as for
the poor in health. l do not know the
real Barr. / only knew the name and the
work that has carried that name along.
Yet / think / can describe the man
behind the name. He is, I should say.
about eight feet, or eight feet and four
inches tall. and big in proportion. that is
to say with shoulders yard apart and a
chest a yard deep. He has an open.
sunny face, rejecting health and high
animal spirits. Some little Irish, or
perhaps it is little French, is in his
blood. He is muscular. A good paint
ing Of him would show the fullness Of
big biceps and calves right through his
sleeves and trousers legs. for feel sure
he exercises a great deal. boxes little
and walks by the hour. He has bright
eye, boyish enthusiasm, ready laugh
and a keen sense of humor. Further,
he is fond Of good eating and moderate
drinking and good company; and here !
discover his limitation, for 1 suspect him
of having known more men than women.
TT
But, about my catholicon for the
sick and the well, get In the Midst Of
Alarms and see what Barr can do in
the way Ct sustained effort. 1t is the
story of newspaper reporters vacation
in the Canadian bush. You pick it up
and begin it saying to yourself that the
opening scene in typical hotel is very
clever, but of no consequence, and-you
never lay the book Of 275 pages down
until you are shocked by the last two
words, The End 1t is lively and
spirited and exciting, and true to many
sorts Of lives and characters. 1t proves
that one does not need to dig in the
sewers of Paris, or the consumptive re-
sorts of the continent or into the shock
ing eccentricitiss of heredity in order to
find material for a readable book. 1t
proves, too, that one who has the gift
can entertain the most astute and cum
ming minds with literature that is fit
for the sewing room and the seminary;
that it is not an imperative demand Of
the age that has brought forth the ad-
vanced novels of the day"
II
In the Century for May the Life Of
Napoleon" reaches the conclusion Of the
first great campaign in Italy, Prof.
Sloane's narrative including the un-
folding of Bonaparte's imperious spirit
the battle Of Rivoli and the capitulation
of Mantua, the humiliation OF the
Papacy and of Venice. the peace of Leo
ben, and the fall of Venice. The story
OF this campaign is closely woven about
the personality Of Ronaparte himself,
and the clear and rapid narrative is
supplemented by contemporary and
later artists, including portraits of the
Emperor Francis the First, the Arch
duke Charles, Alvinczy and Wurmser,
on the one hand, and Of Napoleon,
Serurier and Hoche on the other, to-
gether with a map Of the scene Of the
camDaipn