of

Adam Dollard, the commandant Montreal. Dollard has loved her in old France; and, at this unexpected meeting, pursues his wooing to such good advantage that they are married at once, before news of the strange proceeding can reach the ears of the stern bishop. Accompanied by Claire's maid, Louise, and Dollard's servant, Jacques, who had chosen each other in the marriage market, Claire and Dollard go by canoe to Montreal.

The Iroquois, the dreaded Six Nations, are moving on the settlements: there are two bands of them; and if these can be prevented from joining forces, New France may still be saved. Adam Dollard, with sixteen others, has sworn to go out and check them, giving and taking no quarter. Dollard, heartbroken at the pain he must cause Claire, and filled with remorse at having so selfishly married her and marred her peace when he knew the fate in store for him, starts off without telling her. Then, ashamed of this cowardice, he returns. She bears the news bravely, as becomes a daughter of the house of Montmorency, and begs to go with him. He cannot grant her prayer; and leaves her with the nuns of the HôtelDieu in Montreal. Claire steals out from the convent in the night, with Massawippa, an Indian girl, whose father, a Huron, had joined Dollard's expedition. With wonderful courage, they fight their way through the wilderness to the little fort which Dollard is defending. Dollard and his men hold the fort eight days against the horde of the Iroquois; then the fort is taken, and all perish. This is a story of heroism, simply told; the truth of the main incidents is vouched for in a preface by no less a historian than Francis Parkman.

Lamplighter, The, by Maria Susanna

Cummins, was the author's first book, and appeared in 1854, when she was twenty-seven. This simple home story secured an immediate popularity. The scene is laid in New York. Gerty, a forlorn and ignorant girl, spends her early years with Nan Grant, a coarse, brutal woman who abuses her. Her greatest pleasure is watching old Trueman Flint as he goes his rounds to light the city lamps. Trueman rescues the child, and although he is poor himself, adopts her. Under his loving care, and in

association with his neighbors,— thrifty Mrs. Sullivan and her son Willie, a boy somewhat older than herself,- Gertrude grows into a happy and beautiful young girl, the great comfort of Uncle True. She is befriended by Emily Graham, a noble Christian character, the beautiful only daughter of a rich, indulgent father. Emily is blind as the result of a careless act of her young brother. Overcome by remorse, and embittered by his father's reproaches, this brother has disappeared, to Emily's great sorrow. Gerty is sent to school, where she is fitted to teach; but after Trueman's death she becomes a member of the Graham family. lie Sullivan, the friend of her childhood, becomes a noble-minded and successful young man who falls in love with Gertrude. In Philip Amory, a high-minded man whom Emily and Gertrude meet while traveling, they discover the longlost brother; and he proves in the end to be Gertrude's father, who for years has been vainly searching for her. The story is weak in plot and characterization; but the idyllic charm of its first hundred pages or so gave it for a few years a very extraordinary vogue. It is now little read.

Queech

Wil

ueechy, by "Elizabeth Wetherell » (Susan Warner). 'Queechy' was written in 1852, and sold by the thousand in both England and America; being translated into German, French, and Swedish. Mrs. Browning admired it, and wrote of it to a friend: "I think it very clever and characteristic. Mrs. Beecher Stowe scarcely exceeds it, after all her trumpets." The story takes place chiefly in Queechy, Vermont. Fleda Ringgan, an orphan, on the death of her grandfather, goes to her aunt Mrs. Rossiter, in Paris, under the care of Mrs. Carleton and her son,

rich English people. Every man who sees Fleda, from the time she is eleven, falls in love with her; but she loves only Carleton, whom she converts to Christianity. The Rossiters lose their money, and return to Queechy, where Fleda farms, cooks, and makes maplesugar, to support her family. Carleton revisits America, and is always at hand to aid Fleda in every emergency; although he never speaks of love until they are snowed up on a railway jour ney. He saves her from the persecu tions of Thorn, a rival lover. His

mother takes her to England. They are married, and do good for many years.

Jewel in the Lotos, The, by Mary Agnes Tincker. This is the poetic title of a romance, the scene of which is laid in the Italian town of Sassovivo. It relates chiefly to the love-story of Aurelia, a young English girl, who comes there with her aged guardian, Don Leopoldo, an Glenlyon. Italian nobleman of questionable reputation but charming personality, falls violently in love with her; deserting his fiancée, a wealthy American, for her sake. Aurelia, at first attracted to him, at length realizes his unworthiness, and refuses him in favor of the young English artist, Robert McLellan. Aurelia's companion, Aurora, daughter of the impoverished Countess Emilia, is a true child of Italy, with the mercurial temperament and the artistic nature of her race. Her love-affair is a mere thread of romance, broken almost before it has begun; and thereafter she devotes herself to art, and, as a poet, becomes famous and beloved. Italian politics, the effect of Catholicism and a powerful priesthood on a facile-minded people, and the contrast of characters, formed under different environments with opposing hereditary instincts, are all touched upon, not superficially but as a sincere study.

