Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-21
NEW BOOKS AND MAGAZINES
Novel Based on Conditions and Men in
South Africa.
ANOTHER NOVEL BY A SOUTHERN WRITER
Nebraska Continues to supply Its
Quota of New Books, II Lincoln
writer Being the Latest
Contributor.

Only few weeks ago It was reported in
the newspapers that an agreement had been
signed in behalf OF Germany and the British
South African company, binding the COM
pany under certain restrictions in the con-
struction OF its railways. In return an
agreement was signed by Germany permit
ting Cecil Rhodes Cape to- Cairo telegraph
line to be carried through German East
Africa. We recall this recent negotiation
between the powers as a comment, or sequel
rather, to the true story OF certain incidents
in contemporary. politics concerning the
formation OF the Cape-to- Cairo railway
plans, which is told by Mr. Morley Roberts
in his startling work OF fiction, The CO.
lossus.' The novel has already been before
the English public for some weeks and has
created quite stir OF excitement there. The
work has now been brought out in this
country and should attract no little attention
by reason OF the public interest in South
Africa affairs. Harper & Bros.
Harris Dickson, an attorney of Vcksburg,
has written, under the title of The Bla X
VOLTS Breed very entertaining historical
romance, the scene of which is laid partly
in Louisiana, in the early years of the eight
eenth century, and partly in Paris of the
same date Among the historical pers mage 3
that figure in it are Benvllle, Louis XIV,
Serigny and many other minor characters Of
that stirring epoch. The hero. Captain de
Mouret, is sent to France by Blenvie with
letters for Serigny. In Paris he Is en-
ployed TO Illustrate Spanish conspiracy, the
object of which is to provide the enemy with
information about the defenses of the French
colonies incidentally, he searches for the
dtfrauded heirs of the noble family of the
counts of Artin. He falls very much in love
with young girl whom he believes is al
ready WIFE SO he fees back TO America to
avoid what looks like inevitable dshonor.
In the wilds he discovers that he himself Is
the heir OF the Artns and that his lady love
is not really married there having been a
curious mistake which is satisfactorily ex-
planned, and all ends happily. The Bowen
Merrill Co., indianapolis.
An extreme illustration of the prejudice
against negro blood in this country and es-
oecally in the south, is presented in Don
Cosme," by Troilus Hilgard ryndale Of Lin
coin, Neb. The hero, Don Cosme is the de-
jcendant of an Italian prince, born in St.
Louis of a slave mother, with, however, no
noticeable trace of negro blood. The young
man inherits his fathers large estates and
passes as Mexican. During the civil war,
being prominent in the society of the south,
he espouses the southern cause distinguishes
himself and emerges from the conflict a
colonel. with a great reputation for bravery
and military capacity. He pays his court to
the daughter of a blue blooded family with
the members of which he has long been on
terms of the greatest intimacy, and the
match is highly favored by all concerned.
On the eve of the wedding, however. the
fact that he has few drops OF African blood
in his veins is discovered and he is suddenly
regarded as an outcast by all with whom he
had previously associated so amicaby and
on terms of equality. This denouement is
led up to with great skill and the terrible
social fall, which -ensues. upon the discovery
is most graphically illustrated. Incidental
to the story many notable scenes and occur
rences during the civil war are given. to-
gether with pictures of southern life and
society previous to and during the war.
G. W. Dillingham; Company Price, sl.50
William McLennan has published volume
of stories bearing the title "In Old France
and New" The writer is already known as
the author of "The Span o. Life" and Span
ish John. His present volume contains
seventeen short stories, comprising two
series. The first is collection of stirring
tales or the French revolution, while the
second gives a vivid picture of French
Canadian life and character from historic
times down to the present. Harper & Bros.
Price, $1.50.
''The Treasure of Mushroom Rock" is the
title of boys book by Sidford #. Hamp.
1t is very neatly bound and printed volume
and Just the book for holiday present to
boy. 1t is story of prospecting in the
Rocky mountains and well told story, too
There is enough adventure and thrilling
episodes to please any boy. The illustrations
are very good and add greatly to the story
as we'll as TO the general appearance of the
volume G. p Putnams Sons. Price, $l50.
More Scriors Works.
The author of Children OF the Mist,
Eden Phillpotts, has out a new volume en-
titled "The Human Boy" 1t is very tasty
little volume containing eleven stories that
are really most delightful studies Of boy life
and character. Some critics are disposed tc
regard 1t as the best writing of the kind