The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-12
BOOK STORE CHAT.

buy. Now here Is a line that we have a
pretty steady demand for. As reg ulariy
rs new volume Is out, regular custom
ers come In and buy 1t. or course some
OF these sell better than Others. Bot
rs soon as ii is issued. We have a stand
ing order with the publishers and more
often than not we have TO order extra
copies.''
lie had picked from the top OF a tall
pile of them the newest volume in its
familiar red paper cover OF Appleton's s
Town and Country Library and Ms he re-
placed it on the pile he added: "Folks
don't always ask for tho name of the
book or the author.in the Appleton Lii
5rary, but never heard of a purchaser
J being disappointed"
This was high tribute, indeed, when
you consider what an appalling mass Of
| fiction crowds the bookstore shelves. 1t
is hard to be sure of the value of your
selection from 1t all unless someone has
recommended book to you. Most OF
us limit our chances 20 fsvorite author
and we rarely risk experiment with a
new and unknown writer unless sope-
body else has made success of the ex-
| pertinent before, with some particular
one. But from the testimony of the
bookstore keeper 1t would appear that
6ctiop readers "go 1t blind" on Apple
tons Town and Country Library, and
that their semi-monthly faith is justified.
This Library has now reached its two
hundreth volume-its bi-centennial. j.
Bloundelle- Burton has the distinct ion
| of having his name on the title page
as the author of No. 200. The title is
denounced" ana the book will rank as
one of the best of long series that in
ciudes very great number of the best
In fiction. 1t is a stirring historical ro-
nance Of the tI1.e OF Charles Edward the
"Pretender," with q love story In it as
intense as any novel reader could ask for.
Historically the story appears to give an
excellent picture Of the times-though
this need not deter anybody from read
ing it for it's history is not forced at the
expense of Its romance. Mr.. Barton wrote
sin the Day of Adversity," and that fact,
IN connection with the Appleton Library
name, Is enough to recommend No.
200.
Issues of the Library Immediately pre-
ceding, Nos. 1913 and 1s9, are "An Outcast
Of the islands" by Joseph Conrad. and
"The Kings Revenge by Claude Bray.
For sale by Gregory. Price 90 cents.
xhn ;,,o Rfr .tuv~ 49, A.
pletons have published and Gregory
sells for 75c. "Sir Mark, Tale of the
First Capital" by Anna Ropeson Brown.
1t may be called q pretty story.
The current issue OF Lippincott' g. Select
Novels lSeptem ber, No. 1867, which are
also approaching q hi-centennial by
monthly stages, is Heavy Odds" by
Marcus Clarke. 1t is very English and
very.good reading with some desperate
good evening dress villany in it, British
politics ana all that. No. 1856 is "A
Lonely Maid" II is by the duchess.
1t is what admirers of the Duchess would
call "cunning story" 1t 10.
Preston & Rounds have on their hook
| shelves from Macmillan & Go. three de
lightful companion volumes by Alphonse
Daudet: "Thirty years OF Paris and Of
| My Literary Life," reflections of q
Literary Man." and "Ar,ists' wivM"--
price 81. co the volume. The books are
handsomely printed, dsintily illustrated,
prettily bound with gilt top and uncut
| leaves, and are quite Frenchy ia makeup.
The first two named are personal, auto
biographical, reminiscent, critical,
| journalistic, giving to the reader In
| quaint and charming style impressions"
of literary Paris, the salons, men, women
and books, many that are familiar by
name, and all that we like 10 read about.
Comment and opinion are freely ex-
pressed though never inartistically.
Notes and views from the man who has
been called the French Dickens are bound
| to be worth the while to read and these
pretty books may re best enjoyed whilst
| lying on a comforta ole lounge-if the
doctor hasn't scared you out Of thst most
delightful way OF partaking of delight
fully companion BILE books
The third book "Artists' wives" Is a
book Of sketches and stories, truly
Bohemian in their character, pen pic
lures and clever etcnings, uroll, pa
thetic, fetching always and altogether the
jolliest sort Of reading.
The American Publishers Corporation
are putting out some capital stories in
! popular and attractive form at so cents n
volume. Among recent Issues are "As
the Wind Blows" by Eleanor Merron;
"Iil, London Flower Girl, "by L. Il.
Meade; "Tho Kings Daughters" by
Mrs. Ellen +. Dickinson; "Mohy Dick"
and "Omoo," the latter sequel to
"Iypec, by Herman Melville, an always
popular author; "Eunice Ounce" by
Dane Cohyngnsn, story that we have
already reviewed favorably, and "The
Cuban Iiberatcd,n - an up-to-dete romance