davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

III" Russia, they add. has changed since then
and their descriptions OF localities and customs
might puzzle the reader who had 'ust returned
from ST Petersburg and failed To recognize in
the book many things therein cited. But few
readers, we fancy will come TO the book with any
actual experience Of Russia. Il is 10 the general
reader that the authors appeal and such a read
er, while appreciating the fruits OF close OBJ
servation in which the book abounds Will civ.
his first attention 10 the dramatic elements in
the plot plot which gains much from the in
terest which the authors have taken in the Sc
cret societies Of the country. This is q novel
OF considerable length, but its complications are
well managed and it moves with fair rapidity to
the conclusion.
The reader accustomed 20 processes Of induc-
ton Will know at once what manner OF story
20 expect in "Graustark" when h. READS m.
following quotation from the sixth chapter in
that bQ.k: If these people live in such
place, why. il is to be found. Of course ANY
railroad guidebook can locate this land of rnys-
terry. There many Internal little king
doms and principalities over here that il would
take lifetime 10 get EN- all Strengthened out in
ones head. Tomorrow morning we viii 20 10
one OF the big railway stations ard make in
quiries. Wen locate Graustarll, and then wen
go over and pluck the flower that grows there
All you need, my boy, is a manager I'll do the
arranging and your little act will be the pluck
ing" Another Zenda novel, the reader says.
and he is quite right. In justice TO Mr. Nc
Cutcheon however. must add that his story
is not without piquancy OF plot and the tale is
told, moreover, in admirably nimbe fashion
The names, on the other hand, might have been
less original and more romantic. Grenfau Lorrv
is good name for hero, doubt; but Miss
Guggenslocker' is scarcely beautiful: nor does
the author do much better with his "Quinnox."
'Dangloss." "Mizrox." 'Balaroz," "Yetive" and
"Sitzky"
There is an ominous note prefxed TO Miss
sawyer's Every Inch King" II runs: This
book was written with the single purpose of
proving thai the character OF Henry Y. while
Prince Of Wales. has been greatly mlsjudged 9"
novel nearly always suffers when the author
starts with purpose OF this kind and Miss
sawyer pays the penalty of her ambition bv a
certain lack Of that spontaneity and vim which
we teel should enter into the kind of story
which she has essayed 10 tell. The narrative
should move at lively gait but its mace is
very moderate. For the patient reader how
ever. Every Inch King" offers some reward
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

in the shape OF portrait Of an interesting per-
sonage drawn with intelligence and sympathy.
Mr.. HaZelton tells US in a predatory note
that ne did not undertake to compose his Mis-
tress Neil' until he had written the play Of that
name and Miss Henrietta Crosman had pre-
sented it on the stage. He has written II with
the animation Of a playwright The paragraphs
are mostly very short. and carry the story on at
a rapid rate Confessedly a tale "'twixt fact
and fancy it shows that the author has done
some historical reading. but the reader need not
waste any time considering whether this book
Is true TO the authorities or not The historical
personages are very modest studies in charac-
teTizauon, and the spirit OF the time is chiefly
indicated By the vivacity Of the dialogue and
the recurrence Of such words as 'GadsoP and
"Odsbud.' "Ods-pitiklnsr' and the like. How
ever, Mr. Hazeton proba bly, would not ask US
TO take the book too seriously. AS d novelistc
version OF the play it will do, and will doubtless
enjoy the popularity which on that score is eX-
pected for it. II is published in pretty form.
In Typography and binding it is artistic. and
for frontispece there is good reproduction Of
the charming portrait Of Nell by Sir Peter Lely.
Mr.. Frankfort Moore is a clever novelist, and
when he writes historical fiction he puts quite
as much Of his invention as of history into
his work. Nell Gwyn'' is a breezy. readable
story. persuasive in its portrature of the famous
actress and equally well contrived in It's dra-
matte fabric. The dialogue is brisk and gay.
1t is a frivolous trife. this volume. but none
the less acceptable on that account
If the admirers Of Kate Douglas Wiggin have
had any doubts of her ability to continue indef-
initely her celebration OF 'Penelope's' divers ex-
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

