Good Fiction Worth Reading.
A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in thefield of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love anddiplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest.
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DARNLEY. A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey. ByG. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. WatsonDavis. Price, $1.00.
In point of publication, "Darnley" is that work by Mr. James whichfollows "Richelieu," and, if rumor can be credited, it was owing to theadvice and insistence of our own Washington Irving that we are indebtedprimarily for the story, the young author questioning whether he couldproperly paint the difference in the characters of the two greatcardinals. And it is not surprising that James should have hesitated;he had been eminently successful in giving to the world the portrait ofRichelieu as a man, and by attempting a similar task with Wolsey as thetheme, was much like tempting fortune. Irving insisted that "Darnley"came naturally in sequence, and this opinion being supported by SirWalter Scott, the author set about the work.
As a historical romance "Darnley" is a book that can be taken uppleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charmwhich those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James haveclaimed 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 thecloth of gold" would entitle the story to the most favorableconsideration of every reader.
There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the authorhas taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom historyhas credited with having entertained the tender passion one foranother, and he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world mustlove.
CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE. By Lieut. Henry A. Wise,U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J.Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.
The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarnswho delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can comethrough the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the seaand those "who go down in ships" been written by one more familiar withthe scenes depicted.
The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and whichwill 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 eminencein the West Indies." As a sea story pure and simple, "Captain Brand"has never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told withoutthe usual embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no equal.
NICK OF THE WOODS. A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By RobertMontgomery Bird. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. WatsonDavis. Price, $1.00.
This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life inKentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel, long outof print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic presentationof Indian and frontier life in the early days of settlement in theSouth, narrated in the tale with all the art of a practiced writer. Avery charming love romance runs through the story. This new andtasteful edition of "Nick of the Woods" will be certain to make manynew admirers for this enchanting story from Dr. Bird's clever andversatile pen.
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For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price bythe publishers,A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York.
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