New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11
FICTION.
ANOTHER PAMPHLET IN DISGUISE.

DOCTOR THERNE. BY II. Rider Haggard Duo
deciino. PIP. viii. 200 Longrnans. Green & Co.
THE ADVENTURES. a Tale of Treasure Trove.
hy H. t. Marriott Watson With Illustrations
by A. l. Keller Uuodeclmo. PIP. Us. Harper q
OUT + or MULBERRY W. STREET. Stories OF Tenc-
Duodecimo, Up. go. The Century Company.
NEW STORIES FROM THE CHAP BOOK. Being
,Misce.'1ny OF Curious and Interesting Tales,
hrto1cS; etc.,; Newly comp0sed by Many Cee-
Daodeciino. PIP. 2Go. Herbert S. Stone & Co.
The other day Mr.. Norman wrote novel.
'Rcden's Corner which concerned itself largely
with the unhealthy and even deadly abuses that
have grown up in certain factories Now Mr..
Rider Haggard offers in Doctor Theme q
similar blast only the objects Of his taclt de-
nunciation are the Observation-Disclosures 1t Is
little surprising to find this author engaged in
such crusade cas- surprising as 1t has been to
watch his easy transition from. novels OF Afr-
can adventure to the daily humdrum interests
of English aSriculturist. But Just as "A
Farmers Year reveals the hand Of a p.actised
writer 50 Doctor Theme" has the dramatic
movement to be expected in the work Of a born
story-teller. Mr. Haggard mnmzcs the sinister
significance Of his hero by leading him very
smoothly and naturally to his final mistaken
poSlloii, Out appdTCHlIy MS emotions nave been
strongly stirred by the subject. and he makes
the narrative Of Themes rise and fall unrnis-
takably thrilling. We cannot quite hate the we'll
meaning doctor but neither can We help feeling
a deep conviction that his career was tragically
managed He is living character in these
pages Mr.. Haggard has disguised a pamphlet
in the form OF i novel upon this occasion. but
he is none the less impressive for that reason.
Mr. Watson hovcrs between the, world Of ju-
venilia and the world Of serious romance in
"Thc Adventures" 1t has many OF the quail
tiles Of a boys book, and the illustrations assist
in leaving this impression; but the tale Is so
inspriting that we doubt II any one. OF any
age. who took IL up would put 1t down unfn-
ished. Mr. Watson is something Of a novice
and takes little longer than is necessary to get
TO the point. The story could have been told In
half the time that he takes. But forgive him
his prolixity. for the book deserves It's title 1t Is
full Of the charm of adventure.
Mr. I,iis is Il journalist first and a writer OF
fiction aftorward This improves rather than
harms his sketches. brought together under the
expressive title, out of Mulberry Street His
experience in writing for the newspapers has
taught him to be brief and rapid-to take &C
count OF the little racy details that go to make
in the Sums. He knows from close acquaint-
ance with his subject that 1t IS varied In color.
touched constantly with keen pathos. but never
without the elements Of humor which save
human nature. even i'll its worst estate from
being wholly repulsive to those who have the
right eyes. Mr.. Riis Is clear OF vision and sym
pathetic He regards the people Of Mulberry
st. with due sense Of proportion. and the bal
ance he strikes in his sketches between sun
shine and shadow makes him one Of the most
entertaining writers in his field.
Chap Book Stories" IS a rather light WASTED
volume. 1t contains some good work and some
OF a trivial, purely ephemeral nature. But the
good stories distinctly rcadabeas witness
1.-THE Unsullied Brow OF the Viceroy" by Edwin
lie Fevre or the Dick of the late Maria Louise
Pool-and with its artistic presswork and clever,
sketchy binding. the book will make a pleasant
companion for railway journey.