The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-21
"T1,e 7o4uer of Wye. 4"

NIT. William HentN bhuCNCht IN us ~
nance, "rhe Tower Of Wye" has selected
for his themo that stormy period of onr
colonial history when Clayborne and Cal
vert strove bitterly for possession OF the
Isle Of Kent. There Is here no lack of
stirring incident authenticated by the his.
torlans of that day, and the author has
judcousiy awaited himself Of this data
his story naturally recalls ITO Have
and To Hold" since the Initial chapters
relate the voyage of the Tiger with Its
cargo of English maids destined for Kent
island, the result Of Sandy's very SUCCESS
fm experiment az Jamestown half dozen
years before. Mr.. Bahcock's hero, Ike
Miss Johnston's, 6nds the wife ot his heart
among these, their lovcmaklug being set
against a lufid background OF Indian
atrocities and the scarcely less savage In
cidents Of fratrlcldal strife for territorial
ownership
William Clayhorne Is one OF the foremost
actors In the drama OF that Time who
has received but scant Justice at the hands
Of the chroniclors, most Of whom nave
painted him very black indeed, aud the
Impression left by Mr. Babcock Is scarce
iy moro agreeable We arc introduced In
very interesting fashion 70 the secretary
OF state Of this Kingdom Of virginia and
owner OF land iu Maryland by indubitahle
patent from King Charles Of salnted nom
ory tn "our trusiy and well loved VIII
lam Clnyhornc OF our council IN Virginia.
But In the treatment Of the individual IL
IL not an attractive portrait which the
author draws for us. Nor IS he more par
tml to Leonard calvert who. as the repre
sentative of his father Lord Baltimore Is
the other party to the case.
Beyond the opening Incident Of the voy'
agc Of the maids there Ia no similarity
between Mr. Bnbcock's story and Miss
| JohuStou's.
The respective developments have nothing
/ IN common, while the dialect though ap
! pertaining to the same pcrod, Is quite
/ different m construction ana general effect
/ II is n recognized cannon N historical nc
/ ton that the author should write Of every
/ thing Ia the language appropriate to II
n rude which undoubtedly adds tn the com
! pncations hcecttiug the path Of the ro
| mantle novelist aud which goes Far 80 mnR
or mar his pictures ~ the past. In deal
ing with this phase of the subject. mod
GRAFTON should he the wutchword of th
writer and he is wise who ndhcres to II
for every story teller rs not born diale'
tlcihn, hnc unexpected ana oriplnhl t'atu'
of this romance, Is tho Introduction Of VII
glnla Dare. whose influence with the II
dams is supreme and unquestloned, an
who comes and goes mysterlously throngi
out the narrative, vcritablc guardian AZ
gel Of the coonlsts. she IA often tho Ger
trial figure Of the drama and the china
n more than one breathess crisis. Her
IS picturesque personality. hut one whic
contributes In no way 10 the vivid an
realistic presentation Of the incidents, 70
the actual facts of her birth and irrovoca
he disappearance with tho rest Of Ra
lclghs an fatcd coloniFts are too well 70
mcmbored 80 admit Of her rcsurrcctior. Bt
yond this and the embroidery necessary (
enlarge and amplity the actuallties In thi
chapter Of our history. Mr.. Babcock ha
Followed faithfully the authenticated proc
ross of ovcnts. His hero. Richard Smlt
NJ the English house Of Cloberry & Co
Is n gentleman Of high and honorable rrn
rure whether for the time being he play
his part IN the distinguished society o
Calvert and Clayborne, or among his re-
associates, "the naturals," as the mtho
desgnhtes them. II, NJ. Pollard.