New-York tribune., 1901-10-20

painted vividIy that the reader seems to be
moving among living people and tangible
thlhgs' All Of the authors old aptitude in the
creation or an environment for his personages,
all Of his old insight in making those person
ages talk and act as the people of past time
probably talked and acted appears TO have
come back to him. He is interested in his own
story, as he has not always seemed TO be of late.
and it moves with ease it has not ouIv anfnla-
ton but charm. 1t is a genuine romance. q
pleasure to read and a pleasure to remember.
Mr.. Crawford has gained by returning to an
old inspiration. Mr.. Chambers has gained by
adopting one. Cardigan is based on
American history. To the hero, who gives his
name to the novel. are introduced in 1774,
when he is still a lad He is enough
plunged into perilous situations, He lives in
Western New-YOrk, he is concerned in the
Indian troubles there a kings man, and
afterward he is caught in the rising tide Of
patriotism TO be present at Lexington. Many
and thrilling are his adventures. He looks sud-
den death in the face again and again and to
make matters worse. the woman he loves Ms
tress Felicity Warren-named silver Heels" by
the Mohawks for her victo-y in a foot race as
a child-is kept from him by cruel circumstances
and still more cruel stratagem through one
chapter after another. Cardigan is fine fell
low. however. and wins his bride in true ro-
mantle fashion The two are very attractive
and Mr.. Chambers has used In their portraits
colors far more artistic than those in which he
TIED rot long ago TO paint modern city life
BE has gone into the wildwood for the stuff "
this novel, and the result does him credit It
IS to be hoped he will return 10 the same source
when he IS seeking material FOR book II
IS perhaps injudicious TO urge anybody to add
rf ba- Of
now in vogue. but Mr.. Chambers does the trick
very we'll much better than many Of his COM
petItors-
When the wind hOwls round the house at
night and the world seems very lonely. I some
times try 70 picture monastery on a mountain
side, and then. IN my fancy. I see a yellow
robed. mysterious figure. whose dark. searching
eyes look into mine with a light that is no
longer OF this world To him I cry Farewell
Nikolar" Thus the supposititious narrator II
the last tale in which Mr Boothby celebrates
a figure TO which he has already devoted some
i've or six volumes. Readers OF these volumes
have doubtless come 10 regard the ingenious
doctor pretty bad lot But they must also
have TO Ike hin, a little and So M-
Boothby has taken pains TO lead him off the
scene along paths still fraught with the mys-
terry Of Nikola's personality and the sinister
gloom OF his practices, but touched also by some
redeeming lights. He lets his mischievous hero
down gently shows him TO us engaged in very
dubious actions of yore but with the capacity
/ for better things suddenly developing NikoIa
Is not, perhaps, as interesting in his new guise
| when he more candidly diabocal: never
theless. he is not dull In his crude. somewhat
trashy way he is still beguiling and this book.
| though mediocre as its predecessors consid-
cred literature. is worth reading. as they
| were. in a listless half hour.