The Republican journal., 1901-09-05
1.-The Sea Letter, :"
A Mystery of Martha's Vineyard, By will
liam Henry Winslow, NJ. D., Ph.D., Etc.
Vineyard Haven, Mass.

A Mystery of Martha's Vineyard, By lWil.
liam Henry Winslow, NJ D., Ph.D.. Etc.
Vineyard Haven, Mass.
A view of the seashore, and bottle
containing letter, preSage sea story,
but seven-eighths of the action of the
characters are upon land, and the sea,
with its incidents and pictures, is like
veil over the face of beauty. The au-
thor has drawn inspiration from Ma
ture, and contrasted her peaceful and
stormy moods with the rambles of low
ers and the tragic histories of unique
characters. Summer life at great
hotel upon an island out to sea is graph
ically. portrayed, and the talk of the
smart set and others is natural and
amusing. The arrival of tally-ho
loaded with bachelors causes great eX-
element and their sayings and doingS,
excursions with the young ladies around
the island, and curious adventures, are
novel and interesting. There are low
ers and mamaS galore, and a back
ground of fashionable society life for an
absorbing plot, which leads the reader
from Martha's Vineyard to Mt. Desert,
Florida and Europe.
A letter from sinking ship, enclOS-
ed in bottle, found by two lovers
sauntering by moonlight upon the South
Beach of the island, causes secret ex-
petition and strange revelations.
\ celebration and hop of the New
York Yacht Club, a Corinthian yacht
race, hospital experience in New York,
spiritual manifestations, Florida plan
tation life, incidents of the war with
Dixie, struggle between affection
and affinity, and an unexpected de-
noument, chain the attention by vivid
description and purity OF language.
The author has certainly presented
strange facts and extraordinary fancleS
in a manner unique in literature. We
do not know how ultra patriots will like
the eXaltation of a Spanish family: nor
how bereaved friends will feel about
the allusio: TO the loss of the Portland:
nor how timid persons will enjoy the
spiritIaliStic seance III the fanatics
cabin on Mt Desert: but the authors
evident belief there is a mysterious
soul affinity which should unite the
sexes something above mere affection,
profound respect, sentimental admlra-
ton. and lustful desire-will excite
wide attention.
This book answers the three canonS
of criticism suggested by COleridge.
The author has attempted something;
it was worth doing, and has done the
work we'll The reader almost sees the
sparkling sea and hears the roaring of
the surf upon the sull-kissed shore, and
the pleasures of a seaside life will be
revelation to persons dwelling inland,
and delight to chose who love New
Eneland's rock-bound coast
There is a scarcity of literature con-
corning this island, which is a raison
detre for this book, and the evolution
of this charming romance incidentally
gives one a pretty thorough conception
OF the scenic beauty and multiple at
fractions of the Indians Capawock.
The author is al eX-naval officer, who
resides at Vineyard Haven, and has
made a careful study of the island. If
the public agrees with the critical judg-
ment of the reviewer, we expect every
body will read and talk about The Sea
Letter. MARTHA Vineyard Herald,
Aug. II, 1901.
The author of this book is native of
Belfast and well known to many of our
readers He is known also as the au
thor of a former book, "Cruising and
Blockading," and as contributor to
Forest and Stream. in which he told of
his yachting trips Oh the Maine coast
and elsewhere. Belfast, Bar Harbor
and other places in Maine are mention
ed in the volume. The book is a l2-mo.
of 336 pages. bound in cloth, and finely
illustrated. The publishers are Henry
A. Dickerman & Son, 80 Franklin
street, Boston, and the price is $50. 1t
is on sale in Belfast at F. g. Mixers.