The Portland daily press., 1898-04-01

the Greek girl and happy ending to the
love story, which has wound its way
through the scenes of intrigue, carnage,
and adventure. The twenty one illustra-
tions assist the alternate poetry and ac'
tion of the story.
Victor Sevenus, A Story of the Pauline
Era. BY Henry Wood, author of Studies
in the Thought World, etc. (Boston: Lee
a. Shepard; Portland: Loring, Short q
Harmon.) The scene of this story is
located in that very dramatic period OF
the words history, the Pauline era, and
through graphic character delineatlon
deals with the thought, customs, and re-
Iigious systems CT that time. Its aim is to
draw true and well-proportioned picture
of the actual conditions, avoiding an over
drawn and debasing realism, SO often EN-
ployed for the sake of exaggerated con-
trasts. While the historic framework Is
carefully preserved, there is wide range
of the fancy and imagination In the move
ment, and wealth of mystical, psychical.
and wierd phenomena deftly woven into
the fabric of the story. Love. adventure,
romance. idealism, and magic are hand
led in action to combine entertainment
instruction, and profit. Mr.. Woods
former books, which have passed through
many editions, have been mainly philoso
phical, ethical, and metaphy ysical, Zone OF
which, s'Ideal Suggestion" has hetn
u \ nd had q vida
circulation in that empire but in the
present work the graces Of the imagina-
tion stand out with great power in plot,
action, style and purpose.
The Man Who Outlived Himself. By
Albion W. Tourgee, author of A FOOLS
Errand, etc. (New York: Fords. How
ard & Hubert; Portland: Loring, Short
& Harmony 1t is some years since
Judge A. W. Tourgee came before the
public with work of fiction, and the
handy little volume that is now Issued
under his name bears rather paradox
cal title-"The Man Who Outlived Him
SELF" 1t certainly hears evidence OF
Tourgee's striking ingenuity and of his
dramatic descriptive power. The tale is
of an active-brsined man, with wife
and daughter), who, although apparently
of literary taste and talent, is engaged in
Wall street operations. His anxiety and
distress over some speculations result In
his mysterious disappearance. Years
later, after extraordinary experiences. he
returns to New York and sesks TO learn
the fate of those dear td him. Tho essen
tial popularity of the story lies in the
graphic descriptions of the two processes
of losin and regaining mental equilibri-
u1n, and in this Judge Tourgee evidently
writes from close observation and study
of similar cases, whik the human in
terest of the narrative islintense and the
interplay of characters very Abs0rbing to
the reader. Tho observations of the
resurreoted man IN coming back to the
great city after an absence of twelve years
give opportunity for much shrewd and
amusing comment on the changes he
inds--in buildings, street oars, lighting,
men, women. costumes, manners, ETC.. ::
his seeking out the old haunts and ac-
quaintances, the finding Of his wife and
daughter, the hazards of recognition and
agonizing questions within himself as to
whether-being as good as dead-he shall
rejoin or forever abandon them. and ths
ingenious conclusion, comb bine to make
most unusual and weirdly attractive tale.
Although dealing with abnormal condi-
+iopc IL Ia thorOuchIv whO1asotua. and
while relating experiences of darkness
and despair, it is sweet-spirited, hopeful
and cheering, both in general tone and in
final effect.