may be recognized When sympathetic understanding and mutual
a pessimism peculiarly Russian and peculiarly regard among nations are mature, and only
profound.
then, something may be hoped for from
It is to be feared that Solovyof would often mechanical devices for the enforcement of
hear the voice of his Prince in certain of the peace. Sacrifice and self-control are as essen-
other books in our group, which approach the tial as sympathy to compass the great end,
subject of peace purely from an ethical direc- but sacrifice for the nation can be found else-
tion. This is true in the most vital of an where than in war,- in the sphere of political
interesting group of papers gathered from a and social activity. The book is therefore
Pacifist Conference in London,- those in par- quite properly devoted in the last half to de-
ticular by the Hon. Bertrand Russell and Mr. veloping an admirable programme of social
Edward Carpenter, which scintillate with reform. The suggested incentive to such
-


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>
reform is "so to live as to release the life that transcendental and unverifiable notion of a
is in others." It is a noble formula, and if plan of eternal salvation devised by the
applied would certainly end war. Dr. Adler Master of the universe for those whom he has
claims that not sympathy but spirituality is willed to choose.” “The gospel of Jesus
the animus of it. Christians will find it hard implies the non-existence of nationality; it
to acknowledge this, and are likely to deem effaces it.” “The author of this little book
the incentive, taken by itself, insufficient. makes no claim except to patriotism,- such a
The understanding of alien national types national and truly humane ideal as may be
for which . Dr. Adler pleads is remote from
a return towards the religions of antiquity.
some of the belligerents. Here is an English His final conclusion is that this ideal can and
book, “The Great Sacrifice,” which moves on should go far beyond Christianity itself.”
very high levels in a way, urging with power
This "super-religion,” consisting in respect,
the necessity that England repent her of her first, for the individual, then for the nation,
sins, but at the same time serenely assured “has been derived from the Gospel; it has
that her cause is the cause of the Lord. And been prepared by the Gospel, and would not
here are two of the chief religious leaders of have been born without it, but it is going
France, M. Paul Sabatier and M. Paul Loisy, beyond it.” Nothing conduces to clear think-
equally convinced that sheer barbarism char- ing more than saying exactly what one means;
acterizes their opponents. Solovyof's General M. Loisy is unmistakable.
would enjoy their assumption that fight to the So the Frenchman, like the Russian, faces
death is the only way of righteousness. Each a complete discrepancy between social or
adds to this comfortable faith a personal national progress and the ideal of Jesus; only
stress,- for war does not suppress one's where the Russian draws the inference that
private specialties in enthusiasm. M. Saba- progress is worthless, the Frenchman decides
tier is concerned with the genial effort to that the Gospel is obsolete. The remaining
illustrate the promise of spiritual rebirth in books in our list deny the alternative. They
France; M. Loisy quite as characteristically are all the products of Christian optimism,
appears largely desirous of discrediting the maintaining, a little breathlessly, that if
Pope, and denying the increase of Catholic Christianity can only for once get itself tried
sympathies in his country. But the author it will outgrow war and usher in the King-
of "L'Evangile et l'Eglise" goes further. He dom. They are equally sure that unless it
“
presses home by all the resources of his elo- does get itself tried, the race is headed for
quence, and he has, as the translator says, a
suicide.
style "light, clear, and pregnant," — "the
impotence of the Gospel to realize its ideal.” of the French or the Russian. Most are ex-
“We are compelled to acknowledge that tended pamphlets, written by professed paci-
Christendom has failed continuously and in- fists, — succinct, pertinent, and charged to
creasingly to carry out the principles laid the lay mind with Christian commonsense.
down by Christ. And the reason is not to be Neither their diagnosis nor their remedies, to
sought in our human imperfection,- but be sure, come within the present horizon of
rather in the too simple imaginative and rigid politics, -- but so much the worse for politics.
form which the principle itself has assumed The encouraging thing about them is that, see-
in the Gospel. It was a sublime and unrealiz- ing the long perspective ahead, they do not
able dream.
lose heart, but seek stubbornly to raise the
Perhaps the war marks the final stage in peace-movement “from the mazy region of
discarding the dream. One feels that the propaganda up to the plane of international
former priest contemplates with a certain politics” and to enlist statesmanship rather
bitter satisfaction the spectacle of Christian than sentiment in its service. They are free
nations destroying each other. And since old from partisanship; and they achieve an auda-
habit is strong, and the need for some sort of cious feat of imagination,– for they contem-
religion indubitable, it is with profound joy plate a Christian nation! In that nation, ,
that he hails in Dr. Adler's "purified sense of honor is identified with forbearance and not
nationality” the successor and substitute to with self-assertion, and risks are taken for
the ascetic mythology which has long held the sake of peace. Far from coveting military
Western thought under its dreamy yoke. His efficiency, it would avoid that, because, as Dr.
sharply cut contention is that patriotism and Jefferson says, the first effect of it would be to
Christianity are opposed, and that patriotism make the nations afraid of us, and “it is the
is destined to supplant Christianity as a worst fate that can befall a nation that other
religious power. “Christianity is not founded nations become afraid of it. Fear passes in-
upon the notion of humanity, but upon the evitably into hate, and the hate of its neigh-
the None of these books have the literary charm
!


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[April 13
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bors is the one thing that no nation can which in measure as they are introduced into
afford. . . Who knows what might happen if the hearts of men must pass into the structure
a great Republic like ours should take a mag- of states.
nificent risk for God ?”
An English book entitled “Christ and
This attitude does not mean belief that Peace,” a collection of papers by minds now
force can be wholly dismissed: against reason- active in the Fellowship of Reconciliation,
able preparedness (soothing and meaningless presses close home the Christian ideal in its
watchword !) these authors have no protest.fulness. It looks for the winning of the world
But generous fancy plays around far possi- to peace only when it shall be won to Christ,
bilities. Instead of spending thirty millions and the Cross dominates the road which leads
on two dreadnoughts, Dr. Jefferson sees to the great goal. On lines of statesmanship,
America pouring out the same sum for the this book is less valuable than some others;
healing of the nations. And if indemnities but of all under review it offers most help
are to be exacted, why should the nations to the troubled private conscience. Perhaps
responsible for the slaughter pay them? Why it places a shade too much emphasis on the
not we, who have suffered less and can afford crime of inflicting physical death, as if that
more than any other people? Indemnities, could be segregated from other crimes and put
,
be it remembered, are not paid by guilty in a separate and more evil class. But the
governments but by innocent working folk. book as a whole has a pathetic interest as the
In like spirit, Dr. Gulick outlines a truly work of Englishmen who have actually learned
heavenly policy toward Mexico, such as might to love their enemies (one remembers that
surely end her antagonism to us and almost early in the war a clergyman was publicly
put an end to her troubles. Such interna- rebuked for preaching from this text), and
tional behaviour might incidentally prove who are suffering for their convictions.
highly conducive to safety and prosperity in “Church and Nation,” by another English-
the long run!
man, the Rev. William Temple, may give yet
These books are not written by dreamers, more aid than the last to troubled minds. Mr.
however, but by minds at close grapple with Temple, one of the authors of that stirring
reality. On a nearer level, they are full of book, “Foundations,” is a leader among the
clear, keen thinking. Dr. Atkins analyzes younger High Churchmen.
His temperate,
with convincing power the real causes of war. illuminating, closely reasoned discussion of the
Dr. Jefferson's study of the situation from a relations of Church and State has no direct
religious point of view leads straight to named bearing on the peace problem; and it can not
corruptions at Washington. As for Dr. be given in this review the attention which it
Gulick, his definite and brilliant proposals for deserves.
deserves. But it meets point by point the
the solution of our immigrant problem in the argument of M. Loisy. Religion is broader
West have attracted attention in highest quar- than Christianity, and Christianity is broader
ters. It may be said of all these works that than the Church. Yet even for the poor hesi-
they are rich in constructive suggestions, tant Church (to be revered, says one of the
worthy the attention of all sober persons. other writers, “not for what it has done but
It is mean thought that does not kindle at for what it is going to do”) the present crisis
such ideas; but it is foolish thought that ex- may offer the opportunity of the ages. Only,
pects to realize them easily. Sensible and however, thinks Mr. Temple, if that crisis
inevitable as they sound, humanity must be stimulates it to embrace at once that principle
born again to achieve them. No Hague con- of nationality which Catholicism has wrongly
ference, no pacifist machinery will avail, on ignored, and that universal ideal which the
this all lay equal stress, — unless behind them Reformation abandoned. If it can rise to this
lies a virile Christianity, strong to inspire height we may yet see, not a free Church in
national policies with the courage of fraternal
faith. Must not such Christianity draw from
a free State but free States in a free Church,
deeper sources than mere ethical ideals? The and such a Church may be the very power
supernatural in religion is not discussed by needed to purify patriotism from its narrow-
these books; it is assumed. They do not stop ness, and the essential preliminary to a united
to ask whether the Gospel be simply an ad and fraternal world.
interim policy, for use while the human race At all events, the religious mind, as met in
awaits annihilation; they feel too desperately these books, is neither moribund nor cloistered.
that all other sources of redemption fail. In It is bowed down by penitence, it gropes be-
the words of the Master of Life, they read no wildered among shadows, it contradicts itself
"plan of eternal salvation" for the elect, but often. But it lives and wakes and seeks.
principles of divine wisdom one with love,
VIDA D. SCUDDER.


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RECENT FICTION.*
no laws, commandments, customs, usages,
principles, or anything else. It is only from
Mr. Chamberlain's “John Bogardus” is the within that one can have real life. John
story of a young man with a pre-arranged Bogardus set off on no foolish quest; he set
education who came into the monotonous con- off on a journey in which he had been pre-
ventionality of American university life and ceded by some of the noblest who have lived.
felt that if he was ever to be anything worth
That he did not seek the end by the way they
while he must make his escape, get out into trod is not necessarily against him or against
the world, and become something worth while Mr. Chamberlain, for one must work with
to be. So only would he have anything to what one has, and in the end if you get to the
teach. He went out into the world and served right place you are there, however you may
several turns, first as a gentleman-vagabond have got there. Nor is it remarkable that
and then as a sailor, and learned that what. Mr. Chamberlain should have found that the
ever one becomes, one always becomes all that way he had conceived led to a new (and to
one has been,- or, in other words, that every- most of our minds a very discreditable) cruci-
thing counts and that one must count every- fixion, for some sort of crucifixion inevitably
thing, especially in marriage. This wisdom he stands before the end of such a way. One
gained by several experiences. The first need not object to such reasons as those. But
taught him something about the personal life, in reading a story like this, one cannot avoid
the second something about the life in com wanting to be carried along by a sense of
mon, both through the medium of girls. He reality, by a feeling of life, by the illusion
then drifted into being a man of letters, and (if illusion it be) that all this is so, that how-
had another and deeper experience of which ever strange these ways, however unjustified
I cannot state the exact influence, save that
in the minds of the wise and the prudent,
(in connection with the war) it gave him en- however impossible to those who judge of
larged and excellent views on society which he what may be by the cold proof of what has
embodied in some very impressive essays on always been - yet still that outcome is plain,
,
“The New Crucifixion.” The result of these undeniable, and absolutely right and to be
essays was that he was once more called to desired.
the university from which he had made his In fact, one may offer the book its own test.
escape, and accepted the call with the feeling All this, we may say, must come out of actual-
that he had at last got something that he could ity. Not because Mr. Chamberlain has read of
teach. It is not said whether there will be such and such experiences of farm-hand and
another volume telling what he taught, and sailor, or thought of them, or wished for them,
(to my mind a much more difficult matter) - not even because he may have had them.
how he taught it.
It is of no consequence what he read, thought
From this account one will easily judge that of, wished, or was, unless his reading, think-
one ought to read this book with more sympa- ing, wishing, being has somehow given him
thetic interest than I have had. I must the power of understanding the tremendous
confess that this is so, although Mr. Chamber- cross-currents of the life he tells of, or of feel-
lain's main idea (so far as I grasp it) seems ing their tumultuous courses so deeply that he
to me excellent. Many must feel how unsatis- can make it all seem to us in a measure at
factory is the teaching and living founded least what it has been to him, or may have
only on what one has been told, whether by a been. The book should give us the illusion,
previous generation or by one's own, or what at least, of life.
one has read in books or magazines or Sunday There are two other books which come to
supplements. One often wants (whether a mind here: Mr. Kussy's “The Abyss," and
university teacher or not) to live a life and Mr. Noble's “The Bottle-Fillers,” for they
to see others live a life which is the simple and
deal more particularly with phases of life that
direct expression of what one really is. Mill- | “John Bogardus” passes over rather lightly,
ions have had that feeling, and it is at the
one the life of a vagabond, the other the life
very bottom of that revolutionary teaching of a sailor. These books appear to be written
which will in time transform the world. | by men whose heads and hearts are full of
Nothing external is enough, our Lord felt, full of actuality, full of detail, full of fact.
things that they must write down. They are
• JOHN BOGARDUS. By George Agnew Chamberlain. New They do not carry conviction to an equal
York: The Century Co.
THE BOTTLE-FILLERS. By Edward Noble. New York: degree; “The Bottle-Fillers” is the more vivid,
Houghton Mifflin Co.
By Nathan Kussy. New York: The Mac-
the more living, the more actual book. Both
millan Co.
writers are possessed by an idea, and that
By Edwin Herbert Lewis.
York: The Macmillan Co.
idea much the same: the insistent feeling that
a
THE ABYsg.
THOSE ABOUT TRENCH.
New


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[April 13
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the sailor, the hobo, is an individual who often, it is true, they cannot help telling us
struggles in a failing fight with the dead how hard is the world, how cruel, how stupid,
weight of a social indifference and a social but that is because it seems as though they
stupidity. Yet in neither book is the idea could not help it, as though the thing were
so dominant as to override the things which somehow pressed out of them. . Such books
give it form; in neither does it take away make more of an impression on me than the
from the impression of life itself. The captain rather airy résumé that gives us the striking
of the inferior and overloaded "tramp' first points in the working out of an idea.
battles with the sea, then has to battle (in an “Those about Trench” is a very interesting
inquiry) with the inadequate machinery of an book, though it seems to be written with a
out-worn system, then with the vaguely pon- thorough disregard for the very things which
derable weight of society in general, always might have been chiefly counted on to make
pressing on a man already down. It is all it so. One cannot say it has a well-constructed
good; in all, Mr. Noble knows what he is plot; it begins with an interest about Dr.
talking of and takes his time to tell us. Storm Trench, goes on with Saadi Sereef, and then
at sea, dense and heavy lawcourt, the dirty gets well settled for the last half on Jaffer,
round of the wet docks,- one after another, whom no one has heard of before. Then it is
and a dozen more, scene after scene, give not strong on character: the representatives
us the actual, vital, acrid taste of life, yet of the different nationalities who have gath-
thrilling too, even tonic. The descriptions of
The descriptions of ered about Trench seem admirably drawn, but
the sea are the best, perhaps because even in the only one I can judge — the American
life itself some things are felt more keenly than is sadly commonplace or else conventional, and
others; the touch of art is always the same so, possibly, the others may be. The book has
whether the subject be remarkable or common- a "fundamental idea" without much doubt,
place, yet there is something in subject too. but for most of one's reading one forgets that
Mr. Noble is a fine hand at the sea. I have there is one, and the author certainly neglects
read nothing by him before; if I had, I should to clinch the matter at the end. Indeed, Mr.
be sure to remember it. Nor is the book
Nor is the book Lewis neglects to do most of the things he
merely a string of descriptions - nothing of ought to have done in any ordinary well-
the sort: there are people in it too, not such behaved way), and yet he somehow gives the
very marked characters but people with feel constant impression that he is all right and
ing, deep and passionate, so that we follow that his book is excellent. One reads it with
along the course of O'Hagan and Lucy with unflagging interest in what is going to happen
that sort of sympathy that makes one next; the people are always entertaining
acquiesce in the end that our writer sees (except perhaps one or two), and the idea of
must be. Good fortune, or bad fortune, it all the book keeps impressing itself here and
has the sign of actuality.
there so that at the end one remembers it,
“The Abyss” does not give any such sense even though Mr. Lewis does not bother to say
of coming direct from life itself, nor could much on the subject.
one properly expect that it would. Few who Those about Trench from whom the book
have ever known those depths as a matter of is named are a number of medical students
daily experience ever come up to what we gathered in Chicago from various parts of
think of as the surface. Hobos, broken men, the earth — China, India, Boston, Russia,
down-and-outs rarely turn men of letters. If Persia — for the study of medicine, who have
one would write of such life one must learn come under the wing of Dr. Trench and live
of it from such report as one may get, and in a sort of caravansary in his house. Just
it is hard work to give a clear, an undisturbed this combination is probably enough to carry
view. Mr. Kussy's book sounds a little too any book-indeed, if Mr. Lewis had not
much like the newspapers in some places, too allowed himself to be diverted from them to
much like Dickens in others. It rarely has the topics unprovided for in his title he would
peculiar smell of the underworld; his people probably have developed the possibility more
have had a bath and their clothes have been fully. Beside these five, there is Jaffer (who
fumigated. Still, there is much in the book. used to be of the number but has gone back to
The childhood of the little Jewish boy, the the hill-country of India) and Saadi Sereef,
life on the road, the days in prison, the effort who really take away the interest from the
to make a place in the world of New York, are caravansary and locate it in their own persons
all true to life, even if they have not the and proceedings. Not the least charm of these
absolute illusion to make it seem life itself. Orientals is their mastery of the English
Both books make us feel what the authors language. The Persian appears to be the best
have in mind. They do not have to tell us at it; he is certainly much more elegant than


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>
>
the Bostonian, whose conversation is deplora- concern ourselves; but as to the novel, it may
bly like that of other Americans of his age. be said that (whatever be the fact) there is
But Saadi Sereef comes very near him, though always an opportunity for religion in a novel
his inability (apparently total) to imagine the when there happens to be a religious element
function of the article in our speech gives his in the life that has interested the novelist.
language a most whimsical turn. But it is not Hence there is a good deal of religious thought
merely with these interesting Orientals that in the novels of our own time, - about one
the story has to do. Dr. Trench has other hundred times the amount there was when
interests, and Mr. Lewis has chosen as the Sir Walter Besant said, “Thank heaven, the
time for his story the period of a year or so religious novel is a thing of the past.” “Those
(I take it) before his marriage, so that we about Trench" is not a religious novel, but
become interested in the lady who became his the people who are in it are not insensible to
wife and her concerns. All these matters are what is still one of the most universal of the
intermingled and developed and make a plot higher impulses of life.
which, as I have said, is not at all what it
EDWARD E. HALE.
should be.
Dr. Trench was a scientist and what we
should vaguely call an atheist — at least he
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS.
told Saadi he did not believe in Bog. Ameen
was a very broad-minded person, Chatterjee
Several books by the late Sister
A posthumous
belonged to the Brahmo Somaj, Becker was a
volume by Nivedita (Margaret E. Noble)
Sister Nivedita.
Jew, Wu may have been a Confucian, Deland
have been reviewed in these
was an earnest member of the Y. M. C. A. columns, all of them being concerned primar-
Saadi said he hated and despised religion. ily with presenting Hinduism to Occidental
There was in all this something oppressive to
minds. In a new volume by this remarkable
Miss Edith Bridgeman, a young woman with Irish woman, “Religion and Dharma"
strong religious convictions and principles (Longmans), we have the other side of her
who was engaged in studying science. She work. Here again she is absolutely confident
and Dr. Trench both gained an enlargement of the “power of the Indian consciousness to
of view during the time covered by the story.
absorb the contribution of the West and to
So did Saadi, although I am not at all clear transmute it”; and she is equally confident
just what it was. Mr. Lewis probably felt
that Hinduism in some form will soon be the
that he had better business in hand than leading religion and philosophy of the world.
theological or even psychological analysis. He “Not the churches of the world alone, but the
possibly felt that viewing life as he did and
very universities of Europe, will yet do
seeing certain things in it, it was quite enough homage before the names of Indian thinkers,
to present what he saw and let the rest take who, living in the shelter of forest-trees, and
care of itself.
clad in birch-bark or in loin-cloths, have for-
I think he was quite right. No one can
mulated truths more penetrating and more
maintain that a novelist should have no con-
comprehensive than any of which Europe her-
victions about the serious things of life self-childishly bent on material comfort -
(religion among them), or that he should not
ever dreamed.”
But she is not so intent on
allow them a place in his books. It is better emphasizing this belief as on appealing to
that he should believe much and that what Young India to appropriate and develop the
he believes should be found in his books. It
virtues we are prone to think of as belonging
has been so with almost all great novelists:
rather to the Occident than to the Orient. Of
they have had all sorts of beliefs and convic-
course it is impossible to say what effect these
tions, and one has generally been able to get papers will have on their readers; but to the
at those they felt most important. Our preju- present reviewer they seem exactly the sort
dice against such things comes first in the case
of thing that ought to be said to the youth of
of men who are not great novelists, but who India. “Righteousness lies in duty done.”
"
take the form of the novel as a means of
“Heroism in great moments is the natural
presenting their views. It is deepened by
It is deepened by fine and fearless.”
blossom of a life that in its little moments is
“Hinduism will undoubt-
those who, though they have something of the
edly develop a larger democratic element."
novelist's art, are still unable to make their “The struggle with material conditions is
ideas implicit in the picture of life that they eternally necessary for the upward growth of
convey. Mr. H. G. Wells, a while ago, took the spirit.” “Does it matter that instead of
pains to say that religion nowadays was prac- ringing the temple bells at evening, we are
tically barred from the newspaper and the to turn to revive a dying industry? Does it
novel. As to the newspaper, we need not matter that instead of altars we are to build


386
[April 13
THE DIAL
appeared originally several years ago. In a Cammaerts a translation signed with his own
Humorous
the homeless.
His open-
а
factories and universities?” “Fighting is on the evidence of a nocturnal frolic of some
worship as good as praying. Labor is offer- German officers in a Königswinter hotel. A
ing as acceptable as Ganges water." But delicious bit of fooling, in grateful contrast
readers who are interested in India will prefer to the necessarily rather sombre atmosphere
to make their own excerpts from this thought- of the book as a whole, is Mr. Max Beerbohm's
ful volume. Probably we should note that colored cartoon, “A Gracious Act,” depicting
“
“
a
brief Introduction, Mr. H. K. Ratcliffe says hand) of a poem by M. Cammaerts.” Alto-
we should remember that they “were thrown gether, we cannot commend this notable book
off with great rapidity in the midst of a too unreservedly to our readers, both for its
crowded and arduous life of service in India"; own quality and for the sake of the beneficent
but no apology is needed, when their purpose charities in whose interests it is published.
is kept in mind.
When, in the late autumn of
If Mr. John Kendrick Bangs is
The book of
1914, the first bewildered fugi-
aspects of the always as successful in enter-
lecturer's lot.
tives from the war areas began
taining his lecture-audiences as
to drift into Paris, and some systematic provi- he is in amusing his readers with anec-
sion for their relief became imperative, Mrs. dotes of his lecturing experiences, he
Edith Wharton and others of a little group
will never speak to other than full houses.
of American and French residents in the
“From Pillar to Post” (The Century Co.)
capital organized the American Hostels for
rehearses the humors, agreeable and vexa-
Refugees. To provide needed funds for the tious, of a lecturer's lot as recalled by
ever-increasing activities of this organization, Mr. Bangs after an extended acquaintance
and for the allied labors of the Children of with its pleasures and pains.
Flanders Rescue Committee, Mrs. Wharton ing. chapter contains a reminiscence, not
conceived the plan of enlisting the collabora- untimely at the present moment, 'of a
tion of her literary and artistic confréres in finely characteristic exhibition of tact and
the production of a volume that might be
kindness on the part of Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe.
likely to find a wide popular sale in this coun-
At an authors' reading toward the
try and abroad. This plan is now realized in
end of the last century he was attacked, before
"The Book of the Homeless” (Scribner), a
the performance began, by stage fright, if we
quarto of imposing beauty in every external
are to believe his words, and was only rescued
detail, and providing in its contents a remark-
from utter collapse by the touch of a woman's
ably varied and attractive feast. So many
soft hand on his own and the sound of a
famous names -- English, American, French,
woman's voice, with a slight catch and tremor
Belgian — appear in the list of contributors
in it, saying: “Oh, Mr. Bangs, do you know
that to begin to specify without going through
I am so nervous about going out before all
the entire roll would be difficult indeed.
those people to-night that I really believe I
Besides editing the volume, Mrs. Wharton has
shall have to borrow some of your manly
enriched its pages with an original poem and
courage and strength to carry me through!”
with numerous English renderings, remark-
The speaker was Mrs. Howe, “her lovely eyes
able in quality, of the poems contributed by
full of sympathy, touched with a joyous reas-
French writers. These, and the offerings of suring twinkle.” Enjoyably human and real
Henry James, Mr. Joseph Conrad, Mr. John
are the many varied characters, chance ac-
Galsworthy, and Mrs. Humphry Ward, seem
quaintances for the most part, that give life
to us the most notable items on the literary
and color to Mr. Bangs's pages, though the
side. In the artistic section, special mention oddity of the “vagrant poet” in chapter five
should be made of the fine photogravure from
tends to strain credulity. It is a book packed
Sargent’s portrait of Henry James, and the with amusing incident and accident (the latter
reproductions in color of work by Léon Bakst,
not always so amusing to the victim) as well
Claude Monet, and Rodin. There are one or
as with manifold types of human nature. Mr.
two contributions that might well have been
John R. Neill catches the spirit of it all in
spared from the book,- as for instance, Miss his numerous drawings.
Agnes Repplier's attempt to maintain the
novel thesis that the sins of one nation cancel
Professor Charles Sanford
European
or obliterate the sins of another, the writer
Terry's “Short History of
misquoting Matthew Arnold into the bargain;
Europe” (Dutton) is the last of
or Mr. Edmund Gosse's solemn arraignment a series of three volumes in which the author
of "The Arrogance and Servility of Germany" attempts to cover the history of Europe since
history,
1806-1914.


1916]
387
THE DIAL
>
SO
the “fall of Rome” in 476. The present matter, and would therefore need to be sup-
volume begins with the dissolution of the plemented, for practical use, with a book or
Holy Roman Empire and closes with the with lectures on literature as an interpretation
outbreak of the great European War --- or, of life, it does excellently what imperatively
as he calls it, the Zweikaiserkrieg of 1914. needs to be done,- it makes perfectly clear
Professor Terry's treatment of his theme the rigorous discipline without which the
differs from that of conventional histories in writer is foredoomed to oblivion. This is made
that he deals almost exclusively with large impressive physiologically, to speak,
movements of international importance and through the extracts from Dorothy Words-
ignores everything that is isolated and unre- worth's “Journals,” in which William is
lated to the larger politics. The work conse- recorded as constantly tiring himself with
quently includes no discussion of domestic labor on "The Pedlar," and sleeping very ill,
problems and legislation in the various states; and even keeping the dinner waiting till four
and even Socialism, which has at least been o'clock. The editor has happily included his
believed to be an international movement, is own “Glance at Wordsworth's Reading," re-
discussed only in connection with the republi- printed from “Modern Language Notes."
can experiment of France in 1848. On the
other hand, the reconstruction of Switzerland
Mr. Edward Carpenter has said
is treated at considerable length, and a chap-
A disciple of
Walt Whitman.
of Walt Whitman's influence, "I
ter is given to Latin America and its revolt
find it difficult to imagine what
from Spain. The author writes clearly and my life would have been without it,” and he
energetically, and has succeeded well in his has also, on the same page of his own chief
effort to give a concise account of the great work, emphasized the fact of his own distinc-
changes which Europe has undergone during tive qualities of mind and heart and disposi-
the past hundred years. For the present, tion, thus : “Anyhow, our temperaments,
however, the interest of the work will lie standpoints, antecedents, etc., are so entirely
chiefly in the last fifteen pages, in which diverse and opposite that, except for a few
Professor Terry traces the diplomatic moves points, I can hardly imagine that there is
that led up to the outbreak of the great war. much real resemblance to be traced.” Exactly
As the author holds a professorship in the what is the nature of the younger man's in-
University of Aberdeen, the work is naturally debtedness to the older is expressed by Mr.
written from the British viewpoint. But
Edward Lewis in his book, “Edward Carpen-
except for a few pages of the Introduction and
ter: An Exposition and an Appreciation?
the closing chapter, Professor Terry's history (Macmillan), in "the figure of speech that
will be found profitable and enjoyable read- Whitman played the part of a midwife in the
ing by all, even by those whose sympathies at deliverance of Carpenter's spiritual child.”
present are with the central powers.
Mr. Lewis's chapters naturally concern them-
selves to a great extent with “Toward Democ-
From the corners of the artistic racy,” its writer's most elaborate expression
and aims of universe, Professor Lane Cooper of his creed, and in form and substance an
great writers.
has collected in “Methods and inevitable reminder of “Leaves of Grass."
"
Aims in the Study of Literature” (Ginn) an But if its writer harked back to Whitman in
admirable series of extracts designed primar- this work, he anticipated another master,
ily for advanced college classes. The first Professor Bergson, in some thoughts to which
section of the book, “On Method in General," he gave utterance in a later important book,
draws light from Leonardo da Vinci, Milton, “The Art of Creation." These two works,
Kenyon Cox, Agassiz, and others as diverse, with others of narrower scope, from the same
in an endeavor to discover the bond between pen, are made to illuminate the dozen chapters
science and art. All of this is highly stimulat- that set forth the doctrine of this remarkable
ing to careful thought, though the underlying teacher, while the opening and closing pages
unity of method in science and art is perhaps
are given to more purely personal aspects of
not so fruitful a conception as the funda- the man. The book is provided with portrait,
mental distinctions between the two. The index, and footnotes. It is a warmly sympa-
subsequent divisions deal with the practice of thetic treatment of its theme.
great writers in composing (with emphasis on
revision), the reading of great poets, and, as
The recent widespread interest
An epic of
a concluding illustration of the principles
medieval in the great writers of modern
previously stressed, “Method in the Poetry of
Russia may have operated indi-
Love.” Although Professor Cooper's book is rectly in bringing about now, for the first
concerned with method rather than with time, the translation into English of the early
a
2
>
The methods
Russia.


388
[April 13
THE DIAL
>
6
>
historical epic, “The Tale of the Armament ethical tendencies of to-day need the propæ-
of Igor” (Oxford University Press). Cer- deutic of Socrates more than of Kant. The
tainly it seems strange to those familiar with good will we have always with us, giving often
the degree of ignorance of and indifference enough, with ghastly best wishes, unwittingly
toward English literature of the Middle Ages a serpent for a fish and a stone for bread; but
-a degree of ignorance and indifference much the intelligence to see the practical bearings
greater than that shown to Old English—to of conduct and to discriminate between higher
find this twelfth century epic of Russia trans- and lower ideals is too often lacking to the
lated with the hope of gaining readers. A dwarfing of the individual and to the confu-
further surprise which will greet the student sion of society. The fool in Sill's poem (which
of European literature who has not been able
goes deep) prayed not for the good will, but
to read the Slavonic, is the sophistication and for wisdom; and therefore the less fool he."
genuine poetic merit of this poem, written
between 1185 and 1187-eighteen years prior
In “Confessions of Two Broth-
to our own “Brut” of Layamon. It is de-
“
Chapters of
cidedly not inferior to the “Brut" in spirit
ers,” by Mr. John Cowper
self-revelation.
Powys and Mr. Llewellyn
or in style. The unknown author seems to
have been a companion of Igor Svyatoslavish promising, grimly unflattering disclosure of
in an unsuccessful foray against the Polovtsy self as in the recently noticed book of a third
The story, following the chronicle closely, has brother, namely, “The Soliloquy of a Her-
no wide national significance, except as show-
ing in the character of Igor, in his impulsive three have the courage of unreserved candor
mit," by Mr. Theodore Francis Powys. All
generosity but his fatal weakness, the desper-
so far as candor can be unreserved. All
ate state of central Russia under the wide-
three, but especially John and Theodore, take
spread anarchy obtaining at the time. The
a sort of sardonic delight in heaping scorn
manuscript, dating from the sixteenth cen-
upon their own weaknesses and deriding their
tury, was discovered in 1795, and published
own follies. Of course there must be some-
in 1800 by Count Musin-Pushkin. The pur. thing of literary affectation in all this, even
pose of the editor and translator, Mr. Leonard
while the writers profess to give nothing but
A. Magnus (who, by the way, is about to pub- the naked truth. When, for instance, the first-
“Concise Grammar of the Russian Lan-
named of the three declares himself utterly
guage''), is of course linguistic rather than
devoid of “sympathetic interest in himself,"
literary. The notes and critical material are
and then devotes chapter after chapter to
satisfying and illuminating. The value of the self-dissection and self-portrayal, he fails to
-
book is further enhanced by a map of
convince the reader in that one respect. To
medieval Russian, complete genealogical
,
the mind not interested in its own processes
tables of the period, and especially by a
scheme of transliteration from the Greek or engrossing is the outer world.
it never once occurs to proclaim the fact, so
But the
Cyrillic alphabet to the Romanized forms.
younger of the "two brothers," Mr. Llewellyn
Powys, is clearly more concerned with the
The world needs continually to objective than with the subjective. His con-
Socrates as
guide in the be introduced to its great men. tribution to the volume is something more
conduct of life. Therefore it is a laudable pur- than spiritual autobiography, admirable
pose of Mr. William Ellery Leonard's, in his though that is in the preceding portion, and
little volume entitled “Socrates, Master of his extracts from “the diary of a private
Life” (Open Court Publishing Co.), to "re- tutor” and from “a consumptive's diary,”
interpret, imaginatively yet critically, an with a too brief mention of a visit to America
ancient personality that has too often become (from his native England), are agreeably
for the scholar merely one or another technical free from the introspection that, in its turn,
problem, and for the general reader too often had made the other's pages equally interest-
but a name or an anecdote." Provided with a ing, in a different way. Whatever the faults
select bibliography, and giving a balanced of the book, it is not commonplace or insig-
account of the life and philosophy of Socrates, nificant. (The Manas Press, Rochester, N. Y.)
the book is frankly introductory; but, as the
title indicates, the greatness of Socrates is
A series entitled “Early Egyp-
made to consist in his wisdom in the conduct
tian Records of Travel” (Prince-
of life. "Kant founded the moral life in the
ton University Press) has been
good will; Socrates in right thinking.” And planned by Mr. David Paton, to furnish
the author admirably points out the timeli- materials for a historical geography of
ness of his subject, in that “the romantic | Western Asia.” The earliest documents, ex-
lish a
a
Records of
travel in
ancient Egypt.
66


1916)
389
THE DIAL
Mind cures
once more.
on
tending down to the close of the XVII Polish Jewry is inadequate. The existence of
Dynasty, have just appeared as Volume I. a chartered autonomy, and the consequent
Such well known inscriptions as the auto- federal form of inter-communal organization
biography of Uni and the literary tale of are declared, but not sufficiently exhibited,
Sinuhe are included. Though the established nor their effects described. Similarly, the
character of these and the other records is record of spiritual changes marking the rise
evident from the comprehensive bibliography of new religious modes, of the Hebrew and
cited, the author has gone over them again Yiddish Renaissance, of the neo-nationalist
with the latest researches in mind, noting in movement and other secularist developments,
detail even the exact signs used in the Egyp- serves only to whet the appetite for more.
tian texts. In fact, the greater share of his It is to be hoped that Professor Friedländer
space is occupied by introductory description will some day give us an adequate book on
and columns of collation and transliteration, these topics.
much of which workshop material could well
have been left to its sources. The translations
A volume by Mr. Geoffrey
modestly disclaim “anything in the nature of
Rhodes
“Mind
Cures "
originality or authority.” Mr. Paton's depen-
(Luce) tempts the reviewer to
dence results in minor slips which would resort to the sort of damning by faint praise
scarcely be possible to an Egyptologist. The which is his dangerous privilege. The book
Asiatic names which form the goal of the deserves a better fate, though it is doubtful
present work are extended into a final col- whether it adds very considerably to a knowl-
umn. But the context has loomed so large in edge of the subject or to the convenient aids
the author's thought and treatment that even to acquiring such a knowledge. It presents
this column of results shows more African a variety of moderate virtues. It reflects a
terms than Asiatic. The book is printed from modern and a reasonable point of view; it is
unduly reduced zinc etchings of typewritten safe and sane. Its citations of psychology are
tables, very neat in appearance but a burden sound, and its applications timely. Indeed,
to the eyes. Form and material, then, com- the accounts of cases, many of them growing
bine to discourage the reader. The compila- out of the practice of the author, constitute
tion is chiefly of bibliographical value. the most valuable portion of the manual. It
is not very systematically or convincingly put
In “The Jews of Russia and together; it leaves the reader with the im-
A history of the
Poland” (Putnam), Professor pression that mind cures are real, but scarcely
Israel Friedländer, of the Jewish develops that impression to an orderly under-
Theological Seminary of America, presents a standing of the basis of mental action in the
concise, eloquent, and depressing statement of alleviation of physical ills. As a discursive
the history of the Jewish people in the introduction to the subject it may be safely
Slavonic countries. The style of the book is commended.
fluent, and is marked with an undercurrent of
repressed emotion which cannot but color the
Well fitted to arouse interest in
The Bible
data presented. No attempt is made either to
the Bible as a work of literature
of literature.
analyze documents or to expound situations.
is the little book by Mr. George
The book moves as a compendious narrative, P. Eckman entitled, “The Literary Primacy
from which all that might interfere with the
of the Bible." Its six chapters were originally
progress of the story has been eliminated. delivered as the second series of Mendenhall
The adventure of the Jews into Poland, the
Lectures at De Pauw University, and are
history of their relation to the Polish kings, introduced with a foreword by President
to the Shlakhta or nobility, their economic
Grose. That the lecturer has not in this in-
rivalry with the burghers, their rise and de- stance concerned himself exclusively with
cline in power, their gradual isolation from
doctrinal theology in his message to his De
contact with the non-Jewish world, their reac-
Pauw audience, may be inferred from the
tion to the policy of heartless annihilation headings of his lectures, such as “The Poetry
initiated by the Russian government after the
and Oratory of the Bible," "The Fiction and
partition of Poland, are all touched on with
Humor of the Bible," and “The Bible the
a firm hand and profound sympathy. The
Most Persistent Force in Literature." In
Russian government, indeed, is credited in the asserting of the Bible, as he does at the outset,
preface with “a consistent attempt to destroy that “the larger number of our colleges and
Jews and Judaism in that country.” The universities insist on placing it among the
case makes itself. On the other hand, the indispensable text-books of their curricula,"
'
chapter on the inner development of Russo- the author rather seems to make the wish the
Jews Russia
and Poland.
as a work


