The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-23
SOME NEW BOOKS
WORTH READING
cHE BArTLE oF - srRONG. p

TIE BAIT III, Oh 7 itb = B INV 80
Gilbert Parker. AOasntoA' h4'i'" 3"
~.
80 wen and 80 fsvorably has Mr.. Par
k.r been known as "A writer of charming
and picturesque Canadian romance tn"i'
when one opens the leaves OF the present
volume. one invoiuntarily looks 10 pc
greeted by "a strong. pure nitai" rom
YcslaOus pine forests. oy me Mm'ei'''9
OF eternal SHOWS covering vain virginia
mantle the camping grounds oil Ens''s"
America.
fnstead. We arc transported - N'e
storm bostcn land OF the Jersey Isle 10
"A monstrous foot-pad OF the deep. lying
with the shape and form or "a uger on
tho prowl with lts IaVcnin6 heau
stretched out 20 the west 90 DEFY the on
slaucht OF tho main. and ITS cruel rect
planted deep 81 impalins rocks ana &c
vastating reefs.
SO accurate bit Of word painting. so
true description. prepares AS 10 under
stand that such q land. so IT, unusual
ness and SIS isolation. must give nir'h
20 marked and individual race. strong
in natural reserve and racial pride; by
force Of such. honest fearless and sim
core. with q melancholy born Of tho
Inevitable monotony Of little country
and one coiied loo upon itself
The story also makes ms comprehend
preface TO the development Of an unmis-
taxable end and a proper prologue for
ths appearance Of the actors, subordi-
mates and chief piaycrs-in q realistic and
soul-stirr.ng drama. a ycr!table Battle
81 The Strong"
In This battle or drama each figure has
IS necessary and imperative place and
makes instant claim upon our warm and
unwavcring interest We recognize its
fitness IN the shrcwd Grotesqueness of
Dormy Jamais the sturdy Drawn OF Jean
Touzel. the tender plac.dity and mother
illness Of Mattress Amiable. the pathetic
loyalty and devotion Of the Siour dc Maui
pratt and the Chevaiier de Beau Manor.
the swarthy defiance OF Ellie Matlingiey.
tho unsclfsh surrender and intuiuve wis
dom of bright eyed Cartarele and So
the answering singleness OF life. the
patient surrender 20 the inevitable Of
Ranauipn Delag0rde our hearts pay
reverence Que 20 the supreme influence
o. pure aud spoUcss wOmanhOod touch
Ing maahOrd's highest Impulse in Detre-
csnd and recording for him a life pledge
20 prove ti.t % grain OF decency left IN
the human breast may grow up into
abundant shclves of honest work. into
unshrinking performance Of bravest,
truest duty for dutys and for rights
iake.
A master hand touches tho canvas
upon which stand out the portraits 81
Guida I.andresse and Philip d. Avranche.
Concerning the first we are told
Tn her was almost every note Of hu-
man feeling: home and duty. song and
gayety. daring and neighborly kindness
love ofsky and sea and air and oIcnaro'
Of the rood-sme.ling earth and WHO e.
some animal life and an the incidents
tragic. comic or commonplace q human
existence" OF the latter. It IS affirmed:
Gle was pipe 10 be played on; an
actor with the ambitious brain Of
dlp.owadst. ae weak as water, and as
strour Us steel s0ft-heartcd TO tooAsh-
ness. or uuyielding q will
Thouga the hour Of fate was struck
for these two upon tile sounding rocks
Of Ecrehos. the woman was TOO whole
some of nature and too clear OF vision 20
mate Tor long with the mans cvasiVe-
moss and weakness. FOR she was or the
number ~ those sincere souls. who buy
bat once aid pay the price but once
while "hc kept open accounts IN 'he
market OF life For them. therefore
there was quick divergence upon lie
highways. The lOttior and serener nature
pressed steadily on along its Frightening
track marked by the miestones ot pass
fr. ,ears while he weaker-ah. We some
time say in pitfm excuse Of such an
one che is rot wicked, indeed. he is only
very selfish Better more hope-ul -
vrickednese. ~ by selhshnoss We mean
"a we murt 90 all tho wasted opportulh-
Tics and vain regrets embodied 90 the ca
caedIrr BITTER cry which fell trom the
doing ifre Of phiMp o. Avranchc; eff ]
had only thought less Of myself and more
~ ofherr. myself has been eVeryihiHs.
myself aas killed me.