“Fair Margaret,” which bears the title ing steps with a large clasp-knife in an almost per-
“ The Primadonna," Margaret is represented, on pendicular saud-bank -a “stratum of soft sand”
page 133, as sitting alone in a room that is thus the writer calls it. As if this were not bad enough,
described : “The music room had a polished the hero is made to go back on another day and
wooden floor, and the furniture consisted chiefly of cut the steps deeper, for the benefit of any future
a grand piano and a dozen chairs. The walls were unfortunates compelled to seek safety by scaling
tinted a pale green; there were no curtains at the the sixty-foot precipice. Even granted the steeply-
windows, because they would have deadened sound, sloping bank of soft sand, and granted the possi-
and a very small wood fire was burning in an bility of carving out a practicable stairway on its
almost miniature fireplace quite at the other end face, how long would its lower steps withstand the
of the room.” This description, being brief, and action of the waves beating against the bank with
touching on only essential features, places the room every rising tide? Surely it would have been just
clearly before the mind's eye; and the vision has as easy for the author to make her bank out of
by no means faded when, a little later, the follow something other than soft sand. A not too difficult
ing sentence is met with: “She rose presently and slope of rock would have answered all the condi.
turned up the lights, rang the bell, and when the tions, with the agile and amorous Jim Airth at
window curtains were drawn, and tea was brought, hand to assist the distressed lady.
she did everything she could to make Lushington Another grievance, of a rather different nature,
[who had just been admitted to the music room] might not unfairly be charged against a large
feel at his ease.” One has a right to protest against | number of story-writers. This is the unnecessary
this magical appearance of curtains where a mo adoption of the first-person style of narration. No
ment before there had been none. If the writer man, however extraordinarily gifted, could rehearse
meant window shades or Venetian blinds in the a personal experience and at the same time faith-
second passage, he should have said so.
fully reproduce all the actions, words, and very
It is true, a novelist who writes much and rapidly, thoughts of everyone concerned in the said ex-
and whose books maintain a high level of excel perience; and to call an occasional halt in order
lence, may well be pardoned an occasional minor to attempt an explanation of this omniscience only
lapse such as the one just referred to. But the makes matters worse. The impersonal, or third-
deliberate and elaborate creation of an absurdity personal, narrator of a tale is readily granted to be
in a sober and somewhat commonplace chronicle is omniscient, and the reader delights in his minute
a different matter. Mr. F. Hopkinson Smith's description of incident, his reproduction of clever
“Oliver Horn" strains the reader's credulity, in conversation, his intuitive knowledge of motive and
chapter thirteen, very unnecessarily. In that chap- | insight into character; but the moment he commits
ter, Oliver, who is in the employ of Messrs. Morton, the indiscretion of stepping into his own pages, he
Slade & Co. of New York, is given four months' does indeed “put his foot into it.” Crawford's
vacation with extra pay to tide him over till autumn, “ Paul Patoff” runs along smoothly and delight-
when his services are expected to be again in de- / fully (if one has refrained from reading the intro-


1911.]
67
THE DIAL
duction) until about half the story is told, when all chiefly for its exceptionally faultless and inexpen-
at once the narrator thrusts himself in as a character | sive reprints of the principal modern classics in the
in the book, and the illusion vanishes. This trouble English language. The growth of the Tauchnitz
some Paul Griggs thenceforward does his best to collection of British and American authors has been
keep us reminded that to his wonderful memory one of cumulative rapidity ever since, in 1841, the
and to his inconceivable powers of clairvoyance we quixotic publisher of Leipzig proposed to the first
are indebted for the intricate story he is telling. | English author on his list (it was Bulwer Lytton,
There is, of course, the customary occasional refer- and the first Tauchnitz reprint was “Pelham") to
ence to subsequent facilities for learning what oc pay him an entirely voluntary royalty on a reissue of
curred in places where he himself was not present. his works in Germany, as a “step toward a literary
Yet why in the name of all that is artistic must the relationship" between the two countries concerned
author thus arbitrarily deny himself the undisputed — such literary or copyright relationship having no
advantage of third-person narration ? George Eliot, existence at that time. It is interesting to trace
again, has committed the same offense in one of the history of this venture, from its beginning with
her " Scenes from Clerical Life," obtruding herself three books a year to its present record of two each
abruptly two or three times as a young man taking week, and its total of more than forty-two hundred
part in the events described. “We men" is one of reprints. All the great names of modern English
the phrases used to persuade the reader that and American literature are represented on this
“ George Eliot” is in very truth a man's name. roll of something more than empty honor. Like the
The story (“Janet's Repentance") is an early at- righteous man of the psalmist, the first Baron von
tempt on the writer's part, and the first person was Tauchnitz prospered in whatsoever he undertook,
not again assumed by her in fiction; therefore for. and his son and successor, the second Baron, has
giveness is cheerfully accorded. But if authors knew maintained his father's prestige. In one room of
how many novels have been thrown aside in dis- the great establishment built up by the two there
pleasure on being found to be written in the first is preserved a remarkable collection of autograph
person, they would oftener hesitate about appearing letters from grateful authors who have expressed
as their own heroes or heroines. None but a great their sense of obligation to the honest Leipzig pub-
master can conquer the difficulties inherent in such lisher — among them being Dickens, Thackeray,
an undertaking
Carlyle, Macaulay, Tennyson, Browning, Disraeli,
This picking of flaws may be called an ungrate Gladstone, Charles Kingsley, Robert Louis Steven-
ful and ungraceful exercise, and the carping critic son, Washington Irving, Hawthorne, Longfellow,
may perhaps be advised to curb his censorious pro and innumerable others.
pensities until he has produced at least one novel
“HAMLET” AT THE IMPERIAL THEATRE IN
no more faulty than the worst of those mentioned
Tokio, in a literal translation expressly made by
above. Effective rejoinder to this is a little diffi-
Dr. Tsubouchi, constitutes a recent event of the
cult, but one may still think oneself entitled to
first importance in the play-going world of Japan.
indulge in regrets that the critical are not more
By a new departure, and one that promises well
invariably added to the creative faculties in those
delightful novelists to whom we owe so much pleas-
for the improvement of Japanese dramatic art, the
tragedy was staged in foreign style and the female
ure and refreshment, even as one regrets, in a
parts were played by women. Miss Matsui is said
keener and more personal fashion, that the creative
to have filled the role of Ophelia with exceptional
are not more often added to the critical faculties.
skill, while the characters of Hamlet, Polonius,
PERCY F. BICKNELL. and Claudius were very creditably presented. For
some years the Japanese have been more or less
familiar with a Japanized stage version of Hamlet,
CASUAL COMMENT.
but Dr. Tsubouchi's is the first faithful, or approx-
imately faithful, rendering of the play into the
GERMAN BOOK-PUBLISHING AND BOOK-SELLING vernacular; and it will readily be believed that
METHODS easily maintain a conspicuous superiority Shakespeare's lines have taxed to the full the lin-
over those of most other countries, and especially guistic ingenuity of the translator, the interpretive
over those of our own benighted land of literary powers of the players, and the comprehension of
piracy and of tardy and imperfect acknowledgment the audience. A word of interest reaches us con-
of a man's right to the products of his brain. As cerning the new playhouse where this new render-
a significant illustration of those more excellent ing of “Hamlet” was so successfully undertaken.
methods-- about which Mr. George Haven Putnam, The erection and opening of the Imperial Theatre
the eminent publisher who has so long and so elo (which, despite its name, is not a subsidized or a
quently protested against the iniquities of our copy government-controlled playhouse) may be taken as
wrong regulations, wrote with the knowledge of an a sign of promise in a hitherto theatrically barbaric
expert in the preceding issue of THE DIAL — we | land. European in its general architecture, and
take occasion to call attention to the enviable record attempting some approach to Occidental ideals and
of the house of Tauchnitz, known to Americans | methods on its stage, it especially distinguishes


68
[August 1,
THE DIAL
itself by having connected with it a school for the cannot make sure whether he has not already used
training of actresses, thus declaring itself opposed it and forgotten the fact. Charles Godfrey Leland
to the time-honored custom of allowing none but somewhere speaks of the strangeness which a piece
male actors to appear behind the footlights, even of earlier writing has worn to his older eyes when
in female parts. By a circular process — which in by chance it has come to his notice: and he has often
this instance, it is hoped, will bear no resemblance wondered where he found certain long-forgotten
to the “ vicious” circle — the laudable purpose is to ideas and how he managed to dress them up with
qualify women for the elevation of the stage, and such dexterity and originality, being in fact con-
then with their aid to make the stage a means of strained to admire the young genius who was his
elevating women. Of course the reform of the own earlier self but who interested him as would
stage is not to be accomplished in a day, either in | some entirely new and unknown writer. William
Japan or elsewhere ; and it will be years before the Black, too, used to find his own first ventures in
new Tokio theatre can be expected to make itself fiction as infamiliar to his older eyes as if they
worthy of any sort of comparison with theatres in had been the novels of another author. May it not
the capitals of the western world.
be that the mind, like the body, is continually being
re-made, and that the mind of the sixty-year-old
A SURVEY OF ECCENTRIC LITERATURE, with brief | man, though retaining the ground-plan and per-
mention of many little-known examples of this haps some of the framework of the thirty-year-old
large and constantly growing class of printed mat- | man, is nevertheless, in elevation and ornamentation,
ter, is republished from “The Monist” in a handy and even in general style of architecture, virtually
little pamphlet of twelve pages, from the pen of another and a different mind? Not, of course, with
Mr. Arthur MacDonald. He calls the misguided those who mature at twenty-five and never there-
authors of these works "mattoids” in preference after assimilate a new idea or rid themselves of an
to “ cranks,” and divides their writings into seven old one; but with such vegetables the present
classes. Of mattoid or decadent poets, he says that | observations do not concern themselves.
their effusions “keep one's mind on the stretch in
a vacuum, like a conundrum without an answer.”
A PROPHETIC EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY VISITOR TO
He incidentally remarks, too, that “some persons
AMERICA, Dr. Johann David Schoepf, wrote a book
also regard the Bacon-Shakespeare controversies
of his travels, wherein he paid generous tribute to
as eccentric literature.” Thomas Wirgman, the
the manifest excellences of American character, but
English mattoid who spent a fortune in publishing
failed not to point out certain defects, conspicuous
his voluminous works, very few of which have
among which was that spirit of improvidence and
found purchasers, he places at the commencement
waste that even in 1783-84 struck this impartial
of this century,” evidently meaning the nineteenth
observer as threatening the impoverishment of our
century. In classing Baxter's sermon on “Hooks
forests and the reduction of the country to a treeless
and Eyes for Believers' Trousers ” with eccentric
barrenness such as certain regions of the old world
literature, he is certainly right as far as oddity
have long since brought upon themselves. Dr.
of imagery is concerned, though one is loth to Schoepf, besides being a liberally educated man,
believe that the eloquent nonconformist was a
and the holder in his later years of the presidency
mattoid. But Sir Isaac Newton is classed with the
of the United Medical College of Ansbach and
eccentrics by reason of his essays in biblical inter-
Bayreuth, was also specially trained in forestry, and
pretation, so that Baxter is in good company. A
thus qualified to speak with authority on the abuse
concluding list of Writings on Eccentric Litera-
which our woodlands were seen by him to suffer.
ture” – a department of bibliography containing
His urbanity, and his readiness to praise everything
as yet but few titles — might advantageously have
American that seemed to him praiseworthy, give
included John Fiske's excellent though brief treatise
impressiveness and weight to such strictures as he
on the subject. Indeed, it was Mr. Fiske himself
allows himself to indulge in. To Americans of the
who, while serving as assistant librarian at Harvard,
present day, few of whom are likely ever to have
introduced, for cataloguing purposes, the term "ec-
heard of the book, it should prove interesting and
centric literature,” which may to this day (unless
profitable reading; and it has just been rendered
recently discarded ) be found as a subject-entry in
easily accessible in an English version by the efforts
that catalogue.
of Mr. Alfred J. Morrison, translator, and of Mr.
. . .
W. J. Campbell of Philadelphia, publisher.
INVOLUNTARY AUTOPLAGIARISM, or the uninten-
tional repetition of one's own good things in print, TuE COLLEGE AND THE STAGE are brought into
forms one of the minor lapses of not a few anthors relations beneficial to the stage, and to some extent
who write much and rapidly, and have been plying mutually beneficial, in the attention officially or
the pen for a good many years. Even so compara- | unofficially paid to dramatic art at all our leading
tively new a writer as the author of “Somehow universities and colleges. The leaven of culture
Good” is said to experience already considerable works from above downward, the chief difficulty
perplexity when a bright thought occurs to him being that the ferment too often ceases in the upper
and he wishes to turn it to literary account, but strata of humanity's mass. Nevertheless Mr. Walter


1911.)
69
THE DIAL
Prichard Eaton, the widely-known dramatic critic, stage in Paris, and which is said to bear some
did not hesitate to say the other day in a lecture resemblance in its theme to Hawthorne's little story
that formed one of this summer's series at the Isles of “Wakefield.” Mr. Aylmer Maude's excellent
of Shoals: “The most effective work for the eleva- | two-volume biography, first published about the
tion of the stage is being done to-day in our colleges, time of Tolstoi's death, has recently been extended
especially in Harvard and Yale. There the drama so as to become more nearly complete; and another
is treated as a serious branch of the fine arts; and not full account of the man is promised from the pen of
alone the drama of the printed page, but of the prac M. Romain Rolland, of “ Jean-Christophe" fame.
tical playhouse.” The course in play-construction One can feel pretty sure in advance that the French-
at Harvard has already been approvingly referred man's book will not lack interesting detail skilfully
to by us, and Mr. Eaton believes that “not only treated, and that it will present the great Russian
does it increase in all men who take it the knowl. from a new point (or several new points) of view.
edge and understanding of the stage, but by its
mere presence in the curriculum of Harvard College NOVEL METHODS OF JOURNALISTIC CONTROVERSY
it adds to the dignity of the drama as an art, and prevail in England, if we may judge by a recent tilt
it inspires respect for the drama in all the students.” | between “ The Spectator" and “The English Re-
At Radcliffe, too, the study of the drama is pro view.” The latter periodical, having been charged
ducing some noteworthy results. “The End of the by “The Spectator” with “dumping garbage upon
Bridge," a spirited production that enjoyed a run the nation's doorstep,” sends out a circular signed by
of many weeks at a Boston theatre last season, was fifty names prominent in current English literature
the work of a Radcliffe undergraduate, and, if not (including Mr. Thomas Hardy, Mr. Galsworthy,
a masterpiece, was at least a refined and wholesome Mr. Wells, Mr. Yeats, Mr. Maurice Hewlett, and
piece of playwriting. ...
Miss May Sinclair), protesting against the attack
THE FIRST YEAR OF KENTUCKY'S LIBRARY COM-
of “The Spectator" and characterizing it as “per-
secution” – Mr. Hewlett lending the additional
MISSION shows at least hopeful beginnings of use-
interpretation that “The Spectator is a prig.” It
ful activity. The bill creating this commission went
would seem to us that the “ Review” is too able
into effect June 13, 1910, and the five commis-
and reputable a periodical to stand in need of such
sioners appointed by the Governor held their first
a vindication ; but we cheerfully give it publicity, as
meeting July 26. There is now issued by the
commission its first bulletin, a plentifully-illustrated
requested by the editor, Mr. Austin Harrison.
fifty-page pamphlet entitled “Handbook of Kentucky
A GRAVE PROBLEM FOR EDUCATORS was discussed
Libraries.” As late as 1907, nine years after the
on the closing day of the late annual convention of
passage of laws enabling all cities and towns to the National Education Association at San Fran-
establish free public libraries, there were only nine
cisco. It was probably the most serious question
such libraries in the seventeenth richest State in
that had come up for debate, and it brought out
the United States. But the four years since then
some significant facts and figures. The "backward
have shown gratifying activity in library-founding,
child problem,” according to Dr. Maximilian P. E.
thanks largely to Mr. Carnegie's substantial aid,
Grossman, of Plainfield, New Jersey, is truly a
which amounts to $716,889 distributed among
serious one. Between four million and five million
thirteen cities and villages and one college (Berea).
of our schoolchildren are of this type, and of these
The “Handbook" gives a list of twenty-eight public
at least half a million are distinctly abnormal.
libraries and nine college, normal school, theologi-
The adoption of stringent measures to prevent the
cal seminary, and law libraries, besides the State
propagation of the type was advocated by several
Library at Frankfort, the latter having the very re-
participants in the discussion. Here, apparently, is
spectable size of one hundred and ten thousand
a question with which the comparatively new science
volumes. The Louisville Public Library is the
of eugenics might beneficently concern itself.
largest in the State, with nearly one hundred and
thirty thousand volumes and a circulation of six A HOT SUMMER'S “BEST-SELLER" seems thus far
hundred thousand. No fewer than twenty-one to have been “ The Broad Highway,” that novel
travelling-library stations have been established in whose pre-publication history has furnished con-
the eleven months or less of the commission's exist- siderable entertainment to the readers of current
ence. The Blue-grass State is evidently awaking literary chronicle and comment. It was only three
at last to the literary needs of its people.
days after the book's issue in this country, its pub-
lishers say, that “the advance reviews had aug-
TolstoI'S POSTHUMOUS WRITINGS seem likely, if mented the sales so that we went to press for a
they all find their way into print, to fill some forty | fourth time. Since February we have printed about
or fifty volumes. The journals alone are said to two editions a month until the eleventh has been
contain matter for about thirty printed volumes, and reached, and The Broad Highway' is in more
besides these there are a score or more of works of active demand than any novel we have issued in a
various sorts, including a play gruesomely entitled decade." As was to be expected, a second novel
· The Living Corpse,” which is to be put on the l from Mr. Farnol is in process of creation.


THE DIAL
[August 1,
eo
The New Books.
line, nine and two-tenths metres beam, and
with a water-draught of four and three-tenths
metres when loaded. The rigging was that of
Two YEARS IN THE ANTARCTIC.* a three-masted barque, the masts being excep-
Whatever the importance of the results |tionally strong and short, and every other part
attained by the Second Charcot Antarctic of the equipment designed especially for hard
Expedition, as viewed by geographers, ocean usage. In harmony with the sentiment and
ographers, hydrographers, seismographers, geo-
the truly devout zeal inspiring all connected
logists, zoologists, botanists, bacteriologists,
with the expedition was the solemn baptismal
glaciologists, and other scientists, that expedi ceremony which the “ Pourquoi-Pas?” ander-
tion is chiefly memorable to the general reader went at her launching, the officiating priest
for the excellent book it has produced at the being Monseigneur Riou, who had also baptized
hands of its devoted leader, Dr. Jean Charcot, the “ Français.” It was with a staff
distinguished son of a still more distinguished | competent specialists and a crew of twenty-one
father. “The Voyage of the “Why Not?' in picked men, eight of whom had served in the
the Antarctic” is a large and handsomely illus - Français " expedition, that Dr. Charcot set
trated volume, comparable in its generous pro-
sail from Havre on the fifteenth of August,
portions, its fulness of detail, and its variety
1908. After touching at Rio Janeiro, Buenos
of interest, with that other recent record of Aires, and other ports, and receiving generous
South Polar exploration, “ The Heart of the aid and cordial encouragement, the intrepid
Antarctic,” by Sir Ernest Shackleton. The “ Why Not?” turned her prow toward the un-
periods of time covered by the two expeditions
known South, pausing only at Punta Arenas,
overlapped each other by a year, but the En where Madame Charcot took leave of her
glish and the French explorers were separated
husband and returned to France. For a little
by a hundred degrees of longitude, the English over a year, or from December 1908 to Janu-
man being at work in the region to the south
ary 1910, the explorers were engaged in their
of New Zealand, while his friendly rival had appointed work, interrupted of course by the
chosen the more difficult scene of his first semi-inactivity of a winter (our summer of 1909)
Antarctic explorations (in the “ Français," amid the ice. Concerning the results achieved
1903-1905), the little-known coasts and islands in the open season of 1908-1909, the comman-
lying over against the extreme southern point der of the expedition expresses his satisfaction
of South America. There was no prospect of in the following retrospective summary.
any approach to the Pole by this route, but there
| “Our summer campaign had been more fruitful
was a good outlook for discoveries of interest
than we could have hoped, since we had surveyed a
considerable extent of new coast south of Adelaide
to geographers and others, and it was a region
Land, reached Alexander I. Land, corrected the charts,
already somewhat familiar to Dr. Charcot. His and discovered a big bay north of Adelaide Land, while
purpose is thus expressed in his own words: | making during our voyage numerous soundings, drags,
“My exact object was to study in detail and from
and observations of all kinds."
all points of view as wide a stretch as possible of the In the season 1909–10 further researches
Antarctic in this sector of the circle, regardless of
were prosecuted, chiefly to the westward of
latitude. I knew that I had chosen the region where
ice confronts the navigator as far north as 61°, where
Petermann Island where the winter had been
innumerable icebergs dot the sea, and where the coast-
passed, and a new coast was discovered and
line is fringed with high mountains, to all appearances finally named (after considerable urgency on
insurmountable. I had no hope therefore of approach the part of geographers and other friends of
ing the Pole. Nevertheless, lest any one should cry
the discoverer) “Charcot Land” — not, as the
sour grapes !' I must hasten to say that if I had had
the chance of stumbling on a road by which I could
modest explorer insists, in his own honor, but
realise the dream of all Polar explorers I should have in filial respect to the memory of his father, of
made for the Pole enthusiastically and should certainly Salpêtrière fame. It is worth noting by the
have spared nothing to reach it.”
way that what seems to be a further tribute to
The steamship built for the expedition by the deceased Dr. Charcot is found in the name
“ Père" Gautier, of St. Malo, was a sturdy of Salpêtrière Bay, in the same region.
vessel of forty metres in length at the water | Such, then, in general were the activities of
*THE VOYAGE OF THE “Why Not?” IN THE ANT the zealous French explorer and his companions
ARCTIC. The Journal of the Second French South Polar on those vaguely-defined and perpetually ice-
Expedition, 1908–1910. By Dr. Jean Charcot. English ver-
sion by Philip Walsh. With numerous illustrations from
bound coasts of what has long been loosely (and,
photographs. New York: Hodder & Stoughton.
Dr. Charcot says, incorrectly) known as Graham


1911.)
71
THE DIAL
Land, and in the adjacent islands and along a believe that their sentiments towards me are shared
considerable stretch of territory or ocean, or
aan or by the new-comers. We drank champagne, ate plum
both
both, toward the west. At no time did the pudding, and chatted gaily.
“ Pourquoi-Pas?” attain a higher latitude than Further means of beguiling the time in winter
seventy degrees and some minutes, as indicated quarters were found in the arts, of many kinds;
by the map in the book ; and this of course bears in toboganning, snow-shoeing, ski-ing, and other
no comparison with Sir Ernest Shackleton's forms of competitive athletics; in much reading,
approach to within one hundred and twelve and in some writing, including the elaboration
miles of the Pole. However, Dr. Charcot was of a serial novel, “ The Typist's Lover," chap-
not out on a Pole-hunting expedition, and there ters of which the author, Lieutenant Rouch,
is no ground for disappointment or grievance | read aloud every evening to the eagerly-attentive
on his side or ours. He has furnished us a de- company. Concerning the ship's library, we
lightful, because so manifestly straightforward | learn the following:
and unstudied, narrative of his two-years out “We have fortunately an extremely well-furnished
ing; and we shall give ourselves the pleasure
library with about 1,500 volumes of scientific works,
travel-books, novels, plays, and artistic and classical
of quoting a few more passages of a typical
literature, to distract, instruct, or help us in our work.
nature from his pages. With the exception of
The crew has the right of dipping into these to a great
two preliminary chapters, the entire account is extent, but I have thought it best to strike off the
in the form of a diary, which one is glad to catalogue for their use a whole series of volumes that
believe has had and has needed very little
seemed to me harmful, or at least useless, to most of
these good fellows, who are happily still very much
editing. Here and there, and far oftener than
children of nature. The volumes which circulate most
they could be found in the journal of an English in the ward-room are undoubtedly those of the
or American or Scandinavian explorer, occur | Dictionnaire Larousse, which, apart from the instruc-
tenderly sentimental passages from the French-
tion which it gives us in our isolation from the rest of
man's pen. This is the way the first of January,
the world, cuts short, if it does not completely check,
discussions which would otherwise threaten to be inter-
1909, was ushered in :
minable. Whether or not Larousse provides the solu-
“ As midnight struck, every bell on board, the fog tion, in a life like ours discussions are inevitable. They
horns and the phonographs gave forth their sounds in are one of the occupations, often one of the plagues, of
a deafening discord to welcome the New Year. We Polar expeditions, and I well understand why, during
eat, in accordance with the custom which makes this a celebrated English Antarctic expedition, they should
bring good luck, some fresh grapes which were pre have been punished by fines when they overran the
sented to us for the occasion by M, Blanchard at comparatively short hours when they were permitted.
Punta Arenas. Packed in sawdust, they had already I must hasten to add that on our ship they seldom
made the journey from Malaga, so that they are of a ' turned bitter, and the clouds which they may have
certain age; and yet they taste as if they had just been raised quickly dispersed.”
picked. Chollet [the skipper), the old companion of
all my travels, comes first, as at Port Lockroy in 1905,
Researches of vast importance to the civilized
to shake my hand. Then Libois, the oldest on board, world do not seem often to suggest themselves
who has also served me long, brings me a very nice to Antarctic explorers, but many minor ques-
letter signed by all the crew. On their part the staff came
tions of some interest to the curious are still
forward to shake the hands of our brave and devoted
helpers. Then, both fore and aft, we wash down with
waiting to be answered. For example, the
the generous wines of France, an abundant supper." zoologist of the “Why Not?” one day fastened
In the same spirit of loyalty and affection | celluloid rings of various colors to the legs of
toward their commander was the crew's celebra-
numerous penguins, young and old, and of
tion of his wedding anniversary. The fourth several cormorants, in the hope of gaining some
anniversary, too, of the return of the previous
knowledge later as to the habitual movements
expedition under Dr. Charcot was an occasion
of these birds. Certain writers have asserted
for sentiment.
that the parents do not return to the old rookery
“Gourdon and Rosselin gave the toasts. My brave
a second season, and that only the young who
and faithful follower, Chollet, companion on my jour were hatched there make it their abiding place
neys for twenty-five years, pushed forward by Gourdon,
the next year. But the French zoologist's
tried to speak in his turn, but he was very agitated, and
experiments and observations seemed to prove
after a few stammering words he thought of something
better, for he shook my hand in such a way that I
that exactly the contrary procedure was the
understood the affectionate devotion with which he was rule. And so life's problems are diminished
overflowing. I was extremely touched by this mani hy at least one, thanks to the second Charcot
festation, the responsibility for which Gourdon and the
| Antarctic expedition.
crew laid on one another. The veterans had already
sbown me their affection and confidence by asking to
Interesting to all readers of Arctic voyages
join the new expedition, and I have every reason to l and discoveries is the considerable difference


72
(August 1,
THE DIAL
in the conditions to be met and the difficulties has not contributed all the materials ; the au-
to be overcome by Antarctic explorers. A book thor has opinions as well as information, and
by Captain Peary or by Fridtjof Nansen, and these are stated with force and freedom. There
ope by Lieutenant Shackleton or Dr. Charcot, are few subjects of current interest that are not
though describing in general very similar opera discussed in the volume : the suffragette move-
tions, reveal to the reader a marvellous difference ment, the public schools, the protective tariff,
in details of equipment and method. So great is the Declaration of Independence, the manage-
this difference that whereas Captain Peary bas ment of hospitals, the Irish question, the money
with justifiable pride written of his crowning question, — these are a few of the more impor-
achievement as if nothing of any great moment | tant problems included.
now remained to be accomplished by polar ex | A large part of the work is naturally devoted
plorers, the conquest of the South Pole really to the trials and triumphs of the busy physician.
confronts them as a problem whose solution has At the age of eighteen Dr. Emmet began the
hardly been facilitated by the antipodal victory.study of medicine, and after graduation located
In conclusion, high commendation is due in the city of New York. He rose rapidly to
to the translator and the publishers of Dr. great eminence in the medical world ; in the
Charcot's book. Errors of translating or of words of his friend, T. P. O'Connor, he became
printing do inevitably occur, but they seem to “one of the glories and one of the glowing
be few. One could have wished for a larger lights of the medical profession.” Dr. Emmet
scale map of the discoverer's route, and also for believes that he was “at the head of the largest
a final summary of things accomplished. The public and private practice any man was ever
one map given (of the whole Antarctic region) held responsible for.” “I have approximated
is very inadequate. But the illustrations, from the number under my care, and for whose treat-
photographs, are all that could be desired. ment I was directly or indirectly responsible in
hospital and private practice, as between ninety
and one hundred thousand women."
MEMOIRS OF AN EMINENT PHYSICIAN.* Still the busy physician found time and
The Emmet family is most closely associated energies for matters of wider interest. He
with the history of Ireland, especially with grew to maturity during the fierce political
movements for Irish independence. Some of conflict that led up to the Civil War. Slavery
its members have found their way to our own was an abomination to him, but as to the rights
land, but expatriation has not lessened their of secession he had not the least doubt. When
interest in the struggle for Irish self-rule. his native state, Virginia, left the Union, he
Among the Emmets who emigrated in an early promptly repaired to Montgomery to offer his
day was Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet, one of the services, which fortunately were refused. He
revolutionary leaders of 1798, who came to returned to New York and quietly resumed his
New York a century ago. His grandson of the practice. Since 1861 his opinions of men and
same name is still a citizen of New York, and measures must have changed materially. “As
like his grandfather (also a lawyer) is an hon- a Southern man, I detested Mr. Lincoln, but
ored member of the physicians' guild. Again he became finally, in my estimation, one of
like his grandfather, Dr. Thomas Addis Eminet the greatest and purest of patriots,” accom-
the younger is a militant defender of Irish plishing more for the nation than any other
rights; and for a decade, as president of the individual since Washington. But on the sub-
Irish Federation of America, he directed the ject of the relations existing between state and
American forces in the home-rule campaign. nation, he is still “ unreconstructed," as the
Dr. Emmet was born in 1828, at Charlottes following extract will show:
ville, Virginia, where his father was professor “The Administration at Washington, except in its
of chemistry and materia medica at the State foreign relations, was never considered to possess any
University. When he wrote the preface to his
of the attributes of a government before the Civil War,
and was only termed the Administration. : .. The
memoirs, in 1910, he could look back over an
United States Administration exists to-day as a full-
eventful life of more than four-score years. It fledged Government, with almost unlimited power,
is a large volume that he has given us, for Dr. gained by usurpation in every branch of the Executive
Emmet has remembered much. Still, memory
and first claimed as a necessity during the Civil War.
... Yet the Constitution of the United States is still
* INCIDENTS OF MY LIFE. By Thomas Addis Emmet,
supposed to exist in all its original integrity!"
M.D., LL.D. With twenty-seven illustrations. New York :
G. P. Putnam's Sons.
In his account of certain important develop-


1911.]
THE DIAL
ments of the war period—such as the draft riots, Dr. Emmet does not seem disposed to favor
and the election of 1864 — the author is inter | complete independence for Ireland; his solution
esting and illuminating. He attributes the would be a British federation with home-rule
riots largely to the arbitrary manner in which for each of the component parts. But he would
the draft was carried out by the Federal authori surely favor no strong federal bond. In addi-
ties. The following is given as an example: tion to a separate government, he argues that
“The husband of a wet-nurse employed in my house Ireland must revive her ancient language.
was a workman in a factory on the east side, with “With Home Rule and an Irish Parliament, with its
seventeen other Democrats and one Republican; to my
proceedings conducted in English, it would be nothing
knowledge, the eighteen Democrats were all drafted,
mocrats were all drafted, more than an appendage to the Imperial Parliament.
and the Republican was the only one who escaped.” But let the business be conducted entirely in the Irish
Other instances of a like nature are cited. Dr. language, as it should be, not for the purpose of
Emmet also charges the Republican election
concealment, but as the means of obtaining a dignified
bond of union, and this would establish a pride of coun-
officials with deliberate efforts to prevent Demo-
try which it would be difficult for England to corrupt."
crats from voting for McClellan in 1864. He
As to the immediate future of the Emerald
went to the polls after breakfast on election day,
Isle, the author writes in an optimistic vein.
but it was five in the afternoon before he was
| Some form of home-rule seems sure to come,
able to cast his vote, and then only after having
and Dr. Emmet takes a natural delight in the
found a bondsman to give security that he was
thought that he has had some share in main-
Thomas Addis Emmet, M.D.," although I was
taining the agitation. During the nineties,
personally known to every man in the room.”
when Conservatism was in the saddle and the
Later in life Dr. Emmet developed a keen
historical interest. He built up the Emmet
Nationalist party was facing ruin through
lack of campaign funds, it was largely through
collection, investigated problems in American
the efforts of the Irish Federation, of which Dr.
history, wrote a genealogy of the Emmet family,
Emmet was the energetic president, that the
and produced two important volumes on Ireland
Irish party was enabled to keep up an aggres-
under English rule. Of all these activities he
sive fight at the elections. “There remains,"
writes in his usual naïve fashion. With the
he says, “but one cloud to obscure the future
current American histories he is much dis-
of the Irish people, the failure to the present
pleased, as they magnify New England at the
time in regaining the use of their native lan-
expense of the South.
« This conviction is based on the study of more orig-
guage, and the great apathy existing with so
inal material, probably, than any other private individ-
many as to the importance of such an acquire-
ual, much of which constituted a portion of the • Emmet
LAURENCE M. LARSON.
Collection' now in the Lenox Library, New York.
With the exception of the perversion of Irish history
by English writers, no other country has suffered to a
greater extent than we have from wilful misrepresenta THE CONCLUSION OF A GREAT WORK.*
tion of the truth in not giving credit to other sections."
In 1898 appeared the first general circular
How a physician with the greatest practice in
of “ The Cambridge Modern History.” The
history could find time for such extended re-
present board of editors assumed their duties
search is not explained.
in November, 1901, not quite ten years ago,
Of particular importance is Dr. Emmet's
and the first volume appeared in 1902. With
account of his activities in behalf of Irish
the publication of “ The Latest Age " the end
Nationalism. He took an early interest in
has now been reached of a great undertaking -
the struggle of his Irish kinsmen, but active
great in conception and in labor, and great
enthusiasm dates from his visit to the British
even in execution. Two supplementary vol-
Isles in 1871. For the revolutionary methods
umes are yet to appear, one presenting maps,
employed by some of the Irish agitators — the
the other a general index: both valuable
use of dynamite, for instance — he has little
addenda to the text of the completed work,
sympathy; still, he feels that the English
but adding nothing to the historical presenta-
coercion laws had virtually created a state of
tion of the earlier volumes. Although many
war, and that the Irish were consequently justi-
readers will doubtless remember the facts in
fied in using violent methods. While anxious to
connection with the origin of this Modern
give full credit to Mr. Parnell for most efficient
service, he disclaims having had any personal
*THE CAMBRIDGE MODERN HISTORY. Planned by the
admiration for him at any time, and feels that
| late Lord Acton. Edited by A. W. Ward, G. W. Prothero,
and Stanley Leathes. Volume XII., The Latest Age.
his removal from Irish politics was providential. New York: The Macinillan ('o.
ment.”


