The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-28

The Awakening, By c. wickliffe Com pany; "A,Washington Novel, is added as a substitle to this book and the writer seems to possess an intimate knowledge
 Of Washington life, it's types and in- stitutions, and the book Is interesting as a study of social life in the capital
 The hero is Montresor, young En- glishman, who spends seven months in Washington; coming in contact while there, with three distinct types of American women. How these three affect him is admirably portrayed. First there iS Katherine Rae, of the best sort, then, Mrs. Morton, a married flirt; and Beatrice Preston, quaint and low able Virginia girl There are series Of pictures presented to the social life and the political side of that life-the Hobbies. the senate chamber. and other phases of the somewhat varied life of our chief city. D The picture of the old Maryland manor house Is charmingly presented, where Montresor and par | ty of gay Washington folk spend five days. The honour" of their company has been solicited by far-away cous- | in, who came to spend day at Sudley. but had remained over since as it's guest. The delicious, old-time dinners, and other meals described make one long for time to turn backward in his flight for the old negro cook who alone could prepare such good things has passed away, and chef now reigns in her stead. who ruins the original taste of everything with his intermina- ble sauces. Before the guests at this house. party were invited in to dinner. "only we do not call 1t dinner, 1t com fuses Aunt Venus, but I think you will find it every bit as substantial" they were advised to reserve some of their appetite for the terrapin. which the host prepares on the table. adding at the last some of his famous old Madei- ra. The men do not need exercise to prepare them for such dainties. but they do go quail hunting and come back to enjoy to tie full the comfor- table rooms with their great log fires. the lovely women, and the good meals. to say nothing of the apple toddy, and other drinks served in between.
 Is 1t any wonder that Montresor. who has deemed himself devotedly in love with Katherine Rae, wavers for an in- stant and isn't quite sure of himself.
 The Irish question comes up in the book, and Montresor gradually begins Ito suspect himself of being the object of Fenian attacks lead. or rather pro- noted by one Robinson, a lobbyist, and hanger-on, a snapper-up of uncon- sidered trifles." At this very house. party in Maryland, a chance shot bare- N hunting, and he gravely suspects Rob inson of being the one who shot so wildly.
 Montresor Is interested in getting a bill through Congress When 1t has passed. he congratulates senator, who has been instrumental in getting at through.
 this matter" replies Senator Ronder- son, but in a country as big as ours. local selfishness is about the only way of getting at the general good. Con gress has to be a sort of clearing house for the wants of the states, which are as different from each other as Holland from Switzerland and Egypt from Rus sia." Montresor has seen enough of our political life not to accept entire Iy this theory, but he realizes that in a measure, it Is true.
 But for all this charming by-play, the book is primarily love story. The author says: still. let me confess that all I have written Is, Montresor married wife. Is 1t not enough. He himself inclined to that opinion as. some years later, after his marriage. when honors had come to him. he stood at the side of a fragile cradle Mus ing upon the growth of mans empire first the family, then the tribe, then the nation-his mind eventually re- traces it's path. and he thought that England summoned her great men in parliament gathered her legions brfst- ling with steel and sent forth their path of silent menace those grim Iron monsters of the deep-5all only that helpless infant might slumber undis- turbed."
 Thus the only palpable result of Montresors seven months residence tn Washington was securing a beautiful and charming American wife--a very common place achievement. But uR- known to his friends a great deal more had happened" This the reader must find out for himself. I have hinted at Fcnian plots, other love stories and in- cidents of interest.
 That trere Is nothing in a name ia illustrate ed once more, for upon picking up this novel ones mind turns instinct lively to Margaret Deland's story of the same name, just concluded Har- per's. The name is the same. though there the similarity ends.
 There are some fine illustrations of scenes in and around Washington. There Is one of the Washington monu- ment which the author says is mora