The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-19
DAVID IIARt
Wesicott Publish
Co, New York.

DAVID HAIKU NJ ny '@'"''i' wy
Westcott published boy d. Appleton q
Co. New York.
I'm IN, absorbing interest developed by
the reading of one Of the most talked OF
and de..3ly entertaining books of the day
and hoiir we cannot but deplorc the fact
that Mr.. Wcstcotts career of work and
usefulness ended with such production
before DE could i'm any measure realize
his success. or enjoy the instant stamp
az anproval set upon the pages of his
book MS the mead OF its merit and origi-
nality.
a sinqlo achievement as his contribution
to tine world of letters, he leaves I'm
ishCd and complete one and one FAR bel
ter calculated TO- win for him an cndur-
ing place and remembrance than dozen
of carciessly written or hastily put To-
rethcr romanccs.
Tho great attraction or David Ha-
rt,f,'. ms a whole. lies i'm its intense local
colorinc. .n the absolute truth ana udei-
it,. with which places and personages are
described and bought at once before us.
Tbcn. we have a rev departure in typcs,
for the scene Is laid mainly in a small
rural town of central New York known
TO the reader as bonneville. The dOmi-
Mating figure in this community and the
.5ous cv machina" Of the story presents
bim.clf To us as a many-sided nature.
We chucRlo with him when he gets the
better of the "dcalNn' and his revenge
I'm u "hoes trade" we note his keen dis
elimination Of character in his inter
course with John LennoX and his deal
fne- with Dis neighbors. mis- deed OF gift
to the Widow Culiom i'm memory of the
cauital which "Billy P' had invested
with him years before. strikes indeed a
tender chord in our hearts, we are grieVed
i'm his behalf over the double loss OF MS
wife and child. and We enjoy TO the
utmost his racy description OF his visit
90 his Newport friend. his dinrer party
while there and his funny inability 20
cope with the "dum'd egg on his break
fast tray
other Homevillians. though subordi-
nate 20 David lIarum, possess in them
selves much individuality and force.
Mrs. Bixbcc. more Familiarity known as
"Aunty Polly" is motherly. sweet and
true 10 the hearts core, the Nerqoos sis
ters are cIeverly introduced and Won
derfully suggestive. Dick Larrabee ard tn
proprietor of the Eagle Hotel are, each IN
his way inmitable.
And the inevitable adjunct Of every
really good novel. the love story and the
lovers. are just what they should he
While Mary Blake is not brought often
or prominently before the readers eye.
her quiet dignity. grace, and constancy
make their unmistakabie impression and
render her unrivalled in the heart Of him
who was tested by years Of absence
and misfortune Her lover and the sub
hero Of the story, John Lennox does
we'll a difficult thing for any man 70 do
that is. he undertakes and carries on
work at utter variance with habits en-
cendered by the training and expectation
Of life time. fitting to his adopted Vo-
cation I'm time with cheerfulness and
content
From its alpha TO its Omega" David
Harum is n clean wholesome book. des-
utute Of morbidness and healthy in tone
The admiration of those who have read
st IS attestcd by its unusual and universal
popularity. those who have not vet read
If may well be congratulated on the eenu-
inc pleasure that a future hour holds in
store for them,