through its very preposterousness. arp.,.
and because the bizarre tissue of the ar,s
fancy is set forth with unfailing spirit
tale never lirnps. but goes on IN rattlIar e.
from first to last.
Mr. Pemberton, like Mr.. Boothby. is-ca,.,.
Of bewildering propositions. PRO Patr,as
lates to secret enterprise by which the r.
were TO send vast army to London throu.s
tunnel under the Channel At the right No.
this army would spring from its place a. =
eealment and take charge OF England ~
feels inclined to ask. on reading a novel eron..-
Ing an idea Of this sort. What nextq' p,,.
one asks us. not even the authors theusoI.
TO take this sort of thing seriously. AIR D.
berton writes in the spirit of one who i
thought OF a good yarn to spin and is ben,
spinning IL, with only such regard tor the ".
tiles of life will enable him to throVv a =
glamour of probability over his astoundins :,
Farfetched IL is PRO Patria," in tts q,
spCnsi5 e fashion, is a book TO serve we'll =,
reader who wishes TO while away the time ,,,.'
out thinking
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
SUBLIME AUDACITY.
MIR GUY BOOTHBY'S VERY ENGAGING
WAY, AND MR. PENIBERTON's.

THE MYSTERY OF THE CLAsPED HANDS. \
Novel by Guy Boothby. l2mo, pp- SO+ d. APP
pletOu & Co.
\ CABINET SECRET. BY GUY Boothby, With
Philadelphia: ]. Il. I1ppineott Company.
PRO PATRIA. By. Max PerbertOn- l2no PIP 2s2
Dodd, Mead & co.
Mr. Guy Boothby has way with him. a most
engaging way which we may illustrate by this
fragment from The Mystery of the Clasped
Hands: Meanwhile Teresina choking down
her sobs climbed her stairs TO the room she oc-
cupied in that ramshaCkle tenement. Unlock
ing the door. she started TO cross the floor in
search of a box of matches she remembered hav-
ing left upon the chimneypiece. She had not
advanced more than three steps. however be-
fore she was seized by the throat from behind
while at the same time a keen bladed knife was
driven. as far as the handle. between her shouI-
ders only To be withdrawn and thrust in again
and again. until she fell with little gasp upon
the floor. When her assassin had made sure
that she was dead. he lit the gas and knelt
alongside her for few minutes. Then he rose
placed something In little box upon the table
turned off the gas once more, picked up the box
and went out. TeloCkng the door behind him
The experienced novel reader knows az once
that amusing half hour lies before him. What
was put in the box? Who was the ASSASSIN? :?
OF course, the wrong goes through a GER
tain amount OF suffering before the mystery Is
cleared up. but Mr.. Boothby. we repeat has
way with him. and his story keeps every body
in the dark. including the reader. until the right
moment comes for revelations TO be in order,
Audacity. need hardly say. is one OF Mr.
Boothby's characteristics as a novelist We are
constantly aware of IL in peruslng The Mys-
terry of the Clasped Hands," but il is in even
greater force in the pages OF "A Cabinet Secret"
This book is indeed. prodigious in its Invention.
kidnapping In high places is the authors theme
and the victims OF the plOtters with whose ex-
traordinary enterprise he deals are not children
but high officials OF the British Empire. 1t is a
little difficult 10 swallow the plot of this book
yet we must confess that Mr.. Boothby can be
very plausible and one at least grants him the
tribute of reading "A Cabinet Secret the
end II one does this 1t is because the book is.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
MISS ELLEN I. FOWLER.
HER TALENT ILLUSTRATED IN a NEW
ASPECT.

