New-York tribune., 1903-05-10

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Barnes & Co
SONGS AND STORIES FROM TENNESSEE By
Joh4 IrotWood Moor. Emo, PIP VII, Jos Phlla-
/ 1t is natural on taking up % s" new book TO
WondeT-with q shade of regret-why he should
have chosen for il title so closely recalling one
/ of Mr.. Meredths. But since The Adventures
/ of Harry Rever' is. in its way, good THE
Adventures of Harry Richmond one can for
give the resemblance. Indeed we may go fur
ther. and say that this book is so very good that
we could forgive any liberties that the author
might take with any title. Never has he pro-
duced liveIier a more engaging romance
than this one which has for it's hero d founding
with infinite capacity for falling from one
adventure into another There is an exciting
occurrence in every chapter, We had almost said
on every page. Yet it is a testimony to the fine
quality of "Q.'s' art that he interests US all
along in something more than mere incident.
What is this something? 1t is a little difficult
to say. To define it as atmosphere were sim
pie enough and certainly the thing is there, the
atmosphere of Plymouth and the coast at the
time when Napoleon brooding over the
pOtentaIities of his BOulOgne f1otilla, and in
every English town hamlet along the waters
edge Redcoats passed and repassed, and a
vague uneasiness was in the air But it is not
atmosphere alone that constitutes the charm
of this book. Is it characterization? 1t might
very easily be this, for as each figure in the
story makes its appearance it brings with it
individuality and d note of actual humanity,
sinister, pathetic heroic quaint. But possibly
the secret of this bagufIng tale is, after ALL the
simplest one to state, namely, "Q's'' enchanting
way of telling it.
He seems to We been in happy mood in
writing THE Adventures of Harry Revel." The
narrative with kind of Tilt, though
the author could not fail to put the right word
in the right place if he tried, and though
he were so interested in his work that he simply
bubbled over with the pleasure of it. Obviously
book written in this vein must mean uncom-
mon pleasure for the reader. It is varied pleas
ure too. In the first chapter one is pleasantly
touched by the contemplation of young ReveI
and Miss Plinlirnmon in their altogether de-
ghtful friendship. Presently watch the lad
climbing in his sleep to the top of a church
steeple, an exploit which may seem incredible
as it is badly stated here, but which @"
easily persuades to regard one of the most
natural things in the world Soon after this ad-
venture Master Harry is bound over IN appren-
ticeship to a chimney sweep, and before
know it he comes, in the exercise of his art
plum upon the body of a murdered man. Then
follow other thrilling episodes, and in due
we are even permitted to assist with the hero
at the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo But
must not reveal any more of ''Q.'s' exciting pas
sages. We prefer instead, to pause upon the
interest residing in his characters. Every one
of these as we have said is worth knowing
The author scamps nothing. He takes much
pains with s Trapp, the chimney sweep to
whom Harry is apprenticed, he does with his
blind military and scholar, the giant Major
Brooks, who in his retirement Whiles away the
time by tIansating Virgil. Mr.. Jack Rogers,
the Justice of the Peace, is jewel of a man,
and his friend, Miss Lydia Belcher, in her amaZ-
ing topboOts is jewel of a woman. But if We
delight in one of "Q.'s' characters more than
in any other, the object of affeCtionate ad-
miration is Miss Plinlimmon, for whose dignity,
by the way the author should have shown a
more constant sOIcitude. Early in the book ne
her name is Aga Ia. But this does not matter.
Called by any name Miss PlinlimmOn would still
be adora BILE. She is the sweetest and kindliest OF
spinsters, and she has a way Of dropping into
poetry that ought tC make her immortal among
the oddities of fiction. Here is her version of
Wofe's last words before Quebec:
'.Thev runr'-''but who? The Frenchmen!' Such
Was the report conveyed to the dying hero
Thank Heaven he cried, I thought as much.
Canada the glass Is often below zero
There is another gem of Miss Plinlimmons
which she inscribed on the f1yleaf of a small
Testament she gave to Harry for souvenir
when he left her care in the Founding Hospital