The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-17

! there Is no discernible lnarge between
| them or course, where the story is
written in photographed form, this is
true art; but we are not speaking OF
such works. but Of these admittedly de-
scriptive. 1t seems to be the one aim of
each chronicler Of the lower types to
learn to think in Japanese" That they
too often succeed is a thing to be de-
plored, for thus their stories lose all adj
vantage Of point OF view. We, with the
author, no longer look downward, where
we can see all, but we and he are on
the same plane as those of whom he tells
US. And by this means is no true kncwl-
edge given or gained.
CELEBRATED CRIMES BY Alexander
Dumas. George Barrie g. Son, Phila-
delphia.
Celebrated Crimes" falls among the
list Of Dumas works which are ranked
as Of doubtful authenticity; but there can
be little question that the master was
responsible For the form in which the
work appeared. He may not, indeed,
have himself made the researches Which
were necessary to complete the work, and
NSlS plGpduly TIE IOUSt aCOtlfslittliSl W q.
done by other hands: but from internal
evidence it seems quite certain that no
wrote the manuscript from which the
book was printed. At all events, the
work is of all the interest that he SO well
knew how to inLuse into history; and It
is worthy to bear his name.
Tho work tells Of all the most famous
crimes that have defaced the history Of
the civilized world. The stories are told
| L. ~ 10
mako them as thrilling and absorbing as
any historical romance. The personages
are made to live for the reader. who
gains insight into their motives well
as their actions: they have the vita..,y
of the characters % fiction when ably
drawn, not the GOODNESS OF the merely his
torical parsonage, whose Individuality It
is SO difficult to realize. We are told of
Joanna OF Naples, of the Borgias, OF the
Cenci of the Man in the Iron Mask, and
of many ether persons whose names are
written in chronicle only because of the
magnitude Of their crimes. We are told
OF them in such a manner as to make
their stories comprehensive and real to
us, while the manner of telling-treating
fact in the way usually reserved for fic-
tion-is potent to awaken and maintain
our interest. It is not pleasant reading;
but it is unquestionably thrilling. 1t is
SOiiictIilllS III lIC IldlUIe VI IL iiieifi
Chamber OF Horrors; we are repealed and
yet We are fascinated. 1t is all very
artistically done; we may be Mortified.
but we are never disguised.
THE PRACTICAL LIFE WORK OF
HENRY DRUMMOND. BY Cuthbert
Lennox. James Potts 6 Co., New York.
There is a great difficulty in writing
chronicle Of the man who is the subject
of Mr. Lenno:ls book: for, as DR.. Join
Watson has said, The biography OF
Drummond cannot be chronicle; it
must be a suggestion" There are IN
paratively few data to be discovered: but
the greatest difficulty lies in the conceal
ment from the world Of Drummond's lcue
personality. He was both modest and
sensitive, and he did not care to put
himself on record" except when there
was need for this. Yet, in the book be-
fore us. there is much material. and all
we'll used The author has been ind.ta-
tigablc in collecting from the personal
friends OF Drummond-among whom he
himself may be ranked-a great deal of
his material, and he has also been SO foc-
tunate as to discover some hitherto I'm
published matter. He writes Will. full
sympathy toward his subject, though we
think that in some cases he has hardly
done full justice to the strength OF Drum
mond's nature. The result Of Drum
mond's thought may not be lasting,
though we personally hold contrary
opinion; but it is certain that his life will
always have effect and will re-
main permanent influence for the
good Of the world. Therefore, we cor
daily commend this biography to all who
like TO read of a good nan doing good
and bearing SANDER and misconc, ption
with a noble patience that told the truth
Of his nature. The book is furnished with
notes for photography. and has an in
PRODUCTION by Hamilton W. Mabic, neither
being OF great value: but as Il record IF
noble life, it is worthy Of all praise
a. Il. S.
WOMAN IN THE GOLDEN AGES Ply
Amelia Gere Mason. The Century Com
pany, New York.
Mrs Amelia Gere Mason. author Of
Women of the French Salons" has
given us a new group OF papers. concerns
ing some of the most notable Of her SEX.
In Woman in the Golden Ages" Mrs
Mason writes pleasantly about many wo-