The herald., 1896-12-06

and explorations in Brazi! four years
after Columbus discovery of America.
The author of this very handsome and
thoroughly interesting volume relates in
his preface how he came to undertake
the writing of it. He was recently stay
ing in Rouen, working in the great libra
ry there, when he became aware of his
unusual opportunities to gather mate
rial concerning the voyages of the Morse
men explorers and their descendants
and followers. The large volume had it's
real beginning in what the author dis
covered there as to early navigators and
their new world voyages.
The book opens with an account of
Herwolf the Jarl, that old northern
pirate, whose ships had "furrowed the
seagulls realm for half a century. Part
1 relates to the earliest voyages to the
American continent, about the year 1000,
followed with Norsemen cruises and COL
onies from the tenth to the fourteenth
centuries. The history of the happen
ingS along the North American coast
from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexi-
co, reads like the remarkable romance
that 1t is, and, although there is little
that Is valuable for historical accuracy,
the story answers the main ends of such
a volume. 1t treats of great events in
a swift, dashing way. and the volume
viii be found very helpful to the general
reader, especially younger ones, who can
gain from it fair idea Of the tremend-
Gus events that led up to the building Of
new nations.
THE LAND o. THE LEAL. By David
Lyall. 12mo. 81. Dodd, Mead & Co.,
publishers, New York.
American readers will be interested in
the latest addition to the successful Scot
tish books Of the year, by David Lyall,
whose work. The LAND o the Leal has
Just been published by Dodd, Mead &
Co.
While this book does not show the dis
tinctive genius that has marked some of
the recent volumes of Watson and Crock
EFT, it does show a gentle but strong hand
at depicting Scottish village life. 1t is
a tender and touching picture of real
life among what Is called, for a better
name. the middle classes. 1t is faithful
to truth, loyal to the hearts and homes of
Scotland. These pictures are not over
drawn, nor is there any undue straining
for effect, and yet on many page there
are phrases full Of hope and yet of
heart-break, full Of all the tender pathos
Of the here and the hereafter"
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY VIC
NETTES. BY Austin Dobson. With
portraits in photogravure. 12mo,
cloth. gilt top, 50. Dodd, Mead & Co.,
publishers. New York.
This book treats exclusively Of eigh-
teenth century themes. The papers are
in every way fascinating. Mr.. Dobson
understands thoroughly how to convey
to his readers the charm of that epoch
which produced Swift and Addison,
Pope. Garrick and host of other i'm
mortals. These are names which have
for the modern world an interest and a
charm quite out of proportion to the in
fluence which they are exercising in
present-day life and literature.
The photogravure illustrations add not
little to the attractiveness of one of
the most noteworthy Of the seasons
holiday publications.
WITH FORTUNE MADE. By Victor
Cherbuliez, author of Samuel Brohl
& Co., etc. d. Appleton & Co.
Here is still another of the really IA
nous Town and Country Library series,
and very strong story 1t is, indeed.
From Provence to the Dakotas and the
Rockies is a far stretch, but even be-
tween these widely separated points the
scenes of the story change back and
forth. 1t is "rattling" story, and well
holds up this brilliant series.
A GENUINE GIRL. By Jeanie Gould
Lincoln, authores Of Marjorie's
Quest etc. Houghton, Mifflin &
Co., Boston.
This story is on the same lines as
Marjorie's Quest. Although nominally
continuation Of that volume, which
first brought the authoress into notice
it Is, in. fact, q separate and distinct
story. Some of the characters in the for
mer volume are used here. The volume is
not Of high literary character, but it is
written in excellent style and has asweet
and bracing atmosphere. 1t will be
found welcome and BETTING holiday
gift to any young woman.
CAPTAIN CORES CoURTsH1P: His
Narrative Of the Affair Of the
Clipper Conemaugh and Loss of the
Countess of Warwick BY J. Jen-
kins Haines. Lippincott company.
This sprghtly story comes to us in
the Lotos Library series, handsomely
illustrated little volume, pretty to look
at and handy to carry in the pocket A
sea story like this is almost always
wholesome and invigorating. There is
freedom and tonic in this one that is
really refreshing; and not even Clark
Russell has written a much better one
There is little plot but much swift vary
ing OF scenes, and breeZier book one
does not often see.
THE SEVEN SEAS. BY Rudyard Kip
ling. d. Appleton & Co., 12mo, 81. So
To think what Mr.. Kipling has done
in the ten years since we had Plain Tales
from the Hills, with their remarkable
freshness and soundness, albeit there
was a trace of manly coarseness in
some of them! Not even Robert Louis
Stevenson had a swifter rise into fame,
or gave to the world more books during
a like period. And there is a sanity in
all Kipling has written which is the
highest testimony to it's right to endure.
The real basis of his success is not
hard to find. He made himself master
of the matter of his work. He knew
the country, the few people, and he even
made the animals of the jungle tell a
strange, new story He brought new
element into fiction and into song, but
it will not be as novelist that he will
be best known in the future. He will
be known for his short sketches, his
phantasies like some of the Jungle Book
creation, but mainly for his poetry. This
latter shows great possibilities. If only
he would throw off something of the
roysterer habit, mature and refine his
artistic bent somewhat, go little deeper
in his quest for enduring attainments,
he could become leader among Brit
ish poets. He has a national pride, and
national mode and swing of expression
that will easily make him Laureate
some day, if only the next few years
bring becoming chastenings and de-
voutness of literary spirit.
He who reads and re-reads tbs poems
that make up the present volume will
realize that the praise and prediction
here recorded are fair and reasonable.
csTryN