New-York tribune., 1906-10-28
A JAPANESE ROMANCE.
Ind an Historical NoUel Dealing
With the Washingtons.

IN THE SHADOW " THE LORD. A Romance
limo pp- 1s Henry Holt Co i-1sN
THE n. ~huTE Iaidhs RaHE BE 81 eTss6ett 70 With
PIP ss- Dodd. Mead & Co o Ss'10n- L mo-
MARCEL. LEvIGNher BY F1wyn Barron. Y mo
pp 6 Dufield & Co.
CAPTAIN COURT ESY. BY Edward chnds Car
flenore Plaisted Abbot I2no. pp. 80 George
w Jacobs g. Co.
TIE E. Late a e TENANT; BY Gordon Holmes limo.
Mrs Mary Mcneil FenoIIosa, who has pre-
vIousy written under the pseudonyme of Sidney
Mccall gives IN The Dragon Painter" anoth-
e story Of the modern Japan Of which she wrote
n The Breath of the Gods In the present
instance, however. her characters are entirely
japanese, types which reflect the period and
elemental in its simplicity, deals with the ef-
forts OF one of the last survivors of the old
school Of japanese artists To secure for himself
4 successor Uncontaminated by Occidental In
hUences. Hearing OF wild and youthful genius
in the remote mountains OF the iuterior-Tatsu,
the dragon painter-he brings him to Toxic, and
makes OF the uncouth lads infatuation for
The old artists only daughter-in whom the
youth the realization of his romantic ideals
to tame his rude but inspired nature The
author shows much skill in preserving the sym
pathy OF the reader for the heroine, despite the
cruel trick which she plays upon her lover at
her fathers command, In an effort to bring out
his highest artistic capabilities. The struggle
between the flial devotion which strongly
distinguishes the Japaneso character, and the
somewhat exotic romantic attachment which
Ume-kp develops for her turbulent adorer. Is
handled without sacrifice Of truth 10 nature or
to Japanese convention The authors years OF
residence IN Nippon have given her an insight
into native character, which she Is able TO re-
produce In her books with accuracy, while q
naturally poetic Imagination enables her 10
invest her narrative with the charm of fantasy
MIS- Hugh Fraser, who has written some
graceful and entertaining books about life In
Japan, has IN her present story, turned her
attention 10 the description Of the home inffu-
ences" that surround the boyhood of George
washington, and that assisted him in, and in a
measure explain, the development OF his char-
.cter In this aim she has been more success
fuI than fn her attempt to construct lively
historical romance out Of the meagre material
relating TO the early life and love affairs OF
Mary Ball The facts available, even when rein
forced by the authors Imagination, make but
q slender thread OF interest upon which to hang
the incidents Of 8 story that is stretched OUT
over a period of nearly thirty years. The
laE.orates unessential details, apparently from
q desire TO reconstruct a truthful picture Of
tie domestic life OF the period, In England and
IL America causes her romance TO advance
with slow and heavy tread Nevertheless. the
Welding Of fact and fiction has been done with
~ little ingenuity, and the purely imaginary
parts are generally well in character with those
which have more historic basis Most Of the
acton that takes place in England could well
have been spared, the only interesting fact
tElich the author brings out being that Joseph
Pau the maternal uncle Of George Washing
ton. whose ponderous, II fortunate, interfer-
enc. prevented the future President from en-
barking upon a naval career lived in London
in the house at one time occupied by Francis
Bacon II is doubtful, moreover, if Mrs Fraser
Is quite justified in the emphasis which she lays
upon Washington's early prediection for mill
tar. career. AS the title suggests, q strong
undercurrent Of religious faith runs through
The Story.
The historical novel TO which Mr.. s r
Crockett has given the title OF The White
Plume" reyolves about the career Of Henry Of
Navarro. Although the scenes are laid in
France and Spain, the author shows himself a
patriotic Scot by making the leading characters.
with the exception of the hero, of Highland
extraction. Of plot there is little; the advent