The age-herald., 1900-03-25

naFe won tnelr successes ana tnelf Ialne OH account of their ingenious delineatlons of life in their own particular locality. Life in America is so diversified that authors have in most instances been content to DOT tray just the life that they knew most fa- miliar and real to them. No doubt our lit- erature has been stronger and better on ae- count of this, for 1t is natural to conclude that the interpretations were first prompted by love of that life. A larger knowledge and sympathy, too, have made it richer than if written by one less intimate and less interested. We have many conspicu- ous examples where this seems eminently true. The naturalness, truth and convincing power of Thomas Nelson Pages work seems to spring readily from a heart full of love and reverence for the life he so exqusitely describes; equally true is this of Charles Egbert Craddock, who dwells with so much fesvor and faithfulness of portrayal among the mountaineers of the section that she knows best. The Uncle Remus stories could not have possessed near the tenderness and grace were they told by other than one b the manner born. Mir. Hamlin Garland is never so successful and happy in his work as when in fancy he brethes the wild frag rant winds of the far vest the prairie lands and the life that he interprets as no other writer has done. Away up in New England, long way from us, both as to distance and differences. we find little woman who has long since gained an even more than national reputation. For, people in the old world read and revere the work of Mary E. Wilkins. Who can surpass Miss Wilkins in the delineation of that peculiar, almost unique, character to be found only in New England? And yet great as the suc- hppn of questioned as their regulations are in their chosen fields, there are many readers who nevertheless feel q constant eagerness to have them try their abilities along some other field. It certainly seems that versal- ity is so dear to the heart of the Amer ican that success in one prescribed domain never will content one. Consequently 1t is with peculiar pleasure that reviewers note that Miss Wilkins in a new work will for sake her New England meadows and vil- lage stores. It seems to be gratifying to learn that she has now written historical romance, the scene of which is laid in Vir- ginia in the seventeeth century.
 We are assured that Miss Wilkins In her new romantic venture will not abandon the obJecture and realistic style which is such an important factor in her stories of New England life; yet, one very naturally con- cludes that it must take an unusual de- gree of determination on the part of this
 
 that Miss Johnston has by such trumphs made her very own. There are not many writers who could dare to write such com- parison and criticism upon Virginia soil. And yet complete and satisfying as have been both of Miss Johnston's Virginia TO- mances, human nature as found in the reading public is very hard to satisfy. Is it not compatible with humanity even to be content? Fer, already there be readers who have given audible utterance to the hope and the wish that Miss Johnston will not allow her work to be circumscribed by the bounds of one state, no matter how truth ful and perfect that work, but that she will rise higher, unfettered by locality, and write for the human heart as it is found in every land.
 France, in the stirring events of her his- tory, offers fertile and fascinating field for writers of fiction, essayists and dramat- ists Just at present there Is a revival, we might term it, at least an intense mani- fested interest in all that pertains to the scenes and events of the revolution. That period of history which seems far more like the romance of some riotous magina tlon than the actual events of a sane peo- pie. Not only have innumerable pieces of fiction and dramas been recently written, but essayists have taken the very stones of Paris and made them glow and sparkle with the witchery, charm and fascination of those troublous days. The dramatists have gone back to the work of Dickens to add to the demand. for no more vivid and graphic description has ever been written of this period than "A Tale of Two Cities" It has had long and successful run in London, and no stronger or more beautiful piece was ever produced. The dramatic yer sion follows closely the story as originally written, and Sydney Carton on the stage, but adds to the beauty and pathos Of that
 
 most promising young actors in England, MT. Harvey, portrayed the character with unusual fedelity to the appealing sadness and disappointment which ever character ized the youthful Sydney. His presentation ever reflects that memorable thought of the original when he said: q feel like one who had died young" And the continuation of the drama is reached when Sydney ascends the scaffold saying: 'lt is far. far bet ter thing that do than I have ever done; it is q far, far better rest that l go to, than I have ever known" Another young writer, William Sage, has recently added to the revolutionary literature in a romance to be published next month under the title of Robert Lournay." It is said that the story has touch of Claude Melmotte in it's pa- triot hero's love for his patrician sweet heart Robespierre, Danton and General Hoche' are historical characters, while the climax of the story is to be found in the att tempted rescue of Robesperres proscripts the day of his downfall. The incidents of which are said to be based upon actual facts. It Is said, also, that the story Is, even before publication, being put into the form of q play under the direction of Daniel Frohman.
 Vance Thompson is a young writer who has contributed welcome and valuable book in his "French Portraits: Being Ap- preciations of tho Writers of Young France" Mir. Thompsons witty and thoughtful essays do not deal exclusively with newcomers. Some of them are inter- esting because you already know them; and others of whom, perhaps, you never heard, because they are trying so strenu- ously to make the world heed them.
 In "French Portraits MT. Thompson es- says what he calls the new criticism, which is simply verbal magnifying-glass refiec- ting the authors personality and signif- canoe This volume, which is beautifully illustrated, will be appreciated by all those who are interested in French literature, for the author chooses the most typical in varied way.