The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-10
SOME OF THE new BOOKS
Francezka.

The scenes OF several of Miss Molly Elliot
Seawelfs most pleasing and popular novels
have been laid in France, and she has re-
turned to that country for the material of
her latest romance, "Francezka," just pub
lished by the Bowen-Merrill Compay. 1t is
an historical novel in the sense that a num-
Der of noted personages figure in its pages,
but the chief interest centers in a group
of men and women for whose names one
would need to search long in the official
chronicles. The time is in the eighteenth
century, when Louis XIV was young and
Cardinal Fleury power. Maurice,
Count of SAKE, marshal general of France,
is leading figure. He may in one sense
be called the hero, for it is he who is most
conspicuous in warlike affairs, and the
tale, being told in the first person by
Babache, his faithful and adoring retainer,
purports to be primarily the narrative of
his adventures. There are, in fact, two
leading men, in the story. The sentl-
mental interest belongs to CASTOR CheVer-
who does not lack courage, but distin-
cuisines himself by the conduct of his love
affair rather than by martial deeds. Inc
course of his love runs with reasonable
smoothness for a time. but complications
arise and ii becomes a Sorrowful road. Inc
evil genius of the story is Gaston's brother,
whose wonderful resemblance to him is the
cause of disaster. The heroine, FranceZka,
Is introduced to her public in an original
way and makes pleasing impression that
is not dissipated as time goes on. Inc
author has portrayed her character with
much skill. Her eccentric Scotch aunt, who
is also her guardian, is also cleverly drawn
Among the distinguished persons of whom
gilmpses are given are the famous actress,
Adrienne Lecouvreur, and Voltaire. The
actress is hopelessly I'm love with Count
Sake, who is merely her friend; Voltaire IS
devoted to her. She suffers from vast
| ing disease, but appears triumphantly on
the stage almost at her last hour Tnls
| episode and her subsequent death are
handled in a most effective and dramatic
way. The king is scarcely seen In the
story. Frederick of Prussia, later Freder-
lex the Great. appears as the crown prince.
In writing this story Miss Seawell did not
| as SO many writers OF novels seem 10 90;
select her period of history in an on-hand
way, then sit down and dash off the chap
tiers without regard to facts or probabilities.
| dcnce OF most painstaking work She has
| studied the events end the life of the time
until she is thoroughly familiar with 1t.
| In consequence, her characters and Incl
dents have vividness not common in this
| class of fiction. The story is told with ami
nation the honest and ingenious Babache
having an eye not only TO all of his mas
| ters doings. but to those of CASTOR and
| Francezka. both of whom he also loves,
and recording them with affectionate inter-
est and sprightinesS. AS is to be expected
| of Miss Seaweirs books, the workmanship
| is excellent and the literary style clear.
| There is much OF war and campaigning
| and she handles these themes we'll but
without unnecessary detail. There is little
| of the swashbuckling characteristic of
most historical novels, which is a circum-
stance that will recommend the book to
many readers The absence of this ele-
| ment does not interfere with strong and
| well-sustained dramatic interest Fran
| cezka' is a careful and conscientious piece
| of work and is likely to add to the author
already high reputation as a novelist. The
volume is attractively printed and has sew
| eral good Illustrations by Harrison Fisher.