THE DIAL
[August 1,
History, it will perhaps not be amiss to recall specialist upon the matter under consideration;
something of the plan and purpose of the work and second, Lord Acton's dream or ideal of a
as outlined by Lord Acton in the nineties. | Universal History " distinct from the combined
That“ prodigy of learning" conceived a history history of all countries, . . . but a continuous
of modern times, “each chapter to be written development, ... an illumination of the soul,"
by the most competent available expert, wher had somehow not been realized. The volumes
ever he hailed from, nothing written at second | thus criticized cover the period from the begin-
hand to appear.” ...“ Our principle should ning of the Renaissance to the end of the Thirty
be to supply help to students, not material to Years' War. If, for the earlier volumes, the
historians. . . . It is intended that the narra- editors were hampered by a dearth of specialists,
tive shall be such as will serve all readers, that and were obliged themselves to write approxi-
it shall be without notes, and without quotations mately a third of the chapters, how much more
in foreign languages.” Cambridge was to pro difficult it would seem to provide experts for
duce “ the best history of modern times that present-day history, and how much more diffi-
the published or unpublished sources of infor cult to realize that unity in the narrative, that
mation admit.” .
“ continuous development” of which Acton so
These excerpts express briefly a few (not all) hopefully wrote. Yet it is precisely that seem-
of the points Lord Acton deemed essential to ingly impossible continuity that characterizes
his ideal of a successful modern history. Hav- this last volume. “ The Latest Age," save for
ing impregnated his contributing specialists one chapter, offers an organized and absorbing
with his own ideals, he proposed to work with narrative, distinguished for its authority and
them, preparing certain topics himself, giving for its emphasis upon those related lines of de-
editorial supervision to the whole, and depend velopment common to the history of all nations.
ing upon a unity of purpose and expert knowl. The one chapter alluded to is that on “For-
edge to produce a connected and authentic eign Relations of the United States during the
narrative. With regard to the inauguration of Civil War,” by Professor Westlake, formerly
the vast enterprise, the editors of his “ Cam of Trinity College ; and the chapter was in-
bridge Lectures ” write: “ Many universities serted because the editors felt that these rela-
and two continents were ransacked for contri tions had been insufficiently explained in the
butors. Five chapters — none alas ! written American volume (Vol. VII.), and further
Acton had allotted to himself, and in the titles elucidation was needed for the clear under-
of the others (not always retained since) his standing of the Alabama Question, which looms
personal characteristics received pregnant large in the opening years of our period.” As
expression." But the demands of such a task an important factor influencing American atti-
were tremendous, and it soon appeared that tude toward England, the “ Alabama" case is
Acton “ was without that driving force needed indeed important; but national feeling was of
to keep in line a heterogeneous body of special- greater importance than were the facts and the
ists,” and before the first volume was off the law of the case. These latter must indeed be
press the Regius Professor of History had laid stated, in any historical account; but taken
down his pen. Upon Lord Acton's death, the alone they mean nothing, and it is just here
execution of this great undertaking fell to the that the chapter in question is disappointing.
board of editors through whose efforts the It offers merely a technical legal examination
twelve volumes, up to and including the pres of the relations of the United States and Great
ent one, have appeared.
Britain, with an argued defense of England's
The present writer has reviewed in The action in the recognition of Southern belligerent
DIAL four of the “ Cambridge Modern His rights, and in the case of the “Trent." It
tory” volumes, these being the first four in acknowledges England's error in failing to stop
historical sequence, though not published in the “ Alabama," and in failing to arrest her
that order. In each case it was pointed out, when she entered British colonial ports. This
with a varying degree of emphasis, that while is now conceded by all modern English his-
the work was a great work, invaluable to schol- torians, while the strict legality of the English
ars for its accuracy and for its well-selected position on belligerency and in the case of the
references, the volume in question departed “Trent” is equally conceded in the United
from the avowed intention of Lord Acton in States. If diplomatic history is to limit itself
two important particulars : first, the chapters to international law and to legal argument, the
were not always written by the best qualified chapter is satisfactory. To the people of the


1911.]
75
THE DIAL
Northerneutral America the
North, however, the specific official acts of any said, either the editors or their contributors
foreign government were of distinctly less im have overcome the difficulty with greater suc-
portance than the general attitude of the foreign cess than in the earlier volumes. For throughout
public. Unquestionably the sentiment and the eight hundred pages of text there run three
sympathies of the British people were of the main ideas characteristic of the period : first,
greatest moment, while formal governmental progress toward national consciousness and na-
action might be a matter of relative indiffer tional ideals ; second, the advance of democracy
ence. The author states, indeed, that “the and of parliamentary government; third, the
chief source of the feeling in the North probably development of an international code of law
lay in the disappointed hope that the anti- and of permanent international tribunals. These
slavery sentiment, in which England had led matters appear not merely as separated sub-
the world, would induce her to grant to the jects for discussion ; they inevitably appear in
Northern cause a benevolent and not an im what professes to be a description of events
partial neutrality.” This is a part of the truth, within a particular state. In a most interest-
but not all. Americans believed — and withing chapter, for example, by Professor Oncken
some foundation for their belief — that the (not one of the unfamiliar specialists), on the
governing classes of England were not coolly German Empire, the development of national
indifferent, but that in reality they desired the consciousness is insisted on ; indirect argument
disruption of the Union. It was this that is advanced as to the effectiveness which may
rankled, and made the Americans quick to be expected from parliamentary or from irre-
interpret the “cold neutrality" of Great Britain sponsible government; and, finally, the German
as in reality an unfriendly neutrality. When, disinclination to become enthusiastic over
in the later years of the war, and after, the schemes of world-arbitration is forcibly stated.
North understood that the great mass of the For the British reader, no doubt, Professor
people of England had sympathized with her Oncken's analysis of the tendency of modern
cause, the bitterness gradually disappeared. German world-policy will be of most interest.
Viewed from the purely English standpoint, it He traces with admirable clearness the evolu-
is no doubt correct to discuss the foreign policy tion of those industrial conditions which have
of the United States during the Civil War in placed upon Germany the necessity of an expan-
the light of those specific incidents that were sion that is distinctly economic. In this evolu-
in controversy. From the American viewpoint, tion, William II. is credited with prescience,
however, as also from that of general history, and with having given the initial impulse in
the foreign relations were vital when they each step taken to advance the industrial re-
revealed the attitude of foreign nations; and our quirements of his people. The rapid increasing
later policy for a succeeding score of years was of the navy was but to safeguard the commer-
determined by our understanding of what that cial and colonial interests of the state, and was
general attitude had been, rather than by any be intended rather as a means of defense than
lief that we had been right in specific instances, for aggression. The gradual drifting apart of
like those of the “Trent” or the “Alabama.” England and Germany, followed by the extreme
The chapter just noted is brief, however, and British fear of Germany, was the inevitable
has no essential relation to the bulk of the consequence of the latter's appearance in the
volume. In general, “ The Latest Age” covers field of international commerce and of world
the period from 1865 to the present time, the politics. Professor Oncken maintains that
exact opening date varying with the different Germany's “world policy” is essentially and
countries and topics. About half of the twenty wholly economic ; that it is in no sense aggres-
six chapters are given to European states, half sive to the point of armed conflict ; that Ger-
to European colonies, Latin America, and the many's interests demand rather that the world
Far East. Nearly every chapter bears the should remain at peace, and that her military
stamp of exact and scholarly authority, though and naval strength tend to this end. England,
many of the writers are comparatively unknown he asserts, is now coming to understand this ;
in this country. In the preface, the editors but he also states with emphasis in his con-
profess that so modern a period of history cluding paragraph that Germany is united in
lends itself with the greatest difficulty to that the determination to participate in the modern
“intelligible perspective” which is necessary international economic development, and also
in order to depict the central threads -- the united in the belief that in her ability to defend
unity of the historical movement. As has been herself lies her only security.


THE DIAL
[August 1,
Thus, Professor Oncken indirectly states that the editors and contributors have in large
Germany's attitude toward the world peace part realized their ideals. These may not be
movement. In chapter XXII., on “ The quite Lord Acton's ideals, but it is doubtful,
Modern Law of Nations and the Prevention indeed, if these were actually realizable. The
of War," Sir Frederick Pollock discusses the “Cambridge Modern History” is of distinct
broader aspects of the question. The treat value as an historical product. It speaks with
ment is purely historical, but throughout it is authority, and usually justly. Its excellence is in
demonstrated that the entire process of cre its exactness, its tone of scholarship, and in the
ating a body of rules or customs known as non-controversial character of its contributions.
international law has consisted in creating a
EPHRAIM D. ADAMS.
sentiment so strong that nations hesitated to
violate it. Reason and custom gradually estab-
lished rules of action which were observed even if
not enforced. It follows that it is as reasonable | THE CASE OF MARY WOLLSTOYECRAFT.*
to expect ultimately a general acquiescence in Influenced, perhaps, by my own knowledge,
arbitration, as in the past it seemed reasonable Mary Wollstonecraft has seemed to me a
to expect the adoption of many rules of inter- notable character in the world's history, whose
national conduct now generally observed. The true personal and social position it has been
author declares that " the frequent repetition of difficult to assign. She challenged attention
declarations that war ought not to be entered on in both relations, but left us the not easy task
without a serious attempt at conciliation in some of forming at once a kindly and safe judgment
form . . . does tend to produce, and may in 1 of opinions and actions which could not be
time produce, a genuine public opinion capable | otherwise than widely influential for good and
of affording a considerable moral sanction.” for evil on the world at large. While the
And again : “ As time goes on, it will be less and author of the most recent book on this remark-
less reputable among civilized states to talk of able woman helps us on the biographical side
going to war without having exhausted the re- of his subject, his work can hardly be called a
sources of the Hague Convention.” This chap- social study.
ter illustrates the distinctly modern character of The life of Mary Wollstonecraft was com-
the volume. In most cases, events are carried to paratively brief. She was born in 1759 and
the year 1910; and while earlier volumes may died in 1797. She belonged by birth to the
with some truth have been criticised as prima- i middle classes, to whom the blessings of life
rily valuable for the historical student, this con-
come in liberal measure, and are held back
cluding volume is certainly fitted for a wider only by light exactions. This position of com-
usefulness. A public interested in the social, fort was lost to her by the faults of her father,
intellectual, or scientific trend, in the progress and she was forced to early makeshifts – to
of ideas as well as of nations, in economic as
teaching, and finally to literary labor — as a
well as political history, finds here authoritative means of subsistence. She was generous toward
information upon matters still vaguely under her kindred and friends, but felt keenly the
stood or incorrectly presented in current print. pressure under which her life was developed.
Chapter and page headings are inviting and Her general attitude and tendencies were chiefly
stimulating for casual reading, and add greatly expressed in her - Vindication of the Rights of
to convenience for easy reference. Such topics as Women,” a companion volume to her “Vindi.
“The Reform Movement in Russia,” carried up | cation of the Rights of Men,” which together
to the midsummer of 1909, “The Regeneration i formed her chief literary works. She saw
of Japan ” to the treaty of Portsmouth, “Sven
clearly the unfavorable features in the position
Hedin" and “Exploration in Thibet," " The
of women, and resented them as needless in-
Development of Western Canada,” “ The Rer.
flictions and injustice. She did not see with
olution in Social Ideas," “ Thermo-dynamical
equal distinctness, or feel with equal acuteness,
Research,” indicate in a measure the breadth the half-blind circumstances out of which these
of ground covered, and bear out the statement difficulties arise. Society is in an unstable
in the preface that “ We are, in many ways, i equilibrium. Little things and wrong things
more amply instructed about our own time 'arrest its progress, and yet are for the moment
than we are in the affairs of any other age.”
Mary WoLLSTOYECRAFT. A Study in Economics and
And, indeed, in a reconsideration and summary : Romance. By G. R. Sterling Taylor. Sew York: Johı
of the entire work, it is not too much to say · Lane Company.


1911.)
77
THE DIAL
inevitable and useful. The problem is ex- his passions took the lead of his judgment.
pounded by them, and finally brought to a He was the object of intense affection, debasing
solution. They are only to be removed by a in its persistency, and from which he escaped by
better perception of our nature, and a clearer simple satiety. Certainly none of the conven-
recognition of that which is right. Mary tional restraints of a legal union could have been
Wollstonecraft was the declared enemy of pres more at war with independence and personal
ent conditions to such a degree as to blind her dignity than this desertion of an unfaithful
to the slow changes by which they are to be companion proved to be. In casting aside the
removed. This intellectual antagonism was the customs with which society seeks to protect
chief feature of her life, and by means of it she itself from unmeasured evils, she fell into dis-
lost much of that patience and concession which asters not inferior to those which accompany
should go with reform. She found it difficult ill-assorted unions. Within the record of her
to bear the hardships of evil; she did not feel own experience she met the most manifest dis-
their necessity. The earlier work, “ Vindica proof of the opinions which gave rise to it. At
tion of the Rights of Men," sprang out of the the close of this period of wandering in dark-
same spirit. It was written in answer to the ness, she fell in with Godwin, much the truest
reflections of Edmund Burke on the French of her friends. A real and permanent concur-
Revolution. Both books have a legitimate side, rence of opinion drew them together. They
and both are excessive. When we look at the maintained unbroken that dependence and inde-
violence of the Revolution, we are liable, with pendence which both recognized as involving
Burke, to be horrified by the results, and to the highest personal relation. They occupied
shrink entirely back from the evils and the separate quarters, and were not formally mar-
malign forces disclosed in then. This was not ried, until the anticipation of the birth of a child
the attitude of Mary Wollstonecraft. To her created a duty which had not been sufficient to
mind, it belonged to men, and to the rights of control interests which rested on themselves
men, to resent the wrongs to which they had alone. This child, Mary, the second daughter of
been so long and so forgetfully exposed. If Mary Wollstonecraft, became the wife of Shelley.
Burke's opinion was the conservative English Her mother died in giving her birth.
view, her feeling was equally implanted in the Here we have the problem made up: the
dark history of men.
claims of society as opposed to those of personal
To her clearness of intellectual apprehension liberty. We certainly cannot regard the actual
and independence of thought, Mary Wollstone issue as an opportune and happy one. We are
craft added lively affections — affections, not compelled, rather, to search for the error which
passions. The two aided each other. She had gave rise to it. A reasonable estimate of fine
a dignified reserve which prevented any waste personal qualities may call for leniency but
and prostitution of feeling, and enabled her to cannot hide the social danger. This danger is
hold the position which her vigor of thought one of constant recurrence, with every degree
assigned her. There was no trailing of gar of debasement, and cannot be thrust aside.
ments in the dust. These endowments of the No matter in what way we put and answer per-
intellectual and spiritual nature rendered her sonal questions, they do not cover the ground.
attitude always commanding. In a brief life The social problem remains as the chief con-
and a brief period she went through three sideration. What does the welfare of society
experiences which the unkindly critic might call for? If we do not wish, like Simeon the
easily call amours. The first was in connection Stylite — the wonder and the mockery of many
with Henry Fusch, a married man of fascinating ages — to mount some column of fame and of
social qualities. It could hardly be said to have infamy, we must reconcile our own excellence
put any strain upon her character, since, antici with the excellence of the world. These two
pating its strength, she retired from London to elements of superiority — the personal and the
Paris. The second attachment, in which she collective — are inseparable from each other.
most overpassed conventional bounds and the Even the pebbles on the seashore owe their
safeguards of her own character, occurred in | shapely quality to their constant collision with
Paris in her association with Captain Gilbert each other. The social element is the most
Imlay. She was formally registered as his comprehensive and immediately powerful, the
wife at the American Embassy, though without individual element the most conspicuous and
marriage. Imlay seemed to share her opinions, qualitative. The individual makes plain the
though it is hardly uncharitable to think that wealth of the community, and the community


THE DIAL
[August 1,
gives the position to which the individual the little band of reformers, out on the Western
attains. The susceptibilities of growth are in frontier, fighting on the one hand the tremen-
the personal consciousness; but, as in the buds dous forces arrayed against democracy, and on
of a tree, they are lifted into eminence by the the other the stolid indifference of the masses.
collective action. It belongs to the individual These men have been branded, by friend and
to see what is good, and to pursue it under the foe alike, as hysterical cranks; but so has every
conditions assigned by society.
reformer in every age. These cranks of to-day
Men are constantly making errors in their do not offer theories; they present facts, cold
social theories by supposing that they can work indisputable facts, facts that put democracy on
some social improvement by a mechanical trial, facts that force the issue, Is government
change. The Socialist thinks that if he could by and for the people to live or to die? They
be allowed to set right the forms of society, its have proved the existence of powerful interests
tick and stroke would at once be regular. A fattening upon the people, interests that for
spirit is in all living things and must precede | years have been engaged in a wholesale plun-
their movement. The fatal miscarriage in the dering of the forest and mineral wealth of the
case before us — and it was fatal — lay in the country, that have even stooped to murder to
supposition that in independence in the pursuit gain their ends, and that have been powerful
of good was found the law of life. Not so; we enough to strangle every attempt at government
are bound to the law of obedience and suffering investigation. The mission of these reformers
in the community, bearing with us the better is to bring the men behind these interests to
opinion. The weak of a marching army may be justice, and to awaken the people to the duty
terribly overwrought; but the question remains, of conservation of their national resources.
shall the army be halted to nurse its invalids? 1 Some of the best men in the service of the
St. Paul speaks of the undergirding of the ship government are enlisted in this cause, and they
in which he was driven on the Mediterranean. | have brought to their aid many of the ablest
We may think this undergirding a very feeble writers of the day. The literature of the move-
device; yet as long as our naval arcbitecture ment is found in government documents, books,
calls for this form of relief, we must allow the pamphlets, and magazine articles; but probably
undergirded vessels to creep into port.
no more effective means could be devised for
The sex relation is fundamental in human | driving the facts home to the millions than
life. Great good and great evil arise from it. such a book as Miss Agnes Laut's “ Freebooters
There is no end to the failures that are trace of the Wilderness.” Miss Laut has been in
able to it, as there is no end to the inspirations close touch with the men who are leading this
that are associated with it. We must accept patriotic movement, she has had access to the
these facts, nor suppose that by any contriv accumulated evidence on which their appeal to
ance of our own we can, in the midst of men the public is based, she has travelled througb-
and women, escape danger. The whole human out the West studying the actual conditions,
problem is upon us, and the experience and and she has crystallized her facts in what is
safeguards of ages are not too many for its nominally a novel but is really an acute study
solution. One can regret the nobility of char- of one of the biggest problems of the day.
acter which seems to have been submerged in Many who would never think of studying the
the life of Mary Wollstonecraft, and yet hold less popular discussions of the subject will be
only the more closely to the awkward means of brought to a realization of the startling con-
escape which men have set up.
victions set forth with such dramatic power in
JOHN BASCOM. these pages. Every essential fact in the book,
— and this can be said without reservation, -
is supported by the evidence of men whose word
REFORMERS OF THE FRONTIER.* cannot be disputed. The murder of the boy
One of the most discouraging facts, to those Ford Williams is but a thinly disguised version
whose faith is nailed to the mast of democratic of what actually happened in the West; so is
government, has been the apathy of the people the shooting of MacDonald the sheep rancher.
in face of conditions that tend to nothing short Says Wayland, the Forest Ranger:
of anarchy. One of the most encouraging “It was preposterous, unbelievable, like a page from
signs of the times is the practical heroism of
the lawlessness of the frontier a hundred years ago!
Yet had n't this thing happened in California, and hap-
* FREEBOOTERS OF THE WILDERNESS. By Agnes Laut. pened in Alaska? They would never dare to murder
New York: Moffat, Yard & Co.
a man conducting an investigation ordered by the great


1911.]
THE DIAL
Some early and
government of the greatest nation on earth! Yet had
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS.
they not tried to assassinate representatives of the
Federal government in San Francisco, and shot to
The final volume of “Essays,
death in Colorado a Federal officer sent straight
some unfinished Travels, and Sketches ” in “The
from Washington ? And these murders had not been writings of R.L.S. Biographical Edition of Stevenson's
committed by the rabble, by the demagogues, by the
Works,” published in this country by the Scribners,
anarchists. They had been pre-planned and carried
out by the vested-righter, in defiance of law, in defi-
is entitled “ Lay Morals, and Other Papers," and
ance of the strongest government on earth; and, up to
is provided with a preface by Mrs. Stevenson and
the present, in defiance of retribution."
a few explanatory notes by Mr. Sidney Colvin.
Here, to be more explicit, are the actual
The preface relates the circumstances attending
the production of that fiery Philippic against the
facts in the Tensleep case in Wyoming : In the
traducer of Father Damien which the hotly indig-
spring of 1909, the cattlemen of the No Wood
nant writer caused to be printed at his own expense
Country, in Big Horn County, Wyoming, re and at the risk of prosecution for libel. “This is
sented the action of the sheepmen in bringing a serious affair,” the lawyer consulted beforehand
sheep across their cow-range in order to get | had said after reading the paper; “however, no one
into the sheep-range. It appears that, several will publish it for you.” Its rather unnecessarily
years before, the stockmen got together and | passionate language seems to have called forth no
established lines between the cattle and sheep
rejoinder or other demonstration from the Rev.
ranges, which were commonly designated as
Dr. Hyde of Honolulu, to whom the “open letter"
“ dead-lines." These lines were respected by
was formally addressed. A fine exhibition of right-
eous indignation one must call it, even though too
the sheepmen until the general conditions
lavish of rhetorical pyrotechnics and much in need
gradually changed, and it became necessary
of the calm revision its author afterward regretted
for the sheepmen using the Spring Creek
not having given it. The “Lay Morals” and many
range to cross a small portion of the cow ter of the other pieces in the volume are early and un-
ritory in order to reach their early range. finished productions, some of them first printed in
This they did, going to the range they had “The Edinburgh University Magazine,” and some
formerly used unmolested. Shortly after, seven never before put into type. As might have been
cattlemen running cattle in the vicinity formed | expected, there is in most of them more manner
a posse, swept down on the sheep camp in the
than matter, the writer being at that time engaged
in that laborious forming of his style which he has
night, and opened fire on the tents, killing the
elsewhere told his readers about in some detail. As
sheepmen Joseph Emge and Joseph Allemand,
a good example of the young stylist's dexterity, we
as well as a poor herder, without giving them
quote from “ The Philosophy of Umbrellas” a
any opportunity to explain or correct their
typical passage: “Except in a very few cases of
actions, if any injustice had been committed. hypocrisy joined to a powerful intellect, men, not by
After killing the sheepmen, the cattlemen piled nature umbrellarians, have tried again and again
up their tents over the bodies and burned them. to become so by art, and yet have failed — have
The sheepmen and cattlemen lived in the same expended their patrimony in the purchase of um-
vicinity, and had previous to this accepted brella after umbrella, and yet have systematically
each other's hospitalities, making the murder
lost them, and have finally, with contrite spirits and
all the more cold blooded. The scene of the
shrunken purses, given up their vain struggle, and
relied on theft and borrowing for the remainder of
murder is about ten miles south of the Big
their lives.” Three beginnings of stories or novels,
Horn National Forest on Spring Creek, a tri-
of later authorship, conclude the volume. As illus-
butary of the No Wood Creek. This is a bald
trating the author's growth in freedom and origin-
narrative of the facts. The cattlemen were ality, and in the fuller mastery of his craft, the
brought to trial, through the efforts of the | book is a welcome supplement to the more impor-
Reform Party in Wyoming, and in spite of the tant volumes that have gone before.
determined efforts of the cattle interests were
Mr. Arnold Bennett is a delightful
convicted and sentenced to various terms of
be writer, and rarely fails to charm
imprisonment. The significant feature of the
though on instruction bent. Lack-
case is that it constitutes the first and only ing the didactic trend, he more engagingly accom-
conviction for range murders in the West. In plishes his purpose by an adroit albeit discursive
face of such facts as these, is there any further appeal. There are three little books by him, of
need to justify the men on the firing-line who kindred manner and related bearing. The first
have been fighting the tools of the Freebooters, took some time to make its message and charm
and are now going for the Men Higher Up?
known, despite the lure of its title, “How to live
on 24 Hours a Day.” It was followed by “The
LAWRENCE J. BURPEE. Human Machine," setting forth in pleasant preach
Tonics for the
sedentary mind.


80
(August 1,
THE DIAL
6"
ments the duty and comfort of the in corpore sano; | From the same broad-minded and wholesomely
while “Mental Efficiency" completes the doctrine stimulating speaker (whom one cannot but identify
by enforcing the theme of the durable satisfaction more or less closely with the author) we select
of the mens sana. If one may specify a highway in another pregnant utterance. “Speaking of ideals,
the cluster of byways that serve Mr. Bennett's is it not characteristic of our age, and somewhat
moods and methods, it bears the name of “Mental saddening, that the terrible realism of our novelists
Sedentariness.” Enter it at your own risk; all gives no chance to the young to see, and understand,
hope abandon of reasonable efficiency, if you travel what heroism is ? ... But considering the enor-
it very long. Read Mr. Bennett if you would learn mous importance of the modern novel as a factor
how to get out of it and tread not thornier but more in human enlightenment and progress, I think it is
sturdy paths. The first step is to clear "some space deplorable that our writers seem to have put aside
in the rank jungle of the day.” “Something large all the old chivalrous models, and given us only the
and definite must be dropped.” It must be re- squalid side of humanity in their little slices of
placed by real thinking, some brief but stern reflec life.'” One finds in the book a good deal said on
tion; some getting at the bottom or toward the both sides and all sides of a good many questions,
bottom of things. All this is sound and may be so that it is only by conjecture one can arrive at
apt; it is also direct and disentangled from fine- the author's own mind in the matter. But every
spun cobwebs as well as from illusory maxims and | argument and every remark throws light and is a
enfeebling resolutions. It lays no claim to novelty. | welcome contribution to the lively but earnest dis-
It is a simple gospel in the vernacular, written so cussion. The Canon's closing words to his preface
that those who run may read; and if they harken, (which of course was written last) thus refer to his
they perhaps will run less and read more. Let no book and its aims: “If it will help to show that there
one expect a treatise or a panacea from these genial are really no invincible antagonisms amongst the
and personal essays. The sub-title - "and other peopie who make up the commonwealth of Ireland, -
Hints to Men and Women ” — forbids it. The no mutual repugnances that may not be removed by
profit of the exercise, however, does not interfere | freer and kindlier intercourse with each other, -
with the varied pleasures of the stroll.
he will be sufficiently rewarded.” The occasional
In“ The Intellectuals” (Longmans)
poems, mostly original with the members of the club,
Irish club-talks Canon Sheehan has succeeded in
that diversify its deliberations, add to the high lit-
wittily reported.
erary quality of this report of its proceedings.
giving animation and something of
dramatic interest to various disquisitions and de-
A wise and witty That agreeable French writer who
bates that might otherwise have proved too heavy | French woman's signs herself “ Pierre de Coulevain,"
and dull for enjoyable hot-weather reading. His
views of England. and whose novels, “ American Nobil-
sub-title, “ An Experiment in Irish Club-Life,” | ity," “ Eve Triumphant,” and “ On the Branch,”
indicates at the outset that dialogue rather than have enjoyed a vogue extending beyond the bounds
monologue is to be the form adopted in the pages of her own country, has made another successful
that follow. Ten congenial spirits are brought appeal to both the English-reading and the French-
together under the lead of one Father Dillon of reading public in her book on English life and
Cork, for the purpose of good talk and a little occa- English people which, with a frank recognition of
sional music and poetry. As both Catholics and French prejudice and French devotion to the things
Protestants, both men and women, and various pro | that are French, she has entitled “The Unknown
fessions and occupations, are represented in the club | Isle" (Cassell). But the narrowness and exclusive-
(which calls itself by a Greek name, the “Sunetoi," ness she has found to be by no means all on one side
which a footnote translates as the Esoterics, or the of the Channel. The English stand in as much
Select), there is of necessity, and by common con- need of this shrewdly discerning but always kind-
sent, the largest degree of tolerance and liberality hearted scrutiny of their insular peculiarities as do
in its choice of topics for discussion and in its inter the French of a fuller and more sympathetic
change of views on those topics. Almost anything acquaintance with their Anglo-Saxon neighbors.
of interest to a person of education and refinement The book, well translated by Miss Alys Hallard,
seems to be open for good-natured and never describes a three-months' sojourn among friends in
prolonged debate at the sessions of the club, thirty- England, about one half the time being spent in the
seven of which are reported by the author. The country and the other half in London. Both the
thirty-seventh and last takes the form of a picnic, charm of the English country house and the fasci-
at which the founder delivers a valedictory address, nation of London in the gay season are conveyed
congratulating his fellow-members on the perfect to the reader, but with a plentiful admixture of
success of their experiment, and continuing: “We comment and criticism and of suggestion as to pos-
have gone over the entire field of human thought; sible improvement in the conventions and institu-
discussed poetry, philosophy, metaphysics, medicine, tions of John Bull and his family. “However com-
education, religion, and even politics; and we have fortable and however luxurious the English home
not had so much as a breeze to ruffle our tempers and may be,” she says, “it is always cold. Their snob-
make us regret entering on such an engagement.” | bish decorum insists on a discipline which is too


1911.]
81
THE DIAL
strict and too uniform. It puts a damper on gaiety, i still are devoted to those of New Zealand. On the
it makes conversation heavy and commonplace, it ſ other hand, a large amount of space is devoted to
prevents the exteriorization of the sentiments and Antarctica ----a proceeding perhaps justified by the
transforms the domestics into automata.” The in- mass of new data at hand. The book is frankly a
nate snobbishness of the Briton more than once compilation and systemization of existing data,
excites in her a feeling of mingled amusement and though the work follows the author's personal
tolerant contempt. The essentially masculine char- studies of many of the types he defines. To stu-
acter of the northern peoples, as contrasted with dents, the chief value of the book will lie in the
the feminine nature of the Latin races, she finds bibliography, and in the completeness with which
typified in London, which she calls “ Anglo-Saxon, recent European studies in particular have been
masculine, and Protestant," while Paris is " Latin, summarized. No attempt need be made here to
feminine, and Catholic.” The author saw something indicate those points upon which Professor Hobbs's
of American women in England, and she shrewdly interpretations are likely to be challenged by spe-
notes their peculiarities. “These Anglo-Saxon half. | cialists. It is sufficient to say that he has stated
sisters," she believes, “ do not care much for each : his views with due reservation, and that none are
other, and they understand each other still less. ' so strikingly different from current doctrine as to
The elder sister, unconsciously perhaps, envies the be apt to provoke general controversy. To the
younger one her chic, her brilliant beauty, her layman, the book will be even more valuable as
dainty hands and feet. her independence, and, abore being practically the only one to which he can turn
all, her dollars. The younger sister envies the elder for general information on its subject. This will
one her distinction, her parchments, and her tradi- make him the more willing to excuse the condensa-
tions.” In accounting for the lack of cordiality tion, to point of dryness, that marks much of the
between the French and the English, the writer : work, and the rather frequent assumption of prior
seems not to penetrate to the root of the matter in knowledge quite beyond any but specialists. The
asserting that “mutual ignorance, as regards lan- · particularly full account of Antarctic conditions is
guage, is the cause of all the misunderstandings much the best summary yet published. The book is
between John Bull and Madame la France." She lavishly illustrated and well printed. The scheme
was getting nearer this cause in pointing out the of placing references at the end of the chapters,
marked difference in temperament (one masculine, however excellent in theory (and as to that there
the other feminine) between the two peoples." The are two opinions), makes their use exceedingly
Unknown Isle,” which is said to have passed through inconvenient in practice.
a hundred and twelve editions (112,000 copies) in
its French form, is by all means the book to read if
The latest volume in the “South
Outlooks upon
one desires a near and not unfriendly and also clear modern Brasil. American Series (Scrib
voted to that most important and yet
sighted view of our masterful cousins across the
least known of antipodal republics, Brazil. Its ex-
water.
tent is so vast, its natural features are so diverse,
Much has been written for the its economic and commercial interests are so broken
A handbook of
great glaciers American student about glaciation up into special interests, that it has not been pos
of the world. in general, and about the extinct sible for any one man to know modern Brazil, much
Pleistocene ice-sheet that once covered the conti- i less attempt to portray it to the reading public.
nent. The phenomena of the drift have been de- ! Moreover, it is only in recent years that — thanks
scribed in much detail. In technical journals there to the labors of Dr. Oswaldo Cruz and of the hy.
have also been numerous articles descriptive of the gienic institute founded in his honor— modern sani-
Alaskan and Cordilleran glaciers, as well as of the tation has added Rio Janeiro to the list of civilized
Greenland ice-sheet. It must be admitted, how cities. M. Pierre Denis has attempted the ambi-
ever, that of books available to the general public tious task of encompassing an adequate portrayal of
there are few coming from authoritative sources. this the greatest of South American republics within
Those that are in circulation are devoted more to the compass of a single volume. The translation,
past than present glaciation. Professor Hobbs's copious annotations, and an historical chapter, are
work on “Characteristics of Existing Glaciers ” from the pen of Mr. Bernard Miall, a well-informed
(Macmillan) covers a field previously unoccupied. and competent authority; and a supplementary
In a single volume he has described the salient fea chapter upon the mineral resources is from an
tures of existing glaciers, and attempted to answer equally competent authority, Mr. D. A. Vindin.
a few of the questions that come up in the minds of The work is amply illustrated by photographs of
everyone who for the first time stands before one city and country life, and by three large maps.
of the great ice-streams. In the effort to cover so The author's point of view is mainly economic and
large a field in a single book, the author bas neces- commercial. He evidently writes from a wide
sarily been restricted in his selections, and many | acquaintance with those forces and features of
readers will feel that their own particular field of Brazilian life which have to do with the creation
interest is but scantily served. The Sierran glaciers, and distribution of wealth. Natural features of the
for example, come in for but few words, and fewer country, its great resources, developed but feebly as


THE DIAL
[August •1,
A non-existent
principality.
Talks about
yet; the native, the ex-slave, and the immigrant covering the years of Washington's presidency with
elements of the population; the labor supply, the all the difficulties that confronted it in the organiza-
small landowner; roads and railroads; coffee, maté, tion of the government, John Adams's unfortunate
and rubber; the excessively and absurdly high single term, and as much of Jefferson's double
protective tariff; the tremendous financial experi | term as would provide the reader with an adequate
ment which the state is making in attempting to basis for a right understanding of what will have to
maintain the high price of coffee by buying the be the burden of volume eight--the War of 1812.
surplus crops, — all these matters interest him and As if conscious of the fact that other phases of his-
are interpreted in the language of the mart. More- tory besides the military are demanding attention
over, his approach is Gallic and Continental rather to-day, Mr. Avery has given a great deal of space
than Anglo-Saxon and American. The author's to economic development, to the westward move-
account of the Portuguese and Italian and German ment, and to modes and expenses of travel. If at
elements in forming the Brazilian people is illumi- times he has adhered a little too closely and con-
nating and critical. The Pan-Germanist will find tinuously to Mr. Roosevelt's views, he has produced
little comfort in his cool dismissal of the fond illu- a narrative that is vastly entertaining, and one
sion that the German colonists in Brazil retain any that, at least in its main features, is thoroughly
political loyalty to the fatherland, though the reliable. The illustrations in this volume are an
author concedes the results of the Brazilian govern- attractive feature. They include broadsides, auto-
ment's policy of concentration of nationalities in graphs, contemporary caricatures, title-pages of
perpetuating the national characteristics of the im- ! famous publications, portraits of prominent men,
migrant. For the student of politics, Spanish representations of the dress, furniture, and cooking
American history, economics, commerce, and social utensils of the period, of inventions and of buildings,
conditions of Tropical America, M. Denis's work facsimiles of passports, of paper money, and of leg-
will be indispensable.
islative enactments, to say nothing of the maps,
It will be natural that all good En-
which are, as usual, a most valuable asset in them-
glishmen should wish to be posted
selves. The appendices of this volume embrace
on the pedigree of their Queen and
such documents as the Constitution of the United
the history of her country; and accordingly Mr.
States and the rough draft of Washington's Farewell
Address, as well as the customary bibliography.
Baring-Gould's beautifully illustrated and gossipy
account of “The Land of Teck and Its Neighbor-
To the increasing number of books
hood” (John Lane Co.), supplied as it is with a some great about composers is added a chatty
fine family tree in addition, will appeal to them. composers. gossiping volume by J. Cuthbert
By attaching the interesting historical neighbors Hadden (“Master Musicians,” A. C. McClurg &
of Hohenstaufen, Reutlingen, and Hohenzollern, Co.). No fear of technicalities will deter the sum-
material enough has been gathered to make a hand. mer reader who will pick this book up for an idle
some and well-printed volume of over 300 pages. hour, and who will not be disappointed. The book
It is not difficult to compile such a book, so far as is little more than a canto of anecdotes which have
the text is concerned, for critical judgment has not gathered about the great names in music, with the
been called into play. At least carelessness in the proper filling of high-flown raptures about the best-
spelling of German names should have been avoided, known symphonies, operas, and quartettes. Of
as Hütten for Hutten; and half-English, half- critical appreciation there is none; the writer's
German forms. Aside from the family history of human sympathies are his guide in each case. All
Queen Mary, which is full enough and doubtless this is practically admitted in the brief preface; and
accurate, the chief value of the book is its fifty the sub-title explains that the book is " for players,
three illustrations, five of them color portraits. It singers, and listeners,” necessarily amateurs. A
is only by inference that one learns that there really score or more of the great composers, from Handel
is no Land of Teck, nor has been for several hun to Tschaikowsky, are given the setting of their times
dred years. The Duchy of Teck, or Principality of and manners ; and some of the minor ones (called,
Teck, is an honorary degree in nobility. One may not quite excusably, “stars among the planets ")
fairly commend the barehandedness with which the are given in sketchy outline. The book is admirably
author treats the character of many of the Queen's printed, and is enriched with fifteen idealized por.
remoter ancestors. -
traits, reproduced from the Hanfstaengl collection.
ed States. We are glad to see that the various
The United States
from Washington volumes of Dr. Elroy M. Avery's
to Jefferson. “ History of the United States and
BRIEFER MENTION.
Its People” (Burrows Bros. Co.) are following
The latest translator of the “Iliad” is Mr. Arthur
each other in quick succession, especially as these
Gardner Lewis, who gives us a blank verse reproduction
later volumes are fully maintaining the exception of the entire epic. “The absolutely ideal translation of
ally high standard reached by the earlier ones. Homer will never be written,” says Mr. Lewis, claiming
The seventh volume, which has recently appeared, no more for his own than is implied in his suggestion
deals with the period from 1788 to 1806, thus | that “each new attempt may contribute a little new