390
[April 13
THE DIAL
father to the assertion. In how many college to his credit several excellent publications of
catalogues is the Bible included in the list of smaller character. This bibliography contains 7,000
.
prescribed text-books? Both literary and
titles of books now in the Virginia State Library
Biblical learning and illustrative anecdote, ginians or were printed in Virginia. Official pub-
which relate to Virginia or were written by Vir-
with a wealth of apt quotation, are found in
this readable volume from one whose own
lications are not included, but it is planned to
bring out a list of these as part two of the bibliog-
literary style bears evidence of profitable raphy. Mr. Swem estimated that the collections
hours spent with the book which Charles in the State Library lack 10,000 to 15,000 titles of
Dudley Warner once went so far as to call being complete; and he announces that as the
"in itself almost a liberal education.” (The missing titles are acquired supplementary lists
Methodist Book Concern.)
will be issued. This publication is a first-class
contribution to American bibliography. It is fit-
ting that the “Mother of Presidents” should be
among the foremost of the states in preserving
BRIEFER MENTION.
the history of her people. One hopes that the
Virginia State Library, on account of the excellent
A revised edition of "The History of American character of its work, will receive the financial and
Music” (Macmillan) by Mr. Louis C. Elson forms other support which it deserves.
the second volume in the series, “The History of
American Art,” prepared under the editorial super-
Under the somewhat pretentious title, “The Uni-
vision of Mr. John C. Van Dyke. The merits of
versal Plot Catalog," a little manual by Mr. Henry
Albert Phillips brings together in classified form a
Mr. Elson's work were pointed out in these columns
some twelve years ago upon its first appearance,
good number of items suitable for use as plot
material, and introduces this material with instruc-
when it was warmly commended as a valuable
tive remarks on the best way to handle it in plot-
guide in its field.
construction. Not to seven or eleven or any other
Dr. Charles Brodie Patterson, in “The Rhythm definite number does he reduce all the variations of
of Life" (Crowell), rightly emphasizes the im- the major plots that have in countless shapes enter-
portance of music in the educational scheme; the tained the lovers of romance from the earliest
Greeks long ago taught the world the indispensa- times; on the contrary, he asserts that "it would
bility of music to culture. But rhythmic effects take many large tomes” to hold merely a list of all
are produced not by sound alone; color also has
the plots that have ever been used, while the number
its harmonies. “Color is sound made visible, and of “good, complete plots that are possible through
sound is color made audible." The regenerating, combinations of plot material” he believes to be
re-invigorating, therapeutic action of visible and
incalculable. A careful index with cross references
audible harmonies on the human system is en- is appended to the table of plot material, and an
larged upon with enthusiasm by Dr. Patterson. illustrative example of the skilful use of such
The score of chapters treat of music as a com- material is given. If the story-teller, unlike the
pelling power, the dance, music and color tones, poet, is made and not born, here is the book that
color tonics, music and character, cosmic conscious- will help to the making of him. (Stanhope-Dodge
ness, musical therapeutics, and other related Publishing Co., Larchmont, N. Y.)
themes, all presented with the persuasive charm
Since the publication, three hundred and fifty
that comes from earnestness and conviction on the
writer's part.
years ago, of Aurifaber's compilation of Luther's
table-talk, many additional records have come to
In his Conway Memorial Lecture on the “The light, and much of this new material has been
Stoic Philosophy” (Putnam), Professor Gilbert put into printed form in comparatively recent
Murray gives a fresh and enlivening account of
years. Luther had many reporters, and their notes
a way of looking at the world and the practical are all of interest. Thus, besides Aurifaber, there
problems of life which possesses still a permanent
Lauterbach, Cordatus, Schlaginhaufen,
interest for the human race and a permanent power Mathesius, Rabe, Heydenreich, Weller, Besold, and
of inspiration." The review, in the course of an Plato (name of good omen in this connection),
hour, of a system so multifoldly inspired, with a who all, as students at the Black Cloister, sat at
content so various, and with an appeal to men of the master's board at one time or another, and
temperament and station so opposed as Marcus zealously recorded his utterances. A selection
Aurelius and Epictetus, can hardly do more than from this more lately published material has been
sketch in its outline. Professor Murray does this made and translated, with notes and index, by that
with a characteristically firm hand. He shows how well-equipped Luther scholar, Preserved Smith,
Stoicism is a theory of life, a religion, rather than Ph.D., with the collaboration of Herbert Percival
a system of dialectic, and how consequently logic- Gallinger, Ph.D. “Conversations with Luther” is
ally contradictory but practically and emotionally the book's title, and within modest compass will
satisfactory conclusions are drawn from its prem- be found the cream of the great reformer's famil-
ises at the same time.
iar talk not already long familiar to the world in
The Virginia State Library has recently pub- the standard work mentioned above. Portraits
lished part one of “A Bibliography of Virginia," and other illustrations are judiciously supplied.
compiled by Mr. Earl G. Swem, who has already (The Pilgrim Press.)
were
>


1916)
391
THE DIAL
NOTES.
and the third volume of “Ireland under the Stuarts
and during the Interregnum,” by Dr. Richard
“The Golden Apple” is the title of a new play Bagwell.
by Lady Gregory, which is soon to be published. Mr. A. E. Gallatin has written a new volume of
A book of verse by Miss Mary Aldis, entitled essays in art criticism which the John Lane Co. will
“Flashlights," is announced by Messrs. Duffield. publish in May under the title “Certain Contem-
“The Buffon,” a novel of contemporary life by poraries.' The volume will contain illustrated
Mr. Louis W. Wilkinson, is announced for early essays on the work of William Glackens, Ernest
publication by Mr. Alfred A. Knopf.
Lawson, John Sloan, Walter Gay, and Boardman
“Scenes from the Life of Benjamin Franklin" | Robinson, besides notes on some masters of water-
by Messrs. Charles E. Mills and Louis A. Holman color,- Sargent, Homer, Hassam, Whistler, and
will be issued this month by Messrs. Small, May- others.
nard & Co.
This year's summer meetings of the National
Mr. Hilaire Belloc will soon follow up his “High
Education Association and the American Library
Association will occur in successive weeks and in
Lights of the French Revolution" (published last
autumn) with a volume entitled “The Last Days
the same neighborhood. The thirty-eighth annual
of the French Monarchy."
conference of the library association will be held
Mrs. Havelock Ellis, who dealt at some length
from June 26 to July 1, at Asbury Park, N. J.,
with James Hinton in her book entitled “Three
followed in the next week by the fifty-fourth meet-
Modern Seers," has recently completed a more
ing of the teachers, in New York. Library and
elaborate study of Hinton, which will appear dur-
educational workers will thus have another oppor-
ing the spring.
tunity for discussion of common problems. Miss
The first number of a new periodical devoted to
Mary W. Plummer, of the Library School of New
literature and art, to be called “The Quarterly
York Public Library, is president of the A. L. A.,
Notebook," will be published in the near future
and Mr. George B. Utley, A. L. A. Executive
by Mr. H. A. Fowler of Kansas City, Mo., formerly Office, 78 East Washington Street, Chicago, is
publisher of "The Miscellany."
secretary.
Early additions to the “Writers of the Day” “Books and Pamphlets Published in Canada” from
Chronologically arranged, a 76-page catalogue of
series will include volumes on Henry James, Mrs.
1767 to 1837, copies of which are in the Toronto
Humphry Ward, and Mrs. Edith Wharton, the
writers of these studies being Miss Rebecca West,
Public Library, is issued by that institution under
Mr. Stephen Gwynn, and Mr. Robert Lynd, head of the Reference Department. It is a valu-
the editorial supervision of Miss Frances Staton,
respectively.
able contribution to Canadian bibliography, and
In his forthcoming volume on "Society and
will be followed by others from the same source,
Prisons,” Mr. Thomas Mott Osborne will present
as a prefatory note announces. If one were to
a constructive programme for dealing with the
pass any general criticism on this carefully-
prison problem based on his own experience and
observations. The Yale University Press will pub- haustive nature, from the fact that it confines itself
prepared list, it would relate to its obviously inex-
lish the book.
to works owned by the Toronto library. A nearer
"Victory in Defeat” is the title of a war book
approach to completeness may be attained in sub-
by Mr. Stanley Washburn to be published imme-
sequent editions.
diately by Messrs. Doubleday. It deals entirely
with the Russian phase of the war, giving an
Valuable work in its field is being accomplished
by “The Photo-Miniature," a journal devoted to
analytical account of the great Russian retreat
from Galicia and Poland.
general photographic information, edited by Mr.
John A. Tennant and published by Messrs.
A new volume from the pen of Mr. Fielding Tennant & Ward of New York City. Unlike most
Hall, to be entitled “For England,” will appear periodicals, each issue is a complete monograph
shortly. Like Mr. Fielding Hall's last book,"The
in itself, written by a specialist who covers his
Field of Honour,' this new volume will consist subject in from ten to fifteen thousand words.
of stories and poems not of actual warfare itself,
but rather of the indirect effects of war upon the
For the current year the January and February
homes of England.
issues are at hand, dealing respectively with
"Failures -- and Why: In Negative Making" and
A volume of “Selected Poems" by Gustaf
"Success with the Pocket Camera.” Conciseness
Fröding, translated from the Swedish and pro-
of treatment, convenience in size, numerous illus-
vided with an Introduction by Mr. Charles Whar-
trations, and a price that is only nominal, are
ton Stork, will be issued by the Macmillan Co.
attractive features of these little monographs,
This is the first English translation of Fröding,
which should be widely popular among photog-
who, in the opinion of Professor Stork, is "the
most striking and probably the greatest figure in raphers, amateur or professional.
the long array of distinguished Swedish poets."
“The Poetry Review of America," a monthly
Among other forthcoming publications of periodical devoted to the interests of American
Messrs. Longmans are the following: “The Ivory poetry in all its phases, will begin publication early
Child," by Sir Rider Haggard; “My Lady of the in May, under the editorship of Mr. William
Moor, by Mr. John Oxenham; “Driftwood Stanley Braithwaite and Mr. Joseph Lebowich.
Spars,” by Mr. Percival Christopher Wren; “Ver- The spirit of the publication, according to its
dun to the Vosges," by Mr. Gerald Campbell; prospectus, “will be one of advancement and


392
[April 13
THE DIAL
coöperation; the desire to serve the art of poetry
and to consolidate public interest in its growth
and popularity — to quicken and enlarge the poetic
-
pulse of the country. In this spirit, we propose to
our contemporaries in the field a union of effort
and mutual encouragement; to the poets of
America an open forum and a clearing-house for
ways and means to serve the art we all love; to
the poetry-reading public of our country we pledge
a never-ceasing striving for the best in American
poetry, and a constant effort to bring out the
strength and joy to be derived therefrom.”
The biennial Justin Winsor prize offered by the
American Historical Association for the best
unpublished monograph in American history will
be awarded this year. The monograph must be
based upon independent and original investigation
in American history, by which is meant the history
of any of the British colonies in America to 1783,
of other territories, continental or insular, which
have since been acquired by the United States, of
the United States, and of independent Latin
America. It may deal with any aspect of that
history - social, political, constitutional, religious,
economic, ethnological, military, or biographical,
though in the last three instances a treatment
exclusively ethnological, military, or biographical
would be unfavorably received. The monograph
must be submitted on or before July 1. Full
details as to the competition may be obtained from
the chairman of the Justin Winsor Prize Com-
mittee,- Professor Carl Russell Fish of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin.
LIST OF NEW BOOKS.
[The following list, containing 134 titles, includes
books received by THE DIAL since its last issue.]
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY.
Charles Francis Adams, 1835-1918: An Autobiog-
raphy. With photogravure portrait, large 8vo,
224 pages.
Houghton Mifflin Co. $3.
Nights: Rome, Venice, in the Æsthetic Eighties,
and London, Paris, in the Fighting Nineties.
By Elizabeth Robins Pennell; illustrated by
Joseph Pennell and others. 8vo, 190 pages. J. B.
Lippincott Co. $3.
The Revolution in Virginia. By H. J. Eckenrode,
Ph. D. 8vo, 311 pages. Houghton Mifflin Co. $2.
Abraham Lincoln. By Daniel E. Wheeler. Illus-
trated, 12mo, 224 pages. "True Stories of Great
Americans." Macmillan Co. 50 cts.
GENERAL LITERATURE.
The Twentieth Century Moliere: Bernard Shaw. By
Augustin Hamon; translated from the French by
Eden and Cedar Paul. Large 8vo, 322 pages.
F. A. Stokes Co. $2.50.
A Study of Gawain and the Green Knight.
Moliere: His Life and His Works. By Brander
Matthews. Illustrated in photogravure, etc.,
large 8vo, 385 pages. "University Edition.'
Charles Scribner's Sons. $2.
Adventures in Common Sense. By Frank Crane.
12mo, 255 pages. John Lane Co. $1.
Lucian's Atticism: The Morphology of the Verb.
By Roy J. Deferrari. 8vo, 85 pages. Princeton
University Press. Paper, 75 cts.
VERSE AND DRAMA.
High Tide: Songs of Joy and Vision from the
Present-Day Poets of America and Great Britain.
Selected and edited by Mrs. Waldo Richards.
12mo, 206 pages. Houghton Mifflin Co. $1.25.
Songs and Satires. By Edgar Lee Masters. 12mo,
172 pages.
Macmillan Co. $1.25.
The Symphony Play: A Play in Four Acts. By
Jennette Lee. 12mo, 192 pages. Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons. $1.
General William Booth Enters into Heaven, and
Other Poems. By Vachel Lindsay. New edition;
12mo, 119 pages. Macmillan Co. $1.25.
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Excellent New Novels For Summer Reading
THE RUDDER
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THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Publishers, New York
When writing to advertisers please mention THE DIAL


THE DIAL
A Fortnightly Journal of Literary Criticism, Discussion, and Information.
Vol. LX.
APRIL 27, 1916
No.717.
THE BROOD OF LAUGHTER.
.
.
.
.
-
-
a
CONTENTS.
PAGE The Tragic Muse hides behind her Gorgon
THE BROOD OF LAUGHTER. Charles Leonard
head, but Miss Comedy has a hundred masks.
Moore
405
"Laughter holding both its sides," the mor-
LITERARY AFFAIRS IN LONDON (Special
dant sneer, travesty, wit that is like a web of
Correspondence). J. C. Squire
408
lightnings, earth-upsetting humor,— certainly
there is “God's plenty” in the varieties of the
CASUAL COMMENT
410
risible.
The reconstruction of Belgian letters, arts,
Slang (cant, jargon, argot) is the attempt
and sciences.- A correspondent of the old
which the multitude makes to achieve style,
school. - Bookshelves in evolution. The its effort to say things differently. Three-
captain of his soul.— The child and his fourths, probably, of slang has a humorous
“liberry."— The creator of Gallagher and tinge, for in its nature it is a mockery of the
Van Bibber.- A gift of Lincoln manu- dignified in thought or speech. Unquestion-
scripts.- College verse. The retirement of ably it is often excellent fooling. The bright
a veteran professor of English.
wits of the otherwise inarticulate masses
strike out unexpected analogies of thought,
COMMUNICATIONS
413
remarkable felicities of image and phrase.
Baconian Methods of Controversy. William
Dallam Armes.
And literature has profitted by them accord-
ingly. There is much slang in Shakespeare;
In Praise of “Spoon River." R. 8. Loomis.
Is Bacon not “Shake-speare"? Harold s.
a great part of Rabelais is written in argot.
Howard.
Without slang what would we do for humor
Information Wanted. Ernest W. Clement. in America ? The trouble with the literary
use of slang is twofold. In the first place, it
LEISURE HOURS OF A LITERARY LIFE.
is a language within the language. It has to
Percy F. Bicknell
417
be translated when new, and it quickly fades.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RELIGIOUS EVOLU.
The writer who uses much of it soon requires
TION. Alex. Mackendrick
418 an apparatus of footnotes. In the second
place, while the unknown originator of an apt
PAINTING AND THE PUBLIC. Grant
slang word or phrase is a genius, the tenth
Showerman
421 or ten-thousandth transmitter of it is merely
a plagiarist. He works with about the cheap-
THE GROWTH OF TENNYSON'S REPUTA.
TION. Clark S. Northup
est material that a writer can employ. The
423
first time one sees in print such synonyms for
RECENT FICTION. Edward E. Hale
424 man as "piker," "gink," "long drink of
water," or verbal re-incarnations of girl into
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS
427 “chicken,
“chicken,” “broiler," "flapper," "squab,”
'
An Elizabethan romancer.- Historical rec- “doll,” "skirt,” or “queen,” they may seem
ords of early Illinois.- Exercises in nimble- excruciatingly funny; but after one has read
wittedness. A bird'seye view of Babylon.-
ten thousand tales or sketches whose humor
College life at Vassar fifty years ago. The
depends mainly on these expressions, the
story of a restless adventurer.- French meth-
business becomes a trifle tiresome. Yet slang
ods in teaching composition.- Studies of
“the new infinite." - Little essays for the
is a vitalizing influence. It is an earth ele-
millions.
ment which both language and literature need
for growth.
BRIEFER MENTION
430
The reformed school of spelling seems to
have put the professional purveyors of that
NOTES
431
commodity out of the market. Its literate
LIST OF NEW BOOKS
432 ventures in illiteracy tickle us more than the
.
.
.
.
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>
.
.
.


406
[April 27
THE DIAL
old masters in the art can do. Our Ameri- with the larger forms of humor, they are
can adepts who had such a great audience in about what the fire-fly's flash is to daylight or
their day are no longer read. Petroleum V. | lightning. But in the hands of masters like
Nasby, Philander K. Doesticks, even the great Charles Lamb and Thomas Hood, they are
Artemus Ward, are unknown to the rising irresistible. The present writer, alas, has been
generation. Mr. Howells edited Artemus almost as incapable of making a pun as solving
Ward's work some years ago; yet even he, in a riddle. But I remember one. A scientific
spite of his love for the native and the new, friend was explaining the mysteries of animal
was forced to confess a certain lack of interest magnetism. “What,” he asked, "happens
|
in it. Dialect, which has always had a hold when you touch a man?” “Why,” I said,
on literature (there are three varieties of "sometimes you get turned down." Perhaps
dialect in “The Merry Wives of Windsor") that was too obvious. I recall one of my
still lives. A few years ago it swept over father's, which strikes me as pathetically
literature like fire over a prairie. Nothing good. He was in his last illness, and was
could succeed which did not have the local wasted to a skeleton. A friend, a big, bounc-
color of dialect or patois. In a great measure, ing chap, had called on us, and was striding
writers seem to be coming back to plain up and down the room boasting that he
English. Of course dialect sometimes has as weighed 185 pounds. “Well,” piped my
much tradition and authority as academic father, "you may have the advantage of me
language. Again, it seems to spring up like in avoirdupois, but I can beat you all hollow
a gourd in the night. The transformation in apothecary's weight.”
of vowels by which the lower-class English
In the larger, organized forms of humorous
turn "lady” into “lidy” and “game” into literature, fun comes first. It is animal spirits
"gime" seems very recent in origin. It would put into words or action. It is the clash of
be a curious subject for inquiry as to whether oddities, the farcical situations which life
the cockney use or non-use of the letter h really affords or which by a good deal of
goes a long way back. I cannot recall that license can be read into life. We are so con-
the older English comic writers made any stituted that we find something ridiculous in
fun of this oddity of pronunciation. Charles
a man slipping on the ice, or a shabby coat, or
Lamb's farce, "Mr. H.,” which is founded on
»
a pair of soleless shoes. The slap-stick of
the fact of a man being named “Hogsflesh," the pantomimist or the brick of the cartoonist
would have lost its point if the aspirate had
answers our primal need for laughter. As
not been generally sounded.
the Roman slaves had their Saturnalia, so we
In proverbs we have the multitude in a
slaves of work or custom must have our car-
sentence-mongering mood. These are often
grim and grave and wise enough; but the
nival moments, when we dance or riot for
relief. There is plenty of this exuberance
stoical humor of endurance, the disillusion-
ment of experience, come out most in them.
in literature. Perhaps it shows more abun-
Unless an author makes his own proverbs, dantly in the novels of Lever than anywhere
the use of them lays him open to a charge of else. There is hardly anything in these novels
unoriginality,—though when Sancho Panza but high spirits, practical jokes, orgies of
comes along with the wisdom of all the Span- misrule,- except duels, which are thrown in
ish ages dropping from his tongue, the effect by way of balance.
is funny enough.
Travesty, or burlesque, is a higher form of
Parables and fables are proverbs put into humor. It works by pulling down. It tum-
narrative. They, too, are the experience of bles dignity into the dirt. It brings Jove
the race eked out by the artist's skill, and upon the stage with an old umbrella and
they are overwhelmingly humorous or satir- goloshes, and makes Venus scold Mars over
ical. Renan claimed that one of Christ's most the wash-tub. Mingled with divine poetry
.
shining qualities was his wit; and certainly and illimitable imagination, as in Aristo-
the parables of the New Testament are full phanes, it yields one of the highest types of
of satire and irony.
comedy. Parody is a variant of this form.
Puns seem to have had their day. They do Some works, “Don Quixote” and “Joseph
not flourish in contemporary literature, or Andrews” for example, began as parodies but
even in our common parlance. Compared developed into great original creations.


1916]
407
THE DIAL
>
What for lack of a better term we must call over the mythical Mrs. Harris. Although
extravaganza or fantasia is a great element in humor has a preference for publicans and
American humor. It asserts absurdities as sinners, it can deal equally well with the
truths. It puts forth impossibilities with the good and noble -- as witness Don Quixote,
sober certitude of common sense. The tales of My Uncle Toby, and Scott's “Antiquary.”
Frank Stockton are signal examples of this Dickens is the most prolific of humorists, and
kind of work. But its classic is certainly one hesitates in placing him with the greatest
“Alice in Wonderland." That tale is the con- merely because he lacks somewhat of the
centrated essence of everything that could not profundity of thought which we find in Aris-
happen related with historic gravity.
tophanes, Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Mo-
Wit is a difficult thing to define. In the lière. His earthquakes only make the edifices
eighteenth century the word was used to cover
of man totter and slide about ludicrously;
all forms of mental activity. Poets, novelists, theirs shake the mightiest structures down,
essayists, men about town, were all denomi- and open abysses in the earth which seem to
nated wits. Richard Bentley was a wit, and I pierce to the dark foundations of our state.
am not sure that Sir Isaac Newton was not Satire is the scourge, the cat-o'-nine-tails,
classified with the great wits of the age. We of literature. It proceeds by way of indigna-
use the word in a more restricted sense now;
tion. It holds the office of public executioner.
yet we hardly know what that sense is. We Yet the best satire gives us enough of con-
seem to mean by it a brilliant, concentrated, trast to make its pictures of humanity credi-
revelational flash of the mind expressed in ble. Dryden, in his characters of Buckingham
language. Some pieces of literature, like and Shaftesbury, allows his victims a dozen
Congreve's “Way of the World” and Sheri- lofty or amiable qualities. Pope's Addison
dan's “School for Scandal,” are all compact is the picture of a good man spoiled by
of wit. Some miscellaneous writers, like jealousy. The satires of Horace are tolerably
Hazlitt, Sydney Smith, Dr. Holmes, and good natured. When a satirist pursues either
Lowell, are more wits than anything else. But a living person or a literary creation with
wit is the kindling, originating, inventing, unrelenting fury we feel sure he is not telling
surprise element of the mind, and it permeates the whole truth. Ruskin's harsh comment on
pretty nearly everything that the mind does, Thackeray was that "the blow-fly had got at
so that the eighteenth century people were
the meat and poiled our dinner.” Formal
not altogether wrong in their estimate of it. satire seems to have gone out of fashion, but
It is hard, also, to pick out from the litera- the satirical vein is apparent in most of the
ture of laughter the special quality which we
comedies and half of the novels of the world.
call humor. As compared with wit, it is Irony might be defined as the appearance
broader and more continuous. It is less ex- of things propitious, the reality of things
clusively mental, - more the product of the malign. This is at least a description of the
whole man. It has relations with the tragic irony which has been attributed to the Greek
and pathetic which wit has not. If its pro- tragedians, and which is certainly apparent
fundities sometimes wound or appal, its
or appal, its in Shakespeare. The sky is blue, and a thun-
pities heal and refresh. It probably comes derbolt falls from it. The grass is green and
nearer giving the actual truth about human pleasant, and the earth yawns at our feet.
character in its relations to the world and Verbal irony is best exemplified in the dia-
Fate than any other form of literature what- logue of Socrates, or those simple statements
ever. It relentlessly exposes the vices, follies, which indict of Thucydides or Tacitus.
hypocrisies, and littlenesses of mankind, until Socrates probably had to drink hemlock, not
we ought to be disgusted with life itself. But because of irreverence to the gods, but because
we are not; for humor puts such vitality into he tangled up the wits of the sophists and
the very rags and leavings of mankind that tripped up the intellectual heels of the Athe-
they are really more to us than angels. We nian elders by his seemingly innocent
take Burns's drink-sodden beggars to our questions. The greatest, perhaps the only
bosoms; we applaud Mr. Pecksniff leaning great, English master of verbal irony, Junius,
over the banisters at Todger's and adjuring had to hide under the mask of that name,
his hearers "to be moral”; we go into ecstacies and is yet undiscovered, - though I believe
when Sairey Gamp and Betsey Prig quarrel he was no less a personage than Chatham.


408
[April 27
THE DIAL
Playfulness is the last form of humor on
LITERARY AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
our list, and it is the most delightful. It may
(Special Correspondence of THE DIAL.)
not assay high in wit or humor or wisdom.
When this reaches you we shall be in the
It does not excite laughter, perhaps not even
thick of the Shakespeare Tercentenary Cele-
smiles. But it kindles a glow within us. It brations.
brations. I don't know whether the word
is simply charm incarnate, and charm can “thick” is justified. It might perhaps be
beat even beauty or grandeur from the field. more applicable in Germany, where “Unser
It bears the stamp of high breeding; and, Shaxpur” (whose shade is invoked against
whether "gallant and gay in Clivedon's proud his degenerate countrymen) is to be honored
alcove” or rustic in Arden's forest, it attracts,
with numerous orations and special perform-
wins, conquers. Orlando comes into the
ances. Here the plans are very modest. Mr.
banished Duke's presence, sword in hand.
Benson’s Company will perform as usual, and
“I thought that all things had been savage held at Stratford and Oxford, where the
special Shakespearean exhibitions are to be
here,” he says. He is received with courtesy Bodleian's unique collection of Shakespeare
and consideration; the playful talk goes on, folios and quartos is to be on show. The
and he is soothed and comforted. With all
London Guildhall is also exhibiting its folios
their splendor of poetry and dazzle of wit and its specimen of that anguished arabesque
and depth of humor, playfulness is really the which goes by the name of Shakespeare's sig-
predominant note in Shakespeare's comedies. nature. As the Bard's death-day and reputed
Goldsmith is another author in whom this birth-day is also St. George's Day we may
quality is perpetually present. He was play- expect a large crop of newspaper articles on
ful at The Club, though sadly misunderstood Shakespeare as a patriot. And it is too much
by Ursus Major and his satellites. He was
to hope that the concocters of these articles
playful in his poems, his plays, his novel, and
will avoid the usual error of asserting that
Henry V was Shakespeare's ideal English-
his essays. “The Haunch of Venison” and
"
man, his pattern king and his chevalier sans
“Retaliation” are the most perfect playful reproche. Most aspects of Shakespeare may
poems in English literature. Dr. Johnson
be argued about ad nauseam, the most
was somewhat elephantine in his gambols, but interminable discussion always leaving the
his letters are playful and so is much of his disputants “of the same opinion still.”
talk. Playfulness puts on no airs; it simply Shakespeare has been compared to a dark por-
wants to utter the throbbings of its heart.
trait hung under glass : everybody who exam-
ines it sees not the portrait but his own face
The great letter writers, therefore,— Madame
de Sévigné at the head, with Gray, Cowper, to be clear to any unprejudiced reader it
reflected. But if there is one thing that ought
Keats, FitzGerald, and Lowell following,- are
surely is that in writing "Henry V” Shakes-
adepts in this natural art. Most of them did
peare was inter alia exposing the stupidity
greater things than to write letters, but in
of aggressive Imperialism and the detrimen-
their correspondence they forgot their great- tal effects which the militarist creed may have
ness and only wanted to be happy. There is even upon a character in many respects noble
a good deal of playfulness in Jane Austen, and generous. Read Henry's speech when he
but more acidity. She lets us see that she threatens to deliver up Harfleur to his fero-
knows her characters are fools. Shakespeare cious army if it does not surrender, and ask
and Scott and Dickens probably knew, too, whether this is the conduct Shakespeare rec-
but they did not care. They liked them better ommends to his country's sovereigns.
that way. Irving is the most playful writer
Tercentenary books are few. A large com-
we have had in America.
pilation by various hands entitled "Shakes-
Taken as a whole, humorous literature is the
peare's England” is announced; and Mrs.
wrong side of the tapestry. It shows the Stopes, one of the most painstaking of living
.
Shakespearean students, has published a num-
foundation work, — the ends and shreds and
ber of chips from her workshop under the
seams and blurs of what on the other side is
name of "Shakespeare's Industry,” which a
a picture of life, painted in smooth and vivid critic has unkindly remarked should rather
colors by poetry, tragedy, and romance.
,
have been called “Mrs. Stopes's Industry.”
Which is the truest, -the grotesque sketch, Had we not been engaged in war there would
or the beautiful, harmonious, awe-inspiring presumably have been an appeal for some
vision ?
hundreds of thousands of pounds to complete
CHARLES LEONARD MOORE. the Shakespeare National Memorial Theatre.
:


1916]
409
THE DIAL
ܐ:
>
That is too large an order for times like these; a hundred read a single play by Shakespeare
though a week's receipts from the nation's once a year? It is safe to say that ninety-
cinemas would suffice to run up the most five out of a hundred never open his works
sumptuous theatrical structure in the world. after they have left school. Millions of school-
A modester scheme has been launched by a children have two or three plays drilled into
number of eminent persons who suggest that them, and remember fragments of “To be, or
ten thousand pounds should be raised to pro- not to be,” “The quality of mercy, ” “So work
vide a permanent endowment fund for Mr. the honey bees,” “O that we now had here,”
A. H. Bullen's Shakespeare Head Press at and "Friends, Romans, countrymen." These
Stratford. Mr. Bullen's is not the only Press quotations on a man's lips are almost invari-
at Stratford; it was at Stratford that Mr. ably relics of juvenile experience. Droves of
William Jaggard issued his great “Shakes- school-girls are taken every year to see the
peare Bibliography.” But he is a man who touring companies in "The Merchant of
has spent his life in the service of literary Venice” and “As You Like It”; and now and
scholarship; and since he established his then London turns out to see Miss Somebody's
Stratford Press he has published not only a Juliet, Mr. Somebody's Hamlet or Sir Some-
magnificent edition of the Works but also sev- body Something's Shylock. But we most of
eral volumes of research which will be of us think we are far more familiar with
immense value to students, but which can Shakespeare's plays than we actually are.
scarcely have been commercial speculations I mentioned Mr. Bullen's excellent print-
of the first water. All Mr. Bullen's produc- ing. Quite apart from Shakespeare a press
tions are beautifully printed and bound; and like his is worth encouraging for the sake of
it would be a great thing if his undertaking its typography. English book production is
were established on a permanent basis. What not yet anything like as good as it should be.
form of commemoration Shakespeare himself It is not for instance anywhere near the Ger-
would have preferred one cannot dare to man level. No one who visited the Leipzig
guess. We cannot even be certain that the Book-Trades exhibition in the earlier part of
matter would much interest him. It is true the!) summer of 1914 could fail to be struck
that he said that his powerful rhyme would by the immense superiority of the German
not be outlasted by marble or the gilded mon- exhibits in point of appearance. But there
uments of princes; but it is also true that, as has been a great improvement here in the
far as we can discover, he took not the slight- last five and twenty years; and that is unde-
est pains to perpetuate his plays in an accu- niably due to the example set by the various
rate, or indeed in any, form. But it may be private presses, such as the Kelmscott, the
,
presumed, as a general rule, that the most Vale, and the Doves. These private presses
civil thing we can do to any author is to read are not usually long-lived. They usually pro-
him. To how great an extent we actually do duce a few beautiful books and then cease
read Shakespeare it is not easy to estimate. work; their products then rising to great
Was it not in THE DIAL that I saw the other values in the market. Happily there always
day a complaint that, though works dealing seems to be somebody to carry on the torch.
with Crabbe can be found in every library, At present Mr. Arthur Sabin is doing very
Crabbe's own compositions are in most places pretty work at his Temple Sheen Press; an-
unknown? Shakespeare is not in that situa- other new one is the Romney Street Press con-
tion: there is scarcely a middle-class home in ducted by Francis Meynell, a son of Alice
Great Britain where his Works, bound in limp Meynell the poet. Mr. Meynell has just issued
red morocco, do not lie about on a little table his first volume, a selection of his mother's
in the drawing room. But all the same, the recent poems. It is a very sound and charm-
amount of "mention" of him in print and ing piece of printing. The type is the old
speech is, one suspects, out of all proportion Fell type which was used in the seventeenth
to the amount of reading of him that is done. century (I believe, by the Oxford University
He is undoubtedly read much more frequently Press) and the old typographical ornaments
,
than any other English author of date earlier are employed. The book is hand rubricated
than 1800 — with the exception of Dr. John by Mr. Edward Johnson, one of the finest of
Overall, Mr. Edward Lively, Dr. Hadrian à modern calligraphers. The proprietors of
Saravia, Dr. Jeremiah Radcliffe, Mr. Michael “Form” — the new art quarterly which I
Rabbett and others whose names may or may mentioned recently — are also bringing out
-
not be recognized as those of the compilers books; they propose to devote themselves
of the authorized version of the Bible. But mainly to verse, written out by hand, repro-
what does the position of “National Poet” duced, and illustrated. Several other private
really come to? Does one Englishman out of presses are in the air. In some instances
-


410
[April 27
THE DIAL
people seem to be taking to this form of recre- Meanwhile, in strong and steady current,
ation as a means of escape from the nervous however the output of everything else may
strain of war. They are taking to chess in the fluctuate, the war-books stream forth from
same way; the shops which sell chessmen find the
press. Spy-books and narratives by
it difficult to cope with the demand for them. escaped governesses are fewer than they were.
Notable new books are few. The best thing The product now falls into three main classes :
recently has been Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch's (1) narratives of actual fighting, (2) "indict-
book “On the Art of Writing” which con- ments” of the Germans, and (3) books dis-
tains lectures delivered at Cambridge just cussing the settlement at the end of the war.
before the war. It is not easy to say anything These last, the publishers say, are selling in
new about the qualities at which a writer thousands; akin to them in appeal is M.
should aim and the defects which he should Romain Rolland's “Above the Battle” which
endeavor to avoid. Accuracy and clarity is being widely read here and of which nearly
have been eulogized before, and the super- fifty editions have appeared in France.
fluous adjective has often been denounced. Among the "indictments” the most serious is
But if Sir Arthur, not being Adam or Eve, “The Germans” by Mr. J. M. Robertson, the
cannot lay down new rules, he has certainly politician and anti-Baconian controversialist.
formulated the essentials of good writing as
Mr. Robertson's conclusions will, I suppose,
clearly and accurately as any man before him; be less appetizing to the Germans than to our-
and his humor and variety of illustration selves; but his most hostile reader must admit
make his book very delightful to read. It is the force of the chapters in which he demol-
a book that every professional writer should ishes practically every "race-theory” that has
study; though it makes one painfully self- ever been invented, and bangs the skulls of
conscious of the stains and blotches on every the dolichocephals and the brachycephals
sentence that one writes. It is above all a against each other until there is no visible
book for the person of university age who has
difference between them. A work of less
.
not yet developed bad habits which are incur- learning, but equally remarkable in another
able. It will assist him to think for himself, way, is Mr. Henry de Halsalle’s “Degenerate
encourage him to write, and materially help Germany," which for sustained invective has
him to avoid writing badly.
been equalled by no other war-book. This
Miss Louise Sill's translation of M. Paul gentleman says "airily” that the Germans
”
Claudel's “L’Annonce faite à Marie” comes,
“became cannibals” in the seventeenth cen-
I think, from your side. If Claudel were
tury; that no German deserves the appellation
easier reading one could prophesy a boom “lady” or “gentleman”; that Germans pick
here. Five years ago he was little known ; since their teeth with forks in public; that Germans
then he has stolen silently into an acknowl-
relish bad smells and wash in the smallest pro-
edged place amongst the first living French
curable basins; and that German literature is
writers. People here are beginning to read unprecedented in its immorality. As a pro-
him; and though there may be some difference test against their impiety he makes the rev-
of opinion as to his size I have not yet met erent suggestion that we should inscribe above
anyone who disputes his genius. One perform the altars in our churches the text "Father,
ance of one play is all we have hitherto seen forgive them not, for they know what they
in London of his dramatic work. It will be do.” This book should have a conspicuous
strange if "L'Annonce" is allowed to remain place in any museum of war-literature which
much longer unstaged. It is a play of great may be established when Europe has got
beauty and dramatic force, and it peculiarly straight again.
lends itself also to the modern "producer."
J. C. SQUIRE.
M. Claudel's war-poems which have reached
London, April 10, 1916.
us are more impressive than anything of the
kind that has been done here. None worth
reading have appeared lately. Among other
CASUAL COMMENT.
new poetry one may notice Mr. John Free-
man's “Stone Trees” published by the new
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BELGIAN LETTERS, ARTS,
firm of Selwyn and Blount; while a volume is SCIENCES has been undertaken by certain
announced which will contain the verse of philanthropists in this country, calling themselves
A. W. St. Clair Tisdall, a young Cambridge
the Belgian Scholarship Committee. It is nearly
man who, after a brilliant university career,
a year since this movement started, its object in the
beginning being to raise money for the relief of
died in the Dardanelles last year in a heroic
destitute Belgian scholars; but this aim has gradu-
enterprise which won him a posthumous V. C. ally broadened, so that now the purpose is “to give
What his verse is like I do not know.
to the Belgian scholars, writers, and artists a chance
AND
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"
1
>
a
to resume their work of art or science,” and “to London, and had charge of its European corre-
raise a fund for the reconstruction of a new and spondence until 1895, when he accepted the post of
better Belgium, especially in the educational field.” American correspondent of the London "Times."
The first part of this twofold purpose is of a tem- Ten years ago he retired from active journalism,
porary character; the second relates to the long though continuing to write occasionally for the
future (it is hoped) of a restored Belgium, and is New York “Tribune," which published serially his
more important. Appeal is made to libraries and “Anglo-American Memories," and for magazines.
publishing houses and individuals for books, espe- In 1878 he spared enough time from journalism to
cially duplicates that can be easily spared, and to serve as Special Commissioner of the United States
learned societies and educational institutions for at the Paris Exposition. He compiled a volume
sets of their publications. But provisionally, and of Bright's speeches in 1868, and wrote a “Life of
until the return of peace, promises only are desired, Sir Sidney Waterlow” forty years later.
there being no present facilities for the receipt and
storage of these gifts. Money, however, at the
earliest moment, will be welcome for the immediate BOOKSHELVES IN EVOLUTION have in no single
aid of Belgian scholars, writers, and artists, and treatise received the exhaustive study that might be
for the creation of a substantial reconstruction given to the subject. From the solidly built wall-
fund; and it is, in the committee's words, "the élite bookcase to the skeleton construction of steel that
of the American people,” those interested in the graces the modern bookstack and adjusts itself to
diffusion of knowledge and the growth of art, volumes of varying sizes, is a considerable advance
rather than the general public, that must be looked in utility and in beauty. The development of the
to for this aid. Associate membership in this band book-rest, or reading-desk, that sprang from the
of workers is offered at ten dollars a year during wall at right-angles in such manner as to receive
the war and for two years thereafter, sustaining necessary light from an adjacent window, into the
membership at one hundred dollars annually, and tier of shelves abutting against the wall, was an
fellowship at one thousand dollars annually. early step in bookshelf-evolution; but the rigidly-
Remittance should be made to Mr. John Joy Edson, built, non-adjustable wooden shelving was a long
Treasurer, 309 Wilkins Bldg., Washington, D. C. time in giving way to the present-day adaptable
Mr. Nevil Monroe Hopkins is chairman of the construction. No rational system of book-classifica-
committee, and Professor George Sarton, of the tion and book-arrangement was easily possible
University of Ghent, but at present in Washington, under such primitive conditions. Our oldest circu-
is secretary
lating library, that founded by Franklin and his
associates in Philadelphia in 1731, continued for
A CORRESPONDENT OF THE OLD SCHOOL, eminent more than a century and a half to classify its
in the art of writing something more than mere
books, with rough-and-ready simplicity, as folios,
news bulletins such as the modern press agency
quartos, octavos, and duodecimos, shelving them
sends forth from all parts of the world to all parts
merely according to size. This rude classification
of the world, George Washburn Smalley, who died
effected much saving of space, but served no other
in London on the fourth of this month, leaves a
purpose, unless it were to promote in the librarian,
long and enviable record of journalistic achieve-
as it certainly did in the instance of Lloyd P.
ment. He was born in 1833 at Franklin, Mass.
Smith, an extraordinary development of the bump
“My Memoirs,” he writes in opening his “Anglo- of locality” in respect to the many separate works
American Memories," a substantial two-volume
on a single subject in the large and constantly
retrospect, “begin with that New England of fifty growing collection. Wooden shelves supported by
years ago and more which has pretty well passed out
wooden pegs inserted in holes in the uprights, and
of existence. I knew all or nearly all the men who
thus capable of being raised or lowered at will,
made that generation famous: Everett; Charles
were a step in the right direction; and the modern
Sumner, 'the whitest soul I ever knew,' said Emer-
steel shelf, of open-bar construction and easily
son; Wendell Phillips; Garrison; Andrew, the adjustable, is the logical continuation of the move-
greatest of the great ‘War Governors '; Emerson;
ment toward a strong and flexible and dustless
Wendell Holmes; Theodore Parker; Lowell, aná system of shelving. The styles of bookstack offered
;
many more; and of all I shall presently have some-
by different manufacturers, with remarks on library
thing to say." What he says is well worth reading, equipment by librarians of experience, will be
,
as is also his earlier book, “Studies of Men.” So
found in the current issue of the “Library Jour-
long and actively had he mingled with men who
nal" by any seeker after knowledge and useful
were making history that his reminiscences of those
information in this technical branch of library lore.
men had more than a personal or biographical
interest. In education he was a product of both
THE CAPTAIN OF HIS SOUL, as the afflicted author
Yale and Harvard, the former having given him of "Invictus" might not inappropriately be called,
his academic training, the latter his professional is conspicuous among the choice spirits admirably
outfit; for before he entered upon journalism he portrayed by Mrs. Pennell in her "Nights," a book
both studied and for five years practised law. But for the elect, of the elect, and by one of the elect
the Civil War claimed his energies as correspond- as will be found more fully set forth on a later
ent from the front for the New York “Tribune." page. Henley must have been a terror to those
Later he became a member of that journal's edi- whom he opposed, or who opposed him, but at this
torial staff, then organized its European bureau in distance of time and place one can admire the
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[April 27
THE DIAL
6
-
uprightness and downrightness of the man and the work to his credit that, in quantity and in good
invincibility of his courage and spirit under average quality, many a far older writer has failed
grievous physical infirmity. “Rarely has a man so to equal. Richard Harding Davis was born in
hampered by his body kept his spirit so gay," says Philadelphia in 1864, the son of L. Clarke and
Mrs. Pennell. “He was meant to be a splendid Rebecca Blaine (Harding) Davis, both well known
creature physically, and fate made him a helpless in the world of letters. After graduation from
cripple — who was it once described him as 'the Lehigh University and a special course of one year
wounded Titan'? Everybody knows the story: he at Johns Hopkins, he entered upon journalism, his
made sure that everybody should by telling it in his father's calling, and from that soon passed to the
• Hospital Verses. But everybody cannot know writing of fiction, his mother's literary occupation.
who did not know him how bravely he accepted his “Gallagher,” a story of newspaper life, is said to
disaster. It seemed to me characteristic once when have achieved thirteen rejections before its lucky
a young cousin of mine, a girl at the most suscep- acceptance by “Scribner's Magazine,” after which
tible age of hero-worship, meeting him for the first its author had little experience of editorial rebuffs.
time in our chambers and volunteering, in the War-correspondence, novel-writing, short stories,
absence of anybody else available, to fetch the cab plays, descriptions of travel, tales for children
he needed, thought his allowing her to go on such all these have claimed his energies, and in all his
an errand for him the eccentricity of genius and work he has been successful in pleasing the popu-
never suspected his lameness until he stood up and lar taste. The London “Times" and the New York
took his crutch from the corner. There was noth- “Herald” secured his services as war correspond-
ing about him to suggest the cripple.” Possibly if ent, and he saw actual fighting and described it in
he had kept out of his verses all reference to his his reports on the Turko-Greek, the Spanish-
sturdy endurance of “the bludgeonings of chance" American, the South African, and the Russo-
we should like him even better than we do. But | Japanese wars. He was, at the time of his death,
on the other hand, if he had done so, how would on April 11, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical
his readers, or most of them, have known anything Society, a member of the Aero Club of America,
about that which now stirs their admiration? and also a member of the Explorers? Club of
America. The list of his books is too long to give
here, and too easily accessible, in books of refer-
THE CHILD AND HIS “LIBERRY” might form the ence and in library catalogues, to require any such
subject of an interesting and amusing and instruc- detailed mention.
tive book such as has not yet been written. To the
child the “liberry” is quite as often the borrowed
A GIFT OF LINCOLN MANUSCRIPTS of no small
book from the public collection of reading matter value has been made to the Library of Congress by
as it is the building and its contents, just as with Mr. Clarence L. Hay, and another of almost equal
his elders the word “laundry” means both the
interest by Miss Helen Nicolay. Mr. Hay, acting
package of napery and underwear submitted for
for himself and sisters, presented two drafts of
washing and also the establishment in which the
the Gettysburg address, one of which the speaker
washing is done. A passage from the current
is said to have held in his hand when he delivered
Report of the Malden (Mass.) Public Library is
that memorable oration. Perhaps the familiar
here in place. Rapid increase in the number of legend of Lincoln's reading that speech from the
juvenile borrowers has made necessary the build-
backs of old envelopes pressed into service at the
ing of an addition, an exclusively children's annex.
last moment will now be either confirmed or
Just before its occupancy Mr. Fison, the librarian, refuted. The draft of the second inaugural address
reported: “This department, which was considered
was also handed to Librarian Putnam by Mr. Hay.
crowded a year ago, shows an increase of 11 per
These three autograph manuscripts had belonged to
cent in the circulation of books, and at times the
the late Secretary John Hay. Miss Nicolay gave
help of three or four additional assistants has been
Lincoln's autograph memorandum, prepared Au-
required to look after the children. The largest gust 23, 1864, when he thought his re-election in
day's circulation was 621. Forty-one per cent of
the entire circulation of the main library was juve-coöperation with the president-elect for the saving
grave doubt and desired to forecast a plan of
nile. When we report that 11 per cent more chil-
of the Union. This document, endorsed by the
dren's books were circulated, we ought to add that members of his cabinet and sealed, was opened and
about 44 per cent more children have visited the
read to the cabinet after the election, and was
rooms this year, for it is a universal custom that preserved by his private secretary, John G. Nicolay,
when a child comes to change his ' liberries,' as he
whose daughter now places it in the government's
generally calls his books, he is sure to bring, at keeping.
least, three others with him to see that it is properly
done, and any boy or girl who cannot muster three
followers has no social standing whatever.”
COLLEGE VERSE may seldom attain the sublimities
or the profundities, but within its proper domain
of the youthfully buoyant, the brisk, the piquant,
THE CREATOR OF GALLAGHER AND VAN BIBBER, the humorous, and occasionally the gracefully sen-
whose sayings and doings were interesting some timental, it is not seldom excellent reading. For
appreciable fraction of the reading public a quar- pure fun in rollicking rhyme what could be better
ter of a century ago, has died suddenly in the than some of the verse in the Harvard “Lampoon"
very prime of life, but with a record of literary or any one of perhaps a dozen other similar mouth-
>


