The age-herald., 1900-06-10

The spring months are generally consid- cred the dull season of the year among the publishers Reports, however, from the east this season tell of unusually brisk sales and satisfactory business. No doubt this unprecedented activity is due to the fact that large number of new books have been published; not only by old and favorite authors, but also by new ones. These books are almost without exception commended by reviewers. and so have met with ready sales It is exceedingly grati- fying to notice that nearly all of the popu- lar books of the present time are by Ameri- can authors This might be accounted for to certain extent by the dearth of pub fishing in England; yet not wholly so, for the suitability of the books to the times is certainly large factor in their popular ity. That a large proportion of these pop ular books have especially pleased the read ing public is evidenced by the fact that so many of them have been dramatized and are now having successful runs at the lead ing theaters in the east.
 MT. Stanley J. Weyman's new romance, Sophia" is meeting with ready sales. It is romance of the time of George H., and contains what is probably the most ingen- ious and exciting situation MT. Weyman has ever invented. MT. Weyman's sketches of the society manners and conditions of the England of early Hanoverian days are admirable MT. Weyman's previous books have all been general faVoriteS and 1t Is safe to predict for this new one an equally hearty reception. MT. Jerome K. Jerome, who is a great favorite among those who care for humorous works, and those who remember with pleasure his ''Three Men in a Boat" will be glad to know that a se- cuel to it has now been published. Three Men on Wheels" has already reached good sales. The three men in this book are the same and their experiences upon their bi- cycle tour through Germany are as de- lightfully absurd as they were upon their former expedition in search of rest and re- crea tion. MT. Jerome's books, and sspec- ial. his Three Men on Wheels" are eX- ceptonally enjoyable books for this time of year. when one desires something light and amusing.
 Another excellent book for summer read ing is by Agnes and Egerton Castle. These two authors will readily be remembered as the authors of 'The Pride of Jennico," which proved such a favorite and is now being presented at the Criterion" theater in New York in its dramatized version.
 The scene of their new book, "The Bath Comedy" is the fashionable resort of the Spa of Bath, and the time, the second half of the eighteenth century. Mistress Kitty 6ollalTS, the TelSill1S Delle m Bdln 1nuS her friend, Lady Standish, the newly we'd ded wife of Sir Jasper. in tears because of her husbands indifference and neglect. Make him jealous" says vivacious Kitty, and Lady Standish does so with ex- citing and unexpected results. The cover used on the book was indicated by MT. Castle himself. who wished the dress of his book to be in keeping with the eigh- teenth century elegance of Bath in its palmy days. "The Light of Scarthey" by Egerton Castle, has passed into the fifth edition and is highly spoken of by the crit ics. It is a thrilling tale. teeming with convincing characterization, picturesque descriptions ,and bright, vivacious dia- logues.
 One of the newest books which has al- ready passed into it's second edition, is "Geber: Tale of Harun the Khalif," by Kate A. Benton In this story the author has explored the fields which have not been entered since the production of the time-honored Arabian Nights" As told in her preface, she has expended months of labor in consulting the authorities who have written of the period. and in making her selection has placed before the read true picture of the time and it's mar velous characters. The historical plot of the reign of the Khalif Harun al Raschid and his relations with the Barmek family is a delightful foundation for a piece of historical fiction; and Mrs. Benton has taken this incident of the fall of the Bar mek family and with her vivid work has made a most delightful story "Geber," after whom the novel is named, of course plays a prominent part; but the chief charm of the book is the information it conveys in so easy and charming a man. ner, and the graphic presentment of gorgeous and splendid history of a court that was marked by almost unsurpassed magnificence and splendor. Mrs. Benton, like the author of the now famous David Harum," died soon after her novel was accepted by the publisher.
 Hamilton Drummond has written book in "A Man of His Age, which ought to be a popular one. It deals with a period of history which is always a fascinating one. Catherine De Medici, Jeane and Henry of Navarro are some of the prom inent characters in the story, which is a stirring historical romance of the Hugue- not wars. The story is fully illustrated by J. Ambrose Walton, and they form quite an addition to the vividness of the text.
 Robert Nelson Stephens has written several books-"An Enemy to the King" ''The Continental Dragoon," "A Gentle man Player" and others, all of which have reached large sales and have been most favorably reviewed. MT. Stephens latest published works is Philip Winwood" and is a story of the revolutionary times. Philip Winwood' was a captain in the war of independence. The story embraces tha events which oppl1rreJ between tha