The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-10
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thousand in few days 1t Is story of
the American Revolution, and the charac-
ter of it's hero is based on that of Alexander
Hamilton One of the most interesting COM
ments made upon the new work was in a
recent number of Life" 1t is entitled
THE Latest Thing in Dedicatfons," and Is
a delicious take off of Mr.. Fords very
agreeable and affable introduction to
Janice Meredith. 1t is in part as follows:
ITO Thomas UNCONVENTIONAL:
Dear Thomas-Into the warp and WORT of
every book author means much that
the vulgar public cannot discern. So, i'm
Observation-Disclosures Thomas, as
I have read the proofs of this book (the
greatest American novel ever written) l
have found more than once that the pages
have faded out of sight, and in their stead
have seen the ocean and Bellevue avenue,
or the ramp Chats a grod word ThomasD
and terrace of Bondmore House, just as 1
saw them wheA had the honor of penning
this book with your gold pen upon your
carved mahogany desk.
1T will, therefore, ever be a source of
joy and qualification to me that my name
may go down to posterity linked with
yours, and that I am assured by writing
this dediea ton that the palatlal doors of
Bondmore House will ever be open to yours
devotedly,
"PETER L. sNoB, A N. NJ"
"The Black VOLTS Breed''-by Harris
Dickson.
Harris Dickson is newcomer in the lit
erary field and evidently ambitious as
pirants for literary honors. He is a south
erner, Mississippian. and his work prom
Uses to be one of the notable successes of
the year. There are literary fads and lit
erary fashions, but the true story of adven-
ture never loses any of its interest for men
and women. 1.-THE Black VOLTS Breed" is
tale of adventure during the time of Louis
XIV. of France, in the old world and in the
new. The scenes in the new world comprise
that time of history when the Soldier
Governor. BienviEe was building, under the
silver lilies, that empire, Louisiana in the
vague, dim valley of the Mississippi. And
as the author artfully puts 1t in the dedica-
ton, "out of whose mighty Province has
grown nearly one-haf of the worlds great
est Republic"
The hero. captain under Bienvlles
command has faith, vigor. courage and en-
thusiasm as the requisites for his adven-
turous work. The story opens in a sprght-
ly manner amidst the scenes of the new
world and the troubles which surround
Bienville in his position at Biloxi. Then as
the narrative proceeds the reader follows
the young hero to the old country. to the
court at Versailles. where his duties and
adventures lead. him to mngle among king
and courtiers soldiers and diplomats. las
sizes ana lao eS. Inere IS mucn brave nRnL-
ing to be done and many perilous obstacles
to be overcome in the accomplishment OF
his work.
The secret mission demands quickness of
thought and action, and that ability to ex-
tricate himself from hazardous situations
which all good heroes of romance must pos
sess. This hero is all this and more for he
ever wins the sympathy and interest of
the reader and then claims approval and re-
speet by his performances. The story is
purely a romantic tale of romantic time,
with just enough of the flavor for history to
give realitv and substance to the narrative.
As whole the story Is a good one and
entertaining because the authors chief
characteristic Is an ability to infuse into
the whole flesh and blood and life and an
fnsistent veracity.
Tally of the Brigade"-bv L. McManus
In "Lally of the Brigade" we have an
other romance of the time of Louis XIV. of
France, but from an entirely different point
of view.
In this one we have a romance of the
Irish Brigade In France. The scene is laid
partly at the siege of Crimona held by the
troops of Louis XIV which includes the
Irish Brigade, by the Austrian forces, under
Prince Eugene. Naturally the famous Irish
Brigade renders valiant service, and the
hero the dashing young Irishman Lally,
performs many extraordinary feats of hero
ism. The opening ma ges of the story prom
ised we'll. with a goodlv amount of soldierly
dash and the sympathies completely en-
gagged by the peri1ous flight of the young
maiden from the wrath Of the all-powerful
De Maintenon. But the vigor OF the first
third OF the book is hardly sustained
throughout the remaining portion. for the
author evinces more ability in picturing
dramatic incidents than he does IN giving to
the sequence of events their proper asso-
ola iOO and fnoe,0rta "a xy1oo To ha
more explicit, the look is readable and the
more explicit, the book Is readable and the
tell a story: what he lacks Is central plot
or theme upon which the events he de-
scribes depend for their raison d'etre.
"Difference''-by Hervey White
There Is a long Journey between novels
Of the highly romantic nature and the piece
Of fiction called Differences" by Hervey
White. Here we have study in economies
and while the author has nothing bitter or
severe in his views. vet he Is deliberate and
plain in setting forth conditions as they
exist
The Young heroine who Is beautiful and
an heiress has the most pronounced views
on the subject Of the condition of the labor
ers Consequently she determines to spend
a wear in the "Settlement House" of Chi
caeo. that she may endeavor to solve the
problem of existence. Very soon she asks
herself these questions: "TIe who saws to
the poor. Work and Justify your right for
existence will. If he be honest surely In
time turn the question to himself and ask:
DO work. as advise them to? Do pro-
duce and Justify my existence?"
The heorine, Miss Radcliffe gradually de-
votes all her time and her money to the
people here. especially widower and his
children. Finally she breaks former en-
gagement and marres the man, which Is.
of course, perfectly consistent with her
theories
differences" is serious piece of work
of American Life, but It is also good read
ting and above the commonplace.
"Sparks"-by P. F. Witherspoon.
"Sparks" Is a little volume of poems in
an attractive binding of silver and red. The
author Mr.. Wtherspoon, is native of
Alabama. though now residence Of La
Grange Ga. After finishing his education