The New York herald., 1870-06-04
Lothair.

mover was IN the press by the auth0r OF
''Coningsby," of ''vivien Grey" and of the
"wonderful Tale Of Alroy," the reading world
was struck with something like amazement
Lord Derby's s''Homer" and Mr.. Gladstone's
s'Inventus Mundi" were both marvels in their
way; but as it was well known that the great
tory Lord and the great liberal Commoner
had for years been spending their leisure hours
in the study of '.Homer" the publication of
the abovenamed works created the less sur
PRISE Mr.. Disraeli had not been unknown as
an author; but during quarter of century
devoted to parliamentary duties and the cares
Of State the generation which wept with
sweet joy over the pages Of ''Henrietta Tenn
ple," or which learned its first lessons in poll
tics from ''Coningsby," had passed away or
grown old. A new novel by Disraeli was,
therefore, a sensation in expectation such as
is rarely offered.
readers it has been read by thousands upon
thousands of all ranks and classes on both
sides of the Atlantic, and it is now in all
literary and political centres the prominent
topic of conversation. The man or the wo-
man who has not read, or is not now reading,
'sLothair" has no claim to even the lowliest
place in the realm Of literature Mr.. Dis
raeli's latest novel, although di differently
estimated by different minds, unduly praised
by some, undu!y deprecated by others, has
been read and is being read as no book of any
kind has been read in many long years.
In itself this is great praise; but
it only means, after all, that the book is
from the pen of Benjamin Disraeli, a successful
man of letters, distinguished statesman and
an ex-Prime Minister of Great Britain. A book
from such hand is bound to be read and
commented upon. When men in high places
speak the world listens. When they write
the world reads. 1t does not follow. however,
that that which is spoken or written is neces-
sarily good. The popularity Of book like
(! that now before us is no proof Of intrinsic
merit; it is proof only Of the popularity of the
author. 1t is our opinion, and we know it is
the opinion of many competent judges, that
| Mr.. Disraeli has written many better
books than this-books that will better
stand the test Of time; but we
dare not say that 'Lothair" is not worthy of
the great reputation of it's author. We could
name some of his earlier novels that are more
artstically constructed, that are better written,
that are more richly adorned with gems of
thought and expression; but for lifelike
pictures, for an intimate knowledge Of the
thoughts and feelings, the dreams, doubts, un-
certainties that give form and complexion to
modern society-especially to the upper strata
of modern society-for breadth and depth of
philosophic vision, this latest book is, per-
haps, Disraeli's best. One has not read many
of the Introductory pages until he feels con-
vinced that the hand of the author has lost
little of its ancient cunning. Some of the
descriptions are fine. Witness the following,
where he is giving an account of the chapel at
| Vauxe:-
sound as OF distant and rising wind was heard,
and crash, as 1t were the fall OF trees In storm
The earth is covered with darkness and the veil OF
temple @ Is rent al Bus ss as s o. eX
when IL is forbidden even to breathe "Amen;' when
y tSs Of 9e m Ser and
priest brings forth concealed light OF svery 1ame
from corner OF the altar. This Is the light OF the
| world, and announces the resurrection, and then all
4 rise up and depart In silence.
| The words in which he has sketched the
Oxford professor-"a young man of advanced
| opinions on all subjects, religious, social and
POLITICAL" but hampered by ''his restless van
| ity and overlowing conceit"-are known to ALL
and what is more, they have given
pain where, perhaps, it was intended
they should. Throughout the book we
miss those terse epigrammatic utterances
with which he was wont to garnish his
speeches, such as organized hypocrisy and
''bloated armaments )" but there is no lack of
fine thinking and beautiful forms of express
sion. How rich is the suggestion of Appolo-
MIA, 'The religious sentiment of the Southern
races must be wonderfully affected by more
rigorous climate!" 'T cannot doubt" she
goes on to say, ''that series of severe winters
in Rome might put an end to Romanism. "
Gems like these are to be found in almost
every page.
The purpose of the work is, of course, best
known to the author himself. There can be
no doubt, we think, that one main purpose
runs through the whole. Disraeli has of late
been somewhat disappointed. In spite Of all
the beauty that beams from his pages there is
evidence in many places that his pen has been
dipped in gall. He is not satisfied to be kept
out of power, and therefore he likes not the
Gladstone liberals. His purpose evidently
is to create new opportunity foy
the tories. For this purpose he raises
the bugbear Of Popery and associates the
democracy with Mary Anne and Madre Nature
and ali manner @ @of horrible secret t societies. 81
far as this work is intended to produce re-
action in English politics 1t must be pro-
h6lnced a failure. The 'No Popery" cry Car
never again be raised with success in England
and secret societies, which have ceased to bt
power even in Italy and France, have nc