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:
were
pieces of student wit and humor? In what environ- Mr. Lupton's letters furnish such admirable illus-
ment but that of an American college could there trations of the methods of the controversialist
have started such a periodical as “The Purple intent only on winning an apparent victory, that
Cow,” which had its birth (not as a calf) at from one point of view they may be regarded as
Williams College nearly nine years ago? A fit masterpieces. Possibly you can find space for con-
name, surely, for a humorous publication in a sideration, somewhat lengthy but made as brief as
college of such bucolic surroundings as Williams. possible, of those methods.
Mr. Alfred Noyes has been editing a volume of First: Misrepresenting an opponent's state-
Princeton undergraduate verse, and his name on ments and their purpose; usually quite effective,
the title-page will serve as no slight attestation to for few will look back to see what actually was
the worth of the book's contents. He goes so far said and why.
as to say of these Princeton poems that they attain Illustrations: Dr. Tannenbaum asserts in his
“a higher standard than is found in similar works review of Mr. Baxter's “The Greatest of Literary
edited in England by Gilbert Murray and Quiller- Problems” (THE DIAL, Dec. 9) that that writer
Couch. This, if correctly reported, is no small "selects for quotation only such allusions and
praise. At Oxford and Cambridge the cultivation references to the poet-dramatist about which there
of poetry has for ages been stimulated by the offer can be some doubt” and “suppresses or distorts'
of prizes and honors to successful contestants, evidence that “Shakespeare was very frequently
whereas in this country athletics rather than spoken of by his contemporaries." To support this
poetics has long been the one engrossing interest serious charge, he shows that Mr. Baxter rejects
outside the prescribed academic pursuits, or rather the testimony of Chettle, Greene, Heywood, Jonson,
,
to their exclusion in many instances.
and Heminge and Condell on irrelevant or unin-
telligible grounds; makes no mention of the
inscription on Shakespeare's monument; and has
THE RETIREMENT OF A VETERAN PROFESSOR OF not “even so much as hinted at” nine "unequivocal
ENGLISH is announced as soon to take place at references to Shakespeare as a poet." Mr. Lupton
Yale. Professor Henry Augustin Beers, one of the makes no endeavor to refute the charge, but writes
oldest members of the Yale faculty, though still (issue of Jan. 20), as though the references had
lacking more than a year of the scriptural three- been given as proof that the actor and the author
score and ten, will bring his present labors to a one and the same person, “Mr. Tannen-
close at the end of this college year. In 1880 he baum's reasoning would be paralleled by stringing
was appointed to the chair of English in the Shef- together a number of passages in praise of George
field Scientific School, and by virtue of seniority in Eliot's novels, and proceeding to argue that the
this department he has for some time been its head author of the novels must have been a mau of that
in the University. Four courses will have to be name. Dr. Tannenbaum having failed in his
provided with other teachers at his retirement. letter published February 17 to point out this
That on “New England Writers” will next year misrepresentation, Mr. Lupton in his communica-
be incorporated in Professor William Lyon tion of March 16 writes: “Dr. Tannenbaum
Phelps's course in "American Literature." The appears blind to my point that no amount of
lectures on Milton will be given by Professor contemporary praise of the Shakespeare plays and
Lawrence Mason, those on “Aspects of the Drama" poems can be regarded as evidence of the author-
by Mr. A. I. Taft, and Dr. S. T. Williams will ship.” This is shrewd, for of course it looks as
,
handle the “Selected Topics from the Literature of though he had the Doctor "stumped.'
the Victorian Age.' Professor Beers is best Several other illustrations of the use of this
known to the reading public for his compilation, method could be cited; but one, the most pro-
"A Century of American Literature," issued in nounced of all, must suffice. In the issue of
1878, his "Sketch of English Literature," and his January 20, Mr. Lupton asserts that by unearth-
“
life of N. P. Willis in the "American Men of ing Shakespeare's deposition in the Bellott-Mount-
Letters” series. As a magazine writer also his joy lawsuit, Professor Wallace “unwittingly proved
name is familiar, and what he has to say is more
conclusively that the actor was unable to write,
than likely to be well worth reading.
because his name is written by a law clerk in law
script, and the deponent made his mark beneath
the signature. Dr. Tannenbaum then comments
(Feb. 17): “No human being outside of a lunatic
COMMUNICATIONS.
asylum, or a fit candidate for one, who has ever
seen a facsimile of the deposition and the wit-
BACONIAN METHODS OF CONTROVERSY.
ness's signature can for a single moment entertain
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
the belief that the abbreviated signature was
I know neither Dr. Tannenbaum nor Mr. Basil written by the clerk who wrote the deposition.
Lupton, and have only a languid interest in the No sane person who knows anything of graphiol-
Shakespeare-Bacon question, believing that as long ogy can for a moment doubt that the signature
as we have the works to read and study it makes in question is an unquestioned Shakespeare auto-
little difference whether they were written by “the graph; and that the deposition as well as the
paltry actor” or “the wisest, brightest, meanest signature are in the hand-writing that was in
of mankind.” But I have been much interested in general use at the time. Has Mr. Lupton mistaken
the controversy between the two gentlemen referred the lex scripta for law script? Furthermore, what
to that has been going on in your columns, because Mr. Lupton calls a 'mark' beneath the signature
6


414
[April 27
THE DIAL
46
is only a small blot. Had the witness not been Schopenhauer to a controversialist who feels that
a
able to sign his name, the clerk would have written he is being worsted.
the name, and would have written the words 'his Illustration: Dr. Tannenbaum comments thus
mark' between the Christian name and the sur- (Feb. 17) on the quotation from Mr. Lupton just
name, in accordance with general usage. Mr. given: “He refers to John Davies's poem in which
Lupton thus answers (March 16): “Dr. Tannen- Shakespeare is spoken of as 'our English Terence,
baum gives his case away when he admits that the and says that if the Terence plays were the work
body of the deposition . . and the signature are of Caius Laelius then Davies's allusiou 'suggests
in the same hand-writing. The signature is a pseudonym. This, then, proves nothing, and
written by the law clerk, and the mark (dot or may be equivocal. It is amazing what wizardry
cross is immaterial) is added by the illiterate an 'if' exerts upon a Baconian.” Mr. Lupton then
deponent - Shakspere." This is excellent!
”
See asserts (March 16): “The theory that the Terence
how by the simple transmogrification of "in the plays were the work of Caius Laelius, is dismissed
hand-writing that was in general use at the time" by Dr. Tannenbaum with a sneer,” and then adds:
into “in the same hand-writing" the Doctor has A genuine literary student would be interested to
been made to “admit" what he so roundly asserted know what Cicero and other contemporary writers
no sane person could believe: how the "blot” has tell us of the subject.” Of course, any “sneer"
become a “dot”; how the statement that had he that may exist in Dr. Tannenbaum's remarks is
written the signature the law clerk would have not at “the theory that the Terence plays were the
written “the words ‘his mark' between the Christian work of Caius Laelius," in which for aught that
name and the surname, in accordance with general appears to the contrary he may be a firm believer;
usage” is ignored; and how the light and airy and “what Cicero and other contemporary writers
“ dot or cross is immaterial” suggests that Dr.. tell us of the subject,” like “the flowers that bloom
Tannenbaum's main point is that the “mark” is in the Spring,” has “nothing to do with the case,
not a cross, though in fact he made no reference the real question being, if this theory is to be
whatever to a cross. If the reader is not com- brought into the discussion, what John Davies
pletely deceived, it is because even a controversialist thought about it and what reason he had for
has his limitations.
believing that his contemporaries would understand
Second: Stating so simply and positively as such a cryptic suggestion. But suggesting that
apparently to preclude all possibility of denial Dr. Tannenbaum has sneered at the theory and
that an opponent has not done what in fact he lugging in Cicero may involve him in a discussion
has. This is a very common method, and is fre- concerning it, and that troublesome quotation from
quently very briefly
Davies may
Illustration : 1 Mr. Lupton having said (Jan. 20) Fifth: Stating matters of mere opinion as if
that none of the contemporary writers cited in the they were indisputable facts.
review, “with possibly one exception, identifies the Illustrations: The assertions (March 16) that Ben
author with the Stratford actor," Dr. Tannenbaum Jonson's play proves that the application for the
asserts (Feb. 17) that “Mr. Lupton is not telling Shakespeare coat-of-arms was “a subject of mirth
the truth," and reminds him of “Ben Jonson's at the time"; that “many persons were in the
wholly unequivocal identification of Shakespeare secret” that Shakespeare was not the author of
with Stratford,” “the testimony of Shakespeare's the plays attributed to him; that Greene's allusion
monument in Stratford," and Leonard Digges's to "an upstart crow beautified with our feathers'
reference to that monument in the First Folio. “indicates the paltry actor strutting about decked
Mr. Lupton replies (March 16) that "he does not out as a dramatic author"; that the quotation from
hesitate to say I am not telling the truth, yet he Nash is “a hit at Bacon, a lawyer turning
does not indicate where I am at fault.”
playwright"; that Bacon and Jonson composed the
Third: Ignoring a principal point found incon- Leonard Digges verses in the First Folio and the
trovertible and treating a subsidiary matter as if it inscription on the Shakespeare monument, and
were the main point.
that they worked “to put the public on a wrong
Illustration: Among the references given in scent, not one of which assertions is believed
the review, Dr. Tannenbaum calls especial atten- by the vast majority of Shakespearean scholars.
tion to one in which “the dramatist is unequivocally Mr. Lupton's animating principle seems to be
spoken of as an actor," a poem by John Davies, “I believe it, therefore it is an indisputable fact,"
“To our English Terence, Mr. Will: Shakespeare rather than “It is an indisputable fact, therefore
who “plaid some kingly parts in sport. Mr. I believe it."
Lupton writes (Jan. 20) that none of the authors Sixth: In default of evidence or argument, put-
cited by Dr. Tannenbaum, "with possibly one ting forth an obiter dictum confidently as though
exception, identifies the author with the Stratford it were a generally recognised truth, and, if occa-
actor, and this possible exception is by no means sion offers, repeating it more elaborately. The
a clear exception. The phrase "our English confident tone will impose on some readers and the
Terence suggests a pseudonym, if the Terence particularity on others.
plays were the work of Caius Laelius.” Note the Illustrations: Dr. Tannenbaum says (Dec. 9)
eloquent silence as to the quotation “plaid some that the Baconians "exasperate the orthodox
kingly parts in sport”!
Shakespearean by spelling the Stratfordian's name
Fourth: Raising an issue other than the one • Shakspere. Mr. Lupton replies (Jan. 20):
under consideration and endeavoring to divert the “Mr. Tannenbaum's displeasure does not alter the
discussion to that — the method recommended by | fact that the difference does exist” “between the
"
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.
19
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77
to a
actor's name, Shakspere, and the author's pseudo- challenge of doubt by a statement of personal con-
nym, Shakespeare or Shake-speare," "and it exists viction; and without speaking for anyone but
quite as clearly as the difference between Tannen- myself, I venture an explanation of why I believe
baum and Rosenbaum." Dr. Tannenbaum replies “Spoon River" is not Death, but Life.
(Feb. 17): “I have yet to see any evidence that Briefly, it is because I believe it a sign of weak-
'Shakespeare' was a pseudonym. As to Mr.
ness, of morbidity, when the reader demands of
Lupton's confident assertion that "Shakspere' and his literature a presentation of life more whole-
'Shakespeare' are essentially different names, I some and more idealistic than life itself. To crave
venture to say that his confidence is probably in a coloring or varnishing of the truth instead of the
inverse proportion to his knowledge of the sub- truth itself is to confess an intellectual disease;
ject. Mr. Lupton makes no attempt to supply and to yield utterly to that craving, to shut out
the evidence that Dr. Tannenbaum has "yet to of one's vision the spectacle of folly and ironic fate
see,” but instead gives (March 16) the pronun- and wrong, is to become a spiritual invalid, a dead
ciation, an alternative spelling that “proves” it, soul.
and a possible derivation of “the Stratford actor's Because our literature is full of a decadent sen-
name "Shakspere' ” and the pronunciation, an
'
timentality, glossing over the black horrors of a
alternative spelling that “proves” it, and a chaotic universe, minimizing them, palliating them,
derivation of the author's pseudonym," Shake- denying them, finding pretext after pretext for
“
speare. Of course, the differentiation is a modern
extracting a far-fetched right out of an unadul-
invention, to uphold which there must be explained terated wrong, one turns from it as from the
away the facts that the first of “The Names of the tempered and medicated atmosphere of a hospital
Principall Actors in all these Playes" that precedes to the cold air of a world where men can face
the list of plays in the First Folio is William facts. And such a world one finds in “Spoon
“Shakespeare," and that “Shakespeare" is the River.” Can anyone deny that things do happen
name that is signed to one of the folios of Shake- as they happen in “Spoon River"? Or must one
speare's will, that appears on the Stratford monu- deny it because no comforting assurance that the
ment, in the reference to that monument in Digges's evil deserved their fate or that the good are to be
poem in the First Folio, and “in the grant of arms rewarded in another world is appended to each
in 1596, in the license to the players of 1603, and confession? Of course, if one gazes at the fiends
in the text of all the legal documents relating to and their victims in Malebolge, it is a relief to
the poet's property.” (Lee's Life of Shakespeare, have the liquid Italian lines to reassure him that
page 285).
it is all the operation of a mysterious justice. It
These, then, are Mr. Lupton's methods, as any is but natural, too, that a man seeing about him
one can easily verify by reference to the issues a real world as hellish in some of its corners as
of THE DIAL of December 9, January 20, Febru- Malebolge should summon, in the veriest panic,
ary 17, and March 16. What is it that actuates the the sophistical philosopher, the smooth-spoken
"Baconians and anti-Willians" anyhow? Is it parson, or the dreaming poet to furnish the pre-
fondness for fair play, desire to do justice, and a texts or the illusions he requires. So coddled and
sincere and disinterested love of truth for its own drugged, he finds living endurable. From the
sake?
writer who bids him look on the stark reality of
Mr. Lupton says (March 16) that "dear old one tragedy, unredeemed by pageantry or
Dr. Furnivall .. used to get quite angry when appearance of justice or promises of compensa-
he saw nail after nail of modern reasoning and tion, he withholds the title of literature. Perhaps,
research driven into the coffin of the man of Strat- evading the issue, he withholds it on the flimsy
ford"; if his own letters are specimens of the pretext that the form is not that of what he has
“modern reasoning and research,” it must have been accustomed to call poetry. Let the quibbler
been something other than the feeling that “nail have his way: let him call it puckery or piggery
after nail” was being “driven into the coffin of or pork-packery; but will he deny its likeness to
the man of Stratford” that made the good Doctor a part of the living world?
Nails! Why, they are not even After all, why are Crabbe and Scott and Words-
brass tacks!
WILLIAM DALLAM ARMES.
worth cried up for a Return to Nature as vocifer-
Berkeley, Cal., April 14, 1916.
ously as Zola, Hardy, and Mr. Masters are cried
down for a Return to Reality? ) It is not because
Crabbe and Scott and Wordsworth excluded the
IN PRAISE OF “SPOON RIVER."
trivial, the tawdry, the cloacaline, but because they
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
were willing to furnish the spiritual anæsthetics
I have noted a communication in your issue of that left one in a cheerful frame of mind.) The
March 30 recording the reactions of one of your vulgarity of Shakespeare is pardoned because it is
readers to the “Spoon River Anthology” by Mr. laughable. The appalling, catastrophes of “Lear,”
Edgar Lee Masters. “Spoon River" needs no “Othello,” and “Hamlet” are found to be not
apologia. Yet there seem to be some who, like only endurable but also edifying because Eternal
your correspondent, crave an apologia,- some who, Justice is exemplified, first, in the fact that the
not finding one in the accepted oracles of criticism, evil are involved with the good in their fall; and,
vacillate and are half inclined to think that the secondly, in the fact that the vices of the good,-
book can be dismissed after all with a curt refer- Lear's lack of insight, Othello's rash trustfulness,
ence to “reptile," "slime," "vulgarity,” and “sexual and Hamlet's speculative itch, --- found in agony
psychology.” It is a satisfaction to answer the and death a chastisement richly deserved. In
an
O
“quite angry.


416
[April 27
THE DIAL
Mr. Masters's book, the trivial and disgusting are book, “The Greatest of Literary Problems,” con-
not pardoned because they are treated with “high tains in its last pages - which Mr. Tannenbaum
seriousness.". The catastrophes and mockeries of purposely avoids answering (because it “deals with
circumstance which he depicts are not considered ciphers,” etc.) — an explanation of a point that
edifying because he does not allow the reader to has clearly baffled both Mr. Greenwood and Mr.
discover the consoling circumstance, the vindicating Tannenbaum.
theory, which reconciles him to the world as it is. In replying to Mr. Greenwood's recently pub-
Let us cease our clamor for a literature which Isihed book, “Is There a Shakespeare Problem?"
reads into the world some cosmic idealism, which Mr. Tannenbaum takes issue with Mr. Greenwood's
finds a sublime destiny in the drunkard's last contention that a verse in the 1604 Quarto Edition
delirium, in the embrace of the jaded street-walker, of “Hamlet” shows the author to have been a
in the demoniac task of the stoker, in the con- classical scholar conversant with the view of
vulsive breathing of the gas-poisoned soldier, in Aristotle and other philospohers that there can be
the blighting of child life in the sweat shop and no motion without sense, or sense without a soul.
factory. Let us say to ourselves: “No casuistry The “Hamlet” quarto verse is as follows:
will obliterate, no dreams obscure, no religion
"Sence sure you have
glorify, these horrors. What are we going to do
Els could you not have motion."
about it?" Arrived at that stage, perhaps we Taking with Mr. Tannenbaum the word "sence"
shall turn the enormous force of our wasted ener-
to include mental faculties, the error of the
gies,-- wasted in soul salves and trifling reforms: - philosophy just expressed is manifest to any who
,
into the task of tasks, the transformation of the have seen a snake's tail move after its severance
world as it is into a world which will need no
from the body. So that Mr. Tannenbaum is right
apologies, no discreet concealments, a world not
in saying that the passage is inane (more espe-
unworthy of a God. We shall be skeptical of the cially in connection with the “Hamlet” context),
power of passing Pippas or Third Floor Backs
and Mr. Greenwood is right in implying that the
to work miracles on whole communities, or of
author was misled by a “classical" error. Neither
social settlements to combat by magic the organic calls attention to the fact that the Folio Edition
operation of the forces of greed, ignorance, and of “Hamlet” omitted these lines, and that is where
vice. I do not belittle such influences, and am far Mr. Baxter's wider view clears up the matter, as
from opposing them. But to see in them the hope your readers will find on pages 497-8 of his book,
of the future is grossly to under-estimate the task. where he shows that the omission of this verse
What concrete steps the awakened power and from the 1623 “Hamlet” was coincident with
vision of humanity will take to abolish poverty, Bacon's correction in the 1623 edition of his
to answer the needs of sex, to afford expression to “Advancement of Learning" (or “Augmentis") of
the higher capacities of all, it is not for me here the “classical" view expressed in the 1605 edition
to speak, and the suggestions of to-day will seem thereof — that “in the absence of sense there can
the puerilities of the next century. But we may be no motion.” In the 1623 edition, Bacon states
be sure of one thing that will characterize that
that “ignorance drove some of the ancient philos-
constructive age: it will not demand of its litera-ophers to suppose that a soul was infused into all
ture the blinking of any reality whatsoever; if it bodies without distinction; since they could not
demands the “noble and profound application of conceive how there could be motion at discretion
ideas to life," it will not accept as such the vapor- without sense, or sense without a soul."
ings of any well-meaning man with an imagination
It seems to me that Mr. Baxter has raised the
and a gift for language, who discovers felicities
real question as to this point when he says: “In
where they do not exist and extenuates unnecessary the First Folio of the Shakespeare' Works pub-
and appalling ills; who rhapsodizes about airy lished the same year, the lines from the earlier
abstractions like Duty, Liberty, and the Will, with-
Hamlet were left out. By whom and why were
out any scientific analysis or any full realization of they cancelled if not by Bacon, who was then see-
their application to any concrete problem; who, ing his "Augmentis' through Jaggard's press."
in short, offers the ideas he has read into life
That is the question for your readers to decide
instead of the ideas he has read out of life. In
before concluding that Bacon is not “Shakespeare."
that day, we may believe, “Spoon River" will be
HAROLD S. HOWARD.
read as a book that faithfully mirrored a micro-
Livermore, Cal., April 12, 1916.
cosm palpitant with vitality, that did not blink the
worms that grope through ordure, or dim the
splendor of those energies that now seem groping
INFORMATION WANTED.
too, but which, we may reasonably hope, if they
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
are redirected, will evolve a new world.
I wish to appeal to the omniscient constituency
R. S. LOOMIS. of THE DIAL to inform me, through its columns,
Urbana, Ill., April 15, 1916.
concerning what famous man it was true that he
had inscribed on his monument that he had repaid
IS BACON NOT "SHAKE-SPEARE”
both friends and enemies more than he had
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
received. I have an impression, but only a dim
In your issues of Dec. 9 and March 2, Mr. one, that it was some old Greek or Roman; but I
Samuel A. Tannenbaum replies to the following cannot recall his identity.
anti-Shaksperians, Mr. James P. Baxter and Mr.
ERNEST W. CLEMENT.
George G. Greenwood respectively. Mr. Baxter's Tokyo, Japan, March 30, 1916.


1916]
417
THE DIAL
The New Books.
a fine expressive face, and as American in his voice,
in his manner, in his humour as he had never
crossed the Atlantic. The true American never gets
Europeanized, nor does he want to, however long he
LEISURE HOURS OF A LITERARY LIFE. *
may stay on the wrong side of the Atlantic. When I
was with Vedder, Broadway always seemed nearer
More than seventeen centuries ago Aulus
than the Corso.
Gellius gave to the world his “Noctes Atticæ,” Rubaiyat and the book was published while we were
He had recently finished the illustrations for the
somewhat less than a century ago John Wilson in Rome. It was never long out of his talk. He
(or Christopher North, as he called himself would tell us the history of every design and of every
in literature) was busy with his “Noctes model or pot in it. He exulted in the stroke of genius
Ambrosianæ,” and now we have another book
by which he had invented a composition or a pose.
I have heard him describe again and again how he
of a similar title though of a different char-
drew the flight of a spirit from a model, outstretched
acter from either of these,-a volume of and flopping up and down on a feather bed laid upon
“Nights" by Mrs. Joseph Pennell, which, to
the studio floor, until she almost fainted from fatigue,
establish a sort of kinship with the other two,
while he worked from a hammock slung just above.
we might call "Noctes Pennellianæ.” It gives Instances follow of the artist's high esteem for
us the nocturnal diversions of the gifted artist FitzGerald (who is incorrectly referred to as
and his equally, though differently, gifted “Fitzgerald”), especially his rejoicing “in the
wife in the four European cities, Rome, story of Dr. Chamberlain filling a difficult
Venice, London, and Paris, where Mr. and
tooth for the Queen and all the while singing
Mrs. Pennell were at one time and another the praises of the Rubaiyat until she ordered
busily engaged by day in filling commissions,
a copy of the édition de luxe."
to the subsequent satisfaction of magazine-
From the Venetian section a reviewer can-
readers and others, and less strenuously not do better than to quote a passage concern-
occupied after nightfall in cultivating a con- ing the brilliant and eccentric genius whom
siderable number of desirable friendships. the writer was destined to see much of in the
Conventional Philadelphia breeding and re-
near future and, with her husband's collabora-
spectable Philadelphia traditions seem to have tion, to make the subject of a notable
been subjected to some little violence in the biography.
bohemianizing process wrought by these inno- It was extraordinary how the Whistler tradition
cently mirthful, harmlessly convivial Roman
had developed and strengthened in the little more than
four years since he had left Venice. I had never met
and Venetian, London and Parisian nights. him then, though J. had a few months before in
The late hours, extending into early morning London. I hardly hoped ever to meet him; I cer-
hours, kept by the choice spirits with whom tainly could not expect that the day would come when
these expatriated Philadelphians consorted as
he would be our friend, with us constantly, letting us
learn far more about him and far more intimately
by a kind of natural affinity, were not the best than from all the talk at a café table of those who
preparation for a following day of diligent already know him, accepted him as a master, and loved
toil at desk or easel ; but one cannot doubt
him as a man. But had my knowledge of him come
that they were worth all they cost. Their later solely from those months in Venice I should still have
realized the power of his personality and the force
fruit, at least, in the agreeable literary and of his influence. He seemed to pervade the place, to
artistic and personal reminiscences now put colour the atmosphere. He had stayed in Venice only
into book form, is something to be unre- about a year. In the early eighties little had been
servedly thankful for. Taking the nights in
written of him except in contempt or ridicule. But
to the artist he had become as essentially a part of
the order of their rehearsal, let us make our Venice, his work as inseparable from its associations,
first dip into the book in the Roman section as the Venetian painters like Carpaccio and Tintoretto
who had lived and worked there all their lives and
and join the Pennells and sundry others at
about whom a voluminous literature had grown up,
the home of the artist Elihu Vedder and his culminating in the big and little volumes by Ruskin,
wife:
upon which the public crowding to Venice based their
artistic creed.
There was little of his work to see, for his studio
was some distance from his apartment. But it was Any exaggeration in this estimate of Whis-
enough to see Vedder himself or, for that matter, tler's Venetian fame will be readily pardoned.
enough to hear him. In his own house he led the talk; Anything is better than to damn one's friends
even Forepaugh [a fictitious name) having small
chance against him. He was a prolific, a splendidly with faint praise.
determined and animated talker. It was stimulating In the considerable section devoted to
just to watch him talk. He was never still, he rarely London there occurs, among other pleasing
sat down, he was always moving about, walking up pen-portraits, this of the amiable and talented
and down, at times breaking into song and even
into dance. He was then in his prime, large, with though strangely taciturn Phil May:
Neither his books nor his silence, however original
• NIGHTS. Rome, Venice, in the Æsthetic Eighties. and personal, could have been the cause of the charm
London, Paris, in the Fighting Nineties. By Elizabeth
Robins Pennell, Illustrated. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippin-
he undoubtedly possessed. I think he was one of the
people whom one feels are nice instinctively, without
cott Co.


418
[April 27
THE DIAL
any reason. He was sympathetic and responsive, in human records in the account of the revolt
serious when the occasion called for it, foolish when
folly was in order. It wasn't only in bis drawings tians, under the leadership of that greatest
of Israel against his taskmasters the Egyp-
that he was ready to wear the cap and bells. I know
an artist, one of whose cherished memories of Phil and gentlest of labor-agitators the world has
May is of the Christmas Eve when they both rang ever seen, Moses the Jewish Law-giver. There
Lord Leighton's door-bell and ran away and back to
can be little doubt in the mind of the thought-
Phil May's studio on the other side of the road, and
Phil May was as pleased as if it had been a master-
ful and impartial student of history that this
piece for Punch.
perpetual internecine warfare has been the
In the spirit of gay and frivolous Paris is real cause, underlying those that appear on
the following extract from the Parisian por-
the surface, of the rhythmic rise and fall of
tion of the book. The writer and her com- empires in the far-distant past. The enslave-
-
panion were young at the time of this joyous ment of the common people, and the engender-
first sojourn in the French capital:
ing of a political dry-rot among the ruling
Occasionally we dined joyously beyond our means,
classes through the spread of idleness and
and one memorable year we devoted our nights to luxury; the growth of a swollen and top-
giving each other dinners where the best dinners were heavy condition with an outward appearance
to be had. Those alone who are blest with little
of health and an inward condition of corrup-
money and the obligation of making that little can
appreciate the splendour of our recklessness, just as
tion; a revolt from below and an unsteady
those alone who work all day and eat sparingly can
resistance from above; a violent shaking of
have the proper regard for a good dinner. I do not the substratum and the collapse of the super-
regret the recklessness, I am not much the poorer for
structure,—such has been for the most part
it to-day whatever I was at the time, and I should
have missed something out of life had I not once
the record of the decline and fall of civiliza-
dined recklessly in Paris.
tions since the beginning of written history.
Thus, in bright and cheery vein does Mrs. Such, in brief, is the tale of "the glory that
Pennell write of those memorable European
was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome."
nights, wisely forgetting, for the time being,
To those who have sufficient vision to dis-
whatever hardships and anxieties entered into
cern the signs of the times, and into whose
the days. Her playfellow and co-worker in consciousness recent European events are
those nights and days contributes of his art to being burned as by a branding-iron, it is
the embellishment of the volume, which is becoming increasingly clear that the old world
further illustrated from photographs and
is at this moment paying the penalty of its
otherwise. It is a thoroughly wholesome and age-long indifference to the demands of the
enjoyable piece of work, personally reminis-
workers for justice. It seems as though for
cent (or one might say gossipy) without Europe the day of reckoning has come. The
malice, and anecdotal without triviality.
god Nemesis has presented her bill and de-
PERCY F. BICKNELL.
mands instant settlement. It should not be
difficult for those who can look beyond prox-
imate to original causes, to perceive that in
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RELIGIOUS
the threatened or impending revolts from
EVOLUTION.*
beneath, which seemed two years ago to en-
danger the internal stability of each one of
To the innumerable company of simple folk the belligerent nations, are to be found the
who, in these troublous times, are daily groan- real reasons why Europe is now weltering in
ing under the burden of an unintelligible blood. Had Justice ruled in each of the war-
world, the recently published little book, "The ring countries; had the resources of each
Struggle for Justice,” by Mr. Louis Wallis, country been open to the effort of all the citi-
following upon the same author's larger work,
zens in each country; had general content-
“A Sociological Study of the Bible,” to which ment reigned alongside of each monarch on
it forms an addendum, will serve to illuminate his throne; had every honest man sat securely
some of the dark places in our historical
under his own vine and fig tree, none daring
retrospect, and to throw a ray of light upon
to make him afraid, such an inhuman spec-
the path to be followed in the immediate
tacle as we are now witnessing would have
future. In the older parts of the world, the been impossible,- indeed, unthinkable. The
struggle for justice is not, as in America, a question, therefore, which is probably press-
thing of modern growth. The effort of labor ing itself upon those European minds that are
to free itself from the tyranny of privilege is sufficiently freed from the asphyxiating influ-
as old as history, and is first brought to light ence of national passions to be capable of
* THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE. By Louis Wallis. University thinking, is not as to when and how the war
of Chicago Press,
may terminate, or as to what form a treaty
University of Chicago Press.
of peace may assume, but as to whether the
A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE BIBLE.
By Louis Wallis.


