The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-21

In commencing the series of articles
on historical novels. of which this is
the last. IL was my intention, after men,
ltioning those stories which dealt with
modern history to include in one arti-
Gle all that treated of ancient history.
more satisfactory to adhere to a strict
ly geographical plan, and under each
| country to cover its entire history.
Under the European countries as a
rule the books have dealt with modern
history. In this article the great ma
jority will be found to be devoted to
the conditions of ancient times
Very naturally the first book TO men
| ton is the Adventures of Captain
Mage" by L. Cahun. In this book the
author attempts to indicate the geo.
J graphical knowledge of the period 1000
I b. c.
Among Egyptian archaeologists, few
have done better work than George
Ebers. While he has given us some of
| the results of his labors in the con-
ventionai manner. he has made himself
far better known by his valuable nov
els. The reader of these besides being
/ favored with stories of taking interest,
has the satisfaction of knowing that
the historical setting has been care
fully verified and that a true picture is
4 presented of the scenes of 1000 years
ago. The novels of Ebers give ac-
counts of Egyi dian life at periods ex-
tending from 1900 B. c. to nearly 700
A. ID. "Uarda" is a tale that treats OF
the time of the Egyptian captivity of
the Jews.
| Cleopatra" Is a story of the second
century before Christ. THE Emperor
deals with Christianity at the time of
Hadrian. "Hcmo Sum" belongs to the
fourth century after Christ. as does
also "Seraphis," which is especially con-
cerned with the ediot of Theodosius.
While In the Bride of the Nile" the
conditions of the seventh century are
described
Besides the works of Ebers, the Cat
of Bubastes" by Henty is valuable in
depicting the culture of the Pharaohs
and the extent of their conquests in
Asia. "Hypatia" is the masterpiece of
Kingsley and is devoted to the conflict
at Alexandria between the ancient
philosophers and the new religion.
on modern Egypt have been written
Grants Royal Highlanders" and Hen
tvs Dash for Kartoum," and Chap
ter of Adventure" The last mentioned
book deals with the recent lombard
ment of Alexandria, which also forms
! the Introduction to Mr.. Barnes of
| New York.
| On other parts of Africa stories are
not so numerous. "Arius the Libyan,"
by n. c. Kouns is a story of Christian
ity in the fourth century THE Young
Carthaginian" by Henty narrates the
career of Hannibal, and his by Sheer
Pluck" tells of the British conquest of
Ashantee. Grants playing With
Fire" is a story of a British campaign
in the Soudan. THE Congo Rovers''
by Collingwood deals with the slave
trade on the Congo. THE Fugitives"
by Ballantyne is a tale of Madagascar
On the history of South Africa we
have Hendricks the Hunter" by
Kingston. Young Colonists" by Hen
ty, Settler and the Savage" by Bal
lantyne, "Dulcie Carlyon" by Grant
and other stories.
On Asiatic history, the largest num-
Der of stories and the ablest books as
well, treat of the history of the Jews
THE Pillar of Fire" by Ingraham;
and Joshua" by Ebers, have to do
with the Exodus and the occupation of
the Promised Land THE Throne of
David" covers the regal career of the
Psalmist. THE Price of Peace" by
Alderman, describes in an interesting
manner the life of the prophets of Je-
hovah in the times of Ahab and Jeze-
bel. THE Hammer" by Church and
Seelye, depicts the patriotic efforts of
, the Maccabees.
But the life of Christ is the central
attraction for the novelist Ingra-
hams Prince of the House of David"
Wares Julian" Brooks Son of Is
sachar;' Wallace's ben Hur," belong
directly to this period, and need no
comment. While the legend of the
Wanderin Jew forms the motive force
for two powerful novels, "Salathiel the
immortal" by Croly, and Prince of
India" by Wallace.
The destruction of Jerusalem by IT.
tus is described in For the Temple" by
Henty. and THE Gladiators," by
White Melville.
The recent discoveries In Assvria ond
Babylon, concerning the Hittites, the
Persians and other Asiatic nations, fur
nfsh abundant material for most valu-
able fiction. but IL is not yet utilized.
Disraelis "Alroy" is a story of Mes
opotamia in the eleventh century.
Scott's ''Talisman" is, think, his best
told novel and attracts interest by in
Producing those leading examples of
opposite schools of chivalry, Richard
Occur de Lion and Saladin. The serv-
ices rendered to Christendom by the
Knights of st. John and their heroic
Henty in knights of the White
Cross"
The record of the British contests in
India has been illustrated by Henty in
with Olive in India:' Through the
Sikh War" and Tiger of Mysore." by
Kingston. in the Young Rajah," by
Rousselet in Tale of the Indian Mu-
tiny" by Scott in The Surgeons
Daughter" and by Grant, in "Colville
of the Guards" "Fairer Than a Fairy"
First Love and Last Love-" and
Loves Labor Won"
Grants Duke of Albany's own
! Highlanders' and "Only an Ensign"
are stories of British campaigns in At
ghanistan, as is also For Name and
Fame" by Henty.
On Russias Siberian exile system
have been written Condemned as a
Nihilist" by Henty; Escaped From
Siberia" by Firth and siberian E,x-
iles," by Knox.
But three stories. all Juvenile, are to
be mentioned on the history of Ocean
lea. The historical basis of these, how
ever, is of exceptional interest. Maori
and Settle" by Henty, describes the
conflict of the English colonists with
the superior race of natives found in