The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-23

tains. But Mrs. Athertons best work Is
always her character work, ana mere she
has ample opportunities TO display lnal-
yidual characteristics The illustrations
of the story are dainty water-colors, and
most quantity portray the period as well
as the spirit of the text
"slr Nigel" by A. Conan Doyle. Nc
Clure, Phillips & Co.
A new work from the pen of A. Conan
Dovle is always an event and III the case
of "Sir NIGEL is in reality an unusual
event For it is in the authors very best
stvle. and is sure to prove general Ia
vorite It is a story of the fourteenth
century, and is drawn from the wealth. Oh
historic and always dramatic events ol
.Merrie England" In the preface the
author writes: 1.-THE fantastic graces OF
obivalrv Law lpon the surface of life, but
beneath II was half-savage population,
fierce and animal. with little ruth or
mercy. 1t was a raw, rude England, iuii
| of elemental passions, and redeemed only
by elemental virtues
The English under the Black Prlnce
| cross over into France, ana the actloil Is
| intensified; a conflict with the Spamards
| add, also to the dramatic events. But
! "Irdith the fairest maid in all the heather
| country" Is the heroine around whom the
| romantic interest of the story clusters,
| as is proven by the throngs OF ADMIRERS
| leading whom is "Sir Nigel IL Is a
| clean, strong story. full of action and
rornantie interest and holds the interest
| of fine reader from the first to the last
page.
"Betterment," by E. Wake Cook. Fred
eriek A Stokes company.
In the preface the author states that
the object of the book is to give in con-
yenient form the latest discoveries which
| taI ind
tive efficiency. He writes also; Human
forces are in constant conflict, or are
pulling in opposite directions and nullify-
ing one another. But when the inspired
organizer appears, he trains these can
ceiling forces into union, and we nave
the force of an army instead of the con-
fused and impotent struggle of mob
The text covers wide range of thought
and field, and is thoughtful and sugges-
tive.
"Chippinge Borough by Stanley j.
weyman. Mcclure, Phillips * Co.
Mr.. Weyrnan has chosen as a back
ground for this delightful romance the
period 1892, of the passage of the great
reform bill which changed the whole ba-
sis of parliamentary representation in
England A more than usually charming
love story Is interviewer with this tale of
strenuous political strife.
'.rhe Viper of Milan" by Marjorie Bow
Ell. Published by Mcclure, Phillips &
Co.
"The Viper of Milan" is strange title
for a story but the reader soon learns
that 1t transports him at once to sunny
Italy and to those vivid days of the early
Renaissance which form an ever potent
factor 10 the searcher for historical data,
and are equally fascinating to the read
err. Among all the sombre tyrants of me-
leazzo Maria. Duke of Milan; and it Is
than the last of the Viscontis, Clan Ga
leazzo Moria, Duke of Milan; and it IS
his banner-a green viper on back-
ground OF silver-that is emblaZoned on
the hooks cover ITO the Milanese peas
ants it was the symbol of the dread pow
er that ruled Lombardy with grip of
blood the device that kept Milan, the