One Summer, by Blanche Willis How

ard. This light but refreshingly humorous little romance opens with the quasi-pathetic picture of Miss Laura Leigh Doane, a city girl, imprisoned by the rain in a New England farm-house, and suffering from loneliness and ennui. "I would like to be a man," she cries, "just long enough to run down to Pratt's for that book; but no longer, oh no, not a moment longer!" Unable to bear the dullness, she finally ventures alone on this errand; and in the dark, while charging against the wind around a corner, runs into Philip Ogden, and thrusts the ferule of her umbrella stick into his eye. She leads him home; and he (assuming that she is a girl of humble station) hands her two dollars. Chagrined, she demurely takes this punishment, having learned that he is an old chum of her brother's, also spending his vacation here,- but she resolves never to forgive him. Many scenes of pleasant comedy ensue, both before and

after the arrival of her brother Tom, with his wife and the baby; the romantic Bessie, at what she regards as crit ical moments, tragically warns her droll but marplot husband against spoiling it all. A charming description of a yachting trip to Mt. Desert is introduced; the "log" of

which is said to have been furnished by another hand. The finale is in exact accordance with poetic justice: Miss Laura and Philip become engaged. The story, after a time, attained wide popularity in consequence of its breezy situations, sparkling conversations, and bright descriptions, and has been republished with illustrations.

Mademoiselle Ixe, by Lanoe Falconer.

This short and vivid story gives a graphic description of an episode in the life of a Russian Nihilist. Mademoiselle Ixe, who is the principal figure in the tale, is first introduced as governess in an English family by the name of Merrington, where on account of her extreme reticence she is regarded with some distrust. However, owing to her unquestionable ability, and her satisfactory management of the children, she is retained in the household. She wins the affection of Evelyn Merrington, the eldest daughter, a pretty and attractive girl, who is just finishing her studies, and who has a devoted admirer in Parry Lethbridge, a young fellow of wealth, who is a constant visitor at the house. In the course of time the Merringtons give a ball, and among the guests is a Russian count, who is visiting in the neighborhood. Before the event Mademoiselle Ixe confides to Evelyn that she has a message to deliver to the count, whom she has previously known. The climax of the story is reached when the guests at the ball are startled by a pistol shot and see the count stagger and fall, while Mademoiselle Ixe stands immovable with a smoking pistol in her hand. She is immediately secured in her own chamber while the police are sent for; but during this interval, Evelyn persuades her to escape, and is assisted by Parry, who drives her in his dog-cart to the next town. Before her departure Mademoiselle Ixe explains to Evelyn that it is for love of her country, and from no personal motive, that she has tracked her victim to this

202

place, and committed the desperate act. The count proves to be not seriously injured, and shortly recovers, and Evelyn some three years later marries her devoted lover. Soon after her marriage she receives a pathetic letter from a Russian prison congratulating her on her well-deserved happiness and signed simply "X.» The story is told in a very interesting vein, and has many interesting character-sketches and a decided touch of wit and humor running through the book. It was published in 1891.

Not Like Other Girls, by Rosa Nou

chette Carey, is an agreeable story of English country town society. Three pretty sisters, the belles of Oldfield, find themselves, through their mother's unfortunate investments, suddenly penniless, and obliged to earn their own living. Instead of trying to find situations as incompetent governesses, which would break up the family and leave their mother in solitary lodgings, the Challoner girls decide to pocket their pride, and become-what they are admirably fitted for-dressmakers. the neighboring watering-place of Hadleigh they begin their new life; making gowns for every one who comes, from the butcher's wife to the rector's daughters, and accepting their changed social position with sunny courage.

In

Though

they suffer some pangs of mortification, and some trials, they make and keep friends really worth the having; and the story hardly needs the deus ex machina, who appears in the shape of a rich Australian cousin, to make it end happily. The implied moral of the book is the foolishness of conventional standards of gentility; and the story is so entertaining that the reader accepts its dictum as an axiom.

Ke

entuckians, The, by John Fox, Jr., is a study of the two races that inhabit the State of Kentucky: the prosperous and cultured dwellers of the "blue-grass" region, and the rough, savage, ignorant mountaineers, whose civilization to-day is exactly that of their ancestors, the early settlers. Hallard, the mountain leader, and Marshall, the brilliant townsman, are rivals in the legislature, and rivals for the love of Anne Bruce, the governor's daughter; and the struggle between them forms the story of the book, which is a remarkably brilliant picture of some in

teresting phases of American life, as well as a sober statement of certain social problems which insist on a settlement. Mr. Fox's pages bear their own assurance of authenticity, not less in their vividness of portraiture than in their reserve. Nothing is overstated.

