The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-26

The Power Supreme, by Francis c. Nich-
 olas. tR. D. Lee company, Boston)
 This is novel of church and state in South America. Dr. Nicholas is an American engineer of note who has spent long years on the South American. conti- nent, and he writes as one of authority. The book Is not only interesting in so far as pr. Nicholas views in regard to the control of the people in South America some 40 years ago by the Catholic church are concerned, but the scenes, the life among the wild Indians and the Indians themselves, are really very thrilling.
 The scene of the story is away up in the wilds of South America, on a large river, the exact location not given, for ob- vlous reasons. A half-bred Indian, labor ing under his father to gather rubber, has many exciting experiences in the wilds. After he secures for himself and for his adopted father freedom from debt this half-breed goes to Carthagena to enter Catholic school for the Indians and young children of that country. In the descriptions of the country of the hunt for rubber of the life in the Indian camps, not only has Dr. Nicholas found a new field for his story but he places his scenes, characters, cts, so strongly be- fore his readers that one will to an ex- tent live with his characters as they struggle against the supreme power" which Dr. Nicholas says in South Amer lea is the Catholic church. The half breed hero has a hard time of 1t in the church school; he Is defrauded of a hid den lot of rubber he escapes from tie school, not until he has killed his enemy a priest; then to join a revolutionary army, where he succeeds in becoE.ing a general" Then he captures with that army one of the leading citizens of the "republic.' when the church steps in again and takes charge of matters The rebel army leaders sell out their cause. with the exception of our hero, upon whose head a price Is put for the murder of the priest The poor Indian half breed, now with no home to which to return. having been forced to betray, innocently. his benefactor his adopted father, takes to the wilds, a rowing, morose, discon- tented creature product of as Dr. Nicholas puts 1t, ''The Power Supreme"
 Whether one agrees with Dr. Nicholas or not, regarding the Catholic church in South America, the reader will be struck with other parts of his book which will interest throughout The field for fiction, namely, South America, being new this author has used it splendidy, and he has made out of his theme a most entertain ing book. He is rather harsh in dealing with the Catholic church in South Amer ica, but does admit that there are lots Of good priests there. doing good and upllft- Ing humanity; but his picture of the church a body in South America is a pretty gloomy one. Leaving out that part of his book, which no reader could well afford to do, the novel as a whole is very pleasing all the way through. It is way above the ordinary
 "Brunhilda of Orrs Island" by William
 Jasper Nichols: Geo. w. Jacobs & Co.,
 "Brunhilda of Orr's Island'' is just the very book for summer reading. when one does not care to be bothered with heavy things-simply wishes does the reader to while away the time, In a shady nook and dream of things that might or ought to be. This book is well written and will kill time very peasngly-which Is a great thing sometimes.
 The story deals with a rich young chap, with more money and time on his hands. likewise a yacht, than he knows what tc do with. This young fellow one Nelson Thomas, was cruising on his yacht Phyllis. in Portland, Me, harbor. Just as Le was giving orders to his captain. Bolts, to sail any old place on the map" just tc be going any place and moving about lis yacht is hailed by lovely young woman in a row boat who begs a pass 10 her homc>on Orr's Island As the girl was lovely and then Thomas was a good hearted if wooden-headed chap, of cours, .he charming "Brunhilda Gunther' is pulled aboard. meets Thomas-and then |, is all over but the purchase of the license and Brunhilda's permission to do so Bu, of course Thomas is very rich and Brun-