New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-08
a warm welcome awaits his "Old Times in
Middle Gnnrgia ., The hnnk Ia a good -Xample

a warm welcome awaits his "Old Times in
Middle Georgia" The book Is good cxample
Of temperament imbuing and enriching re-
ctal of strictly prosac matters. None Of Colonel
Johnston's themes could be called poetic; they
not more picturesque than most subjects or
rural Southern life-which have grown too
familiar to be expressly noticeable. But familiar
things grow quaint and picturesque and even
poetic under Colonel Johnston's hands 1t is
the attraction Of his temperament that tells
These "Old Times" appeal to him in a haze OK
sentiment and pathos; he sees them one be-
holds the scenes of childhood; they are wrapped
round for him with lovableness and a kind OF
homely beauty. Without trying he makes the
reader aware of the same simple beauties BIS
artlessness makes half his charm. In such a
sketch as Mr.. Eben Bulls Investments"
wherein most writers would be hopelessly con-
scious Of the atmosphere Of boyhood Colonel
Johnston breathes that PARKWAY air as if it were
his to this day. The spontaneity. the
freshness. the happy o-lucky ness OF youth-it
is all living and fruitful within these pages. II
animates in fact. the entire volume and makes
the latter one of the most companionable things
in recent fiction. The stories have been pub
lished previously in various periodicals, but
gathered together they to be cordially
before.
Forty years ago the characteristics of Georgia
were delineated by another native of the State
who had less temperament. fewer gifts. than has
Colonel Johnston. but who had keen eye and
a clever hand. 1t is good to have a new edition
OF Major Jones's book. The life he saw had
hardness in it, the uncouth manners of the
time are rcpellent to us now but he had sense
OF he
he was brief and could make veritable pictures
out of his random studies One does not read
his Georgia Scenes" reads Colonel
JohnstOns new book, for the sheer pleasure in
it. But in reading 1t fo- its truthful and ami
mated account of human nature one reads il
sufficiently high ground. These pages are
vivid, as full of vitality when they were
first published in 1910. 1t is surprising they
should have had to wait 50 long for the justice
of handsome. wel-printed edition. Surely the
public has had time to give to sketches SO
spirited this devoted to gander pullings
the horse trades. the dances, fox hunts and other
diversions of old-time Georgia
Simpkinsye is a quiet commonplace neigh
borhood and Mrs Stuart's stories about the
town and its most characteristic inhabitants
are tremendously commonplace and quiet No
doubt they are true. We wish they were more
bold; we wish the author had had the courage
to project either a CLEAN of fancy or a fash
of humor into the sedate atmosphere of her
chosen town. In that case she would be moro
inspiriting The vein of fun she has sometimes
revealed in her work Is here subdued and the
mawkish sentiment which takes its place f.
hardly a compensation. On the whole IL is n
dull book and unworthy OF the pen Of a writer
who in her way is frequently amusing
Miss Robnsons "Penhallow Tales" borrow
most OF their interest from the authors taste for
McrdnesA Whom she seeks to nalut q nnrtrait