SIRIUS = Volume of Fiction. BY Ellen Thorney-
croft Fowler. i2mo. pp. 429. d. Appleton 4 Co.
Miss Fowler has done well To nterpolate in the
list Of novels which her popularity is encourag-
ing her 10 produce such a volume of short
stories as she gives us in Sirius q" Within the
limits Of few pages, dealing with a single
episode she seems peculiarly at ease. The types
and situations with which she deals may not al
ways be strkngy original. but she gives a
sufficient turn of individuality 10 her treatment
of them. Sentiment, rather than passion is
usually her theme. and she brings amusing
things up from its familiar shadows. exhibiting
them with analysis of human fOibIes that
IL not deeply penetrating is often shrewd and
humorous The sprightliness of Miss Fowler's
dialogue has sometimes. n her novels wearied
through Its self-consciousness II is not alto
gether free from that quality in the present vol
ume, but the talk being assigned TO a great
many different characters under different cir
cumstaEces it is, on the whole much more
agreeable AS a specimen We take from "Dia-
VIOLA" the following fragment
DO you know. Lady serracold. that this is the
third time l have picked up your dinner-nap-
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

Waters Of Babylon" the dramatic idyI OF pair
Of Jewish lovers at the court OF Artaxerxes
ArriOn, the Kings cup bearer. Is beloved Of
Miriam, maiden more beautiful than even the
Kings sister, Amytis. and the latter is an i'm
perially beautiful woman The love Of the two
falls IN evil hour. Amytis looks with favor
upon Arrion; the King resolves 70 make Miriam
his own; the priests OF Bel desire the young
Jewess for their shrine. and so authority. jeaI-
ousy. anger and devotion breed crisis from
which il seems wholly improbable that the hero
and heroine should ever emerge into happiness.
Mrs De Koven solves the problem with con-
siderable ingenuity: in fact. the climax is
handled with excellent Judgment. But the
events she sets forth hardly more Interest,"
ing than the panorama she unfolds Of the bar
barrie splendors Of the BabyIonian court and
city. The spectacle IS ablaze with color. and
though here and there the brush is perhaps
shade too heavily loaded. the general effect is
harmonious and impressive.
For the material OF The Lions Brood NJ.
Duffield Osborne has gone back 20 the time OF
Hannibal. His is. therefore. delicate task, for
one has 20 walk warily among the figures
and events of a time so remote in order not
simply TO avoid blunders in what may call
the historical trappings Of romance. but 10
make thoroughly sure that the characters and
deeds described will always seem natural and
human. Mr.. Osborne has walked with discre-
ton. and he writes. If not with absolutely con-
vincing authority. all events with skill enough
TO give his dramatic recital considerable veri-
siuilitude. He has had the good Judgment. too,
10 keep archaeology In its place There is local
color In the book. but the main point Is the
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

Kin since we sat down. and we are only at the
first entree'? The dinner is as yet young but
l, alas. am not"
Lady Serracold laughed
i am so sorry. Major NewGigate. I seem 70
be a sliding scale; I haven't the faintest idea
what that means, but il sounds irconne-taxy
and death-duttful"
Pray don't regret the circumstance my dear
lady; IL Is pleasure for me TO do anything for
you, and in this case the pleasure is so intense
as to be almost pain But don't you think it
would be q good plan IL | sat under the table
and kept throwing it back?"
daresay II would; and you would look
rather nice crouching under the shadow of the
tabecloth. and hurting defiance and a dinner
napkin AT me. sort of companion study TO
AJAX Defying the Lightning don't you know
But II might slightly interfere with the
thread of conversation if Ajax were hiding
der the table and the lightning dining above IT,
1t is bad enough below the salt, but still worse
below the table, I should imagine"
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

