The Chevalier de St. Denis .—By Alice Ilgenfritz Jones , author of “Beatrice of Bayou Têche.” Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company. 1900. Pp. 387.

This is a well written historical novel. In a very pleasing manner, the hero is introduced and brought to his first meeting with the young girl with the wonderful speaking eyes in the presence of the king of France; and he there catches from her a glance which binds him as by a spell and is finally paired off with her in the first dance. Then they are passed through many exciting changes and trying circumstances, including a journey together to Spain, where St. Denis meets her father and is told by him that the daughter's hand is disposed of, but hears from her that she loves him, and will marry none other.

While there he meets his rival, and the plot thickens till he resolves to take service in the Spanish army, which is delayed till he goes back to France and returns with his King's approbation.

“Well,” says the king, “go to Spain, then, Monsieur, and do your best there, and God be with you!”

From that time the rapid and startling events intervening until the hero and heroine are apparently in danger of never meeting again, can be appreciated only by reading chapters XVII and XVIII. The hero passes through captivity, shipwreck and service in the British navy against the pirates, to Mobile, where the plan is formed for an expedition westward to Natchitoches; and then the march to that place is admirably pictured with its incidents and some seeming breaches of established historical lore. From Natchitoches he goes through Texas to the Rio Grande by way of the Cenis village, the presidio de la Bahia del Espíritu Santo, and that of San Antonio; the reference to these presidios not being anachronistic, as believed by some, for General Alonso de Leon placed a garrison at each of them in 1690, over twenty-four years before the hero passed them. After fording the Bravo at the Pecuache crossing, he and his faithful friend gallop two leagues to the presidio and mission of San Juan Bautista, where they find the father of Maria in command. She and St. Denis, after many other exciting and trying events, marry there and this happy denouement closes the scene and ends the story.

This book is above the average of its kind in the market, having a liberal share of invented topics pertinent to and pleasingly connected with its main thread and manifesting diligent study and a correct and comprehensive knowledge of the episode of Spanish-American history which furnishes the plot.

Bethel Coopwood .

How to cite:
Coopwood, Bethel, "The Chevalier de St. Denis", Volume 004, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 230 - 231. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v004/n3/review_9.html
[Accessed Tue Dec 2 20:52:11 CST 2008]