Moods
present time, notwithstanding the enormous number of new books issued,
the effect of which is to crowd the old ones out of sight, this
remarkable novel has continued to have a large sale.
This is the strongest praise that can be bestowed on any book. It is not
in the least "sensational," but relies solely on its rare beauty of
style and truthfulness to nature for its popularity.
It has the merit of being amusing, pleasantly written, and engrossing.
The characters being high-bred men and women, are charming companions
for an hour's solitude, and one puts the book aside regretfully, even as
one closes the eyes on a delicious vision. The American edition has
taken every one by surprise, that so remarkably good a novel should have
so long escaped attention.
Every body is charmed with it, and its sale will continue for years to
come.
THE GAYWORTHYS.
By the author of "Faith Gartney's Girlhood," "Boys at
Chequasset."
American ladies and gentlemen travelling in England, are amazed and
delighted to find "an American Novel" welcomed with such warmth and
enthusiasm, by the "cultivated" and "influential," in all parts of the
Kingdom.
No American book since "Uncle Tom," is so universally known, read, and
talked about.
The London journals, without exception, have given it a cordial welcome.
Read what they say of it:--
"We wish to write our most appreciative word of this admirable and
unexceptional book. We feel while we read it that a new master of
fiction has arisen.... We can well afford to wait a few years now,
if at the end we are to receive from the same pen a work of such a
character and mark as 'The Gayworthys.'"--_Eclectic Journal._
"It is impossible not to welcome so genial a gift. Nothing so
complete and delicately beautiful has come to England from America
since Hawthorne's death, and there is more of America in 'The
Gayworthys' than in 'The Scarlet Letter,' or 'The House with Seven
Gables.' ... We know not where so much tender feeling and wholesome
thought are to be found together as in this history of the fortunes
of the Gayworthys."--_Reader._
"'The Gayworthys' comes to us very seasonably, for it belongs to a
class of novels wanted more and more every day, yet daily growing
scarcer. We have therefore, a warmer welcome for the book before us
as being a particularly favorable specimen of its class. Without the
exciting strength of wine, it offers to feverish lips all the
grateful coolness of the unfermented grape."--_Pall Mall Gazette._
"We have no misgivings in promising our readers a rich treat in 'The
Gayworthys.' ... 'The Gayworthys' will become a great
favorite."--_Nonconformist._
"... The book is crowded with epigrams as incisive as this, yet
incisive without malice or bitterness, cutting not so much from the
sharpness of the thought as from its weight. There is deep
kindliness in the following passage, as well as deep insight.... The
tone of the story, the curious sense of peace and kindliness which
it produces, comes out well in that extract, and the reader quits
it, feeling as he would have felt had he been gazing half an hour on
that scene--with more confidence alike in nature and humanity, less
care for the noisy rush of city life, and yet withal less fear of
it."--_Spectator._
"It is a pleasant book and will make for the producer
friends."--_Saturday Review._
"We venture to say no one who begins the book will leave it
unfinished, or will deny that great additions have been made to his
circle of acquaintance. He has been introduced to a New England
village, and made acquainted with most of the leading villagers in a
way which leaves the impression on him thenceforward that he knows
them personally, that their fortunes and failures, and achievements,
and misunderstandings are matters of interest to him, that he would
like to know how Gershom Vose got on with his farm, and if Joanna
Gair's marriage turned out happily, and if 'Say' Gair was as
interesting as a farmer's wife as she has been as a little child."
MARGARET AND HER BRIDESMAIDS.
By the Author of "The Queen of the County."
_1 vol., 12mo. Elegant fancy cloth. Price $1.50._
This fascinating story of "Six School Girls" is as charming a story as
has been written for young ladies. The talented author has a great
reputation in England, and all her books are widely circulated and read.
"Faith Gartney's Girlhood" and "Margaret and her Bridesmaids" should
stand side by side in every young lady's book-case. Read what the
_London Athenaeum_, the highest literary authority, says of it: "We may
save ourselves the trouble of giving any lengthened review of this book,
for we recommend all who are in search of a fascinating novel to read it
for themselves. They will find it well worth their while. There is a
freshness and originality about it quite charming, and there is a
certain nobleness in the treatment, both of sentiment and incident,
which is not often found. We imagine that few can read it without
deriving some comfort or profit from the quiet good sense and
unobtrusive words of counsel with which it abounds."
The story is very interesting. It is the history of six school-fellows.
Margaret, the heroine, is, of course, a woman in the highest state of
perfection. But Lotty--the little, wilful, wild, fascinating, brave
Lotty--is the gem of the book, and, as far as our experience in novel
reading goes, is an entirely original character--a creation--and a very
charming one. No story that occurs to our memory contains more interest
than this for novel readers, particularly those of the tender sex, to
whom it will be a dear favorite.
We hope the authoress will give us some more novels, as good as
"Margaret and her Bridesmaids."