Danvers Jewels, The, and Sir Charles

vers.

Sir

Danvers, by Mary Cholmondeley. These stories, first published anonymously, were so cleverly told that they excited much interest in the unknown author. In The Danvers Jewels' Colonel Middleton relates the adventures of a bag of priceless jewels, which he is commissioned to carry from India to England, to Sir John Danvers's heir, Ralph DanA professional thief named Carr attempts to rob him, but Colonel Middleton delivers the jewels safely at Stoke Moreton, the Danvers's country-seat. Private theatricals are in progress there, and another actor being necessary, the Colonel sends for Carr, whom unsuspectingly he considers his friend. Shortly after Carr's arrival the jewels disappear; suspicion falls on Sir Charles Danvers, Ralph's charming but unpopular brother. Charles suspects Carr to be the thief; who, however, proves to be the beautiful and fascinating girl to whom Ralph is engaged. This young woman is really Carr's wife. On her way to London to sell the jewels a railroad accident occurs, and Sir Charles and Ralph find her dead, with the jewels concealed about her. Ralph marries his cousin Evelyn; and the Colonel's story comes to an end. (Sir Charles Danvers' is written in the third person; Ruth Deyncourt is the heroine; a clever, attractive girl, who fancies that her duty lies in helping Alfred Dare, a poor foreigner to whom she becomes secretly engaged. Sir Charles wooes her, but although she loves him she remains true to Dare until a woman arrives who claims to be Dare's wife. Through Reymond Deyncourt, Ruth's good-for-nothing brother, Sir Charles discovers that the woman's claim is false, and generously tells Dare. Ruth realizes her mistaken self-sacrifice at last, and ends by marrying Sir Charles. Lady Mary, a worldly old woman, is a delightful character; while Molly Danvers, a queer little girl who alone would make the fortune of any story, is one of the most fascinating children in fiction. Sir Charles Danvers, with his gentleness and

strength, his reserved but sympathetic nature, and his delightful sense of humor, is, however, rightly entitled to the place of hero. In 'The Danvers Jewels' the

interest centres in a well-told plot; and

in 'Sir Charles Danvers' the charm lies in the character studies, and in the descriptions of English country life.

Red Rover, The, by James Fenimore

a

Cooper. (1827.) This story relates to the days before the Revolutionary War; and is one of Cooper's most exciting sea tales. Henry Ark, a lieutenant on his Majesty's ship Dart, is desirous of distinguishing himself by aiding in the capture of the notorious pirate, the Red Rover. With this in view he goes to Newport, disguised as a common sailor under the name of Wilder, and joins the Rover's ship, the Dolphin, which is anchored there awaiting the departure of a merchantman, the Caroline. The captain of the Caroline meets with an accident and Wilder is sent by the Rover to take his place; shortly after he puts to sea followed by the Dolphin. A storm arises, and the Caroline is lost; the only survivors being Wilder, Miss Gertrude Grayson, a passenger, and Mrs. Wyllys, her governess, who are rescued by the Dolphin. Not long after, royal cruiser is sighted. This proves to be the Dart; and the Rover, going on board of her in the guise of an officer in the royal navy, learns by accident of Wilder's duplicity. He returns to the Dolphin, and summoning his first mate accuses him of treachery; Wilder confesses the truth of the charge, and the Rover, in a moment of generosity, sends him back to his ship unharmed, together with the two ladies, without whom Wilder refuses to stir. Rover then attacks the Dart, and takes it after a hard fight. He is about to have Wilder hanged, when it appears that he is a son of Mrs. Wyllys whom she has supposed drowned in infancy; and the Rover, unable to separate the new-found son from his mother, sets them all off in a pinnace, in which they reach shore safely. After the close of the Revolutionary War a man is brought to the old inn at Newport in

The

a dying condition: he proves to be the Red Rover, who, having reformed, has served through the war with credit and distinction,

The book holds the interest of the reader throughout; and the descriptions of the storm and battle are very vivid.

Bravo, The, by James Fenimore Cooper,

is a tale of Venice in the sixteenth century, full of mystery and intrigue, and the high-sounding language which fifty years ago was thought the natural utterance of romance. Don Camillo Monforte, a Paduan noble, has a right by inherit ance to a place in the Venetian Senate. He becomes obnoxious to the Council, and a bravo is set on his track to kill him. He has fallen in love with Violetta, a young orphan heiress designed for the son of an important senator; and she consents to elope with him. A priest marries them; but by a trick she is separated from him and carried off. The Bravo, sick of his horrible trade, has refused to take a hand in the kidnapping of Violetta; and confesses to Don Camillo all he knows of it, promising to help him recover his bride. Jacopo, the Bravo, finds her in prison, and contrives her escape to her husband; but is himself denounced to the Council of Three, and pays for his treachery to them with his head. The romance is of an antiquated fashion; and has not the genuineness and personal force of Cooper's sea stories and 'Leatherstocking Tales,' which grew out of an honest love for his subjects.

