DARNLEY. A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey. By
G. P. R. James. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
As a historical romance "Darnley" is a book that can be taken up
pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle
charm which those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James
have claimed was only to be imparted by Dumas.
If there was nothing more about the work to attract especial
attention, the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic
"field of the cloth of gold" would entitle the story to the most
favorable consideration of every reader.
There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the
author has taken care to imagine love passages only between those
whom history has credited with having entertained the tender
passion one for another, and he succeeds in making such lovers as
all the world must love.
WINDSOR CASTLE. A Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII.
Catharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. With
four illustrations by George Cruikshank.
"Windsor Castle" is the story of Henry VIII., Catharine, and Anne
Boleyn. "Bluff King Hal," although a well-loved monarch, was none
too good a one in many ways. Of all his selfishness and
unwarrantable acts, none was more discreditable than his divorce
from Catharine, and his marriage to the beautiful Anne Boleyn. The
King's love was as brief as it was vehement. Jane Seymour, waiting
maid on the Queen, attracted him, and Anne Boleyn was forced to the
block to make room for her successor. This romance is one of
extreme interest to all readers.
HORSESHOE ROBINSON. A tale of the Tory Ascendency in South Carolina in
1780. By John P. Kennedy. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
Among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical
fiction, there are none which appeal to a larger number of
Americans than Horseshoe Robinson, and this because it is the only
story which depicts with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts
of the colonists in South Carolina to defend their homes against
the brutal oppression of the British under such leaders as
Cornwallis and Tarleton.
The reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread
of the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning
those times. The picture of the manifold sufferings of the people,
is never overdrawn, but painted faithfully and honestly by one who
spared neither time nor labor in his efforts to present in this
charming love story all that price in blood and tears which the
Carolinians paid as their share in the winning of the republic.
Take it all in all, "Horseshoe Robinson" is a work which should be
found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most
entertaining story, but because of the wealth of valuable
information concerning the colonists which it contains. That it
has been brought out once more, well illustrated, is something
which will give pleasure to thousands who have long desired an
opportunity to read the story again, and to the many who have tried
vainly in these latter days to procure a copy that they might read
it for the first time.
THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND. A story of the Coast of Maine. By Harriet
Beecher Stowe. Illustrated.
Written prior to 1862, the "Pearl of Orr's Island" is ever new; a
book filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array
themselves anew each time one reads them. One sees the "sea like an
unbroken mirror all around the pine-girt, lonely shores of Orr's
Island," and straightway comes "the heavy, hollow moan of the surf
on the beach, like the wild angry howl of some savage animal."
Who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named Mara, which
came into this world under the very shadow of the Death angel's
wings, without having an intense desire to know how the premature
bud blossomed? Again and again one lingers over the descriptions of
the character of that baby boy Moses, who came through the tempest,
amid the angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother's breast.
There is no more faithful portrayal of New England life than that
which Mrs. Stowe gives in "The Pearl of Orr's Island."
RICHELIEU. A tale of France in the reign of King Louis XIII. By G. F. R.
James. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
In 1829 Mr. James published his first romance, "Richelieu," and
was recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft.
In this book he laid the story during those later days of the
great cardinal's life, when his power was beginning to wane,
but while it was yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then
of volcanic outbursts which overwhelmed foes and carried
friends to the topmost wave of prosperity. One of the most
striking portions of the story is that of Cinq Mar's
conspiracy; the method of conducting criminal cases, and the
political trickery resorted to by royal favorites, affording a
better insight into the statecraft of that day than can be had
even by an exhaustive study of history. It is a powerful
romance of love and diplomacy, and in point of thrilling and
absorbing interest has never been excelled.
A COLONIAL FREE-LANCE. A story of American Colonial Times. By Chauncey
C. Hotchkiss. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
A book that appeals to Americans as a vivid picture of
Revolutionary scenes. The story is a strong one, a thrilling one.
It causes the true American to flush with excitement, to devour
chapter after chapter, until the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes
with patriotism. The love story is a singularly charming idyl.
THE TOWER OF LONDON. A Historical Romance of the Times of Lady Jane Grey
and Mary Tudor. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. With four illustrations by
George Cruikshank.
This romance of the "Tower of London" depicts the Tower as
palace, prison and fortress, with many historical associations.
The era is the middle of the sixteenth century.
The story is divided into two parts, one dealing with Lady Jane
Grey, and the other with Mary Tudor as Queen, introducing other
notable characters of the era. Throughout the story holds the
interest of the reader in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy,
extending considerably over a half a century.
IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING. A Romance of the American Revolution. By
Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
Mr. Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee
bravery, and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the
spirit of the Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and we feel
ourselves taking a part in the exciting scenes described. His whole
story is so absorbing that you will sit up far into the night to
finish it. As a love romance it is charming.
GARTHOWEN. A story of a Welsh Homestead. By Allen Raine. With four
illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
"This is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare
before us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some
strong points of Welsh character--the pride, the hasty temper, the
quick dying out of wrath.... We call this a well-written story,
interesting alike through its romance and its glimpses into another
life than ours. A delightful and clever picture of Welsh village
life. The result is excellent."--Detroit Free Press.
MIFANWY. The story of a Welsh Singer. By Allan Raine. With four
illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
"This is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care
to read. The action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the
characters, it is apparent at once, are as true to life as though
the author had known them all personally. Simple in all its
situations, the story is worked up in that touching and quaint
strain which never grows wearisome, no matter how often the lights
and shadows of love are introduced. It rings true, and does not tax
the imagination."--Boston Herald.