1911.)
83
THE DIAL
truth, a little added beauty, just a new felicitous touch
NOTES.
here and there, which shall be characteristic and all its
own." That the translator has lived up to this modest
“An Anthology of Modern English Prose” (Long-
ideal may fairly be allowed, for his version is pleasing | mans), edited by Miss Annie Barnett and Miss Lucy
to the ear throughout its even course. The work is, in
Dale, both of them experienced compilers of text-books
a sense, a Chicago product, being dedicated to two mas for English schools, covers the period from Richardson
ters in the Chicago school which fitted the translator for to Stevenson. Upwards of fifty authors are represented,
Harvard. It is published (two volumes in one) by the mostly by selections long enough to be worth while.
Baker & Taylor Co.
A little book published by Mr. David Nutt gives us
We are not sure that we agree with Miss Dolores the “Three Middle English Romances” of “King
Bacon in the composition of her list of “Operas that Horn," “ Havelok," and "Bevis of Hampton," retold in
Every Child Should Know," and think that such works | modern English by Miss Laura A. Hibbard. Another
as “Carmen” and “ The Damnation of Faust" might volume in the same form is Miss Laura McCracken's “A
better have been omitted, but the idea of the book is an Page of Forgotten History," which retells the story of
admirable one. It tells the stories, and illustrates the that Vittoria Accoramboni whom Webster immortalized.
music with examples in notation. Eighteen operas Professor J. D. M. Ford's “Old Spanish Readings”
altogether are summarized. The book is published by (Ginn) is intended to be an introduction to a scientific
Messrs. Doubleday, Page & Co.
study of the origin and growth of the Spanish language,
Stevenson's “Inland Voyage” and “Donkey" seem and to provide, at the same time, an excursus through
to be very popular with teachers of English, if we may the more important phases of the literature of Spain
judge from the numerous school editions that have from the twelfth to the fifteenth century. The appa-
been published of late years. Messrs. Ginn & Co. send ratus is rather elaborate, filling nearly three hundred
us the newest of these, edited by Dr. Louis Franklin pages in connection with the seventy pages of text.
Snow. In the same series of “Standard English “ The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current En-
Classics" we also have “Treasure Island," edited by Mr. glish ” is an adaptation, in a single volume of about one
F.W.C. Hersey, and a welcome little book of "Selections thousand pages, of the material collected for the great
from Huxley," edited by Mr John S. Cushing.
“Oxford English Dictionary.” It is, of course, a very
«Old Testament Narratives," selected and edited for small work in comparison with its source, but it pre-
school use by Professor Edward Chauncey Baldwin, is sents a surprisingly large amount of matter for the space
a publication of the American Book Co. The text, un occupied. For this extremely handy and useful book
fortunately, is that of the modern American revision. we are indebted to Messrs. H. W. and F. G. Fowler.
For this reason, we must give the preference to Presi “The Annual Library Index” for 1910, issued from
dent Henry Nelson Snyder's similar volume, based the office of “The Publishers' Weekly," has, besides
upon the Authorized Version (the only translation that the features common to previous volumes, a select list
should ever be thought of for literary study), entitled of private collectors of books. Collections upon special
“ Selections from the Old Testament,” and published subjects are aimed at, rather than private libraries of a
by Messrs. Ginn & Co.
general character. The names are classified by States.
To write a simple text-book of metrical rhetoric for This is only a tentative beginning of what may develop
the beginner has been the purpose of Professor Brander into a valuable guide for both booksellers and students.
Matthews in preparing “ A Study of Versification," now Mr. James Whitcomb Riley's gift to Indianapolis --
published by the Houghton Mifflin Co. It is based a $75,000 site for a new public library - speaks well
upon the sound principle “that all poetry is to be said both for the poet's loyalty toward his home city and
or sung, and that its appeal is to the ear and not to the for the popularity and success of his poetry. As a
eye.... No other principle is even discussed, and visible and tangible proof that the love of poetry is not
all controversy has been rigorously eschewed.” The languishing in our day, the Riley Library (as one must
author's treatment of his subject is not only instructive, hope it will be named when erected) will play a part
but also fresh and readable.
even more important than that of the ordinary public
“Classical Rome” and “Christian Rome,” the former library, and more important, we may add, than is
by Mr. H. Stuart Jones, and the latter by Messrs. J. W. played by those by-products of steel-manufacture, the
and A. M. Cruickshank, are new volumes of “Grant Carnegie libraries which so generously and beneficently
Allen's Historical Guides," published by Messrs. Henry besprinkle the land.
Holt & Co. These books offer a case of the good, not The School of American Archæology issues a bulletin
the evil, that men do living after them, for they are outlining its purposes and methods, and briefly indicating
admirably compact and helpful volumes.-The popular the attractions of its coming summer session (Aug.1-25)
“ Satchel Guide to Europe" is now sent us by the in Santa Fe and at the adjacent ruins of Pajarito Park.
Houghton Mifflin Co., and has reached its fortieth The School, a creation of the Archæological Institute,
annual edition. The death of Dr. Rolfe will make it dates from 1907, and has its abode in the historic
necessary to find a new editor for this useful publication, “ Palace of the Governors" in Santa Fe, where it is
but his ideas, like those of Grant Allen, are likely to be developing a Museum of American Archæology and
perpetuated. - All Baedekers are interesting, but the starting an archæological library. The nucleus of the
latest of them “The Mediterranean” (Scribner) is latter is the valuable collection of the late Dr. Franz
perhaps the most fascinating of the entire series. Here Nikolaus Finck of the University of Berlin, purchased
the reader may journey in imagination to Lisbon and for the School by Mr. Frank Springer, and soon to be
the Portuguese coast, to Madeira and the Canaries, to available for use. The location of the School seems to
Gibraltar and Morocco, to Algiers and Tunis, to Alex have been well chosen, being, as the bulletin explains,
andria, Athens, and Constantinople, and up into the in the heart of the ancient Pueblo and Cliff Dwelling
Black Sea. Most of the material is rearranged from the region, and at the gateway of the rich Mexican field
other Baedekers, but a great deal of it is absolutely new. | where ancient ruins abound.


84
[August 1,
THE DIAL
Topics IX LEADING PERIODICALS.
LIST OF NEW BOOKS.
August, 1911.
[The following list, containing 6.4 titles, includes books
Aěroplane, Progress of the. W. Menkel. Review of Review's. I received by THE DIAL since its last issue.]
Air-Derby. The. Harry Kemp. American.
Alaskan Outdoors. FF. Kleinschmidt. Ererybody's.
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES.
America, Why I came to. Nathan Kraus. Atlantic.
Art. The Field of. William Walton. Scribner,
An Irish Beauty of the Regency : The Unpublished
Athletics for School Children. L. H. Gulick. Lippincott.
Journals of the Hon. Mrs. Calvert, 1789-1822. By Mrs.
Baseball Star, The. “Billy " Evans. World To-day.
Warrenne Blake. Illustrated with photogravure frontis-
Blindness, Doing Away With Review of Reviews.
piece. 8vo, 427 pages. John Lane Co. $5. net.
Britisb Empire and World Federation. Review of Reviews.
Representative Authors of Maryland from the Earliest
British Revolution, The, Sydney Brooks. Forum.
Time to the Present Day, with Biographical Notes and
Building Materials, Study of. Craftsman.
Comments upon Their Work. By Henry E. Shepherd, M.A.
Cæsars, Women of the-IV. Guglielmo Ferrero. Century.
With portraits, 12mo, 234 pages. New York: Whitehall
Central America, Revolutions in World To-dav.
Publishing Co. $1.50.
Chemistry, Prizes of. Robert K. Duncan. Harper.
British Statesmen of the Great War, 1793-1814. By J. W.
Cities, Awakening of - III. Henry Oyen. World's Work.
Fortescue. 8vo, 279 pages. "The Ford Lectures for 1911."
City Windows, Picturesque Treatment of Craftsman.
Oxford: Clarendon Press.
College. What Makes a ? A. B. Wolte. Popular Science.
George Meredith: His Life and Art in Anecdote and Criti-
Country Church, How It Found Itsell. World's Work
cism. By J. A. Hammerton. New and revised edition,
Darwin at an American University. Allantic.
illustrated in photogravure, etc., 8vo, 391 pages. Edin-
Debt-Habit. Our National. W. Martin Swift. Atlantic.
burgh: John Grant.
Democrats in Congress. Scott Bone. Review of Reviews.
Franz Liszt and His Music. By Arthur Harvey. With por-
Denmark and the American Idea Bookman.
trait, 12mo, 176 pages. John Lane Co. $1.50 net.
Diplomacy, American Commercial. North American.
John Dennis: His Life and Criticism. By H. G. Paul, Ph.D.
Disarmament and Arbitration. North American.
With Portrait, 8vo, 229 pages. Columbia University Press.
Farm, The Abandoned. Walter P. Eaton. American.
$1.25.
Fire. Losing Fight Against. Edward F. Croker. World's Work
Lafcadio Hearn in Japan. By Yone Noguchi. Illustrated,
Galton, Francis. Dr. J. Arthur Harris. Popular Science.
12mo, 177 pages. Mitchell Kennerley. $1. net.
Government Bureaus, Stories of Our - VII. Bookman.
Gratitude and Graft. Walter Lippman. Everybody's.
HISTORY.
Great City. Entrance to a. A. E. S. Beard. World To-dau.
Happy Humanity, Quest for. F. Van Eeden. World's Work.
JA Short History of the United States Navy. By Captain
Highways in the Southwest. Agnes C. Laut. Rer. of Rer'iews.
George R. Clark, U.S. N., and others. Illustrated, 8vo,
Holland. Market Scenes in. W. E. Griffis. World To-dav.
505 pages. J. B. Lippincott Co. $3. net.
Homeless. Living with the -III. E. A. Brown. World To-dav. A History of the United States for Schools. By Andrew C.
Immortals of Yesterday and To-morrow. Bookman.
'McLaughlin, A.M., and Claude Halstead Van Tyne, Ph.D.
Lee in Battle. Gamaliel Bradford. Atlantic.
With illustrations and maps, 12mo, 430 pages. D. Appleton
Life, Death, and Immortality. W. H. Thomson. Ererybody's.
& Co.
Life Worth While, Making-IV, H. W. Fisher. World's Work. The Dominion of Canada. By W. L. Griffith. With illustra-
Luther and His Work - IX. Artbur C. McGiffert, Century.
tions and maps, 8vo, 450 pages. Little, Brown & Co. $3. net.
Malolos. Up the Railroad to. Frederick Funston, Scribner. Grant Allen's Historical Guides. New volume: Christian
Manhattan, Message of. Louis Bawry. Bookman.
Rome. By J. W. and A. M. Cruickshank. New edition,
Masefield, John. Milton Bronner. Bookman.
illustrated, 396 pages. Henry Holt & Co. $1.35 net.
Masterstrokes, Minor. Edna Kenton. Bookman.
Meteor Trains, Luminous. C.C. Trowbridge. Pop, Science.
TRAVEL AND DESCRIPTION.
Miller. Joaquin, His Life and Art. H. M. Bland. Craftsman.
(y Balkan Tour: An Account of Some Journeyings and
Millet. Recollections of. Charles Jacque. Century.
Adventures in the near East. By Roy Trevor. Illustrated
Motoring in Algeria and Tunis. A. H. Fitch. Century.
with photogravure frontispiece, map, etc., 8vo, 472 pages.
Mount Desert. Robert Haven Schauffler. Century.
John Lane Co. $4.50 net.
Napoleon III., Visit to the Court of. Harper.
Mediterranean Moods. By J. E. Crawford, M.A. Illus-
Nature. Interpretation of. William E. Ritter. Pop, Science.
trated with colored frontispiece, maps, etc., 8vo. 323 pages.
Navy, The United States. Sir W. H. White. K.C.B. Atlantic.
E. P. Dutton & Co. 84. net.
Negro Influences in American Life. W. W. Kenilworth. Forum.
New England, Miss Alcott's. Katharine F. Gerould. Atlantic.
The Guide Series. New volume: A Guide to Great Cities :
Power. The Balance of, in 1915. Harry D. Brandyce. Forum.
Western Europe. By Esther Singleton. Illustrated, 12mo,
Presidential Election, The Next. North American.
295 pages. The Baker & Taylor Co. $1.25.
Prisons, Humanizing the. Morrison I. Swift. Atlantic.
The Pocket Guide to the West Indies. By Algernon E.
Prophet and Big Business. Frank J. Cannon. Ererybody's.
Aspinall. Illustrated with maps, etc., 12mo, 315 pages
Public Ownership, Aspects of. Sydney Brooks. VO. American.
E. P. Dutton & Co. $1.50 net.
Puritans, Port of the. Winfield M. Thompson. Harper.
The Modern Travel Series. New volumes: In Dwart Land
Quarrel, The Cost of &. Algernon S. Crapsey. American.
and Cannibal Country, by A. B. Lloyd: Siberia, by Samuel
Receiver. In the Hands of a. S. M. Crothers. Atlantic.
Turner, F.R.G.S.; Links in My Life on Land and Sea.
Reciprocity, True Canadian Albert Jay Nock. American.
by Commander J. W. Gambier, R.N. Illustrated, 8vo.
Religion, Comic Spirit in. William Austin Smith. Atlantic.
Charles Scribner's Sons.
School. Public, The Practical. F. L. Glynn. World's Work.
Schools. Public, as Social Centers. M.J. Mayer. Rer. of Rer's.
FICTION.
Sciences, Classification of the. I. W. Howerth. Pop. Science. The Glory of Clementina. By William J. Locke. Illustrated,
Shakespeare on the Stage. William Winter. Century.
12mo, 367 pages. John Lane Co. $1.30 pet.
Song-Makers. Mary Austin. North American.
The Downfall of the Gods. By Sir Hugh Clifford, K.C.M.G.
Stage, Little Ironies of the. Emmet King. Bookman.
12mo, 338 pages. E. P. Dutton & Co. $1.50 net.
State Legislation, Progressive. W. B. Hale. World's l'ork.
The Larger Growth. By Constance Smedley Armfield.
Stuart, Mary. and Chastelard. Richard Le Gallienne. Forum.
12mo, 382 pages. E. P. Dutton & Co. $1.35 net.
Swimmers. The. John S. Reed. Forum.
The Story of Quamin: A Tale of the Tropics. By May Har.
Synge, J. M., and Ireland. W. B. Yeats. Forum.
vey Drummond. 12mo. 313 pages. G. P. Putnam's Sons.
Taft, President, The New World To-day.
$1.25 net.
Teaching the Deaf to Hear With Their Eyes. World To-day.
Temperament, The American. Alain Locke. No. American.
Rose of old Harpeth. By Maria Thompson Daviess. Ilus-
Training for the Trades. Charles Dillon. World's Work.
trated, 12mo, 313 pages. Bobbs-Merrill Co.
Typhoid Fly. The. F. L. Washburn. Popular Science.
The Yellow Letter. By William Johnston. Illustrated,
University in Politics. The. T. D. A. Cockerell. Pop. Science.
12mo, 301 pages. The Bobbs-Merrill Co.
"Watch His Arm." Hugh S. Fullerton. American.
Nonsense Novels. By Stephen Leacock, 12mo, 231 pages.
Wilson, Governor, in the West. World's Work.
John Lane Co. $1. net.
Woman Suffrage. Gwendolen Overton North American. The Queen's Fillet. By Canon Sbeehan, D.D. 12mo, 376
Woman Suffrage, Recent Strides of. World's Work.
pages. Longmans, Green, & Co.


1911.)
85
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About Us and the Deacon. By Clarke Smith. Illustrated,
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Black and White. Illustrated, 12mo, 167 pages. Phila-
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POETRY AND THE DRAMA.
Irish Poems. By Arthur Stringer. 8vo, 110 pages. Mitchell
Kennerley. $1. net.
Poems of Men and Hours. By John Drinkwater. 12mo,
54 pages. London: David Nutt.
The Poetry of Victor Hugo. Selected and edited by Pelham
Edgar and John Squair. 16mo, 330 pages. Ginn & Co. 90 cts.
Japanese Poetry. By Basil Hall Chamberlain. 12mo. 260
pages. London: John Murray.
The Poems of Leroy Titus Weeks. With portrait, 12mo,
168 pages. Sabula, Iowa: Published by the Author.
Burns' Poems Published in 1786. "The Kilmarnock
Burns." 16mo, 240 pages. “Oxford Library of Prose and
Poetry." Oxford University Press.
As a Man Thinks. By Augustus Thomas. With portrait,
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Lovely Peggy: A Play in Three Acts. By J. R. Crawford.
12mo, 173 pages. Yale University Press. $1.25 net.
Two Latin Plays, for High-School Students. By Susan
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Leaves From Our Tuscan Kitchen, or How to Cook Vege-
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The Practical Use of Books and Libraries: An E
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Playground Technique and Playcraft. Edited by Arthur
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Pinocchio in Africa. Translated from the Italian of E.
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Hebrew Satire. By J. Chotzuer, Ph.D. 12mo, 181 pages.
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Unity Hymns and Ohorals. Revised and enlarged edition,
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THE DIAL (founded in 1880) is published on the 1st and 16th of
THE OLD MORALITY.
each month. TERMS Or SUBSCRIPTION, 82. a year in advance, postage
prepaid in the United States, and Mexico; Foreign and Canadian
We have never been willing to separate art
postage 50 cents per year extra. REMITTANCES should be by check, or
by express or poslal order, payable to THE DIAL COMPANY.
from ethics, or to admit that the one might be
Unless otherwise ordered, subscriptions will begin with the current
number. When no direct request to discontinue at expiration of sub independent of the other. To our thinking, any
scription is received, it is assumed that a continuance of the subscription
is desired. ADVERTISING RATES furnished on application. All com
art which ignores moral considerations, and
munications should be addressed to
still more any art which flouts them as antag-
THE DIAL, Fine Arts Building, Chicago.
onistic to the freedom of expression, is rotten
Entered as Second-Class Matter October 8, 1892, at the Post Office at
at the core, however fair its external showing.
Chicago, Illinois, under Act of March 3, 1879.
There is, no doubt, a counterfeit bourgeois
No. 604. AUGUST 16, 1911. Vol. LI.
morality of expediency and deference to irra-
tional convention which is fair game for the
CONTENTS.
artist, and which he does well to expose in all
its hypocrisy. But it is equally fair game for
THE OLD MORALITY . . . . . . . . . 91 the serious moralist also, who has no greater
CASUAL COMMENT ........... 93
concern than to make clear the distinction
A midsummer suggestion to libraries. — The short between gold and brummagem. In whatever
road to a learned degree. — Maryland authors. — medium the artist work, he is bound to be sin-
Stevenson and the House of Lords.-A good piece
of anthem-mending. -- The superlative futility of
cere, and whoever is occupied with the artistic
Jean Giraudoux. — The literature of the ocean expression of life is insincere if he does not
liner. - An American girl at the Court of Napo-
recognize the preponderating importance of
leon III.- A singular protest from Albemarle
Street.— The New England of Miss Alcott.— This
conduct — Matthew Arnold's three-fourths, or
year's Loubat prize. — Government recognition of something like that fraction. Morality has been
a novelist's merits. — German disloyalty to the
defined as the nature of things; and this defi-
cause of Greek.
nition, as profoundly true as it is searching,
SAUNTERINGS AMONG SUMMER ISLANDS.
belongs with no less exactness to art. Now
Percy F. Bicknell . . . . . . . . . . 90
there can be no self-contradiction in the nature
THE SOPHISTS OF OUR DAY. Edward E.
of things, and the antinomies of the philoso-
Hale, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
phers are nothing more than so many hurdles
A BINOCULAR VIEW OF JAPAN. 0. D. Wanna-
or bunkers, artificial impediments to thought,
maker . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
which cannot permanently arrest its progress.
AN EXPOSITOR OF UNITARIANISM. W. H.
The sociologist has a good deal to say about
Carruth · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 102
the relativity of morals, and delights to show us
RECENT POETRY. William Morton Payne . . . 103
how practices which we hold in abhorrence may
Baring's Collected Poems. — Childe's The Little
City. — Slater's Æneas, and Other Verses and
be viewed as sacred rites or duties by other
Versions. — Stacpoole's Poems and Ballads.
peoples. But there is no reason why these con-
Miss Bunston's Porch of Paradise. – Miss Sala-
trasts should make us any less tenacious of what
man's Voices of the Rivers. - Spingarn's The New
Hesperides, and Other Poems. — Sterling's The we believe to be the rightful principles of con-
House of Orchids, and Other Poems. – O'Hara's duct, or weaken our faith in the moral law
Pagan Sonnets.-- Hopkins's Poemg.- Miss Cone's
Soldiers of the Light.-Miss Cheney's By the Sea,
which has come to us as the precious filtrate of
and Other Poems.
Hebraic and Hellenic and Christian teaching.
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS ......... 107
We are bound to view the startling instances
Woman's beauty as religious cult. - Mr. Benson adduced — whether from Thugs or Mormons --
on Ruskin. -- In the capital of Tamerlane.- Latin as perversions of morality and as opposed to
and Greek in American Education. - A compen-
the interests of civilization. We are bound
dium of literary experience. - Victims of the
Wanderlust.
to do this, that is, unless we hold civilization
BRIEFER MENTION ........... 109
itself to be a delusion and a mockery, and
Christendom to rest upon no surer a founda-
NOTES ................ 109
tion than quicksand. If we really do “count
LIST OF NEW BOOKS .......... 110 | the gray barbarian lower than the Christian


92
[August 16,
THE DIAL
child," we must have the courage of our con | of to-day. But this reply did not wholly dispose
victions, and stoutly rally to the defence of the of the accusation, because among these writers,
tried old moralities whenever they are assailed. | even among the most brilliant of them, there
It is possible that they would lose much of their are some whom every reader knows to have
substance if viewed sub specie ceternitatis, but done his best, whether in that monthly or else-
for the temporal conditions under which we per where, to undermine the props of the social order
force must journey from the cradle to the grave | in the matter of the sex relation, as well as in
they are the most weighty of realities.
many other matters. This is done speciously,
There is in the trend of modern literature and in the name of some utopian reconstruction
much that is disturbing to those who persist in of society planned in a superficially attractive
the old-fashioned habit of viewing its course design which does not get much farther than
through moral spectacles. It is not merely | an exhibit of glittering generalities ; but it is
that the reaction against hypocrisy has gone so nevertheless the underlying aim, and we usually
far that reticence has ceased to be a virtue; feel, in reading the outpourings of this sort of
that is an excess which brings its own cure with devil's advocacy, that the writers would go much
the disgust which it ultimately creates, for few farther if they dared. Fortunately, there are
readers care to wallow indefinitely in the trough yet some limits to the daring of "advanced think-
of Zolaism. It is rather that all the old prin- | ers” who use the English language, although
ciples of conduct are assailed in the name of a there seem to be none that interfere with the
frantic individualism, sometimes in set terms of freedom of their Continental fellow-sappers of
repudiation, but more often by methods of subtle the social structure.
indirection which unconsciously affect the judg Professor Bascom, in an article contributed
ment, and dispose it to condone offences which, to the last issue of THE DIAL, makes a tem-
stripped of their romantic trappings, would be perate statement of the case which seems to us
revolting to the moral sense. The novelist's to embody the last word of wisdom upon the
favorite subject for this sophistical treatment whole subject. His specific case is that of Mary
is, of course, the sex relation in all its variety | Wollstonecraft, and he says:
of complicated phases, and no irregularity of
“A reasonable estimate of fine personal qualities
conduct between men and women escapes being
may call for leniency but cannot hide the social danger.
so obscured by sentiment that it becomes impos-
This danger is one of constant recurrence, with every
degree of debasement, and cannot be thrust aside. No
sible to view the fundamental moral situation in matter in what way we put and answer personal ques-
distinct outline. Desertion and divorce, seduc tions, they do not cover the ground. The social problem
tion and adultery, are all bedaubed with the remains as the chief consideration. . . . The social ele-
same brush, to such an extent that the bewildered
ment is the most comprehensive and immediately pow-
erful, the individual element the most conspicuous and
reader rubs his eyes, and wonders if the writer
qualitative. ... It belongs to the individual to see what
has any clear notions of right and wrong, or if is good, and to pursue it under the conditions assigned
the concept of sin has ever had a definite part by society. ... The fatal miscarriage in the case be-
in his thinking. What are grandiosely called
fore us — and it was fatal - lay in the supposition that
in independence in the pursuit of good was found the
“ the rights of the soul ” become a mantle to
law of life. Not so; we are bound to the law of obedi-
cover all the wrongs of the sense, and the proverb
ence and suffering in the community, bearing with us
peccato di carne non è peccato is implicitly the better opinion.”
assumed to be one of the primary truths of It is this " better opinion,” which no man may
human nature.
lightly contemn, that gives us the touchstone
It was this Italian saying, flippantly invoked wherewith to test all new substitutes for old
as an adequate argument against the advocates principles. The freedom which is demanded
of such old-fashioned ideals as chastity and with so much vehemence by the modern school
fidelity, that only the other day caused " The of individualist writers is almost invariably the
Spectator" to condemn in sweeping terms the freedom to wrong someone else. The only free-
tendencies exhibited by one of the ablest of dom that is salutary and really desirable is that
its monthly contemporaries. The charge of which is found in joyous submission to spiritual
“ dumping garbage upon the nation's door law. This is the truth which the wisest of men
step” was doubtless too heated to be judicial, — from Plato to Goethe — have been preaching
and the monthly in question countered effect | to us for more than two thousand years, and
ively by printing a list of its contributors — the world will work back to it after the present
a list which was seen to include most of the spasm of moral anarchism has demonstrated by
names of eminence among the English writers I exhaustion its own futility and inadequacy.


1911.]
93
THE DIAL
CASUAL COMMENT.
odontology, bacteriology, psychotherapy, materia
medica, French, and South American Indian lan-
A MIDSUMMER SUGGESTION TO LIBRARIES may guages; still another entrusted with theologic sym-
be in order at this time. The dull season of sum- bolics, philology, and Old English law; and a third
mer is commonly and wisely chosen for the annual charged with Oriental languages, theomonism, mis-
overhauling, cleaning, refurbishing, and repairing sions, German and Oriental philosophy, and inter-
which all public libraries, their books and appli national law. Why spend four weary years at
ances, have to undergo in the perpetual endeavor to Harvard or Yale or Columbia when in the twinkling
withstand the ravages of time and dust, of use and of a bed post one can become a Bachelor of Theologic
disuse and misuse, of noxious fumes from without Symbolics, or a Master of Theomonism, or a Doctor
or within, and of other disintegrating and destruc of South American Indian Languages ?
tive agencies. College and university libraries
especially choose the vacation months for book MARYLAND AUTHORS of more than local fame
dusting and shelf-cleaning, and the muffled bang of | make a list that would reflect credit on any State.
the ancient tome, opened to its limit and violently Dr. Henry E. Shepherd of Baltimore has found
closed again to dislodge the pulverous deposit of the pleasant recreation for himself and has provided
past year, resounds through the deserted alcoves — matter of interest to the reading public in a small
with an incidental dismemberment of many a vener book that he has just written, entitled “Representa-
able volume whose leather binding has been gradu-tive Authors of Maryland,” and published by the
ally crumbling to the point where none but the Whitehall Publishing Company of New York. A
reverential touch of the bibliophile can be safely few of the more prominent names may here be
undergone, but wliere, protected from the profane noted from Dr. Shepherd's pages. Poe, for whom
hands of the cleaner, the book is still good for many he has a loyal Southerner's admiration, he is confi-
years of such service as it is likely to see. The sug dent has secured “an abiding place such as no other
gestion is that all libraries adopt the method already American has ever attained or even approached.”
employed by not a few — that of vacuum-cleaning, Lanier rightly receives a tribute of praise second
which, in celerity, thoroughness, and economy, is only to that paid to Poe. James R. Randall, whom
vastly superior to the old way. If anyone questions we commonly think of as a one-poem poet, is given
this superiority, let him visit the Princeton Uni | rather disproportionate space in the book. “My
versity Library and examine the results there Maryland ” is the one production of his that the
achieved by the vacuum process. In fact, almost world is likely to remember. Other Maryland
any well-administered large library can furnish a writers, some of them now almost forgotten, are
demonstration. . . .
John P. Kennedy, George Henry Miles, Anne Crane
THE SHORT ROAD TO A LEARNED DEGREE seems
Seemuller (once famous for her “Emily Chester"
to be open to all who can pay the toll. Of course,
and “Opportunity,” two novels published in the
rapid transit costs money; the cannon-ball express
sixties), Eugene L. Didier, Miss Katherine Pearson
calls for a much greater outlay than the accom-
Woods, whose “ Metzerott, Shoemaker" is still read
and enjoyed, Richard Malcolm Johnston, Father
modation train. And yet the fake colleges and
Tabb, of fragrant memory, and Mr. F. Hopkinson
mushroom universities that offer to fit you up with
Smith, artist, engineer, and author, who began to
a degree while you wait, turn out the parchments at
write unusually late in life, but soon became the
a very reasonable rate, celerity and range of selec-
tion being considered. One correspondence school,
most successful of Maryland authors. Dr. Osler,
Professor Gildersleeve, and President Gilman are
for instance, offers on reasonable terms to decorate
the applicant with any one or more of the following
among the eminent scholars who have enriched the
more serious literature of this historic old common-
combinations of letters : B.S., B.A., Ph.D., LL.B.,
M.S., M.A., LL.M., LL.D., D.D., Litt.D., D.C.L.,
wealth.
Sc.D. The United States Bureau of Education, STEVENSON AND THE HOUSE OF LORDS came
through its recently.created Division of Higher into collision (without serious injury to either of
Education, under the control of Dr. K.C. Babcock, is the colliding bodies, although with some indirect
bringing to light some queer and interesting institu discomfiture to Stevenson) in the early years of
tions whose chief if not only functions seem to be R. L. S.; and in view of the present world-wide
the receiving of fees and the issuing of diplomas. interest in the declining prestige of the peers, it may
Among American universities little known but be timely to recall the circumstances attending the
covering an astonishing range of human knowledge youthful writer's assault upon their hereditary
with a remarkably small faculty or teaching force, rights. Mr. Charles Baxter sends to the London
we read of one glorying in the splendid name of “ Daily Mail” the following explanation of the ini-
Oriental University, and having its Occidental seat tials “L. J. R.” that were used in the dedication to
on Dominion Heights in the environs of Washington, “ Treasure Island” to indicate a certain society of
D. C. That its professors are broadly educated a secret and mysterious nature. “As I am the last
becomes apparent when one finds the same chair | survivor of that small band which was composed
responsible for tuition in such various subjects as l of R. L. S., his cousin R. A. M. Stevenson, James


THE DIAL
[August 16,
Walter Ferrier — who died young, affectionately | Don Manuel the Indolent, Bernard the Weak) are,
commemorated by Stevenson in prose and by Henley in reality, but three manifestations of the same per-
in verse — and two others, I absolve myself from sonality" — the author himself. Some sentences
the oaths of secrecy and decline to inflict upon my and phrases are translated for our benefit. The
self the necessary torture consequent upon my be pout of a little girl is “the froth of her smile," and
trayal. The initials signify Liberty, Justice, Rever the smile of another character is “a wearied, lone-
ence. The constitution,' drafted by me and whole some, scarcely fluttering smile nailed to the visage,
heartedly accepted by Stevenson (we were still in like a wounded swallow to the door of a grange.”
our 'teens), included among other important ob | Don Manuel the Indolent avers that “just as soon
jects, under the first head, the abolition of the as we do not hate a woman, our happiness obliges
hereditary privileges of the House of Lords,' a us to confess to her the fact, and from that moment
phrase which occasionally raised stumbling blocks there is no longer a secret at the heart of our love
in impassioned orations. I remember as if it were to sustain it as the stone in the fruit sustains the
yesterday Stevenson's agonized face as he came to | fruit. Then everything that is furtive and uncertain,
me with the news that his father had come across emotion in the presence of an attenuated gesture,
the draft - it never went farther. The discovery hope and fervor, all the tumult of tenderness,
was the occasion of one of the most painful of the vanish.” Is it not a little early in the century for
scenes between father and son.”
this exquisite perfection of decadence ?
A GOOD PIECE OF ANTHEM-MENDING, executed by
THE LITERATURE OF THE OCEAN LINER — not
Dean Hole and sanctioned by King George, gives
the literature about, but the literature on (in a
to the English nation a welcome substitute for the
literal sense) the Atlantic greyhound — must have
rather jingoistic and by no means poetically admir-
struck many a reflective and observant deck-walker
able stanza of their national hymn:
as leaving something to be desired in the way of
“O Lord our God, arise,
substantiality and worth. To be sure, the ship's
Scatter his enemies,
library is commonly well-stocked with the classics
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
of two or more nations, in fiction at least; but the
Frustrate their knavish tricks;
paper-covered supplements to this supply which the
On Him our hopes we fix.
passengers themselves provide, and whose fluttering
Oh, save us all!”
leaves on many a steamer-chair reveal their lightness
For these fire-breathing rhymes the eminent Dean of quality, indicate a frivolity in the reader's mood
offers the following more peaceful and, as a contri that would strike dismay to the soul of any con-
bution to literature, far more excellent verses : scientious librarian interested in the great question
"O Lord our God, arise,
“What do the people read ?" and laboriously striv-
Scatter his enemies,
ing to elevate the standard of that reading. Here,
Make wars to cease.
Keep us from plague and dearth,
in sooth, is work cut out for our travelling-library
Turn Thou our woes to mirth,
officers, — to persuade the travelling public to turn
And over all the earth
to better literary account the golden hours of leisure
Let there be peace!”
available to all who make the European tour. One
The royal sanction insures the adoption of the sub- | conld read up, in outline at least, the whole history
stitute stanza; and thus will be hastened, if never 80 of Europe on the way thither, or learn, for colloquial
little, the coming of that universal peace which at l purposes, the more common phrases and idioms of
present is the object of so much of the world's best the language spoken in the country or countries one
thought and striving....
is about to visit. With a preliminary reading of Mr.
THE SUPERLATIVE FUTILITY OF JEAN GIRAU-
Arnold Bennett's little manuals on the economy of
DOUX, who has for us something more of interest
time and of mental energy, wonders could be accom-
than many of his fellow-authors of France by reason
plished in self-culture on an ocean voyage.
of his having fitted himself in part at Harvard for
the life of letters he seems to be now successfully AN AMERICAN GIRL AT THE COURT OF NAPO-
leading, is amusingly dwelt upon and illustrated LEON III. tells in letters some of her more amusing
by Mr. Alvan F. Sanborn in a Paris letter to the or more memorable experiences, and the August
Boston “Transcript." His books seem thus far “Harper's Magazine” begins the publication of
to have defied or escaped translation into En- | these letters. The writer, known at the time the
glish, and therefore Mr. Sanborn's samples in the letters were written as Mrs. Charles Moulton, fam-
vernacular are the more welcome. “L'Ecole des ous for her singing and for her personal charm, is
Indifférents” is the title of his latest work, and its now the wife of the Danish minister to Germany.
style is likened by the critic to the tenuous fabric The fun and laughter that she contrived to find
which, he has been told, someone has succeeded in even in the stiffness and formality of court functions
weaving out of spiders' webs. The book “is osten- make her letters unusually good reading. The inci-
sibly divided into three narratives, but the nominal dent of the vain diplomat and his patent-leather
heroes of these three narratives (Jacques the Egoist, shoes, and the dinner-table talk with Théophile


