The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-08
NOTES, GOSSIP AND REVIEWS.

The Easter season has been unusually
prolific in new books and new editions.
Fiction, bellies letters, travel and science
ha each received valuable additions
from authors old and new. The character
of the books published and their ready
appreciation By a grateful public show
that the literary taste of the American
people is readily susceptible to influences
of a purer and better literature.
The large and steady sale of suCh works
as DIR. Nansens "Farthest Nortn" and
Capt Mahan's Life of Lord Nelson"
shows that Americans prefer good books
to trash, and works of this character find
a constantly widening market. DR.. Nan
sens great work, to say the least, certain
ly deserves all the good things that have
been said about 1t and just at present the
author is the literary lion, both at the
English ana French capitals. Capt.
Mahans crowning work has won for him
unending praise and added even to his
envable fame gained by his former work
on THE Influence of the Sea Power"
In the field of fiction there are host of
new books by the old favorites. most of
them deserving more than passing notice.
Miss Archer Archer" by Clara Louise
Burnhan, is one of the best of this popu-
lar story-teller's ever-welcome books.
"Hilda Straiford," by Beatrice Harraden,
Is the first work from the pen of the
creator of "Ships" since its wonderful
success three years ago. 1t Is charming
story of Southern California breathing
the freshness of thac sunny cline and
cleaning with a genial humor characters
tic of the author Miss Harraden, since
her return to England has improved but
slightly in health and her literary labors
for the present are consequently limited.
One of the sunniest, brightest cheeriest
and most mirth provoking stories of the
year is "The Great x. and A. Train Rob-
he 1n1Il / aiP al hnr Of
THE Hon. Peter Sterling" and "The Life
of Washington" This book Is not as ITS
title might imply a regulation detective
story, but a sparkling original, up-to-date
love story of no mean order. "A Marital
Liability" by Elizabeth Phipps Train, is
also story of this happy description and
is well worthy the pen of the author of
"A Social Highwayman." Stephen Crane
has taken us to the country for the scene
of his new story which bears the title,
1.-THE Third Violet" OF this little pas
toral we certainly can say what We would
hesitate to say about either maggie" or
Georges Mother" that is: a fresh,
healthy story, pleasing!y told. We had
hardly followed the author from his police
court fame In the metropolis to bloody
Cuba before we found him al the seat of
war In the east penning sanginary cables
to 1.-THE Journal" and observing the scene
of action by the light Of "Greek Fire"
Robert Barr and we predict for it sue
cess equal to any of Mr.. Barr's previous
books, most of which have been eXcep-
tionally good. "Trooper Peter Halket"
is romance of Jameson's Raid to9d by
olive Schreinar. We feel certain that
Miss Schreiner has added but little to
her literary fame in this novel and are
glad to let her reputation rest on her
more popular Dreams" and THE Story
of an African Farm" "Christine OF the
Hills" is the title of Max Pemberton's
new book. Those Of his admirers who
have enjoyed THE Impregnable City,"
1.-THE Little Huguenot" and "a Puritan
Wife" need only to know that this latest
effort is up to his former standard There
Is freshness, humor, and originality
aobut Mr.. Pemberton that makes his
name am "Open Sesame" with every lover
of good fiction. "a Merry Maid of Area
dy'' is the initial story OF a bright volume
by Mrs. Burton Harrison. Frank II.
Stockton, after a silence of several years,
has given us a splendid group of short
stories under the title of "a Story Teller's
Pack" The above include most OF the
recent works of fiction, although there
are many others well worthy OF men
| tlon.
! Rev. George HAnwN-'A has had pub