The age-herald., 1899-06-11

the book IS to the youthful reader, a cer- tain small boy of my acquaintance replied in regard to the book: Its just fine, its fine" Just a word in conclusion as to the substantial, attractive form of the binding. The paper and print are clear and of the finest which makes the reading easy and agreeable. The numerous illustrations, of course. are a most acceptable feature of the book and the fine engraving of "Theo- dore Roosevelt is the best of all.
 ''The Amateur Cracksman, is another well bound book from the press of the Scribner's Sons, and a volume that con- tains good reading matter; however, dis elimination must be exercised in placing this book in the hands of readers, for 1t can only be trusted with etrong-minded persons, warranted not merely safe from a hankering after their neighbors' spoons, but from hankering after the risky and successful capture of these spoons.
 The stories are told by E. w. Hornung, who has already earned the right to be called the Bret Harte of Australia. Only a few weeks ago mention was made of the possibility of writing thoroughly interest ing stories that did not have a love story for the central theme. Like Stevenson, MT. Hornung can write exciting and nov ing stories, without even the presence of a woman little romance does creep into the last story of the volume, '"rhe Gift of the Emperor" but it is by no means the best. It serves the purpose, however, of redeeming the book from being one of the greatest incentives ever penned to spirited youth to make a brilliant living by the bur glars art.
 MT. Hornung is a natural humorist, and possesses the art of story telling to an unusual degree. His plot is eXcellently conceived his story well written and clean ly and told in a lively and vigorous man. ner. Rallies is certainly beyond doubt <1ff nF ern fiction, and worthy in every way to take the place of his predecessor, Sherlock Holmes in the buoyancy of his wit, the ease and poise of his iron nerve and the cunning of his mental and physical work. No better stories could be found for sum mer reading than those about "The Anna teur Cracksman."
 May all our Wives be Sweethearts, and all our SWeethearts Wives" the familiar navy toast is recalled by the title of a lit tie volume recently published by the Scrib- ner's Sons, "Sweethearts and Wives by Anna A. Rogers.
 The daintily bound volume comes in the "Irony Series,' which have grown to be such faVorites. In this series are also found, Amos Judd" by J. A. Mithell; ''The Old Gentleman of the Black Stock" by Thomas Nelson Page, and many others no less popular stories, including a late
 
 by Harrison Robertson.
 The stories all relate to the navy, for Mrs. Rogers is a navy woman, heart and soul. They contain a variety of episodes romantic, sentimental, humorous, and many tragic and pathetic. They tell us in a graphic manner of hurried partings, of long cruises, of little groups of women in outlandish ports, each striving to bravely keep on in the battle of life until the ar rival of some ensign or an admiral. But they are brave, true stories, and have been well received, especially by those who ought to be the best of judges, the navy men and their wives and sweethearts.
 "Red Rock,'' by Thomas Nelson Page, has been reviewed in these columns but it is a pleasure to note the gratifying sales which this popular book has reached. Not only in this country, but in England the book has been received with enthusiasm and a high degree of appreciation MT. Page does not claim that Red Rock" is 0 historical novel, and, in fact, none of the characters have figured in history. Yet, in the highest sense it may be claimed to be historical, for it gives a truthful and accurate account and picture of the life end history of a people during a special time. It is we'll named, "A Chronicle of Reconstruction" and no one is more fitted by individual talent and temperament to give such faithful portrayal of these troublous days than MT. Page. The dra- matic fervor and delicacy of his work combined with his reverence and pathetic interpretations of the old anti-bellum life have made him a universal favorite and given him a reputation possessed by no other writer in the south.
 PAUL PRY.