The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-30
new FICTION.

PAUL hELNER, by Jerome *. Jerome.
published by Dodd. Mead & Co. For
Sale by Preston & Rounds. $500
AS for Mr.. Jerome-he Is different. The
usual personal and intimate style of his
work. as between him and his reader is
one OF the fetching things about what
ever he writes. He has philosophy that
appeals TO most men. and perhaps TO
many women. He is a cosmopolitan but
best OF all he is city man. He gives you
the impression of having lived the things
he writes about. rather than merely hav-
ing observed them however closely and
accurately. He doesn't examine human
nature With the micriscope or dfssect II
with the knife. He is "a part OF IL and is
glad Of IL.
Paul Kelver" Is Mr.. Jerome's first
long novel. we believe. Happily, IL re-
tains the manner Of the sketch and the
feuilleton. Not that Mr.. Jerome does not
take himself and his work seriously. But
he graces his seriousness with the charm
OF the cheerful philosopher. Perhaps.
life isn't altogether thing OF dreams,
but It is a thing OF Inconsistencies and
paradoxes. You don't want to be too
hard on IT,
~ want TO make the world think" ="
declared the ambitious Paul to the friend
into his face.
Make 1t thinkr" exclaimed the critic.
/" Hasn't IL got enough TO think about?
Who are you TO turn up your nose at your
work and tell the Almighty His own busi
ness? You are here to make us laugh.
But the joyous laugh mostly has
strain of pathos somewhere about II
when we come TO real creatures. So with
Paul Xelver." The novel Is a suppo-
sititious autobiography-perha real
one. Maybe IL Is Mr.. Jerome's David
Copperield." Many authors write
David Copperfeld" or a "Pendonnis" at
some time during their careers-usually
early. At all events 1t is capital book
to read. The little Paul meets Charles
Dickens In n Victoria park.
"'You are an egotist,' said Mr.. Dick
ems. land that is the beginning OF all
art"
"'Put your Carlyle In your pocket"
advised old Hasluck. the manipulation OF
markets, "'He is not all voices. but he
Is the best maker Of men l know. The
great thing to learn OF life is not TO be
afraid OF IT." SO Dickens and Carlyle
helped to shape Paul Perhaps, Thack-
cry too. although Paul doesn't mention
him by name
II was we'll along in his young man
hood however before literature contri-
buted 10 Paurs environment. There were
authors knew that helped the shaping
process. DR.. washburn was one OF them,
Fighting Hai," whose practice was not
so good, always, as his precept. Then
there was Barbara Hasfuck, charming
piece, who grew up 10 pretend TO believe
that love was one thing and ahusband
quite another. There was Paufs father
and mother. too, and his Grabbed Aunt
Fan. all Interesting people, ana some gut
ter enipes and a lot OF uncongenial school
fellows who did not understand him any
better than ne understood himself Attire
that, came journalists. including penny
n-lIners theatric stage folk OF various
degree artists. and-Norah. Norah came
into Paurs life late, but her influence
was strong and good-and permanent, we
Ruess
II r. n fine story. There are many cpl
grams TO startle and please one, many
bits OF philosophy effectively expressed
by different people In the book, and to be
accepted with due consideration OF the
source Many OF them you will recall
after the book r. finished. like n scrap of
melody you hear the first night OF the
opera. or n crisp catch phrase. The rsSd-
er will remember many an incident and
episode too, from Pauls experiences
many n It'd bit like that OF his first eat
ing aauaintance with an oyster. the
crushed shells OF thousands OF which we
don town and had been curious 10 know
how their original contents looked and
tasted.
Yes. ~ is n fine. familiar story, full OF
sentiment and character and experience
that are enjoyable to read about, so that
Il r. hard~to lay the book down and you
are likely 20 turn its pages back 10 re-
fresh feeting recollection as you read
along
CAPTAIN MACKLIN, by Richard Hard
ing Davis:
published by Charles scribner's Sons.
For sale by Preston & Rounds Price
srtN)
Tho Girl Is not so much I'm evidence IN
the Memories OF Captain Macklin as ~
usual with Richard Harding Davis, or
indeed as we should like 60 see. after
the glimpse that the author gives us OF
I;ea'rice and Miss Ffske-just a glimpse
OA Ina-ds who are plainly worth knowing
M G.oaD wnh Captain Macklin. tho
4 --,s .. s..s 't...r. st the end ne gives
W Isc-,rie FOR the Fight. because the
-''e; is Ia his blood. come down from
hts grandfather. hts father. gallant SOL
dlers. Wars are not always at command
OF the solaier Of training and disposition.