The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-27
The Magazines, Etc.

- v
 'tNev Testament Critics Answered'-
 The Magazines, Etc.
 2s the New York Journal we'll says after a column review of The Climax or What Might Have Bean," the new novel by Charles Felton Pidgin pub lished by the c. NJ. Clark Publishing company, Boston: No more interast- ing book has been written in a lcng time than "The Climax" IL founIs a new school in historical novel writing and whether one agrees win the author in his hero worship and t"e!nes or not, it is we'll worth reading. Charles Felton Pidgin is hero WOrshirper and the god of his idoIatry is Aaron Burr. In "Blenerhassett' he placed few lau- rel wreaths upon the brow of one whom most Americans are wont to regard as q demagogue, if not an actual traitor, but in his newest book, "The Climax" he shatters the whole alabastet box If his incense at his hero's feet.
 To do this he had to rewrire history, and "The Climax is not a record of events as they really happened. but as trey might have happened. In it AaI 0n Burr bulldozes Thomas Jefferson into making him commander in chief of the army; he conquers Mexico, Central America and the West Indies, and adds them to the United States; fights Eng land to finish; is elected president; digs the Panama canal, and inaugurates a kind of benevolent despotism in which he happily settles every question that has vexed or is vexing the public conscience.
 The historical novel is usually dull because its fiction is hampered by facts, and it's facts are handicapped by fic- tion., This makes MT Pidgin's bold in- novation of writing historical novel in which the history is confessedly imag- mary an entertaining and delightful novelty in letters"
 It may be added that in the evolution of his new story MT. Pidgin attributes to his hero Aaron Burr various theories concerning how things should be chang ed at Washington. Aaron Burr in this novel believes that a senator should not have a longer term than president, and recommends that the president be elected for term of eight years, with the provision that he may not serve two terms in succession. He believes that a congressman's term of office should be four years, the two-year term bringing the election around too often and limiting the value of the con- gressman's service at Washington.
 He thinks the vice-presldent is very much like the fifth wheel of coach; k ss l,ax +ni, on a ship, but instead of having him with the captain, where he can see what is going on and be ready to take the captains place if anything should hap pen to him, he is down in the cooks galley making chowder and plum duff. President General Burr believes that the senate should elect its own presi- . dent from among it's members; that the vice-president should be made a mem- Der of the cabinet by virtue of his of flee and that he should also have right to seat in the senate, but with out vote.
 He believes that the members of the cabinet should have right to sit in the house of representatives and take part in it's proceedings, but without vote.
 All of these suggestions of President General Burr are adopted and made amendments to the constitution-in tfThe Climax
 Thus does Mir. Pidgin in '"The Cli- max" revolutionize things and with an unceremoniousness and celerity that would make the head swim of an Eco homie Leaguer in Connecticut or Con- necticut constitutional convention del- +1. Tl,1A aII s.4. being merely on paper no harm is done, and MT. Pidgin has succeeded in mak- ing a lively story full of episode and striking situati tions and awakening curi- osity as to what might have happened had things occurred according to the plot he so 'cleverly evolves. "The Cli- max is adorned with fine frontis- piece entitled "Defend Yourself" and the title and immediately following pages are embellished with handsome border work. For sale by all the lead- ing booksellers; price $1.5O.
 Separation, by Margaret Lee, pub 1ished by F. M. Buckles & Co.,, New York; price S1.25; for sale by the E, P. Judd Co. Many days have elapsed since Miss Lees writings brought her prominently before the public. Her book 'tDivorce'' was a distinct success and had the enviable distinction of re- ceiving review from Gladstone in the Nineteenth Century. Like Divorce" this new book deals with the separation of married folk and deals with this pro- blem so frequently met with with the same grace and lightness of diction and felicity of touch that characterized the | previous work. There are no exciting l episodes; the story runs on an even key and the characters are mainly | those of refined and educated people, | the scene being a quiet village. There are no deep designing villains or ran- corous plotters or criminals in the sto- ! ". It is good book about good peo- pie, wholesome story that mildly en- | tertains yet possesses an interest that | holds the readers attention until the happy denouement which all along the l reader feels is in store. It is in brief l the story of scholarly man and his l beautiful wife, both excellent people. 1 who have drifted apart, and as it hap pens they unwittingly drift into the same rural town to abide for awhile Here accident brings them to the Knowledge that they are in the same To- cality. Both seek to shun each other and pny1 til11a fo du,a1I ,1,n,, +Ln;,. x.oSI l