THE SPIRIT OF THE BORDER. A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio
Valley. By Zane Grey. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
A book rather out of the ordinary is this "Spirit of the
Border." The main thread of the story has to do with the work
of the Moravian missionaries in the Ohio Valley. Incidentally
the reader is given details of the frontier life of those hardy
pioneers who broke the wilderness for the planting of this
great nation. Chief among these, as a matter of course, is
Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and at the same time
the most admirable of all the brave men who spent their lives
battling with the savage foe, that others might dwell in
comparative security.
Details of the establishment and destruction of the Moravian
"Village of Peace" are given at some length, and with minute
description. The efforts to Christianize the Indians are
described as they never have been before, and the author has
depicted the characters of the leaders of the several Indian
tribes with great care, which of itself will be of Interest to
the student.
By no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid
word pictures of the thrilling adventures, and the intense
paintings of the beauties of nature, as seen in the almost
unbroken forests.
It is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one
can by it, perhaps, the better understand why men, and women,
too, willingly braved every privation and danger that the
westward progress of the star of empire might be the more
certain and rapid. A love story, simple and tender, runs
throughout the book.
CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE. By Lieut. Henry A. Wise, U. S.
N. (Harry Gringo). With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of
sea yarns who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the
ocean as can come through the medium of a printed page, for
never has a story of the sea and those "who go down in ships"
been written by one more familiar with the scenes depicted.
The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered,
and which will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is
"Captain Brand," who, as the author states on his title page,
was a "pirate of eminence in the West Indies." As a sea story
pure and simple, "Captain Brand" has never been excelled, and
as a story of piratical life, told without the usual
embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no equal.
NICK OF THE WOODS. A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By Robert
Montgomery Bird. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life
in Kentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel,
long out of print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its
realistic presentation of Indian and frontier life in the early
days of settlement in the South, narrated in the tale with all the
art of a practiced writer. A very charming love romance runs
through the story. This new and tasteful edition of "Nick of the
Woods" will be certain to make many new admirers for this
enchanting story from Dr. Bird's clever and versatile pen.
GUY FAWKES. A Romance of the Gunpowder Treason. By Wm. Harrison
Ainsworth. With four illustrations by George Cruikshank.
The "Gunpowder Plot" was a modest attempt to blow up Parliament,
the King and his Counsellors. James of Scotland, then King of
England, was weak-minded and extravagant. He hit upon the efficient
scheme of extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the
Catholics. In their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful
of bold spirits concluded to overthrow the government. Finally the
plotters were arrested, and the King put to torture Guy Fawkes and
the other prisoners with royal vigor. A very intense love story
runs through the entire romance.
TICONDEROGA: A Story of Early Frontier Life in the Mohawk Valley. By G.
P. R. James. With four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
The setting of the story is decidedly more picturesque than any
ever evolved by Cooper: The frontier of New York State, where
dwelt an English gentleman, driven from his native home by
grief over the loss of his wife, with a son and daughter.
Thither, brought by the exigencies of war, comes an English
officer, who is readily recognized as that Lord Howe who met
his death at Ticonderoga. As a most natural sequence, even amid
the hostile demonstrations of both French and Indians, Lord
Howe and the young girl find time to make most deliciously
sweet love, and the son of the recluse has already lost his
heart to the daughter of a great sachem, a dusky maiden whose
warrior-father has surrounded her with all the comforts of a
civilized life.
The character of Captain Brooks, who voluntarily decides to
sacrifice his own life in order to save the son of the
Englishman, is not among the least of the attractions of this
story, which holds the attention of the reader even to the last
page. The tribal laws and folk lore of the different tribes of
Indians known as the "Five Nations," with which the story is
interspersed, shows that the author gave no small amount of
study to the work in question, and nowhere else is it shown
more plainly than by the skilful manner in which he has
interwoven with his plot the "blood" law, which demands a life
for a life, whether it be that of the murderer or one of his
race.
A more charming story of mingled love and adventure has never
been written than "Ticonderoga."
ROB OF THE BOWL: A Story of the Early Days of Maryland. By John P.
Kennedy. With four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
It was while he was a member of Congress from Maryland that the
noted statesman wrote this story regarding the early history of
his native State, and while some critics are inclined to
consider "Horse Shoe Robinson" as the best of his works, it is
certain that "Rob of the Bowl" stands at the head of the list
as a literary production and an authentic exposition of the
manners and customs during Lord Baltimore's rule. The greater
portion of the action takes place in St. Mary's--the original
capital of the State.
As a series of pictures of early colonial life in Maryland,
"Rob of the Bowl" has no equal, and the book, having been
written by one who had exceptional facilities for gathering
material concerning the individual members of the settlements
in and about St. Mary's, is a most valuable addition to the
history of the State.
The story is full of splendid action, with a charming love
story, and a plot that never loosens the grip of its interest
to its last page.
BY BERWEN BANKS. By Allen Raine.
It is a tender and beautiful romance of the idyllic. A charming
picture of life in a Welsh seaside village. It is something of a
prose-poem, true, tender and graceful.
IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING. A romance of the American Revolution. By
Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. With four illustrations by J. Watson Davis.
The story opens in the month of April, 1775, with the provincial
troops hurrying to the defense of Lexington and Concord. Mr.
Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee bravery and
true love that thrills from beginning to end with the spirit of the
Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and we feel ourselves taking a
part in the exciting scenes described. You lay the book aside with
the feeling that you have seen a gloriously true picture of the
Revolution. His whole story is so absorbing that you will sit up
far into the night to finish it. As a love romance it is charming.