Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-08-02
&c ELLEN, OR THE WHISPERlNGS
OF AN OLD PINE"
A PHILOSOPHICAL NOVEL
BY Joseph BatteII.


Mr.. Joseph Battel of Vermont, author of
The Morgan Horse Register, and other kim
dred works, has embarked in a new field of
literature, and his debut is most noteworthy.
"Ellen, or the Whisperings of an Old Pine"
is the title of finely-bound and beautifully
illustrated octave of over 500 pages, copy of
which has reached me with the compliments
of the writer While Mr.. Battell speaks of
his work as a novel, there is not enough of
the story element in it to render that name
appropriate. 1t is rather dissertation on the
problems of life-the questions which present
themselves to all intelligent mortals-and is
scientific and philosophic, even mathematical,
in its cast Considered from a literary point
of view, it is, like its author, redolent of the
atmosphere of the Green Mountains, and
while its general tone is serious in the extreme
many portions are charmingly idyllic. Elens
Mountain, we are told in the introduction, is
perhaps the highest Of the Green Mountain
range, reaching an altitude of over 1000 feet,
and Mr.. Battell has purchased the larger part
of it, some 1000 acres, which will be kept as
public park. Colleagues between the taest
and oldest pine tree on the summit of this
mountain and most charming young woman
named Ellen, sweet sixteen when the tale be-
| gins, make up the book. Ellen surely belongs
in the free-for-all. Full of naivete and girish
spirits, her mind is stored with erudition, yet
! Sc I'LL - IL al
cuss the most reconcile subjects-the Crea-
ton and the unduatory theories being the
principal topics in the present volume, which
will be followed by others-and evince a
thorough familiarity with the works of such
authors as Plato, Sir Isaac Newton, Locke,
La Place, Darwin, Pascal-in fine, the deep
thinkers of all ages and nations. The best
thoughts of such intellectual luminaries are
happily dovetailed into the work, but sur
rounded by an original framework of graceful
and logical writing. Mr.. Battell has demon
strated in this book his exceeding versatility,
and produced work, novel in conception and
dealing with the most serious matters in a
manner which will interest all readers, be-
cause all can understand the simple logic of
Ellen, and she will sci them thinking re-
greet that am unable here to make a more
comprehensive review of the work, for the
conception and execution of which my old
friend is most heartily congratulated.-W Val
ter 7. Chester, DEPARTMENT Editor Of 7mJ,
Field and Farm.
Instead of being dull and dry reading, as
one might suspect philosophical novel would
be, this volume is written in fascinating con-
versatonal style, and will doubtless command
a large patronage. Ellen is Vermont girl,
reared amid Green Mountain scenery, yet SO
advanced in culture that she becomes a school
teacher when only 10 years old. A mutual
affection exists between her and an old pine
tree with which she often holds confidential
talks, and the whisperings are of these inter-
views. The reader will be interested and
edited, even though he or she may not fully
accepts ONE of the peculiar theories intro
duced in these quaint conversations.-Sahwl
(Na55) Register.
Professor J. NJ. IIoppin of Yale College, one
of the most distinguished critics of the country,
writes: 81 have not been able as yet to
read far in your new book, Ellen or the
Whisperings of an Old Pine You were very
good to think of me as one of those you
favored by sending them copies. prize the
gift. promise myself great pleasure in read
ing this work, which has sprung out of the
heart of Nature and your own meditations on
the great themes. Such independent contri-
buttons to human knowledge are of the high
est interest whether all people accept them or
not"
Mrs. Julia c. X. Dorr, Vermont's talented
authoress and poetess, among other things
says; 81 have as yet done no more than to
turn the pages carefully one by one, enjoying
the fine type and the exquisite pictures
which are treasures in themselves to all who
love Vermont"