1911.]
95
THE DIAL
Gautier which brought out a French proverb with gold. Adaptation or abbreviation she may have
a double pun, and the eight-ball croquet game undergone at the hands of her French translator;
("nothing is so dreadful as a game of croquet with hardly expurgation. The unsympathetic reader
eight people, four of whom are beginners”) with the mentioned must have been of Southern birth or
Emperor and Empress, the Prince and Princess breeding. Many a lover of our Concord and Cam-
Metternich, and other notabilities, furnish some bridge and Boston authors has had sorrowful occa-
pages of highly entertaining matter. But what we sion to note the lack of enthusiasm with which a
wish here to note with especial approval is the high | Virginian or a Marylander or a Georgian may at
spirited young writer's frank disapproval of that times hear the names of the New Englander's liter-
stupid as well as brutal performance, a chasse à tir. ary idols, as may also the denizen of Fifth Avenue.
“ It was a dreadful sight! How I hate it! I am It is the old story of the mutually antipathetic aris-
sure I shall not sleep for a week, for I shall always tocracies — of brains, birth, and wealth,
see the forms and faces of those quivering, dying
creatures in my dreams. I never will go to a chasse
THIS YEAR'S LOUBAT PRIZE goes, by decree of
again. And the worst was when they had frightened | the Royal Prussian Academy of Science, to Profes-
the birds and animals into a sort of circle, where sor Albert Bernhardt Faust, head of the German
they could not escape; the butchery was awful.
department at Cornhill University. This prize, of
They said there were 3,800 pieces. Prince Metter three thousand marks, established in 1889 by Mr.
nich alone shot 1,200. How happy I was when it was Joseph F. Loubat of New York, is bestowed every
all over and I could get away from these horrors five years upon the author of some meritorious work
and miserable sport!" ...
on American history or American archæology, the
two subjects alternating in their claims for recogni-
A SINGULAR PROTEST FROM ALBEMARLE STREET
tion. Ten years ago Mr. James Ford Rhodes was
sends its echoes to our shores. The historic London
thus honored in consideration of the excellence of
publishing house situated in that street strenuously
his “History of the United States from the Com-
objects to the clause of the proposed copyright bill
promise of 1850.” This year it is Professor Faust's
which entitles the new Welsh National Library to
scholarly work on “The German Element in the
claim, if it chooses, a copy of every new book pub- |
United States” that wins the prize. As a natural
lished. It is true this privilege is already enjoyed
result of the award, the book is soon to be issued in
by five other libraries of the United Kingdom, and
a German edition by a leading Leipzig publisher.
the free gift of six copies of very expensive works
may reasonably be considered a not negligible drain GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION OF A NOVELIST'S
on a publisher's resources. But the gain in an
MERITS has taken the substantial shape of a hundred-
advertising way, through the publicity thus secured pound annual pension to Mr. Joseph Conrad. Poets
for the publisher's wares, cannot fail in the long and scientists and other writers of highly meritori-
run to offset, and more than offset, the expense in ous but not rapidly salable books have from time
curred. The Albemarle Street protest has been immemorial been the grateful recipients of royal
taken up by a few other publishers, and letters to or public bounty ; but for a producer of fiction,
the press are the result. It may be that poor Wales popular and commercially successful fiction, to be
is too little given to book-buying to make probable thus subsidized in the heyday of his literary activ-
any handsome return from this compulsory gift to ity, is something unprecedented. Yet it is expressly
its National Library. Even so, however, there are “in consideration of his merits as a writer of
other obvious considerations that might make a fiction ” that Mr. Conrad is thus helped to make
public-spirited publisher think twice before begrudg-1 both ends meet, and, as one must surmise, consider.
ing the proposed benefaction to Welsh readers. ably overlap. To him that hath shall be given.
THE NEW ENGLAND OF Miss ALCOTT serves Mrs. GERMAN DISLOYALTY TO THE CAUSE OF GREEK
Katherine Fullerton Gerould as inspiring theme is to be noted, with surprise and sorrow on the part
for a very readable article in the August “Atlantic of many, in the recent decision to drop the language
Monthly.” She seems to have been prompted to of Plato and Demosthenes from the list of required
write by the rather surprising confession of a school gymnasium studies. English is substituted. How
girl friend that she, the friend, could never enjoy long now before Latin will give way to, let us say,
our New England favorite because her characters Italian or Russian, or some other commercially use-
were so underbred. To Mrs. Fullerton, on the ful language? Greek studies will continue to be
other hand, “Miss Alcott seemed the safe inherit pursued in Germany, and it is even possible that
ance, the absolutely inevitable delight, of childhood. the making of such studies entirely voluntary will
• Little Women’ was as universal as Hamlet.' I prove advantageous to genuine Greek scholarship.
remember perfectly that French playmates of mine | But no longer will the German university man be,
had loved · Les Quatre Filles du Docteur March' almost as a matter of course, an accomplished
(though the French edition was probably somewhat classical student; and the humanizing influence of
expurgated).” Expurgating Miss Alcott, however, | Hellenic studies will necessarily suffer considerable
would be like painting the lily or gilding refined | restriction.


96
[August 16,
THE DIAL
The New Books.
beautiful Lonja (misprinted “Longa" under
the illustration) or Exchange building of Palma
de Mallorca, and of the finely-proportioned
SAUNTERINGS AMONG SUMMER ISLANDS. * cathedral of the same hispanicized Moorish
However excellent the patriotic advice to
town, he makes the following frank confession
“ see your own country first” before journey-
of hedonistic faith:
ing abroad, there is no reason why one should
“ As a man grows older and a little more tired of the
chatter about art, I think he brings to the gustation of
not enjoy Europe in books before making the
any object of beauty a less intellectual and a more
acquaintance of every principal city and highest purely physical discernment. He no longer comes in
mountain and longest river in this land of mag order to purify his taste or to correct his judgment of
nificent distances and unrealized possibilities.
this or the other school. He has lost the keenness of
And among the books that present scenes and
youth for great argument about art (perhaps because
he has found out the true value of the lying Q. E. D.s),
characters pleasantly in contrast with the com-
and has become that thing that youth abhors — the
parative rawness, the lack of atmosphere, the unashamed hedonist. He acquires the holiday-making,
hustling youthfulness, of our country, Mr. J. | even the tripping, frame of mind; he is frankly out for
E. Crawford Flitch's " Mediterranean Moods"
sensuous enjoyment. As he looks with his eyes, his
spirit is put to sleep; the mind forgets whatever learn-
deserves honorable mention. Wandering fancy-
ing it has pillaged from æsthetic lumber-rooms; the eye
free among the islands of the Balearic group
itself is passive, and appears to perceive without re-
and through Sardinia, he makes his foreign porting any articulate messages to the brain; only the
sojourn something more than a mere change 1. body is awake and alert. He uncovers his five naked
of clime. For, as he says, “ the wise traveller
senses, and only asks of art that she shall gratify them
or as many of them as she can touch. And art responds
comes not to conquer a country, but to be con-
so generously to this ingenuous appeal that she gives
quered by it. His only tactic should be that herself to him as she never gives herself to the cold
of masterly inactivity. He arranges nothing. analyst who uses her only for purposes of dissection.”
He takes no thought of the train he shall catch The right spirit, this, for a vacation saunterer,
on the morrow." Letting the spirit of his although on the very next page we find him
temporary halting-place, the genius loci, as one hunting for a principle that shall explain the
likes to call it, exert its inspiring influence on peculiar beauty and impressiveness of the inte-
him, the author has succeeded in making his rior of Palma's cathedral. His interpretation
pages breathe the atmosphere of those sleepy of the matter is as follows:
but romantic and picturesque old seaports doz- “I have found the great beauty of the cathedral in
ing in the sunshine of the Mediterranean and that most difficult triumph of the architect's art, the
lapped by its waters. The charm that lures
exquisite manipulation of space. The secret of its con-
struction is that the architect has thrown a canopy of
him, however, has much of the fortuitous and
stone over the greatest possible area with the least pos-
evanescent in its character. Its capture in sible expenditure of material. Too often in a Gothic
the first instance, and its recapture for book cathedral the tyranny of material robs the eye of its en-
writing purposes, are no simple matters. As
joyment; there is a kind of exhibition of brute strength,
which is imposing but fatiguing, as if a giant were
he remarks in his preface, —
straining to support a superhuman burden. But here
“ The circumstances which determine these perfect
the effort is concealed. The pillars leap upwards with
moments are themselves indeterminable. All that is
a lightness, almost with a gaiety, which communicates
certain is that they are wholly fortuitous. And some that delight which we feel in a difficult thing easily
times they are so minute that many overlook them.
accomplished. The difficult art which the architect of
The high mood hangs upon a hint, an echo, a nothing.
Palma's cathedral has mastered is to know how to carve
The rhythm of a woman's walk in the midst of a crowd,
out of the void a certain definite body of space wbich
and it is upon you — a song heard in the night, music
you can perceive and enjoy; for it is only by circum-
coming out of the open window of a lamp-lit room, a
scribing space that you can appreciate it. In the rough
light burning over water, a boat running into harbour,
quadrangle outside the cathedral, formed by a miscel-
the shape of an ancient vase, a glass of wine, a jewel in
laneous grouping of buildings, although the sky is
the ear. ..."
illimitably far above you, there is no sense of largeness;
It is the beautiful as it appeals to him, without but go inside, and although the roof, not two hundred
regard to conventional principles of æsthetics or
feet above your head, shuts out the infinity of the sky,
accepted canons of art, that delights and makes
you are conscious of moving more freely in a more
ample atmosphere.”
eloquent this frankly pleasure-seeking wanderer.
After speaking admiringly of the surprisingly
The people of these Mediterranean islands, no
less than their buildings and other inanimate
* MEDITERRANEAN Moods. Footnotes of Travel in the
objects of interest, charm this generously appre-
Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Sardinia. By J. E.
Crawford Flitch, M.A. With illustrations and maps. New
ciative visitor. Various dances of the islanders,
York: E. P. Dutton & Co.
I of both sexes, are described in vivid terms which


1911.]
97
THE DIAL
make the reader see the rapidly moving forms Above all this scene of superabundant vitality flutters
and hear the castanets. After picturing a
an array of brilliant and tattered linen, which gives the
terpsichorean performance of the youths and
street the air of being perpetually en fête.”
maidens of Ibiza, on a smooth stretch of ocean
This “ sudden surprising vision of the animal
beach, to the primitive music of a wooden pipa
basis of life” cannot fail to impress the En-
and a small drum, the writer thus concludes : :
glish traveller, accustomed as he is at home to
“There was not the beauty of grace, but the beauty
what he calls “a silent conspiracy to deny the
of strength and agility in their movements. A shade existence of one-half of the facts of life.”
more violence, and their dancing would have become a A passage of interest to the language-
romp; but the fierceness which always seemed to be
student, and recalling the times of British
warming to some dangerous explosion was kept from
trespass by a careful restraint. I think that a man who
dominion in Menorca, occurs in the description
has seen dancing at sunset by the sea and among moun-
of Puerto Mahon.
tains will never afterwards have much content in a ball “When you see the urchins of the port playing at
room. The pure air, the unimprisoned space, the knuckle-bones in the gutter and hear them call out
trembling light upon the water, unlock a happier and • knur-kle,' it is not the English word that at first
profounder fund of emotions. Something elemental and sounds strangely, but the unfamiliar accent. Many
infinitely remote enters into the exhilaration of the are the English words embedded in the Menorquin
dancers; they have recaptured a spirit which seems dialect. Because the English sailor called for his
more proper to the sunlit early days of the world. Their liquor in a bottle or a mug, the fisherman of Mahon
personal life is merged in the universal life of Nature, still orders his botil or moch of wine. Mitjamen, the
and their bodies are renewed by the ancient energies of name for the guardia marina, does uot present a very
the earth and the sea. And yet the emotion which is English character in print, but it is merely 'midship-
thus set free does not lose itself in an animal riot, be man' disguised. And a curious reminder of the
cause there is a traditional mould prepared for it to flow periods both of the English and the French occupation
into, a controlling measure and impulse to which the exists in the idiomatic expression for a handful of
limbs have moved for centuries."
people, cuatre jans y un boy — four Jeans and a boy.”
Even the beggars, in their picturesque rags, In singular opposition to Mr. Flitch's theory
have a grace and dignity of their own in these that foreign travel should be something more
Mediterranean lands. They can enter their fine than a changing of one's latitude and longi-
old cathedrals and there comport themselves as tude, - that it should be, in short, a complete
if conscious of a part-ownership in the architect transformation of one's inveterate habits of
ural grandeurs around and above them. The mind and body, — is his cherished custom of
poor, in the midst of their frankly unconcealed carrying with him a certain quantity of China
squalor, seem to fit harmoniously into the scheme tea and a volume of English prose. His selec-
of things. The light-hearted penury of the tion of home-made reading matter on this occa-
humbler denizens of Cagliari, the picturesquely sion was a strange one–Gibbon's “Decline and
situated capital of Sardinia, is quite another Fall” in seven substantial volumes. He had once
thing from the grinding poverty of our own been told by “a certain professor” that a person
slum quarters. If it be permissible to portray, who had not read Gibbon was still fundament-
with unshrinking realism, the unpoetic details ally uneducated ; hence the burdening of him-
of the daily life of the Italian poor, it coựld not self with the voluminous history, which however
be better done than by our author.
we can still hope and believe he postponed read-
“Here, as in all Italian towns, the poor defeat the ing until his return to his own fireside.
tedium vitæ by an interested contemplation of each
| Mr. Flitch's well-written and well-printed
other's privacy. Here the age of innocence is still un-
corrupted by any modern notions of propriety. It is not
book is also well illustrated, having a colored
felt that there are any details of person or toilette which | frontispiece from a drawing by Mr. G. Biasi,
it is necessary to conceal. The rooms of the ground and thirty-two reproductions of photographs,
floor, whether bedrooms or sitting-rooms -- and com-
many if not all of them, we infer, from the
monly they are both in one - gape upon the street, and
the street gapes back upon them. You are invited to
author's camera. Two good maps complete
scrutinise the bed that is never made and the meal that
the work.
PERCY F. BICKNELL.
is never cleared away. All the business of the house-
hold - the cooking, washing, scrubbing, the paring of
potatoes, the suckling of infants, the sewing of under "THE WORLD'S WORK " is the latest magazine to
garments --- are conducted in public. The children adopt the new system of magazine binding which does
crawl about the threshold with a strict economy of away with the awkward wire stitch and enables the
clothing. The men sleep upon the floor, and in their magazine to be opened easily and laid down flat like a
waking intervals approve or criticise the activities of well-bound book. Another point in favor of the new
the women. Family concerns of great delicacy are way of binding is that it enables the reader to extract
disputed with eloquence and anger. Every household very easily any articles which he may wish to preserve,
appears to be in the throes of a domestic crisis. ...| as there is no stitching or wire in the binding.


98
[August 16,
THE DIAL
published ; indeed, they seem obviously not.
THE SOPHISTS OF OUR DAY.*
They appear to be essays on authors who are par-
Mr. Archibald Henderson has one claim upon ticularly selected as standing together, or having
the respect of American lovers of letters — something to do with each other, and whom he
namely, that he has for a good while devoted conveniently groups as “ Interpreters of Life.”
much time and thought and energy to the office | I shall put on one side the great temptation
of a critic of the highest order. He has tried o combat at length the idea implied in that
to make known in America what he deems the title, and shall content myself with thinking
best that is being thought and written in the that these authors are not distinctively inter-
world. Being attracted by one or another of preters of life, and that they know no more of
the “world figures” of the literature of our life than anybody else. I suspect that Mr.
time, he has applied himself to a study of their Henderson really thinks so too; for he seems
works, has tried to settle for himself the char to me to leave this matter of interpretation
acteristics of their contribution to our intellec chiefly on the cover of bis book, while in the
tual life and the value of that contribution. | inside he deals with the much more appropriate
He has done this with high standards and with topic of literature.
hard work. He has not picked up one or The first object of attention, I confess, seems
another author who rose above the surface of to be against me. “ Narrative is nothing,” says
cosmopolitan observation and gathered together Meredith, in a quotation on page 11. “It is
a little of the gossip as to their life or ideas, the mere vehicle of philosophy. The interest
for the amusement of those whose aim it is to is in the idea which the action seems to illus-
know what has been going on in the world of | trate.” That looks as though Meredith con-
letters; he has noted the figures in contemporary ceived of himself as an interpreter of life ; and
literature that seemed most worthy of notice, | Mr. Henderson deepens the idea by devoting
has got together everything that could be found a section of his essay to " Meredith's conception
about them, and has studied each matter care of the nature of humanity." Still, it is only an
fully in the light of the best ideas of the world appeal to fact (as existent in the mind of any
at large. He has viewed the critical literature reader) to say that Meredith is not interesting
of Europe to find out what was thought by the because of any particular view of life. He
best judges on the subject, and then he has doubtless had a view of life, as most of us have;
made up his own presentation. That seems to and of course he expressed it in his novels, as
me an excellent thing to do, merely in itself. we express our views in our own words and
I believe there is more or less lacking in Mr. | acts. But he is not especially interesting be-
Henderson's equipment as a critic: indeed, he cause of the “idea which the action seems to
seems to me more of a student than a critic, more illustrate.” He is interesting because he pre-
successful in unxielling the series of facts in the sents very vital men and women doing things in
past and present than in putting his finger on a very vital way. And his ideas are interesting
just what is essential or in expressing unmistak. not because they are illustrated by the actions,
ably just what people ought to know. But in so as he seems to think himself, but because the
far as he tries to take the place of a true critic, ideas (where there are any) are implicit in the
and to prepare himself for such a place by severe | action, which is the way we are very apt to get
and earnest study, he has certainly done well. them in life. In other words, Meredith's novels
The results of his study have already come are interesting because they are good novels: as
before the public in a more or less ephemeral | Mr. Henderson points out, they have a peculiar
way in various papers and reviews in France kind of action, and they are expressed in a pecu-
and Germany, as well as in this country; but liar kind of language. But this action and this
now a collection of studies gives us a chance | language, when one gets used to it, prove a
to consider his work in a large way and to give stimulus rather than a drawback, so that we
an estimate of its value. The volume, which have a feeling of pleasure and exhilaration on
he entitles “Interpreters of Life and the reading Meredith that we should not otherwise
Modern Spirit,” contains studies on George have. He was a great artist; and that Mr.
Meredith, Oscar Wilde, Maeterlinck, Ibsen, Henderson appreciates. But I am sure few
and Bernard Shaw. I do not understand that | remember him as a philosopher.
these essays are reprints of articles already 1 Far more is this the case with Oscar Wilde.
* INTERPRETERS OF LIFE AND THE MODERN SPIRIT.
| Indeed, in the essay on Wilde there is very
Indeed, in
By Archibald Henderson. New York: Mitchell Kennerloy. 1 little question of interpretation of life. Mr.


1911.]
99
THE DIAL
Henderson kindly reminds us that Wilde said | is quite time that people should think of that
himself, “I treated art as the supreme reality, | matter once more.
and life as a mere mode of fiction.” I would, To mention one or two cases that will serve
indeed, go a little farther than Mr. Henderson as general instances : The comedies of Oscar
in this direction. What a singular element in | Wilde form an important part of his work.
life was the first reading of “Intentions ” some Mr. Henderson's interest is largely in the
twenty years ago! Interpretation it certainly drama, and we should naturally expect him to
was not; but certainly too it made things seer give an estimate of them. The main features
for the time different from what they had been. of those plays are without doubt their dialogue
Mr. Henderson gives a very interesting account and their satire; such is my recollection, and
of Oscar Wilde's career, paying rather the most such seems Mr. Henderson's idea (see pp. 84,
attention to his work in the drama.
86, 88, 93, 94, 96). But these things are not
It may seem capricious to disagree with Mr. | necessarily dramatic : they might be present in
Henderson for emphasizing the philosophy in other forms of writings ; indeed, they are more
the case of Meredith, and also for not emphasiz noteworthy. in “ Intentions” than in the
ing it in the case of Oscar Wilde. I will not comedies. In fact, Mr. Henderson says that
do either with the next essay. Maeterlinck is Wilde's comedies are resplendent by reason of
openly a philosopher as well as an artist. But | qualities that have no intrinsic or organic
Mr. Henderson deals chiefly with Maeterlinck's relation to dramatic art, and he takes pains to
drama, and gives a very interesting review of point out that as far as dramatic technique is
his plays, from the extraordinary « Princess concerned Wilde is an imitator of Scribe, and
Máleine” down to “ The Blue Bird”—a good therefore is far behind the times. In such a
review, and at the end touched with personal case, I should suppose the critic would either
impressions and experience. The essay on analyze the character of Wilde's dialogue and
Ibsen, also,—the most important, or at least satire, and show what was in it, or analyze the
the longest, in the book,-is chiefly a dramatic dramatic technique and show what was not in
record. This is a very careful study, with the it - or else (preferably) do both. An adequate
fundamental notion supplied by Ibsen himself, study of Wilde's paradox and satire would go
of the idea of thoroughly consecutive develop far toward showing wbat his real hold is on
ment. Such a study will be peculiarly interest people who disapprove of him. Mr. Henderson
ing to many people. Ibsen is perhaps not so quotes (p. 92) a very interesting remark of
interesting to-day as he was once, or as he will Professor Hermann Bahr on the subject. That
be. Still, many will be glad to make more sort of thing would really do something toward
definite the somewhat confused series of impres- giving us an idea of Wilde's “interpretation of
sions that surround bis name in their minds. life." A study of the dramatic technique, on
Indeed, this is the case with every essay in the the other hand, would make us see what was the
volume. I know of no other book that has so real weakness of those very attractive pieces of
much actual information on the men he writes work, and how with all their brilliancy they fail
of. Mr. Henderson is sometimes a little too to make the impression upon us that is made by
scintillating for me. He has, I should say, dramas that are really great. But Mr. Hender-
rather too much allusion. But he certainly son's criticism on the subject consists mostly of
has much very interesting detail and fact. allusions : he knows about these things, but he
These superficial remarks, however, do not does not say what he knows. The result is that
make up what seems to me the main point of there is still place for an essay on Oscar Wilde
importance in the work. My chief impression that will give the essential thing about his come-
is that Mr. Henderson is so influenced by the | dies, and, indeed, about his art as a whole.
idea that Ibsen and the others are interpreters I should like to see a book about Oscar Wilde,
of life, that he fails to treat them as dramatists or Ibsen, or Bernard Shaw, or any other dra-
or novelists. I am sure that he cannot really matist, that would not talk around the subject
think they are most important as interpreters of their dramatic art, but would tell us what
of life, but having always that idea in mind, it really is. Mr. Henderson says of Ibsen
he never gets very definitely to the actual liter | (p. 167): “ There can be little doubt that in
ary problem. We have heard so much of “art certain plays the technique displayed is inex-
for art's sake,” of “mere technique,” and so tricably bound up with the literary genius that
on, that it seems trivial to ask for a view of a devised it." I believe that something of that
novel as a novel, of a play as a play. But it | sort is true about any great writer. He is gen-


100
[August 16,
THE DIAL
does not rigtings are signis presentati
erally immensely interested in his technique; other by an English artist who spent a year
and if we insist on being interested in his inter there painting Japanese gardens. Miss Adam's
pretations of life, we run the risk of not seeing “ Behind the Screens in Japan ” is a volume
matters as he sees them. As to Ibsen, I gather of disillusionment; Mr. Tyndale's “J
from Mr. Henderson that he has revolutionized the Japanese” restores to the Sunrise Kingdom
the dramatic technique of Europe. I also its orient charm and leaves one ready to take
gather that his method is fundamentally this : | up again his Lafcadio Hearn. Which is the
to choose certain typical figures and let the dra- true picture of the real Japan? Perhaps, as
matic situations arise from them ; to leave out Dr. Arthur Smith remarks of China, everything
characters that are not significant or necessary that has ever been said of Japan is true. At
to the action ; to complicate the motives that are least, one feels sure that many contradictory
implicit in the action, but to simplify the action experiences of these two writers are soluble in
itself, as by cutting out minor plots; to make the very complex solvent called human nature,
the dialogue more natural by using conversa- and in that particular yellow vessel of the same
tional language, and by leaving soliloquies and solvent that we name the Japanese nation.
asides, and also to make it richer by its sig- Miss Adam writes in a style that gains
nificance of implication. Further, his idea is
generally to give the present as a development | from the vantage-ground of long and intimate
of the past. Such (correct or not) affords a personal acquaintance. Through extended resi-
general statement of technique that one can dence and travel among the Japanese, she has
explain and illustrate, or consider and compare; accumulated in memory a stock of facts, inci-
but it is gathered from half a dozen places in dents, conversations, faces, personalities, that
Mr. Henderson's book, and perhaps after all come readily to her pen and give to her pages
does not rightly represent him.
the charm of good talk by one who knows
These things are significant of the main whereof she speaks. From this well-stored
defect of Mr. Henderson's presentations. He memory she has drawn material for definite
fails to give us a really definite conception of general views of Japanese character, and these
his subject. He is serious and enthusiastic views are very persuasively set forth in the
and appreciative, so that one feels assured that form of incident, portraiture, narrative. Seen
what one is reading is worth while. He avoids | through her eyes, the lustrous lacquer of out-
the very common faults of being gossipy, or ward appearance peels off the present genera-
pretentious, or gushing. He is very instruc tion of much-lauded subjects of the Mikado,
tive as he goes along, both biographically and leaving bare the stuff of which they are com-
bibliographically; one may learn much from posed. Miss Adam's eyes have the faculty of
these essays. He is very brilliant, too, in making this inside stuff seem poor and cheap.
fact, far too brilliant for me, who am too prone Their loved Tokio is ugly and dirty; their
perhaps to detect empty smartness in anything train de luxe from Kobe to the capital is slow
that is not humdrum matter of fact. But some- and stuffy; the passengers are often vulgar and
how I do not get from him very much that is mean. What did one of these gentlemen do when
really definite, either on the subject on which he | a demure little woman had stood balancing
seems to think he is writing, or on the subject herself a long while in a corner of the jolting
on which I presume he really is writing. car and no one had shifted his portmanteau to
EDWARD E. Hala, Jr. give her a seat? He kindly spread a sheet of
newspaper on the floor and motioned her to sit
on that — " which she did gratefully.” And
A BINOCULAR VIEW OF JAPAN.*
how did another gentleman, on a freezing night,
provide himself with fresh air and yet avoit
Not often does the public enjoy a better op-
the danger of a cold? “ He waited till his
portunity for a binocular view of Japan than
neighbor on the opposite side of the car was
is afforded in the recent appearance of two
fast asleep and snoring, then quietly leaned
very diverse studies — the one by an English-
across his sleeping vis à vis and opened his
woman long resident in the Empire, and the
window. Next morning one traveller woke re-
* BEHIND THE SCREENS IN JAPAN: An English woman's freshed, the other found himself buried under
Impressions of Japan. By Evelyn Adam. New York:
a light snow-drift.” When one reads, farther,
G. P. Putnam's Sons.
JAPAN AND THE JAPANESE. By Walter Tyndale. Illus-
of a portly gentleman who disrobed conipletely
| in the car in the presence of a number of
trated in color. New York: The Macmillan Co.


1911.7
101
THE DIAL
foreign ladies and stalked a troublesome flea, customs, and life, or whether because all Japan
one feels that the gold lacquer is gone from a loves a lover of gardens, the Empire delighted
gingerbread article called Japanese courtesy Mr. Tyndale by the charm and gentleness and
Miss Adam is not always so severe as she other virtues of its people.
appears in these incidents. She has a friendly The volume is a narrative of the personal
sense of humor, just a little superior, however, experiences of a landscape painter in a residence
to its object. Few things that she views in of a year and travels extending over a large
Japan does she take with perfect seriousness. portion of the main island of Japan. Beginning
The beholder always smiles—or nearly always. with a glimpse of Moji in the extreme south,
Some of her comic pictures are charming; as the painter takes us through Kobe, Kioto, and
when she describes the Japanese gentleman on through the places of chief charm, up to
sauntering down to the hot spring, sitting on Nikko and down again to Atami. He narrates
the edge of the big sunken tank, cooling one his experiences, portrays many types of men and
corner of the water with a plank, and then | women he met or observed, comments on the
sliding in. He chats with "acquaintances who character of the people, combats hostile foreign
have begun to boil before him.” There may prejudices, describes the scenes he painted, and
be trouble when he bows farewell. “ The out (best of all) gives us thirty-two colored repro
sider can, of course, put in his usual graceful ductions of his own water-colors.
flourishes, but the insider is at a disadvantage; Mr. Tyndale's style is simple and unpreten-
he is almost sure to look like a porpoise about tious; he even slips several times in his gram-
to dive, and if he is not very careful his polite mar. But the impression of his personality
inquiries after the health of his friend may conveyed by the account of his year in Japan is
appear only as air bubbles on the surface of altogether pleasing, and the Japanese appear in
the water.”
his pages very human and possessed of their due
The titles of many of the chapters show the | share of virtues. He exposes certain of the
author's attitude to be one of mild half-amused, | unjust criticisms of the Japanese by foreigners,
half-grieved indignation ; for instance, “A and gives us a vivid description of the rudeness
Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing,” “ A of certain types of foreigners to Japanese. A
Nation of Mimics,” “Bribery and Corruption," landlady at charming Atami bad spent hours in
“ The Awkward Age.” One questions if in the decorating her dining-room for the Christmas
last two chapters in the book — “Some Old dinner to be enjoyed by foreigners from Tokio.
fashioned Virtues” and “Some Reflections" She had taken special pride in the arrangement
there is not contained, besides a résumé of the of her flower centrepiece. When a handsome
subject, also a hint of the source of Miss Adam's young Englishman had twice brushed his fore-
rather satirical attitude toward the Japanese. head against a spray of the plant, he called out
In treating the old-fashioned virtues, she con to the landlady, “Here, old lady! take this
trasts them with the new-fashioned vices. Has damn thing away !” So if, as Miss Adam feels,
Miss Adam lived too long in the awkward age many Japanese are insufferably conceited, many
of transition between the old-fashioned virtues Englishmen are insupportably rude.
and the new, and may we not hope that this Thirty-two colored illustrations lend a very
period will be redeemed richly when the new | unusual charm to this book. They differ widely
virtues arrive? If the people have two souls — in excellence, but a number of them are exqui-
the nigi-mi-tama, or gentle spirit, and the | site pictures. The Bozen-kaku garden, the
ara-mi-tama, or rough spirit — may we not Kiomidzu temple at Kioto with the blossoming
expect a victory of the former over the latter? Judas-tree before it, do something more than
Surely the old-fashioned virtues cannot die and convey one to Japan : they bring one back
leave no inheritors.
endowed with an artist's eyes.
At any rate, it was only the gentle spirit, the
nigi-mi-tama, that revealed itself to our second
writer, Mr. Tyndale. He is a clear-eyed ob-
server, and seems not to have been content to U'NDER the title of " Biographia Epistolaris," Mr. A.
view only the objects before the shoji that Miss
| Turnbull has edited for the Bohn Library the biographi-
Adam pried behind ; and yet he passed the year
cal supplement of Coleridge's “ Biographia Literaria,"
to which he has added a number of other letters.
in Japan with serene spirits and unruffled tem-
Coleridge's letters have but slowly come to light, but
per. Whether because he is an artist and could
there are more than two hundred of them in the two
see only the quaint artistry of Japanese dress, / volumes of this collection.
NNAMAKER.


102
(August 16,
THE DIAL
AN EXPOSITOR OF UNITARIANISM.*
will be but for a moment. The style is the
usual clear and reasoning discourse of the
Recognizing, as they do, the right to differ, | author of “ The Introduction to the Middle
members of the Independent or Congregational Ages” — of the scholar who is perfectly sure
Churches would not assume to speak with au-
of his ground and convinced of the soundness
thority of the views of these bodies, yet they
of his position, free from the bitterness of
cannot refrain from testifying of the light sectarian strife, conscious of essential harmony
that has been vouchsafed them. It might be
with the best thought of his time.
expected that Mr. Emerton, as professor of
Quite in accord with the emphasis and im-
Church History, would indulge in much more portance given to this branch of Unitarian
history of doctrines than may be found in his
thought, Mr. Emerton's longest and best chap-
recent attempt to state the Unitarian position. ter is that on the Nature of Man. The Uni-
In fact, he indulges in very little technical
tarian thought of God was at heart the thought
theology, but states in a clear and scholarly
of nearly all great thinkers in all sects before
manner his view of the distinctive position of
modern Unitarianism arose. But the dignity
Unitarianism: the unitary nature of the uni-
and worth of human nature, the protest against
verse governed by unchanging law, the dignity the doctrine of the fallen and depraved nature
and indefinite perfectibility of human nature,
of man,- it was this which most distinguished
the value of the Bible as the unique but wholly
the protests of Priestly, Channing, Emerson,
fallible religious literature of Judaism and
and Parker. It is this standpoint to which all
early Christianity, the equally unique and fal-
modern Christian churches have come, although
lible moral leadership of the man Jesus, the
thus brought into often unconscious conflict with
repudiation of sacrificial mediatorship and the the traditional creeds and watchwords which
substitution for it of a conception of progres stand upon their banners and their shields.
sive redemption by character, the church as
On the other hand, Mr. Emerton is less ex-
the family of the religious-minded, the trust in
plicit than his inquiring readers may expect on
the future life, the fatherhood of God.
the subject of the nature of God. A “great
Professor Emerton is writing in part for
city daily” recently informed its readers that
those persons who have wan unfavorable im- |
Unitarians do not believe in a personal God.
pression of Unitarians as wicked and danger They could not find the denial of the affir-
ous persons not safely to be intrusted with
mation of this unwarranted statement in the
important public or private duties,” and there-
present volume. Unitarians have learned how
fore rightly points out how the Unitarian stand-
greatly the word “ personality” is misunder-
point is often the older, the primitive one; or
stood, and regarding the nature of God they are
again, how it has developed from older views,
cautious about dogmatizing. Most of them are
still maintaining points of contact. While he
willing to sum up their beliefs in the beautiful
does not so insistently emphasize the fact that
poem of Mr. Hosmer, a stanza of which intro-
the views he presents are practically those of duces Mr. Emerton's chapter:
the leaders of all the great Christian churches
“One thought I have, my ample creed,
save the Roman Catholic, any so-called ortho-
So deep it is and broad,
dox reader of his book may well ask himself, If
And equal to my every need,-
this is Unitarian belief, why do the Unitarians
It is the thought of God.”
constitute a separate body? It is because they
W. H. CARRUTH.
are not willing to be part of the “large and
respectable fraction of the membership in all
the orthodox' sects that is retained only by PRINCESS LOUISA OF TUSCANY, who deliberately
sacrifices of sincerity which cannot be made compromised herself in the eyes of the Saxon Court that
forever with impunity.” In setting forth the she might escape the tyranny that it exercised over the
point of view of the older church, the author is
expression of her individuality, has added to her offence
against the standards of propriety at Dresden by an-
sometimes so sympathetic and so earnest that
nouncing that she has written the story of the events
a reader quite unacquainted with the differences which led to her sensational escape. It is rumored that
will be misled into thinking that he is reading the announcement was met by a threat from the court
the author's views rather than those which he
to stop the ex-crown princess' annual allowance of
is criticizing. But such a misunderstanding
$15,000, but that the lady was not deterred. Messrs.
Putnam, who will publish the book in the Fall, say it is
*UNITARIAN Thought. By Ephraim Emerton. New not only dramatic but true to the facts on both sides of
York: The Macmillan Co.
the long fight which Princess Louisa waged.


