New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-08
SPRING STORIES.
Mr.. W. E. Norris IN Surprisingly
Pleasant Mood.

BARHAAI OF BEBTANA. BY ". p Norris.
Emo, PIP SSl. Longmans Green Co.
HURRICANE ISLAND. BY H b Marriott wet
son. limo. Pr sos. Doubleday. Page & Coz
DOWN TO THE SEA. BY Morgan Robertson
12mo. PIP 90. QIarDer & Bros9
THE VERDICT OF THE GODS BY sarath
Goa
THE FUGITIVE BLACKSMITH. BY Charles D.
Stewart. l2mo. PIP sL CThe Century Com
pany)
Again and again, when Mr.. W. 2. Norris has
published a new novel, his readers have been
constrained 10 wonder why he has made IT, on
the whole. a rather unpleasant AFFAIR. When the
incidents have not been distressing. in one way
or another, some important character in the book
has made up for the omission. At first blush II
might seem as IL "8arham Of Beltana' had. IN
this latter respect. at least, repeated the fault
Of SO many Of its predecessors. The man who
gives the book its title. rich Tasmanian Win
a grievance against the world. has certainly
about as disagreeable a way with him as could
he imagined But Mr.. Norris seems 20 have
made ND his mind on this occasion TO tell a be
quilting love story, and to let II go at that. Be
fore many pages have been turned the reader
decides 10 regard Barham's bearishness as moth
ing more than a concession 10 an old taste OF
the authors For the rest. this book is occupied
with the most persuasively romantic transac-
appeared upon the scene before we are intro
duced TO the son and daughter OF the one man
with whom II is inevitable that the redoubtable
Tasmanian should come into bitter conflict. DIE
hculties arise. and the four young people seem
destined 20 settle down into just the unhappi-
ness which, at one time Mr. Norris would have
set apart for their portion a matter OF course.
But Mr. Norris relents. The result is a capital
story. written. moreover. with the literary finish
which we have long been accustomed TO expect
from this novelist. Il IS the kind OF story to
win popularity, and we hope that the success It
is pretty likely 10 achieve viii convince him OF
the wisdom OF continuing in his present mood
Mr. watson's Hurricane Island IS boys
book written for older readers, and written just
slzilfully enough 10 persuade those readers that
they rather like boys books. The supposititious
narrator OF the tale is a doctor who goes 10
sea under the impression that he is in the SER
vice OF an untitled millionaire. Presently he
discovers that this individual is actually a Ger
man prince and that he has brought aboard two
ladies and great quantity OF money. Trouble
ensues. Afutineers raise their horrid heads. and
do the best they can 10 obtain possession OF the
treasure. Our adventurous doctor IS, OF course,
found on the right side IN the struggle that
gathers around the cash. and the situations
with which he has TO deal yield excitement
OF this sort OF thing There is nothing more
than excitement IN the book. Mr.. Watson Is not
particularly deft in characterization, and he
completely fails TO create the atmosphere which
does 30 much TO make book like Treasure
Island" as potent for groWn-ups for small
boys. Neverthelesa, we repeat that Hurricane
Island" has something TO say 20 grown-ups.
The excitement Is. after al. genuine and inter
esting.
The author OF Down 20 the Sea" has made
the mistake OF putting the poorest of his stories
IN the forefront OF the book The Closing OF
the Circuit" IN which he tells how a blind boy
is cured OF his affection. is one OF those bizarre
fabrics OF sentimentality and exaggeration
which are enough 20 put US out OF conceit with
almost any author But. with a little patience.
this deplorable performance can be disposed OF.
and IN the bulk Of the book there Is much that
is entertaining Mr. Robertson writes tersely,
picturesquely and with humor OF his sea-going
types. He inVents oddly amusing incidents
with which 10 bring out the resources OF the
latter. and tells us one anecdote after another
with capital spirit We wish. however that
since he can write as droll story as "A Cow,
Two Men. and Parson." he would not waste
his time on feeble limitations OF Kipling like
The Rivals
Mr.. Sarsth Kumar Ghosh has achieved the
aulpOnSlbAc ii Inc blOIleS WHICH go 10 mako up
''The Verdict OF the Gods" He has told therein
q number OF tales recalling the Arabian Nights
ana wonder OF wonders. he has told them IN a
manner worthy OF his model. The extraordinary
occurrences set forth IN this volume are made OF
the true stun OF Oriental romance, and the au-
ahor's style is precisely fitted the substance OF
his work Like Hurricane Island" the book is
calculated TO give pleasure alike TO young and
old.
The man who gives the title 10 Mr.. Stewards
book. 1.-THE Fugitive Blacksmith" does not ap-
pear upon the scene for very long time. OF
his affairs however the book is fun TO brimmng
over. He is a homespun type. whose qualities
Of readiness and ingenuity are brought out by
adversely We hear Of him in the talk OF a man
with a wooden leg, who makes himself at home
in the railroad "sandhouse" presided over by one
Finerty, a person whose fondness for a good
yarn amounts to a passion. Finerty's taste IS
Rbundantly gTatifed by the casual tramp he adj
nlits 70 his domain. He hears one yarn after
the other. all OF them Illustrating rough and
ready life, and the success of a man in living Il
when the man happens to have quick wit and
nimble hands In the telling Of these tales which
form more or less continuous narrative, the
author gives free play TO his humor The Flu
gitive Blacksmith" has the SAVIOR OF a veracious
piece OF work, and it Is amusing.