New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-04
book is substantially and tastefully made and


| bound.
| In hi. Introductory note TO the new edition
! Of Henry Kingsley's novels. Mr.. Clement Shor'e.
observes that the life OF the author may we"
he told in q few words because that life was OF
tho whole a failure He draws an enecuVe
contrast between the fame which came easily "
Charles Kingsley and that which is even now
rather grudgjngiy accorded TO the younsei
brother of that striking figure In victoria"
literature Yet. Mr.. Shorter is justined' we
think In feeling that "Ravenshoe' 1eoh''
HamIin" and 1.-THE Hillyars and Burtons nav
q future as we'll az a past and present ~
will never be a respondent future heh'!
Kingsley 1ust fell short OF that Level on winch
the natural play OF genius enabled MS FAMOUS
J brother 10 achieve memorable Things rdr"S
Henry kingsley failed for a reason to which
his present editor refers. for the reason ina.
he lacked excellence Of style Partly he faiieu
haoouae such dramatic gifts as ne had were d.
m,nished in their potentaty by his imperfec-
.,os d, r,attera Of construction. But his novels
Of Australian life are among the most interest
,ro which have dealt with themes found at the
Antipodes They. and not a few OF their per-
bana too numerous companions based on ma
teriais found elsewhere have considerable IN
cident of q striking character. they reveal ire
nuentlv a certain insight into nature, ana all
Of Henry Kingsley's work, even the less sue
cessful part is characterized by the intelligence
and good feeling which belonged 10 the author
as a man. Professor Saintsbury has said that
the nineteenth century notion OF what constr
tutes a gentleman IS, perhaps, better exhlo'eu
by Kingsley than by anybody else. AS usuai
with the Edinburgh professor. this judgment
overshoots the mark. but It contains an element
Of truth 1t is certain that In everything tha'
relates to a good standard OF conduct ana man
ners Henry Kingsley was uncommonIy wei IN
structed. and there Is a refinement In MS WORK
which enhances ell Of the other qualltles APP
pearing in his narratives. Minor noVeist
though he was, and Is always destined 10 De- ne
Is serious, dignifed and interesting. The last
word gives perhaps the best reason FOR the
publication OF this new library edition. ana we
cordially welcome the books. believing that
they will be valued by a considerable audience.
These who are not acquainted with the novelist
cannot afford to remain in ignorance Of him, ana
he is presented to them now in just the right
form. The books are agreeably printed. they
contain some good illustrations. and the quiet
design Of the binding makes the set comely
addition TO ne shelves Of the reader.
Levers Knight of Gwynne" appears for the
holidays we'll printed In two volumes, with the
old illustrations 1t was judicous 10 retain the
latter. No living artist that we know OF could
surpass "Phiz" as he exhibited his art In the IL
lustration Of Charles Lever Indeed, Lever is
not an author for every illustrator His humor
Is peculiar. his whole method is essentially
original, and characterized by flavor extremely
difficult to communicate to drawings Of his
characters or scenes. "Phiz' hit the mark ex-
actly. Lever Is none too we'll known these days
and reprints Of him 10 be thankfully re-
ceved. The two volumes presenting THE
Knight OF Gwynne" are thoroughly acceptable.