1911.)
103
THE DIAL
Then shall I be rewarded with the void,
RECENT POETRY.*
The inviolable darkness and the dust,
“ The Collected Poems of Maurice Baring” are
The secrecy, the silence, and the sleep
Unbroken by the struggling pangs of morn."
the exhibitions, decorous and restrained, of a sensi-
tive soul, responsive to many aspects of beauty. |
How many a wearied spirit has felt that sleep,
They give unfailing pleasure, yet they do no, after all, is best, and longed, with this poet, for
greatly stir the emotional deeps. This is one of | rest in the garden of Proserpine!
Mr. Baring's sonnets.
“ The Little City” of Mr. Wilfred Rowland
" She listened to the music of the spheres ;
Childe's fancy is thus described :
We thought she did not hear our happy strings;
“Between the moon and sun,
Stars diademmed her hair in misty rings,
Far, far beyond the stars,
And all too late we knew those stars were tears.
Where comes not any one,
Without she was a temple of pure snow,
Nor roll the great world's cars,
Within were piteous flames of sacrifice;
With an angel all day through,
And underneath the dazzling mask of ice
That wears a golden crown,
A heart of swiftest fire was dying slow.
And is robed in red and blue,
I find the Little Town."
She in herself, as lonely lilies fold
Stiff silver petals over secret gold,
It is a pleasant place, but only dreamers find access
Shielded her passion, and remained afar
to it. Mr. Childe's little book of poetical flutter-
From pity. Cast red roses on the pyre!
ings has many charms, not the least of which is the
She that was snow shall rise to Heaven as fire
artful naïveté of its expression. The author is at
In the still glory of the morning star."
his best in the rapt and quiet mood of such a poem
The greater part of Mr. Baring's collection is as “Vespers."
given up to longer pieces, mostly dramatic in form. “The light is going away from the dear world:
There is a fine “Tristram and Iseult” in five acts,
It is all vanished with the sunken sun;
a masque of “Proserpine,” two dramatic scenes
Into long lines of rest the clouds are curled,
And slumber - all but one.
with the Black Prince for their hero, and a poem
“ That, hung up-piled, shines over all its height
dealing with the legend of “Sigurd.” From the
With loveliest gold and rose of softened fire,
last named of these we extract the verses, in which
Borrowing from the west unearthlier light,
the Volsung, on the eve of death in battle, chooses
As it mounts slowly higher.
the eternal future that he would fain have for his “Quickly like a dream the evening
own.
Droops with its dim veils on the silent wood;
“I that have battled though my soul despaired,
A few brown birds make deeper as they sing
And loved with love more great, more sad than death,
The heavenly solitude.
I that have borne irreparable wrong,
“ Ah, blessèd dream! surely I seem to see
Which ages of bright bliss cannot repair;
How in Her place of light where no wind blows,
I, knowing that the hour of Fate has come,
Shines in Her glorious virginity
Would fain at last possess the whole of peace.
The White and Mystic Rose.
Let me be drenched in Death's divinest dew,
Let me be cradled in immensity,
“Alas! the darkness falls upon my vision,
Let me inherit all oblivion
And on the woods it falls, and on the lands ;
And the impregnable night of the dumb grave, –
Yet, though the cities hold it in derision,
The night unvisited by any star,
The City of Heaven stands."
The sleep unvexed by any wandering dream.
The gleam of mysticism softly sbines upon many
*THE COLLECTED POEMS OF MAURICE BARING. New of these poems, and their wistful quality makes
York : The John Lane Co.
them very appealing.
THE LITTLE CITY. By Wilfred Rowland Childe.
In Mr. D. A. Slater's “ Æneas," the Virgilian hero
Oxford: B. H. Blackwell.
Æneas, and Other Verses and Versions. By D. A. Slater.
thus defends himself against the charge of perfidy
London: Henry Frowde.
to Dido :
POEMS AND BALLADS. By Henry De Vere Stacpoole.
"Mother o'mine, thou knowest,
New York : Duffield & Co.
No traitor I, ... save that I was a man.
THE PORCH OF PARADISE. By Anna Bunston. London:
But when, ah God, I had given all else to stay
Herbert & Daniel,
Lapped round with love, my glory forfeited,
THE VOICES OF THE RIVERS. By Nina Salaman. Cam-
Or plunged beneath the foam and passed with her
bridge: Bowes & Bowes.
To some dim bower of rest beyond the strife,
Thy stern, imperious mandate drove me on
THE NEW HESPERIDES, and Other Poems. By Joel
Elias Spingarn. New York: The Sturgis & Walton Co.
Unloved, unresting: still the waste of seas,
The din of battle, hazardous emprise,
THE HOUSE OF ORCHIDS, and Other Poems. By George
Unsatisfying conflict, till our gods
Sterling. San Francisco: A. M. Robertson.
Were stablished in the Westland, and our Troy
Pagan SONNETS. By John Myers O'Hara. Portland,
Within the Westland found her promised home,
Maine: Smith & Sale.
Whence Justice should go forth to rule the world.
POEMS. By Herbert Müller Hopkins. Boston: Richard
... Not happines but duty, thine and mine,
G. Badger.
Not happiness but patience was the star
SOLDIERS OF THE LIght. By Helen Gray Cone. Boston: To steer by; so we laid the course, for so
Richard G. Badger.
From those ten years of travail within Troy
BY THE SEA, and Other Poems. By Anne Cleveland Should spring the centuries of world-wide strength,
Cheney. Boston: Sherman, French & Co.
Steadfast unshaken strength, the dower of Rome."


104
[August 16,
THE DIAL
Mr. Slater's little sheaf of verses is made up of “Suffering has long been acknowledged as an
classical gleanings, and shows us once more how | indispensable factor in the building up of souls ;
sure are the foundations of good taste and poetical the place of love and happiness is less secure. It
feeling that are built upon the rock of Greek and is at least possible that there are stunted souls who
Roman literature. Working with such a basis, it cannot converse fully with the Divine Father till
becomes almost impossible for a poet to achieve hey have had ampler draughts from the breasts of
banality or dulness.
natural joy. Aquinas speaks of two kinds of joy :
The “Poems and Ballads” of Mr. Henry De Vere joy in God and joy in His works. The writer has
Stacpoole are songs of England, France, and Greece, not ventured to do more than trouble the curtain
of the seasons, of dreamland, and of childhood. that hides the power, and the joys of the Porch of
Some are spirited, as “ Cavaliers, O Cavaliers ! ” Paradise are chiefly of the latter, or joys such as we
“ Ye had faults, but, God, how fine
haltingly pursue upon this present earth.” Thus
Were ye in those troublous years!
Miss Anna Bunston discourses, in explanation of
Loved ye women, dice, and wine,
her narrative poem in blank verse which she calls
But in battle how divine
Stood ye forth, O Cavaliers !
" The Porch of Paradise.” It is a poem of mys-
ticism, describing a pilgrimage through some imag-
“We have men and we have swords,
And a name the whole world fears,
inary world — a shadowy world, yet deeply affected
Yet by futile men of words
by the emotions of humankind — under the guid-
Driven are we like the herds,
ance of St. Thomas Aquinas. A passage taken al-
Twisted like the vane that veers.
most anywhere will illustrate its quality, for the
“Wake in us, 0 Spirits grand,
poem is of remarkably even excellence. These are
For our turning-point now nears,
almost the closing lines of the work:
By the strength of England's hand
She shall fall or she shall stand
“We ceased, for Heaven's tender melodies,
Queenly in the unborn years.
The sum of every welcoming since life
“One for King and Country, all,
Began, God's heart made audible, swelled out
Upon our ears. Beside us all the dusk
Heedless though the whole world hears,
Was troubled as with flight of homing birds,
Sound the bugle, at the call
And lo! our best and loveliest, the sons
Help us so ve hold the wall!
Of God too kingly to be hid, were sped
Cavaliers, O Cavaliers !”
Toward the haven of their hearts' desire
Some are prettily fanciful, as “Toy Town":
And ours. They were our vanguard, they the hands
“ All April-green 'neath April skies
To grasp the shore which soon the feet should tread,
The outer petals of the living rose
Beyond the land of Spring it lies;
Red with the wine of Christ; that rose of which
Beyond the hills and far away,
The flower of Sharon was the archetype.
A vanished country quaint and gay.
And we, who shared one sap, one dew, with them,
“Sometimes in Spring, when south winds blow,
And with the folded leaflet, of the church
And o'er the blue the white clouds go,
On earth were not cast down because some leaves
Nodding in dreams I hear from there
Leant over-ripe and revolute, but stood,
Faint sounds as of a distant fair;
Our thankful Nunc Dimittis said, to hear
The tap of drums, toy trumpets blown,
The firmamental praise, the singing stars,
The hubbub of a fairy town, —
The voice of many waters and the sound
“A town the strange metropolis
Of harps, the song of first fruits unto God,
The clash of cymbals and the cry of strings,
Of folk whose curious faith was this:
The six-winged seers Trisagion, the hymns
A firm belief in Noah's Ark
Of all the elders with the rhythmic beat
By day, and goblins after dark."
Of angels' wings like forest leaves in June.”
And some are finely imaginative, as the “Hymn to
Selene."
Miss Nina Salaman's “The Voices of the
“She hath watered her steeds at the mystic wells
Rivers" is a volume of little lyrics, now grave and
Where the spirit of sleep in the lotus dwells,
now tender, of which this “Song of a Night” may
Pallid and fair o'er the twilit tides
be given as an example:
O'er the asphodels
And the night she glides
“ Thank God for stars, thank God for night at last,
“ Above her lieth the steep dark, free
Such night with stars to give the darkness eyes.
Swept by the winds of infinity;
O could the soul find voice in any wise
The spume of her steeds as a pale fire spills
While every night was blind before the blast ?
O'er the slumbrous sea,
“When every night was mad with tempest cries,
O'er the silent hills.
When heaven's face was utterly withdrawn,
“Night behind on the dark sea's brink
And night seemed dark beyond all power of dawn,
Watcheth her coursers pale and sink,
Could soul cast song against the deafened skies ?
Before her day like a dappled fawn
Steals to drink
“ Thank God for stars again, and watch the morn:
At the pools of dawn.
What shall the day be, born of such a night?
“ Hail! O maiden who casteth thy light
Flushing of skies and glow of gradual light;---
O'er the dark fields and the valleys of night,
Heart, save thy singing till the day is born.”
O’er the wan cities, the woodlands fair;
Earthly delight
A deeply religious note is sounded in most of these
- And the world's despair.”
simple and sincere songs.


1911.)
105
THE DIAL
In his stately and beautiful poem, “The New | pression. His phrases and cadences are carefully
Hesperides," written for the Society of Phi Beta considered, for he is not a fluent poet, but he rarely
Kappa, Mr. Joel Elias Spingarn bids us live once fails to strike a high note with pure intonation.
more in the dream which inspired the early seekers
A striking illustration of the poetry that may
after a new world, and shaped itself in fact with
be found in prosaic subjects is afforded by Mr.
the expedition of Columbus. The myth of Atlantis
George Sterling's verses on “The Apothecary's,”
and the legendary voyages of St. Malo and St.
with the “red and emerald beacons” that attract
Brandan are woven with the narratives of a more
the passer-by.
authentic history into a tapestry of quest and
achievement that is fair to look upon. And all
“Venoms of vision, myrrh of splendid swoons,
They wait us past the green and scarlet moons.
these elements are merged into a prophetic vision
Here prisoned rest the tender hands of Peace,
of that new world of the spirit which the future
And there an angel at whose bidding cease
may disclose in this western hemisphere.
The clamors of the tortured sense, the strife
Of nerves confounded in the war of life.
“O country that Columbus sought in vain,
Within this vial pallid Sleep is caught,
And seeking thee De Leon found no peace,
In that, the sleep eternal. Here are sought
For us they left the dream to reap, and gain
Such webs as in their agonizing mesh
A fairer Golden Fleece;
Draw back from doom the half-reluctant flesh.
For us they left the unascended heights,
There beck the traitor joys to him who buys,
And in our lives to light the eternal fires,
And Death sits panoplied in gorgeous guise."
Like pinnacled stars of unimagined nights;
For us they left these more than Fortunate Isles, Mr. Sterling's sonnets are singularly fine, and may
Found in the highest heaven of our desires,
be illustrated by “The Huntress of Stars."
And guarded round with nature's sweetest smiles;
Oh, dearest land, that deep in Lincoln's heart,
“Tell me, 0 Night! What horses hale the moon!
In Franklin's brain, and in the righteous sword
Those of the sun now rear on Syria's day,
Of Washington, hast reared thine eagle's nest,
But here the steeds of Artemis delay
And in their fame they greater glory stored,
At heavenly rivers hidden from the noon,
Kindling the light that never can depart,
Or quench their starry thirst at cisterns hewn
In that high citadel within the mind,
In midnight's deepest sapphire, ere she slay
Whose masonry outlasts the baser hand,
The Bull, and hide the Pleiades' dismay,
They built a realm we daily hope to find.
Or drown Orion in a silver swoon.
“Oh, who can tell the harvest we shall reap,
Are those the stars, and not their furious eyes,
Who sow as seeds the truths that never sleep,
That now before her coming chariot glare?"
Daring the future? Not for us to solve
Is that their nebulous, phantasmal breath —
The unreasoning reason of superfluous woe,
Trailed like a mist upon the winter skies,
Death, and the mystery of our sins and hates,
Or vapors from a Titan's pyre of death —
That hold the heart of starry faith aglow;
Far-wafted on the orbit of Altair?"
But Time to conquer, and unequal fates
“ What names the stars have!” William Vaughn
To equalize in their supreme resolve,
Thro' the slow changes of unchanging time:
Moody once said to us, upon a chance mention of
All the great nations shaped themselves for this, Antares. Mr. Sterling has a clear sense of the
All the great battles fought for this one cry,
poetical value of star-names, as many of his pieces
All the great heroes died for this one bliss ; -
show. He has been daring enough to write an
O lovely Eden, panting in the sway
That freedom gives, grow mightier with its powers,
additional chapter for the Book of Job, and these
And prove thy heroes did not die in vain,
are its closing verses :
In the mere turmoil of insurgent hours;
For now at last the world is man's to gain,
“Who setteth Capella and Achernar to be gods for a term,
And all our hopes foresee that happier day
and a guide upon the deep to strange peoples;
When man with God shall in one godhead reign.”
Who maketh Altair and Rigel the captains of His host;
Who leaneth His spear upon Sirius ere the trumpets call;
Besides this titular poem, Mr. Spingarn's volume Who holdeth Vega His armor-bearer, and hangeth His
gives us a group of exquisite minor pieces, and a buckler upon Aldebaran;
Who hath convoked their chariots against the lamps of
lovely “ Prothalamion” from which we may make
Evil, and their swords against the abyss.
one brief quotation :
Who healeth the day with night, and thy heart's wound
“Not here within the bridal clasp of hands,
with the hands of little children;
But in the Eden of your highest hope,
Even they that seek the breast in darkness, hushing the
The perfect future stands ;
voices that were aforetime.
You do foretoken that diviner day
The wind cometh, the dust is troubled for a season, but
We eat our hearts in praying for, and grope
hath rest when the wind departeth.”
Thro' shadows on the never-ending way;
“ The House of Orchids and Other Poems” is the
The goal is far, but earth and heaven the prize;
title of the noteworthy volume from which the above
And yield to every hope your nuptials rouse ;
quotations have been taken.
For echoing Sinai, Nazareth is wise,
And all the heartache of the grinding years
There are forty-two of Mr. John Myers O'Hara's
Is buried in your deathless marriage vows.” “ Pagan Sonnets,” prefaced by a confession of
Mr. Spingarn is a welcome accession to the choir pagan faith (with several misprints) quoted from
of our younger singers; he has the sense of beauty, Gautier. “Valor" is the sonnet which has given us
conjoined with the gift of refined and subtle ex- ' the greatest pleasure.


106
[August 16,
THE DIAL
song."
“Not now, my soul, must thou turn craven thing, Gray Cone's “Soldiers of the Light.” It is followed
And cede thy conquered lands as death's domain ! by a poem for the Lincoln Centenary, from which
Are life's grim fields of battle void of gain
And the old reckless ardor wavering?
we quote one section :
No fear to thee should any menace bring;
“ Last, all his duty done, -
The world's grey lies fell foiled from thy disdain, All the dark bondmen freed,
Its blades of hate have met thy steel in vain;
The long-sought leader found, the piteous victory won,–
An epinikion is thine to sing !
Arrived for him one hour of April sun
What! like a boy to blanch with battle fear
Wherein he breathed free as the forest again,
Nor chafe the hours that lag before the fray ?
In glad good will to men
I scorn the thought as Spartan would the sin.
Nursing some vast forgiveness in his mind.
My blood mounts bold as creeps the conflict near,
Then - all turned blank and blind.
And lone upon that last Thermopylæ,
Dare we remember the tragic lilac-time
I wait the combat none may hope to win.”
Crimsoned with that mad crime ?
These sonnets are boldly chiselled, and rich in
Nay, hush! Ye have heard how sacrifice must close
The supreme service; 't is the way God chose.”
verbal beauties. They exhibit also, we regret to
say, occasional verbal infelicities, and there is at Another memorial poem is the “Death-Tryst”
times a straining for effect that jars their harmony. piece in terza rima upon the passing of Tennyson.
But they are fairly deserving of the author of the “One slept a sacred sleep, while golden lay
Gappho paraphrase, as well as of the luxurious form
Autumnal moonlight glorious on his bed, -
in which they are printed.
Sleep ebbing death ward like a sea-drawn bay.
The late Herbert Müller Hopkins was a college
“A Book was in his hand, whence late he read
Majestic words of that great Spirit that still
professor, and the author of two or three readable
Doth haunt by Avon April-garlanded.
novels. He also wrote verses for various magazines,
and these have now been collected by his widow
“So sleeping, held he fast with fixed will
His Master's Book; and all the night was peace,
into a book. They are pleasing verses, embodying
Bright peace on lawn and terrace, dale and hill.
trim sentiments tastefully expressed, the work of a
“Calm consummation, and most sweet surcease!
scholarly and cultivated mind. The following is
That tryst of sovereign powers Death would not wrong,
a typical example:
Shattering the bars with all-too-rough release,
“I stood in dreams beside the gate,
But softly dealt. — They rule in splendor long,
Large lights, a moon and sun in England's heaven of
Where'er that gate may be,
Where souls released from earth's estate
Pass on eternally
The following beautiful sonnet on “ The Common
From out this whirl of strife and hate
Street” must be added to our examples :
On death's untroubled sea.
“The common street climbed up against the sky,
“ From battle-field and flood, and fire,
And lingering beds of pain,
Gray meeting gray; and wearily to and fro
I saw the patient, common people go,
Purged of importunate desire,
Each with his sordid burden trudging by.
And white without a stain,
And the rain dropped; there was not any sigh
I saw them pass, an endless choir,
Or stir of a live wind; dull, dull and slow
Hymning a glad refrain.
All motion; as a tale told long ago
“The aged man, his youth renewed,
The faded world; and creeping night drew nigh.
The child with wondering eyes,
“ Then burst the sunset, flooding far and fleet,
The youth with flaming hopes endued,
Leavening the whole of life with magic leaven.
Seeking a high emprise
Suddenly down the long wet glistening hill
Winging on happy certitude
Pare splendor poured — and lo! the common street,
The pathway of the skies.”
A golden high way into golden beaven,
In lighter mood, the author celebrates the virtues With the dark shapes of men ascending still."
of man's chief solace:
Miss Cone is too true a poet to have remained so long
“ Had Horace known tobacco's pleasure
voiceless, and we welcome this new volume taking us
He never would have wasted measure
by surprise after these many years of silence.
And wealth of epithet divine,
On Lydian maid and Massic wine,
The delicate fancy of Miss Anne Cleveland
For smoking brings us twice the gladness, Cheney's poems may be appropriately illustrated by
Without the headache or the madness.
“ The Mist":
“ When Thaliarchus brought the cup,
“ I fall,- I fold
And Horace heaped the driftwood up,
The hill, the wold,
When all without was night and snow,
In closely clinging, cool embraces;
And all within was cheerful glow,
I bathe the lifted flower-faces,
Their happiness, though great indeed,
I spread the lawn with fairy laces
Still lacked the comfort of the weed."
And show all Nature filmy-stoled.
Mr. Hopkins also made acceptable bits of transla-
“I form, -I float,
tion from the classics, including the “ Pervigilium
A wraith-like boat
Veneris."
Among the mere-side's long, lush grasses ;
In torn and fringy-fluttering masses,
A long hexameter poem on “The Third Day at
I glide adown the birchen passes ---
Gettysburg” stands in the forefront of Miss Helen!
A gray old Lear in tattered coat.


1911.]
107
THE DIAL
on Ruskin.
"I wind, - I wreathe
gacy; but the former will explain the “ Astrophel
A lattice, – breathe
to Stella" sonnets of Sidney. Professor Fletcher
Between its bars — presage the morning, -
Stir Beauty with a fine, faint warning, -
shows that they are the expression of the devotion
Leave pearls, her mignonette adorning, -
of the “servant” to his mistress. They do not cele-
Then steal down vines to the beds beneath. brate a vulgar liaison, nor are they an exercise in
"I creep, - I crawl
imitation of a prevailing mode. Stella is the “star
By lichened wall,
of love, seen first as woman, then as God," who
And through a mournful iron grating,
leads the lover to overcome the baleful power of
To where the Dead lie stilly waiting;
As one that is blind, each graven slating
Desire, and to " rise above even purified love of
I trace for the name where my tears shall fall."
mortal beauty to the love of the divine elements'
themselves of beauty in God.” Such an inter-
Miss Cheney's volume is entitled "By the Sea, and
Other Poems," and is a product of the New En-
pretation should set at rest Mr. Lee's jealousy for
Sidney's reputation, and show M. Jusserand that a
gland coast. The following blank verse lines may
be taken to show the influence of nature upon the
poet may write very eloquently of love without a gen-
imaginative mind :
uine passion being the basis of his fervent poetry.
“ There is an Attic radiance in the air;
Of distinct interest to all of Ruskin's
So chaste and keen, it cuts the day as clear
Mr. Benson
admirers, and perhaps of more value
As some Greek marble, on the fancy's mood -
even than a new biography, is Mr.
A gleaming beauty and a curving grace, -
And glint of sandaled footsteps on the strand,
A. C. Benson's “Ruskin, a Study in Personality”
While cloud-groups yonder seem to rise and shine, (Putnam), the seven chapters of which were deliv-
Like Doric ruins from the rippling blue;
ered as lectures at Magdalen College, Cambridge,
And by the thrilling fragrance everywhere,
in 1910. They are not changed in form or style,
I know 't is Pæstum yonder, and the breath
Her peerless roses, yielding up their hearts
and their author claims for his work only the merit
In the sea-god's temple, and my happy soul,
of a sketch, not that of a finished portrait. The
A censer lifted for the worshiping sweet.”
book, however, is more than a sketch; it is, indeed,
WILLIAM MORTON PAYNE. a study in personality, keen and clear in its account
ing of Ruskin as a man, as a vital force in England's
life, the spirit of the man weighing infinitely more
BRIEFS ON NEW Books.
in the scale of values than the dogma or criticism
for which he was responsible. It is Mr. Benson's
Not long ago, in noticing a book on idea that Ruskin's peculiar temperament was due to
Woman's beauty
Y the influence of women on the poets, his Lowland Scotch descent (he was three-fourths
as religious cult.
we pointed out that much might be Lowland Scotch); and certain it is that the strenu-
done to clear up the whole question of woman's ous Biblical training of his youth, which had such
influence in literature. There is now a prospect of influence upon his character and his style, was a
this being accomplished. Professor J. B. Fletcher direct consequence of this descent. The important
has gathered together several essays on platonic point in our comprehension of Ruskin is that we
love, under the title of the first one, “ The Religion should recognize that he was preëminently a moral-
of Beauty in Woman” (Macmillan); and he states ist. He was not a critic of art in any strict sense,
in his preface that they are “ chapters of a possible nor a poet in a freer sense, expressing himself in
literary history of Woman.” Platonic love is per. prose, but a moralist philosopħizing on art, dealing
haps one of the most curious and interesting of the with the ethics of art, always in search of moral
numerous spheres of influence that have brought ideas. Toward Ruskin and his teaching, Mr. Ben-
woman into the field of literature. It became a son's attitude is that of reverent discipleship; but
cult in the Italian Renaissance, but its origins go he is not the less sensitive to his master's limitations
back to Plato on the one hand and to Dante and Ruskin is “a great guide but an unsafe ruler.”
Plotinus on the other. From being a religion in “ Art has now learned that Ruskin was right [in
Dante and the great souls of the Renaissance, such • Modern Painters'], but not exclusively right.'
as Castiglione and Michelangelo, with their sensuous On the other side, of course, the author is intensely
and spiritual love of beauty, it degenerated into the sympathetic with Ruskin's ideals, and impressively
institution of the cicesbeo in Italy, the Hôtel Ram eloquent in his appreciation of the virtue and value
bouillet in France, and the “new religion in love”. of Ruskin's work. The author of “The Upton
at the Court of Charles I. Dante's love for Beatrice Letters” has now a wide circle of responsive read
was a variety of religious experience. She was the ers who will welcome this volume - not so much
mouthpiece of God, and the means of salvation; | because it deals with Ruskin as because it is Mr
the goal of Dante's spiritual journey is spontaneous | Benson's latest work. There is much to please and
self-surrender and perfect self-renunciation. Love stimulate the reader in this little book. What, for
is a self-effacing homage. It is a far cry from this, instance, does Mr. Benson himself think about Art
or from Castiglione's power in ourselves that makes He tells us here; he even hazards what, in its way
for righteousness, to the platonic love of the Stuart might serve for a definition: “ Art," he says, “is
court, which was for the most part masked profli- | nothing but the love of beauty finding utterance.


108
(August 16,
THE DIAL
In the capital
A compendium
And dicta of this nature are abundant in these | Michigan Schoolmasters' Club. The body of the
well-filled pages. Mr. Benson's delightful manner volume consists of seven symposia, dealing respect-
of expression hardly needs description. His quiet, ively with the relation of classical studies to medi-
incisive style, so temperate yet so confident, com cine, engineering, the law, theology, practical affairs,
forts (as a New Testament writer would say) the the new education, and formal discipline. These
reader. It is not the occasional passages of grace- symposia, presented at various Classical Confer-
ful eloquence, but the easy attitude of dignity and ences, are preceded in the volume by three chapters
self-command, the quiet tone, the friendly flow of from the pen of Professor Kelsey himself, and one
frankness, that give his style its distinctive charm
from Professor R. M. Wenley, who from the chair
of Philosophy has always extended the most hearty
The latest account of Russian Turº support to his classical colleagues in the faculty at
of Tamerlane.
kestan comes from the pen of Mr. Ann Arbor. The synıposia themselves have been
William Eleroy Curtis, and, as might previously published, partly in “The School Review"
be expected, the keen observations of this trained
and the remainder in “The Educational Review.”
and travelled journalist make the book, “Turkestan, Two of them — those dealing with the benefit of
the Heart of Asia” (George H. Doran Co.), a most classical studies to students of medicine and engi-
readable volume. A wonderful wealth of history neering - have had the honor of publication in
and romance is associated with Mery and Khiva, Germany, in a translation by Professor von Arnim,
Bokhara and Samarkand, and Mr. Curtis gives a of the University of Vienna. It is to be hoped that
striking account of the wretched state of the sur in this more permanent form, with the added
vivors of former greatness. “All the imposing | attraction of the excellent introductory chapters by
structures that once gave Samarkand its reputation Professors Kelsey and Wenley, they will receive
as the finest city in Asia have either disappeared renewed attention and do their appropriate share in
or are in an advanced stage of decay and dilapida fostering sounder ideas of culture than are gener-
tion. They have been almost entirely stripped of ally prevalent in American education of the “up to
the adornments that made them famous, and the date ” variety.
earthquakes that occur every few years diminish
the number of turquoise and azure domes and the
Henceforth, no more talk of “strug-
dimensions of the enamelled walls, and increase of literary gling authors ”; or, at least, if the
the heaps of débris which now cover the ground.”
experience. phrase does not vanish from our
No less interesting will be the account of the rapid
speech it will not be for lack of an exhaustive set-
development of Turkestan since the Russian occupa-
ting forth of the conditions of successful writing.
tion. Cotton-growing is the great industry there
The three hundred and sixty pages of Colles and
at present. Half the Russian consumption comes
Cresswell's “Success in Literature” (Duffield) are
from Turkestan, and in time she hopes to be free so comprehensive in scope and so replete with sane
from all dependence on the United States, although
and measured utterance that the reader marvels at
American seed and machinery have been used in
the way in which a compilation is made to give the
the development of the industry. It is a bit surpris impression of perfect familiarity on the part of its
ing to learn that in the capital of Tamerlane "men
writers with every form of literary effort. Poetry,
go about the streets on those nuisances called motor-
to be sure, is not included in their instruction,
cycles. There are two or three garages with wide.
presumably for the reason that they realize the
open doors, and the toot-toot-toot of the automobiles
audacity of attempting to penetrate the mysteries
makes you jump every now and then while you are
of the thankless Muse; but every form of prose
crossing the street." Much of the book is, of literature (or perhaps it would be better to say
course, devoted to ancient Turkestan, to Tamerlane
writing, for the tendency of the book is slightly
and his times; but its real value lies in the account
toward considering the business, rather than the art,
of present conditions along the line of Mr. Curtis's
of writing) is so learnedly and lucidly and wisely
travels. The excellent illustrations are from photo-
discussed, and the work so abounds in counsel
graphs by Mr. John T. McCutcheon.
derived directly from the pens of authors in all
tongues, ancient and modern, and indirectly from
eek It is a noteworthy fact that a pow the record of their successes and failures, that it
Latin and Greek
in American erful defense of Latin and Greek might well be called a compendium of literary expe-
education should come from one of our great rience. Every aspirant to literary success will find
State universities of the middle West. We refer to recorded in its pages many of his own thoughts
the volume of “Humanistic Papers" coming from and experiences. He will also find himself regaled
the Macmillan press among the publications of the | with plenty of advice, which seems to have been
University of Michigan, and bearing the special framed expressly for himself ... so much, indeed,
title of “ Latin and Greek in American Education.” that if he attempts to follow it all, or any consider-
The idea of these papers was conceived by Professor able part of it, he will be impelled to the conclusion
Francis W. Kelsey, in connection with the Classical -- to borrow a clause from the book itself - that
Conferences held under his leadership for a good “his natural abilities are in danger of being para-
many years past as a part of the programme of the 1 lyzed by a plethora of salutary admonitions.”


