The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23
BOOK REVIEW AND
MAGAZINE NOTES

GRAY MIST. BY the author OF Tile
Martyrdom OF an Empress From
Harper brothers. through tho Bel
Book and Stationery Company. OF
Richmond.
Tho authorcss of The Nartv-iorn OF ana
Impress has long ago won for herself
o. place 81 tho estimation OF tho Ameri-
can reading world.
ono Of the traits of this authoress that
pas been fully apparent in everything she
lHs done has boon her passionate love
soy her nntiye Breton coast. and her
trowiedge OF its folklore and its tradi-
fons Tho castle where sho spent her
,hlchood. with tie Shrek OF the Atlantic
iu hor ears: the flowers that carpet the
Breton country in the spring. the dan
Eers ana tolls Of the Breton fishermen.
oul the silent endurance of the Breton
women. Who watch their men so out to
SOFA and remain heNin1 e. p~av and Geo
v0en-il these "reminiscences come readily
tr tho pen and tue m.ud OF suc4 a writ p.
who hrst raised storm OF inquiry in thc
United states when she pcnned the sad
story 90 the itfe Of Elizabeth. Empress
oi Austria. from the standpoint u I'M
tnacy and affection
In the book To- Doe considered the reader
SIS Informed that tho principal interest on
which the story Gray MIST IS based %
am actual fact that came within tho SCOPE
~ tho writer's personal observation. With
this PREDATORY idea in mind. the grim
Tragedies and realities that devolor rs
The PAGES are turned become appalling.
go much the more SO because an that
Z, nds TO their Development bears out tho
nNtional motto Eve arc Brctons always
Fretons Of strong and faithful race"
The cloud that 'knitteth sea and the
Bretov's land" overshadows the book
from first ~ last. ard transforms every
thlng relating TO tile ''iron coast Of
fear" in.o a phantom of cVu and ulvs-
terry. The genius Of tho author is oxcr-
'ised TO paint the image % grim. unre-
lonting fate, toward which the reader
is hurried as 10y the hand of am over
mastering power.
The interest OF the book is as great
80 the imagination Of gifted writer
can render IL. The description of stress
and storm i'm Breton nature, with oc-
casionsl CLEANS of sunshine tho char
"'terzauon Of Picrrck. Of the Abbo IIcr-
nog and Of l-anaik. is done with cv-
HnSltely fine touches. the description ~
i\ermarioker. the Breton rsnir~ vfuo~o.
and of tho great annual event Of ST.
Fervc Pardon. is $50 vivid as to almost
bring places and people into tho actual
line OF the readers vision
ono OF the most delightful chaotcrs in
The book IS that relating TO the ruined
gardens surrounding "a crumbln- castle
That Fad once during the lifetime OF the
Marquis dc kCrmario. boon the proud
est sea fortress or Iinistcrre. The gar
oen IN the book is stun surrounded by
+" wall Of massive masonry. and within.
tho reader is told. there may he Soon -l
ht WAdering labyrinth OF arborcsccnt fiis-
Nhas myrtes pomecranatcs and Iaurels
tangled in the vast meShos of an au-ern-
bracins net OF ground ivy. Dahlias and
chrH sHnthemUms, lcliotropcs and hydran-
eoas bloom everywhere. and. thanks to
ineir immunity from gardeners shears or
plittrlnE hands. in q urofusi0n that do
honor Co tho soil from which they spring.
and 20 the worid-old masonry that .trl.
alike the cutting winds and the frequent
showers 81 spendturift"
in SD far as the story as a whole is
concerned. IL had best never have been
told The mind shriuks back from II
appalled, and terrified II such misfor-
t+n's ever hefcll human beings. especially
human beings that. nke the Brefon>. are
SIMPLE and elemental and above au
N"Nout uN nature. then upon such shoulf
ne placed the seal OF am eternal silence.
Not all the art OF "a splendid magma
tom and an almost uuur.I.8 rov.. of
description and phraseoiocy can conceal
'Ae depths 81 misery 10 which the atten-
ton is directed. and which had much bet
Tor have ended with those Who eufre.
innoccnty and hciplcssiy
The VIPER or Milan. By Marjorie
Bowen. Published hy Mcclure. pIilitr.
and Company. OF New York and for
sale Icy tho Ben Book and Statoner.
Company, OF Richmond
Tho scene OF Miss Bowou's book is laid
tie early Renaissance when Italy is just