Cooper, James Fenimore, by Thomas

R. Lounsbury. This biography, published in the American Men of Letters' series in 1883, is especially valuable as the only authentic history of the novelist, who when dying enjoined his family to allow no authorized biography to be prepared. His private life, therefore, is almost unknown; and we are indebted to the researches of Professor Lounsbury for this narrative of the public career of a much misunderstood man.

In summing up Cooper's work, Professor Lounsbury says that Leatherstocking is perhaps the only great original character American fiction has added to the literature of the world. Though the faults of style are serious, they are more than counterbalanced by the vividness of description and vigor of narration, which give the author a high and permanent literary place.

Boswell's Life of Johnson was pub

lished in 1791; Johnson's own 'Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides' (1786) is usually included in editions of the 'Life,'

The result of the association of Bos. well, the born reporter, and Dr. Johnson, the eighteenth-century great man, was a biography unsurpassed in literature. It has gone through many editions; it has been revised by many editors. It became at once a classic. Why this is so is not easy of explanation, since the man who wrote it was only Boswell. But in him hero-worship took on the proportions of genius. He merged himself in Johnson. The Doctor looms large in every sentence of this singular work, written in the very hypnotism of admiration. Every word is remembered; no detail of speech or manner is forgotten. Boswell begins with Johnson's first breath (drawn, it seems, with difficulty), and will not let him draw a later breath without full commentary.

"We dined at Elgin, and saw the noble ruins of the Cathedral. Though it rained, Dr. Johnson examined them with the most patient attention.» «Mr. Grant having prayed, Dr. Johnson said his prayer was a very good one." "Next Sunday, July 31st, I told him I had been at a meeting of the people called Quakers, where I had heard a woman preach. Johnson: 'Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well, but you are surprised to find it done at all.'» The best-known edition is Croker's, upon which Macaulay poured out the vials of his wrath; but the new edition of Mr. George Birkbeck Hill is likely to supersede all others, for its admirable taste and scholarship.

Johnsonian Miscellanies, arranged

and edited by George Birkbeck Hill. (2 vols., 1897.) A work supplementing Mr. Hill's six volumes of the Life,' and two volumes of the Letters,' of the famous Dr. Johnson. The first volume includes: (1) A collection of prayers and meditations; (2) Annals of his life to his eleventh year, written by himself; (3) The Piozzi collection of anecdotes of the last twenty years of his life; and (4) An essay on the life and genius of Johnson, by Arthur Murphy, originally published as an introduction to the twelve-volume edition of the complete works brought out in 1792. The second volume is largely concerned with anecdotes, recollections, studies by Sir Joshua Reynolds of Johnson's character and influence, and a considerable variety of Johnson's letters. The work abounds

in strikingly interesting revelations of Johnson's character, habits, learning, wit, sincere piety, tenderness of sympathy, unaffected goodness, and endlessly active intellect. Equally rich in literary and in human interest, in many of its pages delightfully picturesque, it worthily completes Dr. Birkbeck Hill's monument to the great master, of whom the world cannot know too much.

Bewick, Thomas, and his Pupils, by

Austin Dobson. This informal biography, in the poet's charmingly familiar style, is further enlivened by extracts from the great engraver's autobiography, prepared for his daughter, and in its descriptions of nature almost striking the note of English poetry. Born in 1753, when the art of wood-engraving was at its lowest ebb, Bewick falsified the saying of Horace Walpole that the world would "scarcely be persuaded to return to wooden cuts." It would be easy to draw a parallel between this son of a Northumberland farmer and his contemporary the Japanese Hokusai. Both were pioneers, indefatigable workers, lovers of nature from early childhood, acute observers of all objects, and artists whose best work is unrivaled, though their field lay in the prints displayed in the homes of the people. Both the efforts and the escapades of the English lad are spicy reading. He had never heard of the word drawing, and knew no other paintings than the King's Arms in Ovingham Church, and a few public signs. Without patterns, and for coloring having recourse to brambleberry juice, he went directly to the birds and beasts of the fields for his subjects. He covered the margins of his books, then the grave-stones of Ovingham Church and the floor of its porch; then the flags and hearth of Cherryburn, the farm-house where he was born. Soon the neighbors' walls were ornamented with his rude productions, at a cheap rate. He was always angling, and knew the history and character of wild and domestic animals; but did not become so absorbed in them as to ignore the villagers, their Christmas festivities and other features of their life. After serving his apprenticeship to an engraver in Newcastle, he went to London; but pined for the country, and though he abhorred war, said that he would rather enlist than re

main. He opened a shop in Newcastle, where for nearly fifty years he carried on