1916]
419
THE DIAL
nations that have been involved in the strug- alongside of a “New Sociology,” the one being
gle may have sufficient vision to interpret a revolt against the tyranny of dogmatic re-
the teaching of destiny aright. Will the ligion, and the other a bursting of the political
suffering peoples learn that to go on perpe- and economic trammels that had circum-
trating social injustice is to defy the inexor- scribed the life of the people. What distin- .
able laws of the universe; that it is to pile guishes this double movement in the twentieth
up a debit-balance that must assuredly one century from all similar movements that have
day be wiped out; that it is to accumulate preceded it is that it is now supported as it
explosive material that must ultimately, by never has been before by knowledge and
spontaneous combustion if not by accident, understanding of the art of Biblical and his-
result in disastrous conflagration? And what torical interpretation, on the one hand, and
lesson does this world-tragedy contain for the of the science of economics on the other.
neutral nations, and especially for this It is strange indeed that we should so per-
greatest among neutrals, the United States ? sistently have taken for granted that our
This is just the question that Mr. Wallis's primitive forefathers were possessed of an
two books should bring vividly to the mind of inherent tendency to metaphysical specula-
every thoughtful and patriotic American. tion, and that the religion of early races grew
Must we complete our apprenticeship in the out of a desire to solve the riddle of the
art of right living by going through the same universe. If the method of explaining the
experiences of blundering and suffering, or past by observation of the processes we see
may we learn in time that the laws of the
in operation around us in the present is the
universe are pledged to social justice, and that method suggested by pure reason, then the
we violate these laws at our peril? America assumption that our remote and unlettered
in a peculiar sense at the parting of the ancestors evolved their religion out of their
ways, and those who most deeply love her unsuccessful efforts to transcend the finite
institutions and ideals will most earnestly and to comprehend the infinite must be ruled
hope for such a national heart-searching as out of court. For we now see plainly that
will reveal to her whether or not she is follow- the habit of metaphysical speculation is not
ing in the footsteps of those countries whose natural to the genus homo except in his later
accumulated sins are now being expiated on and more complex developments. The natural,
fields of blood.
healthy, well-fed man has no immediate im-
In the “foreword” to “The Struggle for pulse toward theology, philosophy, or mys-
Justice,” Mr. Wallis points out the interesting ticism. The speculative instinct, like the
and extremely significant fact that two great æsthetic or mathematical faculties, only
movements, which to the casual thinker may asserts itself after a substantial beginning has
seem to have no obvious relationship to each been made in the life that is based upon
other, are converging to the same objective, animal sensation, and in the construction of
like two rivers flowing together to form a the intellectual machinery by which it is
larger stream. These are the awakening of regulated. Why, then, should we have
the social conscience to the need for economic assumed that, while in our own days only
justice, and the modern re-interpretation of the few leisured and educated among us have
the religion of the Bible. It is upon these a tendency to look beyond the life of the
two movements that our Western civilization passing day, the common people of remote
must rely for its preservation or escape from ages soared among the immensities and eterni.
the catastrophe that has invariably overtaken ties out of mere love of theological specula-
its predecessors, even those that have attained tion? The assumption is obviously not a
to the highest point of distinction in com- reasonable one, and can only have arisen
merce, science, art, and literature. And the through causes which we have not hitherto
value of such a sociological study as Mr. clearly diagnosed.
Wallis has given us lies just in this, that it Mr. Benjamin Kidd, in his “Social Evolu-
reveals the close association which necessarily tion," has propounded a theory which seems
exists between the religion of dogmas and to provide an answer to this question. In the
creeds and that form of society in which early days of social development, he points
land-monopoly and privilege dominate the out, the interests of the race were sharply
lives of the common people; and it reveals opposed to the personal interests of the indi-
the equally vital or organic connection be- viduals composing the race-group. From the
tween the religion of social morality and the point of view of that cosmic energy to which
freer political institutions towards which by a mental necessity we are compelled to
mankind have always been struggling. In attribute a personal volition, and which urges
every age there has been a “New Theology” | humanity to the conquest of the earth and
a


420
[April 27
THE DIAL
to the highest development of his powers in elucidation of the circumstances that led up
the arts and sciences, it was absolutely essen- to the struggle of the Hebrew people for the
tial that men should be compelled to toil by worship of the one god, as opposed to the
some power external to themselves, some cults of the many gods who reigned in the
power stronger than the mere force of hunger temples of the great powers of the time.
that impels the animal to seek for food. In “That struggle,” says Mr. Wallis, “was not a
other words, it was necessary that the few mere theological contest between certain wise
strong men of exceptional intelligence should people who served a real God and certain
enslave the many and compel them to obedi- foolish people who served unreal gods? It
ence,- it was necessary that injustice should was a warfare between the principles of jus-
provide the first stepping-stone to the higher tice and injustice. The rise of monotheism
life of society. It is evident that this hypo- and the downfall of polytheism spelled the
thesis places the interests of the race and triumph of the plain people over the aris-
those of the vast majority of individuals at tocracy." This is indeed the burden of Mr.
any given time in direct opposition to each Wallis's message to our time, as it is con-
other. The interests of the hive involve the tained in the two books before us.
What we
complete subordination of the great army of have hitherto wrongly interpreted as a per-
individual bees who from generation to gener- petual intellectual warfare between older and
ation have occupied the hive. But why, it newer metaphysical systems was at bottom a
may be asked, should men have submitted to continuous struggle between those in posses-
this subordination of their own interests to sion of unjust privileges and those who
the future interests of the race,— a future in suffered from that injustice. “Such as were
which, as individuals, they could have no oppressed had no comforter, but on the side
part or share? Reason gave no sanction to it. of the oppressor there was power." The fact
By the appeal to force, the bands of slavery that this struggle against economic oppression
in all its forms could have been burst asunder assumed the thought-forms it did assume,
in their earliest stages. But the power that should not have blinded us to the truth that
rules human destiny seems rigorously to have its purpose was to burst the manacles of slav-
determined that the interests of the race must ery. The refusal to bow to a king and to kneel
be supreme, and so a supra-rational sanction to a priest are at bottom identical, as being
had to be discovered for the subordination of expressions of the question that man
the individual,- a sanction that would be bound sooner or later with advancing intelli-
above and independent of reason; and that gence to ask himself, “Why am I not free ?”
sanction was found in the religion of dogma If we would see clearly on this matter we
or authority, the religion which rests upon cannot get too firmly into our minds the
an assumed command of supernatural beings. thought expressed in the words of Mr. Wallis,
The early structure of society, in short, neces- “Religion is always the reflection, or mirror,
sitated a system of theology which postulated of the conventional usages and views of
an external authority which was supposed to Society," and the realization of the fact that
have ordered this subordination of the mass a revolt against the fetters of law and custom
of men to the few powerful spirits among invariably manifests itself as a revolt against
them; and so there arose that complex hier- the religion associated with, and giving its
archy of gods and demons, with their com- authority to, these customs.
mandments and creeds and dogmas, to whom How persistently this struggle between
was attributed supreme power over the des- those on whose side was power and those who
tinies of the race. The hypothesis may be suffered and had no comforters, has gone on
expressed thus: given a certain economic or under all the changing forms of society and
industrial form of society, there must evolve religious belief is impressively shown in the
a certain system of theology to correspond, course of Mr. Wallis's study of Hebrew his-
a system which will profess through its creeds tory. After the motley crowd of gods and
and dogmas to authorize the existing struct- goddesses who reigned in the temples had
ure of society, and which will serve to stifle been dismissed, and the one true God was
the spirit of rebellion on the part of the established on his eternal throne, the conflict
sufferers under that structure. There is, in between power and freedom expressed itself
short, an organic connection between a in a new form. “As soon as Monotheism was
religion of authority and dogmatism, and a established, a new struggle arose over the
structure of society which involves the abso- question, How is the One God to be served ?"
lute subordination of the many to the few. Then began that conflict that has been waged
With this hypothesis before us, it is of all through the succeeding ages between priest
exceeding interest to follow Mr. Wallis in his and prophet, between dogmatist and moralist,


1916]
421
THE DIAL
-
between orthodoxy and heterodoxy, between race that we are indebted for the inception
the upholders of ancient beliefs and the and conservation of the moral sentiment. To
seekers after new truths. And the outstand- the Hebrew people we owe it that the torch of
ing fact, the significance of which we are only "loyalty to the idealized community" was first
now beginning dimly to perceive, is that the lighted and has been kept burning through
priest, the dogmatist, and the orthodox up- the long darkness of heathenism. To the
holder of things as they have been have Greeks we are indebted for that sentiment of
invariably been ranged on the side of power beauty which has played so large a part in
and privilege; while the moralist, the prophet, the intellectual evolution of the human mind;
and the heterodox religionist have at all times to the Romans we acknowledge our education
been the supporters of the oppressed and dis- in the uses of the sense of power in all the
inherited. The agitation for justice in social spiral forms through which man mounts to
relationships has never proceeded from the higher planes of being. But it is to that
religion of dogma and authority, but always chosen people” to whom the sense of justice
"
from the religious heretics,- from those who was first revealed that we must place the
believed that the One God was to be wor- credit of having through its seers and
shipped, not by giving credence to alleged prophets preserved for future generations the
happenings in the past or future or assent to highest conceptions of social righteousness
certain creeds or dogmas, but by setting up the world has yet known.
principles of justice in human relationships. We commend these two books to the atten-
It seems as though it is by a true instinct that tion of every sincere and humane student of
men have always felt the denial of ancient sociology. Despite the sadness which always
creeds to be the only possible method of attends a candid survey of the blunderings of
approach to the double-sided problem of our poor humanity in the past, and despite
religion and politics, theology and sociology, the clamor and confusion of the present age
the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood in which that survey is made, Mr. Wallis's
of man.
pages are illumined by a persistent hopeful-
Apart from the appeal which Mr. Wallis's ness, a rational optimism, a stubborn faith in
two books make to every earnest social re- the ultimate supremacy of righteousness. We
former, their intellectual value as contribu- cannot do better than to close this imperfect
tions to a right understanding of Hebrew review by quoting the author's final sentence:
history can hardly be over-estimated. The “There can be no doubt how the present strug-
plain man seldom realizes that, despite the gle will end: the social gospel will triumph;
excellence of the translations we have been and the Bible, as explained by scientific
provided with, the idioms, images, and scholarship, will stand at the centre of the
phrases in which the history of the Jews is greatest movement for justice and freedom
conveyed to us are so foreign to our ordinary that the world has ever seen."
modern language as to constitute practically
ALEX. MACKENDRICK.
a different tongue. This is specially true of
the writings of the later Hebrew prophets, but
applies to some extent even to those of profane
PAINTING AND THE PUBLIC.*
historians of the time of Josephus. We conse-
quently fail to recognize that the unfamiliar
There are in the main two causes of the
form and phrasing in which the message is present unfortunate lack of sympathy between
conveyed have obscured and blurred its mean-
the painter and the public. Mr. Frederick
ing, and have left only the most hazy impres- Colin Tilney, an English painter, teacher, and
sion on our minds as to the real order and critic, discusses them in the opening chapters
significance of the historical happenings. Our of “The Appeal of the Picture.”
indebtedness, therefore, is great to a student
One cause lies in the conditions of modern
who has taken the trouble to focus the records life. Leisure no longer exists. Contempla-
through the lens of his own understanding, tion is a lost faculty. Only novelty and the
and to re-present them to us in a form which sensational attract attention, and that but for
we can fully comprehend.
the moment. Legitimate art, unable by its
Few among average book-readers in these very nature to traffic in novelty and sensation,
days realize the deep human interest that thrives only in an age of greater calm.
attaches to the early history of the Jewish
The other cause is to be sought in the
people. Not only have we inherited from painter's art itself, as practised to-day. Two
that persecuted race our richest legacy in tendencies in contemporary painting have
literature, poetry, and (when rightly inter-
An Examination of the
preted) early history, but it is to the Jewish
>
Principles in Picture Making. By Frederick Colin Tilney.
* THE APPEAL OF THE PICTURE.
Ilustrated. New York:
E. P. Dutton & Co.


422
[April 27
THE DIAL
gone far toward producing total estrangement in hearing discussed by the expert. These
of public from artist. There is, on the one are some of his themes: the point of view of
hand, the scientific tendency. Since the the public, subject-matter, size as a factor,
inauguration of the luminarist movement tone, tonal effect, color, composition, realism
upward of a hundred years ago, and particu- and idealism, naturalism (by which he means
larly since its triumph in the eighties, such not the photographic naturalism of literary
painters of the new school as have been really criticism, for which he employs the term
sincere have been so absorbed in the technique literalism, but the quality of existing or pos-
of light and color as almost to have forgotten sible reality), mood, feeling, the romantic and
the public in the overwhelming desire to please the picturesque, landscape, impressionism,
themselves and their fellow artists. The development, quality, mural painting, genre,
public mind, educated for generations in the portraiture, background, photography, archa-
language of the great masters, and looking to isms, fears and hopes.
painting for a transcript of life, is filled with Mr. Tilney is conservative, but temperate.
mystification and distrust before the ever He gives due credit to those who have repre-
shifting and contradictory mass of experi- sented real progress in painting, opposing
mental effort, for the most part neglectful of only the exaggerated claims of the extremists.
subject matter and attentive to technique, that He insists on the essential correctness and
adorns the walls of the exhibition.
value of traditional principles. It behooves
On the other hand, there is the tendency painters to be human like the old masters, he
toward the illegitimate and the insincere. says, and to be artists like them also.
.
These are the parasites of the scientific. The The history of the world teaches us that it is usual
successful experimentation of the honest and for apostles of new creeds and starters of new move-
conscientious artist has been followed by the
ments to be over-zealous, as well as for their immedi-
ate disciples to carry enthusiasm beyond reasonable
haphazard experimentation of the insincere, bounds. They will not pause to ask whether the
the ignorant, and the self-interested. Walls principles they are treading down and the styles they
are hung with easy imitations of successful are throwing over are worth anything for the goodness
innovators, or with startling originalities mak- and truth that is in them. Naturally all this causes
The
consternation amongst the adherents to old principles;
ing desperate bids for notoriety.
and so it usually happens that a new régime begins
indistinct drawing and the omission of detail with a reign of terror.
inherent in the great impressionists have been And under the cloaking turmoil of a reign of terror
made the excuse for and erected into the
there are to be found many who commit crimes in the
name of liberty. They assume the cockade, and under
principle of bad drawing. The necessary or the ægis of a veritable tri-colour, pass as being in the
accidental strangeness of genius has been movement. Without assimilating its matter they make
seized upon and made into virtue. Archaism,
a brave show with its manner. Their voice is raised
exoticism, naïveté, unreality, unrecognizabila in strident tones in order that those who cannot judge
shall esteem them heroes and yield to them the spoils
ity, and actual ugliness, all have their cults.
of war.
Mere newness and freshness of concept or To change the metaphor: Impressionism, Pleinair-
execution have been exalted. Lack of genius, isme and Pointillisme have opened the gates to inca-
talent, or industry, unwillingness to submit to pacity and chicanery.
rules, the itch for notoriety, the desire for a Again, speaking of the most recent apostles
market, have all joined voices in noisily of modernism, against whose "shameless rub-
avowed contempt for the traditional and bish” “it is an astounding thing that, with
undying qualities of art. The public, mysti- one or two exceptions, no critics can be found
fied and distrustful before the more or less who will frankly and fearlessly set their
incomprehensible product of even the modern faces,” Mr. Tilney says:
artist who is endowed with genius and sin- Our present revolutionaries have won no support at
cerity, has ended by having added to its all amongst painters. Their popularity has been a
other emotions disgust at the self-conceit, self-
thing of newspaper “booming." It has had no real
life because people have been able to see nothing in it.
assertion, and self-exploitation of quack artist
Works which, upon patient examination, yield more
and quack critic.
and more conviction, are those which possess true and
In thus explaining the breach between pub- good principles.
lic and painting, however, the author of "The
It is ridiculous to suppose that men who have made
a life-long study of pai ing, who have lived always
Appeal of the Picture” does not rail. Mr. in the atmosphere or art and are alive and keen to
Tilney's primary purpose is not to establish every sign of new life, can be so much surpassed in
a theory; his book is neither a satire nor a
perspicuity by a few untrained men as to miss in
their works any sign of true life and progress if such
polemic, but a series of twenty-three very is there to be seen. It is likewise ridiculous to sup-
sober and very sensible and instructive chap- pose that childish and hideous performances can
ters on such topics as the ordinary reader,
possess truths and beauties which the foremost artists
cannot see, but which two or three dealers and news-
whether artist or mere picture lover, delights | paper critics can recognize by intuition or revelation.
>
>


1916]
423
THE DIAL
a
>
son.
>
Mr. Tilney insists also on the partnership of On nearly every page one finds specimens
the people in art. The public, whose ideal of of that pungent and thoroughly characteristic
beauty has always had a generous share, along humor for which the author was celebrated.
with the genius of the artist, in the production Professor Lounsbury has expressed himself
of art expression, is not to be despised and frankly and colloquially, and has not aimed
scorned. There is health in the demand of at preserving an atmosphere of academic
the public for a transcript of life, in its dis- frigidity. As a result, he has certainly pro-
trust and disgust at the substitution of duced a most readable book, on what might
strangeness and unreality for the traditional have been deemed a rather dry subject.
language of art. With due regard for the fact The task which he set himself was to write
that the artist must necessarily be in advance a literary biography of Lord Tennyson which
of the public, it is a safe principle that the art should not supplant but rather supplement
which troubles the public is by that very fact existing biographical works, chief among
rendered suspect."Nothing but man's un- which, of course, is the memoir by Tennyson's
“
troubled joy in art can keep art alive."
Specifically, he sought to trace the
GRANT SHOWERMAN. growth of Tennyson's popularity and the
change of attitude toward him on the part of
his critics. From the narrative several facts
THE GROWTH OF TENNYSON'S
become clear.
REPUTATION.*
The first to be noted is that although Tenny-
son's friends worked hard at the outset of his
The late Professor Lounsbury, whose death
career to bring him to the favorable notice of
at the age of seventy-seven occurred a little the public, their efforts had no appreciable
more than a year ago, had won a wide effect upon his permanent reputation, which
reputation as a careful and sound productive his works have earned on their own merits.
scholar. His monographs on Cooper, Chaucer,
Another is that Tennyson's own morbid
and Shakespeare and his writings on the hypersensitiveness to hostile criticism was one
English language, although some of them of his worst enemies, but for the existence of
expressed views to which his critics could by which he might have jumped ten years earlier
no means assent, were respected as valuable
to the position of England's chief poet. Not
contributions to knowledge; and taken alto-only did unfavorable comment so depress him
gether, his career as a public teacher and man
that at times he thought of writing no more,
of letters was honorable and distinguished.
but it induced him to commit at least two
In his later years, Professor Lounsbury indiscretions, the lines to Christopher North
became interested in the history of critical and “The New Timon and the Poets.” The
opinion with respect to Browning and Tenny- former, if Lounsbury's reasoning is correct,
son. His lectures on Browning's early works, recoiled on his head in the malicious review
published in 1911, were reviewed in THE DIAL in “The Quarterly" for April, 1833, which
for Feb. 1, 1912. His far more elaborate
work on Tennyson, which bade fair to rival gation of Wilson.
was probably written by Lockhart at the insti-
in bulk his three-volume “Studies in
On the other hand, while eager for praise
Chaucer," was cut short by his lamented
and somewhat too easily upset by blame,
death. Although he never expected to cover
Tennyson, in revising his poetry, was singu-
the poet's entire career, he hoped to come
down to the publication of “The Idylls of the larly independent of criticism, especially of
censure. Indeed, he did not sufficiently, per-
King." When death overtook him, though he
had collected much material for the decade of haps, respect what might be called the vested
the fifties, he had not fully completed his rights of the public; for he sometimes intro-
duced sweeping changes into a poem after his
remarks on "In Memoriam," and none of the
readers had become thoroughly familiar with
chapters had received his final revision. This
and fond of its first form. Some of these
fact must be borne in mind in judging the changes may have been desirable; others, it
volume before us, which has been very ably would seem, were not.
edited and seen through the press by Professor
Cross. It is a well printed book of nearly criticism which greeted the volumes of 1830
Again, the steady stream of unfavorable
seven hundred pages. So well have the editor
and his associates done their work that only and 1833, and which continued through almost
two decades, seems to have had no permanent
rarely is one reminded that the book is to be
effect upon Tennyson's reputation. This was
taken not as a finished product but as a torso.
regulated not by the critics but by the public,
which paid little attention to the critical jour-
By Thomas R. Lounsbury.
nals. By 1850, Tennyson had become one of
* THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TENNYSON (from 1809 to 1850).
New Haven: Yale University
Press.


424
[April 27
THE DIAL
the leading poets, if not the first poet, of bubbly-jock," etc. Just why this sort of thing
England; and this triumph both Wilson and was supposed to be more effective than sober
Lockhart lived to see.
argument is not clear. Nowadays if critics
It
has been generally supposed that believe all this of an author, they do not write
Hallam's death in 1833 paralyzed Tennyson's forty-five-page reviews on him, but pass him
poetical activity for some years. Professor over in silence.
Lounsbury finds the case to be otherwise. The Interesting, too, is the chapter on “Surviv-
event did, to be sure, have a disastrous effect ing Reputations of the Georgian Era.” In
upon the poet's health ; but when that im- 1830, Wordsworth was still highly regarded,
proved, he wrote as much as ever. Indeed, although his best work had long since been
we may suppose from various remarks in the done. Circumstances had combined to give
earlier parts of “In Memoriam” that in writ. Byron an immense reputation, and he “was
ing he found an anodyne.
still the one whom nearly every youthful
A general conclusion to be drawn from aspirant for poetic honors took consciously
Tennyson's life is that contemporary criticism or unconsciously as his model.” Curiously
of works of the imagination is generally futile. enough, Shelley's reputation was just begin.
There is of course the personal equation which ning: Still later did Keats come to his own.
leads one man to look with indifference upon what the
It will thus be observed that the growth of
vast majority of men passionately admire. But far Tennyson's reputation was synchronous with
greater than this is the difficulty that attends him
the growth of Keats's fame - a fact that is
judgment of a work which necessarily requires for interesting in view of the affinity between the
honest appreciation that thorough familiarity which two poets.
is begot of frequent examination and of examination Professor Lounsbury has thrown much light
in different states of mind. This is true of every
on the obscurer years of Tennyson's career,
single poem of any length. But when it comes to
a collection of short poems, the task of judging be-
and his book therefore deserves the careful
comes infinitely harder.
perusal of all students of the Poet Laureate.
Of the scores of reviews of Tennyson's early
CLARK S. NORTHUP.
works, very few are worth reading to-day,
because few critics were able to detach them-
selves from preconceived notions sufficiently
RECENT FICTION.*
to set a proper value upon this new worker in
It may have been feared from early signs
poetry. Much, too, of the early criticism was
that we were to have a very searching time
mere parrot talk learned from bolder writers.
with the novels this year. It made the older
The fourth chapter gives us a useful history
of the critical journalism of the period. The lection to the days when the name "problem
ones among us look back with sombre recol-
two great reviews,“ The Edinburgh" and "The novel” was invented. The novelists appeared
Quarterly," were “mighty powers both in the to be delving in great depths of thought.
world of literature and of politics.". In 1832, Life, whether real or not, was very earnest.
an article in “The Quarterly” is said to have Especially did it seem necessary to consider
sent stocks down two per cent. In literature why it should be that two people who had
they made or ruined reputations. Gradually, promised to love each other till death did
consequence of the appearance of the month part, should find themselves unable to do so,
or else what it was best to do when this was
lies and the weeklies, of which by 1830 several
the case. Such matters were much in mind;
had sprung up. In all of these, moreover, the
and as they had often been in mind before,
style of criticism was far more vociferous and
a gloom of conventionality and even tedious-
brutal than would be tolerated to-day. It
ness seemed to be settling down. Such efforts
was a time when Lockhart in “Blackwood's"
could speak of “the calm, settled, impertur; things that make fiction worth while that
are so often made at the expense of the very
bable, drivelling idiocy of 'Endymion," and
there was real ground for uneasiness. But
when the anonymous reviewer (probably the spring announcements did much to dis-
Christopher North) of Hunt's “Byron” could sipate this cloud, and it soon appeared that
speak of it (March, 1828) as "hypocritical life had still a shining face. “Romance, ad-
twaddle," and of its author as a Freizeland
Bantam, “the vainest bird that attempts to
venture, mystery" were still possible.
crow" — "who to the prating pertness of the
By William MacHarg and
Little, Brown, & Co.
parrot, the chattering impudence of the mag-
THE OCEAN SLEUTH, By Maurice Drake.
pie,- to say nothing of the mowing malice
By E, Phillips Oppenheim.
of the monkey — adds the hissiness of the bill- Boston: Little, Brown, & Co.
SEVENTEEN. By Booth Tarkington. New York: Harper
pointing gander and the gobble-bluster of the
»
• THE BLIND MAN'S EYES.
Edwin Balmer. Illustrated. Boston:
New York:
E. P. Dutton & Co.
AN AMIABLE CHARLATAN.
& Brothers.


1916]
425
THE DIAL
“The Blind Man's Eyes" has all these ele- sliding panels or wearing false whiskers and
ments,- at least it has mystery; and when other disguises, was in keeping with the sin-
life is mysterious, it is likely also to have cerity of modern realism. These important
adventure and romance. I have read no bet points had been clearly seen by Poe, but they
ter detective story for a good while. It is were popularized by the creator of Sherlock
difficult to write about such a book, because Holmes with such real literary art that since
it is a shame to give an idea of the story that time the detective story has been a rec-
beforehand. Of course there are those who ognized form of higher literature. And
think it best to read the end of such a story people have been delighted to find that it was
first, so as to appreciate better the art by just as literary to follow absorbedly the way
which one's interest and curiosity are height- a clever burglar uses a red-haired man to get
ened and carried along. I have no doubt that into a bank, only to be headed off by a cocaine-
this is a good practice, but it surely ought to user sitting at a concert, as it was to be dis-
be a matter of choice. It is not fair to insist turbed about whether one had a right or a
on telling such things beforehand. One thing, duty to commit suicide, or to leave one's hus-
however, may be told. This story is of a blind band and children.
man who knew much more than many who All this is perhaps a little too academic.
could see. This seems to me a novel and ingen- The intellectualist as a detector of crime is,
ious idea,—even if it does not reach the of course, not a new figure, but it was certainly
dignity of a "new note.”
ingenious to think of a blind intellectualist
This would be a good place to say some- who knew so much more than any one else.
thing of the history of the detective story, if Then as to the murder. I have always a preju-
only I knew enough. It is very easy to say, dice against a murder, - it seems as though
,
“The Blind Man's Eyes' sounds a new note," there could not possibly be so many mysteri-
or something of the sort, but one needs con- ous murders; it was certainly not the least of
siderable knowledge of literary history to the gifts of Conan Doyle to think of so many
determine whether a "note” really is new or things worth detection beside murders. But
not. I am sadly ignorant of the history of granted a murder, it was certainly a good
the detective story, and how far it used to be thing, in this case, for the murdered man to
considered literary, and whether it used to be come to himself and find out about the crime
such as could be read with a preservation of better than anybody else. So Messrs. Mac-
intellectual self-respect. I remember that in Harg and Balmer are well started, and once
the old pre-Sherlock-Holmes days, most of the started they are quite equal to their oppor-
detective stories (not counting the dime novel tunity. They do not have, as some detective-
predecessors of “Old Sleuth,” if there were story writers have had, a keen sense of
any) were French: Gaboriau was the chief character; but there are not many detective
man at it who is now remembered, though stories that really do give us much sense of
there were others. But they were not very reality in persons,- now and then one gets
respectable from the literary standpoint. it, but not often when there are the other
Andrew Lang wrote (in a Ballade of the day): necessary things. “The Blind Man's Eyes"
These two have shortened many a mile carries its story along with unfailing ingenu-
Miss Braddon and Gaboriau.
ity and resource.
There were of course exceptions. Wilkie
Mr. Maurice Drake is already known by
Collins and Charles Reade, as well as the other books which I have not read. “The
delightful Miss Braddon, provided mystery, Ocean Sleuth” is a good detective story with
though not always the mysteries of detection. an additional dash of the sea. Indeed, I sup-
It was Mr. Conan Doyle (as he was then) pose that the sea-story part is more interest-
who was the Joshua, if not absolutely the ing to Mr. Drake than the rest; there is more
Moses, of a new and promising land. The idea gusto in the opening chapters about the
that detection of crime was no esoteric cult, wrecking-tug, more vigor in the scene at the
but that it was open to all who could detect, wreck of the liner, than I find afterward.
was wholly in keeping with the democratic Fortunately, Mr. Drake takes his time; and
tendencies of our time. The idea that such though he is bent on detection, he likes quite
personal detection was likely to be better as well to tell of one thing or another as to
than the rigid rule-of-thumb officialism was get on with his story. I am sure he has
also natural to an age which prefers the spirit plenty of excellent touches that I have missed
to the letter as does our easy-going, luxurious in my haste to find out about the bank notes,
time. The idea that crime was to be detected - like Austin's opinion of Anjou Mousseaux
by thinking about it in a logical manner, in- before and after having seen the young lady
stead of listening conveniently at doors or he had come to Brest to see. This disposition
-
a
>


426
[April 27
THE DIAL
to dally with his subject is a good thing; a derful restaurants, not of the Hotel Milan
whole novel at the intensity of a good detective this time, but Stephano's! What a change
story is a hard thing to read. Conan Doyle's from stiff English country-houses, or stiff
long stories do not come up to the shorter ones. American houses in town, from our highly
Mr. Drake was probably cut out for something moral amusements and our dull day-by-day
other than a writer of stories of mystery. Not life! Such (at least) was the view of that
a
that his mystery is not good (it is not a charming adventuress so
charming adventuress so devoted to her
murder, which at least shows a step toward amiable if criminal father; and while we are
originality), but better are his glimpses of the with Mr. Oppenheim we can understand how
sea and of the men who sail upon it or knock Mr. Walmsley felt about her, even after he
about its shores. When Mr. Voogdt takes a had once or twice gone to Scotland Yard with
pint of beer with uncle or tries to make a her. But Mr. Oppenheim is really too respec-
point out of Peters of Millbay Docks, or cor- table; he feels too responsible for our morals.
responds with Aaron Fletcher
Fletcher of S. S. It is suggested that Shakespeare allowed Mer-
“Godwit,” I felt rather more at home than cutio to perish in the middle of the play
when he is going around Brest looking for because he felt unequal to carrying him
hundred franc notes. Everybody will not like through to the end. I have no such lack of
that sort of thing better, but it has more of confidence in Mr. Oppenheim, but I unhesi-
the touch of life to it. One cannot say even tatingly pronounce the first part of the book
now that everyone can write a good detective the best. But this sort of talking of course
story; it is unfortunately true not only that gives little idea to those who have not read
many cannot but that of their number some the book, and is not of interest to those who
try. But it is also true that fewer still can have. Mr. Oppenheim really needs no com-
write a story with a touch of real life to it, ment, but only to be passed along.
and that is a thing which somehow seems After so much that is exciting everybody
better worth doing than the other. So one will want a change. Even the intellectual and
may rather hope that Mr. Maurice Drake will artistic Greeks after a trilogy of tragedies
keep his mind fixed more on the ocean and liked a change, and used to have satyric plays,
less on the sleuth. He will be likely to write of which all have been lost. These consisted,
other interesting books on what he happens doubtless, of a crude, probably a coarse,
to be thinking about; but a story will prob- humor, which would only have been enjoyable
ably grow out of his experiences with the men after a long day devoted to Prometheus,
of the sea quite as easily as it can be thought Medea, or Edipus. After a trilogy of detec-
out from a good situation, whether of bank tive stories (even ending with Mr. Oppen-
notes or something else.
heim) one should have a change. The best
One is always pretty safe with Mr. E. thing would be something rather realistic,
Phillips Oppenheim. It is true that people something that would give one the feeling of
generally say of each new book that of course real, if unexciting, life; but failing such for
it is not as good as “A Maker of History" or the moment, one will do well to read Mr. Tark-
whichever of his former novels they read first ington's “Seventeen.” To be perfectly frank
in that golden long ago when they first made about this book, I should say that it was the
his acquaintance. But they are generally most dreadful combination I had met with in
indulgent, too, and before they come to an years, but very funny. Probably not even
end they are likely to be consoled for their Mr. Tarkington would expect that I should
disappointment. In "An Amiable Charla- appreciate it: I am too like Mr. Parcher for
tan,” Mr. Oppenheim lets his readers down that,- though older even than he was. I rec-
easily. He plays with them, it must be ad ognize truth in Mr. Parcher, except that I do
mitted; I think he is more of an amiable not believe that he (or any other gentleman
charlatan himself than Mr. Bundercombe was. of or from Indiana) ever retired on a hot
Mr. Bundercombe was amiable enough, but he summer's evening to read “Plutarch's Lives"
was not the kind of person whom I think of in the library, even to escape a young man of
as a charlatan. Even in his preliminary form, seventeen on the piazza talking with a lovely
he is not that. But charlatan or not, he moves girl who used baby talk.
girl who used baby talk. But Mr. Parcher
in the real Oppenheim world, that strange had arrived at an age when he did not appre-
if delightful world in which one spends most ciate youth. "Fathers forget,” says Mr.
of one's time at restaurants, sometimes with Tarkington, and this is certainly true of some
a glass of hock by one's side and a portion of things, though not always of others,- as' for
the plat du jour before one, and sometimes instance jokes. “Seventeen” is a remarkable
with a more elaborate menu, but always in a piece of work. That a man should be able to
mood for something to happen. Those won- take the elements of boy and girl, little sister,


1916]
427
THE DIAL
>
Historical
records of
An Elizabethan
romancer.
>
the collar-button, the youthful poem, the slight would sell as of what would edify. The two
moustache, make a book from them and offer aims may have happened sometimes to coin-
it for sale and yet not only be allowed to live cide. In his discussion of the “repentances,”
but be encouraged seems beyond belief. It also, the author of the thesis is skeptical. The
cannot be doubted that “Seventeen" has earlier pamphlets he considers not autobio-
stirred thousands to inordinate and healthful graphical but commercial fiction. However,
laughter. Some will not laugh so much as while autobiographical inferences must be de-
others, but even these will read the book rived with caution, there is no need of going
through if only to find out whether there is to the other extreme and denying any reflec-
to be a goat eating tomato-cans, and whether tion of actual experience. Of Greene's poetry
Mr. Parcher is to put up a stove. Every age his critic says pithily, that it is best appre-
has its own standards, especially in humor: ciated when it is “recollected in tranquility.”
a generation ago “Helen's Babies” was de- Chronologies are included in the text, along
lightful; before that, “Tom Sawyer.” The with a tabulation of the framework tales,
youth of the present do not care for “Tom a discussion of misconceptions concerning
Sawyer,” and never heard of “Helen's Ba- Greene, and a collection of early allusions to
bies.” No one who would understand the the romancer and dramatist.
twentieth century should omit Mr. Tarking-
ton's study of current adolescence. It will do
much to explain the history of our country
Until recent years investigators
interested in the early history
thirty years hence,- if we can stick it out
early Illinois.
so long.
of the western United States,
EDWARD E. HALE. and especially that of Illinois, have concerned
themselves with either the period of the
French influence or that following Clark's
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS.
Kaskaskia expedition. The intervening period
“Many things I have wrote to lightly, the attention paid it being by no
- 1763 to 1778 — has been touched only
get money," said Robert Greene
on his death-bed. His works fill
means equal to that which its importance
thirteen volumes in Grosart's admirable edi. merits. During these years the English bus-
tion. He was the most prolific of the Eliza- ied themselves with such problems of colonial
bethan writers, his output including romances,
organization as confronted them in the west-
framework tales, social pamphlets, prodigal
ern country. Most of these were entirely
new: the control of the Indians who were as
son stories, poems, plays, “repentances"; and
hostile to the English as they were favorable
he was versatile as well as prolific. His lit-
to the French, the organization of the fur
erary work was done in twelve years, and he
died at thirty-four. Greene's allusion to the trade, the schemes for colonizing the new
“ upstart crow .. in his owne conceit the onely civil government to take the place of the
country, and finally the organization of a
Shake scene in a countrie” has done more to
keep his name alive than all the other relics military government. The documents which
of his pen; yet Robert Greene's “many
tell this story are scattered in a score of
things” have more than passing interest for places. Some are in print; others are still in
the student of his age. An interesting study of collecting and editing this material has
manuscript form. For several years the work
of Robert Greene is to be found in the mono-
graph by Dr. John Clark Jordan, lately issued Clarence W. Alvord, assisted by Mr. Clarence
been going on under the direction of Mr.
by the Columbia University Press. It is con-
scientious and readable. The romances (in: be gathered into five or six volumes known as
E. Carter. The results of their labors are to
cluding the tales), the social pamphlets, and
the “British Series” of the Illinois His-
the “repentances” are analyzed and studied
in detail
. In the first of these groups, Dr. torical Collections,” published by the Trus-
Jordan finds Greene following, with not a few
tees of the Illinois State Historical Library.
borrowings, the taste and the models of the
The first volume - Volume X of the “ Collec-
hour. In the second group, also with occa-
tions" — has appeared under the title, “The
sional appropriation of other men's wares, he Critical Period,” and deals with the years
was working in a field somewhat less occupied 1763 to 1765 inclusive. An introduction by
and one obviously attractive to him. As to the editor gives a summary of the history of
Greene's humanitarian purpose in the conny- these years. Five hundred pages of documents
catching pamphlets, Dr. Jordan does not form the body of the substantial volume.
think that we should claim much; Greene was Such chapter headings as “Organization of
quite as interested in the production of what | the Western Territory,”
," "The Proposed Col-


428
[April 27
THE DIAL
view of
as
ony of Charlotina,” “Accounts from the Illi- “since these would enforce my keeping regu-
nois," "The Regulation of Indian Affairs," lar hours; the only familiars I have, there-
etc., show the scope of the work. If the re- fore, are my clock, my fire and my candles,
maining volumes approach the standard set and how companionable these may become one
by the first there will be no doubt as to the does not know who does not live alone.” Even
value of the contribution made. Since the living alone, then, has its romance, whatever
Illinois country was one of the chief centres the mountain shepherd may say to the con-
of activity in the West, the problems which trary. Fifty short papers, collectively dedi-
confronted the British imperialists here were cated to the author's sisters, "with whom this
those of the whole region. For this reason philosophy was proven,” make up the book.
these documents, although they deal primarily
with the British in Illinois, will be of the
A bird'seye
Babylon through centuries of
greatest assistance to the student who seeks
time was little more than an
information concerning the plans of the En- Babylon.
abstraction. But the persistent
glish statesmen for the organization of the and systematic labors of excavators during
empire which they had won from the French.
the last twenty-five years have made it an
In Volume XII of the “Collections," Mr.
astounding reality. Mr. Leonard W. King
Theodore C. Pease gives a compilation of the of the British Museum, whose "History of
county records still in existence in the several Sumer and Akkad” appeared a few years ago,
counties of Illinois. As to the value of these
now takes up the story in his “History of
records as historical material, he says that the Babylon” (Stokes) where the previous work
writer of Illinois history who wishes to do dropped it, namely, where the city of Babylon
work worth while "must explain how on the
was on the point of securing permanent
foundation of a French empire in the Missis- leadership under the West-Semitic Kings.
sippi valley has been built an Anglo-Saxon The author carries us through the entire
commonwealth — how men entered the wilder-
stretch of history from 2225 B.C. down to the
ness, bought and sold land, dabbled with the Persian conquest in the sixth century B.C.
slavery they had put from them in their con-
The ten chapters of the volume are rather
stitution a forbidden thing, acquired
uneven in value and method of treatment,
wealth and achieved comfort and luxury, and, in fact, scarcely accord with the usual
built roads and established schools, and
canons of history-writing. Chapter I states
administered a rude justice and a simple gov- the place of Babylon in the history of
ernment. In the land records, county com-
antiquity; chapter II recites in great detail
missioners' records, and circuit court records, the results of German excavations on the site
in assessors' books, the probate wills and in- of old Babylon for the last two decades.
ventories
, the election returns, and the slavery Chapter III is a rather intricate chronological
papers that survive in county courthouses is discussion that should have been relegated to
the extant material for such a history of Illi-
an appendix, and its conclusions incorporated
nois.” Over eight hundred printed pages tell in the body of the volume. The remaining
in detail the nature of the records and their chapters present without much variation the
location, and at the same time testify to the regular course of events. Chapter V is espe-
industry of the compiler of the volume.
cially fresh in its discussion of the character-
istics and influence of the Hammurabi
Fertile fancy, nimbleness of wit, period, while chapter VII embodies results
Exercises in
freaks and whims, with an en- of the wonderful “finds” at Boghaz-Kelli in
wittedness.
gaging manner delightfully free Asia Minor. The appendices are especially
from conventions and defiant of the charge of valuable in that they give us the latest lists
egoism in its free use of the first person of kings of the dynasties of Nisin, Larsa, and
singular of the pronoun, abound in the collec- Babylon. The volume is profusely illustrated.
tion of short pieces more or less concerned
with “The Romance of the Commonplace"
The history of Vassar College
(Bobbs-Merrill), and owing their existence
Collge life at recently reviewed in these col-
to Mr. Gelett Burgess. Not new to print, or Vassar fifty
umns is delightfully supple-
not all of them new, they are none the less
mented in its earlier chapters by
good reading, particularly where they verge, two small volumes, privately printed as part
as they often do, on the autobiographical; for of last autumn's fiftieth anniversary celebra-
on no subject is anyone so well qualified to tion and now put upon the market by the
write as on his own experiences, material and Vassar College Bureau of Publication. "The
spiritual. “I keep no pets,” says Mr. Burgess, Golden Age of Vassar," by Mary Harriott
a
nimble-
years ago.


