The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-12

1 Carewe, which should of course be the pivotal point of interest is held in two great subjection to en lrate father on one hand ana a very weak and wicked young man on the other In consequence, there are times when the readers interest comes psrilously near fiagglng This Of course is fatal to a piece of fiction and the reason must be found in the lack of patience the reader feels for Crailey Gray who is an utterl unworthy recipient of Miss Betty'sa youthful affections The burning of Carewe's warehouses seems a very useless and unimportant event bearing no possible relation to the unfolding of the plot and when the youthful heroine appears on the top Of the burning warehouse and colly asks the men who have been working fnriously, don't you tbink you'd better come oown now?" the event not only lacks dramatic energy and interest but becomes farcieal and ridiculous. In short the raison detre of the story is unworthy the talent and ability of MT. Tarkington and lacks the purity and sweetness of thought and the tender grace and spirituality that have heretofore characterized his work.
 MT. Tarkington is not the first writer who has had to suffer in consequence Of having produced a little masterpiece, for, Monsieur Beaucaire may certainly be classed under this heading. The ,am- ented Frank R. Stockton had a really pathetic experience in this regard, and his own account of the rejection of his work after the publication of HThe Lady or the Tiger" and the unfavorable comments would be amusing were 1t not really pathetic. He suffered from having produced a little masterpiece of work that subsequently he never could quite equal But MT Tarkington is young yet and we will hope that he may yet dupli- cate his Beaucaire. The story Is attrae- lively bound in green and white and contains a number of pleasing color H. lustrations by Henry Hut.
 A recent review remarks that people who have leisure and good taste will wei come the announcement of a volume on Literary Landmarks of Oxford, by Laurence Hutton. Tt would be rare pleasure to wander in the body with MT. Hutton along The High and under the shadow of Great Tom and through the cloisters of Christ Church. The next best thing Nill be to accompany him through the storied University in spirit"
 
 Captain Macklin' by Richard Harding Davis is quoted as reaching the 45th 1000. It is said to be an admirable story, clear cut, brave and spirited. The Fortunes of Oliver Horn, by F. hopkinson Smith has reached the 50th 1000. While The Valley of Decision" by Edith Wharton approaches the 25tn 1c0O.
 Mary Cholmondeley the English writer has published nothing since the phenom- enal success of "Red Potage' until the present time. She believes in giving only her very be5t to the public and conse- quently writes slowly. Mo and Rust is the very peculiar title of her nv story for which is anticipated a share of her previous extraordinary success.
 Apropos of titles Julian Ralphs use of the almost superfuous word Million aires" as the title of his new story is causing much comment, while Mrs. Ruth McEnery Stuart's forthcoming oook. 'The Gentleman of the Plush Rocker" has g. title which Is putting simplicity of nomenclature to blush.
 Paul Kelver" by Jerome K. Jerome has just been announced from the press. It is MT. Jeromes first long novel, and in it he has branched out in an entirely new field. While the story contains plenty of humor, there is also a pathos and power never before shown in any of his books. Here is a bit of MT. Jercmes g philosophy "rhe fortress of laughter that a few of you have been set apart to guard this rallying-point fer all the forces of joy and gladness. How do you know 1t may not be the key to the whole bat tle."