The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-11-23
DILLON O'BRIEN' S NEW BOOl

One rises from the perusal Of Crank
Blake" with the exclamation,-"that is a
beautiful story"
Beautiful in every sense it 10. The
style is finished the scene-painting ad-
mirable while the morality ineulcated
is OF the highest order. The whole
story is dramatic and could be readily
divided into acts. and adapted to the
stage: each act closing with fine tab
leau. For instance, the parting of Frank
and Willie Joyce at the ship-side, could
be made to close the first act; the scene
where Frank stands with the bloody dag
ger liz his uplifted hand over the dead
body OF Robert Eyre would appropriately
close the second act; while the court
scene, where Willie Joyce rushes into
court. with the dying declaration OF the
murderer. Harrison would terminate
the play amid the shouts OF the
crowded court room and the ap>
plause of the multitude in the theatre.
One Of the most remarkable incidents
in the story is death of the priest, ST.
Leger; ministering amid the agonies ol
death to the diving benitent ;and willingly
yielding up lis own chance of lite that
the dying man may find salvation. The
divine enthusiasm OF such q character il
beautifully portrayed. In fact, there il
all through the work an undercurrent oi
religious sentiment which must benefit
every one who reads the story.
1t seems to US that Mr.. O'Brien has
the qualities necessary to make \ sue
cesstul novelist; and we trust he will
persevere in this field of labor. 1t is q
pity that he has to crawl up the hill ol
popular favor from this side of the ALE.
ghanies. instead of decendiug upon il
from one of the great publishing houses
OF New York or Boston.
Ii there is any defect in his work it i:
that most Of the characters are Of the
usual, common place, novelist type, and
leave no distinctive impression on the
memory. The only one that stands out
from the canvass is the plump, handsome,
little widow. Bessie Sullivan. who was
too wise to marry man rs poor as
herself. and yet not wise enough to for
bear loving him; while she loves him
we'll enough to plan his prosperity as the
husband of another pretty woman.
This character is cnarmingly drawn.
Mr.. Howard, Father Trestan and
Lord Eyrecourt are tine usual "walkine
gentlemen" of the stage; while Robert
Eyre is shadowy ruffian whose image
leaves no vivid impression on the mind
Mr.. O'Brien should also devote more
thought to his plot. The plot of the
modern novel should be full of surprises
and unexpected revelations. The plot
OF Frank Blake is too simple: every
body knows in advance that Willie will
appear right in the nick of time to save
his benefactor. Ii he had come ten min.
utes later, it would have spoiled the
whole thing. 1t is to be regretted that
such special providences, do no occur
in daily lite We would be dancing and
cheering the whole time !; and the crises
Of lite would become charminglv theat.
rical: willis the doubts Of sceptics would
be dissipated in one grand gush of well,
founded enthusiam.
But these defects are the hlemishes on
the diamond. Prank Blake il An Al.
mirable story. beautifully told; and the
book should Be in every household in
Minnesota. Wherever it goes Il viii
produce pleasure and Do good.