1916]
429
THE DIAL
((
а
66
Norris, is the more interesting if the less follows as best he may. The author was at
lively of the two books, for its connected Ladysmith during the siege, and took part in
account of the starting of Mr. Vassar's “dan- the relief of Mafeking; and everywhere he
gerous experiment toward unsexing women" saw, heard about, or was a participant in
fills in many of the gaps which the “Letters occurrences worth relating. Little of his more
from Old-Time Vassar”— letters of a student intimate family history is recorded, but he
in 1869-70 — necessarily leave open. Both describes himself as “the thirteenth child of
authors emphasize the enthusiasms of the a family of fifteen” and “raised in the ortho-
early days and minimize their hardships and dox English way." His father, a clergyman,
disappointments, or perhaps it would be fairer shipped him off at a rather early age to Sibley,
to say that both turn hardships into glories. Iowa, and there the eventful narrative really
The opposition of "Antis” only strengthened begins. It is brisk reading, and furthermore
the minds of the feminists of those days,- an is well illustrated.
eternal truth which might be equally well
illustrated from to-day's suffrage campaigns.
Of the making of books on
French methods
The criticisms brought against the curricu- in teaching English composition there is no
lum and life of the pioneer institution only
composition.
end. Still an occasional volume
made more alert the attitude of its members stands out from the mass and justifies itself.
toward it and toward their own purposes in “How the French Boy Learns to Write"
supporting it. The amount of endowment, ' (Harvard
(Harvard University Press) gives "good
which, while considered wildly extravagant measure, pressed down, shaken together and
for its time, was in reality extremely inade- running over.” Professor R. W. Brown of
quate to meet all needs, stimulated greater Wabash College, starting from the fairly well
proportional efforts to increase its total sum established fact that the average Frenchman
than those which at this moment are being writes the mother tongue with greater
put forth to raise the immediately needed accuracy and even distinction than does the
million dollar fund. Finally, the simple life average American, went to France in 1912
of the students, with its “mush and milk” and devoted the academic year to a study of
and its “hash and vinegar” meals, left the the methods used in the French schools, par-
young women merry and unconventional, ticularly in the primary and secondary
youthful Stoics who learned willingly to sub- courses. He found abundant evidence that
ordinate luxury and even comfort to spiritual | the French boy of high school age writes
necessity. More books such as these are better than the American boy, that he has a
needed in our libraries to vivify with personal
more highly developed skill in the use of
recollection the annals that, read abstractly, words, and a better sense for literature. The
tend to give a dreary and bare outline to a
reasons assigned have the merit of appearing
movement actually full of life and color.
more than adequate to the result. The im-
portant ones are these: The unifying effort
“Froth and Bubble” (Long- of the National Department of Education;
The story of
mans), by Mr. Maurice A. Har-
the universal methods of dictation and con-
adventurer.
bord, certainly makes no pre. scious study of vocabulary; the superiority of
tension in its title to any great seriousness of
style, and in fact its entertaining contents are
the teachers, due to their training, their hon-
orable social position, their secure future, and
largely anecdotal; but the anecdotes are of
personal experience, and their abundance and
their leisure for personal growth; and
variety are astonishing. In quest of change greatest of all, the national tradition that
and adventure the author has apparently been language,- i. e., the mother tongue,- is the
roaming the two hemispheres from the age most important thing for a French boy to
of sixteen to his present maturity, whatever know. The author scores the vagaries in
that may be, and only pauses long enough American
American school methods, and remarks
to write what he calls the first volume of his trenchantly that we “have a national habit
life because of temporary disablement in an of taking up a subject or idea, proving its
encounter with an African leopard. From absolute importance, and then immediately
clerking in a bank to ranch life in Montana, forgetting all about it." This may be a
thence to campaigning in South Africa in the prophetic foreboding of the reception of his
Boer War, after that to service in the Trans- own book of suggestions. Individual teachers
vaal Town Police, then to farming in Nyanza here and there will profit by it; but there is
Province - these are some of the many bewil- small chance in our individualistic riot of its
dering moves that the reader of the book accomplishing any fundamental reform.
a restless


430
[April 27
THE DIAL
new infinite."
-
-
In the early days of the Calcu- are of the briefest, and the whole appearance
Studies of "the
lus, Bishop Berkeley wondered of the book appeals to the casual and hurried
whether anyone but an atheist reader. A cheerful philosophy of life, a belief
could believe in the infinitely small. Now, in in ideals, and a command of terse and forceful
the early days of another startling develop- language, agreeably tinctured with humor and
ment in mathematics, at least one mathemati- enlivened with wit — these are conspicuous
cian assures us that the new infinite” has a
among the book's qualities.
vital message for the "old theology," and is
apparently questioning whether anyone can
believe in the infinitely large without being a
BRIEFER MENTION.
theist. And just as in the beginnings of
Hypergeometry spiritualists fancied that they
“Readings on the Relation of Government to
discovered in the new science a gateway to the Property and Industry” (Ginn), edited by Pro-
supra-rational, so to-day a leading idealistic fessor Samuel P. Orth, is a volume excellently
philosopher is convinced that the mathemat- adapted to the needs of business men, classes in
ical infinites are quintessentially related to business colleges, and college classes in general.
the life of the Absolute. But the history of The material is definitely and compactly organized
mathematics is neutral. The Calculus and under the following subjects: the changing con-
Hypergeometry progressed irrespective of ceptions of property obligations and of govern-
mental functions; the expanding police power, as
theist, atheist, or mystic; and the theory of sanctioned by state and federal courts; the control
Transfinites is advancing regardless of theol. of corporations; and the development of labor
ogy or metaphysics. This new branch of laws.
mathematics — the arithmetic of infinities of
The Country Life movement has gained no little
distinct and infinite numbers -- was invented
was invented headway in the last few years. We now have
and developed by Georg Cantor, of the Uni- books and magazines about it, lectures to popu-
versity of Halle. Two of his most important larize it, and a national commission to encourage
memoirs, entitled “Contributions to the it. To its growing literature Dr. Ernest Irving
Founding of the Theory of Transfinite Num- Antrim contributes a well-informed little book,
bers," have been translated into English, “Fifty Million Strong, or Our Rural Reserve,
and supplemented by an excellent historical engaged in furthering the cause and confidently
written with the persuasiveness of one actively
résumé, by Mr. P. E. B. Jourdain. The trans. hopeful of its signal success. Rural interests and
lation constitutes the initial volume of “The all the instrumentalities for their promotion are
Open Court Series of Classics of Science and intelligently and clearly discussed. The church,
Philosophy," and sets for the series an unusu- the school, the library, the part to be played by
ally high standard.
rural cooperative activities of all sorts, the call to
leadership in rural upbuilding, the place of recrea-
tions and amusements in the rural community -
Little essays
Seven years ago Dr. Frank
these and other related topics are handled with
Crane relinquished the pulpit vigor and understanding. * (The Pioneer Press,
for the pen. Though discharg- Van Wert, Ohio.)
ing to general satisfaction the duties of pastor
Expertness in the use of reference-books is an
of a prosperous church, he decided to resign accomplishment that has increased in value with
his pastorate and risk a hazard of new for the decreasing possibility of holding in one's head
tunes. “My position was too secure," he tells the sum total of human knowledge; and this expert-
us. "It was not precarious enough.” Ap- ness will continue to gain in esteem with the rapid
proaching the half-century mark, he desired future extension of research in all directions.
“to keep young" through the stimulus of a
Hence the usefulness of such a manual as Miss
Florence M. Hopkins's "Reference Guides That
little risk and uncertainty as to where the
Should be Known, and How to Use Them," pub-
daily bread was to come from. Therefore he
lished by the Willard Company, of Detroit.
became a writer of sermonettes or brief essays Designed especially for use in high and normal
for the newspapers, hoping thus to reach a
schools, and arranged in eight groups of graded
larger public than from the pulpit. His ven- lessons, the book is equally serviceable for self-
ture has proved a success, and hundreds of instruction or for teaching purposes in library
thousands of newspaper readers have wel. training classes or library schools. Filling nearly
comed his syndicated talks on familiar topics.
two hundred octavo pages, it is comprehensive and
A volume of short essays of this nature now
detailed within its limits, works in foreign lan-
comes from his pen, under the title, “Adven-
guages being beyond its scope. Occasional minor
tures in Common Sense” (Lane), each essay Hopkins has already shown her aptitude for tasks
errors call for correction in a later edition. Miss
being only two or three pages in length, and
like her present one in her little manual on
the style admirably adapted to the theme and “Allusions," which we have had the pleasure of
the intended class of readers. The paragraphs commending.
for the
millions.
>
(


1916]
431
THE DIAL
1
"
NOTES.
Dr. Horace H. Furness, and others. Messrs.
Scribner expect to publish this volume of
M. Jusserand's in May.
“In the Garden of Romance," a love story by
Mr. L. H. Hammond, will shortly be issued by
The long-announced "Tennyson Dictionary," by
Messrs. Crowell.
Mr. Arthur E. Baker, whose chief object has been
A new edition of Brandes's “Life of Shake-
to identify and describe the multitudinous charac-
speare" is expected to be ready in time for the
ters, place-names, etc., both fictitious and historical,
created or utilized by the poet, is now promised by
forthcoming celebration.
Messrs. Dutton for next month.
“My Lady of the Moor,” a tale of the Dartmoor
A collected edition in two volumes of the poems
country, by Mr. John Oxenham, is announced by
and plays of Mr. Percy MacKaye, with a preface
Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co.
by the author, is announced by the Macmillan Co.
“Wind and Weather" is the attractive title of
All published poems to date are included, together
a new book of verse by Dr. Liberty H. Bailey, with the following plays: “The Canterbury Pil-
which Messrs. Scribner will soon publish.
grims,” “Jeanne d'Arc,” “Sappho and Phaon,”
A translation of Selma Lagerlöf's latest novel, “The Scarecrow,” and “Mater.
"The Emperor of Portugalia," is in preparation,
"The Country Life Anthology of Verse," edited
and will be issued in the autumn by Messrs. by Mr. P. Anderson Graham, is in preparation by
Doubleday.
Messrs. Scribner. It will contain a collection of
The second volume in the series of scientific poems by modern authors which appeared origi-
papers of Sir Ernest Shackleton's geological nally in the English periodical, “Country Life,
research at the South Pole will be ready during including verse by Fiona MacLeod, W. E. Henley,
the spring.
Mr. Robert Bridges, and many others.
Another volume by Mr. Francis Bond in the The next quarterly number of "The Book
"English Church Artseries, entitled “The English Monthly” will not appear until the beginning of
Chancel,” will soon be issued by the Oxford Uni- October. The paper famine, coming on the top of
versity Press.
other war difficulties, has made the way of an
“The Influence of Joy,” by Dr. George Van Ness English literary magazine especially hard. Mr.
Dearborn, is a new title soon to be added to the James Milne, the editor and proprietor of “The
"Mind and Health Series," published by Messrs. Book Monthly," thinks it best frankly to recognize
Little, Brown & Co.
this and omit his April-May-June and July-August-
Early next month M. Paul Bourget's latest novel, September numbers.
"The Night Cometh," will be published by Messrs.
Mr. Edward Carpenter's forthcoming volume of
Putnam. It is written under the influence of the
reminiscences will be entitled “My Days and
The
war, and its subject matter is entirely of to-day. Dreams: Being Autobiographical Notes.”
The record of the late Richard Harding Davis's
notes extend back a quarter of a century, and
second visit to the front, entitled “With the French
have been gathered under such headings as “Per-
in France and Salonika," is about to be published of My Books,” “University Extension and North-
sonalities,” “Trade and Philosophy," "The Story
by Messrs. Scribner. Mr. Davis had completed the
revision of the proofs just before his death.
ern Towns,” and “Sheffield and Socialism. Chap-
ters are also included on Cambridge and Brighton
“Sacrifice" is the title of the forthcoming experiences.
English translation of "La Veillée des Armes,
Professor Chester Martin's volume on “Lord
Marcelle Tinayre's story of France in the first
Selkirk's Work in Canada,” which the Oxford Uni-
days of the war which attracted widespread atten-
versity Press is about to publish in the “Oxford
tion when it first appeared in the original.
Historical and Literary Studies,” is offered as a
Mr. Gilbert Frankau, one of the three sons of the
late "Frank Danby," who are now fighting in the
measure of tardy appreciation of Selkirk's services,
British army, has written a volume of verse, “A
even though, in the author's words, “it may not
restore his name to the place which one may hope
Song of the Guns,” which Messrs. Houghton Mif-
flin Co. announce as immediately forthcoming.
it would have occupied had his work and life not
been cut short by a violent and a not very scrupu-
Mr. Edward Salmon will publish immediately a lous opposition.” The story of the Scottish colony
small book entitled “Shakespeare and Democracy, which he founded in Canada is based on Selkirk's
which he hopes will show that Shakespeare's hu- own papers.
manity carried him far toward impartiality in all One of the features of the forthcoming memoir
matters affecting the relations of the classes and
of Alfred Russel Wallace, in two volumes, by Mr.
the mob.
James Marchant, is a collection of hitherto unpub-
A new book by Mrs. Humphry Ward, entitled lished letters which, in conjunction with the use of
“England's Effort,” is announced for May issue by correspondence from Wallace's autobiography and
Messrs. Scribner. It deals with various aspects of the lives of Darwin and Lyell, tells the story of
life in England since the war started, and shows the evolution of the idea of natural selection in the
how the people at home are coöperating with the scientists' own words. The letters also include
men at the front.
correspondence with Herbert Spencer, Kingsley,
The French ambassador's new book, “With Sir Francis Galton, Sir Joseph Hooker, Gladstone,
Americans of Past and Present Days,” will contain and many other celebrities, covering every aspect
chapters on Rochambeau, Washington, Lincoln, 1 of Wallace's many-sided interests.
(


432
[April 27
THE DIAL
"
An “Introduction to the Study of International
GENERAL LITERATURE.
Relations,” announced by Messrs. Macmillan, is a Shakespeare's Theater. By Ashley H. Thorndike,
L.H.D. Illustrated, 8vo, 472 pages. Macmillan
volume of papers by various authors, edited by
Co. $2.50.
Mr. Arthur Greenwood, who has himself con- A Census of Shakespeare's Play: in Quarto, 1594-
tributed articles on “International Relations and 1709. By Henrietta C. Bartlett and Alfred W.
Pollard. 4to, 154 pages. Yale University Press.
the Growth of Freedom," and "International
$7.50.
Economic Relations." The remaining papers com-
G. K. Chesterton: A Critical Study. By Julius
West.
prise “War and Peace since 1815," by Professor
With photogravure portrait, 8vo, 191
pages. Dodd, Mead & Co. $2.
A. J. Grant; "The Causes of Modern Wars," by William Wordsworth: How to Know Him. By
Mr. F. F. Urquhart; “Political Relations between C. T. Winchester, L.H.D. With portrait, 12mo,
296 pages. Bobbs-Merrill Co. $1.25.
Advanced and Backward People," by Mr. P. H.
The Observations of Professor Maturin. By Clyde
Kerr; and “International Law," by Mr. J. D. I. Furst. 12mo, 225 pages.
Columbia University
Press. $1.25.
Hughes.
Essays and Literary Studies. By Stephen Leacock.
A cumulation, in one alphabet, of the contents 12mo, 310 pages. John Lane Co. $1.25.
of the annual numbers of the “Readers Guide to
The Evolution of Modern Hebrew Literature, 1850-
1912. By Abraham Solomon Waldstein, Ph.D.
Periodical Literature," for 1910-14 inclusive, is Large 8vo, 127 pages. Columbia University
announced for immediate publication by the H. W.
Press. $1.25.
Select Prose of Robert Southey. Edited, with intro-
Wilson Co. About ninety periodicals are indexed duction, by Jacob Zeitlin, Ph.D. 12mo, 436 pages.
by author and subject, and subject references to
Macmillan Co. $1.50.
one hundred and sixty-seven composite books are
VERSE AND DRAMA.
included in the same alphabet with the magazine Battle, and Other Poems. By Wilfrid Wilson Gibson.
references. Magazines added to the "Readers' 12mo, 198 pages. A. C. McClurg & Co. $1.25.
Guide” since 1910 have been carried back to the Lyrics of War and Peace. By William Dudley
Foulke, LL.D. 12mo, 119 pages. Bobbs-Merrill
beginning of the five-year period. The subject- Co. $1.
headings have been thoroughly revised and many Songs of the Fields. By Francis Ledwidge; with
sub-headings bave been added to facilitate use of so
introduction by Lord Dunsany. 12mo, 122 pages.
Duffield & Co. $1.25.
great an amount of material.
Poems. By Gustaf Fröding; translated from the
At such a time as this, it is a wise and noble
Swedish, with introduction, by Charles Wharton
Stork, Ph.D. 12mo, 168 pages. Macmillan Co.
action of Mr. T. J. Cobden-Sanderson in editing $1.25.
and producing an elaborate Doves Press edition of
Wolf's-Bane: Rhymes. By John Cowper Powys.
8vo, 120 pages. G. Arnold Shaw. $1.25.
Goethe's poems in the original text. In this anthol-
The Contemporary Series. First volumes: Images
ogy, which bears the title "Auserlesene Lieder, Old and New, by Richard Aldington; Laodice
Gedichte, und Balladen: Ein Strauss,” the poems
and Danaë, a play in one act, by Gordon Bottom-
ley; The Tragedy, a fantasy in verse, by Gilbert
selected “have been arranged in three principal Moyle; Horizons, by Robert Alden Sanborn; Five
groups, with four interwoven Poems indicative of
Men and Pompey, a series of dramatic portraits,
by Stephen Vincent Benét; The English Tongue,
Goethe's attitude to Life, in such a way as to form and other poems, by Lewis Worthington Smith.
Each 16mo. Boston: The Four Seas Co. Per
ein Strauss: a nosegay of visionary flowers' hav-
volume, 60 cts.
ing relation in colour and perfume only to one The Hidden Garden, By Florence D. Snelling.
another and to the nosegay which collectively they
16mo, 112 pages.
Boston: The Ranger Co.
Two Deaths in the Bronx. By Donald Evans. 12mo,
compose. The volume will be printed in red and
60 pages. Philadelphia: Nicholas L. Brown. $1.
black, from the Weimar edition, and will appear John o' Dreams. By L. J. Dickinson. With por-
in July.
trait, 12mo, 125 pages. Superior, Wis.: The
Colwin Co. $1.
Wild Apples. By Jeanne Robert Foster. 12mo, 193
LIST OF NEW BOOKS.
pages. Sherman, French & Co. $1.
The Menaechmi of Plantus. With a translation by
Joseph H. Drake. New edition; 16mo, 129 pages.
[The following list, containing 125 titles, includes
Macmillan Co. Paper.
King Shakespeare:
books received by THE DIAL since its last issue.]
A Masque of Praise for the
Shakespeare Tercentenary. By Albert Hatton
Gilmer. 16mo, 14 pages. Ginn & Co. Paper.
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES.
FICTION.
William Wordsworth: His Life, Works, and Influ-
By George McLean Harper. In 2 volumes,
Children of Hope. By Stephen Whitman. Illus-
illustrated in photogravure, etc., large 8vo. trated, 12mo, 508 pages. Century Co. $1.40.
Charles Scribner's Sons. $6.50.
Behold the Woman! A Tale of Redemption. By T.
Abraham Lincoln: The Lawyer-Statesman.
Everett Harré. 12mo, 400 pages. J. B. Lippin-
John T. Richards. Illustrated, 8vo, 260 pages.
cott Co. $1.35.
Houghton Mifflin Co. $2.50.
Fulfillment: A California Novel. By Emma Wolf.
David Morton: A Biography. By Elijah Embree 12mo, 397 pages. Henry Holt & Co. $1.35.
Hoss. Illustrated in photogravure, etc., 8vo, 214 Mr. and Mrs. Pierce: A Story of Youth. By Cam-
pages. Nashville, Tenn.: Publishing House of eron Mackenzie. Illustrated, 12mo, 404 pages.
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.35.
HISTORY
The Little Lady of the Big House. By Jack London.
With frontispiece in color, 12mo, 392 pages.
Writings of John Quincy Adams. Edited by Worth-
Macmillan Co. $1.50.
ington Chauncey Ford. Volume VI, 1816-1819. The Buftoon. By Louis W. Wilkinson. 12mo, 428
8vo, 573 pages. Macmillan Co. $3.50.
pages. Alfred A. Knopf. $1.50.
England and Germany, 1740-1914. By Bernadotte Instead of the Thorn. By Clara Louise Burnham.
Everly Schmitt, Ph.D. With map, 8vo, 524 pages.
With frontispiece, 12mo, 390 pages. Houghton
Princeton University Press. $2.
Mifflin Co. $1.25.
The Administration of President Hayes. By John The Seed of the Righteous. By Juliet Wilbor Tomp-
W. Burgess, LL.D. With photogravure portrait, kins. Illustrated, 12mo, 270 pages.
Bobbs-
12mo, 154 pages. Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.
Merrill Co. $1.25.
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THE FORKS OF
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THE ROAD
our
was
-
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• An opportunity to recover our sea
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an oppor-
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present itself again under similar circum-
stances.
Either we shall seize this
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THE DIAL
A Fortnightly Journal of Literary Criticism, Discussion, and Information.
.
O
.
.
Vol. LX.
MAY 11, 1916
No. 718.
THE NEGRO IN AMERICAN FICTION.
CONTENTS.
PAGE Ever since Sydney Smith sneered at Ameri-
THE NEGRO IN AMERICAN FICTION. can books a hundred years ago, honest critics
Benjamin Brawley .
445
have asked themselves if the literature of the
LITERARY AFFAIRS IN FRANCE. (Special
United States was not really open to the
Correspondence.) Theodore Stanton 450
A Noteworthy Edition of Montaigne.-
charge of provincialism. Within the last year
Personal Memoirs of Emile Ollivier. - Gifts or two the argument has been very much
to the Comédie Française. — The Late Marcel
revived; and an English critic, Mr. Edward
Hébert and Joseph Fabre.— Posthumous
Papers of Stuart Merrill.—“0. Henry” in Garnett, writing in “The Atlantic Monthly,"
France.
has pointed out that with our predigested
CASUAL COMMENT
453 ideas and made-to-order fiction we not only
The House of Harper's removal from
discourage individual genius but make it pos-
Franklin Square.—A famous old dramatic
company.-A philologist and more than a
sible for the multitude to think only such
philologist.—The blue pencil.—Post-Victorian thoughts as have passed through a sieve. Our
literary antics.- Language-making in the most popular novelists, and sometimes our
trenches.— How one library disposes of its
outworn books.—Mortality among magazines.
most respectable writers, see only the sensa-
-“ Joy-reading."— The real David Grayson. tion that is uppermost for the moment in the
-A note on new fiction.—Literary rarities mind of the crowd- divorce, graft, tainted
turned to charitable uses.- - Dry statistics.
meat or money, and they proceed to cut the
,
COMMUNICATIONS
456
Was “Shakspere” “Shake-speare"? Samuel
cloth of their fiction accordingly. Mr. Owen
A. Tannenbaum.
Wister, a "regular practitioner” of the novel-
Poe's First London School. Lewis Chase. ist's art, in substance admitting the weight of
Slipshod Bibliography. W. H. Miner.
these charges, lays the blame on our crass
A Letter to a Dead Author. Mary B.
Swinney.
democracy which utterly refuses to do its own
Coöperation_between Library and Police.
thinking and which is satisfied only with the
Drew B. Hall.
tinsel and gewgaws and hobbyhorses of litera-
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES ture. And no theme has suffered so much
FRANCIS ADAMS. E. D. Adams . 461 from the coarseness of the mob-spirit in litera-
CROWDS AND CROWD-PSYCHOLOGY. Allan ture as that of the Negro.
Nevins
465 As a matter of fact, the Negro in his prob-
,
THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE UPON CIVIL-
lems and strivings offers to American writers
IZATION. Payson J. Treat
466
the greatest opportunity that could possibly
TYPES OF REALISM IN RECENT PLAYS.
be given them to-day. It is commonly agreed
Homer E. Woodbridge
467
that only one other large question, that of the
RECENT FICTION. Edward E. Hale .
473
relations of capital and labor, is of as much
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS
475
interest to the American public; and even this
Adjustment to life in past ages.— More
about Oscar Wilde.-A Carlylean disciple on
great issue fails to possess quite the appeal
the war.- In Eastern lands of enchantment.
offered by the Negro from the social stand-
-A war-clouded outlook on life.—The South- point. One can only imagine what a Victor
ern attitude in the Civil War.-An English
Hugo, detached and philosophical, would have
Orderly at St. Helena.—Argentina and its
done with such a theme in a novel. When
people.-A famous editor of a famous journal.
we see what actually has been done,- how
BRIEFER MENTION
478
often in the guise of fiction a writer has
NOTES AND NEWS.
480
preached a sermon or shouted a political creed
TOPICS IN MAY PERIODICALS
481
or vented his spleen,- we are not exactly
LIST OF NEW BOOKS.
proud of the art of novel-writing as it has
been developed in the United States of
A list of the books reviewed or mentioned in this
issue of THE DIAL will be found on page 484.
America. Here was opportunity for tragedy,
.
.
.
.
-
482


446
(May 11
THE DIAL
>
for comedy, for the subtle portrayal of all the bing for her, and was by her nursed back to
relations of man with his fellow man, for faith life and love. In the midst of his perplexity
and hope and love and sorrow. And yet, with about joining himself to a member of another
the Civil War fifty years in the distance, not race, came the word from Madame John that
one novel or one short story of the first rank the girl was not her daughter, but the child
has found its inspiration in this great theme. of yellow fever patients whom she had nursed
Instead of such work we have consistently had until they died, leaving their infant in her
traditional tales, political tracts, and lurid care. Immediately upon the publication of
melodramas.
this story, the author received a letter from a
Let us see who have approached the theme, young woman who had actually lived in very
,
and just what they have done with it, for the much the same situation as that portrayed in
present leaving out of account all efforts put “ 'Tite Poulette," telling him that his story
forth by Negro writers themselves.
was not true to life and that he knew it was
The names of four exponents of Southern not, for Madame John really was the mother
life come at once to mind, — George W. Cable, of the heroine. Accepting the criticism,
Joel Chandler Harris, Thomas Nelson Page, Mr. Cable set about the composition of
and Thomas Dixon; and at once, in their out- “Madame Delphine,” in which the situation
look and method of work, the first two become is somewhat similar, but in which at the end
separate from the last two. Cable and the mother tamely makes a confession to a
Harris have looked toward the past, and have priest. What is the trouble? The artist is
embalmed vanished or vanishing types. Mr. so bound by circumstance and hemmed in by
Page and Mr. Dixon, with their thought on tradition that he simply has not the courage
the present (though for the most part they to launch out into the deep and work out his
portray the recent past), have used the novel human problems for himself. Take a repre-
as a vehicle for political propaganda.
sentative portrait from “The Grandissimes”:
It was in 1879 that “Old Creole Days”
Clemence had come through ages of African
evidenced the advent of a new force in Ameri. savagery, through fires that do not
refine, but that
can literature; and on the basis of this work,
blunt and blast and blacken and char; starvation,
and of “The Grandissimes” which followed, gluttony, drunkenness, thirst, drowning, nakedness, ,
dirt, fetichism, debauchery, slaughter, pestilence,
Mr. Cable at once took his place as the fore-
and the rest she was their heiress; they left her
most portrayer of life in old New Orleans.
the cinders of human feelings. She had had
By birth, by temperament, and by training he children of assorted colors — had one with her now,
was thoroughly fitted for the task to which the black boy that brought the basil to Joseph;
he set himself. His mother was from New
the others were here and there, some in the
Grandissime households or field-gangs, some else-
England, his father of the stock of colonial
where within occasional sight, some dead, some not
Virginia; and the stern Puritanism of the accounted for. Husbands like the Samaritan
North was mellowed by the gentler influences woman's. We know she was a constant singer and
of the South. Moreover, from his long appren-
laugher.
ticeship in newspaper work in New Orleans Very brilliant of course; and yet Clemence
he had received abundantly the knowledge is a relic, not a prophetess.
a
and training necessary for his work. Setting Still more of a relic is Uncle Remus. For
himself to a study of the Negro of the old decades now, this charming old Negro has
regime, he made a specialty of the famous - been held up to the children of the South as
and infamous - quadroon society of Louisi- the perfect expression of the beauty of life in
ana of the third and fourth decades of the the glorious times “befo' de wah,” when
last century. And excellent as was his work, every Southern gentleman was suckled at the
turning his face to the past in manner as
bosom of a “black mammy.” Why should we
well as in matter, from the very first he raised not occasionally attempt to paint the Negro
the question propounded by this paper. In of the new day - intelligent, ambitious,
his earliest volume there was a story entitled thrifty, manly? Perhaps he is not so poetic;
“ 'Tite Poulette," the heroine of which was a
but certainly the human element is greater.
girl amazingly fair, the supposed daughter of To the school of Cable and Harris belong
one Madame John. A young Dutchman fell also of course Miss Grace King and Mrs. Ruth
in love with 'Tite Poulette, championed her McEnery Stuart, a thoroughly representative
cause at all times, suffered a beating and stab- piece of work being Mrs. Stuart's “Uncle
-
.
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>
he Turning from the longer works of fiction to
a
'Riah's Christmas Eve.” Other more popu- cians of low
cians of low and high degree, artists, ,
lar writers of the day, Miss Mary Johnston correspondents, foreign ministers, and cab-
and Miss Ellen Glasgow for instance, attempt inet officers hurried to acknowledge their
no special analysis of the Negro. They simply fealty to the uncrowned king, and hail the
take him for granted as an institution that strange brown woman who held the keys of
always has existed and always will exist, as his house as the first lady of the land." This,
a hewer of wood and drawer of water, from let us remember, was for some months the
the first flush of creation to the sounding of best-selling book in the United States. A
the trump of doom.
slightly altered version of it has very recently
But more serious is the tone when we come commanded such prices as were never before
to Thomas Nelson Page and Thomas Dixon. paid for seats at a moving picture entertain-
We might tarry for a few minutes with Mr. ment; and with “The Traitor” and “The
Page to listen to more such tales as those of Southerner” it represents our most popular
Uncle Remus; but we must turn to living treatment of the gravest social question in
issues. Times have changed. The grandson American life! “The Clansman" is to Amer.
of Uncle Remus does not feel that he must ican literature exactly what a Louisiana mob
stand with his hat in his hand when he is is to American democracy. Only too fre-
in our presence, and he even presumes to help quently, of course, the mob represents us all
us in the running of our government. This too well.
will never do; so in “Red Rock” and “The
Leopard's Spots” it must be shown that he the short story, I have been interested to see
should never have been allowed to vote any how the matter has been dealt with here. For
way, and those honorable gentlemen in the purposes of comparison I have selected from
Congress of the United States in the year ten representative periodicals as many dis-
1865 did not know at all what they were tinct stories, no one of which was published
about. Though we are given the characters more than ten years ago; and as these are in
and setting of a novel, the real business is to almost every case those stories that first strike
show that the Negro has been the "sentimental the eye in a periodical index, we may assume
pet” of the nation all too long. By all means that they are thoroughly typical. The ten
let us have an innocent white girl, a burly are: “Shadow," by Harry Stillwell Edwards,
Negro, and a burning at the stake, or the in the “Century” (December, 1906); "Call-
story would be incomplete.
um's Co'tin': A Plantation Idyl,” by Frank
We have the same thing in “The Clans- | H.
H. Sweet, in “The Craftsman” (March,
man," a "drama of fierce revenge." But here 1907); "His Excellency the Governor,” by
we are concerned very largely with the black- L. M. Cooke, in “Putnam's” (February,
ening of a man's character. Stoneman (Thad-1908); “The Black Drop," by Margaret
deus Stevens very thinly disguised) is himself Deland, in “Collier's Weekly” (May 2 and 9,
the whole Congress of the United States. He 1908); "Jungle Blood," by Elmore Elliott
is a gambler, and "spends a part of almost Peake, in “McClure's" (September, 1908);
every night at Hall & Pemberton's Faro “The Race-Rioter,” by Harris Merton Lyon,
Place on Pennšylvania Avenue.” He is hys- | in the "American” (February, 1910); “Sha-
terical, "drunk with the joy of a triumphant dow," by Grace MacGowan Cooke and Alice
vengeance.” “The South is conquered soil," MacGowan, in “Everybody's” (March, 1910);
he says to the President (a mere figure-head, “Abram's Freedom,” by Edna Turpin, in the
by the way), "I mean to blot it from the “Atlantic” (September, 1912); “A Hypo-
map.” Further: “It is but the justice and thetical Case," by Norman Duncan, in “Har-
wisdom of heaven that the Negro shall rule per's" (June, 1915); and “The Chalk
the land of his bondage. It is the only solu- Game,” by L. B. Yates, in “The Saturday
tion of the race problem. Wait until I put a Evening Post” (June 5, 1915). For high
ballot in the hand of every Negro, and a standards of fiction I think we may safely say
bayonet at the breast of every white man from that, all in all, the periodicals here mentioned
the James to the Rio Grande.” Stoneman, are representative of the best that America
moreover, has a mistress, a mulatto woman, a has to offer. In some cases the story cited
"yellow vampire” who dominates him com- is the only one on the Negro question that a
pletely. “Senators, representatives, politi- magazine has published within the decade.
»
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>
“Shadow" (in the “Century") is the story “But you will still believe that I love you ?”
of a Negro convict who for a robbery com- he asks, ill at ease as they separate. “No, of
mitted at the age of fourteen was sentenced course I can not believe that,” replies the
to twenty years of hard labor in the mines of girl.
Alabama. An accident disabled him, how- “Jungle Blood" is the story of a simple-
ever, and prevented his doing the regular minded, simple-hearted Negro of gigantic size
work for the full period of his imprisonment. who in a moment of fury kills his pretty wife
At twenty he was a hostler, looking forward and the white man who has seduced her. The
in despair to the fourteen years of confine- tone of the whole may be gleaned from the
ment still waiting for him. But the three description of Moss Harper's father: "An
little girls of the prison commissioner visit old darky sat drowsing on the stoop. There
the prison. Shadow performs many little acts was something ape-like about his long arms,
of kindness for them, and their hearts go his flat, wide-nostriled nose, and the mat of
out to him. They storm the governor and gray wool which crept down his forehead to
the judge for his pardon, and present the within two inches of his eyebrows."
Negro with his freedom as a Christmas gift. “The Race-Rioter" sets forth the stand of
The story is not long, but it strikes a note of a brave young sheriff to protect his prisoner,
genuine pathos.
a Negro boy, accused of the assault and mur-
“Callum's Co’tin”” is concerned with a der of a little white girl. Hank Egge tries
a
hard-working Negro, a blacksmith, nearly by every possible subterfuge to defeat the
forty, who goes courting the girl who called plans of a lynching party, and finally dies
at his shop to get a trinket mended for her riddled with bullets as he is defending his
mistress. At first he makes himself ridiculous prisoner. The story is especially remarkable
by his finery; later he makes the mistake of for the strong and sympathetic characteriza-
coming to a crowd of merrymakers in his tion of such contrasting figures as young Egge
working clothes. More and more, however, and old Dikeson, the father of the dead girl.
he storms the heart of the girl, who eventually “Shadow” (in “Everybody's") is a story
capitulates. From the standpoint simply of that depends for its force very largely upon
craftsmanship, the story is an excellent piece incident. It studies the friendship of a white
of work.
boy, Ranny, and a black boy, Shadow, a rela-
“His Excellency the Governor” deals with tionship that is opposed by both the Northern
the custom on Southern plantations of hav- white mother and the ambitious and inde-
ing, in imitation of the white people, a Negro pendent Negro mother. In a fight, Shad
“governor” whose duty it was to settle minor | breaks a collar-bone for Ranny; later he saves
disputes. At the death of old Uncle Caleb, him from drowning. In the face of Ranny's
who for years had held this position of white friends, all the harsher side of the prob-
responsibility, his son Jubal should have been lem is seen; and yet the human element is
the next in order. He was likely to be super strong beneath it all. The story, not without
seded, however, by loud-mouthed Sambo, considerable merit as it is, would have been
though urged to assert himself by Maria, his infinitely stronger if the friendship of the two
wife, an old house-servant who had no desire boys had been pitched on a higher plane. As
whatever to be defeated for the place of honor it is, Shad is very much like a dog following
among the women by Sue, a former field-hand. | his master.
At the meeting where all was to be decided, “Abram's Freedom” is at the same time one
however, Jubal with the aid of his fiddle of the most clever and one of the most pro-
completely confounded his rival and won. voking stories with which we have to deal.
There are some excellent touches in the story; It is a perfect example of how one may walk
but, on the whole, the composition is hardly directly up to the light and then deliberately
more than fair in literary quality.
turn his back upon it. The story is set just
“The Black Drop," throughout which we before the Civil War. It deals with the love
see the hand of an experienced writer, ana- of the slave Abram for a free young woman,
lyzes the heart of a white boy who is in love Emmeline. “All his life he had heard and
with a girl who is almost white, and who when used the phrase 'free nigger' as a term of
the test confronts him suffers the tradition contempt. What, then, was this vague feel-
that binds him to get the better of his heart. | ing, not definite enough yet to be a wish or
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even a longing ?” So far, so good. Emmeline “A Hypothetical Case" is the most tense and
inspires within her lover the highest ideals independent story in the list.
of manhood, and he becomes a hostler in a On the other hand, “Callum's Co'tin?” and
livery-stable, paying to his master so much “His Excellency the Governor," bright com-
a year for his freedom. Then comes the edy though they are, belong after all to the
astounding and forced conclusion. At the school of Uncle Remus. “Jungle Blood” and
very moment when, after years of effort, “The Chalk Game” belong to the class that
Emmeline has helped her husband to gain his always regards the Negro as an animal, a
freedom (and when all the slaves are free as minor, a plaything, but never as a man.
a matter of fact by virtue of the Emancipa- | “Abram's Freedom,” exceedingly well writ-
tion Proclamation), Emmeline, whose husband ten for two-thirds of the way, falls down
has special reason to be grateful to his former hopelessly at the end. Many old Negroes
master, says to the lady of the house: “Me after the Civil War preferred to remain with
an' Abram ain't got nothin' to do in dis
their former masters; but certainly no young
worl’but to wait on you an' master.”
woman of the type of Emmeline would sell
In “A Hypothetical Case" we again see the
her birthright for a mess of pottage.
hand of a master-craftsman. Is a white boy
Just there is the point. That the Negro
justified in shooting a Negro who has offended is ever to be taken seriously is incomprehen-
him? The white father is not quite at ease, sible to some people. It is the story of “The
quibbles a good deal, but finally says Yes. Man that Laughs” over again. The more
The story, however, makes it clear that the Gwynplaine protests, the more outlandish he
Negro did not strike the boy. He was a her-
becomes to the House of Lords.
mit living on the Florida coast and perfectly We are simply asking that those writers of
abased when he met Mercer and his two com-
fiction who deal with the Negro shall be thor-
panions. When the three boys pursued him oughly honest with themselves, and not remain
and finally overtook him, the Negro simply forever content to embalm old types and work
held the hands of Mercer until the boy had over outworn ideas. Rather should they sift
recovered his temper. Mercer in his rage the present and forecast the future. But of
really struck himself.
course the editors must be considered. The
“The Chalk Game” is the story of a little editors must give their readers what the read-
Negro jockey who wins a race in Louisville
ers want; and when we consider the populace,
only to be drugged and robbed by some
of course we have to reckon with the mob.
"flashlight” Negroes who send him to Chi- And the mob does not find anything very
cago. There he recovers his fortunes by giv- attractive about a Negro who is intelligent,
ing to a group of gamblers the correct "tip” cultured, manly, and who does not smile. It
will be observed that in no one of the ten
on another race, and he makes his way back to
Louisville much richer by his visit. Through- stories above mentioned, not even in one of
out the story emphasis is placed upon the
the five remarked most favorably, is there a
superstitious element in the Negro race, an
Negro of this type. Yet he is obliged to come.
element readily considered by men who
America has yet to reckon with him. The
believe in luck.
day of Uncle Remus as well as of Uncle Tom
is over.
Of these ten stories, only five strike out
Even now, however, there are signs of bet-
with even the slightest degree of independ-
ence. “Shadow” (in the “Century”) is not
ter things. Such an artist as Mr. Howells,
for instance, has once or twice dealt with the
a powerful piece of work, but it is written in
problem in excellent spirit. Then there is the
tender and beautiful spirit. “The Black
work of the Negro writers themselves. The
Drop” is a bold handling of a strong situa-
numerous attempts in fiction made by them
tion. “The Race-Rioter" also rings true, and
have most frequently been open to the charge
in spite of the tragedy there is optimism in
of crassness already considered; but Paul
this story of a man who is not afraid to do Laurence Dunbar, Charles W. Chesnutt, and
his duty.
“Shadow” (in “Everybody's”)W. E. Burghardt DuBois have risen above the
awakens all sorts of discussion, but at least crowd. Mr. Dunbar, of course, was better in
attempts to deal honestly with a situation that poetry than in prose. Such a short story as
might arise in any neighborhood at any time. “Jimsella,” however, exhibited considerable
>


