The New York herald., 1922-02-26

IA
W. many respects. 50 good
that one is tempted to the ex-
asperatins criticism that il ought to
be just a bit better-which Is Of
fered in the belief that he could
make il so. In this novel he has
al the ingredients Of a first class
story Of adventure. and a story with
a rich background. but thry are not
always entirely well mixed 1t is a
cake that really needed a little more
baking. and a little more patience in
stirring together its components
AIR. Minnigerode has stys. soEe-
times too much style. as it OCCASION
ally suggests a too self-consclous
striving for "fino writing The
Stevenson in his literary ancestry Is.
now and then. too much In evidence:
as OF a garment that has not yet
quite fitted itself accurately to his
really capable shoulders The book
Is good enough. and important
enough as a real contribution to
American iiterature-as distinguished
from the great bulk OF current out
put that is hardly more than read
ing matter-to justify the applica-
tiOn of severe canons OF criticism.
There is. OF course. nothing more
maddening to a conscientious writer
than TO tell him that he can do bet
ter. il he tries. but it Is sometimes
justifable.
Having said thus much OF admo-
nition, let US hasten TO add that this
story does "get there" and that it
viii. doubtless. have potent appeal
to a wide audience. II is effec-
lively alive. Its salt favor is real.
and il has 4 fine swing and sweep
In the broad tide Of its adventuring.
Moreover. it belongs in a field that
has been somewhat curiously neg
leeted by capable romancers, though
it Is full of rich material-ths life Of
the American merchant sailor in the
great days Of our ocean going COM
merce. from the end OF the war OF
1872 10 thu disastrous era of the civil
war and the coming of steam that
swept the American clipper and brig
end bark from the Seven Seas.
1t is field as broad as the whole
round. watery world. from the docks
OF New York around the Horn TO
the South Seas: 10 the Californian
gold coast. to China and the Orient.
OF TO the Arctic ice barrier. Any
thing is possible within it. from Chi
nese pirates. cannibals. mutiny on
the high seas. to a riot In New
York's still well shaded streets. II
holds all colors OF the rainbow OF
romance.
Mr. Minniserode's story follows
The adventures OF a family Of seafar-
ers. from New York to the China
seas. Japan, the San Francisco OF
the 30 gold rush. and back to the
Battery. touching at intermediate
ports OF excitement. He has deived
deeply into the actual records OF the
day. and although he expressly dis
claims any intent or writing a his
torical novel. 1t has some OF the ele-
TncntS OF that form and Is convinc-
ingiy well dOcumented. though. pos
sIbly. his use OF the slang. the sail
oF'S lingo OF the era. Is a little too
much thrust upon the readers at
tenticn. But he has caught the
spirit OF il all. and reproduces much
OF 10. eShilaratingiy. As narrative
Il flows pretty wen. but there Is some
times a little oyer-development OF
the thread In long conversation
The story would have gained some
thing by little condensation. The
reader should be left TO follow the
plot and its many stirring episodes
for himself. and the lover OF well
conceived. effectively related roman
tic adventure wiz not be disap-
pointed
THE LADY OF THE NORTH STAR.