The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-24

says some are mostly gay seine mostly
grave, out all are of interest and excel.
lence. Especially did we like the last "
all, "The Consultations of Spinsterhood,
and its ending is SO feclingly and beauti-
fully written that it stood 70 us as one of
the truest pieces Of pathos that we have
seen for lol 6 time. +. r. *.
HEROINEs OF FICTION. By William
Dean Howells Harper 6. Brothers,
New York
Two volumes OF literary criticism from
the pen OF William Dean Howels are
welcome additions to the list Of holiday
books. Yet, despite their attractive bind
ing end their beautiful illustrations.
seventy in number, from the pencils OF
such distinguished artists as Keller,
Ckristy, Steiner and HUT, we do not
wish to class these latest works OF Mr..
Howells as gift-books. No moro did we
Sc class Literary Friends and Acquaint-
ances,'' by the same author, although it
was also with deckel edges, gilt tops and
other ornamental features dear to the
heart Of the Seeker Of Christmas gifts
and not displeasing to the book-lover
choosing olumes for his own dclectation.
We refuse to classify "Heroincs of F'ic-
ton" as a sift-book though we know no
one who would refuse such a beautiful
gift, because in these volumes are so
much Of beauty and worth, so much that
is charming and enduring, that we prefer
TO take the volumes seriously as every
day, and not as holiday. books.
Mr.. Hcwells has filled his pages with
studies Of well-knowl heroines of fiction.
The plan of the volumes includes in each
study "a general criticism of the author,
whose heroines are under consideration,
special study Of the characters chosen
for each chapter, and an eXemplitlcation
of the authors work through some dra-
matte scene from book undergoing discus
sion'' This plan has been, with triflng
exceptions carried out, and that, too.
with most successful results. We have
charming and yet perspicuous discussions
of the heroines of our favorte authors.
In Volume /. we read of old-tlme favor
ites-the women Of Frances Burney, Ma
ria Edgeworth, Jane Austen, Mrs. Fer
rier, Mrs Opie, Mrs. Radcliffe OF Scott,
Bulwer, Dickens, Hawthorne. Thackeray
and Bronte. In Volume 11.-Hypat1a,
Maggie Tulliver, Ietty Sorrel Rosamond
yincy. Janet Dempster and Gwendolen
Harleth, step from the pages OF kings
lev. Reade and Eliot, and are again be-
fore us in the life. They find comparison
in the herones of Trollope, James, Hardy,
Black, Harte, Gable, Fuller. Wilkins ana
Ward In every case Mr.. Howells writes
Delightfully."-. We enjoy each page. In not
every page that we enjoy, however, 40
ne. concur. Authoritative as Mr.. Howells,
opinions are in general, yet, in special,
we must, as all readers will. differ In es-
innate Mems minds are not all cast IN
the same mold, and one viii, detest the
character another admires But alter
making all allowances for, difference IN
individual taste, we must heartily praise
these vc!l mes for the keen perception
that frds expression in delightful
phrases. r. Y. -.
V. r. l. BY the Marquis of Lorne Harper
& Brothers, New York
This book was hurriedly written, and i'll
some places bears marks of haste; but, as
9 rule, it is satisfactory. 1t is. of course,
impossible for any one adequately to
cover in the space of one volume OF me-
diu1n size all the principal events which
occurred during Victoria'S reign; and the
attempt to do so mas not been made. The
author dwells chiefly upon the personal
side Of the Queen. We are glad OF TINS;
for the public life Of Queen Victoria is
open to all who desire to read in the rec
ords of the day; but her private life is
known to but a few. Yet We must con-
TESS to some disappointment in this re-
gard. 1t would seem to. US that one VINO
stood in such close relationship to her as
did the author might have given us more
intimate details of the life of Victoria.
more Of her expressed thoughts and more
incidents which would have enabled us to
see the woman even more clearly than
the Queen. This is the weakness of the
book But it has many atoning merits,
and will add to our knowledge OF the
sovereign who for more than sixty years
sat upon the throne of England.
The book is excellently illustrated.
chiefly with portraits of the Queen at va
rious ages. Altogether, the book is praise
worthy: it is the best biography of Vic
toria that has yet appeared, and if it
lacks the strictly personal element which
we had expected. it yet possesses an in
terest which is all its own. w. II. c.
JOY AND STRENGTH FOR THE Pill
GRIM'S DAY. Edited by Mary Wilder