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[May 11
THE DIAL
technique. “The Uncalled” used a living he was unable to issue the new edition which
topic, treated with only partial success. But he had contemplated. The publishing house
for the most part, Mr. Dunbar's work looked of Hachette is now engaged in reproducing by
toward the past. Somewhat stronger in prose photo-typography these precious sheets; the
is Mr. Chesnutt. “The Marrow of Tradi- municipality of Bordeaux, of which 'town
tion” is not much more than a political tract,
Montaigne was a citizen, is paying the
,
and “The Colonel's Dream” contains a good Strowski, of Paris University, is the respon.
expense; and the learned Professor Fortunat
deal of preaching; but “The House behind sible editor. Two volumes had appeared
the Cedars” is a real novel. Among his short before the war broke out, and one more
stories, “The Bouquet” may be remarked for remains to be issued, when there will be three
technical excellence, and “The Wife of His superb quartos of more than a thousand
Youth" for a situation of unusual power. pages, each volume costing 250 francs.
Professor DuBois's “The Quest of the Silver During a recent sojourn in Bordeaux, I was
I
Fleece" contains at least one strong dramatic able not only to admire this interesting publi-
situation; but the author is a sociologist and cation, but, through the kindness of the polite
essayist rather than a novelist. The grand archivist of the Public Library, M. Jean de
epic of the race is yet to be produced.
Maupassant, I was permitted to examine at
my ease the unique original copy, the very
Some day we shall work out the problems of
pages on which this master-mind labored and
our great country. Some day we shall not
where all his ways as a thinker and even his
have a state government set at defiance, and
strong penmanship may be studied in undress.
the massacre of Ludlow. Some day our little When Montaigne died, M. de Maupassant
children will not slave in mines and mills, but tells me, these sheets were deposited by his
will have some chance at the glory of God's widow with the monks of the convent of the
creation; and some day the Negro will cease Feuillants of Bordeaux, in whose church the
to be a problem and become a human being.
author was buried. In order the better to
Then, in truth, we shall have the Promised
preserve these loose sheets, the monks handed
Land.' But until that day comes let those
them over to a binder, who did what these
vandals so often do, trimmed the edges, "in
who mould our ideals and set the standards
order to make a good job," as is always their
of our art in fiction at least be honest with
excuse, with the usual result (which was
themselves and independent. Ignorance we almost a crime in this instance) that they
may for a time forgive; but a man has only destroyed many a word or parts of a word,
himself to blame if he insists on not seeing and in some places even whole phrases, left by
the sunrise in the new day.
the rare pen of Montaigne.
BENJAMIN BRAWLEY. The appearance of another work, though
of a quite different nature from that just men-
tioned, has also been stopped by the war. I
LITERARY AFFAIRS IN FRANCE. refer to the proposal to extract from the seven-
teen volumes of “L’Empire Libéral” (Paris :
A NOTEWORTHY EDITION OF MONTAIGNE.- PERSONAL Garnier, 3 frs. 50 each), by the late Emile
MEMOIRS OF EMILE OLLIVIER.— GIFTS TO Ollivier, two volumes of "Personal Memoirs,"
COMÉDIE FRANÇAISE.— THE LATE MARCEL HÉBERT
in which would be given all the lighter and
AND JOSEPH FABRE.— POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF
STUART MERRILL.-"O. HENRY IN FRANCE.
more anecdotic parts of the more extensive
(Special Correspondence of THE DIAL.)
publication. Apropos of this undertaking, I
The war has interrupted the publication of have received from the widow of the last
a series of volumes which will be the delight of the heavy task in which she participated
Premier of the Second Empire this history
of all lovers of Montaigne's essays. During with devotion and intelligence as amanuensis,
the four closing years of his life, the famous counsellor, and collaborator:
moralist was engaged in preparing a new
Immediately after the fall of his ministry, Emile
edition of his great work. His Paris pub- Ollivier conceived the design of writing the history of
lisher, L'Angelier, had sent him a set, in the war of 1870, in order to justify his country from
sheets, of the latest edition at that time, that
the calumnies of Germany. With this end in view, he
of 1588; and on the margins and between the
made many notes and drew up a memento, which
recorded hour by hour all the events of the crisis which
lines of these sheets, the philosopher penned precipitated the conflict. But after the Peace of
numerous additions, modifications, and cor-
Frankfort, the virulence of his enemies made it im-
possible for him to get a hearing for the truth and
rections, so that when he died in the autumn
convinced him that the moment had not yet come to
of 1592, the task was about completed, though proclaim it. So it was not until 1894, at the age of
THE
>


1916]
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sixty-nine, that he decided to publish his first volume. and “Le Divin” he characterized “one of
The plan of the whole enterprise embraced the history
the ablest reviews of the general subject of
of the Second Empire from 1848 and the question of
the Nationalities from 1815. Interrupted several religious philosophy which recent years have
times in his labors by fatigue and sickness, he did not produced.” Perhaps the fullest and most
reach the year 1870 until 1909, when he was eighty, sympathetic sketch of Hébert's noble career
and until his subject already filled thirteen volumes.
is that given by his old friend, Abbé Albert
It was his intention to end the account with the
events of September 4, 1870, that is, the advent of
Houtin, "another heretic," one of his critics
the present Republic. Unfortunately the description has designated him — in his notable book,
of the battle of Sedan, which he supposed he had “Histoire du Modernisme Catholique" (Paris;
written at the very beginning of the undertaking, 1913). The latter possesses a long series of his
could not be found among his papers after his death,
and, though he had only sketched the occurrences of
unpublished letters, which will form the basis
September 4, the final volume was published by me of a biographical notice of him, “which I shall
last year as he had directed.
publish when the peace comes,” he writes me.
But there are several instances where the
In the meantime, perhaps the best short
war has been the indirect cause of gifts to the printed narration of his life, especially the
public art treasures of France. Let me cite literary side, is M. Félix Sartiaux's little arti-
one example of this which has come under my cle in the “Mercure de France” for April 1;
personal notice. M. Jean Jacques Olivier, while the following extract from a private
who has written so many beautifully illus- letter to me from the former Abbé Alfred
trated and learned studies on the French Loisy, professor at the College of France,
stage and who, I may say in passing, may seems to me the most satisfactory unpublished
lecture in the United States when the peace eulogy which I have seen:
comes, has been prevented by ill health from
With an open mind thirsting for knowledge, de-
taking any part in the struggle and has been voted by nature, good as the best passages of the
forced to seek in Italy a milder climate than Evangel, Hébert was a very remarkable educator, who
he could find in Paris. So, to show his love
inspired a body of young men with large and gener-
ous ideas.
for his native land in the hour of her stress,
There, probably, is his greatest work,
though his philosophic, artistic, and archæologic writ-
he has parted with some of the best objects of ings are of a high value. He was a man of the
his collections, and has just presented to the
widest culture. Drawn towards the Church by a
Comédie Française an oil portrait of the
sentiment of lofty idealism, he left the ecclesiastic
profession without renouncing this ideal to which he
famous actor Le Kain (1728-78), by Rosslin,
ever remained faithful. In fact, it may be truly said
and seven gouaches, representing leading that he took this step in order that he might avail
French actors of the last century in their
himself of this ideal with greater sincerity of purpose.
favorite rôles, by Fesch and Whirsker, of
A democrat and a socialist without being a party man,
he loved the people and strove to enlighten them by
whom M. Olivier writes me as follows:
lectures and newspaper articles, in order to lead them
Very little is known of these two artists, who were up towards those heights of the moral ideal without
born in Bale. They painted on parchment the actors which life seemed to him devoid of sense and price.
of their time, observing in their work the greatest
accuracy of detail.
In their miniatures, costume,
In a word, Hébert was one of those supremely
movement, physiognomy, all are faithfully noted, so fine characters who adequately redeem the
that their portraits are of great documentary import- defects of our poor human nature. For
After depicting the stars of the French and example, so modest was he that after his
Italian operas of Paris, and those of the Comédie
Française, they crossed the Channel and made a whole death, when a Paris periodical wished to give
series of portraits of Garrick. These portraits, for
his portrait, not a single photograph of him
which the great actor sat, were engraved and pub- could be found even among the members of
lished in a volume entitled “Les Grimaces de David
his family. Though not exactly a materialist,
Garrick."
he felt bound by no sect. He asked that in
By the way, in his home on the S. Maurizio,
Venice, M. Olivier is now engaged in writing spe (“I die in hope”) be engraved on the urn
,
a monograph on Joseph Caillot and another which contained his ashes, for (his final
,”
on Mme. Dugagne, “two artists,” he tells me, heresy) he was cremated; and “these words,
“who sum up the history of the Opéra one of his friends remarked, "expressed his
Comique from 1762 to 1800," that is, the epoch whole faith.”. Some of the most liberal and
of Philidor, Monsigny, Grétry, Dalayrac, etc.”
most distinguished thinkers of Paris attended
Among recent deaths in France, I wish to his funeral, and it was a Monod who spoke at
speak of at least two,— that of the ex-Abbé his tomb.
the ex-Abbé his tomb. The charm of his personality was
Marcel Hébert and that of Senator Joseph extreme. One day in our American Ambu-
Fabre. The first of these was one of those few lance at Neuilly, I was attending a wounded
broad-minded priests who have been brave youth who had sat under Hébert's teachings,
enough to break with Rome. William James for during many years he was at the head of
called his book, "Le Pragmatisme" (third a famous priests' school at Paris, and who
edition, 1909), “a fairly instructive account”; said to me with a full heart when he learned
ance.


452
[May 11
THE DIAL
a
were
of "the dear master's death,” that "thoughts I have nearly finished drawing up the bibliography
of him and of his precepts were the consola-
of the poet's posthumous works, which I mean to
tion of my cravings for the spiritual when I publish; along with my study of him which appeared
in the Mercure de France immediately after his death,
was in the nightmare of the trenches." Finally, in a small volume, where you will find, I think, the
he was the author of a half dozen or more able most interesting things to be a series of translation
philosophical and religious volumes, and his
of poems in French prose not included in his “Pastels
in Prose," some of which, though unsigned, are by
great hero was Joan of Arc, “whom the
Merrill himself, as I have just discovered. Then
Church slew and then resurrected.'
there is a translation in verse of a series of French
But it was Joseph Fabre who was the
poems and a translation in French of one of James
Thomson's poems.
modern French warden of the Maid of
Orleans. Like Hébert, Fabre was one of those
But the fame of another American man of
emancipated philosophical minds who have letters who was far nearer being a genius than
always been the charm of France and who was Merrill has never, oddly enough, come
know no sects or conventionalities. His ardent
within the ken of literary France. I refer to
republicanism, his thirst to understand our Sydney Porter. By way of explanation of
American system, and his admiration for
this remark, I should state that Professor
Washington (he devoted a volume to him, Alphonso Smith, of the University of Virginia,
perhaps two) and others of our really great is preparing a biography of “0. Henry” which
public men, drew him closely to those few
will be ready for the press in the early
Americans — perhaps, indeed, I was the only autumn. I understand that it will be a rather
one -- who crossed his modest threshold in complete exposition of the formative influences
the shadows of the stately trees of the
that entered into the life and work of this
Versailles park. The dominant passion of the brilliant story-teller during his early years in
intellectual life of this humble son of the North Carolina, together with a detailed study
French peasantry — his plain big-hearted old of the form and content of his writings. “He
mother understood French but spoke only the
and I
intimate boyhood chums,"
patois of the Aveyron - was the glorification
was the glorification Professor Smith once said to me, "and I find
of his sister peasant of Domremy. Early in myself interested more than I can say in this
his career he began to write about her; he development of a youthful genius whom
lectured about her; he introduced bills'into everybody loved in his early years and whose
Parliament, where he had been both deputy memory we cherish with the utmost regard
and senator, about her; and if the Catholic and affection.” This forthcoming book, and
Church now fêtes her memory each year in Professor Smith's enthusiasm for his friend,
Paris, though in a spirit quite contrary to that led me to reflect on the fact - indeed, I asked
which he inculcated, it is indirectly due to his myself if it was a fact
myself if it was a fact--that “0. Henry”
O.
propaganda. This veritable cult for “the was utterly unknown in France, though the
saint of Rouen” culminated in a sort of mod-
Paris National Library has on its shelves ten
ern miracle-play, a musical-dramatic tragedy, volumes of his fiction, one of which curiously
which was given on two different occasions on
enough appears to have reached its final rest-
the Paris stage in two different forms, and in ing place through the French dead-letter
fact was almost reproduced also at New York, office. The other nine, I am assured, though
the late Augustin Daly having once entered
I am tempted to question the correctness of
into negotiations with the author with this end
this assertion, were bought by the library.
in view, "for Ada Rehan is obsessed with the When I expressed surprise that the very
idea of portraying Joan of Arc.” The affair limited resources of this institution should be
finally fell through, but just for what reason
spent on an author so little appreciated, one
I have forgotten, and the American public of the librarians made this reply: "If 0.
missed seeing and applauding a beautifully Henry is not very well known in France, he
idealistic, a highly artistic, and a deeply patri. deserves to be. We saw in the 'Encyclopædia
otic piece. I may add that M. Joseph Hild, Britannica,' which contains annual supple-
a distinguished member of the Paris bar and a ments of literary criticisms, that this author
warm friend of the late Senator, is now
stood very high in America. So we thought it
engaged in assorting his papers, and informs would be interesting to enrich our collections
me that here too we may expect an interesting by adding thereto his works; hence these
biographical memoir in due season.
purchases." But lest my own observations
A similar pious act is being performed with should be at fault, I have turned to several of
the papers of the late Stuart Merrill by his my French literary friends, and I find that
friends, M. Ferdinand Herold and M. Albert their opinion on this matter agrees exactly
Mockel, the well-known Paris littérateurs. with my own. Thus, M. Schalck de la Faverie,
The latter writes me:
of the National Library, says: “As far as I
>


1916]
453
THE DIAL
>
am aware, this author is unknown in France"; it to hand on the business, and rebuilding began.
while M. Henry D. Davray, the critic for A notable fact is it, in this connection, that not
English books of the "Mercure de France,"
one member of the Harper family is to-day prom-
is even more pronounced in his statement: “I
inent in the management of the business. At least,
do not know anything about 0. Henry, have
no Harper is on the present Board of Directors.
Up-town this old publishing house will move, like
never seen any study of his work, or heard
so many other similar firms within the last quarter-
of any of his stories being translated into our
century, and the historic building in the square
language.” The National Library also records named, not from Benjamin Franklin, but from
the fact that none of “0. Henry's" stories has the merchant Walter Franklin, will echo no more
been translated and published in book form to the tread of Mr. Henry Mills Alden, of Mr.
in France. I say translated and published, William Dean Howells, of Colonel George Harvey,
for I chance to know that one has been trans-
and of all the others who have for many or fewer
lated; and hereby hangs a rather curious tale.
years contributed to the success of the House of
The French translation rights of “Mr.
Harper. For further details of the firm's his-
Valentine's New Profession," first printed in
tory the reader is referred to the rich volume of
memories and anecdotes put forth four years ago
September 1903, in “The London Magazine, by Mr. J. Henry Harper under the title, “The
were sold in June, 1909, to Mr. A. Foulcher, House of Harper."
,
a French civil engineer, with literary tastes
and a perfect knowledge of our language, who A FAMOUS OLD DRAMATIC COMPANY, the Comédie
is now in the army. He writes me as follows Française, which had its beginning in the Theâtre
from Lyons, where he is at present stationed:
de l'Hôtel Bourgogne (founded in 1552) and has
“Mr. Valentine's New Profession,” the only thing
even since, with a brief interruption in 1793, con-
of 0. Henry's I ever translated, has a rather queer
tributed to the amusement of Parisian play-goers,
history in so far as I am concerned. I sent the is said to be contemplating a visit to this country
manuscript to several periodicals, all of which declined next season. Never before has the company gone
it. But it suited the taste of a clever but not over- on tour outside its native France, it is affirmed in
scrupulous well-known writer who made a scenic emphasis of the importance and the high honor to
adaptation of it, of course without my consent or even
us of the projected departure from custom. The
knowledge; so that some five or six years ago, enter-
ing by chance the Vaudeville one fine evening, I had
Comédie Française is in effect a national institu-
the pleasure of assisting at the performance of Mr.
tion, receiving an annual subsidy from the govern-
Valentine's feats in which of course I found neither
ment and controlled by a governing board which in
glory nor profits. Mr. Valentine had once turn is supervised by government officials. Con-
changed his name, but he was the same man and sequently its coming to our shores will be regarded
played the same trick on the safe.
as something akin to a national expression of
THEODORE STANTON. friendship toward a sister republic. From indi-
May 1, 1916.
vidual members of this aggregation of talented
actors we have had not a few visits, notably from
Mounet-Sully, Coquelin, and Madame Sarah Bern-
CASUAL COMMENT.
hardt (but only after the latter's early severance
of relations with the company). Though 1552 is
given above as the date of the company's birth, it
THE HOUSE OF HARPER'S REMOVAL FROM FRANK-
was not until 1680 that it assumed something of
LIN SQUARE in the near future, as announced by
its present character, with royal recognition and
that century-old publishing house, will be an event
a sounding name, “L'Hôtel des Comédiens du Roi
of importance in the publishing world. It will
entretenus par Sa Majesté.” Nine years later it
be a centennial event, if it falls within the next became the “Comédie Française,' ” which it has
calendar year, for it was in 1817 that the firm of
since remained, though often referred to as the
J. & J. Harper first started in business in a little
“Théâtre Français," since this historic playhouse
Dover-Street room not far from the present estab-
(almost destroyed by fire eight years ago) is its
lishment bearing the Harper name. Fulton Street, home.
Pearl Street, and Cliff Street were succ
ccessively the
scenes of these publishing activities of the Har-
A PHILOLOGIST AND MORE THAN A PHILOLOGIST,
pers, and the building now occupied by the firm
dates from 1854, when, in consequence of a disas-
a scholar keenly appreciative of the niceties of
trous fire in December, 1853, work was started
speech, especially in their literary application, and
upon a fire-proof and up-to-date building, large
a noted teacher of the subjects that so deeply inter-
enough for years of future growth, and as per-
ested him, died suddenly at Washington, D. C.,
fectly equipped as it was then possible to make it.
April 18. Professor James Morgan Hart, to
For a brief moment, but no longer, the burnt-out
whom reference is here made, has left to the world
partners had considered the advisability of not
one book that deserves to rank among the more
trying to imitate the phenix, of abandoning the notable examples of personal reminiscence: it is
plan of rising from their ashes, of retiring on their his account of his German-student days at Göt-
already considerable fortune; then they were tingen, an inspiring narrative that has turned the
reminded of their sons and their sons' sons, and steps of many a candidate for a degree made in
of the still remoter posterity to whom they owed Germany toward the old Hanoverian town famous
more
7


454
[May 11
THE DIAL
reverse.
It was
"
As a
for its university and its sausages. After reading considerable gain in total circulation — far greater
this book (“German Universities") any one inter- than the increase of books on the shelves, which
ested in the writer, his character and his achieve- is much more creditable than would have been the
ments, would do well to open next Mr. George
Reference-room work seems to have
Haven Putnam's “Memories of My Youth" at the increased by about one-half. Our thanks to Miss
ninth chapter, where is given an entertaining Brace and her blue pencil!
account of the young Princeton graduate as
viewed in the intimacy existing between room-
mates in a strange land. Though a student of
Post-VICTORIAN LITERARY ANTICs are amusingly
jurisprudence at that time, Hart soon transferred exhibited to view in “The End of a Chapter
his affections to more liberal studies, and four
(elsewhere noticed more fully) by Mr. Shane
years after winning his doctorate (J.U.D.) at Leslie, who gravely declares that he has “witnessed
Göttingen was teaching modern languages at Cor-
the suicide of the civilization called Christian"
'nell. A little later he taught these and also
and dedicates his book “to the memory of those
English literature at the University of Cincinnati.
who have died before the next chapter has begun.'
In 1890 he was appointed to the chair of English
After Victoria the literature of her realm “passed
language and literature at Cornell, in 1907 was from an Augustan age straight to that of brass.
made professor emeritus, and was still a resident There was no intermediary age of silver.'
of Ithaca when death overtook him in the southern typical of this decadence, Mr. Leslie says, that
city where he had been spending the past winter. after 1900 everybody pretended to have read Mr.
Among his published works are “Essentials of George Moore, whom before that date everybody
Prose Composition,” “Standard English Speech in pretended not to have read. Under King Edward
Outline," and various German texts and other “Browning and Tennyson were dismissed as grand-
books edited or translated by him. He was born motherly. The latter was sent to Coventry and
Nov. 2, 1839, at Princeton, N. J., where he received the former to Boston. Swinburne was hailed as
his A.B. in 1860, his A.M. three years later, also the only poet of his era, about twenty years after
his L.H.D. in 1900.
he had ceased to write good poetry." Mr. Ches-
terton came and in a scintillant but irritating style
"smilingly stood Truth upon her head to explain
THE BLUE PENCIL is a small implement, but its
the Universal Antipodes in which we all have our
office is not a despicable one. Perhaps it even
being." Mr. Bernard Shaw “may have had an
deserves to rank with the “very small helm” that
artistic and a dramatic message to deliver, but he
turns the big ship, and with the "little member"
could not forego the cheapest advertisement of the
that nevertheless “boasteth great things.'
prophet.” But his vogue “endured until the futur-
ready and effective means of emphasis, a useful
ists swept into undisputed mastery of the powers
instrument for arresting a reader's attention, it is
of topsyturvydom." In one pungent paragraph
beyond praise. When your friend in a distant
the author describes how, with the opening of the
city sends you a newspaper containing some para-
new century, "there was a cry for something
graph or short article he wishes you to read, how
wilder than Scott, for something more gloomy than
difficult it is to find this paragraph or article if
it be only slightly marked with a hard lead pencil, George Eliot. Dickens and Miss Austen were as
the Brontës, for something more sexual than
as it commonly is. But if with one bold stroke
forgotten as the Pentateuch. Even novelists who
of blue your friend has indicated what you are
had begun writing in the Victorian age developed
to read, how quickly that passage leaps to the
new and unexpected methods. Wells poured the
eye! Reports of learned and other institutions, laboratory, and George Moore the lavatory, into
with many like pamphlets and documents, come
their books.” Perhaps a sufficient note on all this
to our desk with no helpful, time-saving blue-
is that it was written or at least conceived in the
pencillings to show at a glance the significant atmosphere of a military hospital, the writer being
features on which our comment is invited. Other
one of the victims of the Great War.
reports and pamphlets and similar documents there
are, far fewer in number, that come with careful
markings of indigo hue to lighten the examiner's
LANGUAGE-MAKING IN THE TRENCHES is one of
task. Latest among these judiciously marked pub- the few purely intellectual and unsanguinary activ-
lications, is the Twelfth Annual Report of the ities now going on at the battle-front. As was to
Waterloo (Iowa) Public Library. Waterloo is
have been expected, the French have shown them-
not a large city, and its library might not be con- selves most expert and nimble-witted at this exer-
sidered especially important among the hundreds, cise, though the English Tommies are not far
if not thousands, of libraries to which we should behind. The busy Berthas and Jack Johnsons, the
be glad to call attention if our space were unlim- whizz-bangs, crumps, and Archibalds have been
ited; but with a few notable items made conspicu- made famous by the latter. A London “Evening
ous in blue how can one refuse to recognize their Standard" writer calls attention to a number of
significance ? For example, Waterloo readers are
ingenious and amusing French terms facetiously
awaking to the fact that there are interesting books expressive of grim realities in trench warfare. To
outside the fiction class. They have borrowed, in the "poilu,” or unshaven warrior of necessarily
the last year, nearly seven thousand more serious rare recourse to the barber, his bayonet is, in
works and nearly three thousand five hundred expressive slang which we here translate, a turn-
fewer novels than the year before. There was a spit, also a knitting-needle; and in his sentimental


1916)
455
THE DIAL
moods he calls it Rosalie. The bullets with which there are but 2,700. Encouraging is his assertion
he feeds his rifle are styled sometimes chestnuts, that the oldest survivors are those that make a
sometimes plums. Flower-pot is the term for his determined effort to give their readers the best
cap, and the head it covers is a lemon (citron). that is to be had in current literature. That the
When he runs (never away from the fight, of magazine's fate depends pre-eminently on the occu-
course) he “knits his legs”; and when coffee is pant of its editorial chair is not surprising, though
served out to him he calls it juice. The regimental how few readers ever give a thought to that usually
tailor is a prick-thumb, and the colonel is, fami- anonymous and very seldom conspicuously prom-
liarly, the colo. The now well-known term, Boche, inent person ! What mountains of unreadable
which the Germans themselves have gravely trash he and his assistants must have to plough
decided, after a trial by court-martial, to be through, in some fashion, and keep from working
expressive of derision and contempt, the writer the ruin of the magazine for whose pages it is
here quoted regards as apparently a "back-slang” fatuously intended ! Among rejected contribu-
corruption of Schwob, the Alsatian's colloquial tions exhibited by Mr. Jenkins as specimens of
designation for his German master. There was an this sort of trash were “An Ode to a Cold Pan-
old variation, “ Alboche,” which may have been a cake,” “Little Willie Went Fishing," and other
similar reversed corruption of “Schwalbe." In productions, illiterate and nonsensical to a degree
much of this language-making is to be seen the that passes belief. Their admission to any maga-
same euphemistic tendency that caused the ancient zine would speedily raise the already high rate of
Greeks to call the Furies the Eumenides (the gra- magazine mortality.
cious ones), and to propitiate the powers of dark-
ness with flattering names. Autres temps, autres “JOY-READING" has a far higher standing in our
mæurs, but ever the same human nature at bottom.
vocabulary than "joy-riding.” In the latest Report
of the New York State Library, Mr. Sherman
Williams, of the School Libraries Division, uses
How ONE LIBRARY DISPOSES OF ITS OUTWORN
BOOKS is explained by the Cedar Rapids librarian
the term to good purpose in commenting on the
in her current Report, and her account may be use-
defects in literature-teaching as, noted by many
fully suggestive to others. Discarded literature of
observers. Too much pedantry, too much dissec-
all sorts, both books and duplicate magazines, she
tion of literary masterpieces, too much of formal
examination at stated times, and too little of “joy-
sends to the local jail, where the police matron
takes it in charge and distributes it among the occu-
reading" — that, in brief, is the ailment afflicting
pants of the institution, “that they may read
literature-teaching in high schools, and elsewhere.
Pupils from homes where the reading of good
during their confinement. This is a harmless occu-
books is as much a matter of course as the eating
pation, and it is much better than for these
unfortunates to brood over their condition and
of good food have more of literary culture at the
become embittered.” Well said; and one cannot but
very outset of their high-school training than
others can sho at the end. “A formal examina-
hope that now and then some well-chosen book
tion in literature,” remarks Mr. Williams, “is the
may help the reader to persuade himself, with
Lovelace, that stone walls do not a prison make,
best possible way to make a child dislike literature.
nor iron bars a cage, though he may lack the inno-
It has been very effective for a long series of years.
cent and quiet mind of the poet. It is significant
Is it not time to try something else? Let them
that volunteer workers among the millions of war
read and read -- read extensively and about what
prisoners now eating the bread of enforced idleness
they will --- guiding them by suggestion rather than
report that one of the most pressing demands on
direction." And he points out that high-school
the part of these millions is for food for the mind
libraries are too largely composed of books for
rather than for the body. Magazines, newspapers,
mature readers; they should have more books that
almost anything cheerfully distracting in the way
are a joy and delight to the normal growing lad
The "joy-reader"
of reading matter, they eagerly welcome. Un-
and ripening young woman.
doubtedly the Y. M. C. A. organization that is now
will go farther and profit more in an hour than
active in this prison work could make good use of
the heavy-hearted reader under compulsion in a
much more literature of a suitable kind than it has
year, or a century.
at its disposal.
THE REAL DAVID GRAYSON has at last been found
MORTALITY AMONG MAGAZINES is so great that it
to be Mr. Ray Stannard Baker, not a peaceful
might be supposed to discourage any and all agriculturist at all, but a very energetic, even
attempts to start new ventures in this field in the aggressive, journalist, magazinist, investigator of
future. But it will not. “Live and learn” is the
social conditions, and prolific author of various
rule in magazine-making as elsewhere. Mr. Mac-
kinds of books. The only touch of similarity with
gregor Jenkinspublisher of “The Atlantic David Grayson that one discovers in Mr. Baker's
Monthly," recently told the members of the biography is noted in the fact that agricultural
Woman's Club of Englewood, N. J., some rather studies were at one period of early life his chief
startling facts concerning magazine-publishing. interest. He was graduated from the Michigan
Less than a year ago there were in this country Agricultural College in 1889 at the age of nine-
3,410 magazines enjoying a more or less assured teen. After that he took a partial law course and
existence, though very few of them having any- pursued literary studies at the University of Mich-
thing like a nation-wide circulation; and to-day . igan. Newspaper work in Chicago soon followed,
a
-


456
[May 11
THE DIAL
a
son.
then magazine editorship under Mr. McClure in of Dickens's “Christmas Carol," with illustrations
New York, and since 1906 he has been one of the by Leech and a letter by the author; a first edition
owners and editors of “The American Magazine." of Blake's “Vision of the Daughters of Albion,'
A wide range of talents is exhibited by his half-
with eleven plates; a copy on vellum of the “Horæ
score or more books, from “The Boys' Book of Veatæ Mariæ Virginis, and other works precious
Inventions” and “Our New Prosperity” to “ Adven- in the collector's eyes. Good prices were obtained.
tures in Contentment” and “The Friendly Road."
The Grayson sketches, it appears, started as recre-
ational note-book jottings in the intervals between
DRY STATISTICS, in a peculiar sense of the adjec-
strenuous days of study in the evils of our social tive, come to us from far-away Puget Sound. The
and industrial life. Pressed for matter to fill the city of Seattle, while the State of Washington was
pages of the magazine which he, with others, had stiil a "wet" state in the colloquial signification of
taken control of, he brought out his note-book the term, was able each year to devote about
and threw some of its contents into shape for pub-
$45,000 from license fees to the circulation of good
lication, under the pseudonym of “David Gray- literature among its citizens. In other words, its
Their success was a surprise to him, but
public library profited to that extent from the
not to his readers.
indulgence in liquid refreshment of an intoxicating
nature on the part of those within its gates (or a
fraction of them). Last year, with Washington
A NOTE ON NEW FICTION, on the demand for it
enrolled
in comparison with the steady call for the old story-
among the “dry” states, the entire receipts
tellers, and on the amount of money spent in its
for library uses from “licenses, fines, and fees'
purchase, catches the eye in Librarian Hill's record
amounted to less than half as much, or $21,531.55.
of a year's activity at the Brooklyn Public Library.
That is, with the closing of the saloons and, in
After speaking of the proper place filled by novels
consequence, a presumably greater resort to the
in the people's free library, notwithstanding certain
library and its branches on the part of those for-
recent objections, he reports that in the library
merly lured in other directions, the means for
under his superintendence “the sum of $95,003 was
ministering to their needs as information-seeking,
spent for books in 1915, and of this amount only
book-reading, or only magazine-reading and news-
seven per cent. was for new fiction issued within a
paper-browsing members of the body politic,
year. The circulation of all fiction was 3,977,998,
become materially diminished. This anomaly, the
of which about nine per cent. represented novels
partial dependence of the public library in many
published within a year.' Exceptional and inter-
cities on liquor-license fees and police-court fines,
esting is this presentation of a comparative record
has been commented on before in these columns,
of old and new fiction circulation. If all library
and it is likely to be commented on again before it
statistics were equally detailed in this particular, it
ceases to exist.
might be possible to draw some instructive general
conclusions, either encouraging or discouraging.
But at the same time it would be necessary to know
COMMUNICATIONS.
how liberal the institution in question had been in
offering current fiction to its patrons, how great the
WAS “SHAKSPERE” “SHAKE-SPEARE"?
temptation it had held out to forsake the approved
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
romancers of the past for the untried or little-tried
Recently Baconians a term of convenience
novelists of the present.
(like Mr. Greenwood's "Dryasdusts" for everybody
who insists on facts and logic) that I shall apply
LITERARY RARITIES TURNED TO CHARITABLE USES,
to all the different varieties of anti-Stratfordeans,
the pen employed to heal the wounds of the sword
c.g., Baconians proper, Raleighans, Stanleyites,
-- such is the spectacle now beheld, if recent
Rutlanders, Marlowites, etc.,- have made it a
reports from London are to be credited, in the sale
strong argument against the Stratfordean's claim to
of certain valuable manuscripts and books in aid
the paternity of the plays and poems attributed to
of the British Red Cross Society and the Order
him by the saner portion of mankind that his
of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Egypt.
surname is not the same as that of the London
“A Christmas Garland," by Mr. Max Beerbohm,
poet. They assert, vehemently and without any
with caricatures of the subject of each chapter Londoner, whoever he was, wrote under the pseudo-
facts to support their assertions, that the unknown
from the same hand, was among the more notable
items sold under the hammer at Christie's. With
nym Shake-speare or Shakespeare and was almost
caricature portraits of such celebrities as Mr. always thus referred to, whereas the Stratfordean
Chesterton, Mr. Kipling, Mr. Shaw, and George written Shakspere, Shaxberd, Shackespur, or in
actor's and money-lender's name was always
Meredith, there was left a blank page for similar
treatment of Mr. Henry James "pending ful-
some similarly shortened form, without a hyphen
filment of our hope that health and activity will
between the two syllables, without an e after the k,
yet be given back to the consummate (artist) and
and, above all, without an a in the second syllable,
well-beloved man whose work is here parodied.”
and that these two names were not even pronounced
This clever work was presented by its artificer.
alike. As Mr. Fraser puts it, “these names were
The Marquis of Crew gave Lord Byron's copy of vocally and etymologically different." Do the
"Plini Panegyricus” with his signature, "Byron, known facts concerning the Shakespeare surname
Trin. Col. 1808.” There were also a first edition | justify these bold assertions? If they do, we have


1916]
457
THE DIAL
>
>
was
all these years worshipped at the wrong shrine and An examination of all the extant records per-
our tercentenary celebration is a mockery.
taining to William Shakespeare and his family,
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, except the purely literary records, from 1550 to
English spelling was even more unauthorized, for- 1625 (viz., the records of Stratford, Snitterfield,
tuitous, and chaotic than it is now. Englishmen did Wilmecote, Bearley, Shottery, Warwick, Rowing-
not spell their names and their language uniformly ton, Clifford, Hampton-Lucy, Coventry, Ingon,
because they were not educated to do so and and London, including notices of births, marriages,
because they did not attach any importance to the
and funerals, court records, Corporation archives,
subject. The schools had no courses in English; wills and inventories, letters and diaries, views of
there were no spelling-bees then (any more than frank-pledge, a list of freeholders, surveys, a list
we have in alien tongues), and people did not ask of recusants, a marriage license and a bond against
each other how they spelt their names. These impediments, marriage settlements, reports of
facts, taken in connection with the non-existence special commissions, the records of the College of
of an English dictionary prior to 1604, together Heraldry, depositions, assessment rolls, bail bonds,
with the then scarcity of books among the common deeds, leases, fines, tombstones and monuments,
people, sufficiently account for the multitudinous etc.) results in the tabulation of a little over seven
forms which ordinary words and names assumed hundred occurrences of this surname in forty-four
in the Elizabethan era. Elizabethans spelled different spellings, in the following order of
phonetically, or tried to do so. Inasmuch as in the frequency: Shakespere (114), Sharpeare (73),
English language almost each sound is represent- Shakespeare (69), Shakspere (55), Shazpere
able by one or more letters or combinations of (51), Shackspere (38), Shakspeyr (38), Shacke-
letters, and inasmuch as many letters do service spere (32), Shaxspere (31), etc. It is to be noted
for more than one sound, the particular form that that there is an e at the end of the first syllable in
any word or name assumed on the written page thirty-eight per cent, and an i or a y (the occa-
depended as much upon the whim, fancy, or sional equivalent of an e) in three and a half per
caprice of the moment as upon the education and cent more. And yet Mr. Greenwood says there
habits of the writer. Our modern spelling, espe- no “Shake" in the Stratfordean's name!
cially of surnames, is almost as whimsical and Perfectly characteristic of the methods of the
capricious as theirs was. It is therefore not at all Baconians in presenting their case is Mr. Green-
surprising to find Elizabethan Englishmen spelling wood's frequent references to Shaxberd, Shagspere,
ordinary words, and even their own names or those Shagspur, and Sharpur, instilling into his readers'
of their immediate relatives, differently on different minds the belief that the actor's name was most
occasions or even on the same occasion. The larger frequently so written by his acquaintances and
the number of sounds in a word or name the larger associates. What are the facts ? Shagspere occurs
the number of variations in its spelling.
only seventeen times, a little over two per cent;
Shakespeare's name contains seven sounds, and Shagspur is nowhere to be found; Mr. Greenwood's
it was therefore capable of a great many different assertion that “Shaxpur is another well-known
spellings. A certain Mr. Wise made a list of four variant” is quite untrue, for it exists nowhere but
thousand ways of spelling "Shakespeare." Mr. in the fantasies of Baconians; and the form
Wise's estimate is a very modest one. Considering Shaxberd occurs only a few times and only in
that six of the seven sounds of which the poet's literary London, in documents of purely literary
name is composed can be represented by several
interest!
different letters or groups of letters (e. g., the first Reading Messrs. Greenwood, Baxter, Fraser,
sound by s, sh, sch, ss, ssh, ch; the second by a, ea, et id genus omne, one would infer that literary
ai, ay, e, or the third and fourth by cs, ccs, chs, qus, circles in London were unanimous in writing the
ques, ks, kes, kss, cks, ckes, kys, ckys, kis, x, xs, poet's name Shakespeare or Shake-speare. But the
sks, xkes, gs, etc.; the fifth by p, b, ph; the sixth truth is that Londoners were just as variable and
by a, e, ee, ei, ey, ea, i, and u, all with or without a unresolved as to the orthography of the popular
final e; the seventh by r, rr, rd), there is almost dramatist's name were the “boors” of the
no limit to the number of variations of which this provinces. It is true that the majority of the
name is capable. If each one of the seven sounds printed mentions of the name show the forms just
in Shakespeare's name were capable of being mentioned. But there are many exceptions. On
written by only four different letters or letter-
the title-page of “Love's Labor's Lost” (1598) and
groups, there would be 16,384 ways of spelling this
of “The Passionate Pilgrim” (1612) we find
name according to English orthography. And yet Shakespere, of “King Lear” (1608) Shak-speare,
and of “The Two Noble Kinsmen” (1634) Shak-
it was actually spelled only in some fifty or sixty
speare.
Other printed forms are Shake-spear,
ways!
Shak-spear, and Shakespear. London manuscript
In the records of the Corporation of Stratford
references to the poet and his family are generally
the name Shakespeare occurs 161 times (Sir Sidney anything but Shakespeare. . In these we find
Lee orrectly says 66), and is spelled in fifteen Shacberd (1604-5), Shakespere, Shakspeer, Shack-
(Lee says sixteen) different ways in the following spheere (1627), Shackspare (1619), Shakspere,
order of frequency: Shaxpeare (69), Shaxpere Shaksper (by Edward Alleyn!), Shakspeare, etc.
(18), Shakspeyr (17), Shakespere (13), Shaks- The officials of the College of Heraldry wrote
peare (9), Shakyspere (9), etc. And yet Mr. either Shakespeare or Shakespere. In London,
Greenwood says there was no “Shake" in the Shakespeare's name was written and printed in not
Stratfordean's name!
less than twenty different ways, at least nine of
as


