The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-01
England's Latest Novel and Drama


Another craft has been launched upon
the sea of letters, bearing upon her broad
side in lasting letters the name of "Daniel
Deronda." A barque less sea-worthy or
plotted by less skillful captain would
have been driven back, and wrecked by the
fierce storms and winds of adverse critic
ism.
There has been scarcely review or pa
per of the smallest circulation, but what its
humble editor has cast forth his mite to
throw her back upon the tempestuous
ocean, yet how proudly and triumphantly
has she breasted the gale, and sailed calmly
in bourne on the tide of fashion
The chief merit is the unexceptionsbly
good English which pleases the most hum
bic and unlearned reader. What pleasure
is experienced in reading the beautiful
thoughts so richly clothed with the most
choice figures in the English language. OF
course the stern critic finds many idiosyn-
crasieB and snchorisms. Of the for
mer an English review states that many
chapters especially those of a scientific cast
were written by the authors husband, and
certainly if this be the case what more
plausible excuse can be found, as it would
be an utter impossibility for two persons to
portray the same character and have all
the lines blend into perfect symmetry. The
character of Daniel Deronda from the be-
ginning until near the close is perfect and to
very many the turning TO the Jewish relig-
ion only serves to enchance the charm and
more perfectly carry out the grand idea
and noble purposes of his life. Yet to
many OF us brought up and educated in all
that serves to enlighten and characterize
the nineteenth century does it seem pos
sible we could renounce our christian prin-
cipals and turn to the faith of the "despised
race" although actuated by the same deep
love and veneration? We will leave to the
Chicago clergyman, who took the "life of
Daniel Deronda" for hie text, to decide the
theological points of the question.
The other two principal characters, from
the very first to the last are remarkably
drawn and sustained and yet in the life of
Gwendolen, what an example of those solid
English girls we hear eXtolled so much
Comparing her with American girls, how
many, in the extent of this broad country,
would have been lead into such an union,
so we'll cognizant of all the former deeds Of
Grandcourts life, even though actuated by
that god, money! OF course we all see
where we should have done better had the
moulding of character and forming of plots
been left to us, but certainly upon thor
ough examination it seems to have been the
authors aim to solve the problem how to
produce the greatest amount OF dramatic
effect at the least expense Of real life. No
book in the past decade, as we may add
aauaral 6onaHao hos not With n pnnch n n
plause and abuse, and had it not been very
far above the ordinary level would it have
sustained all the volleys of abuse? Much as
the adverse critic can find to censure in this
novel of novels, still much more is found
to raise 1t far above the range of such NOR
tails. Casting aside all the imperfections
there is sufficient lett for 1t to take the lead
in both England and America as one of the
leading novels OF the day, and written by
one of the most rarely cultivated and rich
ly endowed women of the nineteenth CEN
fury. Read Daniel Deronda first for the
choice collection of good English found
within it's pages; secondly as the produc-
ton of one of the most popular authoresses,
and lastly it has been decreed by fashion,
and her mandates must be obeyed.
Contemporary with this, there has appear
ed before the world of poetry Tenuy sons
OThuua eulllleu IdTOlu. Lbs ID lUuuucu
upon the historical events connected with
the time during and after the reign of Ed
ward the confessor in the eleventh century.
1t 10 the same epoch and family which Lord
Lytton has portrayed with so much dra-
matte effect, and with so little expense to
historical facts, in his renowned "Harold."
The historical events themselves are dark
and gloomy, but in this they appear more
so in the sad and melancholy manner in
which the poets fancy brings them out.
Very shortly before the announcement of
Tennysons "Harold" there appeared a
tragedy by William Leighton entitled "The
Sons of Goodwin" A thorough examina-
ton of the two shows the facts to be main
ly the same and that they have the same
number of acts and with slight exceptions
the same characters.
No better tribute can be paid to both po
cts, than the following lines, written by
Mr. Leighton, which show his profound
regard for the English poet, and the mel
ody of his own muse.
ALFREr TESNYsoN.
"His artist hand unlocks the silver gates
OF song, and though the ringing portals leap
Glad syilables, rejoicing to be free;
Yet each. obedient, on the master waits
To bear the thought that makes the minstrel
Nor like the Pandora's elves they dare to stray
But move in measured verses on graceful feet
or dance bright shapes around fairy ring.
sometimes they laugh, Ike merry brooks q
Or sing s1 v;oluptuous strains Of melody;
or ring like lar on chimes or echver sweet;
or chant sweet anthems as the pine-topi
Or breathe with love 0enone. sad connIaint.