daunted by these considerations, which ne hin
self fully recognizes. and he has filed his boA
with large number OF excellent photograph
Of more or less interesting buildings and pacs
that he has identified in the works OF the stoTy
telers. These works he has examined with ]
fuIness that does more credit 20 his conscisnl
tiousness than 10 his literary discrimination
Downtown, OF course, there is little left thai
can be connected with the earlier writer's. T|
quaint homes OF the people Of Irving's KnickeI
booker. and the Broadway Of Paulding, Halleck
Willis, Drake and Clarke have long been things
Of the past. The various tenement houses
saloons and other haunts OF the people DE-
scribed by Messrs Davis, Ralph Townsend
Fawcett and the other chroniclers of East Sid
life are all carefully Identified and pictured bu.
the result is not edifying or stimulating Thev
Is more of the charm and atmosphere that Mr.
Maurice evidently hoped 10 capture in his book
in region a little further uptOwn-in Washing
ton Square and Greenwich and Gramercy PARK
Mr. Maurice is confident identifier OF houses
that are only mentioned in general way. and 3
mistake OF a few numbers in any particulr
street makes not much difference IN New-Yorz
where neighbOring houses are apt % be so much
alike. The chief thing is TO let nothing ESCAPE
that can with any plaUsibility be set down as
being this or that visible pile OF brick an
mortar. The higher reaches Of F'ifth-ave- and
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

for that matter, does Felpa, but a more or less
by he essential unnaturalness Of their union.
The reader is kept in a constant state OF curs-
osity and solicitude what the will
do next Miss Overton is deft in carrying
sher heroine NOR than once 10 the brink Of a
reveIsion TO first principles without quite let
ting the woman 90. Inevitably, there is a
thrd actor in the drama that is played out in
"The Heritage Of Unrest" L man whose char
scter is admirably drawn in its combination OF
strength and Weakness The fate Of all three
IS managed with discretion and point Miss
Overton is a clever writer. Her narrative moves
easily and with sufficient rapidity; personages
and events are treated with capital skill and
altogether the book is read with pleasure.
The author OF "Juletty" has flung the pict-
nresQueness Of Kentucky life INFO her book with
G. lavish hand. Nooushiners and lynchers, men
and horses and all manner Of thrilling occur
rences are celebrated in her tale II is not
remarkable tale yet there IN il some con-
Tincing sketches Of American types, and the
events with which il is concerned are often in
geniously dramatic.
Jim Matteson, the hero Of Mr.. Garland's new
novel, Her Mountain Lover" is a young fellow
from the West who goes TO London on business
and incidentally has his little romance. He is
exciting, delicio2s' says one OF the women in
the book 'FIe is a rough old bear, but he has
splendid possibilities OF passion Perhaps he
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

per1ences in more than one corner OF the world.
the latest book which this author has devoted 70
the subject should put all doubts AT rest. Pcne-
lope's English and Scottish experiences made
good books. and her adventures IN Ireland have
added one 20 the list no less attractive The au-
thor shows aptitude in weaving I'm and out with
he main theme Of her story observations Of
types and scenery and illusions 10 literary and
historical matters. In the long run she succeeds
In striking happy balance between the various
elements OF her scheme.
THE Observations OF Henry is a book for
lazy hour IN well shaded hammock with per-
haps a cool drink just within reach Of the
readers hand and a conviction in his mind that
literature. in the loft!est sense Of that word. is
for the time altogether out OF the question
Such reader viii best find contentmeut in
book OF nonsense. and ne viii IND it in this
latest bundle Of absurdtles by Mr.. Jerome
There are five chapters in the book the sub
stance OF which. to assume. was COM
mUnicated to the author by Henry. the waiter
or, as he now prefers To call himself. Henri
IN the long dining room of the Rinel
Alp Hotel. where / once stayed for melan-
choly week between seasons Henry began AT
the beginning. telling Of his encounter with the
newsboy. young Ripper who one day strolled
in upon the waiter in his Mile End coffee shop.
hlpper came III WIN young imp or n girl on
his arm" and the TWO seated themselves at one
OF the tables.
"Garsong,' he calls out what is the menoo
today"
The menoo to-day" I says. .is that you get
outside fore I clip you over the ear. aad that
you take that back and put il where you found
it,; meaning, o. course the kid
Emery" he replied 10 me. without SO much
turning hair. I'm afraid you're forgetting
your position. When I'm the kerb shouting
'a'penuy in yer and, you're master an I'm
man. When l comes into your shop 10 order
refreshments. and To pay for 'em. I'm boss.
Saycy2 You can bring me a rasher and two
eggs. and see that they're this seasons The
Idly viii have a full sized haddick and
cocoa"
Thus the loquacious Henry, as he proceeds to
unfold a tale which viii not spoil by any
premature disclosures. 1t is all quite unim-
portart but in its way It viii do.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
NEW YORK IN FICTION
ON THE TRACK OF THE NOVEIIsrs vvu.
HAVE WRITTEN OF THE CITY.

