New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
a,ppYpRs nruEEn AWAY R, sAe Rev BDxAnD p Res l2me
pp lss Dodd Mead

Although this story is intended az cohVl-
batlon 70 the library Of religious fictitious hteratureh
L. remarkable 70 great degree the religious element
n made subordinate the interest OF the narrative ana
The development the plot Whether this due to the
conscious purpose OF the writer TO the natural i'm
nls Of his artistic sense II is not necessary TO decide
Al ALI events il relieves his work from the monotony
that 40 often attaches what called religious novels
and converts the perusal OF from task TO pleasure
the design OF the author TO enforce the application
Of the Christian gaces OF character 10 the common prao
teal relations OF fe instead wasting them in ethereal
and unfrufu eontempiatous, and especially TO lncol-
the efficacy Of prayer the most powerful Spltuai
aid in the struggles OF the soul with the tempta-
tons Of the world. But in the execution of this
design the author has made use Of no dog
matte instruments. He proposes no abstruse and
ard theorems. He engages no subtle, theorete
discussions insists points that fine as
20 be seen only by microscopic eyes. His AIM indeed.
sight OF IN the evolution Of the plot, but it
nopportunely thrust the notice Of the
reader. lie aocOmpshes his task with little pressing aud
no cantThe scene OF the story laid IN Chicago and
towards the close its singulary intensified
by weaving IN the incidents Of the great fire in their
natural connection without strainng the reality for the
ske Of effect In itself the plot is Improbable. The sit
uations IN which the hero is placed at the com
OF his not likely TO occur in Amer
lean society But the different dehneated
with truthiuness and consistency in harmonious pro-
portions aud free from artificial colOTng In their con
oepton the author shows equal originality aud boldness
but the Of its realization jushes the risk Of the
attempt They all awaken the interest and curiosity OF
the reader and with the possible exception Of Deacon
Gudgeon, aud his aspiring son. who might be
dismissed superhuous nuisanCes, are In fact es-
entail 10 the progress or the complete hlustra-
ton of the plot. Even old Bill CrOnk, the rough,
haTdswearing hard-lrnking bg-dsted, aud bigheared
could not DC spared from the and
plays ms part by nature with certain
robust instructive energy, which touches al human sym
psthies though uusOfteued by the appropriate refine
Of divine Tne contrast between the inhu
ence religious culture aud the bald septcism Of
icrastc seishneSS finely set forth In Dennis Fleet
and ms mother, and Mr. Ludolph and Christine, the
heroine Of the story. Her persistence in denial,
her obstinate refusal 10 accept the beliefs
even of those 10 whom her heart Is fondly
devoted furnished with proofs from her own
experience affords the groundwork for an admirable
character OF which the not 10 be mistaken in
her previous course although fearully alleged 10y
pride. and other expressions OF fierce, passionate
Dr Arten Is genuine specimen OF the eecen
the biufmannered knd-hearted humorists. who were
Olteer found IA the medical profession Of former day
than al present described with no less JUNCTION
than fidelity to the life The critical point OF
the book. which makes the seVerest tax both
upon the authors ability Judgment if naturally the
blending of the events with the OF the
previous narrative. aud II must he admitted that the
oOuduot indicates admirable taste and skill The
terrific scene pOrtraye with power Of pictorial
description. but with wide difference from the style OF
a common reporter who notes down the phases OF the
spectacle as the, pass before his eye, with regard TO
artistic perspective To Mr.. Roe the fire possesses little
interest AS an object Of scenic display but Is used
AZ An opportuuity for the Illustrations Of the
characters I'm his story and for the exigences OF It's plot
The incidents are fehcOusly selected for that purpose
and bring the dtnouement to successful issue. We
can thus accord a hearty commendaton TO tins work,
regarded a. an imaginative composition The narrative
IL vigorous often intense, but rarely # ever, melodra-
matte Its language is usually less chaste than for
and Of description which not met with every
day in the host Of writers OF popular fiction We
are not 30 certain OF its merits theological
persuasive of this it is perhaps not our province to
fudge We viii only remark that, It seems TO u.s. the
author assumed The correct diagnosis OF modern
skepticisIn II Is not a disease Of the heart but ahec
ton Of and in many effort OF nature TO
xpel morbifc substances from the system. The remedy
found in appeals 10 sentiment though power
ful and touching as those in the present volume,
but the presentation Of facts for the conviction OF
The intellect But Mr. Roe is evidently Of warm
poetic temperament, with little sympathy for the severe
demands OF rational faculty. He believes that truth
will sooner reach the heart when winged with fancles
hight" than when presented in the form Of apborism or
dogma Had ne essayed the latter method, ne would
have transformed powerful novel into Indifferent
dldae treatise and wasted both his time and that
of his readers We think he has hit upOn his true nc-
ton and gives promise OF success an imaginative
winter ID il not gift to solve the terrible prOb-
lems" OF day, but paint the forms of Truth in
cOlorS Of fancy.