The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-08
IN THE LITERARY FIELD.

pleton 4 Co, publishers. New York. (r3ot
tier Bros. HOuston)
The critics Of England ana Amcrtcs
have been reviewing this book for thu
past month or so, and their violently an.
tagonistfc Views must have given the pub.
Ito confused ideas AZ to the merits or de
merits OF Hall Gaines latest work. They
all agree. however. that II ID remark
/ able book In fact, II 10 difficult 10 un-
derstand how amy one coIod read this
! wonderful STORY without admitting III
great power and force. Hall Game de-
| lights In tragedies. All OF his works are
of a despoDdent and gloomy turn. hut
.T'he Christion'' les perfect nightmare Of
horrors And yet 1t Is a drama full OF
human nature aspiring to perfection and
struggling to attain the highest IDEAL The
story opens in the Isle of Man. but the
action takes place for the most part In
London, and the authors strenuous prep
aration for this book Is shown in the sue
cession Of moving and dramatic scenes
from strange and unknown life In the
worlds metropolis.
The romance tlrrobs with life, and the
emotional force Of these pictures of as
piration, temptation, love and tragedy
reaches a height which will make last
ing impression upon modern literature. II
must be regarded as the greatest work
that has yet come from the pen of this
strong writer. though the theme IL old in
many instances, and has been given pro-
found study by several authors before
Hall Gaines time. John Storm is one of
the noblest characters In modern litera-
t,tra ~ -, %. tn, Aot N
that excel the authors portrayal of this
priest who strove to be an ascetic, but
who was no more than human in the end.
Glory Quayle. the heroine, Is thoroughly
delightful, and her gaycty and cheerful
ness serve as an excellcnt contrast to the
constant forebodings of hesNsaintly lover.
Robert e. Lee and the Southern Con-
federacy." by Henry Alexander White.
G. +. Putram's Sons. New York and Lon
dor.
This book Is the latest addition to Put
Mans Heroes of the Nations" series.
This series gives biographical studies OF
the lives and work OF number of repre-
sentative historical characters about
whom have gathered the great traditions
of tho nations to which they belonged
and who have been accepted, in many in
stances. as types of the several rational
ideals In selecting Robert Il. Lee for
this series. the publishers have shown
excellent judgment, foc the whole world
rcveres him as an ideal soldier and per-
feet man.
The author of the Lee biography is Pro-
fessor Henry A. White of the chair of
history in the Washington and Lee uni
hoo
throughout from original sources and con
tains much information never before
made public. The statements concerning
the English ancestry of General Lee, and
the story of colonial and revolutionary
days are clearly set forth and are from
authentic sources. The social and politi-
cal history of the country. from 1870 to
1870. and the events that led up to seces-
sion. are presented in graphic manner.
IN the discussion of the campaigns of the
Army Of Northern Virginia, and of the
war as q whole. Professor White shows
careful study and research. and lie has
presented the leading events of the great
struggle in clear and concise manner.
me look Is altogether praiseworthy and
shows the thought and work OF years.
viewed as picture of ths struggle for
State rights and constitutional govern
Eent. 1t has not heen excelled by any
other work upon the subject.
M, Corleone by f. Marion Crawford.
York. D NE"
The fourth in rather remarkable series
OF rovels, dealing with tho fortunes OF
the different generations of the Snraci-
neSea family. These novels all present
an important study of Italian life. cus-
toms and conditions during the present
century and are deservedly popular. In
"Corleone,' the render of The Serbs ,oi.
lows his old friends, Don Orslno and h,s
cousin san GiaciMo, into the Sacilian
nnouh'alhs where they fall afoul of the
Ma''@ ana nave exciting adventures. In
'asor OIL language and sustained interest
OF pot the story easily ranks with Mr.
Stawlord's best work. The Characters
are oiawh with power and poetic feeling
:, Hermann the Magician HIS J;,a .Y,.
secrets. by Ill. j. Burlingame Iaird q
-, publishers, Chicago. From Rot,ia
Bros, Houston. " Dottier
o''s-uitee Illustrations and fifty OF the
great magician's most famous tricks that
nave puzzled and delighted his audiences
'he world over. are given in the above
work The Vanishing Lady. the pe.on
itauon, the Flying Cage, as we'll as man,
simpler tricks that can be performed In a
parlor with very little practice, are cars.
fiily and fully explained. This norton
OF the book will be of absorbing tnterest
to thrse who care for experimenting IN
this line. but the part most interesting tn
many Will be found in the introduct,o,
ara the biographical sketch OF the rrea;
Herman
"A Soldier of Manhattan" by Josenb A
Asltsheler; ID. Appleton & Co, publishers
New York.
Am historical moved, dealing with a SOL
dier's adventures at Ticonderoga and One
bee. Lieutenant Charters is a Young New
Yorker who enlists with Lord I,oudo,n \,
hight the French under Montcalm. He
in the battles of Ticonderopa
and the Plains OF Abraham, has MANY
adventures. Is taken prisoner, sent To
Quebec and escapes in daring manner
HIS love FOR the lovely French girl. Lon
Use de Maur. Is most ingenuFe0isly insin- |
uatet although. barring a short passage
81