1911.]
109
THE DIAL
wanderlust.
Eleven years ago Mrs. Alice Willard ity with which changes are taking place on the surface
Victims of the Solenberger (then Miss Willard) was
of the earth. In order to bring the atlas down to the
placed in charge of the Central Dis-
present time, it has been necessary to make new maps
trict of the Chicago Bureau of Charities, and there
of Western Canada, the South Polar regions, Oklahoma,
Alaska, Panama, and the North Pole. Maps of the
she made a careful study of the homeless men who
North Central and North Eastern parts of the United
in large numbers applied to her for aid. Her investi-
States will show the main inter-urban trolley lines.
gations are now published under the auspices of the
Beginning with the age of Chaucer and Lydgate, the
Russell Sage Foundation in a handy volume entitled
University of Cambridge has produced or inspired a
“One Thousand Homeless Men” (Charities Publi great quantity of verse. The names related with it
cation Committee, New York). Mrs. Solenberger's include many of the most famous in English poetry,
death last December made necessary an explanatory among them being Spenser, Herbert, Milton, Gray,
preface to her work from another hand; and this Coleridge, Wordsworth, and Tennyson. Consequently
is written by Mr. Francis H. McLean, who tells
the new “Book of Cambridge Verse” (Macmillan),
which Mr. E. E. Kellett has edited, has no lack of material
us, among other things, that “she believed that the
from which to select. The volume is a thick one, illus-
personality-by-personality method of the charity
trated with portraits. The fresher part of its contents
organization movement had been too little used with
will be found in the later pages, which give many wel-
homeless men and boys, and that until we employ
come examples of the diversions in verse of the dons of
this method with them, neither our theories regard recent years. We have been particularly taken by Dr.
ing vagrancy nor our efforts to reduce it will be Skeats's parody of Chaucer in the ingenious lines to
based upon a solid foundation of knowledge.” In “ Dr. Furnivall and the Oxford Dictionary” (from
the body of the book we have a most careful analysis | M. S. Harl. 7334, fol. 999, back).
of the records of one thousand homeless men, indi-
cating as far as possible the causes of this homeless-
ness, the characteristics of the men, their individual
NOTES.
treatment, their environment, and the social reme-
dies to be applied. Appended matter gives further
The Century Co. will issue this Fall a revised and
details, tabulated statistics, and some photogravure
enlarged edition of Mr. John Muir's “Mountains of
California," with a complete new index and many illus-
illustrations of lodging-house interiors. It is note-
trations.
worthy how many of Mrs. Solenberger's vagrants
Three essays by Mr. G. Lowes Dickinson, which have
were first made such by the unquenchable wander-
been used as lectures and as contributions to periodi-
lust that seizes upon nearly all of us at some time in
cals, are brought together into a small volume called,
our lives. The romantic youngster chases the rain. “ Religion and Immortality," now published by the
bow, and ere long finds himself in a municipal | Houghton Mifflin Co.
lodging-house. The novelist and story-writer, as Messrs. Henry Holt & Co. announce that the English
well as the charity-worker, can find much valuable translation of the three volumes of Romain Rolland's
raw material in Mrs. Solenberger's book.
“ Jean Christophe" which deal with the musician's life
in Paris will be published before the end of November.
The title of the translation, which is by Mr. Gilbert
Cannan, will be “ Jean Christophe in Paris.”
BRIEFER MENTION.
The Academy of Pacific Coast History has just pub-
lished, through the University of California, a text and
Mr. Jethro Bithell is an exceptionally good translator translation of the “ Diary of Pedro Fages” which de-
of poetry - a fact to which we have called attention in scribes an expedition from Monterey to San Francisco
mentioning his volume of selections from the Minne Bay made by Lieutenant Fages in 1770. The diary is
singers. He now gives us (Scott) a volume of transla- edited and prefaced with an introduction by Professor
tions from “Contemporary Belgian Poetry," in which H. E. Bolton.
we have examples from a score of poets whose very The building of good roads should begin at school, in
names, excepting those of Maeterlinck and Verhaeren, the opinion of Captain S. W. Ravenal, C.E., whose
are almost unknown to English readers. His poets are “ Road Primer for School Children” will be published
Flemings and Walloons in about equal numbers, but immediately by A. C. McClurg & Co. The book is
they all write in French.
intended for rural schools, and gives much useful and
Messrs. Henry Holt & Co. publish, in pretty gift interesting information about the building and main-
form, a volume of “Letters that Live,” edited by Misses tenance of country roads.
Laura E. Lockwood and Amy R. Kelly. They also send Within three months of publication, Mr. Henry
us, in their series of English Readings," a volume Snydor Harrison's novel “ Queed” (reviewed in The
called “Specimens of Letter-Writing," which turns out DIAL of July 16 ) has reached the fifty thousand mark.
to be the same book as the other, except that in this A feature of the book's success is the cordial reception
second form it has notes for the student and an intro given it by the English critics. The conservative London
duction of a more specifically educational character.
“Spectator” gives it almost a full-page review, and
The selection runs from the Pastors to “ Lewis Carroll,” recommends it as a “ first aid to misanthropes.”
and fifteen Americans are represented.
Messrs. Harper & Brothers have undertaken the pub-
The revised edition of “ The Century Atlas," which lication of a complete « Library Edition" of the works
will be issued with the revised « Century Dictionary of William Dean Howells, to be issued six volumes at
and Cyclopedia" in October, well illustrates the rapid a time. The first six, just issued, are, “A Hazard of


110
[August 16,
THE DIAL
New Fortunes,” “ The Landlord at Lion's Head,” among which are “ Forest Buds from the Woods of
“ Literary Friends and Acquaintances,” “ My Literary | Maine," 1855; Poems, 1866-8-9; "Two Saints," 1888;
Passions," " Literature and Life,” and “Certain De « The High-Top Sweeting," 1891; « The Proud Lady
lightful English Towns." Mr. Howells writes a preface of Stavoren," 1897; « The Ballad of the Bronx,” 1901 ;
for each volume, in which he tells, in his entertaining “ The Sunset Song," 1903. Mrs. Allen's family name
personal way, the circumstances in which the book was was Chase. Her first husband was Paul Akers, the
written.
sculptor.
As Shakespeare wrote a number of plays in addition
to “ The Merchant of Venice,” there seems to be no
reason why that play especially should be read by the
LIST OF NEW Books.
children in our public schools. Jewish citizens have pro-
[The following list, containing 45 titles, includes books
tested against the use of « The Merchant of Venice"
received by THE DIAL since its last issue.]
on the ground that it is directly calculated to promote
race prejudice among those whose ages render such
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES.
prejudices easily caught and hardly eradicated. The
Some Family Letters of W.M. Thackeray, together with
public schools, they claim, are the last places where Recollections by his Kinswoman, Blanche Warre Cornish.
anything making for such an attitude should be per With frontispiece. Boards, 8vo, 78 pages. Houghton
mitted.
Mifflin Co. $4. net.
« The World To-Day,” Chicago's principal monthly
A Buokeye Boyhood. By William Henry Venable. 12mo,
190 pages. The Robert Clarke Co. $1.25 net.
magazine, has been acquired by what is called the Frédério Chopin: A Biographical Sketch and Study of His
“Hearst group" of periodicals, and will be published Work. By Franz Liszt. Translated from the French
hereafter in New York by the interests that control also
by Martha Walker Cook. 12mo, 202 pages. The Oliver
Ditson Co.
“ The Cosmopolitan,” “Good Housekeeping," and one
HISTORY.
or two other periodicals. “The World To-Day" has The Customs of Old England. By F. J. Snell. Illustrated,
been established about eight years, and has been con 12mo. 312 pages. Charles Scribner's Sons.
ducted editorially with skill and success by Dr. Shailer
Medieval Europe. By H. W.0. Davis, M.A. 16mo, 256 pages.
(The Home University Library). Henry Holt & Co. 75c. net.
Matthews. It is the most considerable magazine Chicago
Stories from the Old French Chronicles: Retold in Modern
has had since “The Lakeside Monthly,” forty years English. By Robert D. Benedict. 12mo, 143 pages. Richard
ago; and we regret to see its transfer and removal.
G. Badger.
FICTION
The Trustees of Lake Forest University announce
Nobody's. By Virginia Demarest. With frontispiece. 12mo,
the second decennial competition for the Bross Prize of
337 pages. Harper & Brothers. $1.20 net.
six thousand dollars for a treatise “ On the connection Such a Woman. By Owen and Leita Kildare. Illustrated.
of any practical science, or the history of our race, or
12mo, 316 pages. G. W. Dillingham Co. $1.35 net.
the facts in any department of knowledge, with the
The Winning of Barbara Worth. By Harold Bell Wright.
Illustrated by F. Graham Cootes. 12mo, 511 pages. The
Christian Religion." The behest was made by the late
Book Supply Co. $1.30 net.
William Bross, lieutenant-governor of Illinois in 1866-
Vivian of Mackinac. By William C. Lavere. Illustrated.
70, as a memorial to his son Nathaniel Bross. By its 12mo, 299 pages. Forbes & Co. $1.20 net.
terms, the Christianity treated of by the competitors
Dividing Waters. By I. A. R. Wylie. 12mo, 394 pages. The
must be what is known as the evangelical type. The
Bobbs-Merrill Co. $1.20 net.
Stories that End Well, By Octave Thanet. 12mo, 341 pages.
last winner of the prize was Professor James Orr, D.D.,
The Bobbs-Merrill Co. $1.25 net.
of the University of Glasgow, who wrote on “ The The Way of the Gods in Japan. By Hope Huntly. Illus-
Problem of the Old Testament."
trated. 12mo, 339 pages. Richard G. Badger. $1.50 net.
Poetry lovers will be especially interested in the
A Wild Rose. By Clara Violet Fleharty. With frontispiece.
12mo, 282 pages. Richard G. Badger. $1.25 net.
announcement of a new anthology of English poetry, | Resurrection. By Lyof N. Tolstoy. Translated by Aline P.
which is to be among the Fall publications of Messrs. Delano. New edition. Illustrated. 8vo, 475 pages. T. Y.
Henry Holt & Co. It is to be the fullest and most com Crowell & Co. $1.50.
prehensive of any single-volume collection now available,
Westward Ho! By Charles Kingsley. Illustrated. New
edition. 8vo, 696 pages. T. Y. Crowell & Co. $1.50.
and will represent nearly 1100 poets with something
like 3500 poems. The representation of American
DRAMA AND VERSE.
poets will be very liberal. By the use of India paper,
The Dream of Alfred : An Epic of the Navy. By Wallace
Bertram Nichols. 16mo, 93 pages. London: David Nutt.
the volume, although containing about 3000 pages, is
Two shillings net.
expected to be kept within the limits of convenient size
Egyptian Melodies and Other Poems. By Alfred J.
and weight. The editorial work is from the competent Hough. 12mo, 90 pages. Richard G. Badger.
hands of Mr. Burton E. Stevenson, the librarian of the In Sonnet Wise. By Fred Raphael Allen. 12mo, 109 pages.
Public Library at Chillicothe, Ohio.
Richard G. Badger.
Osirus and Other Poems. By Joseph J. Coughlin. 12mo,
The name of Elizabeth Akers Allen, perhaps better
162 pages. Richard G. Badger.
known as “ Florence Percy," will mean but little to the
Poems. By C. E. d'Arnoux, 12mo, 62 pages. The Poet Lore Co.
present generation, but older readers will regret to hear A Rape of Hallowe'en. By Henry Percival Spencer, 12mo.
of the death of this estimable and talented woman, 107 pages. Richard G. Badger.
which occurred at her home on the Hudson, near West
Schoolroom Echoes. Book Two. By Mary C. Burke. With
frontispieco. 12mo, 224 pages. Richard G. Badger.
Point, August 7, in her eightieth year. She was a native
The Madonna and the Christ Child: Legends and Lyrics.
of Maine, and began writing at an early age, and con By Gertrude E, Heath. Illustrated. 12mo, 42 pages. Richard
tinued until a few years of her death. Her best-known G. Badger.
RELIGION.
poem is probably “Rock Me to Sleep, Mother," although
St. Paul's Friendships and His Friends. By Carl
others of her pieces were doubtless superior in literary
Hermon Dudley. 12mo, 287 pages. Richard G. Badger.
quality. Mrs. Allen was a contributor to “ The Atlantic Day Unto Day. By Louis Howland. Small 12mo, 286 pages.
Monthly," and was the author of a number of books, The Bobbs-Merrill Co. $1. net.


1911.]
111
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postage 50 cents per year extra. REMITTANCES should be by check, or It is just a hundred years since Théophile
by erpress or postal order, payable to THE DIAL COMPANY.
Unless otherwise ordered, subscriptions will begin with the current Gautier was born, and almost forty since he
number. When no direct request to discontinue at expiration of sub-
died, his work acclaimed by many fellow-singers,
scription is received, it is assumed that a continuance of the subscription
is desired. ADVERTISING RATES furnished on application. All com among whom Swinburne was chief.
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That ever in love's shine or shadow grew,
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And all the grief whereof he dreams and grieves,
And all sweet roots fed on his light and dew;
No. 605. SEPTEMBER 1, 1911. Vol. LI.
“ All these through thee our spirit of sense perceives,
As threads in the unseen woof thy music weaves,
CONTENTS.
Birds caught and snared that fill our ears with thee,
Bay-blossoms in thy wreath of brow-bound leaves."
“A SAD ANACREON” . . . . . . . . . . 119
CASUAL COMMENT..
Since these memorial verses were penned, we
A library of magnificent distances. - The Index
have had time to think the matter over, and the
Exasperatorius in libraries. — Another version of question arises : How much of this is rhetorical
the Barbara Frietchie legend. — A library report
adulation, how much genuine emotion that still
in rhyme. — King George's opportunity. -Over-
heard in Concord.— The shifting standards of has power to evoke a responsive thrill? The
orthography. - The cause of the colored folk. - fashions of French literature have changed
The strong past participle. — The real rewards of
genius. — Literary honors to Virginia. — Lax
many times since Gautier lived — almost as fre-
guardianship of valuable public documents.
quently as the fashions in hats and gowns; they
THE POET OF PROSTRATE POLAND. Percy
changed radically during the poet's own lifetime.
F. Bicknell. . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
How much of his work has the quality that
LEE AND LONGSTREET AT GETTYSBURG.
makes poetry survive despite its accidents ?
James M. Garnett . . . . . . . . . . 126
This is the question which we are bound to ask
FRENCH INFLUENCE ON ENGLISH LITERA concerning any writer when his first centenary
TURE. James W. Tupper ....... 129 comes round; and we are bound also to find for
CANADA OLD AND NEW. Lawrence J. Burpee . 130
it some kind of an answer.
Griffith's The Dominion of Canada. — Le Clercq's According to the estimates of those indefa-
New Relation of Gaspesia. — Yeagh's Through the
tigable bibliographers, MM. Bergerat and Spoel-
Heart of Canada. - Aflalo's A Fisherman's Sum-
berch de Louvenjoul, Gautier wrote enough
mer in Canada.
A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF BIBLE CRITICISM.
matter — poetry, romance, criticism, travel — to
Joseph Henry Crooker ......... 132
fill at least three bundred volumes. It was a fair
WHAT IS ART? Frederick W. Gookin ... . 133
achievement for one who posed as a poitrinaire,
Van Dyke's What is Art? – Jameson's Art's
although Dumas boasted of three or four times
Enigma. — Mrs. Barrington's Essays on the Pur as much; but of course no such quantity of
pose of Art. — Low's The Painter's Progress.
work can possibly be handed down by any one
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS . . . . . . . . . 135 man to a later generation except as stuff to be
Correspondence of Mrs. Craigie and her friends. - piled up in the lumber-rooms of the libraries.
Pioneer motoring in the Balkans. — The element
of comedy in George Meredith.- A governor of
It was mostly journalism, as its author would
the old Bay State two centuries ago. — A dip into have been free to admit; and he could have had
the future of Education. — The biography of a no idea that posterity would interest itself in
famous biographer. - The unassimilated colored
element of New York City. — Child-labor, its
more than a small fraction of the total. The
causes and its cure.
great mass of this writing was of the most
BRIEFER MENTION ...........
ephemeral sort — criticism of books and plays
and paintings that have passed out of memory,
NOTES . ............... 138
and carried with them all the comment which
TOPICS IN SEPTEMBER PERIODICALS...
they occasioned. What Gautier had to say
LIST OF NEW BOOKS : ......... 140 | about them is of no more value than what Poe


120
[Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
had to say about the fifth-rate American writers hair and fantastic garb and striking equipages
that he was called upon to examine in his day's - the days when Byronism was all the fashion,
work. Nuggets of critical thought are imbedded and the consuming ambition of ingenuous youth
in the matrix, no doubt, but Gautier left us so was to épater le bourgeois. To be Byronic
much pure gold that we do not need to add to meant, among other things, to be gloomy and
the hoard by pickings and siftings from the scrap consumptive, which was rather a joke in the
heap of his tailings. We may leave that task case of Tbéo, who was chubby, red-cheeked, and
to the biographer, whose duty it is to allow no square-shouldered. Naturally, this pose and
material to go unexamined; the general reader these eccentricities created a legend, from whicb
and amateur of literature will find bis sufficient it is now difficult to disengage the actual man.
account in the treasures which the poet consci This early phase was soon outgrown, and
ously wrought into works of art. The sugges | under the pressure of necessity Gautier grew
tion of Poe in this connection is instructive, for into the serious literary craftsman, vigorous in
both the French and the American poet used the health and curious about life, who could de-
same media, and in the really immortal parts of scribe himself as “a man for whom the eternal
their work were inspired by the same devotion world exists." He was a leader always, and
to the purest and most austere of poetical ideals. when he emerged from the romantic fog he
In the two cases we have something like the same carried French literature with him into the
proportion — say ten to one — between what is clear air of realism, little dreaming of the
forgotten and what is cherished, and the same degraded interpretation of that concept which
antipodal difference in artistic quality.
would be made by his successors. For his
Gautier was so picturesque a figure, partic realism was something more artistic, not less,
ularly in his early years, that he has remained than his romanticism had ever been. It was his
ever since the victim of his own legend. The true bent all the time; and it meant not only
image of him which remains vivid in our memory clear-sightedness, but also severity and restraint.
is invested with the red waistcoat, despite his In prose, it enabled him to produce those classics
assertion that he never wore it but once, and of travel, the book which describes his visits to
that it was not a red waistcoat at all, but a Spain, Italy, and Russia, and his journey to Con-
rose-colored doublet. “Gentlemen, this is very stantinople and the East, besides the marvellous
important. The red waistcoat would have contes, and “Le Capitaine Fracasse,” that
meant the color of republican politics. But masterpiece of joyous historical romance. In
there was nothing of the sort. We were simply poetry, it was the inspiration of the delicately-
mediæval. We represented the machicolation graven art of the “Emaux et Camées," which
party, and that was all.” Gautier, indeed, had is as sure of immortality as anything in French
special reasons for not blessing the republican literature. He learned the full m'eaning of toil,
agitation. His father, a pronounced legitimist, and, in the work which was not frankly journey-
promptly played the stock market for a rise man's labor, his aim was nothing less than per-
when the July Revolution broke out, and lost fection. He had many shocks, and bore them
all his fortune. This was the very moment in bravely; and his mien became grave, impassive,
which Théo's modest volume of “ Poésies” was and almost Olympian. “It makes you look like
published, and the Parisians were too excited Homer,” said one of the Goncourts at sight of
to buy it. The poet, in consequence, was forced a recently-engraved portrait. “At the best, a
to make a living by resorting to journalism. sad Anacreon," was his response. He lived in
His early verses, however, had found favor with Paris through the Siege and the Commune, and
Sainte-Beuve, who said, “ there is a man who | died a year later, at the age of sixty.
sculptures in granite and not in smoke," and | Even in his prose, Gautier was essentially a
took him to call on Hugo. This is Mirecourt's poet. Says M. Emile Henriot, to whose deeply
story, but it seems that the introduction to the sympathetic appreciation in the “ Mercure de
Master was really made by Gérard de Nerval. France" we are indebted for much that we
The excitement about “ Hernani“ occurred have already related :
early in 1830, some months before the Revolu “He loved poetry for itself, and not for what may be
tion. Gautier was the acknowledged leader of put into it, whether dramatic effect, declamation, phil-
the romantic guard of young men who took pos osophy, eloquence, demagogic dream, or socialism. He
session of the House of Molière on that memor-
loved poetry for itself, for the music of rhythm, the
color of words, for its periodic architecture and imma-
able day, and hurled defiance at the old guard
terial imagery, for the vast and profound beauty of its
of the classicists. Those were the days of long l responses — all art is responsive — to his dreams. ...


1911.)
121
THE DIAL
He did not rhyme to prove God's existence, to measure trying occurrences, as recorded by the letter-writer,
the infinite, to codify love, to extol liberty, equality, and call to mind the mediæval methods still employed
the sovereign people. . . . No, he sang because sing-
at many of the great libraries of Europe, where the
ing was pleasant, and if it happened that in his verses
| interval between the asking for and the getting of
he came upon God, Love, and the Infinite, it is because
a book may be as much as half a day, or even a
these are inseparable elements of all poetry."
whole day. However, the machinery of an immense
This is a fair statement of the doctrine of l'art
new library should not be expected to get into per-
pour l'art as it was exemplified in Gautier's
fect running order too soon; and although the com-
practice, and it does not mean that he was uncon plainant makes pertinent reference to “the relative
cerned about life and its graver issues. Pursuing inefficiency of municipal as compared with individ-
his artist's task in the spirit of that poem whichual conduct of business,” we must not yet lose hope
is probably the best-known of all his shorter of better things in the way of speed and accuracy
pieces, he was at heart preoccupied with the
on the part of the vast bibliothecal plant at Fifth
problems that other poets make free to discuss
Avenue and Forty-second Street.
in their work. Especially was he obsessed by
THE INDEX EXASPERATORIUS IN LIBRARIES is
the enigma of man's destiny, and the question | distinguished by its fondness for the vicious circle
put to Faust poring over a manuscript in the of cross-reference. The vicious circle of cross-
“Comédie de la Mort" is the question that reference, known with sorrow to every librarian,
remained uppermost in Gautier's own mind cataloguer, bibliographer, and other literary work-
throughout his later years.
man conversant with the tools of his trade, may be
“Quel sable, quel corail a ramené ta sonde ?
illustrated by the following example from “Who's
As-tu touché le fond des sagesses du monde,
| Who in the Social Swim." Wishing to learn the
En puisant à ton puits ?
maiden name of the young Countess of Sweetwater,
Nous as-tu dans ton seau fait monter toute nue we turned of course to "Sweetwater" in its alpha-
La blanche vérité jusqu'ici méconnue ?
betical place, but were there referred to “ Jones,
Arbre, où sont donc tes fruits ?”
Launcelot Pilkington.” Scanning with a sigh the
But neither Faust nor Don Juan nor Napoleon long list of Joneses, we at last found, under Jones,
can supply the inquiring spirit with the word of | L. Pilkington, “ see Pilkington-Jones, Launcelot.”
the enigma. This the poet is honest enough to
Thereupon we chased the alphabet down to P, and
admit; but he does not for that abandon his
were rewarded with overtaking, in its proper place,
“Pilkington-Jones, family name of the Earls of
spiritual quest, and his thirst for the infinite
Sweetwater," which started us back to our original
cannot be wholly slaked at the fountain of art.
caption before we became conscious of the vicious
It is a grateful refuge by the wayside, but it is
circle in which we were involved. A playful edit-
not the summit which is the goal of the pilgri-
orial note in a current journal, commenting on the
mage. For Théo, the summit was veiled in | Index Exasperatorius, suggests a way in which it
mists; but he never lost the intuition of its can be turned to good account in the cultivation of
shining glory
equanimity. “Make a sport of this irritating trick
of the reference works, and their teeth are drawn.
This, and not chess, is the great game of scholars
CASUAL COMMENT.
in the future. When the track teams are getting
together for cross-country meets, the scholars of the
A LIBRARY OF MAGNIFICENT DISTANCES, like the universities will be assembling for cross-reference
palatial structure recently opened for the use of meets, rolling up scores into three figures.” But
the New York public, has its obvious disadvantages. the grievance of the writer quoted seems to end
When a hurry-up order is given at the delivery desk with cross-references that do ultimately, however
for a book half a block away, the desired volume
circuitously, lead the searcher to the desired goal.
is pretty sure not to be forthcoming with sufficient | It is the cross-reference gyroscope, the cat pursuing
celerity to satisfy the applicant. A courteous com its own tail, that makes us dizzy and peevish.
plainant writes a letter to the New York “Times,"
mildly deploring the necessity of such long waits ANOTHER VERSION OF THE BARBARA FRIETCHIE
as have fallen to his share in his enjoyment of the LEGEND comes to notice with the death, in Balti-
splendid facilities of the finest public library in the | more, of Henry Clay Naill, an old-time resident of
world. Four hours' enforced contemplation of its Frederick, the Maryland town where, according to
interior splendors while one or two volumes of Whittier, the nonagenarian dame “took up the flag
“ The Liberator” were being fetched in response the men hauled down," and "leaned far out on the
to an order, certainly seems excessive; but perhaps window-sill, and shook it forth with a royal will."
more trying than that to a sensitive soul is to be Mr. Naill, who was wont to claim that he had known
informed, after a long interval of hopeful expect- Barbara Frietchie from his infancy, and had sat in
ancy, that one's application slip is lost, and will one | her lap many a time, was quite clear as to what
please make out another. These and other patience- | really occurred on that day when the Confederate


122
[Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
troops came marching into Frederick town. Thirsty now beginning will be likely to give at its close,
with their march, some of Stonewall Jackson's men thus ends his series of questions : “Will it leave a
entered Barbara's garden without permission and London preserved and beautified, or will it but add
drank from her well, whereupon she, from the porch abundantly to the lumps of dishonest statuary, the
where she was churning, bade them begone. At scars and masses of ill-conceived rebuilding which
this, two of the intruders advanced to the porch and testify to the æsthetic degradation of the Victorian
made as if they would partake of her buttermilk, but period? Will a great constellation of artists redeem
retired with their fellows amid much laughter when the ambitious sentimentalities and genteel skilfulness
she opened upon them with a volley of mingled that find their fitting mausoleum in the Tate Gallery?
English and Pennsylvania Dutch. It was Mrs. Will our literature escape at last from pretentious-
Quantrell, further down the street, who, with an ness and timidity, our philosophy from the foolish
eye to dramatic effect, ran to her front gate and cerebrations of university characters' and eminent
waved a small American flag, but received no atten- politicians at leisure, and our starved science find
tion from the soldiery beyond a few derisive saluta. scope and resources adequate to its gigantic needs?
tions and some good-natured chaff. The conflicting Will our universities, our teaching, our national
Frietchie and Quantrell claims to fame have long training, our public services, gain a new health from
been subjects of debate, but it was left to Mr. Naill the reviving vigor of the national brain? Or is all
to exhibit both women in no very heroic light, the this a mere wild hope, and shall we, after some small
one as a shrew and the other as a person clutching | flutterings of effort, the foundation of some ridiculous
at a little cheap glory with no danger whatever to little academy of literary busy bodies and hangers-on,
her own person. Nevertheless the Whittier version the public recognition of this or that sociological
makes a fine poem, and Dame Barbara will not easily pretender or financial scientist,' and a little polite
be shorn of the renown she has so long enjoyed. jobbery with picture-buying, relapse into lassitude
and a contented acquiescence in the rivalry of Ger-
A LIBRARY REPORT IN RHYME has come out of
many and the United States for the moral, intellec-
the poetically beautiful Berkshire hills, and though tual, and material leadership of the world?” With
the librarian, Mr. Harlan H. Ballard, of the Berk America, then, in part, through the stimulus of her
shire Athenæum (the public library of Pittsfield), rivalry so frankly acknowledged by Mr. Wells, it rests
may not have written himself into the distinguished to hasten or retard the realization of his dreams.
company of such poet-librarians as Miss Ina D.
Coolbrith, Mr. John Vance Cheney, and the late
OVERHEARD IN CONCORD, by a Concord resident,
Sam Walter Foss, he has nevertheless done an orig-
from the lips of an exclamatory New Jersey tourist,
inal thing, and, considering the unpoetic nature of
one of a personally-conducted party : “No wonder
his subject matter, done it rather well. Of the
this place produces such geniuses as James Whit-
library's book-loaning activities we read:
comb Riley and the rest! I think I could write
“ The circulation last year, I see,
poetry myself if I lived here a while.” And from
Was 91,073;
another hero-worshipper: “ Please, Mr. Lecturer,
We have added this year to the former score
8530 more.
will you tell us when we get to Mrs. Eddy's home?"
The total number this year will be
The megaphoned reply that “Mrs. Mary Baker
99,603.
Eddy lived in Concord, New Hampshire – not
“March has led for many a year
Concord, Massachusetts” tended to dispel the en-
In the number of books delivered here;
chantment of the place for certain members of the
But now, as we shall long remember,
party. About half the strangers who come to view
The largest total was last November.
the “Wayside," where Hawthorne lived, begin to
The weather was cold, the winds were shifty,
And the count was 9250.”
count the gables, in the vain hope of making out
seven, before someone conveys a correcting hint
There are doubtless more sides to Mr. Ballard than
with a proper reference to Salem ; and the other
have yet been exposed to public view. Years ago his
half are not unlikely to confuse the historic Concord
inventive skill earned for him the gratitude of his
house with the Wayside Inn in another Massachu-
fellow-librarians by the production of a metal clip
setts town. But all this jumble of misinformation
that has the grip of a bulldog, and that will hold
heightens wonderfully the charm of summer travel,
pamphlets, periodicals, or loose sheets together till
and also gives innocent amusement to the summer
the crack of doom. What he shall eventually prove
traveller's better-informed overhearers.
himself to be besides librarian, poet, and inventor,
doth not yet appear. ...
THE SHIFTING STANDARDS OF ORTHOGRAPHY
KING GEORGE'S OPPORTUNITY, now that he is give occasion for an interesting article by Professor
duly crowned and fairly seated on the throne of Brander Matthews entitled “How Ought We to
England, contains limitless possibilities for good. Spell?” in the August issue of “ Munsey's Maga-
Mr. H. G. Wells, asking, in the London “Daily zine.” What he says of the perpetual changes in
Mail,” what sort of an account of itself the reign pronunciation and spelling and meaning that words


1911.]
123
THE DIAL
inevitably undergo is incontestable, as is also the was to be properly het and lit to make it entirely
fact of incessant clashing of opinion among the satisfactory. And who would have chid him for his
lexicographers, to whom we are wont to go for partiality to the strong past participle ?
authoritative direction in these matters. And now
the self-constituted spelling-reformers are adding
their note to the discord. Probably without intend-
THE REAL REWARDS OF GENIUS, more specifically
ing it as such, Professor Matthews presents one of
of literary genius, were described the other day by
the chief arguments against the move toward pho-
a labor-member of the House of Commons in a pro-
netic or simplified spelling. Long-established pro-
test against the pending English copyright bill, as
nunciations, he says, are ever liable to modification.
consisting in the comfort and inspiration which the
“At one moment a word may have a pronunciation
author's message gives to others. Hence the utter
accepted by all; then, in time, a different pronun-
wrongness of the proposed measure to assure to
ciation may begin to spread sporadically, and for a
the genius and his family more of the pecuniary
period ... there will be two contending pronun-
profits of his work, at the expense of the laboring
ciations; until at last one or the other succeeds in
man who will have to pay a higher price for the
imposing itself” – for a longer or shorter period.
afore-mentioned comfort and inspiration. Perhaps
“ Either” and “neither” are among the instructive
the honorable member would enjoy defending the
examples adduced by him. In another paragraph
thesis that the real rewards of the laboring man
we find him asking, “Why not write gipsy rather
consist in the comfort and cheer his brick-laying or
than the less logical gypsy?” But why is the latter
carpentry or plumbing or coal-mining affords to
less logical? It points back to the original home of
others, and that all contracts whereby he is assured
the swarthy-visaged wanderers, and to the kindred
a fair return for his toil are iniquitous and oppres-
Latin and Greek words. One cannot but note, with
sive.
. . .
some sympathy for the author, the unreformed
LITERARY HONORS TO VIRGINIA are falling thick
dress in which the printers have clothed his essay.
and fast this summer. Four of her novelists figure
conspicuously in the current records of book-sales.
THE CAUSE OF THE COLORED FOLK is to be ably
On recent lists of the six best-sellers are to be noted
defended by a new periodical, “The Crisis," already
Miss Mary Johnston's war-time novel, “The Long
well started in New York by the National Associa-
Roll,” Mr. Vaughan Kester's “The Prodigal Judge,”
tion for the Advancement of Colored People. Dr.
Mr. Henry Sydnor Harrison's “ Queed,” and Miss
W. E. B. Du Bois, the negro writer and sociologist,
Ellen Glasgow's “ The Miller of Old Church.”
is editor-in-chief, and one is glad to find Garrison
Richmond claims three of these writers as residents,
blood in at least one of his corps of associates
while Gunston Hall, the old home of the Masons, was
Mr. Oswald Garrison Villard, historian of John
the abode of Mr. Kester. The literary centre of
Brown and president of the New York Evening
the United States should perhaps just now be con-
Post Co. It is to be noted, further, that 20 Vesey
sidered as located neither at the mouth of the Charles
St., the address of the “Post,” is also that of “The
River, nor in the borough of Manhattan, nor even
Crisis," and that among the members of the new
at the southern end of Lake Michigan, but within
Association are Miss Jane Addams, Professor John
the boundaries of the Old Dominion and not far
Dewey, Mr. Jacob Schiff, and others of prominence
from the capitol building on the left bank of the
and influence. The truth and the whole truth about
James River.
the black man, and the securing of justice for him,
are the primary objects of the little magazine, which Lax GUARDIANSHIP OF VALUABLE PUBLIC DOCU-
also contains some matter of more general interest. MENTS, such as has lately been made public in press
despatches from Washington, ought to serve as a
THE STRONG PAST PARTICIPLE has a vigor and convincing argument for that more careful and sys-
emphasis never attained by the weak. In the re tematic custody which we recently pointed out as a
cent days of unprecedented heat over a large part need that must sooner or later receive attention.
of the north temperate zone, bow much better it Within three months three important documents
satisfies the need of verbal expression to speak of belonging to different departments of the govern-
oneself, after running to catch one's suburban train, ment have vanished from view, all of them of im-
as having “got all het up” than as having“ become portance — perhaps uncomfortable importance to
thoroughly heated.” A metropolitan journal of some, in connection with questions of current discus-
enviable reputation for correctness in the use of sion and controversy. If the sacredness of official
language has editorially indulged in the good old | papers of this and other sorts is not to be made to
Yankeeism cited above; nor has it even felt called be respected by a properly constituted guardian of
upon to enclose the idiom in apologetic quotation public documents, with adequate quarters (fire-proof
marks. Professor Albert Hopkins of Williams and burglar-proof) for the safe custody of his collec-
College used to say of one of the less 'comfortable tion, what limits of confusion and chaos may we not
recitation rooms of that institution, that all it needed | ultimately reach?


