The times., 1899-11-19
Miscellaneous Publications.

How Hindsight Met Proyincialaus" is
a book Of fiction Of a somewhat new type.
The author, L. Clarkson Whitelock. evil
IDENTIFY has made a study of Northern and
Southern provincisIisms, with some de-
gree Of appreciation of both The book is
in two parts. The first, ''Provincialatis.'
describes various phases of Southern life
before the war and after-life in a sleepy
little Southern town where women were
supposed TO have no occupation but TO
make their houses and themselves as
charming as might be without too much
trouble. The second half, "Hindsight,"
describes various odd characters in New
England town which has seen better
days" The first has progressed not at all;
the second has progressed backwardly;
and the final chapter in the book describes
the meeting OF women from these two
widely different communities
The pictures of "Provincialatis" are bet
ter done than the Others and are really
charming in places. There is a fascinating
Incidence and quaint humor in the authors
leisuTely style. "a Literary COteTie" is
perhaps the most entertaining Of the chap
teTs, though there is some power and pa
thos in others. This particular sketch is
( in a semi dramatic form, and has for its
subject the establishing of a Literary
Coterie' in Provincialatis by a certain
Northern Miss Plymouth. At the first meet
ing q paper is read by brilliant young
/ lady with certain aspirations toward both
/ fashion and literature, and then comes the
discussion. This is piece Of it:
|. Miss Caressa-Don't you think it is too fine
for parlor playE l should call it rather a
Drama Of the Soul No amateur could do justice
to the noble ana beautiful character OF the
Prince. Now, tell me, has anyone here ever
known man who could play the part Of the
Princel
Miss Girondelle-Yes: have.
Mrs. Fauquier-That is so like you, Lady
Blanche. You are always ready, and the people
! you know are always ready. Now, il knew peo-
/ pie who could do nice things / could never get
! hold Of them
Miss Girondelle-wcH, didn't say could get
! hold Of this man, because he is dead. He
/ the Cleyerest man ] ever met, and the most
! charming CTo Mrs Jerold.) Hetty you know
! whom / mean. lie your admirer.
| Mrs. Jerold-He was yours more than mine.
! Blanche He used TO rave about you whenever
| he came 10 me
| Miss Girondele-And when he came to call on
| me, it was your destinations he talked about.
| He used TO read me French poems he had writ
] ten about you.
The discussion continues for three or
four pages, while Miss Plymouth is prob
| ably enquiring of herself: But what i'm
ports the nomination of this gentleman"
Finally the company gets back-or is
/ dragged back-to the discussion Of the play
! just read and then refreshments are
| served. During the slipping of chocolate
and nibbling of waters the conversation re-
turns to the career of the gentleman who
might have played the Prince, and it turns
out that he died Of delirium tremeus. Miss
! GirondeIle says she ''reckons So though
| by that time she had lost interest in
| him" It may easily be seen where the
| discussion finally went. A Literary Co
| terie" in Provincialatis is not only an
exotic, but a monstrosity.
The story Of Lady Blanche" the sweet
Southern gentlewoman, who spent most of
her life visiting one friend or another. well
coined everywhere because OF her bright
face and CHEEKY ways, is one Of the lowell
est and most pathetic chapters in the book.
The New England sketches are not as
spontaneous and bewitching as those Of the
South. They have not the realism Of Miss
| wilkins, the evanescent charm Of Alice
| Brown, or the sweet honesty Of Sarah Orne
Jewett. The author will do well to write
more sketches of the sunny, drowsy South
ern village and let New England alone.
(Boston: Small, Maynard & Co $1.25)
| ffThincr Tbav { honlr