Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-25

and political condition of France in the
first half Of the seventeenth century,
whilst the "Forewords" Of VI. Rideal are
an awful malediction Of the France Of
the present day.
Cyrano makes successful love to his
fair cousin, Roxane, for another, TO whom
he causes her to be married; and one Of
the best parts Of the play is the means
by which Cyrano detains her other lover,
De Guiche, whilst the marriage ceremony
between Roxane and Christian IS being
performed. by the very priest whom De
Guiche has sent as his confidential mes
senger 70 her.
Christian is killed in battle, and Roxane
retires TO a convent, where Cyrano visits
her, but still conceals from her his long
and ardent devotion. At last, just before
his death, she discovers it from his re-
peating in the dark. one Of his W pas
sionate love-letters, which she thought
was Christians, but which Cyrano had
written. But this revelation comes too
late. Cyrano has been MORALLY injured
by his enemies and dies.
This story may remind US Of that Of Sir
Tristram, in the days of King Arthur. He
made love to Isolde for his King, whose
wife she became. But Sir Tristram lived
to see her rescued from her royal SPOUSE
and happily enjoyed her love and society
as his own.
SAMANTHA AT SARATOGA; or.
"RACIN AFTER FASHION" or,
Josiah Aliens Wife Nlarietta Holley),
author Of Samantha at the Ceuten-
nial,' &c. +. Tennyson Nicely, New
York and London. Paper. Pages 373.
WIS Is No. 81 of Neely's Universal Ii
brary, issued weekly at Sl2 a year. lie
also publishes the Popular Library, the
Prismatic, and the Tourist.
Samantha is u neighborly and kind
hearted soul, and does good at home be-
fore she goes to Saratoga. Her bur-
lesque descriptions Of that famous ia
shionable resort. with its enyirons and
some notable places within easy reach,
are no doubt accurate. Some Of the
blunders which she ascribes to her hus-
band make him out more OF an ignoramus
than he really was. When She gets to
MI. McGregor, her patriotism n lauda-
ton OF General Grant spread wings and
outsoar the American eagle.
Most OF her satire and ridiCule are Just
ly deserved. Samantha is instrumental
In reforming one Of these hideous mothers.
who in her distress requests Josiah Allen
to pray for her. Josiah's prayer is very
near being spoiled by the pet dog. who
assails his bent legs and his coat-tail.
josiah kicks the dog TO the opposite side
OF the room and petitions fervently.
The eoSs mistress amends her life. and
becomes a mother and q wife. both Of
which she had failed to be. The book
has more than amused Us.
FRANK LEsLIES POPULAR MONTH
LIZ. For January, 1899.
Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly for
u Is n royal holiday number, and
sets q very high standard for the coming
year. The feature par excellence Is the
complete story Of the sinking OF the Ner-
rimac at the mouth OF Santiago harbor.
last Juno, as told in a straightforward.
mi narrative by Lieutenant Hob
sons chosen helmsman in that historic
exploiting gallant young Osborn Deig-
man,. from Iowa. Portraits OF H0bson
and all his gallant crew are given. to-
gether with no less than thirty graphic
some Of the latter being
actual photographs taken on the spot.
Heimsman Deignan's narrative. as here
published, deserves TO take rank in per-
manent history beside hat OF Lieutenant
Hobson himself.
This same January number OF Frank
Leslie's Popular Monthly contains. i'm adj
dition 10 the story OF the Merrimac. the
first OF a series OF articles by the ceie-
brated war correspondent. Thomas K.
Dawley, Jr., recounting his exciting ex-
periences while Campaigning with
Gomcz.' In the wilds Of Cuba; "In a
Klondike Cabin" by Joaquin Miller. the
Poet OF the S%ierras. who has recently re-
turned from Alaska; the nrst part OF a
new California story by Bret Harte, en-
titled "Mr. Jack Hamlin's Mediation;
Women In Politics" BY the Marluiss
LAMA; NAVAL Signalling and Carrier
Pigeons" by Joseph G. Croft; "rhe Or
phan Of Belleyiile," a charming and