The morning times., 1896-10-18

4 AR. ARCHIBALD CLAvERING GUN
NJ TER. who discounts distance IN the
seugraph of his novels-taEing
the hero OF one from New York,
another from Texas. another from
Paris. another from Panama, and another
from No owhere-has elected Bagdad for the
locale OF his latest. With the pleasant
transparency which story writers often
use in chrOnicling the adventures of dis
tant lands and days, Mr.. Gunter claims
only a translator's share in The Love
Adventures of Al ManSurr which in the
original Persian is credited TO Omar-cl-
Aziz. The story is rich with Oriental
color ana atmosphere Its as ina ginative
as the Arabian Nights, but as human in
theme as any French novel. Mr Gunter's
books are always enga ging in plot, this
one has the additional charm of the orr
entail classicism associa ted with the
rumanCes OF the East. The story in brief
is of the young Caliph of Pagdad, upon
whom an initnical councillor had put the
blight of not being able 10 love. The earth
is searched 10 rouse the Indifferent young
monarch, but without avail. But his
curiosity ard then his love is woa by
young girl who has openly Tcpudiated
him. To win her for his Wife he sets out
on perilOus adventures of the most eXtIava-
giant type. 1t is superfluous TO add that.
with the assistance of his neCromanccrs
and genie he wins the maiden and is happy
until death takes him TO. the spiritual
seventh heaven, where he is reunited
with his fathers and the prophet Mohamct.
HE presence of j NJ Barrie in this
country this autumn makes timely
the new edition of his window in
ThrumS,'' by Dodd Mead & Co., a
piece of book-making so elaborate in
Illustration and handsome in fashion. how
ever, that it would at any time be welcome.
No added word could increase the wide
spread regard in which this most char
acterlStic work of the Scotch writer is
held. To all who hold il dear for the texts
sake there is a revelation i'll store in the
new edition. Clifton johnson did the work
with his camera" There ar. Sevcnty-one
fun and partial page Illustrations showing
klrrie Muir, "Thrums," and its people,
their homes. their habits, and customs as
truthfully aud interestingly as possible The
work was undertaken with Mr. Barf5s's
permission. and IL must have been finished
with his approval. for it is superior In
every detail aud worthy of his great book
= HE stories OF New York slum life. as
told by Mr.. Edward W. Townsends
graphic and sympathetic pen. do not
seem to decline in interest 1t is said
that the sales on "Chimmie Faddcn"
hold up 10 normal. assisted somewhat 10
doubt. by the popularity of the play. and
his other book. "A Daughter OF the Tene-
ments,' has recently been republished by
the American Publishers Corporation. in
their paper illustrated series. This. unlike
the chimnIe Faddeu stories. is n unified
story of contiguous and cumulative inter
est. The plot is wen devised and the
developments is marked by Mr.. Townscnd's
knowledge and appreciation of the other
hairs life and his skill in traEscribing it
N story form.
6AUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR is rccciv-
ing attention in the literary world
He is young colorcd poet Hispocms
printed privately brought such COM
mandatory criticism that William Dean
Howclls will write an introduction to a
new edition Which Dodd, Mead & Co. are
TO publish. The Bookman tells this story
of Mr.. Dunbar and vouchcs for it's authen-
ticity: Mr.. Dubar has hecn in New York
during the last few weeks arranging with
Major Pond TO give n series of readings
from his own work He has already been
very successful with these readings, and
his reception on the few occasions on which
he has given readings in New York lils
been most encouraging and gratifying. We
heard very good story the other day
about Mr.. Dunbar which is well authenti-
Gated. he was asked by the editor Of a
prominent New York magazine to recite
Some OF his verses, and, after the office
staff had been called in, Mr.. Dunbar asked