Chapter 7

"One of the most fertile yet unploughed regions in the United States for local fiction is Pennsylvania. It is old, and vast and picturesque. Bayard Taylor and Weir Mitchell have given the Philadelphia end of the State some importance in fiction. John Luther Long has written several effective tales in the Dutch dialect, and the Moravians of Bethlehem have inspired a novel or two. These writers, however, have hardly scratched around the corners of the great state. Mr. Lloyd does not try to palm off a weak imitation of a Miss Wilkins Yankee as a rustic Pennsylvanian. His humor comes spontaneously from the soil."

_BOOK BUYER_:

"Mr. Lloyd is an excellent workman. He makes us see the quiet of the hills and the allurements of the trout-stream, yet he refrains as scrupulously as Mr. Howells himself from obtruding his own personality. His characters themselves apparently produce the effects due to his skill. His subject-matter is remarkably fresh. Pervading it all is a delightful humor."

* * * * *

_PARLOUS TIMES_

DAVID DWIGHT WELLS

A Novel of Modern Diplomacy

BY THE AUTHOR OF

_"Her Ladyship's Elephant."_

* * * * *

Parlous Times is a society novel of to-day. The scene is laid in London in diplomatic circles. The romance was suggested by experiences of the author while Second Secretary of the United States Embassy at the Court of St. James. It is a charming love story, with a theme both fresh and attractive. The plot is strong, and the action of the book goes with a rush. Political conspiracy and the secrets of an old tower of a castle in Sussex play an important part in the novel. The story is a bright comedy, full of humor, flashes of keen wit and clever epigram. It will hold the reader's attention from beginning to end. Altogether it is a good story exceedingly well told, and promises to be Mr. Wells' most successful novel.

_Cloth, 8vo, $1.50_

* * * * *

NORTH WEST _But One Verdict_ EAST SOUTH

_THE CHRONIC LOAFER_

_BY NELSON LLOYD_

8vo, Cloth, $1.25

* * * * *

Outlook, New York

"A new American humorist. The stones have the point and dry force found in those told by the late lamented _David Harum_."

San Francisco Argonaut

"Will bring a smile when it is read a second or third time."

New Orleans Picayune

"Racy with wisdom and humor."

Chicago Inter-Ocean

"A book full of good laughs, and will be found a sure specific for the blues."

Omaha World Herald

"The reader will love him."

North American, Philadelphia

"Great natural humor and charm. In this story alone Mr. Lloyd is deserving of rank up-front among the American humorists."

Portland Transcript

"A cheerful companion. The reviewer has enjoyed it in a month when books to be read have been many and the time precious."

Denver Republican

"Nelson Lloyd is to be hailed as a Columbus. There isn't a story in the book that isn't first-class fun, and there's no reason why _The Chronic Loafer_ should not be placed in the gallery of American celebrities beside the popular and philosophical _Mr. Dooley_."

* * * * *

CHARLES KINGSLEY

NOVELS, POEMS AND LIFE

* * * * *

CHESTER EDITION

* * * * *

Illustrated with 42 photogravure plates printed on Japanese paper, from paintings by _Zeigler_, and from portraits by _Reich_ and others, photographs, etc. Introductions by _Maurice Kingsley_. Printed from new, large type, on choice laid paper.

* * * * *

_14 volumes, 8vo, cloth, gilt top, $20.00._

_One Half crushed morocco, gilt top, $41.00._

* * * * *

Supplied separately in cloth, as follows:

HEREWARD THE WAKE 2 Vols. $3.00 ALTON LOCKE 2 " 3.00 WESTWARD HO! 2 " 3.00 YEAST 1 " 1.50 TWO YEARS AGO 2 " 3.00 HYPATIA 2 " 3.00 POEMS 1 " 1.50 LETTERS AND MEMORIES 2 " 3.00

_This is the only illustrated edition of this author's works ever issued._ The introductions by Charles Kingsley's son are particularly interesting and timely.

* * * * *

_Little Leather_

_Breeches_

_AND OTHER SOUTHERN RHYMES_

COLLECTED AND ARRANGED BY

FRANCIS P. WIGHTMAN

_Forty-eight full-page colored illustrations and cover by the author_

Quarto, $1.50

* * * * *

PETER NEWELL

"_Little Leather Breeches_ is a permanent contribution to the literature of the day. Not only is it highly amusing, but also of genuine value as a collection and presentation of folk-lore of a peculiar and interesting people. _I do not hesitate to set the stamp of approval on your book._"

A. B. FROST

"The book is very well done, very bright and clever in its treatment of the subject. The material you have gathered together is excellent, very interesting, and should be preserved."

"The most unique gift-book of the season."--_St. Louis Glove-Democrat._

"A bit of rollicking fun."--_The Book-Buyer._

"Refreshingly original. Lavishly illustrated."--_Brooklyn Daily Eagle._

"Since the days of Lear's Nonsense Book nothing has appeared so full of genuine humor."--_Savannah Press._

* * * * *

J. F. TAYLOR & COMPANY

_5 & 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST._, NEW YORK