Part 9
Under this title are grouped a series of pleasant chats telling the early history of the violin, and also dealing with all the better known forms of the violin. All the great makers, from Gaspar di Salo, Maggini, Amati, to Stradivarius are described, the whole being interspersed with many anecdotes about makers and players, and useful chapters on violin music and playing.
The pictures are delightfully uncommon, comprising as they do the representations of all the ancient members of the violin family from the ninth century. The whole work is full of interesting information and is written in a bright and unconventional manner.
Stories from the Operas.
BY GLADYS DAVIDSON.
_Illustrated. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d._
_First Review._
“Each Opera is adequately and interestingly dealt with. It is the best book of its kind we have seen.”—_Sheffield Daily Independent._
A charming series of tales arranged from the Grand Operas. Few people seem to know the actual stories contained in the great music dramas of Wagner and others.
Most of them are very beautiful and interesting, and this volume contains twenty of the more popular tales simply written and in accordance with the libretto.
_IN PREPARATION_:
Vol. III. “Chats on the Violoncello.” OLGA RACSTER. Vol. IV. “Chats with Music Lovers.” DR. PATTERSON. Vol. V. “Stories from the Operas.” Second Series.
_T. Werner Laurie, Clifford’s Inn, London._
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_NEW NOVELS. 6s. each._
The Last Miracle.
By M. P. SHIEL.
This long-since-promised novel of Mr. M. P. Shiel is the third of the trilogy of novels which commenced with the “Lords of the Sea,” and was continued by the much-translated “Purple Cloud,” all the three purporting to be the words dropped from the lips of a clairvoyant in her swoons, as memorandumed in the note-books of her doctor.
A Russian Coward.
By FRED WHISHAW.
The story gives a vivid picture of the corruption of the Grand Dukes and Army Contractors, and is altogether a thrilling, sensational, and unhackneyed story.
The Financier’s Wife.
By FLORENCE WARDEN.
Miss Warden takes the City for her theme, and her story is reminiscent of a recent financial crash which paralysed Lombard Street for some time.
The character of the great financial magnate is wonderfully drawn, and the description of his downfall is most graphically told.
A Widow by Choice.
By CORALIE STANTON and HEATH HOSKEN.
The principal action of this story takes place in Italy—in Florence and near Perugia; and the book is a human document peopled with living characters. Readers who want a glowing and absorbing story of Italy should get this book.
A King’s Wife.
By HÉLÈNE VACARESCO.
_Crown 8vo. Cloth. Decorated Cover. 6s._
This is a novel which will assuredly create a great sensation. The brilliant authoress was barely 18 when the Academy crowned her first volume of poems, “Chants d’Aurore.”
The close friendship between the Queen of Roumania, Carmen Sylva, and Hélène Vacaresco is well known, and also the romance of the projected marriage between the young poet and the royal prince of Roumania; this project was abandoned for State reasons, but it created an idyllic and legendary atmosphere round the authoress.
Her book, while pure fiction, may be said to mirror the mode of living and sentiments of certain royal personages, and probably no more intimate picture of Court Life from the inside has ever been published. It is a story full of passion and interest.
The Salving of a Derelict.
By MAURICE DRAKE.
The _Daily Mail_ offered a prize of £100 for the best novel, and over 600 competitors sent in manuscripts. The prize was awarded to this thrilling and romantic adventure story.
Lucy of the Stars.
By FREDERICK PALMER.
With Four Illustrations.
FIRST REVIEWS.
“Delightful reading—the study of the central figure is work of which the author may well be proud.”—_Country Life._
“This is a remarkably clever novel, and Lucy is as delightful a personage as any of recent fiction.”—_Dundee Advertiser._
“We have not recently read anything which left upon us so profound an impression of the writer’s ability.”—_Glasgow Herald._
“Far above the average.”—_Birmingham Post._
“Good, sincere, and readable.”—_Belfast N. Whig._
The Arncliffe Puzzle.
By GORDON HOLMES.
A Thrilling Detective Romance of Love, Mystery, and Murder.
FIRST REVIEWS.
