The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-02

Fortunata-By Marjorie Patterson; liar
 pers. New York, slsO
 A book of rare charm.
 A life like book. v
 A book whose peccancy is sugar-coae-
 ed
 A book whose sorrows are alleviated
 by allurement whose very tragedy is
 such sweet sorrow"
 Fortuna herself is fascinating from her
 days of childish dreaming in the Colibri
 garden, through her stormy sessions at
 The Terrestrial Paradise" through her
 scrdid training under the Colibri, (es
 Rome named her aunt, the gross and an cient princess of decaying house), al-
 through the promise of her debut, through her social triumps, through her many engagements, through her schem- ing to secure un bon part, through her ] brilliant marriage, whose very brllliancy palled upon her, (for Fortunta was one of those unfortunate beings doomed to love only the chase after not the pos session of any good, even good hus- hsnd), through her slow learning to l love and to 'ie less" Fascinating even to her sorrowtul yet triumphant "Ad- diol'
 There Is no need to compare novels or their heroines, but so suggestive Is one of the other that reader must com pare Fortunata with "Lillie Bart" of The House of Mirth,"-in both modern heroines Is apparent, the same eager l ness to achieve, the same indifferent lsgging at achievements gate; the same | life, heart and soul service to Mammon. l because in no school had either learned | hot ffa hpft things 1 admiration and constant excitement-the | same desire, manned necessity, to ac- quire money and the same proud abhor- renee of paying the easiest way choosing of the same way out of life 1 and it's tangles.
 The picturing of Roman social life is slluring: Such a nation! they have not 1 their equal the world over for charm, | for grace, for ways that endear; they 1 glow at word; every humor becomes them; they make friends with a side | glance, and take you heart with sInile." Thoy take people for what they | are paying respect 10 age, to beauty, not forgetting that the Italians were | once @ great people they do no toadying 1 to wealth or money. There are morning | canters on the Appisn Way, hunts over the sunburned campagna, ambassadors balls. Society, entertaining geninus at which gatherings obscure subjects were discussed-"Ham for instance and the smile of La Giaconda'' There are Lenten seasons when even the wick i ed old Coibri went for retreat to the sisters of very austere order There were Good Fridays when all the world 1 came to Rome to worship. There are Easter mornings, when the society of Rome Hooked to St John Lateran, "the modish church. of Rome ito parade the Easter fashions, to spy every one upon | his neighbor to make love. It serves as | a Roman I4ongchamps-an occasion to | frivol. to wear fine clothes, to choose | new lover, or a new mistress. | To read the book is to move ever | through a crowd, a crowd of perfumed | well-bred well-groomed, brilliant pleas ure lovers, who are moved by never thought above emulation in wit, beauty and charm.
 In such a crowd Fortunata moved su- preme. little wonder that she deemed herself just a little too exquisite and precious for the common lot of women, So exotic, so unusual her charm and such belief in it's potency she held that 1t seemed to her that even Providence must protect her with more care than ordinary mortals need hope to find at their service Add to this life the influ- ence and teachings of the Colibri and little wonder Fortunate failed to grasp for the higher things of mind and soul. Such were the maXims which the Prin- cess Colibri brought constantly from her lips for her neice's education and rule of conduct Nothing is more numbing than respect for others"
 Take every human being for your tool your prey"
 Be heard of-famous or infamous, whats the odds so long as you are heard of
 "The cocotte has one serious fault she lacks foresight :"
 Love Is only love; but money is the world
 "The nonentity is criminal"
 'Heayen-I am inclined to think the best company goes elsewhere"
 Even under such tutelege Fortunata grew remained what nature made her. | wonderfully sweet tempered patient | invariably gracious" invariably re- sponsive.' always possessed of tact | that never failed tender to her over ardent sister. kindly to her else neg lected younger sister sympathetic to ! 1 toy of a brother, a petty last of the great house of Ravello. watchful and l tireless as a Sister of Mercy at the dying bed of the old governness-there first becoming acquainted with faith that Is real. there learning how a fine old Christian gets through life" Despite such tutelege she could feel in her heart a real affection for the ancient roue who bid highest for her in the marriage mar ket could gltsve for his heart break when a higher bidder took his place. Could play fair always, stand to bar gain sacrifice herself for others and last but not least. learn to love. A not despicable array of near virtues to add | to fine array of charms.
 A sparkle of epigram glitters down ev- cry page. A keen drawing of character attracts and holds interest. vivid de- piction of the fife and manners of mod ern Rome. book of sustained interest and rare charm.
 Book of Dear Dead Women Edna w.
 Underwood tLittle, Brown & Co.,, Boss
 ton, s1.25).
 Fairy tales never lose their enchant- ment. In childhood it is the god mother fay who grants every wish, the fairy prince who wakes beauty at the right moment, genie who opens the cave of rarest jewels In later life it is the Cleopatra who comes to the wor- shipper of love for one night, the Egyp- tian mummy that recreats itself into an enchanting princess for one who adornes, and the like wild fancies if so be that a Gauter, Maupassant or a Poe calls such miracles into the realm of the real for us.
 Such fantasies, such Dreams of Fair Women has Mrs. Underwood made seem very real.