458
[May 11
THE DIAL
>
"
which (Shakesbere, Shackspeere, Shakspeer, Shak- jingling form” of the Stratfordean's name is a
speare, Shake-speare, Shake-spear, Sheakspeare, piece of jugglery and misrepresentation perfectly
Shakespheare, Shaxberd) are peculiar to the characteristic of the whole ilk of Baconians. His
metropolis,- and in all of these there is no doubt statement that the College assigned “the spear-
that the poet was meant. Sir Sidney Lee's state- | shaking name” to “Shakspere" because “Shaksper”
ment that the form Shakespeare “has the pre- would not have commended itself to them for
dominant sanction of legal and literary usage” is pictorial purposes embodies a falsehood.
The
grossly erroneous. In truth and in fact, legal Heralds wrote indifferently Shakespere or Shake-
documents pertaining to the poet's property are speare, never Shakspere. Besides, why did
overwhelmingly in favor of a shortened form of Shakespeare have to have a canting pattern sug-
the name, especially as regards the omission of the gesting his name? And why does a spur not
a in the second syllable. Literary usage was as commend itself for pictorial purposes as well as
variable as legal usage. To speak of a “literary a spear? To most of us a jingling spur sounds as
form" of the name is an absurdity.
heroical as a shaking spear, perhaps more so, and
A number of orthodox Shakespeareans and, of is as suggestive of a military origin.
course, all Baconians, have asserted that in the Baconians pretend to find a great deal of sig-
provinces the first syllable of the actor-poet's sur- nificance in the fact that in a large number of
name must have been pronounced short because printed references to the great poet the name is
six-tenths of the time it was written without an printed with a hyphen between the two syllables.
e (i or y- the occasional equivalents of e) after There were several reasons for the use of the
the k. If this is true of the provinces, it is also hyphen in Elizabethan printing shops. In the first
true of London, for only in the printing offices was place, it was often used for no better reason than
the name generally spelled with an e at the end of what Salesbury tells us about the use of final e.
the first syllable. But all these writers have dis- In the first folio we often find words connected
regarded, or been ignorant of, the fact that in the with a hyphen (e.g., "fowle-play," "sea-storme,”
reigns of Elizabeth and James there was no rule “Ayrie-charme," "worlds-stage," "holiday-foole,"
requiring a final e to indicate the length of a pre- etc.) for no apparent reason. In the second place,
ceding vowel, and that Elizabethan writers and Elizabethan and Jacobean compositors seem to
printers employed or omitted the final e as suited have been instructed to indicate the composition of
their fancy. (Even to-day the sound of a in “far," compound words and phrases by the introduction
etc., the sound this vowel had in the Elizabethan of a hyphen between the word components. That is
“shake," does not require a final e.) Salesbury, why we find in the folio the following: “a-boord,"
writing about the middle of the sixteenth century, "Bote-swaine," "out-live," "un-heard,"
, "mid-
tells us that the use of silent e was kept up for night,” "eye-lid,” “non-pareill,” “Pre-thee,
the convenience of printers “in coșsideration of mon-wealth," etc. Gratuitous and ridiculous
iustifying of the lynes.” When, at the close of the etymologizing was one of the fashions of the
middle English period, all final e’s were dropped printers of that day. Another and very important
in pronunciation they were naturally also mitted reason for the excessive use of the hyphen was to
in spelling, especially in the first syllable of indicate that the hyphenated word-group was to
compound words, e.g., "wherof," "elswhere," "her- be accented on the first element, e. g., “horse-man,
after," "therof.
somwhat," etc., and in sur- "good-man," "young-man, "true-man,
“half-
names composed of two words. That is why the Sword,” “tyring-house,” “spend-thrift," "Fly-me,”
e is so often omitted from the first syllable of the “Shake-spear, etc. It goes without saying that
poet's name not only in provincial records but also printers would be more likely to aim at some
in the vast majority of unprinted London records. kind of uniformity in orthography than writers.
These facts also explain why in approximately An examination of a large number of Elizabethan
twenty per cent of the non-literary occurrences of manuscripts shows that the hyphen was very rarely
the name there is no e at the end of the second employed in writing and not at all in the writing
syllable.
of surnames.
The presence or absence of a final e had no There is absolutely not a particle of reason for
influence whatever on the pronunciation of a sylla- doubting that “Shakspere" of Stratford was
ble or of the vowel sound in the syllable. In "Shakespeare" of London.
Elizabeth's day, even more than now, an individual
SAMUEL A. TANNENBAUM.
writer's spelling was no guide to his pronunciation,
New York, May 5, 1916.
inasmuch as each vowel had several phonetic values.
Nothing is more certain than that Elizabethan
writers did not associate a different pronunciation
POE'S FIRST LONDON SCHOOL.
with a somewhat different spelling. Elizabethan
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
and Jacobean manuscripts and printed books As an addendum to Professor Killis Campbell's
abundantly prove this. (Even to-day such differ- important article in your issue of Feb. 17 entitled
ent spellings as “pear," “pair,” and “pare”, have "New Notes on Poe's Early Years," I should like
the same sound.) That “spere” or “sper” was to offer a slight contribution to what Professor
the phonetic equivalent of “spear" or "speare" is Campbell rightly calls “the most interesting of the
proved, apart from etymological and other con- new bits of information" that he has gleaned from
siderations (e.g., variant texts), by the Shakespeare the Ellis-Allan Papers.
coat-of-arms, which exhibits a falcon shaking a The "new bit” is a bill for Poe's schooling in
spear. Mr. Greenwood's references to the "spur- London. This document makes it clear that Poe
" "Com-
17
97
19


1916]
459
THE DIAL
was not a pupil, as he himself averred, at the reasonable excuse for the publication. Issued by
school of the Rev. John Bransby (whom he one of our great American publishers, I felt con-
erroneously called "Doctor" Bransby) in Stoke- fident that it would at least be a compilation of
Newington throughout his five years' sojourn in some value. No doubt publishers occasionally err,
Britain (1815-1820); but that part of the time, but why this book has been put forth is beyond my
and previous to his Stoke-Newington days, he comprehension.
attended a school kept by the Misses Dubourg in Mr. Goldsmith's name is unfamiliar to me;
Sloane Street, Chelsea.
though according to the title-page, he is Director
With the above data in hand, I set out on the of the Pan-American Division of the American
quest of identifying the site of the school. The Association for International Conciliation. Hold-
most obvious depository of such information ing such a position, I am confident that he has
proved fruitless, since the name of Dubourg does made a grievous error in thus appearing in print.
not appear in any of the London directories of My own interest is in Nicaragua, and I therefore
the period.
turned to that head in an index by countries and
The second attempt was more successful. The subjects. On page xvi I found one reference only,
Town Clerk of Chelsea courteously permitted me and that to a pamphlet published seven years since
to examine the Poor Rate Books, in which I found by the Government Printing Office, 14 pages,
the name of Francis Dubourg appearing for the octavo; and the comment thereon is a cross refer-
first time in Midsummer of 1816. The date coin- ence to a similar pamphlet on the Argentine Re-
cides with the date of the Misses Dubourg's bill to public. My hopes were dashed, therefore, as far
Allan for Poe's schooling, from which it may be as Nicaragua was concerned. I have a private
inferred that Poe's first quarter in the school was collection of possibly one hundred titles on the
likewise the first quarter of the school itself. After Republic of Nicaragua, from the time of its first
the same number, 146, under Dubourg's name, is coming under the notice of Great Britain until last
that of Mary A. Brooke, from which it appears year. Most of these books are in English, although
that two distinct tenants occupied the premises. two or three are in French and a like number in
It may be assumed that Francis Dubourg was the Spanish.
father of the Misses Dubourg, and his presence Mr. Goldsmith's “bibliography” consists of 107
simply adds another member, to those already pages, and the whole number of titles included
mentioned by Professor Campbell, of a family to (299) is less than three times as many as I pos-
be henceforth associated with Poe.
sess on the single country of Nicaragua.
The street numbering has not been changed (the I am curious to know the basis of the compiler's
numbers run consecutively up one side and down selection. Surely there are sufficient books of first
the other). No. 146 then is No. 146 still. It is importance which might have been included, -as
the last house on the East side of Sloane Street, for instance, the great work on Mexico by Riva
on the corner of Sloane Square. The present Palacio, 5 volumes. Is there any reasonable excuse
building, the ground floor of which is occupied by for leaving out Waterton's “Wanderings," a classic
a branch of Parr's Bank, is comparatively recent. of its kind, and Belt's “The Naturalist in Nic-
The discovery that Poe, when he was seven years
aragua”? Fortunately, Bate's “The Naturalist on
old, attended a boarding school in Sloane Street the River Amazons" does appear, but with a note
greatly expands the boundaries of his London be- insignificant as compared with the character of the
yond their previously accepted definition. It volume. Only one title by Dr. Nicholas Lèon is
means not only that he lived in Chelsea, and that included.
that Parish is to be added to Bloomsbury and Mr. Goldsmith does not consider Mr. George
Stoke-Newington as constituting the scene of his Palmer Putnam's “The Southland of North
English childhood, but it also means that, hardly America" as worthy of notice; and his diatribe on
less than the district between Bloomsbury and what Mr. Frederick Palmer saw and did in Central
Stoke-Newington, he must have frequently travelled America is evidently written without any actual
over the part of town which lies between Blooms- knowledge of the subject. Mr. Palmer's book is
bury and Chelsea. In other words, he must have not “documented”; but there are so many titles
known the aspect of Piccadilly and Hyde Park as throughout the volume, annotated by Mr. Gold-
well as of Russell Square and Newington Green. smith, where this somewhat awkward word is used
LEWIS CHASE. that it becomes tiresome. The compiler also seems
London, England, April 25, 1916.
fond of italicizing such words as “General," "Cap-
tain,” “Don,” etc., for which he undoubtedly has a
reason, though this reason does not readily appear
SLIPSHOD BIBLIOGRAPHY.
to the uninformed.
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
The compiler speaks of the scarcity of books in
Not long ago, my attention was called to a English on the Latin-American countries. Before
recently-published volume by Mr. Peter H. Gold- making such a statement he should have consulted
smith, entitled “A Brief Bibliography of Books in some of the collections in this country; and he
English, Spanish, and Portuguese Relating to the might have done well to have inquired for informa-
Republics Commonly Called Latin American, with tion of Mr. P. Lee Phillips of the Congressional
Comments." Being interested in those countries, I Library,-- to whom he refers as “A. Phillips” on
ordered the book for the assistance which I hoped
page x of his index.
it would give me. I must confess, however, that I It seems to me that Kingsborough's great work
am disappointed, and furthermore I cannot see any on Mexico receives too much attention. To be


460
[May 11
THE DIAL
sure, it was a labor of “self-sacrifice" and great / soling to recall Lord Tennyson's compliment. It
“human perseverance," and the plates and general is related that when he visited Lyme he was impa-
make-up of the volumes are superb. But does not tient when historic spots were pointed out to him,
Mr. Goldsmith know that this treatise has been to saying with adorable warmth: “Don't talk to me
a great extent superseded by facsimiles of most of of the Duke of Monmouth. I want to know the
the important codices and other documents, made exact spot where Louisa Musgrove fell.”
more accurate by modern photographic process? Unhappily, Lord Tennyson himself may have
I should also like to have seen included Ward's disappeared from the literary firmament by this
book on Mexico. But the number of volumes not time. The next gale from the North may bring
appearing is so considerable that I dare not even word that somebody in New York or Chicago no
begin to enumerate them. The proof reading is longer peruses him. Out here in Missouri, we
bad throughout the volume.
should be all unaware of his disappearance. We
W. H. MINER.
are so far from intellectual luminaries that, like
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 3, 1916.
some of the fixed stars, they could be snuffed out
and we would yet continue to bask in their rays for
A LETTER TO A DEAD AUTHOR.
some years to come.
Dear Miss AUSTEN :
It would be a great pity, however, for Tennyson
Have you heard -- but prepare for something
to suffer such a fate after all his labor. Your little
Catherine of “Northanger Abbey" may turn out a
very dreadful. Amazing things are being said in
prophet after all. “To be at so much trouble in
this country about celebrated people. I cannot
think what causes it. It may be the desire for
filling volumes” which, as she artlessly remarked,
something “new and novel,” to use the expression “nobody would willingly look into,- to be laboring
of those venders of small articles we call “agents.”
only for the torment of little boys and girls,
It began in the East. Somebody confessed in the
always struck me as a hard fate, and I have often
public prints that he had never read Dante. Some-
wondered at the person's courage that could sit
one else announced that he had read Carlyle, but
down on purpose to do it.”
thought him a great bore. The facile descent was
On the present fashion in literature, as well as
begun. “The Pilgrim's Progress" was next seen
in dress, I would fain discourse, — but these are
plunging down the vortex of unpopularity, along
themes for abler pens that that of
with the rest of the religious classics.— I know
Your obliged and faithful ser',
MARY B. SWINNEY.
your dislike of “the vortex," but no other figure
fits the case. Vortexes are quite common with us.
To Miss J. AUSTEN,
Even school children are asking why they should
(formerly of) CHAWTON, ENGLAND.
be subjected to the strain of reading defunct
authors. “Our mothers,” they say, “read 'Gulli- COOPERATION BETWEEN LIBRARY AND
ver's Travels' when they were children. It is out
POLICE.
of date. Why, it was written before Abraham
(To the Editor of THE DIAL.)
Lincoln. We prefer something recent.'
An editorial paragraph with the above heading,
This could be borne; for to some a book is contained in your issue of April 13, has just come
merely a commodity, like the season's clothes, to be to my attention. It is an interesting statement, but
changed when later fashions appear. But such unfortunately is not true. Evidently it is based on
leanings are more serious in those to whom a good the misconception of some local newspaper a year
book is supposedly “the precious life-blood of a and a half ago, which was given currency by Mr.
master spirit. A few weeks ago a reviewer of the Pearson in his Boston “Transcript” column. The
Brontës' poems averred that their novels are old Somerville library's exact statement of the matter,
fashioned; that they are more edited and discussed printed in the “Library Journal," of course never
than read; that, if read, it is merely because of the caught up with the newspaper misconception.
interest inspired by the tragic lives of the Brontë
The fact simply is that the meeting between the
family. These were “the words, if not the very boys on probation and the probation officer were
langwidges," of the review. A good deal was added arranged to be held in a small lecture room in the
about the melodrama of their plots, as if that were central library, so that the boys might be removed
all their substance - though if there is anything in
from the police court atmosphere. None of them
literature more poignantly real than the school
are asked to take books, and most of them never
scenes in “Jane Eyre,” I know not where it is. Is
enter any of the library book rooms; so that the
not Scott's “Rob Roy" melodramatic; and are not
offender cannot, of course, be “made to draw from
Dickens's “Oliver Twist,” “Bleak House,” “Martin
the library a book with a story bearing on the
Chuzzlewit" still more precipitous"!
offence” and “subsequently called upon for proof
But I disgress. The worst is yet to come. that he has read the prescribed matter.
THE DIAL, intelligencer and guide of those to whom
DREW B. HALL, Librarian,
literature is supreme, queried recently, apropos of
a proposed celebration of your centennial year:
Public Library, Somerville, Mass.,
“Who reads one of her books once a year?” I am
May 2, 1916.
sorry to pain you,- but so it was.
[We are glad to print this correction. The
“Strange words they seem of slight and scorn,
source of the information which betrayed us
but perhaps, like Wordsworth's Yarrovian jocular- was, however, much more recent than Mr. Hall
ities, they veil an inward fealty. It may be con- suggests.-EDITOR.]
97
77
27


1916)
461
THE DIAL
a
66
The New Books.
garrison duty at Fort Independence, and,
after some heart searching as to duty, there
followed enlistment in the volunteers, with
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES appointment on December 19, 1861, as First
FRANCIS ADAMS.*
Lieutenant in the First Massachusetts Cay-
alry. Service in the army brought no especial
Charles Francis Adams was born in Bos-
distinction, though conscientious perform-
ton, May 27, 1835. He died in Washington, ance of duties, here, as always, marked
March 20, 1915. The brief autobiography Adams's career. He was first stationed in
now published was written, in the main, in South Carolina, then in Virginia, took part in
1912, though here and there are fragments the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, and
of an earlier date. In so short a work it was
was in many minor engagements. In 1864
impossible to render full account of the many appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifth
activities of a very active life, and only the Massachusetts Cavalry, a sense of duty to
leading episodes are related. Even these
the regiment made him decline staff
receive no extended treatment; they are, appointment, though he eagerly desired it.
rather, but the pegs upon which are hung for At the head of his regiment he rode into the
inspection those characteristics and qualities burning Richmond the day after Jefferson
that the writer felt were his,- or felt he
Davis and his government had abandoned
lacked. Thus the autobiography is an attempt their capitol.
their capitol. Made Brigadier-General, and
at self-revelation; only rarely is it a "mirror
the war concluded, he was mustered out of
of his times.” This was indeed Adams's con-
service in 1865.
ception of the proper function of autobiogra-
Married in 1865, to Mary Ogden, a wedding
phy,- the self-expression, with truth and
trip in Europe was followed by a return, in
candor, of a man's personality; and to this 1866, to his law office in Boston, but with a
conception he has held with admirable rigor sinking heart.” From the dreariness, to him,
throughout his book.
of the law, an escape was found in a return
Nevertheless, the bare bones of life must
to writing. "Instinctively recognizing my
“
be presented, for understanding, and as such unfitness for the law, I fixed on the railroad
Adams has given them. At thirteen he was
system as the most developing force and
sent to the Boston Latin School, and his three largest field of the day, and determined to
years there he “loathed" then and in mem-
attach myself to it. I now stand amazed at
ory. Placed under a private tutor, he entered
my own inexperience and audacity.' Yet
Harvard College, with advanced standing, as within a fortnight after reaching this deter-
a sophomore in 1853,- another "error,” for mination, Adams had written for “The North
had he entered as freshman, he would have American Review” an article on Railroads,
been a member of the remarkable class of '57,
thus entering a field of activity which was
whereas the class of '56 “was as a class dis-
to engage a large portion of his energies for
tinctly unnoticeable - a low average; and, in
the next twenty-five years. "Paraphrasing
-
subsequent years, the chief distinction it
achieved was contributing two inmates to the I with pen did open; and I did it, unaided.”
Pistol
State's prison." Yet the years at Harvard The fruition of these efforts came, in 1869,
were profitable, for here Adams began to
with the publication of "A Chapter of Erie.”
exercise his “aptitude” for writing. In Sep- that classic in railway literature, and an
tember, 1856, he began the study of law in the appointment to the newly established Massa-
office of R. H. Dana, and was admitted to
chusetts Railroad Commission, the first of its
practice in 1858, thereafter “keeping his kind, where Adams served for the next ten
office,” but finding few clients, and never con- years. In 1878 he became chairman of the
tent with the profession. Visits to Washing Government Directors of the Union Pacific;
ton, where his father, Charles Francis Adams,
in 1882, an Overseer of Harvard College,
was now a member of the House of Repre- serving twenty-four years; in 1882, also, a
sentatives, and a tour of the Middle West in
director of the Union Pacific itself, and in
company with Seward, in the campaign of 1884 the President of the company, for
1860, offered attractive opportunity to mix in which he performed great services in estab-
the political whirlpool of that critical year.
lishing its financial credit, only to see his
The beginning of the Civil War found Adams plans thwarted by the manipulations of Jay
a member of the Massachusetts militia on
Gould, who succeeded in 1890 in driving
Adams from office. In 1892 he was made
* CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, 1835-1915. An Autobiography.
Prepared for the Massachusetts Historical Society.
head of the Boston Park Commission, and
Memorial Address by Henry Cabot Lodge. With portrait.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
was largely instrumental in saving the pres-
>
With a


462
[May 11
THE DIAL
ent larger park systems from the maw of every one came in without form or ceremony, and to
real estate speculators. In 1897 he became
everyone the same welcome was extended. It was,
too, all genuine — the relations were kindly, unaf-
Chairman of the Massachusetts Commission
fected, neighborly.
on the relation of street railways and munici-
In the years immediately following upon the
palities. In the meantime, private business
Civil War, Adams had a profound belief in
ventures, with varying success and failure, the wisdom and skill of Seward as Secretary
had required much time and attention, and
of State. Later historical investigation some-
in general, says Adams, “the fallibility of what modified that judgment, both as to the
my judgment has been noticeable.” But one
man and his statecraft. He writes :
great accomplishment was his,--the organi-
As I now see him, Seward was an able, a specious
zation, and direction for over forty years, of and adroit, and a very versatile man; but he escaped
the Kansas City Stock Yards Company, an being really great. • Perhaps my own impression
enterprise which appealed to him as much for
could best be conveyed looking back on him now
its benefit to the public as for its financial
through the perspective of forty years — by saying
that he was an adroit politician and pseudo-statesman,
success.
having in him a dash of the philosopher.
Thus enumerated in the pages of the auto- During his visit to Washington in the win-
biography, though with but scant comment, ter of 1860-61, Adams met many men of
the activities of Adams seem sufficiently prominence, and made a diary record (later
varied and pressing to have occupied to the destroyed in large part) of conversations. As
full one man's life. In reality, in addition to
his historical study and writing, always eration and affection for Sumner.
a young man he had conceived a great ven-
Disillu-
engaging attention even in the midst of rail-
sionment came in this Washington visit. A
way controversies, Adams has wholly omitted diary record, previously printed, but here
from description, or even reference, many reprinted, tells of Sumner's vague and dis-
other activities with which his name is insol- ordered language just previous to
the
ubly connected, -- as “anti-imperialism,” or inauguration of Lincoln. Adams was in con-
“reform of the pensions." The autobiography
The autobiography versation with Sumner and Wilkinson of
is, then, no history of the man, or of his Minnesota :
works. More than two-thirds of its pages
I had heard that he [Sumner] was excited, but his
are devoted, indeed, to but ten years of life.-
manner and language amazed me. He talked like a
those from 1856 to 1866. The book is rather crazy man, orating, gesticulating, rolling out deep
a running exposition of the man,- a bit of periods in theatrical, whispered tones,— repeating
I
introspection, if you please, with all the charm himself, and doing everything but reason.
soon saw that reason was out of the question, and
of Adams's style as a writer, his amusing the only course was for me to hold my tongue, letting
divagations, his vigorous denunciation of him run down. His attack was on Seward and
human fault or frailty, his wonderful ability the compromisers”; he had thought of this matter
in dramatic presentation of historical fact.
in the day time, and lay awake over it whole nights;
it was all clear to him; to him, his path was as
The chapters, “Law and Politics" (1856.
clear as day he would reiterate: “I am sure
1861), and “Washington, 1861," contain I am certain
I see my way so clearly; such a
numerous interesting characterizations, or glorious victory was before us; right was with us,
estimates, of men prominent in politics.
God was with us our success was sure did we only
hold firmly to our principles.”
It was very
Seward talked with his young friend of the painful. The man talked so without reason, and
great figures of the preceding generation, almost without connection; and yet he gave me dis-
Webster, Clay, and Calhoun. Of the latter, tinctly to understand that he alone could now guide
he said:
affairs; . . I was disgusted, shocked and mortified.
Calhoun was the most eminent of the three, but
Many historians have sought later to unravel
they are all over-rated men; for they converted the Sumner's “clear path,” but without certi-
Senate-Chamber into a mere intellectual arena for
tude, for neither then nor after did Sumner
their own struggles. Calhoun had undirected, original
formulate definitely his plan of action.
eloquence; Clay had a fiery, brilliant imagination;
Webster, brute intellectual force. Calhoun's logic was Adams's ability to hit hard in characteriza-
not sound; he led and did not follow it, using it to tion, as well as his ineradicable determination
support a pre-conceived theory.
to tell the truth as he saw it, is illustrated by
Of Seward himself, although admitting the his youthful diary citation on Sumner. Other
egotistical manner so offensive to many of his illustrations are frequent in the autobiogra-
confrères, Adams presents a picture of the phy. Of Roger A. Pryor, a leading secession-
statesman in repose, less well known, and far ist, he writes:
more pleasing:
I remember him at one of Buchanan's receptions,
Seward, in fact, never appeared so well as at home, a rather tall and lank Virginian, stalking about with
in Auburn. He was there really and unaffectedly a lady on each arm. In shabby black, of course, and
simple. He walked the streets exchanging greetings ugly as a stone fence, with tallowy, close-shaven fea-
with every one; and, as he sat at home in his office, tures, and prominent high cheek-bones, his eyes had
:


1916]
463
THE DIAL
a hard, venomous look, while his flowing locks, brushed which left their mark in his memory. Such
carefully behind his ears, fell well down over his coat
collar, innocent of the shears. He was representative
habit of hesitancy he attributed somewhat to
of a large class - - men who were just spoiling for a
the fact that in youth he was unfortunately
fight. They had it, too!, and, before they got through, always held a little apart from other boys. "I
had a belly-full!
should have been compelled to rough it with
Yet here follows a later impression of Pryor, other boys." He was individualistic and
received in a chance meeting at a reception needed "attrition.” This incertitude of mind
to John Bigelow in New York, 1911:
and purpose was most marked in the months
He was then manifestly a very old man, softened before Adams volunteered in the army, and
by experience and domestic afflictions.
I recog-
in those immediately following the end of
nized him, sitting on one of the front benches, the
army service. Even in age, the elation of a
moment I came into the room; and at once went and
introduced myself to him. He was plainly gratified;
great decision made was as vivid to him as on
and so was I at seeing him there. On both sides, that October day, in 1861, when he cast aside
all the old feeling was gone. In the quieter rays of “scolding tenants, auditing bills, discussing
a setting sun, I like to think it was so.
repairs, rendering accounts, and so — doing
Adams's anecdotal reminiscences, his gen- my duty !- Psh! . . Even now, though more
eralizations, a few of which have now been than fifty years have since passed on, I look
quoted, themselves indicate some of those per- / back as at the moment of an inspiration
sonal characteristics and qualities with which the time when I resolved to burst the bonds,
the autobiography intentionally concerns and to strike out into the light from the
itself; for, as before stated, Adams's theory depth of the darkness. No wiser determina-
of the purpose of autobiography was that it tion did I ever reach." On return to civil
should be, primarily, an honest attempt at life, the earlier dislike for the practice of
self-revelation -- and honest in intent he
law returned also, and it was not until he
always was, even, at times, painfully so, both found a field of endeavor in railway matters
to others and to himself. Not all qualities that uncertainty was ended. How oppressive
or all characteristics can be treated in a brief that uncertainty was, is shown in a letter
review, and one must be content with a few written in 1869 to E. R. Hoar on the occasion
of those evidently most vital to the author of the latter's nomination for the Attorney-
himself. No comprehensive diary remains to Generalship (Memoir of Ebenezer Rockwood
show the man as he understood himself from Hoar, 1911, p. 194): “Of all comforting
day to day. Until volunteering in the army things the most comforting must be to feel
he had kept such a diary. Thirty years later that one has a mission to perform,- that all
he read it — and destroyed it.
responsibility and doubt are gone, and that to
The revelation of myself to myself was positively retreat is impossible."
shocking. Then and there I was disillusioned. Up to
Another obstacle to success and happiness
that time — and I was then about fifty-five — I had
indulged in the pleasing delusion that it was in me,
alike, so Adams believed, was his sense of a
under proper conditions of time, place, and occasion, barrier in contact with men. He desired no
to do, or be, something rather noticeable. I have such barrier, but, try as he would to break it
never thought so since. It wasn't that the
down, there it stood, indestructible and insur-
thing was bad or that my record was discreditable;
it was worse! It was silly. That it was crude, goes
mountable.
without saying. That I didn't mind! But I did I was not popular in my college days; nor, indeed,
blush and groan and swear, over its unmistakable have I ever been so since. I wanted to be; but
immaturity and ineptitude, its conceit, its weakness it wasn't quite in me
moreover, gauche, I
and cant
as I finished each volume, it went was singularly lacking in what is known as tact. I
into the fire; and I stood over it until the last leaf had almost a faculty for doing or saying the wrong
was ashes.
I have never felt the same about thing at any given time; and I was painfully self-
myself since. I now humbly thank fortune that I conscious. This made me shy; and the world, as
have almost got through life without making a con- usual, set my shyness to the account of pride.
spicuous ass of myself.
This is keen self-analysis, — but surely over-
Adams himself may thus scoff and condemn.
stated. Tact may have been lacking in youth;
No one who knew him, or his writings, would
only his contemporaries can testify as to that.
be likely to agree. The point of view is, how- But in later years, tact and consideration for
ever, very characteristic of an honest self- others were his, distinctly. Shyness, "set to
depreciation, resulting, in spite of a bold the account of pride,” was more lasting, and
front, in a genuine hesitation never wholly all the more a cause of discomfort to one
absent from a mind critically acute, and seek- whose real warmth of human sympathy
ing that which was just and right. Boldness needed an equal warmth of affection in
in word and deed is rightly connected with return. Possibly it was this inability to find
Adams's reputation. But it was the ante-
. But it was the ante- touch, that Adams would have regarded as
cedent perplexed hesitation and self-inquiry the principal characteristic debarring him
-
O


464
[May 11
THE DIAL
a
from the public service, had he given the mat- living fire breathed into his writing, whether
ter any consideration. The autobiography on current topics or in historical investiga-
has nothing to say of this, nor did Adams tion. The power of vigorous writing and
ever make any effort for political power. dramatic presentation he calls his "apti-
Nevertheless, the question inevitably arises, tude," - a sufficiently
sufficiently modest word to
why a man of such distinguished political her. describe what others would name as genius.
itage, with unquestioned intellectual gifts, From the writing of his first magazine article
with every quality, save possibly that of sup- (“Atlantic Monthly,” April, 1861, “The
pleness, fitting him to be a great public serv- Reign of King Cotton”) to his last year of
ant, should have had no place in public life. life, the gift of the pen was a joy and solace.
The simpler, and presumably the correct, Literary work was carried on in the midst of
explanation is that he did not seek it. John business worries sufficient to prohibit most
Adams did so, with intent and persistence. men from all other thought. On the day
So, also, did John Quincy Adams. Still again, after he resigned the presidency of the Union
Charles Francis Adams, the elder, from
elder, from Pacific, his name was advertised as the author
earliest youth looked forward to political of the two volume memoir of R. H. Dana.
usefulness, made his way through difficulties, Historical investigation and writing espe-
led a “forlorn hope," saw that hope become cially attracted him. “For thirty years it has
a reality, and was on the very threshold of led me through pastures green and pleasant
distinguished success in leadership, when places.” There is no need to recount, in
diverted to the diplomatic field (and a great detail, his product. In 1912, he noted an
public service thereby) by the offer of the array of ten bound volumes, and two volumes
English mission in 1861. With equal mental of occasional newspaper contributions. Since
abilities, abundantly evidenced in other fields, that date other volumes and many short
this man of the fourth generation did not gain articles have appeared. Not of equal merit,
the distinction in public service of his fore- all are superior, and some are of unquestioned
bears. He did not seek. Had he followed distinction.
the example of English political families, It has been noted that the autobiography
steadily pursuing, through years of appren- does not offer a complete record of Adams's
ticeship, opportunity in politics, there can be activities. Neither does it do justice to the
little doubt that distinction in that field man. It may indeed, for those who did not
would have been his also, and no doubt that know him, leave a false impression, for, over-
the field would have been the better for his harsh in self-analysis, it dwells over-much on
presence.
qualities in which Adams thought himself
In the autobiography there is little refer- lacking - with a severity of judgment in
This,
ence to the political eminence of the family, which his friends would not agree.
and no direct evidence that Adams ever however, was in itself characteristic. As Mr.
desired public service for himself. In the Lodge, in the Memorial Address, puts it, he
concluding pages he writes:
“was essentially humble-minded as to him-
I have, perhaps, accomplished nothing considerable, self, and disposed to underestimate his own
compared with what my three immediate ancestors success and achievements." This may be an
accomplished; but, on the other hand, I have done unusual, even a refreshing, note in autobi-
some things better than they ever did; and, what is
more and most of all, I have had a much better time
ography. Yet here, it is not the real truth.
in life – got more enjoyment out of it. In this Further, certain qualities, and those the most
respect I would not change with any of them.
homely, do not appear at all, - as his essen-
Yet the natural talent for public service was tial gentleness and sympathy. Again quoting
his. “Statesmanship, politics in the largest Mr. Lodge, “under a manner somewhat
sense, diplomacy,” says Mr. Lodge, “were brusque, sometimes abrupt, was concealed one
'
with him bred in the bone, were an instinct of the kindest, most affectionate hearts that
rather than an inborn tendency or inclina. ever beat, and how tender his sympathy could
tion.” Whatever the greater personal happi- be those to whom it went out know well.”
ness of life, — the “better time in life," it Yet this self-restraint, even, in the desire to
must at least be a matter of much public loss be just, this failure to be fair to self,— serves
and regret that Adams did not seek, and seek to make clear that which was Adams's great-
with persistence, opportunity in public est attribute both as man and writer,-- his
service.
absolute intellectual and moral integrity, so
The "enjoyment of life,” both physical and taken for granted by friend and foe alike
intellectual, was one of Adams's leading that none was ever known to question it.
characteristics. This found expression in the
E. D. ADAMS.


1916]
465
THE DIAL
on
CROWDS AND CROWD-PSYCHOLOGY.* representative. The crowd-controllers,- men
like Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, Napo-
A book decidedly superior to the ordinary leon, Disraeli, are those who can conceive
run of volumes following the striking but far-reaching plans, and can fashion and mas-
hasty generalizations of Tarde and Le Bon
on ter crowds big enough to give effect to these
upon crowd psychology is Sir Martin Con- plans. The crowd-controller has an energy
way's “The Crowd in Peace and War.” In which compels him to project himself upon
the first place, its author does not write about the crowd, to realize himself in its larger life,
the crowd from the restricted point of view and to make it incorporate his brain as the
which defines it as of two kinds, the Mob centre of its brainless body. Among crowd-
and the Public. In the second place, the exponents are men like Gladstone and Lloyd-
theme of his book is that crowd organization George — the visible and audible incarnation
is the mainspring of social progress, and his of popular tendencies. In treating crowd-
belief in the possibility of perfecting this exponents of lesser calibre than these men,
organization saves him from the undue pessi- Sir Martin makes the forceful point that it is
mism with which many regard crowd char- not the crowd that is caught by the dema-
acteristics. Finally, his theories are arrived gogues, but the demagogues who are caught
at inductively, and after laborious and cath- by the crowd.
by the crowd. The crowd-representative is
olic work in collecting data upon the behavior a picturesque figure-head rather than an indi-
of crowds - data which is objective, apposite, vidual force,- a magistrate, a diplomat, an
- ,
and full of interest.
hereditary ruler, anyone typifying crowd
The crowd, as Sir Martin Conway sees it, is sovereignty, but having in himself no special
any aggregation of human individuals which power. Sir Martin, in estimating the value
realizes itself to have a distinct being and an of the crowd-compeller, justly remarks that
internal unity. The British Empire has a
“that nation must always be the greatest in
separate existence, rudimentary in organiza- which the power of leadership is commonest,
tion and weak in life, but capable of mani.
best acknowledged, and most employed.”
festing an amazing crowd life when attacked, The crux of Sir Martin's book appears in
--as it has just shown. Thé nation is yet his chapters on the degree of organization of
more vital and more highly organized, its different crowds, and the distinction
crowd life being bound together by patriot- between kingdoms and crowd-doms.
. The
ism. Classes are likewise crowds, from the degrees of organization are to be measured
proletariat to the “four hundred”; so are the by the elaborateness of the crowd's constitu-
professions; so are ecclesiastical and religious tion, by its efficiency, and by the power to
bodies. A disciplined regiment is the most control the action of individuals which is
highly organized crowd of all, the unit being conceded to the executive. The nature of its
merged in the whole, and its will lost in what organization is healthy or unhealthy as it
we call esprit de corps. In general, the char-4 preserves a mean between the government in
acteristic of a crowd is a pervading emotion- which an individual rules and in which unre-
alism, which anneals and brings to a common strained public opinion rules,- between the
level the rational faculties of the component kingdom and the crowd-dom. Kingship, Sir
individuals. It is for this reason that music Martin readily grants, is no longer an admis-
opens and unites the hearts of men, and that sible form of government. It exists only in
in revival meetings a half hour of hymn sing politically backward countries, where the pop-
ing kneads the congregation into one body. ulation is scattered, communication difficult,
An orator is the oldest and still the most and the level of education low. But he pro-
powerful crowd-former. But there are hun- tests vigorously against a state of affairs in
dreds of other agencies that can form a crowd which only the crowd rules,- in which the
--- newspapers, political theories, philan-executive and legislative bodies are thoroughly
-
thropic movements, philosophies, anything amenable to public opinion, and no crowd-
that breeds some common enthusiasm. The compeller is allowed to stand out against the
crowd has some of the virtues of high emo- rank and file. The statesman of larger vision,
tionalism - sentiment and gallantry, for the expert, the man of rare force of person-
example; but it has all the blind brutalities ality, have their due places, for crowd-rule
and other vices of a low order of intelligence. pure and simple must proceed by agitation
a
Three types of crowd leaders are distin-
and irrational passion. He points to Great
guished by Sir Martin Conway, the crowd-
Britain and the United States - conservative
controller, the crowd-exponent, and the crowd. republics both -- as two national crowds
whose governments have struck the golden
# THE CROWD IN PEACE AND WAR. By Sir Martin Conway.
mean between kingdoms and crowd-doms.
New York: Longmans, Green, & Co.


466
[May 11
THE DIAL
Any movement to break down the House of
THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE UPON
Lords in England or the power of the courts
CIVILIZATION.*
in this country Sir Martin would completely
condemn.
Among the contributions of American
In this treatment of the pure democracy, scholarship which have a high suggestive value
Sir Martin is led into a distinctly one-sided, the work of Dr. Ellsworth Huntington must
though still very searching and able, analysis. not be overlooked. For more than ten years
His scathing indictment of crowd-power con- he has been studying the effect of climate upon
tains some statements of an extreme sort. In human character, and in three volumes and
order to estimate justly the worth of pure numerous articles he has brought together the
democratic rule, a sustained historical survey results of investigations carried on in many
is not adequate, for our time is hardly like places and under varied conditions. His latest
past times as regards the temper and intelli- volume is entitled “Civilization and Climate,"
”
gence of crowds. And in saying that crowds and it sums up such conclusions as he has
are "utterly irrational" and that all crowds been able to draw from existing data. It
are “born fools,” in alleging that the only sh not, however, be considered definitive,
feeling one crowd can have for another is and its conclusions will doubtless be modified
hatred and opposition, Sir Martin confuses as some of his earlier ones have been.
the frequent fact with the absolute fact. If Without going too much into detail, we may
this were unqualifiedly true, many democratic say that Dr. Huntington has made a study of
aspirations of reasonable sort would be a the effect of climate, i.e., temperature and
dream, and the world's future one of per- humidity, upon mankind. He has amassed
petual war. The writer realizes the immense
data
concerning the physical reaction of
importance of the proper organization of the workmen under varying conditions, and the
crowd; he should also realize the immense mental reaction of students. He has also, on
hopefulness in the gradual rationalization of the advice of well-informed men from all over
the crowd which is going on all around us. the globe, prepared maps showing the distribu-
Not even in backward parts of the world is tion of civilization in the various continents,
the crowd, in any sense of the term, so excit- and a striking similarity is found between
able and blind as it once was. But it is these maps and the maps showing the distri-
clearly true that any one principle of gov- bution of human energy on the basis of
ernment can be carried to excess, and in that climate. Certain conditions of temperature,
case will end in reaction.
humidity, and cyclonic storms seem to favor
The remainder of Sir Martin's book con- physical and mental energy, which must have
tains much that is interesting, but scarcely no small effect upon what we call civilization.
essential to the exposition of his central theme.
One paragraph sums up the conclusions
He treats, and treats well, the distinction
drawn from this miscellaneous data:
between morals and religion --- morals being
In point of time, though not of presentation in this
a social, religion an individual and personal, book, the first step was a study of the climate of the
affair; and points out that the essence of reli- past. Ten years of work along this line have led to the
gion is a thing appealing to men, not crowds,
hypothesis of pulsatory changes, and finally to the
and that Christianity was taught to individ-
idea that the changes consist primarily of a shifting
of the belt of storms. After this conclusion had
uals by Christ but was socialized by Paul. been reached, a wholly independent investigation of
In holding that the civilization of peoples may the effect of present climatic conditions upon human
be gauged by noticing the manners of its
activity led to two conclusions, neither of which was
lowest classes, he is certainly wrong, as a
anticipated. One was that under proper conditions
a relatively high temperature is not particularly
comparison between the manners of the nomad
harmful provided it does not go to undue extremes.
Arab and the English navvy at once suggests. The other was that changes of temperature from day
Certain other assertions are questionable, but
to day are of great importance. On the basis of
these two conclusions it at once became evident that
they are apart from the main subject of what
the stimulating effect of climates in the same latitude
is, on the whole, an excellent treatise.
and having the same kind of seasonal changes may
ALLAN NEVINS. be different. It also becomes clear that the distribu-
tion of civilization at the present time closely resem-
bles that of climatic energy. From this the next
An illustrated book on "The Future of South
step is naturally back to our previous conclusion that
changes of climate in the past have consisted largely
America," by Mr. Roger W. Babson, is expected of variations in the location of the storm belt. If
next month. The author has studied the economic this is so, evidently the amount of climatic stimulus
problems and business possibilities of South must have varied correspondingly. Thus we are led
America for years, and in the writing of various to the final conclusion that, not only at present, but
chapters has received the coöperation of several
* CIVILIZATION AND CLIMATE. By Ellsworth Huntington,
Presidents and other government officials.
New Haven: Yale University Press.
Ph.D.


