The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-10-06

Among tho other publications of the
Page Company are Pretty Michal, by
Maurus Jokai; In Guiana Wilds, by James
Roadway; and volume entitled, The
Queen Service, OF the Real Tommy At
klns, BY Horace Wyndham, late of the
-th Reg't
The novels of Jokai the famous Hun.
Rarian writer, are too well known to need
either praise or comment, but Pretty
Miohai is. on the whole, the most strik-
ing and dram ATTIC of the Eev eral works of
this Author which have teen translated
into English.
A bewitching love story Is that of
Michal and Valentine, while yet the
pages of the book are sanRuinary to a
degree, ard at times there seems to be
rather too m UGH of horror. But the story
romantic happenings, -a. tale of bArbaric
and sinister conditions.
Yet ths archives of the ancient city OF
Ka ssa 1.-THE theatre of the principle scenes
Of the story have supplied Jokai with
nonstrous and Incredible, incidents
which are in reality founded ON fact.
In Guiana Wilds, is "a study of two
women" and 1t certainly has power and
pinturesqueness. To one unequal ted
with the forests and rivers of Guiana the
setting Of the story Is new and strange.
and many Of the phrases and names OF
things are not easily understood.
| The 1.-TWO women" are the two wives OF
Allan Gordon, the hero of the story, and
there is a great deal that is lush and
tropical. not to say savage and uncivilized
in the surroundings as well as in the
circumstances of the story. Chloe, wife
number one, is a "boyiandsr coquette, -
whatever that may be; and Yariko, wife
number two (while the first Is still ex.
tant) Is the daughter of chief, "a prrc.
ious blossom of the Savannah" who's
dark color gives her the appearance Of
being in full dress.
The author promises us sequel in
which we are to- be told chow A liam sold
his treasure, and met Chloe, OF his for.
a unato Cscpe from her, and of his further
wanderings with Yariko, ALI of which
sounds highly improper.
sTns volume concerning Tommy At
kins pnrports to be the experience of {
private soldier in the British Infantry al
home and abroad, and Is dedicated, BY
permission, to Mr.. Rudyard kipling
The author states that several Of tn,
chapters have been published in The
Graphic, Pail Mall Budget, United Ser
vice Magazine, etc.
1 TT is mot hiakorv ~ %ha aoldlo~
war, but of the life Of the soldier in tn,
piping times of peace. and to the many
who must he interested in the subject tn,
volume should prove most interesting
Mr.. Wyndhsm allows himself bit o
satire in tina following. "I do not" h
says, write deeds Of dsrring-do per.
formed upon the field of battle, the CLAM
our of the lonely bivouac, or the will,
excitement of the night alarm. Nor d,
dilate upon the ,glories of the skirmish
to the fierce exultation of the bayonet
charge. Such stirring episodes are sa f
in the ADLER hands Of the lady "militar,
move hsts, and am happily restrains,
from infringing upon their province.
IL Throughout the volume
has been my intention to give the Genera
Publio-whose interest in everything per
tanning to the army is wide ana SINGER
some authentic information regarding
the life and conditions of service of non
commissioned officers and private sol
diers ~
The volume Ia a handsome one and ha
four fine illustrations.
NJ r., n w