124
(Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
Tbe New Books.
ion with the Russian authorities because of his
membership in a young men’s patriotic organi-
zation, he was first imprisoned and then exiled,
THE POET OF PROSTRATE POLAND.*
being sent as a kind of hostage to Russia, where
The vitality of the Polish language and lit he remained until 1829, when he obtained per-
erature, the Polish press, the Polish theatre, mission to travel, and made his way to Paris.
Polish customs and traditions — in short, the His productivity as a poet seems to have ceased
Polish national spirit — is something remark with his marriage in 1834, the hard realities of
able and admirable, in view of the centuries his struggle for a maintenance then becoming
of effort to Russianize and Germanize the intensified. A call to Lausanne in 1839 as
dismembered kingdom. Through it all, the professor of classical literature was followed in
Polish-speaking population, as shown by census less than a year by a summons back to Paris
returns, has held its own, and even some degree to accept the newly-established professorship of
of Polonization of the Germans in Poland has Slavonic literature at the Collège de France,
been noted. The world has moved on since where his lectures from the first drew large
the final partition of Polish territory among audiences. But he was not well versed in his
the powerful adjacent land-grabbers, and little subject, though he knew the literature of his own
thought is now given by the public at large to country, and that of Russia up to the death of
the woes of Poland or to her possible resurrec Pushkin ; and he also had the misfortune to
tion among the nations in any remote future. render himself obnoxious to the government by
But Poland is by no means dead. The Poles his openly proclaimed belief that the destined
are biding their time, we are assured, and savior of stricken Poland was to be a Bonaparte.
husbanding their strength, keeping alive the Therefore, popular and inspiring though he
national spirit, and above all seeing to it that was in the lecture-room, where his æsthetic
the Polish language and literature shall not critiques and fine improvisations delighted his
become a dead language and literature.
hearers, the poet-professor found bimself once
Fascinating though Poland's tragic history more confronted with the serious problem of
is to all the world, we of the English tongue supporting himself and his growing family, a
cannot claim much familiarity with her writers problem afterward further complicated by the
and their works. Even manuals and compen insanity of his wife. Religious mysticism and
diums of Polish literature for English readers other aberrations played their part, too, in the
are almost non-existent, and satisfactory trans poet's own life and thought, traceable perhaps
lations of the Polish classics do not abound. to the influence of one Towianski, a fanatic.
The difficulties of the language may partly
Various temporary occupations somehow kept
account for this. At any rate, so dissimilar | the poet and his family from starving. A brief
are the idioms of Pole and Englishman that the term of newspaper editorship, and another
two might almost be said to think on different short season of librarianship at the Arsenal,
planes. To contribute to our better acquaint were followed in 1855 by an appointment as
ance with a rich and noble literature, Miss special envoy to Constantinople to gain inform-
Monica M. Gardner has prepared a biographical ation concerning the condition of the Christians
and descriptive work on “ Adam Mickiewicz, and the quality of their education under Turkish
the National Poet of Poland,” who, as she says rule, to explore the manuscript treasures of
in her preface, though “ well known in other Turkish libraries, and to assist in raising a
countries, is almost a stranger in England.” Polish legion to serve in the pay of Turkey
Equally and probably more a stranger is he in against Russia. A strange mission, this, for a
America, greatest of Poland's poets though we poet and an idealist; but its incongruities were
know him to be.
not to vex him long, for he died of cholera about
The outward events of his life, which falls two months after reaching Constantinople. His
between the years 1798 and 1855, are few and tomb may now be seen in the cathedral of Santa
soon enumerated. Born near Wilna, of an old Croce at Cracow.
Lithuanian family that had seen better days, he The early life of Mickiewicz, passed in a
was educated in bis native town and at the Uni- district of Lithuania that was then enjoying
versity of Wilna, and afterward taught school comparative happiness after the enemies of
for a few years. But soon falling under suspic Poland had done their worst in the way of con-
* ADAM MICKIEWICZ, the National Poet of Poland. By
quest and dismemberment, lingered ever after
quest and dismemberment, hingerea e
Monica M. Gardner. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co. | in the poet's fond remembrance and inspired


1911.]
125
THE DIAL
his noblest and most touching poems. An inter- Bitter was the disappointment so soon to
preter of nature as well as a writer of patriotic follow, and the gloom was further intensified
verse, he has reproduced the sights and sounds for the poet by the death of his father. But
of his Lithuanian woodlands in a way to chal the change to university life came as a welcome
lenge comparision with the best of our own na distraction in 1815. Brilliant success attended
ture poets. Cradled into poetry by the wrongs him throughout his four-years course, and his
of his country — the final grand partition of strong literary and poetic bent declared itself
Poland took place only three years before his in the production of both prose and verse for
birth, and the resettlement effected by the Con publication and for reading before student
gress of Vienna fell within his youth — Adam assemblies. “Even at this early stage of his
Mickiewicz found in his art a solace for grief career,” says the author," he had formed his
and also a means for awakening new hope in great theory upon which he built bis poetical
his own breast and in that of others. Had he life, that the school of the poet is that of self-
not suffered expatriation and become oppressed sacrifice and consecration.” From a char-
with the wretched cares and anxieties of a acteristic poem of this period, an “Ode to
poverty-stricken domestic life, it is very unlikely | Youth,” we quote a few passages in Miss
that he would have so early abandoned poetry. Gardner's rendering.
From Miss Gardner's opening chapter we take “Without heart, without soul, those are the nations
a scene agreeably in contrast with our later of skeletons. Oh, youth, give me wings ! Let me soar
above a dead world to the heavenly country of dreams
glimpses of the poet's life:
where enthusiasm works miracles, strews fresh flowers
“One of Mickiewicz's brothers has left us a pleasant and clothes hope in golden pictures.
picture of the family gathered together in the evening. “Let he [sic] whose vision age has dimmed, bending
Adam is seated under the lamp, reading out the latest | his furrowed brow to earth, look on the world's glebe
news of the war. The father, already drawing near his by the limit of his darkened eyes.
grave, supported by his stick walks about the room, “Oh, youth ! Soar thou beyond the horizon's bounds,
unable to sit still for his emotion. The mother, at her and with the eyes of sun pierce thou the mighty multi-
needle, embroidering national emblems, watches her tudes of the human race from end to end.
dying husband furtively with tear-dimmed eyes. One “Oh youth! The nectar of life is only sweet when
boy traces out the march of Napoleon's armies on the it is shared with others. The joys of heaven inebriate
map. The others listen while busied over different our hearts when they are bound together by one golden
tasks.”
thread.
Those were the poet's happy days, as the “Together, young friends! The happiness of each
writer observes. The spring of 1812 was full
is the aim of all, mighty in union, in enthusiasm wise.
Together, young friends! And happy is be who, fallen
of promise and smiling with hope to the
in the midst of his career, makes with his dead body
Polish people. Napoleon, the fondly-imagined a rung of the ladder for others to reach the garden of
deliverer of the oppressed land, was marching glory. Together, young friends ! Although the road be
with victorious legions into Russia, and the slippery and steep, and violence and weakness forbid
whole Polish nation was wild with joy. “God
the entrance, let violence hurl violence back, and let us
learn to conquer weakness while we are young."
is with Napoleon, Napoleon is with us,” was the
watchword. More than twenty years later, in
Among other poems described and in part
translated by the biographer, “The Ancestors,"
his great poem “ Thaddeus,” Mickiewicz sang
the pæan of that wonderful spring. A few
“ The Books of the Polish Nation and of the
lines from Miss Gardner's translation of a part
Polish Pilgrimage," and the already-mentioned
of the poem will show what hope and joy filled
epic “Thaddeus,” which is considered the poet's
every bosom.
masterpiece, deserve especial mention. As proof
of the present continuance of Mickiewicz's fame,
“Oh, spring! I saw thee in our land. Memorable
spring of war, spring of plenty. Oh spring, flowering
and as promise of his immortality, the writer
with corn and grass, brilliant with men, fertile in deed,
cites the fact that “in the late Russo-Japanese
pregnant with hope! Born in captivity, fettered while war, The Book of the Polish Pilgrimage was
in swaddling-bands, only one such spring have I known found on the dead bodies of the Polish soldiers,
in my life.
pathetic testimony to the undying love for their
“To this day the people call thee the year of plenty,
and the soldier the year of war. To this day, the aged
country of the sons of Poland who fell by thou-
love to tell tales of thee, to this day song dreams of sands in a quarrel not their own.”
thee. Long wert thou heralded by heavenly marvel The tone of the older and saddened Mickie-
a great comet visible in 1811] and preceded by low
wicz, as shown by a letter to his brother Francis
rumours among the people. With the sun of spring
some strange presentiment filled Lithuanian hearts as
in 1833, is not that of bis buoyant and hopeful
though before the end of the world: some yearning
youth, but is indicative of a sober and manly
expectation full of joy."
| fortitude, not unmixed with stoicism, that was


126
[Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
to carry him through to the end of his troubled
LEE AND LONGSTREET AT GETTYSBURG.*
life. He writes :
“I see you will not soon reconcile yourself to your
Captain Beecham, an officer in an Iowa regi-
fate, and that you are not as yet accustomed to be sick
ment in the Civil War, has written a volume
with yearning, which sickness certainly lasts always, containing the results of his studies and obser-
but which also has its crisis, its high-water mark, and vations of the battle of Gettysburg, which he
then becomes a chronic, slow disease. I know no way
considers the pivotal battle of the war. The
in which I can in any way bammer out of your head
anxiety for the future. Reflect that the future cannot
present reviewer, who was an officer in the Con-
be worse, and changing can only better it.”
federate army, and was on the field at Gettys-
burg, has read the book twice, with uncommon
To a friend we find him writing at this time: 1
“ You have not prufited from my company.
interest. He considers it a very intelligent and
readable account of the battle, but he cannot
When did you ever see me thinking about the
concur in some of the author's judgments and
future? If I had a loving wife, I do not believe
I should think even about the next bour, but
opinions. The latter seems to follow Longstreet
I should rest entirely in the present.” Dis-
too closely in his view of Confederate affairs;
whereas the writer of this review considers Long-
appointment in love had been added to other
street himself chiefly responsible for the loss of
and less personal sorrows to induce the calm-
that battle by the Confederates. He does not,
ness of despair which seems to speak in some
however, praise General Lee's conduct of the
of his utterances. The girl whom he had early
battle unreservedly. He has often thought that
wished to marry, and who reciprocated his affec-
if “Old Stonewall ” had commanded on the left,
tion, was forced by family considerations to wed
instead of Ewell, there would have been no bat-
another man, whose wealth would succor her
tle of Gettysburg: one hour of Jackson on the
impoverished parents. The young woman whom
afternoon of July 1 would have transferred
he finally made his wife seems to have been
the Pipe Creek engagement to some other place.
devoted to him, though it is little of conjugal
Longstreet's unwillingness to fight at Gettys-
bliss that we seem to find in the poet's home in
burg should have excluded him from command
a strange land. His golden years were those
on that field. His unaccountable delay in begin-
of poetic productivity in his youth and early
ning the battle of the second of July allowed
prime. A pathetic figure, on the whole, like
time for the arrival of reinforcements which an
his own afflicted country, must be his image in
our minds, but beautiful with the consecrating
earlier opening would have made unavailable.
Pickett's division arrived on the field about
touch of a high ideal and a brave and generous
midday of July 1— not, as Captain Beecham
purpose.
states, “ during the night of the second ” (page
Miss Gardner's book supplies a felt need, 1 53). for the reviewer well remembers riding to
though it makes no claim to completeness as a
see his cousin, General Garnett, who had been
biography. The striking features of Mickie-
in an ambulance all that morning. The author
wicz's life and work are dwelt upon, and perhaps
puts Pickett's arrival a day too late. It is a
that is all we ought to ask for in any study of
question whether Sickles's advanced position on
the poet. Authentic sources of information she
the 2nd was a gain or loss to the Federals.
has found in some abundance in his own tongue,
It would appear to have been more of a gain,
especially in the four-volume biography of the
hy of the for otherwise Longstreet's men would probably
poet by his son, Mr. Ladislas Mickiewicz. The
| have taken Little Round Top before Warren
original translations from the poems are abund-
could have anticipated them. Sickles's fight
ant and welcome, though, as may have been
delayed Longstreet, and prevented an earlier
observed, the translator's preoccupation with the
attack on Little Round Top. In Chapter XI.,
difficult Polish has at times dulled her ear or
on “ Lee and his Mistakes,” the author attri-
eye to the felicities of English. The book as a
butes to General Lee mistakes made by others.
whole, presenting in attractive form the most
If General Lee's plans had been carried out as
interesting facts concerning a highly interesting
ordered, Gettysburg would probably have been
as well as noble character, and enriched with a
a success for the Confederates.
sympathetic study of his works, deserves com-
Captain Beecham concedes that “ Lee was a
mendation. A portrait in photogravure faces
great general,” but in his disposition to favor
the title-page, and a bibliography and an index
*GETTYSBURG. The Pivotal Battle of the Civil War.
complete the volume.
By Captain R. K. Beecham. With illustrations and map.
PERCY F. BICKNELL. | Chicago : A. C. McClurg & Co.


1911.]
127
THE DIAL
Longstreet he fails to condemn his mistakes rible defeat of the Union cause.” That is the
which prevented the fulfilment of General Lee's way it looks to the reviewer ; but he would sub-
plans. It is wrong to say that “ for once, at stitute Longstreet for Lee in the next sen-
least, Lee's courage failed him.” He had already tences — “ Lee's unaccountable hesitation and
declined to take Longstreet's advice and flank unreadiness in the morning,” etc. The author
the Federals out of their position. Surely this says also (page 187): - A further delay of half
might have been done; but having already an hour, for any cause, and Sykes would have
began to fight them out of it, General Lee found Little Round Top in Law's possession,
preferred to continue on that line, believing and Cemetery Ridge occupied by Longstreet
that with proper support he could succeed in his and his Confederates." There is no doubt of
object. The author praises General Reynolds this ; the only question is as to who is respon-
very highly, and doubtless deservedly; but his sible for the delay. Longstreet knew, the night
career was soon cut short. The absence of the before, that he had to make this attack the next
Fifth and Sixth Corps made it all the more | morning, and he should have made due prepar-
necessary that the battle of the second of July | ation for it. But he expected General Lee to
should begin as early as possible on the part of adopt his strategy, and so failed to make due
the Confederates, and every impartial reader preparation, and instead of being ready in the
knows that it was not begun as early as it | morning he was not ready until four o'clock in
might have been. It was not General Lee who the afternoon. This unreadiness should not be
was hesitating, but Longstreet; and Captain laid on General Lee's shoulders. Time is an
Beecham rightly says (page 158): “Longstreet essential element in battle. Forrest's great prin-
must have lost two precious hours in marching, ciple of strategy, to “get there first with the
counter-marching, and maneuvring for position. | most men,” will tell every time; and it told here.
The result was that the Fifth and Sixth Corps | Succeeding chapters in Captain Beecham's
were getting nearer and bearer, and finally had book give an account of the fighting at Cemetery
to be reckoned with. At last, late in the after- | Hill and Culp's Hill, fought by Early's division
noon, Longstreet's brigades were in readiness,” | and Johnson's division ; but the Confederate
- and they gave a good account of themselves success was only temporary. The attack was
when they were ready. But supposing they had not sustained, and when the Federals came
been ready even two or three hours sooner; how back next morning they readily recovered their
different might have been the result of that entrenchments. The author wonders “why
battle! Had the Federal lines from Little Round Ewell did not send the other three brigades
Top been enfiladed, as they might have been, of Rodes's division, and especially Gordon's
what would have been the result? Had Han- | brigade of Early's," and thus make the attack
cock's Corps been repulsed, what an opening more successful.
there would have been for Ewell and Hill! Captain Beecham is right in thinking there
The reviewer has often wondered why Rodes's was no bluff about Pickett's and Pettigrew's
Division, with which he later served, did so | charge, “and no necessity for a bluff.” It was
little on that day, and he can only explain it simply an illustration of the homely adage about
on the theory that the opposing lines were too “sending a small boy to mill," and it was not
strong to justify an attack. He knows some | General Lee's intention that so small a boy
thing of that division and its commander, and should be sent alone. Here again Longstreet
he knows that General Rodes would not have comes in for a share of blame. McLaws and
hesitated to go wherever he conceived success Hood should have helped Pickett. With this
to be possible. But Longstreet did not open addition to the assaulting column, the charge
the way. He had already delayed too long, to might have been successful. It may be a ques-
make the attack on the increased numbers feas tion as to whether this charge should ever have
ible. The engagement at the Peach Orchard been attempted; certainly, as made, it was fore-
allowed sufficient time for the Federal troops doomed to failure. It is also a question whether
to get up, and prevented the enfilading move much was expected from Stuart's cavalry on that
ment and its consequences. The author says day. The cavalry were “played out." The
(page 187): “ Had Longstreet begun his author rightfully says (page 223): “Stuart was
battle two hours earlier, — at two rather than at a disadvantage; his men were worn and weary
at four o'clock, — it would have been over be- | from long and continuous riding; his horses
fore Sykes's arrival, and the Battle of Gettys- were jaded and spiritless, while Gregg's and
burg would have been counted as the most ter- | Custer's men and horses were comparatively
the way. He; But Ler he conc


128
[Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
fresh and vigorous, and ready for action.” The and one that can never be settled. If we go
author gives a chapter to “the great cannonade.” | outside of the official reports, there is no basis
The reviewer may contribute his mite to the for argument; and whatever goes beyond these
account by stating that when the cannonade | is but an individual's private opinion, and one
was at its height he took out his watch and man's opinion is as good as another's. Where
counted one hundred guns to the minute. Meade failed was in not attacking near Hagers-
General Alexander, who was directing the Con town and Williamsport, where General Lee's
federate fire, stated that “the enemy's fire has army was detained by high water; and it was
not slackened at all.” This makes it clear that nearly out of ammunition. My own train, the
the charge should not have been ordered; it General Reserve Advance train, was entirely out,
was simply sending men to their death. There and its wagons were filled with arms collected
was no reason to suppose that Meade was out from the battlefield of the first day at Gettys-
of ammunition."
burg. High water prevented our re-crossing at
It may be mentioned, for future correction, Williamsport, and we had to wait there several
that the author prints (after page 238) a picture days until the water subsided. Our handful of
of Gen. Robert S. Garnett, killed near Carrick's cavalry, teamsters, and stragglers, put up a good
Ford on Cheat River, West Virginia, July 12, fight and repulsed the enemy.
1861, for that of Gen. Richard B. Garnett, | Captain Beecham comments freely on “ Lee's
killed at Gettysburg while commanding a bri- blunders at Gettysburg," but fails to prove his
gade in Pickett's division. As far as known, contention; and as to“ prolonging the war," he
no picture of Gen. Richard B. Garnett exists. loses sight of the brilliant campaign from the
Captain Beecham rightfully tries to correct Rapidan to Petersburg, in which Grant was com-
the erroneous impression that Pickett's columnpletely outgeneralled, and did not “fight it out
deserves “ credit for the whole affair.” Petti on that line," although it took all summer and
grew's troops, and some others, were also there, winter too, and but for Sherman another sum-
and should always be mentioned in any account mer would have been needed. “Overwhelming
of this famous charge. There is glory enough numbers and resources " triumphed at last.
for all, in any correct account of it. General With some corrections and additions, this
Garnett, on account of illness, was one of the volume might be made an excellent account of
few officers in that charge who was mounted, the battle of Gettysburg ; but the author should
and he was killed within about a hundred yards give up his prejudices for Longstreet and his
of the rock fence, and his body was never hostility to Lee, and view with impartiality the
recovered. It is buried among “the unknown incidents of the battle. There was good fight-
dead” on the field of Gettysburg, a mute testi ing done on both sides on that field; but when
mony to his gallantry, when too he would have troops on each side are equal in prowess, or
been fully justified in not going into that nearly so, numbers will tell, and these prepon-
charge on account of his physical condition, but derated on the Federal side. Position, too, has
he was unwilling to allow his men to go in something to do with the result of a battle, and
without him. The author calls it “ Pickett's this was decidedly in favor of the Federals.
mad charge," but his men could not hesitate to Lee did not intend to fight there, and the battle
go where they were ordered. Live or die, they was brought on without his intention or his
were bound to obey orders; and notwithstanding orders. His lieutenants did not sustain him
the calamitous result of that fatal day, no one with unanimity. It is said that he once remarked
can deny that their duty was to obey.
that if he had had Jackson at Gettysburg, he
General Meade has been criticized for not would have won. Many others believe the
making a counter-charge ; but he was wise in same thing. But whatever we may think of
not doing so. He preferred to “ let well enough the result, it is a manifest duty to reconcile
alone.” The Confederates were not routed, but ourselves to it. JAMES M. GARNETT.
they were repulsed. At the first sign of pur-
suit they would have rallied on Seminary Ridge,
and the battle would have been on again. The The late Dr. Furnivall's services to literature and to
author is not satisfied with the official state social progress will be commemorated in some suitable
ment of losses sustained by the Confederates,
manner from a fund now being raised in England
through a committee composed of Mr. Thomas Hardy,
but contends that “the Confederate losses in
Mr. Edward Clodd, Sir A. Beerbohm Tree, and Mr.
the aggregate exceeded the Union losses by sev G. Bernard Shaw. The treasurer of the fund is Mr.
eral thousand." This is a useless contention, | Anthony Hope.


1911.)
129
THE DIAL
FRENCH INFLUENCE ON ENGLISH
yielding to pathetic tenderness; and, thirdly, a
LITERATURE.*
melodious ease of frank and simple utterance."
It came about that in manners as well as in
What Professor Herford did for the literary |
literature and art France was the chief refining
relations of England and Germany in the six-
agent in Tudor society.
teenth century, Mr. Sidney Lee has done for In the barren years from 1500 to 1550,
those of England and France in the same | French influence was more in matters of exter-
period. During the age of the Renaissance, nals than in ideas. The language was studied
political and geographical confines did not a in French grammars written by Englishmen;
prison make for art and literature; then, if ever, English books were published in France : certain
there were influences and counter-influences of
metrical forms, like the familiar Skeltonian
school on school, of nation on nation. In a
verse, were imitated from the French. Print-
period of such vast intellectual activity and
ing was an honored profession in France at
emotional fervor, it was impossible to hedge in the beginning of the sixteenth century, when
the free spirit that demanded utterance in all
in England it was in the hands of "half-educated
tongues. Ancient Greece and modern Italy
foreign mechanics,” the sole exception being
were the sources of this imperious inspiration
Caxton. And the printing-press was one of the
that stirred all Europe ; but as in all ages of
most powerful agents of the Renaissance. In
great artistic quickening, creation and not mere
the second half of the century this influence
imitation flowed from these sources. The
extended to the leading departments of Eliza-
national genius. whether Italian, French, or
bethan literature, to prose, the lyric, and the
English, prevailed; it made its own what it drama, as well as to the religious and devotional
took from abroad. So it was that when French writings inspired by the work of the Huguenots.
culture entered England it was assimilated by
The extent of the indebtedness of English to
the native genius and became as truly English | French culture is not so easily determined. It
as that born of the soil. The extent of this
involves, as Mr. Lee points out, a comparison of
influence was very great, so great that “neither the voluminous literatures of England, France,
the classics, nor Italian art and literature, nor and Italy, to know which of the two latter it
German art and literature, can on a broad sur-) was that more directly affected the first. That
vey be said to equal it.” To determine the the influence of France was greater than has
character, and, within limits, the extent of this
been generally recognized is clear on an exami-
influence, forms the thesis of Mr. Lee's book nation of Mr. Lee's volume. Even Wyatt and
on “ The French Renaissance in England.”
Surrey, who are generally thought of as going
The character of this influence covers nearly directly to Italy, absorbed rather from France
all provinces of the intellectual activity of the the Italian “ taste and sympathy which were
time. France absorbed the culture of Greece reflected in the manner and matter of their
and modern Italy, and independently sought to poetry”; and the direct agents were Marot and
keep in the van of progress. In this respect the Parisian Florentine Alamanni. In works
she was many years ahead of England, and was of philosophy, tbeology, and biography, the
therefore fitted to be the medium of classical | French source is usually acknowledged ; corre-
and Renaissance culture for England, as well sponding to Calvin, Amyot, Rabelais, and
as to be in a position to exert independent influ Montaigne, are Hooker, North, Nashe, and
ence. Moreover, the political links binding Bacon, not to mention others who reflected their
the two countries, their social relationships, influence to a lesser degree. In the lyric, on
and their geographical situation make the influ- the other hand, there is rarely an acknowledge-
ence of France upon England almost inevitable. ment of source, and it is therefore necessary to
There was something also in the French char- depend upon the deadly parallel study of indi-
acter which appealed to the English. L'esprit vidual poems. The poets desired credit for orig-
gaulois, mainly because it is different, has inality, and they trusted to their appropriations
always had an attraction for the stolid English not being discovered. The Pléiade, which had
man, who can find nothing like it at home. It become a dominating force in French poetry,
implies, says Mr. Lee, “three enviable qualities : extended its sphere to England, so that the
firstly, flexibility of thought; secondly, gaiety, metrical forms, the vocabulary, and the matter
tending at times to levity and coarseness, but of the French lyric, very considerably affected
*THE FRENCH RENAISSANCE IN ENGLAND. By Sidney
the English. Thus, we find Lyly's “ Io
Lee. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
Bacchus ! To thy table" inspired by an equally


130
(Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
Mr.al or individuareight to what i for, and not
buoyant lyric of Ronsard's; and Shakespeare's gland preferred the ways of romance to those
“glorified ebullition,” “Hark, hark! the lark of academic classicism. Here was the parting
at heaven's gate sings,” has the atmosphere of of the ways, since France chose the classical,
French rather than of English poetry. One and failed to reach the consummate glory of
might remark here, in criticism, that it is ex the Shakespearean performance. Beyond a
tremely difficult to dogmatize about such intangi certain point, French influence was unavailing;
ble stuff as the Shakespearean lyric, to separate for there in the empyrean the individual genius
what is the fine essence of the author's pure soared alone.
imagination from what is the characteristic pro Mr. Lee gives all due credit to his predeces-
duct of a school or nation. It is easier to trace sors in the field, especially to Jusserand and
the antecedents of the Elizabethan sonnet. Upham; but none has treated the subject in
French influence is sometimes apparent in this period so exhaustively as he, while at the
literal translation, sometimes in imitative para same time he makes it quite clear that his work
phrase. The familiar topics of the Shake is not definitive. If one might urge a criti-
spearean sonnet — as the fading of youthful cism, it is the one usually attendant upon a
beauty and the consequent need of self tracing of sources and influences, that the seeker
propagation, the denunciation of a false mis | is apt to find what he is looking for, and not
tress of black complexion, and the like — were to give sufficient weight to what is either uni-
a “constant burden of the sonnet of the French versal or individual. Into such error, though,
Renaissance.” Mr. Lee here merely hints at | Mr. Lee does not often slip.
his own skepticism concerning the autobio-
JAMES W. TUPPER.
graphical value of the sonnets of Shakespeare,
by remarking that those who hold to this view
“ can hardly deny that Shakespeare at times
CANADA OLD AND NEW.*
took his cue from contemporary French liter-
ature.” Similarly, the poetic vaunt of immor-
Of recent books published in or about
Canada, several are devoted to a description,
tality, which in some cases has, in other cases
has not, been justified, goes back to Ovid,
from differing points of view, of the country,
Horace, and Pindar, through the poets of the
or portions of the country, and its people. The
Pléiade.
latest and in some respects the most compre-
The influence of the Huguenots was not so
hensive of these works is that of Mr. W. L.
marked in literary as in social matters. The
Griffith on “ The Dominion of Canada.” Mr.
religious poetry of the last years of Elizabeth
Griffith, who has filled for some years the im-
and the early days of James is largely inspired,
portant position of secretary to the office of the
however, by the Huguenot Du Bartas's Le
High Commissioner for Canada in England,
Semaine, which had been badly translated by
has written, for the “ All-Red Series," a volume
Sylvester, and notwithstanding its uncouth
covering generally the history and present
English dress exerted a very considerable influ-
condition of the country. His book makes no
ence, most markedly in the work of Drayton
pretentions to being based on original research;
and Donne. Indeed, the so-called metaphysi-
it is a popular narrative, simple and direct in
cal school, which is generally carried back to
style, and on the whole very accurate in state-
Donne with his " combination of dissimilar
ment, designed to meet the needs of the aver-
images or discovery of occult resemblances in
age reader seeking information in regard to the
things apparently unlike,” may be carried back
country that is to-day so much in the public
still further, says Mr. Lee, to the work of this
eye. The special value of the book rests in its
Frenchman Du Bartas. The French influence
treatment of questions of immediate interest,
was thus not always an unmixed blessing.
such as railway development, technical educa-
In the drama, the influence of France was
tion, the agricultural colleges, the proposed
in the furnishing of plot material, and toward
Georgian Bay Canal, the Preferential Tariff,
a more exact following of classical traditions. *TAE DOMINION OF CANADA. By W.L. Griffith. With
French history, as in the story of the Guises,
illustrations and maps. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
NEW RELATION OF GASPESIA. By Father Le Clercq.
and French versions of Italian novels and plays, Translated and edited, with a reprint of the original, by
furnished the theme for many an English play. | William F. Ganong. Toronto: The Champlain Society.
There was always a learned party in England
THROUGH THE HEART OF CANADA. By Frank Yeagh,
Illustrated. Chicago : A. C. McClurg & Co.
advocating a closer adherence to the orthodox A FISHERMAN'S SUMMER IN CANADA. By F. G. Aflalo.
classical creed; but the vigorous drama of En- | Illustrated. New York : Charles Scribner's Sons,


1911.]
131
THE DIAL
the All Red Route, and the question of national story, comes to the conclusion that Le Clercq
defence. There are a number of appropriate did find the Cross among the Miramichi Indians,
illustrations, including such up-to-date subjects but that it was probably a totem sign which,
as a view of Main Street in Prince Rupert, and drawn in outline and more or less conventional-
a picture of the consolidated School Garden ized according to custom, fell somewhat into the
Plots at the Guelph Agricultural College. form of a cross. In addition to his scholarly
One of the more important of the books in Introduction, Professor Ganong has enriched
our present group is the last publication of the this reprint with a number of valuable notes.
Champlain Society. It is a reprint of a very The volume contains an exact copy of the orig-
old and rare work, by Father Le Clercq, a Recol- inal, as well as a translation; also a biblio-
lect missionary in New France, who labored for graphical description of the original work by
many years among the Indians of the Gaspé pen | Victor Hugo Paltsits, and a full index.
insula. His book, publisbed originally at Paris Mr. Frank Yeigh, author of “ Through the
in 1691, is now only to be found in the large Heart of Canada," assumed a difficult task in
reference libraries, and is therefore practically attempting to describe the Dominion of Canada
unknown to all except a few students. As one from a fresh view-point. So many more or less
of the original narratives of the seventeenth competent writers have covered the same field,
century in Canada, it was well worth translating in much the same way, during the last few
and reprinting; and although its purely histor- | years, that the average reader will be inclined
ical value may be inferior to other works of the to reject this book as a mere re-statement of
same period, it stands almost alone in the what others had said before. Mr. Yeigh bas,
minuteness and fidelity of the account it gives however, his own individual way of looking
of the manners and customs of the Gaspesian at things ; he also offers us the contrast of a
Indians. Father Le Clercq describes the origin | Canadian describing his own country — other
of the Gaspesians, according to their own tradi- | recent writers in the same field having been
tions and the speculations of European travel | English, French, or American; and, further,
lers, their birth, customs, dress, ornaments, wig. | he includes in his book an account of several
wams, and hoine life, food, language, religion, | little-known districts, such as New Ontario, the
etc. He also devotes a chapter to the description Magdalen Islands, and the Cariboo country of
of a system of hieroglyphic characters which he British Columbia. He also gives us an excel.
invented for the use of his converts. Another lent account of that splendidly efficient little
long chapter contains a very entertaining nar force, the North West Mounted Police; and one
rative of his mid-winter voyage along the coast is glad of the opportunity of quoting this simple
from Nepisiguit to Miramichi. Father Le tribute from the official head of the force:
Clercq tells us, among other things, that the “Whether bringing relief to isolated settlers in bitter
Gaspesians worshipped the Cross before the ad cold and over the deep snow of the open plains, carrying
vent of white men. He gives a curious native
mail to distant Hudson Bay posts, to the Arctic seas, or
to detachments in Northern british Columbia, or hurry-
tradition to the effect that in a certain time of
ing to the relief of unfortunate persons in remote parts,
great national calamity some of their wisest old our men never fail us. They undertake the work with
men saw in a dream a beautiful stranger who cheerfulness and carry it out indifferent to difficulties
showed them a Cross and told them that if the and hardships.”
nation would make the like, and hold it in The dangers of the service were sufficiently
respect, it would bring an end of all their ills. revealed a few months ago, in the discovery of
The missionary tells us that in his first voyage the bodies of a detachment of the Police, who
to Gaspesia he found a Cross embellished with had been sent out from Dawson in the winter
beads set in the place of honor in a wigwam, of 1910, carrying mail to Fort Macpherson,
and the owner told him that he had received it Mackenzie River. They had starved to death
from his ancestors by inheritance. Professor within a few miles of their destination.
Ganong, in his invaluable Introduction to the Mr. Aflalo is one of those English sportsmen
reprint of Le Clercq's work, discusses minutely who wander about the earth in search of new
the contemporary and other evidence for and fields and new laurels. His book describes a
against Le Clercq's story of the origin of the three-months' fishing expedition in Eastern
worship of the Cross; and after rejecting the | Canada, including salmon fishing on the Mira-
theories of Lafitau, Charlevoix, and others, that michi, “muskallonge” and black bass in
Le Clercq was carried away by his own enthusi- Georgian Bay, and tuna off the Cape Breton
asm and that there was no real basis for bis / Coast. The description of the attempts of him-


132
[Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
self and others to land these monsters of the the arguments in behalf of the traditional views
sea, the tuna, makes perhaps the most interest | recently advanced by Sanday, Stanton, and
ing reading in the book. The mere idea of Drummond. He points out, as others have
angling for a fish that runs anywhere up to done, that Drummond saves the authenticity of
eight hundred or nine hundred pounds, rather the Fourth Gospel at the expense of the writ-
takes away the breath of anyone not accustomed er's accuracy; while Sanday admits so large an
to big game fishing. The following extract idealizing tendency, especially in the long ad-
from Mr. Aflalo's diary will persuade most of dresses attributed to Jesus, that the evangelist's
us to leave the tuna severely alone :
testimony is seriously weakened. Professor
“About 10.15 we caught sight of Ross in tow of a Bacon clearly shows that the voluminous ma-
fish which was taking him at a terrific pace across the terial gathered, over a generation ago, by Light-
bay. I afterwards learned that he had hooked it at
foot and Ezra Abbot, actually has little or no
9.55, and he played it in all for seven hours, thirty-five
minutes. It seems a brief fight compared with that of
bearing on the real question at issue. He points
nineteen hours last year, but this was far more effective out that evidence that the Gospel existed during
than that, which was mostly towage. I watched him, the years 120-150 is not proof that those who
keeping well out of the way, for five hours, during
knew and used it then regarded it as apostolic;
which time he was twice taken half way to the Bird
Islands, the yacht standing by all the time, and the
while similarities in phrase and thought in the
little power launch taking supplies for him and his men. writings of that period do not necessarily prove
He must have covered twenty or thirty miles in all. dependence upon this Gospel. Such similarities
Then it seemed about three-thirty his rod broke over undoubtedly root back in conditions anterior to
the gunwale, aud he held the tuna for the last two hours
both the Gospel and to these expositions of what
on the broken stump. At the end he had worked his
fish to a beach, and was handling it for the gaff, but the
was then rising as a comparatively new form of
line caught for an instant on the jagged edge of the
Christian Faith.
broken tip and parted. Seeing that Ross had two men | Professor Bacon brings out with much force
to row his boat, a yacht standing by throughout, and a
and clearness the important facts, the signifi-
power boat plying between the two, the difficulties for
cant bearings of which have not generally been
any sportsman more normally fitted out look almost
insuperable."
sufficiently recognized, that the Fourth Gospel
And that ought to be a comfort to any reckless for many years was not accepted as apostolic
sportsman who has dreamed of landing a North by important sections of Christendom; that it
Atlantic tuna! LAWRENCE J. BURPEE.
only slowly won its way to general acceptance;
and that its final inclusion in the canon was
due, not to historical evidence or to the char-
A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF BIBLE
acter of the writing itself, but to theological
CRITICISM.*
prepossessions. The type of thought which it
By his “ Genesis of Genesis," some twenty
represented finally became dominant and craved
years ago Professor Bacon took high rank
apostolic sanction. The age was speculative,
among the world's Biblical scholars. His pres-
but not critical. It gladly appropriated what
ent treatise on the Fourth Gospel fulfils the
nourished its new forms of piety. But the
expectations then created. It has the thorough-
Synopties long remained supreme as sources of
ness of the German, the perspicacity of the
the life-story and ethical message of Jesus, even
French, and the orderliness of the English. It
with those who for doctrinal reasons came to use
will not turn the tide of opinion respecting the
the Fourth Gospel as authoritative. The writ-
authorship and character of the Fourth Gospel,
ings of the church fathers of the last half of the
for that turned some years ago; but it will com-
second century plainly illustrate this fact.
plete the victory of free but reverent Gospel
This treatise on the so-called Gospel of John
Criticism, and also hasten certain important
is as popular in character as the discussion of
theological changes. Coming as it does from a
such a problem admits. What eminent scholars
distinguished professor at Yale University, it will
have contributed to its solution during recent
be accepted as a most significant work, and will
years is briefly but clearly described. Profes-
have profound influence among conservatives.
sor Bacon does not accept Wendt's suggestive
With gracious courtesy and scholarly thor-
partition theory, but presents instead the view
oughness Professor Bacon combats (and com-
that the Gospel was produced primarily as a
pletely overthrows, most readers will conclude)
doctrinal exposition, which early received edi-
torial revision; so that in the work as it lies
*THE FOURTH GOSPEL IN RESEARCH AND DEBATE. By
Benjamin Wisner Bacon, D.D., LL.D., Professor in Yale
before us we have the writing of a mystical
University. New York: Moffat, Yard & Co.
expositor who used the Synoptics and other


