Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-12
The Field of Literature.

In the endless ebb and flow of cur
rent literature comes a refreshing
little volume filled with stories of
keen human interest from the pen of
our old friend Bret Harte, entitled
Openings in the Old Trail" issued by
Houghton, Mifflin q Co. Like The
Luck of Roaring Camp and others
of its kind, these stories are strangely
fascinating. They portray the rough
and rugged life in the mountains and
the foothills of the west, and abound
in humorous and pathetic situations
beautifully blended. No one can read
these stories, which are true to life
as it has existed in those remote
places for years, without feeling a
profound respect for the sturdy men
who have unlocked the treasure
house of mother earth. In literary
grace and descriptive power the au-
thor sustains the high reputation his
past work has earned, and many n
subtle touch is shown in Openings in
the Old Trail" that marks these tales
among the best Bret Harte has pro-
duced. ~.
Dorothy Vernon, of Haddon Hall,
ard Chandler Christy. The Macmil-
Ian company, 12mo, S1.50.
Charles Major is perhaps the most
popular teller of love stories among
the living novelists. In Dorothy Yer
non, as in his earlier novel. When
Knighthood Was in Flower. time and
distance lose their significance under
his spell. He has the rare and hap
ply faculty which brings home to the
heart the spirit of gallant times and
the imperious call of youths spring
time.
Well written from first page to
last, this novel is worthy to rank as
one of the best pieces of American
fiction, and as literature. Mr.. Major
has discovered what potent imple-
ments are language and style in the
creation of romance. and he has mas
tered their use. All praise to him
for this; it cannot fail, moreover, to
add to his popularity, thus earning
for his willingness to labor and i'm
prove two rewards, one material, the
other artistic.
The romance is the chief concern
| with this author; it is the very root
as well as the flower of his gift. This
| is a historic tale, so far as period,
scene and minor characters are con-
cerned. Indeed, even his hero and his
heroine and the romance itself, are
based upon historic fact. But we are
after all ever in the land of lovers,
the best of realms in which to dwell
in romantic fiction. Dorothy Vernon
is an Elizabethian maid, but there is
in her suggestion of wilful young
womanhoou as il reveals itself
through the ages, touch of the eter-
nal feminine in her defiance of author
ity for the sake of the man she loves.
She is not a historic figure, interest
ing on account of its distance from
the women of today; she is flesh and
blood of this twentieth cen
fury, all gentleness and reused
fury in defense of her all;
all love and strength and fortitude
under persecution and opposition, a
living, loving, lovable girl, ready to
risk all for the sake of ''him,'' liv-
ing woman of today. She will appeal
more potently, we think, to the popu-
lar imagination than did even the
heroine in the earlier book, because
she is depicted in more vigorous lines
and stronger colors, because Mr.. Ma
I jor has mastered his trade.
The elopement of Dorothy Vernon
with John Manners is an historic ep-
isode; HaddOn Hall belongs to this
day to their descendants, the Dukes
of Rutland. Queen Elizabeth visited
the castle; the state chamber, where
she rested overnight, is still shown
to visitors in its original state. Mary
Stuart, too, enters the story, to rouse
the jealousy of Dorothy. In short. the
lover of the accuracy of history in
hction may rest contented with the
story; but he will probably care little
for that once he has been caught by
the spirit and freshness of the ro-
nance.