New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-13
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MIR RUCHANANS NOVEL.

81 RoRfST BCcuASAx. i2mo pp l0s. lowell, AdsuA IVES
SON 4 Co
Mr.. Robert Buchanan, after having tried his
hand at poetry Journalism criticism, native. American
and classic themes now comes before with romance
As the early companion OF David Gray the antagonist OF
swnburue the exalter of himself and the PROSTATE wor
shipper of Whitman, each one OF bis literary ven
lures excites certain curiosity which Is something quite
unrelated to its literary value The reader, VINO mas
only partially followed his aberrant courses naturally
cxpeets that his performance an author-henceiorth
at east-shall be- as far as possible an exemphhea'h
of his declared tastes. otherwise his vehement preach
inc must fail OF its effect II he finds Homer-hoses
I'm one author and "Heshly" fcnd in another, 1t
must be the former, Of course, whom he VIII sr'eto
enulatc-uness indeed, he feels that no has already
reached plane above that OF the two combnea names
In either case he has himself over under penalty
of acknowledging has hitherto been merely writ
ing for effect, to definite line OF literary EFFORT
Opening his romance, fan to our profound amaze
mcnt, upon a piece of descriptive writing which, Iii
variety color, abundance OF DETAIL aud prodgaty OF
epthet at suggests his arch-detestation, swn-
burne The particulars Of the scene are not cataognea
as is the habit of Mr. Buenanan's American master;
they arc actually intended to be coherent and he has
sought TO Undue them with the sensuous atmosphere OF
the school be oaAes True he does not reach the rich
neSsand palpating delight Of the school; but this is
evidently the result OF want of power, not want OF WIZ
The third paragraph the first consists OF the fol-
lowing single sentence:
ing with last golden CLEAN amid the mysterious lies
peridcs the silent air, and his binding tl%t cores
Slant the CLASSY calm I'LL IT strikes on he 9ced
mud stoyent faces OF these Breton cracs, Illuminating
aud vvyiuG every nook and Granny of the ellis bcncat
TO the vivid crimson Gripping blood. changing the
coarse grass and yellow starwort into threads OF emerald
ard cllmmerinG stars, burning IN golden mst arouiu
nm Win nnrceSt raw on ono naked rock of solid
Which uts like huge norm over the Drink oi tue
abyss, and around which strong rope s hooSeo anu
Grmly knottcd
And so on for three pages more. Then the story be-
rs 10 begin on the OF Brittany. early in the year
1873 The has poetic Procm," which closes
with the words: Did Christ rise 9-READ!' We nave
beeded the emphasized command and read; ana We
Are driven to the dismal conclusion that Christ did
not se-and does not, those who profoundly believe
In Him. The plot is simply this Rohan Gwenfern, a
Breton fisherman has been taught Christianity by Mas
Ter ArOl an itlneTant sehoOlnaster, ana Is leo 10
execrate war. and consequently Napoleon, as war
maker He is drawn in the new levy OF troops, WINCH
docs not exempt the only OF widows refuses 10
submit and takes refuge in cave among the ciihs.
Here he il followed bcseGed for days. and finally COM
peed TO take life in order to escape capture He be-
comes starved hunted desperate, aud finally an insane
outlaw now and then appearing TO his Old mother or
his betrothcd bride, Marcee The return OF the B0ur-
hons gives security, and even some little distinction;
but just before marriage to take place, Napoleon
lands from Elba and there is again war. Rohan now
determines assassinate the Emperor ana tnere i
scene nine solid pages long in the bedchahber OF the
latter which moonlight, mystery, and lghal-hiSh-
vronght we mean-efect has not been surpassed since
George Lppard wrote his fearful Legends OF the WIS
sahickon." When Napoleon pIays before lying down.
Mr. Buchanan peeps the starts Oack, ana eX-
claims: "Mercifll God! what is this He has sunk
mon his knees ~ Well. the Emperor escaped the Ehie-
that IS matter Of history Waterloo Is ioGghti Roman
comes home to the coast, ard passes out OF the
romance as harmless Hlal!iac' "atchcu " lie o0'
bride.
The moral of the story Refuse TO fight for the sake
of humanity and you Will be forced 10 Kill people, You
VIII become insane ana attempt midnight muider INC
rational human being will say to himself: at is better
Ia serve as soldier" Mr.. Buchanan probably intends
,oconyey different lesson confess ourselves un-
oLlc 70 discover il. The only approach TO victory OF
The better principle is RJhan saves several per-
sous from frchet at the risk of his i'e yet even this
leaves no more than 1eetng effect behind H. Tie
sypahy Of the reader with him Is exhausted before inc
book is half his very hcrosn soon becomes AM
NAL and TINS a matter Of within rather than principle
lie overcomes nothing, acccmplishcs nothing-n fact
correctly understands nothing. work OF TINS chaf-
acter utterly vaueees unless 1t incndes some moran
or intellectual progression; but Mr.. BUchanaLs hero
has so little brain that he lOses at the very c0nece-
OF the struggle, and thus ceases to represent any
thing beyond his own weakness.
As much of the descriptive writing suggests swln-
turno's style, the plot is an echo OF Victor Hugos
"Toers of the sea" ROhans life in the cavern is Ike
Gatls among the rocks engaged in Saving the vessel
aid the acr deliberate suicide the equivalent OF the
formers insanity. superhuman and instructed en-
dur.nce followed by utter ruin, is the burden OF both
work. and it is morally unhealthy rs 1t Is mteilee-
tuay dtsagIeeable. There IRE, unfortunately persons
who cannot relish sentiment or ethics until it has
CURED ahl goUt; and their taste makes sucn roinances
possible The Ouly thing in Mr.. Buchanans book which
we can eomraeud is his presentation OF Breton life His
characters are well studied and clearly drawn; ana ne
uses the local characteristics with the ease and skill or
one who knows them through close observation. HIS
Coors Even is an excellent piece Of characterpant-
ing ami points to the author less ambitious pain I'D
which he may so further and fare better