New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-19

est, enlivened by many humorous touches and
strengthened by much shrewd exploitation OF the
traits and motives of humankind. In her new
volume she has maintained the standard set in
her first story 1t is not a very high one; the
hook does not in any sense belong 10 literature.
But it is a pleasant bit Of fiction calculated to
give not too critical feminine readers cheerful
afternoon and several useful lessons. This au-
thors weakest point is her delneatOn Of male
characters They are surprisingly unlike men.
The New Woman as set forth by Miss Brough-
ton is a contemplate being without truth or
honor. using the cant of philanthropy and re-
form and playing upon the generous instincts
OF finer natures to further her own vulgar
schemes 1t is only in her employment OF the
current shibboleths Of rebellious discomfort that
the adventures of this book can be said to be
New; in every other way she is the old base mar
and schemer Of the novelist's realm. There is a
tartpess in this history Of Dear Faustina"
which is comically indicative of its authors
opinions concerning the Advanced Woman; but
if the book has something Of prejudice 1t has
also strokes of truth which cut TO the bone Of
pretence.
Nulma the frank brave and loving young
Australian girl, is the most winning heroine in
the group Of books here noted; and her story, II
in nowse unusual, gains freshness from the
unfamiliar setting Mrs. Campbell-l raed has
done more than any other novelist to interpret
Australian life to the outside world. and her
work is always in its own easy way attractive.
She has never written brilliant book-nor a
dull one
The volume which bears upon its title page the
name Of Margaret Oliphant. one Of the wisest
and gentlest Of women writer's Of our time is q
sad one-as indeed most Of this lamented novel
lists books were lately apt TO be. For her sym
pathes were as deep her perceptions were
true. and as she grew in years the gTiefs and
hardships Of human life sometimes obscured her
vision Of its joys But however melancholy her
stories may be, however weighted by the burden
Of lnexorable fate. they are never bitter in feel
ing The two men whose lives are chronicled
here have come as the pathetic preface reminds
US 70 the flowing Of the ebb tide TO the discov !
cry that without any consciousness Of weakened
energies or falling power they must nevertheless
60 out with it. their career OF success having. !
without any apparent reason. ended. 1t is
hardly necessary to say that with such theme
in hand Mrs. Oliphant has produced two strik- |
Ing sketches The first. dealing with elderly |
artist who sees his popularity suddenly and IN
accountably departing. is the stronger Of the
two.
Mr Yeats tells US in the brief preface TO his
new story that this. well az his former work. |
"The Honor Of Savell" written in those |
rare moments % leisure that an Indian official |
can afford, and without books al hand for ref
erence. In spite Of these drawbacks his tale Of |
adventIre in the France Of Henri Quatre Is |
fpirited and picturesque and well worth reading. |
Its heron is. perhaps. little vague. but the
out-at-e5J~s chevalier who encounters SO many |
Danger fJr her fair sake Is q vigorous and |
ga.laLt 1E4re. II he cannot vie ~ hero Of