A STORY OF AMERICAN LIFE
David Harum.
Illustrated Edition. With 70 full-page and text pictures by B. West Clinedinst, and other text designs by C. D. Farrand, and a biography of the author by Forbes Heermans. 12mo. $1.50.
"What seems to us to be the final judgment of 'David Harum' is given in the North American Review by no less a personage than John Oliver Hobbes. This review strikes at the root of the matter.
"'It would not be presumptuous to say,' opines Mrs. Craigie, 'well remembering the magnificent ability of certain English authors of the present day, that not one could create a character which would win the whole English population as David Harum has won the American public. The reason is plain. With so many class distinctions, a national figure is out of the question. A national hero—yes; but a man for "winterin' and summerin' with"—no. Social equality and independence of thought, in spite of all abortive attempts to introduce the manners and traditions of feudal Europe, are in the very air of the United States. One could not find an American man or woman of the true stock who had not known intimately, or who did not count among his or her ancestors, connections, relatives, a David Harum. The type, no doubt, is getting old: becoming more and more "removed" from the younger generation. In the course of the next twenty years it may become so changed as to seem extinct, but it is a national figure—certainly the most original, probably the purest in blood. And the spirit of Harum is the undying spirit—no matter how much modified it may eventually become by refinement, travel, and foreign influence—of the American people. Individuals may change, but the point of view remains unalterable.'"—New York Mail and Express.
"'David Harum' is one of those extremely rare and perfectly fresh creations in current fiction which really enrich our literature. In brief, it is a masterpiece, and one that deserves an immense popularity. No words can adequately describe its wholesome, sparkling humor, its quaint and endearing originality, its genuine Yankee wit and native shrewdness. A well-nigh perfect work it is—a creation which will take a permanent place among American literary portraits."—Literary Review.
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK.
THE LEADING NOVEL OF TODAY.
The Fighting Chance.
By Robert W. Chambers. Illustrated by A. B. Wenzell. 12mo. Ornamental Cloth, $1.50.
In "The Fighting Chance" Mr. Chambers has taken for his hero, a young fellow who has inherited with his wealth a craving for liquor. The heroine has inherited a certain rebelliousness and dangerous caprice. The two, meeting on the brink of ruin, fight out their battles, two weaknesses joined with love to make a strength. It is refreshing to find a story about the rich in which all the women are not sawdust at heart, nor all the men satyrs. The rich have their longings, their ideals, their regrets, as well as the poor; they have their struggles and inherited evils to combat. It is a big subject, painted with a big brush and a big heart.
"After 'The House of Mirth' a New York society novel has to be very good not to suffer fearfully by comparison. 'The Fighting Chance' is very good and it does not suffer."—Cleveland Plain Dealer.
"There is no more adorable person in recent fiction than Sylvia Landis."—New York Evening Sun.
"Drawn with a master hand."—Toledo Blade.
"An absorbing tale which claims the reader's interest to the end."—Detroit Free Press.
"Mr. Chambers has written many brilliant stories, but this is his masterpiece."—Pittsburg Chronicle Telegraph.
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK.
Transcriber's Note:
Spelling, grammar, punctuation and hyphenation have been retained as in the original publication except as follows:
| Page 9 | you'll git somewhur's, I says you'll git somewhur's,' I says |
| Page 14 | comsummation of this mild adventure changed to consummation of this mild adventure |
| Page 23 | considered is so quietly changed to considered it so quietly front of "art emporiums." on changed to front of "art emporiums," on |
| Page 33 | rainment was donned changed to raiment was donned |
| Page 48 | sasshaying down Fifth Avenue changed to sashaying down Fifth Avenue |
| Page 50 | that man every marry changed to that man ever marry |
| Page 84 | vista of heartshaking surprises changed to vista of heart-shaking surprises |
| Page 133 | latest golf and yatching news changed to latest golf and yachting news |
| Page 243 | slay me an you will changed to slay me an' you will |
| Page 292 | walked by the lake, revolving changed to walked by the lake, resolving |
| Page 311 | with a gesture of replusion changed to with a gesture of repulsion |