The age-herald., 1897-09-26
THE BOOK CORNER.


AAdSL Indtl Aiicn dtl6f icdulHS Christian" by Hall Caine, little novel by Clara Louise Burnham was taken in hand and read. She has not as many readers in this locality as she possibly deserves, for she has written some real charming little stories.
 Her latest work is published by Houghton, Mifflln & Co.,, and is up to their usual standard of excellence in the matter of workmanship. Miss Archer Archer as the name rather sug- gests is g. ''sweetly simple" little story that is most acceptable reading in the way of a quiet diversion after the emo- tions have been so profoundly stirred.
 It is believed by many that the first essential of @ good story should be smooth quick narrative. In Miss Archer Archer the narrative is not particularly rapid, 1t is, nevertheless, not halting or wearisome. There is no great amount of plot, just enough to lend the proper movement and naturalness to the ac- tidn. The scene of the story is laid partly in New England and also in Vir- ginia, near the famous resort of Old Point Comfort.
 It has always occurred to me that New England has more than her share of old maids, but if they are all as gen. ial and generouS-hearted as Miss Toothaker'' we might wish there were more of them. Even though her name constantly suggests a disturbed state of feeling, Miss Toothaker is entirely a new creation in the book, and yet the construction of the story is at times entirely dependent upon the decisions and movements of this worthy indivld- ual. She plays her part gracefully and with spirit and animation, and the reader is duly grateful. Miss Nathalie Dexter may be said to be the heroine of the story, yet it is possible that most readers will feel a kindliness for the noble-hearted little southerner whose local characteristics are supposed to be amply emphasized when she is made to say, "of cose" and ma wish" in- stead of "my wish," and "befo," but af- ter all Betty is a winsome little creation and most amiably surrenders her claim upon a handsome young military gent with whom she has grown up, and looks upon as a special possession. Still if one believes at all in the sub-conscious self will he not say that she had vaguely suspected a possible ardent admirer in MT. Russell Andreas? Imposingly intro-e duced as one of the Andreas family of Philadelphia" which proved an unctious piece of in- formation to the scheming mama of Betty. But, really, MT. Andreas was a very clever character, and in books and out of them we must admire a man who is clever and can with equal ease turn pretty piece of wit or an epi- gram. He was as quick-witted in his repartee with the precise Miss Toothaker as he was adroit in his love-making with Miss Betty. It is hardly fair, either to the author or the reader to give even a hint of the incidents or situations. Suffice it to say that Miss Archer Archer is a clever well-told little story with style that Is graceful and easy.
 It is more than probable that the se- rial which has been running in the Cen tury, Hugh Wynne, Free Quaker" by Dr. Weir Mitchell, will be one of the most noteworthy books of the year. It is a great historical novel of the Amsrf- can revolution; vivid picture of early Philadelphia society and of the stirring scenes of the revolution. With such characters in the story as Washington, Lafayette, Benedict Arnold Andre and Hamilton there is no reason why 1t should not be intensely Interesting and appeal deeply to an American hearing. Some recent critics have been comment ing upon the fact of the Americans read insss to show a prompt and widespread interest and appreciation for fine work of fiction, but bemoans that this ready response is always given to English works of fiction. Is it not possible that in Dr. Miochell's book will be found something equally worthy of praise?
 Speaking of historical novels, there Is an article on this subject in a recent Public Opinion by Prof. Brander Mat thews, condensed from the September Forum. This worthy writer generally announces his own particular views with a good deal of emphasis and so on this subject he says. '"The really trust worthy historical noysls are those which were a-writing while the history was a. making. If the 'Taae of Two Cities misrepresents the Paris of 17S9, the "Pickwick Papers, represents, with amazing humor and with photographic fidelity, certain aspects of the London of 1887. No American historian has a more minute acquaintance with the men who made the United States than MT. Paul Leicester Ford, and yet one may venture to predict that MT. Ford will never write a historical novel hav- ing a. title of the historical value pos eessed by his suggestive study of the conditions of contemporary politics in New York city, the Honorable Peter Sterling" Nevertheless there are few librarians bold enough to catalogue "Pickwick" and Peter Sterling under historical fiction after his remarks upon Scouts novels. A facetious editor re- marks. IA professors authority is great; but if Ephraim be joined to his idols even that authority may not prevail
 Rudyard Kipqing q1as just published his first American novel-"Captains Courageous" It is said to be a strong and vivid story of life among the Glou- cerfar frac1,rsoan on tho Cpa md Do pl.c