The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-25

course there are tears again, but not in
the eyes of the smiling reader, amused
by the whims and antics of the Major
and the Colonel and their loving people,
all so dignified and good and yet so
laughable; warm. balmy sunshine lies
over tn whole. There is a graphic des-
cription of fox hunt, a feature bound
TO attract readers. The publishers have
equipped the volume in a handsome, ar
tistic manner. making it especially ac-
ceptable as a library and gift book
Z. Phillips Oppenheim's latest and
most mature novel. "A Prince of Sin
ners." has called attention to this clever
English writer whose books have been
steadily growing in popularity in this
country. Mr.. Oppenhelm had written
ten novels previous to "A Prince or
Sinners" and. what Is more to ms
credit his work has constantly improv-
ed. He has been best known in this
country, previous to the publication of
"a Prince of Sinners" by The Great
Awakening" "A Millionaire of Yester-
day" The Survivor" and THE Trai-
tors" In each of these ingenious novels
his skill as a story-teller was evident.
But in "A Prince of Sinners" Mr.. OPP
penheim was most fortunate. He really
got ahead Of Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain
in attempting to show, through the We
hicle OF fiction, that the salvation or the
English WOrkingman Is dependent upon
the restoration Of protective tariff in
his country. Yet in this new book the
tariff discussion plays but a small part,
the real story being the eventful career
and love affairs Of Kingston Brooks
the manly hero. and his relations with
Lord Arranmore, the so-called prince
of Sinners" 1t Is a thoroughly whole
some romance of present-day English
social and political life.
Mr.. Oppenheim, who is thlrty-tour
years of age. was born and educated in
England: was married, in 1892, to Miss
Elsie Hopkins, of Boston, and at pres
ent he resides at Ervington, In Leices-
tershire. He is a member of the Savage
and the Authors clubs, and his favor
ite sport is golf.
1.-THE author who cannot secure a pub
Usher for his manuscript is apt to think
this due to lack of personal interest
with a publisher: but if the author
would only know it. manuscript by an
unknown writer is better off without
any personal Introduction" says the
Reader for July. "A recent case which
is in accord with this statement is the
experience of Mr.. William r. A. Will
son, whose first novel. "A Rose of Nor
mandy has gone into three editions in
about as many weeks. and is one of the
best selling books in New York today,
Armed with strong personal introduc-
lions, Mr.. Wilson took his manuscript
10 two of the leading publishing houses
in New York; but in each case was told
by the mead OF the house that the COM
bination of new writer and historical
novel prevented any consideration of the
book. Then Mr.. Wilson went to Boston
with his manuscript, and because he
saw the name Of Little. Brown &. Co
as he walked along Washington street
he left the manuscript with them
though he was an entire stranger to the
Arm. But in three weeks Little. Brown
& Co. informed Mr.. Wilson of their de-
sire to publish his story"
Houghton, Mif1in & Co.'S list of pub
lications for the coming autumn prom
ises to be rich in interest and variety
In the field Of fiction there will be new
books by Kate Douglas Wiggin, Clara
Louise Durham. the Baroness Won Hut
ten. Guy Wetmore Carryl, Will Payne
Ruth Hail. Mary Hallock Foote. Ellen
Olney Kirk and Mrs. NJ. E. NJ. Davis