The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-08
Historical Romancers Only Need Beg for a Story.

am as stubborn as a mule. and no plead ings will move me-" The story lacks en- tirely that spiritual quality which re- time 1t casts an alluring sentiment over the tic situations. 'If I were king-ah love, if l were king! What tributary nations wouldlI bring To stoop before your sceptre ard to swear Allegiance to your lips and eyes and
 hair.
 Beneath your feet what treasures I
 would fling;
 The stars should be your pearls upon a The world a ;uaby for your finger ring,
 And you should have the sun and moon
 to wear
 If I were king
 There are a number of illustrations which portray MT. Southern and Cissy , Loftus as they rendered the parts dur ing the past winter in New York But the illustrations lack the same spiritual quality that is missed so unhappily in | the text, and one insensibly feels that the story would have fared better without the illustrations and if left to the fan ciful imaginations of the reader.
 
 While books of fiction seem at the pres ent day to be so largely in the ascend ency among readers, it is, nevertheless, | true that other forms of literature find ready and extended sale. In fact, just | at a moment when captious critics are | wont to cry in alarm that we are about 10 De deluged with all kinds O. fiction good bad and indifferent we see signs Of a very hea-thy reaction. Books of travel, of sport, of out-of-door country life lind ready and appreciative audi 1 ences. If books of philosophy and essay ind narrower audience 1t Is, neverthe- less, true that it Is a discriminating one The essay of today, filled as it is with the gentle philosophy of life, does not l appall the reader by its seriousness as In former days. The hom ely, gentle philosophy found in the pages of "Dream Lhe' and the thoughtful reflective es- says of Hamilton Wright Mabie endear the authors to many admiring readers The treatment of familiar subjects, il characterized by lightness of touch and an lnIusion or inspiration, will serve g double purpose in the reading. For many there be who wish to be entertain. ed by their reading. but above this, from each essay some helpful thought and stimulating Inspiration must be gleaned Such books are those contributed by MT E l.. c. Ward of Talladega Alabama the editor and proprietor of "The News. Reporter His first book was "Heart Shots" which embodied forty-six essays upon variety of subjects. His late work, You" is a unique piece of work and in its pages Is epitomized the secret | of many a career. Its pages are like a kaleidoscope that pictures with vivid- ness the average human life from the cradle to the grave, but the common l placeness of the life described robs it of the inspiration it might otherwise be- l stow. For, great moral and mental stim- ulation come to the reader more often 1 through striking and extraordinary ex- periences which demand heroic and her culean responses. Though the essay, | suggestive reminiscent style of the book recalls in an often very appealing way the most important incidents in ones life.
 A prince among story tellers is Robert Barr, who has written a number of most excellent stories and who has long since achieved a truly envable reputa tation. In no former book has his story y-teling art been exerted with greater felicity than | in his latest, "A Prince of Good Eel 1 lows" It is charming story, superbly 1 illustrated and handsomely executed in the technical part of the work. A great majority of the present day historical l fiction has a king for a hero, and "A n. For, the hero and royal good comrade Is no less than his majesty James V. of l Scotland. Young, debonair. clever and high spirited the recital of his adyen- l lures sparkle with wit and genial origin l ality. There Is no consecutive plot to the story, but rather a succession of episodes in the merry life of the young monarch. No character in the pages of fiction is more interesting and winning than a 1 Scotchman, and especially the Highland CT, when portrayed upon 4As own rug ged heather In Mir. Barr's story they enrich the charm of his story with their native brusqueness and valor, and through 1t all there is a dash and color and wholesome vivacity that is very fas- cinating. indeed. The two chapters. "The Kings Tryst," and "rhe King Explores, ? | are among the cleverest in the book There Is much originality of conception | in the unforeseen situations which sug- gests somewhat the exciting interest of | the Sherlock Holmes treatment in the unraveling. The conversation is brisk, clever and full of catchy repartee which makes the story very delightful, indeed In fact, as a prince among stories" 1t | matches with easy grace its own royal | baro "A Prince of Good Eellows