NEW-YORK IN FICTION. BY Arthur P...
Maurice Illustrated SvO. pp. xviii 23l 49,
Mead q Co.
Mr. Maurice has tried 70 do for the New-Yo.
of a whole line OF nOvelists and storytens
something Ike that which has been Gone Al
the London Of Dickens and Thackeray. bur \
admits that it Is an unpronising task with
few notable exceptions the novelists who hsr
written Of New-York life have made very Nm
streets that can be treated as individual entfts
and even in it's Oldest quarters New-YOrk IS AL
couragingly lacking IN atmosphere. Bronze tai
let's take the place OF historic buildings, and
there are quaint houses to be seen here arl
there they seem 70 have little significance in a
fiction that deals with New-York life. ri
Maurice's industry. however. has not bel
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

has; but they do not excite I'm either adnira-
tion or respect. The man OF crude deneanor
and habits Of speech. set down among more
civilized people, especially English people. whom
he at once surprises and delights by his rough
ways. is dangerous figure for the novelist 80
tackle Mr.. Garland demonstrates this once
more. Evidently he means TO exhibit Jim as
one OF natures nobleinen, unpublished. but a pure
diamond We ma him, nevertheless. far from
lifelike, and most decidedly uninteresting.
IL has seemed impossible. at least unlike
ly, that for a considerable time we should have
the pleasure Of welcoming a really new touch
in the treatment Of animals in fiction The
great food OF such works which mas followed
the books Of Mr. Kipling and Mr.. -Thornp-
son mas not been distinguished by originality.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

But Miss wilkins lends a certain freshness TO
the stories which she gathers together under
the title Of "Under-studes,' stories in which
birds and even lowers. are most ingeniously
made TO play part in little episodes Of human
nature. There is some sunshine in the book
There Is perhaps more Of that pathos OF which
Miss wilkins is so fond. These tales are brief
and they are varied. The twelve Of them make
an ENJOYABLE summer book.
The Heart OF the Ancient Wood" IS by &
writer who has shown before this faculty Tor
the composition OF novels Nevertheless, what
we think Of chiefly in reading this book is that
Mr. Charles G. D. Roberts is also a poet Ac-
ton there is in this romance, and study of
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
4 POLElfICAL NOVEL.
THE FIRST INSTALNIENT OF MR.. NORRIs'S
EPIC OF THE WHEAT"

THE OCTOPUS. \ Story Of California. CThe
Epic of the Wheat) BY Frank Norris. 12mo
PIP 652 Doubleday. Page & Co.
Mr.. Norris's gift for description is abundantly
illustrated in this book. In fact. he is never so
interesting when he is picturing the life in
an enormous Californian wheat tract 1t is
plain that he has studied the subject at first
hand. has watched the wheat growing and the
men at work over ii. He introduces various
ranch owners whom he draws with the same
care that he bestows upon his panorama Of
nature. AS each character in the book appears
he is described in detail. with kind of dogged
thOroushness, every trait being enumerated and
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
FICTION.
BOOKS FOR THE SUMNER BY AMERICAN
AND ENGLISH AUTHORS.

