The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-25
SOME VIEW BOOKS.

BY PAUL PRY.


 "The North Star" by M E. Henry Rufhn. Little Brown & Go.
 It has only been within very recent years that travellers in foreign lands have included Norway in their intinerary. Each year though, it Is becoming more popular, until today it is one of the most frequented countries. The exceptional grandeur and beauty of the scenery to- gether with the noble fards of the west ern coast and the tragic interest which centers around the midnight sun give to the tourist diversity of delights which can be enjoyed in no other land. No doubt Marie Corell was directly re- sponsible for this awakening of interest in Norway, for her story, "rhelma, dealt in a peculiarly tender and sympa- thetic manner with the picturesque land of the Sagas. "Thelma" is still a favorite among readers and the result Of its popularity has been a number of stories which take the history and religion Of Norway for their theme. Among the very newest may be mentioned "The North Star" by Mrs. M. E. Henry-Ruf- fin.
 The author takes the King Olaf Tryg- geresson for her hero. Of him Carlyle said in his volume, "The Early Kings or Norway" strangely he remains still a shining figure to us: the wildly beau- tifulest man in body and in soul that one has ever heard of in the north" In the sober recital of history his life reads like a fascinating romance so that the history and legends of this period fur nish the fertile imagination a frame for stirring incident and rapid action.
 '"The North Starr is Viking romance of love and adventure of the tenth cen tury. King Olaf Tryggresson is one of the most striking characters in Norwe- gian history and he it was who, after his long exile as boy, took Christianity into his realm when he became king.
 The Viking age in Norway is full of interest, and one historic writer says that the third period reveals ''the his toric mission of Norway for, The breath of new life which the Vikings infused into history lives today In Nor way. England and America" While '"The North Star Is mast accurate in historic details and gives one graphic conception of the period 1t lacks the Morse atmosphere and spirit which made Thema so remarkable. The legends and beliefs of the Norseman to whom their gods, Thor and odin, their Valhalla and the Valkyries, were so real is unique in history, However the author draws a very apparent contrast between the rugged old Earl Haakon, permeated with the Morse bravery and daring sacrificing his youngest son to propitiate his gods, and King Olaf, who lands at Nidaros Fiord. now Trondhjem, as the champion of the lowly Nazarene. "1 am Thy champion. o ChrstH he cried as II he truly saw his Lord. "I am Thy cham pioni They shall not defy Theel Nor way shall be all Thy own, the land or Thy cross Taunt not the Christ, Thor! He hath a true champion For the blows of thy mighty gauntlet I will give the sweet touch of Christ's gospel. Now will I accept thy challange, Thor!'
 The story is charmingly written, Is full of dramatic interest and tender love scenes It is as fascinating and full of interest to the reader as if 1t concerned the affairs of today instead of those of thousand years ago. It is splendidfy illustrated by w. D. Hamilton.
 Mrs. Margaret HenryRuffln, the au- thor, is the only daughter of the late Thomas Henry of Mobile. a prominent merchant and banker of the Gulf City. She was born near Mobile and has made that city her home. In 1887 she married Frank G. Ruffn of Virginia, and through their father her children are great, great, great grandchildren of Thomas Jefferson.
 Mrs Ruffn first published a volume of poems, Drifting Leaves" Three years ago she published a story in verse call ed "John Gildart" This was, 1t is said, so well received that several critics pro- nounced John Gildart" the best speci- men of narrative verse in American 1it- erature. since Longfellow- wrore Evan geline."
 The bravery and warlilxe spirit which belonged to the followers of Thor and Odin is aptly illustrated by the story told of a Frisian cheftan who was about to receive the rites of baptism, but who suddenly turned to the priest and asked him where his brave forefathers were who had died unbaptzed? ''They are in hell" answered the priest. Then" said the chief. f1inging off his baptsmal robe. "I would rather be in hell with Odin and my forefathers. who were brave and noble men, than in heaven with cowardly Christians and bald-headed monks
 "Seventy-five Years in Old Virginia"
 by John Herbert Claiborne, M A.,
 M. D. The Neale Publishing Go.
 In presenting this new volume the Neale Publishing company, which makes a speciality of southern authors. says: "The events that have transpired in Vir- ginia in the past seventy-five years are an essential part of the history of Amer ica, with, to no small extent, an impor- tant influence upon the history of the whole of the civilized world. No man was in closer touch with Virginia affairs during this period than Dr. Claiborne; none enjoyed in a fuller measure the es- teem and confidence of her people in commercial, professional. political and military life"
 In the preface the author says: Tn February, 1900, I received a request to read paper on the Changes in the Soci- ology of Old Virginia During the Last Half of the Last Century. before the National Sociological Society of America to convene in Washington. In gathering data for the fulfllment of that task, the author filed many of the facts recited in the first chapter of this volume. Becom- ing more interested in the subject, I con- tinued to write. until "reminiscences grew and multiplied and crowded one upon an- other. ope and design of t. tiof the writer
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