New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-18

f'haetla But Just when she is being distressed
ny oVertures from sutton for whom she has no
hkng whatever she learns that the aforesaid
emperor is actually thinking of opening negotia-
lions for her hand. Does this fill her with Joy?
Far from 1t. She wishes 10 be loved for her
own sake, not married as merely eligible
princess, and If she falls in with the plans that
promise to be put before her she can never feel
sure that her husband is going to be her lover.
fortunately, she has a mother with all the dig
nifty Of a grand duchess but all the good humor
or schoolgirl, and the two cOncoct scheme.
whereby the Emperor Leopold is TO be put TO
the test. They travel to Rhaetia under assumed
names and there enter upon a series of extraor-
binary adventures including the saving of the
Emperors life from the weapon OF an assassin
To describe these adventures would be to spoil
the story for the reader. We may at least note
that they are devised by the authors with rather
more of ingenuity than would ordinarily be ex-
pected in the circumstances. The pretty little
tale goes with a vim. and in its light, sentl-
mental way makes very pleasant reading. 1t is
to he recorded with relief, too. that the auto
mobile plays only a casual and quite insig-
nifcant part in The Princess Virginia.
Mrs Burton Harrison has created in Posey
Winstanley, one of the two heroines Of her new
novel, a very amusing and engaging young
creature. The girl has Daisy Millers naiVete
and lack of true breeding. but she has
stronger character, quicker apprehension and
a warmer heart than has Mr.. James's famous
representative of type" There is much humor
in the description of the fashion in which the
impusive overdressed Posey from the back
woods captures, by sheer force Of her beauty
and her buoyant freshness all the eligible male
passengers on the big ocean liner. That she
should blossom within a few weeks not only
in a haireSs hi girl as
disciplined and charming in her ways as girl
be. seems impossbty out of fairyland;
but the author makes 1t quite reasonable feat
of native Wit Joined TO the resolute adoption OF
an inspiring example. As for the chief source
of that example the New York girl of genuine
grace and distinction she is successfully
drawn as is the lovely provincial maiden. Which
of the two marries the titled Englishman and
which the fine young American business man?
That is the exciting question which. tangled in
rapid succession of incidents on shipboard. in
England and on the Riviera leave the reader
to find out
Never marry your ideal-never marry your
beautiful king. He goes away when you do.
And It is all quite different This melancholy
feminine conviction. repeated by Catherine of
Calais in the delirium of fever is the keynote
of Mrs. de la Pastures latest novel. The story
ming along domestic lines, and stirring only in
its interplay Of temperament and personality. 1t
Is indeed, In her sketches Of character that this
entertaining novelist excels-her plots are not
of much consequence. In effective contrast to
Catherine with her romantic Ideality IS Sir
Philip. the beautiful king."-a good man. kindly
and honorable. but empty OF any poetic sentl-
ment corresponding with his classicaIly perfect
profile. Lady Sarah the selfish. clever woman
of the world is made to reveal herself in capital
fashion: Mrs. Chcott the typical shrew Of the
British variety, is a masterpiece of characterize
ton; and there is scamped work in the treat
ment of the minor personages Of the story. This
is book which makes a special appeal to femi-
nine readers, and It offers to them many subtle
suggestions Of an improving sort
In "Captured' General King tells a story ~
our army in the Philippines scene which per
mts the employment OF many picturesque
pedients and the introduction OF many lively
persons. including savages, smugglers scoun-
drely white adventures and army heroes Of the
Sidney stripe. Some of the characters OF former
novels reappear to advantage herein. The comic
element is provided by pompous martinez Of
fcer. who strives to force upon his Disguised
American subordinates alien military customs
and restrictions General King always manages
TO sprinkle his novels with episodes OF terror AMI
he is at no loss for fresh and vivid material. As
a picture OF life at philippine army station It
is less interesting.
There is genuine fun and not a little soun1
sense in Mrs. Marion Harland's description Of
the of the young suburban housekeeper.
Martha's struggles with. domestic idyl. based
upon the Cooking Glass System. the Art Kitchen
Idea and various scientific Processes of Induction
Chat didn't "work'D, in the nature OF pure
comedy. although to poor Martha they sad
enough. Her experiences with that apparently
horrible thing the servant problem calcu-
lated 10 enforce several useful lessons. one of
these is comment modern American life, ad-
dressed by fair suburbanite To another; Il
think the unkindest turn a mother can do her
daughter Is 10 let her grow UP ignorant Of
of cooking and all that
you know-as and l when got
married"
BOOKS md AUTHORS.