rTITE HERITAGE OF UNREST. BY Gwendolen
overton. l2mo. pp S2& The Macmillan COM
pany
,5ULRTTY. a Story Of Old Kentucky BY Lucy
Cieaver McEroy. l2mo. PIP. $50 Thomas i
Crowen q Co.
sIER MOUNTAIN LOVER. BY Hamlin Garland
l2mo, pp $50. The Century Company
aNDER-sTUPlEs. Short stories By 3, May iIsrper G
wilkins illustrated. Emo PIP. -"'
yTHE HEART OF THE ANCIENT WOOD ny 1s
Charles c. d Roberts. Illustrated L-niO' pP'
276. Silver. Burdett q Co.
a5 Emo. eoPP pP ssi ED poabieday. l1AG Fage Co
zoN PETERS ISLAND BY Arthur r ROPass PTs,qied and
Mary T. Ropes l2mo, pp NH' 80
scribners Sons.
RAUsTARK The soy 2 Of t2Ee sshinf mo sss
pp. AZ Herbert S Stone & Co.
EvERY INCH KING The Romagcs an svofsi of Henry e.
Of Monmouth, Sometime Prince o ot "Gses' n ~
Dodd Mead a Co.
MISTRESS NELL. A Merry Tale Of Merry
Time Cl'wiNt FACT and FaneyyC BE DC GeoTge Tg
viii SO. Charles Scribner's Sons
s.lELL GwYN-coMEDIAN. a Novel. BY. F
Frankfort Moore. l2mo. pp. N6 Brentano's.
aENELcPEs IRISH EXPERIENCES By Kate
D1oqglas, Wiggin. l2mo, pp. VI 81. Houghton
hTHF OBSERVATIONS OF HENRY. BY Jerome
X Jerome l2mo, pp. lS2 Dodd. Mead d 90.
The Heritage of Unrest is a sprightly story
sof life in the West, spent under the shadow Of
arouble with the Indians. The heroine is the
oaughter of a white man and halfbreed Mus
~calero woman. Her parents dying when she is
sscsrcely more than baby. she is brought up
s5y soldier friend Of her fathers a good officer
sand an honest man, who begins by marrying
11he girl a matter Of duty and ends by loving
eher. she, however. with savage blood IN her
veins is real mate for him. and the book
ideals not only with Indian fighting but with the
development Of Landor and his curious bride
Felipa. He does his duty TO the end, and SO.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

their neighborhoOd are not neglected by the
polite stOrytellers OF New-York and Mr. Maurice
has followed them through every turn and twist
and he keeps up with them in their advances
toward Harlem and the annexed district, al
ways with camera in hand. even so far as Tarry-
town. to join with Irving. We are eonstrainsa
to confess that all this seems to add little I"
the interest of the literary work thus dissected'
and that the task is in most cases. hardly WORTH
the trouble Of undertaking. II il 10 DC
undertaken. perhaps IL is well that IL should Dc
done as thoroughly as il is here. that no man >
curiosity should be left unsatished.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
AN INGENIOrs DOCTOR.

From The London Chronicle
There is a good story about Sir William Gun,
and the tactful manner in which he ayOiISs
anxious questiOners when the King. then RflmSss III
OF Wales. was suffering from typhoid. ~ Ia
Duke of Cambridge went to Sandringhan. a., an
was about TO ask Sir, William about the paueisss
when the eminent doctor began drawing on 30. 80
back OF a telegram What are you cons
asked the Duke. II am drawing picture. 81 a.
and underneath 1 purpose writing. Never spe''-
TO the ar the Wheel Z"
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

thsm on objects within his scope. and resolutely
avoid the writing of novels whose first purpose
is not to mirror life but to prove g point.
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11
TALES OF THE ANCIENT PAST
IN THE DAYS OF ARTAXERxEs AND
HANNIBAL

BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON. BY Mrs Regi-
nald De Kover. 12mO, pp. $40. Herbert 5 Stone
& Co.
THE LIONS BROOD. BY Duffeld Osborne Illus
trated by Walter Satterlee. 12mO. pp. viii, 361.
Doubleday, Page & Co.
Against a gorgeous background Mrs. De
Koven has sketched in her new book. BY the
New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

story, and this is diverting one very clearly