“An exceptionally ingenious murder mystery.”—_Literary World._
“The book must be read at a sitting; it is impossible to lay it down until it is finished.”—_Madame._
“The characters are well contrasted—the solution emotionally effective.”—_Athenæum._
“This vivacious and attractive record.”—_Glasgow Herald._
“Stirring and well contrived.”—_Morning Leader._
“Spirited and well written—a thoroughly readable book.”—_Speaker._
“What one looks for are a strong plot, sustained interest, and good situations, and Mr. Holmes gives these to his readers in full measure.”—_Manchester Guardian._
_T. Werner Laurie, Clifford’s Inn, London._
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_5th Thousand now ready, with additional Chapters on MISERY BRIDGE AND SPECIMEN HANDS._
THE NEW LAWS OF BRIDGE AND COMMENTS THEREON.
The Complete Bridge Player
BY EDWYN ANTHONY (“CUT CAVENDISH”).
_Crown 8vo, 244 pages, 2s. 6d. net._
A bright and cheery guide, carrying the reader through Bridge in all its varying stages, and finally landing him on the high road to success.
Although the treatise will be readily understood by beginners, the more advanced player will derive considerable pleasure and profit from a study of its contents.
The arrangement of the book is excellent, its advice sound and practicable, and attention to its precepts should qualify the reader as an expert in the game.
The chapters on Dummy, Cut Throat, Auction, Duplicate, Progressive, and Misery Bridge will also no doubt be widely appreciated, whilst the revised laws of the game are included in the volume.
INTRODUCTION. A VOCABULARY OF BRIDGE. HOW TO PLAY THE GAME. A FIRST LESSON IN BRIDGE. THE DECLARATION IN NO TRUMPS. THE PLAY IN NO TRUMPS. A RED SUIT DECLARATION. A BLACK SUIT DECLARATION. THE PLAY TO A SUIT DECLARATION. THE DOUBLE AND REDOUBLE. THE ORIGINAL LEAD. THE FINESSE AND THE DISCARD. THE PLAY OF THE HAND. SOME BRIDGE MAXIMS. PENALTIES, AND WHEN TO ENFORCE THEM. ETIQUETTE OF THE GAME. ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CODES. THE NEW LAWS OF BRIDGE. DUMMY BRIDGE. CUT THROAT BRIDGE. AUCTION BRIDGE. PROGRESSIVE BRIDGE. DUPLICATE BRIDGE. SPECIMEN HANDS. MISERY BRIDGE.
_T. Werner Laurie, Clifford’s Inn, London._
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LADY JIM OF CURZON STREET. By FERGUS HUME, author of “The Mystery of a Hansom Cab.” Cover design by Charles E. Dawson. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 6s.
While this is a smart Society novel in place of his more familiar detective work, Mr. Hume gives his readers plenty of mystery and excitement from his first page to his last, and they will find in the book just those qualities which have made his work so popular.
PLAYING THE KNAVE. By FLORENCE WARDEN, author of “The House on the Marsh.” Crown 8vo, cloth, 6s.
A LINDSAY’S LOVE. A Tale of the Tuileries and the Siege of Paris. By CHARLES LOWE, author of “A Fallen Star,” etc. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 6s.
“I can recommend this book to all readers who appreciate a fresh and vigorous story of romance and war, told with a freshness of touch which is becoming more and more rare in modern fiction.”—_T. P.’s Weekly._
THE BELL AND THE ARROW. An English Love Story, By NORA HOPPER (Mrs. Hugh Chesson). Crown 8vo, cloth, 6s.
“Mrs. Chesson is to be congratulated on her first novel. This is a book of great promise and of a considerable performance.”—_Athenæum._
CONFESSIONS OF A YOUNG MAN. By GEORGE MOORE, author of “Esther Waters,” “The Mummer’s Wife,” “Evelyn Innes,” etc. A new edition, revised, and with a new foreword. Crown 8vo, cloth, 6s.
“It is difficult to convey a sense of the book’s brilliance in a brief review. His style has the delicious freshness of youth. His paragraphs reveal blossom after blossom, with a promise of a rarer beauty yet to come at each full stop.”—_Manchester Guardian._
_SECOND PRINTING._
THE WILD IRISHMAN. By T. W. H. CROSLAND, author of “The Unspeakable Scot,” “Lovely Woman,” etc. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 5s.
CONTENTS: Disthressful—The Shillelagh—Blarney—Whiskey—The Patriot—Orangemen—The Low Scotch—Priestcraft—Morals—Pretty Women—The London Irish—Tom Moore—Mr. W. B. Yeats—Wit and Humour—More Wit and Humour—Dirt—The Tourist—Potatoes—Pigs—Emigration.