The age-herald., 1898-08-28

other young man found in the journalistic rank as an author along a particular line Of work. MT. Kennedy is Kentuckian by birth and very appropriately commenced his journalistic career by serving for four years under that prince of newspaper men, Henry Watterson, prominently known as editor of the Courier-Journal. MT. Kenne- dy went to Memphis in 1881, and after period of constant and faithful service in his chosen profession, he has been reward ed with the office of editor of the Com mercial-Appeal, which he now holds. His first venture in literary fields was novel, published in 1S93 entitled Tn the Dwell ings of Silence,'' romance of Russia. The book was favorably received and the au- thor encouraged to further effort. MT. Kennedy then turned his attention to writ ing Biblical Stories.'' The wisdom of his choice is emphasized by the rapid sue cess he has attained At first his efforts were confined to short stories and appear ed successively in the Century" Worth American Review the ''Churchman" and '"rhe Chap-Book.'
 These stories were so favorably received that a popular and enterprising firm ap-
 
 to write for them a longer and more ann bilious piece of work. This the author consented to do, and his latest work, "Ja- van -Ben-Seir'' is the result MT Kennedy has created for himself, as it were, an individual field of work by his accurate and realistic pictures of the early life of the Hebrews. "Javan-Ben-Seir" is laid in the same field in which he has hitherto been so successful, and is also given the same yomanistic treatment that makes his stories such delightful reading. The Earn est Worker" for the Sunday schools has just completed a thorough review and critical study of the Hebrews under the Kings and the tragic events following the death of King Solomon. This is the perl cd chosen in "Javan-Ben-Seir," the text bears evidence of such familiarity and sure knowledge of his subject and such truthfulness to sacred history that th,s book will form invaluable reading for Biblical students and should be in every Sunday school library. The persons and events are treated in so realistic man ner that they become actual to the reader and possess a significance and meaning that is only to be obtained when present. ed in this form.
 However "Jayan- Ben Seir" has a value as piece of literature aside from its Bib Heal treatment. As a romance 1t is story full of stirring adventure The various incidents of -Javans life are told in dra- matic style that entertains and congresses the attention of the reader. The phrasal power of the author and his dainty imag- cry lend peculiar picturesqueness to this story of the far east and the eariX oays. There is scrupulous precision and con ciousness of diction which makes one Ieei that there is not line too much in the hook. not a page that could have been omitted In the recital of the dramatic events of Javan's life each incident and event leads naturally up to the thrilling climax of the whole work-the story or Jayan's race for life to the City of Re- fuge. This unity of plot combined as 1t is with unusually strong characterization, makes of the book an exceedingly good piece of work and commands 1t to that large class of readers, who, in their ro- mantle fiction, require first of all, to be entertained. Readers of "Javan-Ben-Seir' will look anxiously for more work by MT. Kennedy, and will hope not to be disap- pointed by the young Memphis journalist. The book is most attractively bound and published by the Frederick A. Stokes Co.
 Tn the strongest possible contrast with the former book by MT. Kennedy, which is wholesome and healthy, is a recent book by woman-Virginia Rosalie Coxe-and entitled "The Embassy Ball." Readers of fiction who are wearied with the sameness and mediocrity of the usual run of novels and who desire something with plenty of snap and vigor and Ego" in 1t, will up- doubtedly enjoy "The Embassy Ball" In fact, it is so full of "snap" that it ac- tually flies to the head and almost makes one dizzy and lightheaded. It has the sparkling. effervescent quality of cham pagne and entrances the reader from first page to last. The work is a social satire and throws a fierce light upon the man. ners and customs of the aristocracies of several continents and the reader feels in- tuitively that the author knows whereof she speaks and is one of them She de- scribes with such vivacity and cleverness the wit and repartee of the ultra fash ionable set and their daily whirl of gaieties that one's breath Is vertically whisked away and one feels compelled to lay the book aside moment and relax over strained nerves. and give the brain time to catch up with it all The action is so continuous and sustained the reader is