The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-06
HOLIDAY FICTION.


1t is not too early TO pay the tribute
of a special edition to that American
classic, David Harum," and that has
been done by the publishers. II. Appleton
e. Co. The volume is handsome In green
silk cover with gold ornamentation. There
is a touch OF color in the title page. The
page set from new type is refreshing 10
the eye. Forbes Heermans. who wrote
the Introduction 10 the first edition con-
tributes another to this special edition.
There Is a portrait of the author and g.
West Chnedinst has provided whole lot
of pictures. eight of them full page draw
ings, demonstrating study and care as
well as SKILL the balance being etching
hits i'm the text. of a size all the way
from thumb nail 10 "a half page. c. ID.
Farrand has contributed 10 the remark
able collection Of pictures inserted In the
letter press. One must not get the idea
from this superficial survey OF the new
eG.ion OF Harum that IL is an elaborate
or extravagant piece of workmanship. On
the contrary IL Is simplicity itself i'm its
very stylishness. Only IL is sufficient IL
is complete and satisfying, attractive TO
the eye and the touch and a thoroughly
admirable book. AS we close IL we note
on the back cover a four-leaved clover
observer as quite appropriate emblem.
(For sale by Gregory. Price s2.OO)
The author OF that highly laughable
story '"The Lunatic at Large" J. Storer
Clouston-- is nnt Miih Sill mora divert
ing bit of fiction entitled THE Duke" 1t
appears that a young Colonial comes in
to a ducal title and estate as the nearest
relative though only remotely related TO
the last duke to whose immediate friends
and associates he is quite unknown. Com
ing to England he runs across an adven-
tufofs acquaintance OF the Old days In
Australia and until he can look about
him the duke arranges with the adven-
turous acquaintance TO present himsclf
as the real duke which ne does with the
result of a month OF high living and So
clal lustre which is pursued at such q
gait LAT he threatens 20 seriously COM
plicate the interests OF the real successor
TO the title The story is told in the same
breezy way that distinguished the amaz-
ing fiction of the "Lunatic at Large" the
out groupings from the situation are
plausible. If extravagant. and the book
has a zest and 9n overfowing good hu-
NOR that make il delicious and mirth
provoking reading. Jack Kavanagh, the
counterfeit duke, is character that
would have done credit 10 the late
Charles Lever. while the other principals
in the story have a more than comedy in
terest being human creations whom the
reader will like to remember. published
by Longfnans, Green a Co. For sale by
Preston a. Rounds. Price Sl.2b)
"Cupid's Garden" is the title of a vol
ume of short stories that are eminently
worth while. They are modern In theme,
engaging in treatment, every one OF them
relates to the tender passion albeit In
most instances the old theme is treated
from a quite unusual point OF view-if
such thing would really be admitted 20
be possible--and altogether the fourt.6n u
Garden" stories are exceptionally
wholesome and admirable as specimens
of the art of the short story Ellen
! Thornycroft Fowler is the author OF
them Miss Fowler is an author VINO has
made several pronounced hits as a writer
Of novels. What is more she has achieved
the distinction OF being discussed. Critics
disagree as to the measure of her deserts
although we believe the facts compel
agreement az 60 the enviable popularity
of what she writes. We have noticed that
some very thoughtful reviewers who, II
they find themselves surprised into the
pleased state. are wont to retrsc@ the
steps OF their reading nrd endeavor 20
demonstrate that the merits of the au-
thor did not justify the superficial feeling
inspired. have from time to time demon
strated a condition OF marked uneasncss
when confronted with a bit OF Miss
Fowers writing. But for our part we feel
confident that these delightful short
stories in "Cupid's Garden" will defy the
most suspicious critics 10 nnd any fault
with his author or himself al being happy
together. There is portrait of Miss
Fowler, which Is attractive, too. (Pub-
lished by u. Appleton q Co. For sale
by Gregory. Price sl.50)
Baroness Won Hutton, who wrote that
entertaining character story Miss Car
rnichaers Conscience" is the author Of
"Marr'd ia Making" a study OF the de-
velopment OF n young girl whose mother
was a weak little thing and whose father
was good deal Of n rascal The title is
suggested by Omar's lines:
Some there are who tell
OF One who threatens He will toss 20
He'll
The luclkless pots He marrd in making ."
and Beth Gurney was so narr'd. As she
grew up from childhood she developed
characteristics OF a peculiarly conflicting
kind. She was mentally abls TO distin-
guish between right and wrong. but she
didn't care 20 practice such distinction
and accepting no religious teaching SHE
posed extravsgantly and IN the end sur
rendered 90 the destiny suggested. by
Onar's lines after trying 10 reconcile
herself 20 n great crime against society.
u'ublished by ]. y. Lippincost Company.
Price fL25.)
ssTrnoia Terry" a storv Of the Maine