Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-15
BOOK BROWSlNGS BY PAUL PRY.

In Marion Crawfords Casa Braccio" the pivot of the entire book, or the mas ter stroke, as 1t might be termed Is the elopement scene, where the young Scotch doctor, finding in his own room the dead body of the peasant girl, carries 1t to the convent near by and places it in the cell of the Carmelite nun, Maria Addolorata, with whom he elopes to Scotland as soon as he sets fire to the bedding in the cell.
 MT. Crawford has been accused of plaglarizing this scene from an old mag azine story, but he makes neat defense when he interposeS and admits the fact but states that the story in question was written by his wife's aunt, Mrs. Hobson, who herself told him the story, which was founded on an actual occurrence. So that there was no plagiarism involved.
 It is said that Charles Reade, concern ing one of his numerous plagiarlsms al- legged that he purchased the right to use the material from it's author but the plea was not allowed because the story was not true, but the invention of another man.
 But as to the scene concerned, there must be many readers who will be sur prised to know that it was based on an actual occurrence, unless indeed, truth is stranger than fiction," for I scarcely remember among many multiplicity of plots one quite so cannys and unreal as the substitution of the dead peasant girl for the live nun, and the mystery remain ed mystery until the end. In fact the impression created upon the reader IS one of surprise that MT. Crawford should utilize such material and one instinctive- ly cries "trickery," yet it was a trick which relieved the situation very mate rially, for without this subterfuge who knows but that the proud, regal nun or the "Braccios" never could nave con, sented to willfully betray her family and position by ignominious flight, and then there would have been no story.
 It has been often noted says recent review, that few noted American authors are university men, and yet one IS sur prised by the fact that such stylists as the late MT. Curtis, Mr. Howells, MT. Aldrich, Henry James and Bret Harte were not graduated from any college Some of them, indeed, had no academic training whatever.
 Robert Barr, who has written some very bright, readable stories, has at tempted a more ambitious bit in longer story. entitled "A Woman Intervenes." This he considers his most important work. It portrays "modern life at hlgn pressure" in London and New fork ana will no doubt add lustre to the authors deserved popularity. The work has been fully illustrated by Hal Hurst, the En- glish artist, whose manner resembles that of P. D. Gibson.
 It Is said that the Messrs. Harper have paid MT. DuMaurier 50,000 good Ameri- can dollars for his new story, 'The Mar tians" Then the author is at work upon the illustrations and these will bring an other good round sum, and the manu- script of the story and the originals of the illustrations are both retained by the author.
 I'm the latest Book Buyer is an interest ing character sketch of Joel Chandler Harris, the genial author, who for twen- ty wears delved away on the Atlanta con stitution, writing editorials and what not, and yet finding time to give to the world his Uncle Remus' stories ana others that have made him one of the leading figures in literature today and one of the strongest writers cf prose of this quarter century.
 He now lives simple, quiet life and sums up the philosophes of existence by saying: "If the greatest position on the earth were to be offered me, l wouldn't take it. The responsibility would Kill me in two weeks. Now I haven't any care or any troubles, and have resolved never to worry any more. I.ife IS all a. joke to me. Why make it care?' Contentment, thou art jewel, but how rarely is it found in the human breast.
 Mime. Blanc is one of the ablest literary women in Paris, and the fact that she Is soon to write in the Revue des Deux Mondes of our two country women, 'Oc- tave Thanet" and Miss Wilkins" proves that public and foreign interest centers around those of our writers who are most distinctly American.
 
 "The Art of Living" by Robert Grant, bright entertaining essays, though withal superficial, that have appeared serially In Scribner, have now been is- sued in book form and in of the hand somest of editions known to the craft. Three well known artists have added enormously to the interest and attract lveness of the work, for they have caught in a happy way the exact spirit of MT. Grants perslfiage. They haUe known that levity is the soul of wit. and if there is not to be detected a suspicion of car toon in their work 1t at least borders upon congregation. In it's brightness and "The Art of Living" will prove an exceedingly acceptable gift book.
 Anthony Hope has produced a new volume, though he seems to accomplish this feat with case about every quarter. "Comedes of Courtship' is meeting with some criticism by reviewers, who regard 1t IS bearing the air of being made up" to catch the market. It IS composed Of two longish stories and four short ones. "The Wheel of Love" being the best. Readers, however will not grumble, and pa ges by the clever author of the Dolly Dialogues" are sure to please. especially when the theme, the details of love mak- ing under varying conditions, which sug- gested the title, continue to be treated with such happy wit and vivacty by Mir. Hope PAUL PRY.
 
 sOur Regiment" at O'Brien's