BOOK NOTICES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 65

BOOK NOTICES.

"RICHARD CARVEL." (Br Wikstox Churchill.)

During recent years there has been a marked improvement in the quality of American fiction ; and, as a consequence, certain American authors have Avon a sort of vogue with British readers. To verify this Aye need only enumerate such names as Cable, Howells, Allen, Parker, Wilkins, and now Winston Churchill. Speaking of literary A"ogues, nowadays that sort of thing seems almost to have become the noA'elist's prerogative. The last-mentioned author, in his story, "Richard Carvel," takes a somewhat neAv departure, and, on the Avhole, may be congratulated on his bold and successful entrance into what was almost considered to be the peculiar domain of the British noA r elist — the historical novel. The book deals Avith episodes occurring just prior to tke declaration of American independence ; and, as quite half of the book treats of England and Englishmen and manners of the period, Mr Churchfll deserves in common fairness to be complimented on his success.

The preface says that the book was written partly from records dating back as far as 1696. This, of course, is possible, but if so, Mr .Churchill has surely managed to put a good deal of what looks like his own original bent into the book. The scene opens with a glimpse of Carvel Hall, the Maryland home of Mr Carvel, our hero's grandfather. Carvel Hall is also the home of Richard Carvel — he having been left an orphan while still a boy. The grandfather is an example of the highspirited gentleman of the period — a man of fine manners and even courtly graces. We see the life of the time among the large landowners — country life and town life — a veritable kaleidoscope. We are shown how discontent was fomented owing to the obnoxious and unwise taxation levied oTthe American colonists by the British Government, and we are also shown ths townspeople of Annapolis and other places so vividly that one is prone to forget that the book is a record of the past. To Carvel Hall comes Dorothy Manners, the heroine of the story, while still a girl. The girl's beaut.y was even then noticeable, and her foppish little father made no secret of his intention to take her to England as soon a^ she reached her sixteenth year, with the object of securing a titled husband for her. This sort of talk made Dorothy conscious of her beauty, and at times a little arrogant, and Richard Carvel, who even then loved her, had to put up with many a heart-burning in consequence. Eventually, Dorothy Manners and her parents leave for England. By-and-bye the disquieting news reaches Richard Carvel that Dolly is engaged to an English Duke. There is an interesting episode in the book relating to the meeting between our hero and Washington — then a colonel. Our hero says : " I felt that this man could command himself and others. In his presence self-command came to me, as a virtue gone out of him. 'Twas not his speech, I would have aou know, took hold of me. He was by no means a brilliant talker." The time being a time of intrigue, we are not so much surprised at the turn things were taking in the American colonies. Further adventures — most of them oversea — are, however, in store for our hero. He is decoyed by means of a letter, waylaid, stunned, and put on board a slaver, apparently at the instigation of his uncle, who Avishes him out of the woy. The slaver is demolished by a British vessel, anad Richard Carvel is one of the saved. Our hero lands in Scotland, is well tieated there, and eventually, in company with his benefactor. Captain Paul, reaches London, where he finds out the abode of the parents of Dolly Manners. Mr Manners repudiates him, he is arrested for debt and put into a sponging house. From thes,e vile surroundings he is rescued by Lord Ccrniyn, -whose friendship he had gained in America. Then he meets Dolly, and although she is often tantalisingly paradoxical, she still contrives to lead him to think that she has some affectionate regard for him. His jealousy, however, is excited when ho hears her name coupled with that of the Duke of Charter&ea — a man morally worthless. The course ot true love, it has been said, seldom runs smoothly, and Richard Carvel's wooing is no exception to the rule. At times when he felt almost like despairing, he allowed himself to follow the fashion of the time and indulge in some license at the gaming table and with the wine cup. This led to his grandfather'. 1 : agent — who supplied him with funds — remonstrating with him. Carvel then acts the man and pulls himself together. The set he mixed with included Walpole, Fox. Gairick, and other celebrities of the time. Here is a, description of Charles James Fox: "His face was dark and forbidding, oven haisk — until he smiled. His eyebio\is Mere Leav^ find, shaggy, and ln& features of a rounded, almost Jewish, mould. He put me in mind of the Stuarts. . . . As hi enteied the room 1 recall remarking that he was possessed of the supremtst confidence of any man I had ever met." Our hero knows that lie has incurred the hos-

tility of Chavtersea, yet he takes up a foolish wager with that nobleman which binds him lo ride an extremely vicious hor&e through Hyde Park. The description of Richard Carvel's victory over this horpe is wonderfully well told, and the whole chapter would have delighted poor Adam Lindsay Gordon. Adventures still .follow in fast succession. At Vauxhall — which is well described — an attempt is made to assassinate Jiim. He is badly wounded, and, after being nursed to convalescence b} r friends, he returns to America, accompanied by her he loved so well. The book has, more particularly in the earlier chapters, a rather quaint, but nevertheless a pleasant, vigorous style. As the reader gets further on the pace seems to quicken, the incidents and adventures succeed each other rapidly, and the reader is conscious of the fact that he is absorbed in a delightful stirring narrative, which carries a wonderful impress of truthfulness. Mr Winston Churchill has certainly won some laurels for America with this book. — R. B.