The herald., 1897-05-17
AMONG THE BOOK WRITER'S
Edited by Enoch knight.

Edited by Enoch Knight.
THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE DEVIL, by
Guy Boothby, author Of "Dr Niko-
Ia" "a Bid for Fortune" )" THE Mar
riage of Esther" etc. d. Appleton
& Co.
This is thrilling romance of the China
sea. Mr.. Boothby's stories always stir
the blood and not one Of them ever had
more Of the picturesque in situations and
descriptions than this entertaining
story Of adventure. The title is a dar-
ing one, but 1t is justified in the power
and outcome. 1t is In many ways q re-
| markable story.
Al GALAHAD OF THE CREEKS, by
8. Levett-Yeats, author Of "Thc
Honour Of Savelli," etc. D. Appleton
& Co.
This Is number 214 Of Appleton's
"Town and Country" series. Mr.. Yeats,
it will be remembered, was the author
of 1.-THE Honor of Savelli," which has
been so stoutly praised at home and
abroad. Besides the admirab BILE romance
which gives the title, the volume con-
tains a shorter story entitled THE Wild
ow Lamport," the scenes of which are
laid In a suburb Of Bombay.
THE FORGE IN THE FOREST, Be-
ing the Narrative of the Acadiar
Ranger, Jean de Mer, Seigneur de
Briart; and How He Crossed the
Black Abbc and of His Adventures
in Strange Fellowship. BY Charles
d. G. Roberts. Boston; Lamsor
Wolfe & Co. $3.50. For sale by c.
e. Parker.
No portion of the new world is richer
in romance. in tender song and story,
than the little province of Acadia, and
the newest tale of that wonderful pc
riod during which this part of New
France was transferred to the British
crown, near a century and a half ago,
may be called the story of Gentleman
of New France; and yet it Is much more
than that-it is the story of whole
people whose hearts were fuller of
heart-break than any other folk called
to deal with that troubled time.
Professor Roberts, it is said, will write
other stories of this simple and supersti-
tious people, and surely there is hint
of material enough. and proof in this
volume of ability to use it, that will
cause us to wait with eagerness for
whatever may follow.
This novel has been crafty praised
by the critics, and widely welcomed by
the public, and it deserves it. One Is con-
scious Of its quiet, enfolding strength as
one goes on with the reading 1t is Il
perfectly natural story. Nothing seems
to be overdone, as this bit of introduction
will show:
where the Five Rivers flow down to
meet the swinging of the Minas tides,
and the great Cape of Blomidon bars out
the storm and the fog, lies half a county
of rich meadow-lands and long -arcaded
orchards. 1t is a deep-boeomed land,
a land of fat cattle, of well-fiLled barns,
of ample cheeses and strong cider; and
a well-conditioned folk inhabit 1t. But
behind this countenance of gladness and
peace broods the memory of a vanished
people. These maaaive dikes, whereon
twice daily the huge tide beats In vain,
were built by hands not suffered to pos
sess the fruits of their labor. These COM
Portable fields have been scorched with
10 the laughter OF children or the silences
Of lovers have rung with battle and run
deep with blood. Though the race whose
~s~-NS AiS Noo Adc SOlIe, Stlll Stalks the
sinister shadow of the Black Able.
The Forge in the Forest" Is made
real central point Of the story, and is
thus referred to, as is the estate within
which it was situated:
1t was place for the gathering of
restless spirits, the men of Acadie who
hated to accept the flag of the Englist
King. 1t was the Acadian headquarters
of the noted ranger, Jean de Mer, who
was still called by courtesy and by the
grace of such Of his people as adhered to
his altered fortunes, the Seigneur de
Briart. His father had been lord Of the-
whole region between Blomidon and
Grand Pre-; but the English occupation
had deprived him Of all open and formal
lordship, for the De Briart sword was
notably conspicuous on the side of New
france. Nevertheless, many Of Jean de
Mer's habitants maintained to him a
allegiance, and paid him rents