1911.]
133
THE DIAL
materials (possibly some may have come from such an aid to clarity of thought. The answer
the apostle John) to set forth the Logos con- | is that artists are not philosophers; their work
ception of Jesus, which was then coming into | is synthetic, not analytic, and rarely does their
prominence, working as honestly as Paul and education tend to give them a clearly visioned
in much the same spirit. Afterwards this writ and consistent conception of the nature of art,
ing was somewhat worked over or edited by a | though if it did their average level of perform-
redactor — possibly more than one. By such ance would almost certainly be much bigher
a theory as this, the numerous dislocations, than it is. The philosophers too, for the most
abrupt transitions, and incongruities of the | part, have failed to take a comprehending view,
document, long ignored or slighted by conserv being less concerned to understand art than to
ative scholars, are easily explained.
elaborate formulas respecting it which shall
Professor Bacon frankly admits, in his closing square with their general hypotheses about life.
pages, that this general conclusion of modern Art occupies a much larger place in the world
Biblical scholarship respecting the Fourth Gos- than is generally realized. The ways in which
pel must necessarily produce marked changes it enters into and modifies the appearance of the
in the theology, the preaching, and the ideals things that surround us are countless. The im-
of the Christian Church. But he contends — portance, therefore, of right thinking in regard
and in this he is manifestly right — that all to it is very great. To such thinking, Profes-
such necessary and permanent changes in faith | sor Van Dyke's little book offers valuable aid.
and teaching will be for the good of Christianity In answering the question “What is Art?” he
and the blessing of mankind. Whatever these does not attempt a definition, but puts the true
changes may be, one may be confident that the point of view before the reader in delightfully
character and teachings of Jesus will gain in incisive and luminous phrase, demonstrating
attractiveness and spiritual influence. Profes beyond cavil that “art is primarily a matter of
sor Bacon does not attempt to describe what doing, somewhat a matter of seeing and feeling,
these changes will be: this is not the task of the and perhaps not at all a matter of theme or
Biblical critic. They are even now in progress, thinking.” Trite as this may sound, it is doc-
and some day a great Christian teacher will trine that cannot be inculcated too often ; as
arise and give them attractive and authoritative Professor Van Dyke says, it has to be impressed
expression. JOSEPH HENRY CROOKER.
anew upon every succeeding generation.
The book consists of six essays, all but one
of which may be commended without reserva-
tion. The exception is the essay on “Quality
WHAT IS ART?*
in Art,” in which an attempt is made to explain
Nothing puzzles the ordinary man more, the use of the word "quality" to denote what
when he thinks about the matter at all, than the French with nicer discrimination speak of
the difference between his notions and feelings as charactere. Like many other slip-shod ex-
about art and those of artists and connoisseurs. | pressions, it has gained some currency. That
Though art may interest him little or not at so careful a writer as Professor Van Dyke
all, he is nevertheless quite sure he knows what should accept it, is surprising. Quality is not
it is : bis mind is not perplexed by definitions the same thing as distinctive character. To
or shades of meaning. Why, then, should there impress the word with that meaning is indefen-
be wide divergence of opinion about it among sible, and must inevitably lead to confusion of
those for whom art forms the larger part of thought. An example is furnished by the essay
daily life? The lack of an authoritative and | under consideration, where the word frequently
comprehensive definition does not explain this; recurs, but is not always used in the same sense.
most people are content to get along without ! In the essay on “ The Use of tbe Model ”
*What is ART ? Studies in the Technique and Criticism
the author points out one of the chief causes of
of Painting. By John C. Van Dyke, New York: Charles the weakness of the art of to-day. The world's
Scribner's Sons.
masterpieces were largely done “out of the
ART's ENIGMA. By Frederick Jameson. With eight
heads ” of the men who produced them. They
illustrations. New York: John Lane Co.
ESSAYS ON THE PURPOSE OF ART. Past and Present
recognized the danger of slavish adherence to
Creeds of English Painters. By Mrs. Russell Barrington. the model and the importance of training the
New York: Longmans, Green & Co.
visual memory. Our artists and the teachers
A PAINTER'S PROGRESS. The Scammon Lectures for
1910. By Will H. Low. New York: Charles Scribner's
in our art schools would do well to ponder long
Sons.
| and carefully what Professor Van Dyke has to


13+
(Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
say upon this topic. Turning to the considera- of the simplest works of art known to us —
tion of art criticism and art history, he justly | as the type, his analysis yields the following
finds fault with the application of “the dollar “schedule of the constituents of an art work":
standard” in judging works of art, and condemns | “A work of art is the representation of an imagina-
the attitude of many collectors and connoisseurs. tive conception of a group of things composed together
Eminently sound also are his remarks about the
in such a manner as to produce a number of æsthetic
and emotional impressions, not all pleasant in themselves,
fragile character of so-called art history, built,
but combining into one whole intensely delightful, com-
as it sometimes is, upon a foundation of surmise. plex, but harmonious mental impression. Its essence
The essay on “ Art Appreciation " is a plea and the source of its charm and of all the effects above
for the development of a distinctively American quoted---emotional suggestion, change of painful impres-
art. This is vigorously pressed, and there is
sions to pleasant ones, unity and perfection of the whole
- lie in the form and relation of the parts, and not at
undoubted force in the author's contention.
all in the separate component elements The work ap-
But while it is obvious that “we shall not be peals to the imagination alone, and the reason, or con-
great in art or its appreciation, nor shall we in sciously acting part of the intellect, is insensible to its
anywise become an artistic people, until we put
appeal, and is unable to explain or in any way to account
aside our foreign baubles and do our own things
for its attraction or even to tell whether any group of
things form a work of art or not. Its sole aim, so far
with our own materials in our own way,” the
as we can at present see, is a certain kind of pleasure, of
argument against the acquisition of works of which the source is a bighly complex kind of beauty."
art that happen to be old or made in other lands
As a working definition, this fails to satisfy.
is hardly convincing. It entirely ignores their
Surely the nature of the emotional or the mental
educational value, which in the long run should impression produced cannot be one of the con-
help, not hinder, our appreciation of the produc stituents of a work of art, since it depends upon
tions of American workers in the field of art. the sensitiveness of the observer's mind, and
In “ Art's Enigma,” Mr. Frederick Jameson not upon the quality or character of the thing
makes another attempt to bring order out of the observed. The ordinary man, also, will find it
6 absolute chaos of our ideas upon the subject.” | difficult to realize that his reason counts for noth-
It is a serious and careful study, embracing the ing in the perception of harmonic relation.
whole field of art, with the aim “to discover When a perfect definition is put together, it
some of the essential characteristics of the differ-
will lay much stress upon the creative element
ent things it unites in one.” The author begins as a prime essential. In a way, Mr. Jameson
by showing the fallacy of many widely held perceives this ; and he insists that the creative
notions. A person is not necessarily an artist emotion depends on its universality and not on
because he happens to practise one of the arts.
its personality, and must cease to be absorb-
A painter does not actually copy the landscape ingly personal before it can find poetic expres-
in front of him, though he often entertains the sion. His words in this connection are worth
delusion that he does. Realism and idealism are
bearing in mind.
meaningless phrases. Realism signifies merely
| “Many works have been ruined as art by the attempt
“a presentation of nature in accord with the to bring into them some present personal experience or
view of the ordinary unimaginative person.” some burning personal emotion. Nevertheless, the
Idealism signifies the presentation of equally real
desire that prompts such attempts is continually spoken
of as the impelling force which produces art, and is
but less familiar things. “Bad art can only mean confounded with the true ardour of the artist, which
inartistic art, which is a contradiction in terms.” springs from the need of expressing, not his spirit's
A vital note is sounded in this cogent utterance: experience, but his imagination's vision."
“ All artistic “impressions' . .. must be conceived, Mr. Jameson's comments upon the arts of musi-
so to speak, in the medium of their expression, and not cal and dramatic composition, and of the writ-
translated into it. The thing in the painter's mind must
be a painted picture, not an intellectual conception; he
ing of poetry and novels, are of special interest
must think in paint, forms, and colours; the musician
from the rigorous logic with which he pushes
must think in sound; the dramatist must hear and see his inquiry, and the clearness with which he
his characters on the stage as he composes.”
perceives that musical compositions, dramas,
This leads up to analyses of the several arts of novels, and poems, as well as pictures, can only
music, poetry, the drama, novel-writing, paint be classed as works of art when their compo-
ing, and architecture, for the purpose of reveal nent materials have been welded into organic
ing the qualities common to all, on the theory and rhythmic unity. He has handled a difficult
that “widely as the material and methods of the subject with lucidity and insight.
various arts differ, their essence and aim must Mrs. Russell Barrington's “ Essays on the
be the same.” Taking a harmonized tune - one | Purpose of Art” are marred by extreme diffu-


1911.)
135
THE DIAL
Correspondence
siveness and constant digression which make stimulated through the wider employment of
her book a difficult one to read. It is designed fine mural decoration. How this can be brought
as a sort of supplement — or, as the author puts about is perhaps not apparent. Mr. Low is
it “ a sequel" — to her “Reminisences of G. F. sure that “the world is more filled with think-
Watts” and “ The Life, Letters and Work of ing men and women to-day than it was in the
Frederic Leighton "; and two of the essays most brilliant epochs of the old days of art, and
attempt to describe the “ something ” said by they will listen — only the artist' must have
these artists which “nothing has said before.” something to say.” More than that, however,
In the case of Leighton, this “something” is is necessary. The important thing is that what
declared to be :
the artist has to say should be uttered in such
« First, the power of treating form with absolute | a way as to command attention.
structural correctness and at the same time with singu-
FREDERICK W. GOOKIN.
lar grace; masculine force and feminine quality of
line combined; and secondly, to depict sentiment and
meaning through attitudes of the human figure."
Need we wonder, therefore, that his art was not
“ art for art's sake,” but “ art for nature's
BRIEFS ON NEW BOOKS.
sake"? Far different was the “something”
The early death, five years ago, of
said by Watts. His work “embodied the sense of Mrs. Cragie the pungently epigrammatic “ John
of noble Greek serenity emotionalized into pas-
and her friends. Oliver Hobbes ” (Mrs. Pearl Mary-
sion hy the temperament of the Celt.” In a
Teresa Craigie) brought sorrow to her thousands of
readers and admirers. Of novels and plays from
general way, the author realizes that the pur-
her hand we shall have no more; but in the volume
pose of art is the satisfaction of the æsthetic
of her letters now published we find something of a
sense; but her conception of art is extremely
more personal and intimate character, the unstudied
hazy, though much that she says is sound and expression of the mind and heart of both John
well expressed.
Oliver Hobbes and Mrs. Craigie. “The Life of
The six Scammon Lectures delivered before John Oliver Hobbes, Told in her Correspondence
the Art Institute of Chicago by Mr. Will H.
with Numerous Friends ” (Dutton) opens with fifty-
Low, and now gathered in a volume entitled
four pages of biography from the pen of her father,
“A Painter's Progress,” are pleasantly remi-
Mr. John Morgan Richards, prefaced by a brief
introduction by Bishop Welldon. Mrs. Craigie's
niscent, and deal with the author's student life
American birth and parentage are easily lost sight
and later experiences during thirty long years
of, from the fact of her family's early removal to
at home and abroad. They describe, with much
London ; but she remained to the end proud of hav-
interesting detail, the conditions under which ing been born under the stars and stripes. Married
the young American artist of fifty years ago at nineteen and soon separated from her husband,
prepared for his life-work. These conditions she shaped the fifteen years of her literary activity
belong to a day that is past. Technical profi very much after her own desire, leaving upon one
ciency can now be acquired as well in the art
the impression of a strong and intensely vital per-
schools of our larger cities as in Paris or
sonality. Concerning her choice of her decidedly
Munich. But the gain in facilities for the
masculine nom de plume, she herself once said:
“I chose the name of John because it is my father's
education of our artists has not been accom-
and my son's; Oliver because of the warring
panied by a corresponding increase in public
Cromwell; and Hobbes because it is homely.” Her
appreciation of art. Mr. Low feels sure that
love of the strong and pronounced in literature
in New York at least, in the seventies, the shows itself in an enthusiastic letter to Mr. Thomas
number of those who took a well-defined inter Hardy, of whose “ Jude” she does not hesitate to
est in art included a greater share of the gen say: “That ranks in my mind with Michael
eral public than to-day.” That was before a Angelo's Last Judgment. Its greatness goes
new art propaganda, bristling with fads and
beyond literature and challenges comparison with
Academic inanities, had been established here
all works of amazing genius.” From one of her
by enthusiastic young painters and architects
knowledge and skill in music, the following on
Wagner as rendered at Bayreuth is surprising :
fresh from European studios, and what Profes-
“I think the thing is, on the whole, mere sensa
sor Van Dyke speaks of as “the unloading at
tionalism of a rather vicious kind. In less than ten
our doors of the art plunder of all creation ".
years Wagner will be off.”” Her eager striving to
had begun. The awakening of a new and more excel in her .art, especially as a dramatist, undoubt-
intelligent interest, Mr. Low thinks, can best be edly shortened her strenuously busy life. The


136
(Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
letters are well selected, and are accompanied by or at least of the refined Meredithian variety of
suffizient explanatory commentary from an undesig- comedy. “Meredith's comedy,” to quote Mr.
nated hand. Portraits and other illustrations are Beach's explanation in full, "is lean humor. It is
not lacking.
humor divested of those appurtenances of the sensu-
A European automobile tour, well | ous, of sentimentality, of naturalistic detail, of
Pioneer motoring
ring out of the beaten track, and filled | material accident, of waggish impertinent wit, that
in the Balkans.
with much in the way of unusual and
make so fat and succulent the work of most English
at times hair-raising experience, is described in detail | humorists." This high comedy of Meredith's con-
and illustrated with innumerable snap-shot views, in
cerns itself with high life. It is not content with
Mr. Roy Trevor's substantial volume entitled “My the obviously laughable, but “deals with persons
Balkan Tour: An Account of Some Journeyings
not comic on the surface, and shows them to be
and Adventures in the Near East, together with a
comic by the exhibition of their inner life.” Accept-
Descriptive and Historical Account of Bosnia and | ing the author's definition of comedy and the comic
Herzegovina, Dalmatia, Croatia, and the Kingdom for the purposes of the present study, one finds in
of Montenegro” (Lane). The party was composed
the succeeding chapters (on the wiseacre, the snob,
of veteran travellers,—the author and an old school-
the sentimentalist, the optimist, the egotist, and the
friend, their wives, and one servant, — and the romantic epicure) some keen and enjoyable inter-
inevitable hardships of the journey, through lands | pretations of Meredithian characters and Meredith-
primitively ignorant of the motor-car as well as of ian wit and wisdom. With the exception of certain
many other things occidental, were borne with merry
desultory articles and chapters from earlier pens,
hearts and in a fine spirit of adventure. The five
| Mr. Beach's book is a pioneer in the critical discus-
hundred pages of the book cover an ample range
sion of the Meredithian comic spirit. In style, and
of history and description, all of it interesting to in the evidences of careful study, it prepossesses
some readers, and some of it interesting to all read. one at first glance and invites to a more than cur-
ers. The amazement and even terror with which 1 sory perusal.
the sputtering vehicle of the strangers filled the
natives and their domestic animals, especially the
A governor of the Joseph Dudley, son of Thomas Dud-
old Bav state, ley, second governor of Massachu-
horses, were such as almost to pass belief in the two centuries ago.setts Bay Colony, and himself for
telling. Here is a sample of the sights of the “near
thirteen years governor of the Province under the
East”: “Skutari is a delight to the hunter of the
new charter granted by William and Mary, forms
bizarre, but a nightmare to the lover of hygiene, the subject of one of the “ Harvard Historical Stu-
presenting as it does one vast, ever-changing pano dies.” “ The Public Life of Joseph Dudley” (Long-
rama of almost grotesque characters. Its Turkish
mans), by Professor Everett Kimball, is primarily
population is perhaps the most atrociously dirty on
“a study of the colonial policy of the Stuarts in
the face of the globe, yet if one does not probe too New England, 1660-1715,” though extending by
deeply into their lives, but is content to enjoy the
more than a quarter of a century beyond the period
general effect from a distance, one may delight in
of Stuart rule in England. Dudley was a born
sights that belie the very word of Europe as we
politician and office-seeker, and contrived to keep
understand the term.” The author has certainly
himself rather prominently before the public during
given his readers good measure, and the lively inter-
most of his adult life, holding a succession of offices
est he himself takes in every mile and every incident
and using his influence to secure desirable posts for
of the tour is sure to prove contagious with those
his son and son-in-law. A “singularly unlovely"
who turn his pages. To the jaded tourist he renders
character, his present biographer confesses him to
a service by calling attention to fresh fields and
have been ; but the historian's concern is not now
untravelled roads of undeniable picturesqueness
with Dudley the man, but with “ Dudley as an
and charm.
English official charged vith the execution of the
Meredith's wit, brilliance, insight, English policy.” The animus of our older chroni-
The element
of comedy in mastery of style, painting of char- clers of American history is absent, undoubtedly
George Meredith. acter, his philosophy of life, his mes with some loss of piquancy, from Professor Kim-
sage to mankind, and so on, have been duly dwelt ball's dispassionate and scholarly treatment of
upon by his many admirers and interpreters; but Dudley's official activities. The available printed
his command of comedy as a medium for the convey and manuscript sources of information, which are
ance of his meaning has received far less attention, considerable in number, seem to have been thor-
probably because, in the common acceptation of the | oughly examined, and the result is highly credit-
term, comedy, mirth-compelling and more or less able to the Harvard Department of History, under
noisy, by no means abounds in his pages. But Mr. whose auspices the series is published from the
Joseph Warren Beach's study of “The Comic Spirit income of the Henry Warren Torrey Fund. One
in George Meredith” (Longmans) serves as a not criticism, which in a sense is complimentary to the
superfluous reminder that the creator of “Sir Austin author, might be made. His book ends somewhat
Feverel” had in abundance that “lean humor" | abruptly, leaving the reader uninformed as to the
which the writer regards as the essence of comedy, l exact time and the full particulars of Dudley's final


1911.)
137
THE DIAL
removal from his high office. A long list of author. Weems, and Mr. Wroth’s book is interesting reading.
ities and a full index close the volume.
Details of the gradual growth of Weems's “ Wash-
ington” from pamphlet to book, and of its aston-
Mr. Charles Ferguson's convention-
A dip into
ishing sale thereafter, would have been interesting,
the future of defying volume entitled “The Uni-
but doubtless were not easily procurable. A portrait
Education. versity Militant” (Kennerley) is a
of Weems and other appropriate illustrations adorn
plea for making higher education more productive
the biography.
of good to humanity at large. The university should
remodel itself on the twelfth-century pattern of “ a
imilored Miss Mary White Ovington gives
The unassimilated
self-governing commonwealth” in which “the stu-
colored element of the suggestive title “Half a Man”
New York City. to her careful study of “the status
dents had the suffrage and managed the corpora-
tion; the professors did not speak de haut en bas
of the negro in New York,” which is published by
like princes and bishops." The author's suggestion,
Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co. as the second of
therefore, is “to build university towns, universities
the series under the supervision of the Greenwich
whose charters shall be municipal charters, and set
House Committee on Social Investigations. Melan-
them the task of subduing as much of the earth as
choly and humiliating is the picture presented of
they can manage — say a million or two acres each,
the harsh and often obviously illegal discrimination
something over forty miles square — by the exercise
that the colored person of cosmopolitan New York
of their own organic civilizing powers.” Science
struggles against, most often in vain, in the attempt
and the will to do good are to be brought into closer
to win a livelihood and to secure some modest
union. Arbitrariness – intellectual, political, or of
measure of happiness and comfort and self-respect.
whatever sort - is to give way to a sweet reason-
Provincial, not cosmopolitan, is our metropolis in
ableness. At present “the State dies because it is
some of her prejudices as compared with Paris and
a state ; it dies of static law. It attempts to erect
London, where other alien races besides the African
in this fluent, growing world a permanent establish-
have had occasion to note with gratitude the human-
ment aloof from nature.” The author speaks of
ity shown to them at a time when American rude-
• the paralysis of ideal politics,” and refers to
ness had left them tingling with humiliation and
“ scholars in politics " as having “had their day.”
indignation. And from Miss Ovington's showing the
Mr. Ferguson's varied attainments—he is a member
conditions are not at present improving. “Northern
of the New York bar, was at one time rector of St.
men visiting southern colored schools advise the
James's Church in Syracuse, and is now a writer of
pupils to remain where they are, and restless spirits
editorials and of books — qualify him to speak intel.
among the race are assured that it is better to sub-
ligently and persuasively on the many vital questions
mit to some personal oppression than to go to a land
broached in “ The University Militant."
of uncertain employment. The past glory of the
North is dwelt upon, its days of black waiters, and
Just as Johnson's famous biographer
barbers, and coachmen; but the present is painted
The biography
of a famous has been himself biographized, the in harsh colors." Nevertheless Miss Ovington cheers
biographer. reflected glory of his hero investing
herself with the hope that “in the future it New
honest Boswell with sufficient glamour to interest
York) may take on a larger, more cosmopolitan
the world in his rather prosaic and hum-drum life-
spirit," and that then “the Negro will bring to it
history, so the author of the most popular biography his highest genius, and will walk through it simply,
of Washington is now made the subject of as full à l quietly, unnoticed, a man among men.”
biographical sketch as is rendered possible by the
extant sources of information. The Rev. Mason
Mr. Scott Nearing's little book en-
Locke Weems, whose "Life of Washington " was its causes titled “The Solution of the Child-
in its day more than forty times re-printed, and had
and its cure. Labor Problem” (Moffat, Yard &
a sale such as probably no other American biography | Co.) is written from the conviction that hitherto we
has achieved, has inspired Mr. Lawrence C. Wroth have not been dealing adequately with the child-
to fill a little book of one hundred pages (“ Parson labor problem because we have been attacking child-
Weems: A Biographical and Critical Study,” pub- labor itself directly through coercive legislation. We
lished by the Eichelberger Book Co. of Baltimore) have not been concerned with a removal of its causes.
with a variety of carefully-gleaned information Legislation against child-labor is not sufficient, be-
respecting this versatile preacher, pedlar, moralist, cause child-labor is a symptom only. It is the pov-
and biographer. The disputed place and date of erty of wage-earners and inadequate schools that
his birth are given, without citation of authorities, must be attacked, for these are the prime causes of
as “Marshes Seat, the family homestead near Her child-labor. The steps necessary to the removal of
ring Creek in Anne Arundel County, Maryland,” these causes are, first, insuring proper training of
October 1, 1759. Frank admission is made of children for life and work ; second, giving to society
Weems's practice of drawing on his imagination in efficient and social men and women; third, keeping
his biographical works, the cherry-tree incident being families above the line of mal-nutrition; and, fourth,
of course acknowledged to be of doubtful authen preventing the premature employment of children.
ticity. A good deal of a "character” was Parson | The writer recommends for the first and second
Chilil-labor,


138
[Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
goals the reorganization of our schools so as to make book intended to "enable students from the very begin-
them more attractive to children and capable of ning of their course to know what the science is about
developing more efficient citizens; and for the third,
and why it is necessarily the foundation of exact thought
the establishing of a minimum wage, of compulsory
as applied to natural phenomena.” This is a most
insurance, and of school feeding. The book is
praiseworthy object, and mathematical teaching would
become much more interesting than it is if it were
written in a popular vein, and gives somewhat the
accompanied by a certain amount of reading of this
impression of expressing rather obvious views as if
philosophical, or of the historical sort.
they were now and almost revolutionary.
Shakespearian Scholarship has by no means come to
a standstill. We are told in the “Introduction to
Shakespeare' (Macmillan), produced by the joint labore
BRIEFER MENTION.
of Drs. MacCracken, Pierce, and Durham, that “the
studies of Wallace in the life-records, of Lounsbury in
Messrs. T. Y. Crowell & Co. are republishing some the history of editions, of Pollard and Grey in early
of the world's greatest fictions in a new illustrated quartos, of Lee upon the First Folio, of Albright and
popular-priced form, « The Louxembourg Library."
others upon the Elizabethan Theatre, as well as valuable
They have just.issued in this series Charles Kingsley's monographs on individual plays," have all been pro-
• Westward Ho !" and a translation of Tolstoy's duced since the publication of the last Shakespeare
“ Resurrection ” by Celine P. Delano. Each volume has manual. The new work is thus amply justified. The
a photogravure portrait of the author on the title-page. closing lines of the book neatly characterize the Baconian
“George Meredith: His Life and Art in Anecdote delusion as “one of the strangest medleys of garbled
and Criticism," by Mr. J. A. Hammerton, which was first facts and fallacious reasoning which has ever imposed
issued within a few months of the novelist's death, is on an honest and intelligent but uninformed public."
now reissued by Mr. John Grant of Edinburgh in a
revised and enlarged form with fifty-five illustrations.
The book deals with every phase of Meredith's life and
NOTES.
art, and the author has amended its pages in places
where the advisability of so doing was suggested by the
The « Kilmarnock ” Burns of 1786 is added by Mr.
criticisms of the first edition.
Henry Frowde to his delightful series of first editions
Miss Susan Paxon has written “Two Latin Plays for in type-facsimile reprints. It is one of the most wel-
High-School Students," which are published in a little come and attractive of the whole series.
volume by Messrs. Ginn & Co. Their subjects are Professor Edward A. Ross, of the University of Wis-
“ A Roman School” and “A Roman Wedding.” It consin, has just completed a first-hand investigation of
seems that the Roman schoolboy was given to reciting social and economic conditions in China, the results of
Macaronic verse, such as:
which, in popular form, will be published immediately
“ Jacobus Horner
by the Century Co.
Sedebat in corner
Miss Ida M. Tarbell's important study of “The
Edens Saturnalicium pie."
Tariff in Our Times” is to be issued at an early date
Directions are given for stage-setting and costuming by the Macmillan Co. In this connection, we may note
We heartily recommend this little book as a means | that practically all of Miss Tarbell's earlier books have
of imparting freshness and interest to the dry work of | been taken over by the Macmillan Co.
teaching elementary Latin.
A volume of “ Selections froin Ancient Irish Poetry,"
It was more than a quarter of a century ago that Mr. translated by Dr. Kuno Meyer, comes to us from the
Slason Thompson collected from his scrap-books a vol Messrs. Dutton. It illustrates the various styles and
ume which he called “The Humbler Poeta.” Since that moods of old Celtic literature - myth, religion, songs
time, Mr. Wallace Rice and Miss Frances Rice have of nature and love, and miscellaneous categories.
been making similar gleanings from current verse, and “Selections from Byron,” edited by Dr. Samuel M.
the result is a second volume bearing the above title. Tucker, and “Selections from Lincoln," edited by Miss
There are many kinds of “humble poets," and the Ida M. Tarbell, are additions to the “ Standard English
editors have kept tab upon most of them, besides a few Classics" of Messrs. Ginn & Co. Both books have
who are probably a little indignant at finding thein readable introductions, and neither is overloaded with
selves thus designated. But it is stoutly denied that notes.
the term “carries with it any pejorative signification," For over thirty years “Corea, The Hermit Nation,"
which disclaimer should console the aggrieved. Both by Dr. William E. Griffis, has been the standard author-
volumes are published by Messrs. A. C. McClurg & Co. ity on “The Hermit Kingdom.” Messrs. Scribner's Sons
Five new volumes appear in the “Home University now announce a ninth edition of the work, in which six
Library” of Messrs. Henry Holt & Co. The elementary new chapters are devoted to the economics and politics
treatise on “Evolution" is the work of Professors of Corea, the war with China and Russia, the Japanese
Patrick Geddes and J. Arthur Thomson, who are used protectorate, and on Corea in its new status as a prov-
to working in double harness. “The Animal World” ince of Japan.
is a correlated volume by Professor F. W. Gamble, with American novels that are just now taking the British
an introduction by Sir Oliver Lodge. Mr. J. A. Hobson, fancy are the much talked about “Queed” of Mr.
in “The Seience of Wealth," provides the uninformed Sydnor Harrison, “The Long Roll" by Miss Mary
with a few notions of elementary economics, tinctured Johnston, and Mr. Owen Wister's “ Members of the
with the socialistic spirit that is just now the fashion in Family." The last-named writer has become an estab-
books of this sort. A history of “Mediæval Europe". lished favorite with English readers of taste and dis-
the work of Mr. H. W. C. Davis. In “An Introduc- cernment, and Miss Johnston's carefully elaborated
n to Mathematics,” Mr. A. N. Whitehead gives us a romances have a worth that the fiction-loving Briton


1911.)
139
THE DIAL
knows how to value. “Queed,” as coming from a new still further promoted by the generous action of a
author, excites curiosity both by reason of its puzzling wealthy London philanthropist who is reported to have
and admirably brief title, and also perhaps because of given twenty thousand pounds to make the book still
the rather prepossessing name of the writer.
more widely known.
Mr. Robert D. Benedict has retold in modern English Mr. A. Maurice Low, the second volume of whose
a number of “Stories from the Old French Chronicles," study in national psychology, “The American People,"
finding his material in such matters as the Sieur de will be published this Fall, denies that the effect of
Pontis, Pierre de l'Estoile, Bertrand du Guesclin, and immigration is to drag down the level of American
others. His volume is prettily published by Mr. Richard civilization. He endeavors to prove the contrary – in
G. Badger.
doing the work that the native son scorns, the im mi-
A collection of posthumous studies by the late Ed. | grant causes him to seek work requiring greater a bility
mund Clarence Stedman, entitled “Genius and Other and giving more remuneration, and is thus the lever by
Essays," is a welcome announcement from Messrs. which the native is moved up a notch or two in the
Moffat, Yard & Co. This firm has also in press the scale of social efficiency.
“Memoirs of Theodore Thomas," by his widow, Rose Luther's greatest service to the world, in the opinion
Fay Thomas.
of Dr. McGiffert, whose book on Luther will be pub-
What may be called a supplement to the recently | lished this Fall, was his recognition of the normal
issued Wagner Autobiography exists in the composer's human relationships, including those of the sexes.
family letters. A translation of these is now being Where the religious teachers of the Middle Ages had
done by Mr. Ashton Ellis, the author of an exhaustive represented woman as a necessary evil and a temptation
life of Wagner, and the book will be published in the to a less perfect way of living, Luther saw in ber one
course of this Autumn.
ordained of God to be the companion and helpmate of
In the “ Eclectic Readings ” of the American Book man, a vocation greater than that of the nunnery, as it
Co. we now have “Stories of Don Quixote Written provided the sphere in which the highest religious and
Anew for Young People,” by Mr. James Baldwin, and moral character could be developed. In preaching the
“The Story of Modern France,” by Miss H. A. Guerber. union instead of the separation of man and woman,
These books are attractively illustrated, and make Luther did much to bring religion from the abnormal
very good reading for young people.
to the normal.
John Dennis (1657–1734) is not exactly a name to | The death of Myrtle Reed, who put an end to her
conjure with, but he played an important part in his life on the seventeenth of August, at her home in
time. Particularly as a critic, he made himself disliked Chicago, will bring a sense of personal loss to many
by his attacks upon the great writers of the Augustan thousands of readers Her books took the public into
Age, and they saw to it that his own poems and plays | her confidence, and the public showed its appreciation
should not win too much applause. His stock seems to by buying them to the number of hundreds of thous-
be coming up at present, and Dr. H. G. Paul has found ands. For the last few years, she has been one of the
the subject of his life and literary activity worthy of an
most widely-read of American novelists, and, if her
elaborate monograph, which is now published at the readers got little more than sentiment and whimsical
Columbia University Press.
invention from her books, they at least got nothing
The Abbé Félix Klein of Paris, who is known as a that was harmful. Myrtle Reed belonged to a family
shrewd observer and critic of America and American many of whose members have literary and artistic
institutions, has again turned his eye upon this country. interests, and her own literary bent was predetermined
Having described, in “The Land of the Strenuous | by the influences that surrounded her childhood. She
Life," the America of the present, Abbé Klein now had hardly been graduated from the high school before
competes with Mr. H. G. Wells and other latter-day she began to make a living by her pen, and she was
prophets in making a forecast of “America of Tomor early successful in her efforts. She was married about
row.” A translation of the work will be published this five years ago to Mr. James Sydney McCullough, and
Fall by Messrs. A. C. McClurg & Co.
was in her thirty-seventh year when she died.
The first work to appear from Herr Sudermann's A forthcoming life of the late Dr. Furnivall, which
pen since « The Song of Songs" is announced for Fall is among the good things to be expected in the near
publication by Mr. B. W. Huebscb. It is a story of gay future, will be distinguished by certain unconventional
Berlin life, entitled “The Indian Lily," in which it is said and highly welcome features. The necessary outline
that the author again displays the unique power of of the eminent Shakespearean scholar's life and work
portraying womanhood that made it possible for him to will be agreeably supplemented by chapters of anecdote
create in “The Song of Songs " a type entirely new to and reminiscence from a number of his friends, includ-
fiction. In the same volume will appear six shorter ing Dr. Stopford Brooke, Sır Sidney Lee, Sir James
stories, forming “a cycle of womanhood ” — a gallery Murray, and Mr. A. W. Pollard. There was so much
of femininity, in varying phases from the common to to Dr. Furnivall beside Shakespearean scholarship - he
the finest spiritual type.
was, among other things, a dexterous oarsman and
The authorsbip of “ The Great Illusion,” that widely founder of the Furnivall Sculling Club — that these
circulated and logically persuasive irenicon published reminiscences from various sources promise to be of
(in half a dozen languages) under the pseudonym of varied and very human interest. The profits from
« Norman Angells," has now become an open secret. the sale of the book, which ought to be considerable,
Mr. Ralph Lane, manager of the Paris edition of the are said to be destined for the benefit of the above-
London “ Daily Mail,” and a young man of alertness mentioned boat club, whose establishment was conceived
and initiative (if one can judge from his portrait) is by its founder as a vigorous protest against the absurd
the genius to whom we owe this contribution to the English notion that rowing is a sport for the gentry
cause of universal peace, a cause that is likely to be alone.


140
[Sept. 1,
THE DIAL
TOPICS IN LEADING PERIODICALS.
September 1911.
LIST OF NEW BOOKS.
[The following list, containing 44 titles, includes books
received by The Dial since its last issue.]
Abbey, Edwin A. Arthur Hoeber. Bookman.
Abbey, E. A., Illustrator. Ernest Knauft. Rev. of Rers.
Africa, Frenchmen and Germans in. E. A. Forbes. Rev.of Revs.
Algeria and Tunis, Motoring in. Abigail H. Fitch. Century.
Ambassador, Gossip of an. Louise Morgan Sill. Nu. A mer.
Andean "Garden of the Gods." W. V. Alford. Century.
Antwerp, Waterside. Ralph D. Paine. Scribner.
Banking Plan, Aldrich. Wilber L. Stonex. North American.
Bergson, Henri, the Philosopher. Edwin Bjorkman. Forum.
Book Auction, Old-Time London. W. L. Andrews. Bookman.
Boy Scouts 300,000 Strong. W. H. Sherman. World's Work.
Boy Thievery and Reclamation. F.M. White. World's Work.
Cæsars, Women of the. G. Ferrero. Century.
Charter, How Not to Draft a. Rabbi S. S. Wise. No. Amer.
Child, Right to Be Well-Born. W. Hutchinson. World's Work.
China Loan and America. Frederick McCormick. Scribner.
Cities. The Awakening of -- IV. Henry Oyen, World's Work.
Crime and Punishment. Hermann Scheftauer. Lippincott.
Dance, Renaissance of the. Gaspard Etscher Forum.
Democratic House, Work of. Champ Clark. North American.
Education, Aristocratic and Democratic. Allantic.
Eskimo Women in Greenland. Anna Bistrup, Century.
Farmer's Pedigree. David Buffum. Allantic.
Fires, Losing Fight Against-II. E. F. Croker. World's Work.
General Reader, In Behalt of. Brander Matthews. Yo. Amer.
German Element in the United States. R. Cronau. For'unt.
Habits that Help. Walter Dill Scott. Everybody's.
Hare, Bishop, of So. Dakota. M. A. De Wolfe Howe. Atlantic.
Heavens, Cycle of the Eternal. A. W. Bickerton. Harper'.
Humanity, In Quest of & Happy. F. Van Eeden. World's Work.
Indeterminate Sentence. A Prisoner. Allantic.
India, The Ethical Conquest of. Lauriston Ward. Forum.
India's Neighbors and Khyber Pass. R. D. MacKenzie. Century,
Insect Life on Shores. Howard J. Shannon. Harper.
Insurance Stock and Gullible Public. C.M.Keys. World', Work.
Internal Revenue Service. Catherine F. Cavanagh. Bookman.
Irrigation Ditch, Rescuing a People by. World's Work.
Japan, Christian Missions in. Adachi Kinnosuke. Century.
Japan, Intellectual Life in. Paul S. Reinsch. No. American.
Labor Leaver's Own Story. I. Henry White. World's Work.
Congress, Literary Men in. George Henry Payne. Bookman.
Literature, Nomenclature in. Kate Leslie Smith. Bookman.
Lloyd George and His Policies. Sydney Brooks. Forum.
Luther and His Work. A. C. McGiffert. Century.
Maeterlinck, Later Philosophy. Margaret Sherwood. Atlantic.