New-York tribune., 1921-12-11
Ry HAROLD. KELLOCK

uaIes Harold Bell Wright by fully Il
A hundred years. 1t was one of the first
American novels and has been in de-
mand for a century and quarter, running
through edition after edition. In the New
York Public Library there are full score Of
editions, one dated as far back as 1902; others
published shortly before the late war. 1t
would be difficult to estimate how many hun
dreds of thousands of copies have been bought
and paid for, but the tally is large enoagh
to make any publishers delight Of these days
seem like piker.
The book is 'Charlotte Temple" by Mrs
Susannah Haswell Rowson, which appeared
first in 1794. For many years a tomb Of
doubtful authenticity in Trinity Churchyard
has borne Charlottes name, for according to
the story she was supposed to have been
lured from her gentle English home by an
English officer during the American Revolu-
ton and brought to New York, to be aban-
doned and to die after the birth Of daughter
The tale was based on similar fate met by
one Charlotte Stanley, and probably the tomb
in Trinity Churchyard is that of the real
Charlotte.
The book takes flying start, as follows:
care you for walk" said Montraville to
his companion, as they arose from the table.
Are you for q walk, or shall we order a
chaise and proceed to Portsmouth?' Belcour
preferred the former, and they sauntered out
to view the town and make remarks on the
inl h ants %hay- -af,,r
"They had gratified their curiosity and were
preparing to teturn to the inn, when Nine
Du Pont, at the head of her school, descended
from the church. Such an assemblage of
youth and innocence naturally attracted the
young soldiers; they stopped, and as the little
cavalcade passed almost involuntariy pulled
off their hats A tall, elegant girl looked at
Montraville and blushed; he instantly recog-
nized the features of Charlotte Temple, whom
he had seen and danced with at a ball
at Portsmouth. Vanity led him to
think that pleasure at again beholding him
might have occasoned the emotion he wit
messed, and the same vanity led him to wish
TO see her again.
"'She is the sweetest girl in the world
said he he entered the inn. Belcour started.
Did you notice her?' continued Montra-
vile. "She had on blue bonnet, and with
a pair of lovely eyes Of the same color has
contrived to make me feel devilish odd about
the heart
From this we are introduced to the Temple
family. Charlotte's father originally met her
mother in q prison, where she was tending
her aged sire, whom & horrid villain had
jugged for debt. "When I am gone who will
protect that fair bud Of innocence from the
blasts Of adversely from the cruel hand Of
infamy and dishonor?' asked the old gentle
man, after brief introduction. Mr.. Temple
Immediately volunteered as protector. So much
for Charlotte's parents.
The wicked Montraville managed without
delay to snuggle letter to Charlotte into her
boarding school, He accomplished this
through Miss La Rue, one of the teachers
who, the author states, "lived in open defiance
Of all moral and religious duties.'' bad one
this La I.uv. She was "heartily weary of the
retired life she led at the school and wished
to return to that vortex Of folly and disspa-
tion which had plunged her into the deepest
misery" Charlotte accepted the letter, but
thought it would be indiscreet to read it, Yet,
after many moral reflections, she did so. 1t
was, we learn, "nade up Of encomiums on her
beauty and vows of everlasting love and con-