The age-herald., 1902-05-18
BOOKS

There Is peculiarly romantic interest attached to the personality of both the little unfortunate son of King Louis XVI of France and the Son of Napoleon L Of the former, absolutely nothing Is known of his ultimate destiny. Many claim that he died in Temple prison as result of the harsh treatment he re- ceived. Others clalm-and they form no inconsiderable number-that he was res- cued and taken to America, and that his descendant Is now the lawful heir to the throne of France. No more fascinating nor interesting theme could have been se- lected as the basis of historical novel than the romance of the little Louis XVII; and it is very ingenously used in "Lazarre'" by Mary Hartwell Gather wood. The author is a native of Illinois, and her historical romances dealing with the early days of Canada and the north west are as notable for their careful at tention to historical details as for their graphic and picturesque style. "Lazarre'
 Mrs. Catherwood's most recent story, has had a wide sale and has become one ot the most popular books of the past year. The story has plumber of illustrations by Andre Castaigne which add somewhat to the text. .,
 In the opening chapter of "Lazarre'
 the scene is laid at Smithtield, In Lon don, and a very pretty scene IS mace oL the first meeting of the little Louis XVII and Eagle de Terrier. They are emigres of France and though only children are in the care of guardians. who are es- caping to America. A very realistic and vivid description Is given of their meeting in St. Bartholomew, the oldest church in London, whose great bell had given the signal for lighting the funeral piles or many a martyr on Smithfield, just oppo- site The scene then changes to America.
 "Iazarre," for a number of years Is sheltered by the Indians. The recital of his awakening, the meeting of new found friends and his dawning knowledge Of who he Is, together with his subsequent Journey to France, is full of interest and ingenious situations. The story Is strongest after Lazarre reaches Paris; henceforth the author has the reins of her story well in hand and the develop ment of the plot continues with great naturalness and spirit. There are num- Der of interesting characters sketched by a few strong strokes rather than worked out in detail. One of the most interest ing of whom Is Skenedonk, the Oneida who was Lazarres constant and faithful slave. There is a very tender and beau- tiful love story around which move the principal characters; and one of such depth and purity of human passion that 1t not only draws and holds the interest of the reader, but Is the very life and spirit of the story. For the touching cli- max of the book fits in splendid accord with history and solves very naturally, indeed the claim of LaZarre upon the throne of France. While not as struc- tural and well-written as pany of our recent pieces of fiction, 1t Is, nevertheless, a wholesome, fascinating and interesting piece of work. A number of the promi- nent people of the time, including the great Emperor, himself are introduced very naturally into the story, and the au- thor handles her subject with satisfac- tory grasp and appreciation.
 There is no suggestion of the dramatic in "Lazarre," ana yet the story has fine possibilities in the hands of a competent dramatist. Though the subject would re- quire the same dealized spirituality which so greatly characterizes "L'Aiglon" Not very much more was known of the pesSnality of the Dutch Deichstadt, beyond the meagre facts of his birth, illness and death. and, yet, Rostand created therefrom a vitally in- spring character, and one that was greet ed with immediate appreciation. In La zarre," Mrs Catherwood has taken a few meagre traditions and with the skillful use of the probabilities has created an exceptionally heroic character in Lazarre. There are some fine situations, too, as one thinks of It-St Bartholomew, the wilds of America with its native Indians, the mimic court at Mittau, presided over by Louis XVIII and Lazarre's sudden ap- pearance there, and later the grand re- ception at the Tuileries Palace, over which Napoleon and the gracious Jose phine presided. All of these scenes lend themselves readily to the dramatist's pur- pose and with them she could no doubt construct a vitally interesting play. But 1t would require the incomparable Bern hardt to complete the delusion; and l wonder if such a part would have the same attraction for her as L'Aiglon did |? She seemed to throw her whole soul into the preparation of the part. Yet it may have been because of the cutting criti- cisms that said so old woman could not acceptably present so youthful a character and a male one at that But Bernhardt went to Vienna, and at the Emperors urgent invitation, took up her residence in his summer palace at Schon- brun and lived for weeks in the very apartments once occupied by the young son of Napoleon. They are preserved lust as they were when he used them. His gorgeous cradle bearing the crown and arms of France is there also, and this Madam Bernhardt had faithfully re- produced for use upon the stage And, now, when visitors enter these apart ments the attendant tells with evident gratifcatipn of the residence there of the great actress and her appreciation and pleasure
 An estimate was recently made of the best selling books in a number of the largest cities from March "A to April "A.