The age-herald., 1900-02-18

Johnston. Published by Houghton, Miflin & Co. For sale by Smith & Montgomery.
 No book of recent years has proven a greater success and favprite> >ehan Prisoner of Hope" the first work of a new author. and If We examine the lists to-day of the most popular sellers we will find that in many instances it still leads when the greatest favorites follow in quick success sion.
 Few books have had more reviews and notices written about them, and certainly few indeed have had so much that was kindly and full of encouragme and so It. tie that was critical. In fact, the harshest criticism that I have seen was in regard to the ending of the story and the heroines actions; and doubtless, after all, that is a question of taste and preference, rather than defect of characterization. In many instances it has been perfectly natural to hear queries as to whether it were possible for a novice in the field of literature to fol- low up this first splendid success with a second equally as meritorious. Not so with regard to Mrs. JohnSton's work, for there has been no shadow of doubt as to her abI- ity ito produce more of like quality and strength. Her publishers have shown their faith in their prompt and eager offer to buy everything from her pen, no matter of "heil dOlei IL Oe. AIu Ter TeaulnR DuD- lie has proven its faith by sending in ad- vance orders to the amount of 10000 for her new book long before it was issued from the press. So that it is perfectly safe to predict kindly and enthusiastic reception for Miss Johnston's new book, "To Have and To Hold"
 l Remember when I wrote oaf Miss John. ston's first work as a newcomer in literary fields found it difficult not to appear too enthusiastic, and to restrain my pen from that exuberance of praise which is calcu- lated to impress the reader unfavorarbly So likely to mind like one has been carried away, as it were, by personal impressions and fin the excess of panagyrfc the stable balance of the judgment has been disturbed Yet the task is even more difficult now; for we have a successor which in every way Is worthy of the many kind things said of the first work. believe, though, comment can be summoned up in one sentence-the author Is "a born Storyteller. Of course we may not even guess the motives which &C., tuate the vast numbers of peOple-men or women-who write books. Whether 1t be for glory, Tor personal qualification for love of creating maybe for love of gain Rut certainly the constant reader remembers the occasional subtle impression made by work that has sprung with spontaneity and life from the very heart Of its creator This Is true Of Miss Johnston's work; it seems to have sprung without apparent effort or concern from a mind rich and full in ex- perfence and Knowledge. Having a story to tell, she tells it as one who could not do otherwise, and in the most natural way it flows forth simply and with ease and grace. One cannot read her work without being thrilled with the belief that 1t is a labor of love. That the scenes of which she writes and the history that gives it life are dear very dear to her heart. Whence such in- tense realization of the old-time? So nat trad and life-like and familiar-the "atmos- nlpra' a in, lance-I cannot help but unconsciously feel that the influence of the long line of pro- gonftors, who have helped make that his- tory, and have endeared those scenes is present here. Their chivarous deeds, their mighty works and their noble and tender Impulses from so many sources have cul- minated in this one life and single pen makes them live again in the world.
 The scenes of "To Have and To Hold" arc laid in those early days in the history of Virginia when but a dozen or so years be- fore the white man had first landed at Jamestown, and penetrated int the tangled wilds of the new country. While there is much of history in the new work 1t is given as a rare and beautiful setting for the gem which is the story. It can scarce be called historical, for that so of.en pictures to the mind author pouring night and day over musty volumes to in- form himself of certain period of time.
 put HSre the nlStOry naS passed so com pletely into the warp and wool of the writer that she gives us the old days with the same accuracy and ease that she might write of the customs of to-day. There are some historical characters which play their part in the story as naturally and grace fully as though they were made for 1t. The vigorous governor who returned from Eng land lightly dubbed "Sir George;" the faith ful friend of John Rolfe he that called the duslSy princess wife the favorite Lord Car nal, who may easily be identified with that fayorite of James I, who set limit to the supremacy of his power gained by the beauty of his fair exterior Then, actual in- cidents in the history of the new world are made to play their part, and assume an importance and significance they ne'er pos sessed on the dry and unillumined page of history.
 While the wilderness and .ruggedness of the new life its deprivatons and dangers, and its abundant simplicity and lavish wealth of beauty, are all interwoven into the scenes until a complete picture stands forth before the mental image pure and fresh. but rich in the bright coloring of a new life and a new world.
 
 Miss Johnstons work may be classed among pure romances, without touch of that oftentimes baser metal-re,alism And the popularity of her work proves that the large reading public is weary indeed of the host of novels which were planned and written to serve some righteous purpose" They gained applause for a day. But hu- manity's large heart swings again toward that class of nobler fiction; to that romantic world where noble deeds thrill and inspire and uplift; and where some new phase of the old, old story draws the heart by it's human tenderness. and warns and cheers and stimulates. First in importance. of course, in this romantic world, is fhe story And few will cavil over the one in "To Have and To Hold" for 1t is a good story and well told. The plot is perfectly conceived and constructed, and unfolds naturally as bud in the open sunshine Few stories fave ever been presented with the grace adroitness, and superb simplicity of the opening chapter of this new story. I com mend it as the perfection of artistic work.
 A scene Is presented which. if it were placed bodily before the physical eye, could not be more distinct and vivid. Many of the charscters, who are to take their part in-the action of the story, are presented gracefully and easily. Each slips into his