The age-herald., 1901-03-03

Paul Leicester Fords latest book scenes pre-eminently designed as a gift book The title, ''Wanted-A Watchma- ker," is in itself very suggestive, and the strong human quality of the story is even more suggestive and persuasive I would say, given a young lady with unusually high conceptions of life, one whose heart and hand are hard to win, ard tinid young lover who hoped to do both, this book would be just the one to assist him in his difficult task for the charming heroine of the book counts all the good things of life but as mere dross In com parison to love. Readers of The Hon. Peter Stirling" and Janice Meredith" need no word of comme ndation for a new. work from the pen of MT. Ford. How ever, this late story Is very different in style and treatment from his historical romances It is more like a strong, dis tinct silhouette of present day life. There are but three principal characters, and they are sketched by broad. masterful strokes that are suggestive rather than analytical. The strong, human interest of the story as it deals with these three personages makes 1t worth any number of stories that deal merely with incidents and exciting events. For after all 1t Is the genuine experiences of the human heart that appeal most to the reader
 whether they be love or any other domi- nant emotion. The story deals with a moderen phase of life that might occur almost any day in New York. The Httle son of the tenement district is a pdctu- resque character, and gives a piquant Idea of civilized life in Its very lowest strata The contrast between the characters gives an odd, but an appealing quality. "Wanted-A Matchmaker" is fine, true piece of fiction, honest and forceful in its conception and construction, and del- icate and beautiful in its treatment. Aside from the interest and value of the text, the story has an unusually unique set ting, which makes 1t especially accepta- ble as a gift book. The Illustrations are by Howard Chandler Christy; the deco rations by Margaret Armstrong.
 Apropos of the novel" Pendennis- that indefatigabie worker for the New York Herald-has recently written a couple of very interesting interviews with two of our most favorably known wri- ters, MT. Crawford and MT. Stockton. MT. Crawford wrote a whole volume about "the novel" and what 1t Is, but 1t seems that interviewers are never so happy as when they can corner MT. Crawford and prevail upon him to dis cuss this very interesting subject. And before many moments the interviewer and the one interviewed get very confi- dential As Pendennis says: "Women expand over one cup of tea, and quarrel over two; men suspend judgment over one cigar and exchange condolences over two" In discussing the making of books MT. Crawford defined the word ''novel' to be "a pocket theater," and then add ed dryly, but I wrote little book on that line" MT. Crawford has mahy kind words for the much talked about "histor- ical novel," and speaking of himself says: "I think a mans residence In a country should govern the historical writer. I was born in Italy, and lived there when a child. Everything In the country has the warmest associations for me. So much of ones own likes and dislikes enter into any expression of ones nature that 1t is best to write about one's own historical convictions" The perusal of MT. Craw- fords very delightful books on Italy will certainly sustain him In his position on this point of historical romance; and from them the reader very readily learns how dear Italy is to the heart of the au- thor. In answer to the question if mod ern life did not stife the romantic flavor, the natural romanticist replied: You can't smother romance so long as human