1916]
467
THE DIAL
also in the past, no nation has risen to the highest achieved and how future progress will be won.
grade of civilization except in regions where the
It is to be hoped that Dr. Huntington may be
climatic stimulus is great. This statement sums up
our entire hypothesis. It seems to be the inevitable
able to continue his special work of investiga-
result of the facts that are before us. Other explana- tion, which in its magnitude really requires
tions may indeed be offered, and modifications will the coöperation of many observers, until his
certainly be necessary:
Yet unless we have gone
wholly astray, the surprising way in which independent
data become abundantly convincing.
lines of investigation dovetail into one another seems
PAYSON J. TREAT.
to indicate that a favorable climate is an essential
condition of high civilization.
In order to account for the decline of early TYPES OF REALISM IN RECENT PLAYS. *
centres of civilization it was necessary to show
that some serious change of climate has oc- Excepting those who insist on a narrow and
curred, and an interesting phase of this technical definition of realism, I suppose
investigation was the study of climatic everyone would agree that the realistic play is
changes as indicated by the rings of Califor the dominant type in recent drama. Defini-
nia redwood trees, up to three thousand years
tion is risky business; but I shall run no
old, and by the shore lines of desert lakes. great risk in saying that I here use the term
The suggestive value of Dr. Huntington's "realistic” in what I conceive to be its
work is great. If further data confirm his ordinary sense.
ordinary sense. By a realistic play I mean
present theories, then we have a reasonable a play which presents characters at least
explanation of the decline of the ancient cul- momentarily plausible, in plausible situations,
ture centres, not only in the Middle East, but and speaking the language of everyday life.
in Yucatan and the Andes. We have a On this definition, a large majority of the
sounder basis for interpreting the remark- grist of plays which come to the reviewer's
able rise of Japan in the last century. We
We mill are realistic. Nevertheless, these plays
have an answer to the problems of “White differ widely in type, and some further dis-
Australia,” and in fact to all the problems of tinctions will be convenient.
For purposes
the white man in the tropics. We shall be of classification, I have found useful a sort of
able to define the "ideal climate," and to take scale, which I here offer for what it is worth.
measures to avoid the ill effects of an unfavor- On the left, as in some legislative assemblies,
able one. And there is a material value in this I place the radicals, representing didacticism;
.
research, as well.
on the right, the conservatives, - romance,
Our knowledge of the effect of both extreme humid- farce, melodrama; and in the centre realism.
ity and extreme dryness is unfortunately still qualita-
tive rather than quantitative. Some day, however,
DIDACTICISM R E A L I S M
exact figures for all the various climatic elements will
be obtainable, and we shall construct a map showing
of
of
of
the actual efficiency to be expected in every part of
the the the
the world. It will be so accurate that the manufac-
turer, for example, who contemplates establishing a
left centre right
factory, will be able to determine the precise efficiency
of labor in the different places which he has in mind, Left
Right
and can put the matter into dollars and cents for
comparison with the cost of transportation, raw
The old division into tragedy and comedy
materials, and other factors.
would cut through this plan horizontally,-
And if, as the present data indicate, certain
* THE THIEF. By Henry Bernstein. Translated by John
seasons are favorable, and others unfavorable, Alan Haughton. With an Introduction by Professor Richard
“Drama League Series." New York: Doubleday,
for physical and mental work, then a read-
Page & Co.
justment of methods not only in our factories A WOMAN'S WAY. By Thompson Buchanan.
Introduction by Walter Prichard Eaton. “ Drama League
but in our schools and colleges should take Series." New York: Doubleday, Page & Co.
place.
SEARCHLIGHTS. By Horace Annesley Vachell. New York:
George H. Doran Co.
The conclusions reached by Dr. Hunting-
QUINNEYS'. By Horace Annesley Vachell. New York:
ton are so striking that the reader is likely to
George H. Doran Co.
A One-Act Play about Marriage. By George
forget what the preface plainly states,— that
New York: B. W. Huebsch.
the work deals with but one of many coöperat-
TAPs. By Franz Adam Beyerlein. Translated by Charles
Swickard. Boston: John W. Luce & Co.
ing factors in the development of civilization.
By David Pinski. Translated by Ludwig
New York: B. W. Huebsch.
Other factors are "race, religion, institutions,
THE TRAIL OF THE TORCH. By Paul Hervieu. Translated
and the influence of men of genius," "geo- by John Alan Haughton. With an Introduction by Brander
“ Drama League Series." New York: Doubleday,
graphical location, topography, soil,” and Page & Co.
other physical conditions. If each of these
By Harold Brighouse. Chicago:
A. C. McClurg & Co.
could be studied as scientifically, and with as
By St. John G. Ervine. New York:
broad a point of view, we would be well ad- Henry Holt & Co.
By St. John G. Ervine. New York:
vanced in our knowledge of how man has
ROMANCE
FARCE
MELODRAMA
Burton.
With an
CRIMINALS.
Middleton.
TнE REASURE.
Lewisohn.
Matthews.
GARSIDE's
CAREER.
JANE
CLEGG.
JOHN FERGUSON.
The Macmillan Co.


468
[May 11
THE DIAL
a
>
that is, tragedies may be didactic, realistic, or son, changes his mind and believes her faith-
romantic; comedies may be didactic, realistic, ful to him. He even leaves her alone to say
romantic, or farcical. The scheme carries goodbye to Fernand, and the play ends weakly
with it a convenient subdivision of realism. with a sentimental scene in which that youth
In realism of the centre, the author aims to promises his inamorata not to kill himself for
give pleasure through an absolutely truthful love of her. Even Act III is doubtless effect-
representation of life as he sees it, — subject, ive on the stage, and the play as a whole is
of course, to the principles of dramatic com- skilfully put together. But it is absurd to
position. Neither for the sake of enforcing say, as Professor Burton does in his intro-
a lesson nor for the sake of an effective situa- duction, that "the author . . penetrates into
tion or stage "point” will he sacrifice his sense the very heart of character. The psychology
of truth. Realism of the left verges toward of Marie-Louise is masterly.” On the con-
didacticism; of the right, toward romance, trary, the psychology of Marie-Louise is
farce, or melodrama. Of course the sharply largely determined by the exigencies of plot.
drawn lines of such a scale are merely dia- Mr. Buchanan's “A Woman's Way” is
grammatic; a spectrum or scale of colors
another example of the "well-made play”
shading into each other would better repre- after the French model. In a prefatory note,
sent the reality. I recognize as clearly as the author expresses his contempt for "so-
anyone that no pigeon-hole plan can take the called 'literary dramas,”” and warns the
place of criticism ; but any simple scheme of reader that “this comedy acts much better
classification may be a help to criticism. We than it reads." The mere reader looks for-
have, then, three groups of realistic plays, to ward with some apprehension of being bored ;
separate which it is impossible to draw hard
but his fears are soon allayed. The play is
and fast lines, yet which are in the main ingeniously plotted; and the dialogue, though
fairly distinct.
it has by no means the brilliance of Wilde or
Two plays recently published in the Shaw, is at least superficially clever and read-
“Drama League Series” are excellent ex- able. "A Woman's Way" verges on farce
amples of what I have called realism of the much as “The Thief” verges on melodrama,
right. Bernstein's "The Thief" sacrifices so though it is throughout less real than “The
much to situation that it might almost be Thief." Except for the heroine, the charac-
classified as melodrama. The play has been ters are the merest lay figures, and the heroine
acted frequently in this country, and an out- is all but impossible. The play is built on
line is perhaps scarcely needed. It will be the ancient triangular foundation. Marion
recalled that Richard Voysin and his wife, Stanton, a young and pretty society woman,
Marie-Louise, are visiting at the country has become estranged from her husband, a
house of their friends, the Lagardes; that nearly worthless rake; but she still loves him,
Mme. Lagardes has missed sums of money and determines to fight to keep him. Her
from her secretary drawer, and that the detec- rival is Mrs. Blakemore, of the type "irresist-
tive whom M. Lagardes has brought down ible to men,” and (of course) a woman with
from the city has found strong evidence point- a past. Howard Stanton, however, is strangely
ing toward Fernand, the host 's son, who is blind to this fact. Matters are brought to a
in love with Marie-Louise. Act I ends with crisis by an automobile accident in which
Fernand's confession. In Act II, Richard
Stanton and Mrs. Blakemore are involved.
Voysin and his wife have retired to their Marion takes the offensive, and invites Mrs.
room, and Richard discovers that his wife is
Blakemore to a dinner, inviting also several
the thief, and that Fernand has assumed the men and their wives. She has reason to
guilt to shield her. Richard is furiously jeal- believe that nearly all these men have had
ous, though Marie-Louise declares that she previous affairs with Mrs. Blakemore. She
stole the money only to buy clothes to please invites also an old admirer of her own, whom
him, and that she has given Fernand no she persuades to make love to her in order to
encouragement. This act, which in the literal
This act, which in the literal make her husband jealous. The men sep-
translation is rather indecent, was consider- arately take the innocent Stanton aside and
ably modified in the American production. call him to account for inviting their wives
But up to this point the dramatist does not to meet their former mistress. By a good
violently sacrifice character to situation.
piece of acting, Marion bluffs the reporter
is only in Act III that he throws reality to who forces his way in to run down the facts
the winds. The Lagardes show no resentment as to the accident; and so wins a decisive
at being robbed by a trusted friend; and victory on all fronts. Throughout the play
Richard, at first convinced of his wife's situation follows situation with almost bewil.
infidelity, suddenly and for no adequate rea- dering rapidity, and there is a continua!
1


1916)
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more
crackle of repartee and local (New York) hits foreman, James Miggott, and sometimes after
in the dialogue. The reader who seeks ideas her parents have gone to bed meets him in
or living human character will be disap- her father's “sanctuary,” where he has gath-
pointed; the reader who
who wants rather ered a priceless collection. In Act I, Quinney
thoughtless amusement will be abundantly discovers and reads Posy's note to James,
satisfied.
making such an appointment. With his wife
Mr. Vachell's “Searchlights" is a he spies upon the lovers, and shows himself
serious piece of work than either of the plays at the psychological moment. Though Mrs.
just mentioned, but technically a much less Quinney turns against him, he is inexorable,
skilful one. Its theme is the effect of the war and requires Posy to choose between him and
on two families, one English, the other Ger her lover. His wife and daughter leave the
man-English. The capitalist Robert Blaine house in anger, going with James to some
has for years lived at odds with his wife, and relatives.
relatives. Even after he finds they are in
dislikes and distrusts his spendthrift son earnest, Quinney will not yield; and with
Harry. His friend Sir Adalbert Schmalz is great pertinacity and ingenuity he strives to
a naturalized and very patriotic Englishman, break off the match. Of course he does not
who has invested all his capital in Germany, succeed; but in the struggle his own best
and believes that Germany means peace. His
traits are revealed to his wife and daughter,
loyalty to his adopted country, however, and the play ends with reconciliation. Prob-
stands the test of war. Sir Adalbert's daugh- ably it owes its success in about equal parts
ter Phoebe is in love with Harry Blaine; and
to the novel and attractive setting, to the
he rather likes her, and sees in her father's character of Quinney, and to the pretty and
wealth a guarantee of a comfortable life. not altogether unreal love story. The changes
Through the old device of resemblance to a from novel to play might be made the text for
photograph, Blaine is confirmed in believing a little disquisition on the limitations which
what he had long suspected, - that Harry is
the taste of the theatre-going public imposes
the son of his wife's former lover. He refuses on the playwright. The love story must end
to pay Harry's debts unless his wife will give happily; therefore the character of the lover
him legal ground for divorce by signing a (who in the novel is a rascal) must be
statement that Harry is not his son. The changed, and Quinney must be proved wrong
war comes, and Harry, after engaging him- in his judgment of him. But there still
self, debts and all, to Phoebe, goes to France remain in the play a number of indications
with his regiment. He comes back after a that Quinney was right. In the novel, Quin-
sunstroke followed by typhoid, and is pro- ney has really been a party to a dishonest
nounced unfit to return to the trenches. To transaction, and James really tries to black-
secure his happiness, his mother signs the mail him. Quinney shows the essential
hateful statement, and then seriously offers soundness of his character by risking ruin
to commit suicide if her husband will destroy rather than give his daughter to a scoundrel,
the document and promise never to reveal the and James is shown up and goes off in dis-
fact to Harry. This is too much for the grace. But this is a little too complex for
stony-hearted Blaine, and he destroys the the average audience; if Quinney has deviated
paper voluntarily. The outline indicates the from strict honesty in the slightest particular,
theatrical character of the story, verging at he is in danger of losing their sympathy.
times on melodrama. The plot is not sufficient
Furthermore, it will not do for the play-
in itself to hold the reader's interest; and the wright to represent James as actually trying
characters, with the possible exception of to blackmail his employer, for James is to
Phoebe, do not live.
win the heroine. Thus what is really the
The same author's "Quinneys'," based upon
finest dramatic touch in the novel — the
the novel of that name, was, I believe, written searching test of Quinney's manhood through
before “Searchlights,” though it has just now
James's attack on him is sacrificed to the
been published. It belongs in the same group public demand for a love story with a happy
of plays, but tends rather toward romance ending.
than toward melodrama. On the whole, it is We turn to a group of plays representing
a much stronger piece of work, containing one what I have called realism of the left, — plays
really memorable character, Quinney himself, containing a didactic element,- in which the
and having a unity of tone which the later dramatist wishes to emphasize some thesis
play lacks. Posy Quinney, daughter of the through a more or less realistic representation
irascible and eccentric old dealer in antiques, of life. Very obviously didactic is Mr. Middle-
bears rather a strong resemblance to Phoebe ton's latest one-act play, “Criminals." The
Schmalz. She is in love with her father's criminals are the highly respectable parents


470
[May 11
THE DIAL
who allow their daughter to marry in ignor. | Lauffen, and is accustomed to visit him in
ance of the nature of the sex relation. They his rooms after taps has sounded; in a chance
are sitting quietly at home in a reminiscent interview in her father's office, she promises
mood on the evening after their daughter's to visit her lover that night. Meantime
wedding; it appears that she and her husband Helbig, Clara's foster-brother, has returned
are to spend the night at a hotel in the city from the riding-school where he has spent
before starting on their honeymoon. The two years. He is in love with Clara, and was
telephone rings, and their son-in-law informs informally engaged to her before he went
them that Janet is on her way home, and that away. Clara receives him coldly, but makes
he is about to follow her. The girl appears, him promise to say nothing of the change in
in a semi-hysterical condition. Before her her to her father. Helbig's suspicion of Von
husband's arrival, she reproaches her parents Lauffen is at once aroused; and in Act II,
bitterly for their neglect. On his appearance soon after Clara's arrival at Von Lauffen's
she locks herself in her room and refuses even rooms, he knocks at the door. Von Lauffen
to speak to him. The play ends thus, rather sends her into the bedroom, hoping to get rid
inconclusively, but with the suggestion that of Helbig; but the latter demands answers
they did not all live happily ever afterward. to his questions. Refusal to answer only con-
Mr. Middleton handles the difficult situation firms his belief, and he insists on entering
delicately; perhaps if he had had a keener the bedroom. Though Von Lauffen strikes
sense of humor he would not have handled it him with his sabre, Helbig succeeds in open-
at all. He assures us that the play "was ing the door, and catches a glimpse of Clara.
founded on an actual occurrence,
” and that He is at once arrested at Von Lauffen's order,
he has since heard of many similar experi- and court-martialled for assaulting a superior
ences. But surely ignorance in this degree is officer. At the trial in Act III, Helbig admits
exceptional; and granting its occasional exist- his guilt, refusing to implicate Clara; but the
ence, Mr. Middleton takes it too seriously. officers in charge are just and patient, and
Even complete ignorance could scarcely wreck reluctant to condemn him. At last Clara
a marriage without the help of other forces. herself gains admittance to the trial, and
Janet's husband is a gentleman, willing to reveals the whole truth. Poor Volkhardt is
make every allowance for her; and the reader restrained by main force from attacking Von
does not despair of her ultimate happiness, Lauffen on the spot. In Act IV, he visits
though apparently the dramatist does. All Von Lauffen's chambers and demands satis-
the characters are the merest types; the play faction. The young lieutenant will neither
illustrates the tendency of the didactic drama marry the girl nor fight a non-commissioned
to turn away from the individual in charac- officer. At the crisis Clara, who has followed
terization, and toward the typical.
her father, appears, and takes upon herself
I hesitate somewhat to classify Herr Franz the whole blame of the affair. In a flash of
Beyerlein's “Taps" ("Zapfenstreich”) in anger the old man turns his revolver upon
this group; for although it is clearly anti- her and fires. Thus the play, without any
militarist in purpose and effect, the author direct attack, and adhering strictly to dra-
nowhere allows his thesis to interfere with matic truth, presents a striking and terrible
dramatic truth. The theme is the cruel injus- indictment of the inhuman system with its
tice which results from the German military iron lines of caste. The action is skilfully
caste system. The author is an Austrian who developed, and the characters, especially Volk-
probably for personal reasons chose to expose hardt, Clara, and Von Lauffen, are strongly
the German army instead of that of his own and vividly drawn. The play has been well
nation. The play was very successful in Ger- translated.
many, and the Kaiser forbade officers and The difficulty of any exact classification of
soldiers to attend it in uniform, - which sug- realistic plays is illustrated by the next two
gests that its blow at militarism went home. on our list. Neither can properly be called
Yet personally all the officers in the story a play with a thesis; neither advocates or
except one appear in an attractive light, and even points the way to any particular reform;
the exception himself seems the weak victim yet each is intended to exemplify a central
of a bad system rather than positively corrupt idea, a generalization in regard to human con-
himself. The central characters are Sergeant- duct. Mr. David Pinski's “The Treasure"
Major Volkhardt, a veteran of the Franco- is, the translator tells us, “the first play of
Prussian War who is beloved by the whole the modern Jewish theatre to be offered to
regiment, his daughter Clara, and Lieutenant an English reading audience." The nature of
Von Lauffen. At the beginning of the play “The Treasure” is not such as to make us
we learn that Clara is in love with Von wish ardently for more of these Yiddish
>


1916)
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THE DIAL
are
plays. The dialogue is painstakingly realis- these, I enjoy watching the family wheels
tic, to the point of dulness; and in proportion function with such simplicity. People of this
to the action there is a great deal too much kind conform to the law which begins by
of it. The chief characters are the family demanding of the mother . . often her
of a Jewish grave-digger in a town within the beauty, her health, and if need be, her life,
Russian Pale. The life represented is sordid for the formation of her child. And then,
and unattractive; yet the philosophy of the for the profit of the newer generation, Nature
play is really hopeful. The central idea exerts herself to despoil the old. She exacts
(emphasized by a sort of epilogue spoken by without stint from the parents . . all of their
the dead) is that the desire for money is not vital forces to equip, arm, and decorate their
altogether base, but is really a form of aspira- sons and daughters." The heroine, who is
tion after greater freedom and a fuller life. devoted to her mother as well as to her daugh-
Judke, the half-witted and epileptic son of ter, stoutly combats this theory, but her own
the grave-digger Chone, discovers when he later conduct illustrates it. First she sac-
buries his dog a number of gold coins; and rifices to her daughter the prospect of a happy
bringing them home gives them to his sister marriage of her own, and for this her
Tille, a girl who is starving for pleasure. She daughter afterward reproaches her. Later,
goes out and spends most of the money for compelled by an unusual combination of cir-
fine clothes and gewgaws.
The rumor of the cumstances to choose between risking her
treasure trove spreads rapidly, and Chone and mother's life and risking her daughter's, she
his family become at once the objects of atten- makes the inevitable choice, only to find after
tion from marriage brokers, synagogue her mother's death that she holds a distinctly
authorities, and representatives of Jewish second place in her daughter's affections.
charitable societies. The old people are The play is not only well constructed, indeed
driven nearly crazy by these visitations, and almost perfect in its logical plan, but thought-
at last Chone tries to get rid of his new ful and suggestive. The characters
friends by telling them the exact truth. The admirably drawn; yet for some reason even
result is that the whole Jewish community the heroine does not evoke our keen sym-
invades the cemetery, hoping to find the rest pathy. She lacks sympathetic imagination.
of the treasure. Judke at last remembers the This, of course, is her “tragic weakness," and
place where the dog was buried, on the grave is so intended by the dramatist; but it is not
of a distinguished rabbi; but further dig- an amiable weakness, and this fact hurts the
ging results only in the mutilation of the play.
rabbi's corpse, and in the finding of four With less philosophical interest than these
more golden coins. After the cemetery is two plays, “Garside's Career” makes a much
deserted, the dead rise from the tombs to stronger human appeal than either of them.
point the moral. As a detailed picture of the It clearly belongs to the “realism of the
wretchedness of Jewish poverty within the centre" group; it has no proposition to prove
Pale, the play has value. But its wordiness,
or illustrate, and its wholesome solid human-
endless repetition, and gray monotony of ity makes the surface cleverness of such a play
tone make it dull reading.
as "A Woman's Way" seem cheap and trashy
A much better play is M. Paul Hervieu's
"The Trail of the Torch,” first produced in enough. Though not a work of genius, it is
an honest and intelligent study of live people.
1901, and now translated for the “Drama
Peter Garside is a young Socialist workman,
League Series."
self-sacrifice of the older generation to their who, encouraged by his mother and by his
,
children. The torch represents the joy of school-teacher sweetheart Margaret Shawcross,
life, handed on by each generation to the next
works his way through college, - apparently
as in the festival of the torch race at Athens.
a rather rare achievement in England. He
Says the heroine to a friend in the first act,
is a clever speaker, and against the advice of
speaking of another friend: “She has ceased Margaret, who knows his weakness, he accepts
to have any personal existence.
She no
an invitation to stand for Parliament as the
longer cares to have anything of her own;
Labor candidate. He is elected, and his head
everything belongs to her daughter, and her
is turned by his success. He neglects his
husband works his fingers to the bone to pay Parliamentary duties to make fiery speeches
for Beatrice's dresses, while Beatrice lords it all over the kingdom. Having quarrelled with
over both of them in a way that is beginning Margaret, he falls in love with the daughter
to be just a trifle odious.” Her friend of a Tory manufacturer, who is amused and
replies: "I'm afraid I don't agree with you, rather flattered by his attentions, and some-
Madame. With naively natural beings like what impressed by his Napoleonic self-con-


172
[May 11
THE DIAL
!
>
fidence. His constituents find him out and gambling and other debts. When she learns
force his resignation, and his career comes that the gambling debts are unpaid and the
to a sudden end. In a most amusing scene, others fictitious, and that Henry has been
Margaret cures him of playing the martyred steadily unfaithful to her, she pays his debts
man of genius. All the characters are vigor- and sends him away to his mistress. His
ously drawn, and the play has excellent acting character comes out admirably in his parting
qualities.
request to her,- to take care of his old and
Finally, we have to consider two plays by irritable mother, who is certain to spend the
Mr. St. John G. Ervine, which reach a higher rest of her life in blaming Jane for Henry's
level than any others discussed in this review. downfall. Such a sketch of the action can
Mr. Ervine is by all odds the strongest of give little idea of the power in the play.
the "new" men who have published plays Jane Clegg, for all her sordid associations, is
within the past year. Before “Jane Clegg," a tragic figure; and Henry and Mrs. Clegg
he had to his credit a couple of novels, a are portrayed with the keenest insight and
volume of short stories, and four Irish plays, with rare dramatic economy.
which have just been published in this coun- "John Ferguson,” the later of the two
try and will be noticed in a later review in plays, is the tragedy of a small farmer in
THE DIAL. Mr. Ervine writes for the Abbey Ulster, deeply and sincerely religious. In old
Theatre in Dublin, and it is natural to com- age and sickness, John is threatened with
pare him first with the earlier successful play- eviction from his home through foreclosure
wrights of that theatre. It is not too much of a mortgage held by the brutal and grasp-
to say that as a dramatist he easily surpasses ing banker, Henry Witherow. He has writ-
them all. Mr. Yeats is of course primarily ten for help to his prosperous brother in
a poet, not a dramatist. Synge at his best America, but has received no reply. The only
is superior to Mr. Ervine in sheer imaginative hope is that his daughter Hannah may con-
power; but a large part of his work is tainted
sent to marry James Caesar, a middle-aged
with a kind of insanity, and he has nothing grocer who has been ill-treated by Witherow
like Mr. Ervine's firm grasp of reality. Lady and hates him. Caesar promises to pay off
Gregory is often charming, but nearly always the mortgage if Hannah will have him.
wordy; all her best work is in the one-act please her father she consents; but soon finds
form, and in comparison with Mr. Ervine's that she cannot endure the thought of the
it appears superficial. It is noteworthy that marriage. She is sent to Witherow to inform
Mr. Ervine has escaped or thrown off most him that the debt cannot be paid. He violates
of the mannerisms of the Irish school, and
her; and the vengeance vainly threatened by
that he is not, like the others, narrowly her coward lover is carried out by her brother
national. The scene and characters of "Jane Andrew. Meantime, the expected letter from
Clegg” are English; that of the other plays America comes, with the money to pay off
are Northern Irish. To find his match, we the mortgage. After a struggle first with his
must turn to the real masters of the new own conscience and then with his parents,
English drama,—to Galsworthy and Masefield. Andrew gives himself up to justice, and Han-
Both of Mr. Ervine's plays are par excel- nah goes with him to give him comfort. The
lence realism of the centre; and both are old people are left alone,- John Ferguson
tragedies of humble life. Jane Clegg is a with his profound faith unshaken, and read-
woman of strong character and intelligence, ing in his sorrow the story of David and
married to a weak, unfaithful, and dishonor- Absalom. The central figure is always the
able man. She has two children; and having patriarchal John; his is the suffering and
received a small legacy from an aunt, is keep the faith of Job, without Job's reward. His
ing the money for their education, though part is less tragic, in the strict sense of the
her husband, Henry, has tried in every way word, than Jane Clegg's, for he does not
to wheedle or force her to give it up. Henry, struggle, he only endures. And the charac-
a travelling man who earns good wages, is in ters are on the whole less sharply individu-
trouble because of debt to a “bookie," and alized than in the earlier play. Yet “John
because his kept mistress expects a child.
Ferguson” makes a deeper appeal to the
Hle yields to a temptation thrown in his way
imagination, through its fine unity of tone,
by accident to appropriate a sum of money its noble simplicity, and its profound pathos.
due to his employers, his intention being to Never, I believe, have the tragedies of every-
run away with his mistress to Canada. But
day life been presented in dramatic form
the theft is discovered too soon, and his wife
more truthfully or more poignantly than in
undertakes to make good the loss. He tells
these plays.
her that he took the money to pay certain
HOMER E. WOODBRIDGE.
.


1916)
473
THE DIAL
ive
RECENT FICTION.*
do everything they undertake in the very best
way.
Imagination, I suppose, is the main thing in It is hard enough for anyone to imagine
Mr. Jack London's work,-- the complete fill- even that such a thing is possible. It appears
ing out of an idea, the development of it, the to be easy for Mr. London to imagine not
application to every detail, the following out only that it is possible but exactly how it is
in every direction, and the whole held in mind possible. If he had such an estate himself,
securely enough for him to describe it and he could hardly be more detailed. He oblit-
write it down. It does not seem to matter to erates the old distinction between theory and
him whether he is thinking about the relapse practice, which rises from the fact that the
of civilization into barbarism, about the rein- theorist is generally too lazy to think out
carnation of a single soul in many forms, details or otherwise unable to do so. Mr.
about the down-and-outs of the world, about a London is neither lazy nor unable. He
mutiny on board a tramp steamship, about delights in detail, and spends almost half the
prehistoric men and women, about how he book in telling what happened in a day.
used to drink, or indeed what it is. The main All this is exciting and exhilarating at first,
point is that if he thinks of it at all, he thinks but in course of time (like all sorts of other
it out. This, I should say, was imaginative, things excellent in themselves) it becomes
whether he happen to think of one thing or rather tedious. Hence, along in the after-
another. It is not really more imaginative noon Mr. Evan Graham enters the story. His
to construct a new civilization than to recon- function and purpose may be imagined when
struct an old one. You must have materials we add that in all the efficient perfection of
and use them, but the manner of use seems the Big House there was one little rift which
to be the main thing. “The Little Lady of (one will perhaps guess) arises from the
the Big House” is, then, quite as imaginative existence of the Little Lady in it. Dick
a piece of work as “The Star Rover” or “The Forrest and his wife are devotedly attached ;
Red Plague,” and we can form a better judg- but it will probably be remarked at once that
ment of it than we can of those works because when Mrs. Forrest comes from her own patio
we have more idea of the circumstances, and to her husband's office at about eleven in the
therefore can get some notion of how well the morning he pressed her closely to his side,
imagination works.
"kissed her, but with insistent fore-finger
Dick Forrest, with whom the book begins, is
maintained his place in the pages of the
an example of absolutely perfect efficiency, - pamphlet" about hog-cholera.
the sort of man who has every gift and pos-
Perhaps it is not necessary to tell more of
session that can be imagined, who does every
the book, or to explain further why it is not
thing that any one can think of with the most more interesting. For interesting it certainly
absolute ease and simplicity because he has is not, after the first few pages. Perhaps that
arranged beforehand exactly how he can do
is because it is not credible that a man who
it easily and simply; who lives, in fact, the knows so much about running a stock-farm
most wonderfully perfect life that can be should be satisfied with anything but the
thought of. He was a millionaire by inheri-
stock-farm itself. If he is satisfied with writ-
tance, but early in life understood that it was ing about it, we feel that there must be
best to have a wider experience than million- something impracticable about his imagina-
aires generally have, and therefore became a
tion. If it will not work we do not believe in
hobo for a time. He became an administra- it, and if we do not believe in it (for the
tor; but having broad tastes, he used his moment) we do not care for it. A sad but
powers to manage a great estate with regard real paradox of the artistic life!
not only to the development of its material An equally imposing work of the imagina-
resources but also to the arranging of the
tion is Mr. Harré's “Behold the Woman!”
social side in quite as effective a manner.
Like Mr. London, Mr. Harré gives us all the
From the moment he wakes in the morning details; where he gets them one can hardly
to the last instant of consciousness in the
conceive, but there they are. Whatever is
If
evening, everything goes right. He is a genius in the book is there in immense detail.
at perfection - a sort of god in his own self-
there are purveyors of food, they have "bread,
millet cakes, cheeses, dried mutton, fruits,
invented machine, a master of specialists who
peaches, Shami apples, Sultani citrons,
* THE LITTLE LADY OF THE BIG HOUSE. By Jack London. oranges, almonds, figs, and resin-covered skins
New York: The Macmillan Co.
BEHOLD THE WOMAN! By T. Everett Harré. Philadelphia:
of wine." If there are jewels in a coffer they
J. B. Lippincott Co.
are "necklaces of rubies, emeralds, and peach-
By Edgar Jepson. Indianapolis :
Bobbs-Merrill Co.
colored pearls; wristbands and armhoops of
ALICE DEVINE.
The


474
[May 11
THE DIAL
beryl, jade, chalcedony, coral, and chrysolite; For some such reason as this (if for no
apodesmes of agate, lapis lazuli, and topaz; other) does Mr. Harré seem to me to labor
girdles of strung sapphires and carved tur- in vain in his elaboration of the circumstances
quoises; anklets dangling with onyx, jasper, of Mary's life as a courtesan. Mr. Harré
and jacinth ; brooches set with great ame- feels that some who read his story will find
thysts, carbuncles, and opals; ear-rings, curi- what may seem shocking, brutal, wanton, and
ously carved, representing winged creatures, terrible; and he points out that his book is
studded with a myriad tiny gems, and serpen- not written for children, but for men, and the
tine, triple-horned, and crescent-shaped, ruby mothers and wives of men. Probably there
and diamond diadems. When Mary comes is a good deal in the book which may shock
from her bath, her toilet assumes the char- even mothers and wives; but that does not
acter of a dramatic panorama: she murmurs seem anything very exceptional in current
praises of her beauty while her negro slaves fiction, and the only question that would
chant responsive rhapsodies; she continues arise in most minds is whetherthey are
her rhythmical purlings while her slaves shocked to any good purpose.
scrape her with a strigil and rub her with Frankly, I do not think they are.
I can-
essence of saffron flowers and jasmine; she not see any more good in the elaborate details
sings her own charms while the black women of Mary's life in Alexandria than in M. Pierre
paint her lips and her breasts, burnish her | Louys's earlier imaginations of the same
finger-nails, scent her body, and do other thing, - unless it be good to give such a con-
things. Every noun becomes a page, and fused notion of the whole thing that no one
every sentence a chapter.
can really have any idea at all. Mr. Harré
Mr. Harré has taken for his subject one of is doubtless serious, and it is only right to
the most remarkable things that happen,- the meet him on his own ground. “In Mary, the
passing of a soul from darkness to light, from powerful Alexandrian courtesan,” he writes,
insatiable desire to peace, from evil to good. "whose beauty in its day was truly the
But the remarkable element in this remark- glory of Egypt, is represented the eternal
able happening is (to my mind, at least) struggle of womankind over man's age-long
something that not only does not need elab- injustice and exploitation,- a struggle today
oration of a quantitative character but that finding its expression among those clear-
will not endure it. One of the best known visioned and valiant women who are demand-
and most effective accounts of such a happen- ing their right to equal place with men in
ing is also one of the simplest, namely, that the affairs of the nations." Had he not so
given in the seventh chapter of Luke, to which written, I feel that few would have caught his
Mr. Harré alludes, the story of the woman idea. The actual impression of his book can-
that was a sinner and how she came to sin not be either of the eternal struggle of woman-
It seems impossible that anyone kind or, as it seems to offer itself, of the
who has read that account could imagine that eternal salvation of one woman, or of any.
it would be made more effective, or nearly as thing actually happening or ever having
effective, by elaboration of detail.
happened in the world. His detailed imag-
Such stories are often told by those who ination meets the same fate as Mr. Jack
know most about them,- namely, the persons London's. It lacks the touch of life, the
who have themselves passed through the only thing which makes us do the imagining
experience which is being told of. And it ourselves.
may often be noted that when such tellers It is a relief to turn from such elaborated
make a mistake (and they often do) it is realism to the frank impossibilities of Mr.
likely to be because they tell us too much of Edgar Jepson's "Alice Devine.” Indeed, it
the evil from which they have been rescued, may not be an impossibility that Lord
and more rarely by saying too much of the Garthoyle, who had only five thousand pounds
good that they have attained. Few are able to as an income, should inherit from his uncle
say much, and none too much, of the thing twenty-five thousand pounds a year more on
of most importance, the wonderful change i condition that he would act as his own agent
itself which they feel has taken place within in looking after the houses in Garthoyle Gar-
them. That is almost always a thing still dens. There seems no valid reason why such
wonderful to themselves, such that by no things should not be. And granted this fun-
effort can they say much of anything about damental, everything becomes easy, and very
it. If we understand the little they can say, much funnier than the normal mind would
it is generally because we grasp by sympathy, suppose it would be. Mr. Jepson's imagina-
perhaps by real fellow-feeling, what it is that tion is of a different kind from Mr. London's
they are trying to describe to us.
or Mr. Harré's. Somehow, when you once
no more.
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1916]
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+
imagine an impossibility (I cannot get it out life, its limitations, aspirations, and conceived
of
my
head that the house-agent idea is impos- determining powers, working within or from with-
sible) you can suggest all kinds of things
out.” He remembers that "the needs of men are
that are not only very possible but that seem
not the same universally; and the human adjust-
quite probable, while if you begin on a real
ment may relate to conduct or to speculation, to
distress at life's chain of torment, or to fear of
historic fact it seems as though every elab-
extinction; it may relate to the impulse to specu-
oration became not only less suggestive but
late and know, or to the need to be saved.'' The
more impossible.
choice of these classic human adjustors is perforce
Whether that is so or not, I read with
somewhat conventional, but it is catholic in its
equanimity and pleasure of J. Quintus
of J. Quintus breadth and wide in its sympathy and interpreta-
Scruton, gum-millionaire from New Zealand, tion. Beginning with the early gropings in
who occupied No. 9 Garthoyle Gardens and Chaldæa and Egypt, the author treats succinctly
paid no rent because he arranged that Mr.
China's messages of duty and detachment from the
Garthoyle should think his house haunted, and
mouths of Confucius and Lâo-tsze; the Indian
solution by annihilation of individuality in the
how the new house-agent visited the house and
Upanishads and in the Paths of Gotama; the fiery
interviewed the ghost. Then the new house-
militant adjustment to Mazda by Zarathushtra, the
agent, being this time Lord Garthoyle in his Prophet of Iran; the progressive revelations of
automobile, fell in with half-a-dozen children the prophets of Israel in their efforts to adjust
and a young lady who was playing with themselves to the growing conception of Yahweh,
them, and took them all for a ride in the and especially the growth of individual conscience
out of the earlier national conscience.
country, where they disclosed the fact that
(In
America we shall need to reverse this latter
they were anarchists while he talked with the
young lady, who reminded him strangely of process.). Then follow a charming account of the
heroic adjustment by courage and fortitude as seen
the ghost whom he had interviewed shortly
in the heroes of Homer, and a remarkably adequate
before. And so on with the rest of the book.
discussion, for such brief compass, of the clear-
Perfectly absurd each adventure, of course, eyed wisdom of the Greek philosophers. Thales,
the strange marks on the house that were Anaximander, Anaximenes, Heraclitus, Democri-
thought to be messages from more anarchists, tus, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle pass before us
the empty house full of snakes that at the in coherent glimpses, the adjustment rising in the
last three to "the sublimest satisfaction of con-
proper moment came out of their basket and
bit their wicked owner. Quite absurd, and fit
summate intellectual appetition.” Next comes the
confused welter of the later Græco-Roman world,
only for the tired business man; and yet on
where Mithra and Osiris, Lucretius and the Stoics,
such a framework Mr. Jepson manages to
Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius pave the
give more sense of actuality than in the piled- way for what the author regards in some respects
up and thorough-paced facts which we so as the final adjustment,- that of Jesus in establish-
often meet with elsewhere. I prefer another ing the filial relation between God and man. Fol-
kind still, - the story that comes so direct lowing this are clear presentations of Paul and
from a keen sense of the reality of something Augustine, in the latter especially the expediential
that it carries with it still the sense of an
adjustment of the Early Christian Church in the
Western World becoming evident. Here the
actuality that gives us for the time the illu-
author ends; he does not attempt to follow the
sion of dealing with real people and things, spirit of man in its complex strivings through
and leaves us with the same sort of impression the last millenium and half. Indeed, in
that we really have from people and things.
this little book of fewer than three hundred pages
But such stories are rare just at present.
he has accomplished marvels in the way of com-
EDWARD E. HALE.
pression. In general, the effect of the study is
cumulative toward Christianity, which is presented
as the final religious adjustment. Yet the very last
word is, like the charactertistic religious utterances
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS.
of our time, a question rather than an answer:
Adjustment
Amidst the present ringing on the
“Less rapturous, more analytic, tempers also may
to life in
anvils of material events and the
conclude that only infinite life is suited to eternity:
past ages.
daily readjustment of things, it
not man, but God."
becomes the part of wise people occasionally to
turn to the past and the great leaders of the past,
Lord Alfred Douglas once said
stopping the ears to the din of the present and
publicly of Mr. Robert H. Sherard:
trying to catch the fundamental chord of Eternity.
"He writes books on Oscar Wilde.
This has been the purpose of Mr. Henry He is always writing books on Oscar Wilde. He
Osborn Taylor in his recent book, “Deliverance" does nothing else. It is, I believe, his sole source
(Macmillan). Out of a rich and fertile erudition, of income. This statement is quoted with amus-
the author recalls “those individuals who most ing frankness by Mr. Sherard in the foreword to
clearly illustrate phases of human adjustment with his latest study of his favorite topic, the book
a
More about
Oscar Wilde.


476
[May 11
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66
the war.
being entitled “The Real Oscar Wilde” (McKay) of Mr. Kelly's opinions, we venture to join issue
and serving as a supplement (of 431 pages) to with him in what we do seem to understand,- his
his well-known biography of Wilde which was argument that because of Carlyle's devotion to
issued ten years ago.
The two portly volumes German genius and German literature his general
together ought to satisfy almost any lover of the attitude towards the part that country has played
brilliant but ill-fated apostle of æstheticism. Of from the day when Belgium was first outraged
course the “real” Wilde as portrayed in this sec- would have differed from that of the average
ond book can be no other than the writer's admired Englishman of to-day. It is surely unnecessary to
friend whom the first work has already quite fully
remind Mr. Kelly that the Germany represented
presented. Additional incidents and anecdotes are by Goethe, Schiller, Fichte, Richter, and Kant is
offered in abundance in the book's twenty-six gen- not the Germany of