New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-01


The blending Of European travel with
sketches o. American character which has become so
marked q feature IN portions Of recent American fiction
forms the basis OF the present vigorous romance. While
the personages taken from the common walks of
social life n this country, the action Is carried ON in
famous European cities and gives occasion to several
spirited and graphic sketches OF TIE peculiar features OF
foreign capitals. The opens IN the old romantic
city OF Verona which 10 The opinion OF RusEn, In point
f baauy OF situation and splenfor or environment is
not surpassed by tie majestic heights Of Edrboro'
town" and finds no rival n tho most celebrated local.
ties OF Europe descriptions Of the antique Italian
city, che author wastes no sympathy on the TOMB OF
juliet but presents natural picture OF the quaint II
regular streets Of Verona with their escocd palaces,
and the remains Of a gorgeous fashion that once
covered domestic buildings with fancful per
spectivas and brilliant colors. The plot IS OF
q simple unsensati0nal character, with little va
rety Of incident intensity Of scene, Gnordng TO the
writer the pnucity OF ia details an admirable or
portuntv for the exhibition Of his skill in construct
ing an interesting narrative from fcanty materials.
H has recourse violent conceptions. makes use
Of 10 glarug coors and neither in the deueauon OF
Character nor in the choice OF dicton, is he tempted
10 swcrvc from the simplicity OF nature His lovers.
though not subjected to the tragic fate OF Romeo and
Juliet, have been kept apart ~ curious instance Of
the irony Of circumstances, ana tie power OF the
novelist is exposed the test, and displayed
which he oxricaos them from the complicated network
a difficulties The situation is apparently hopeless,
but the resources OF the author equal 10 the
casion and without tax upon the crcduty Of the
reader hc transforms the Gloom OF desPmrug love into
the brightness Of smiling paradise. The characters Of
the story, though few in number. are handled with
great effect and IN their sharpcut ind gduaty, pro
duce a marked impression. IN the Of contrasts,
Mr. BshOpis highly successful showing an acutcuess
OF insight, ana a subtlotY OF discrimination which are
rarely met with even in the better kinds Of
popular fiction. Mr.. Startled, the prosperous
man Of business. with his solid Judgment, I'M
tirng enterprise and prompt ami energetic
action, presents an admirable foil TO the sensi
tive aud rgued nature o. DtmOd, resolution is
"sickhed DER with the pale cast OF thought" and who
IS oten lost IN drcSmike doubts TO the solution OF
the problem with which he is called TO Cope and which
forms the secret Lis whole existence The pOrrature
o. the heroine Is drawn with cousummate sl, with
apparently artlcss touches producing the effect Of
tie best art. aud presenting original conception Of
maidenly lOveliness which, without any excessive
brightness Of c0lorns, lusors Ia the memory Ike d soft
enchanting landscape The peculiar charm Of " Oct
mold" as q literary production, is the rare union Of
perfect naturalncss with artistic finish Of composition
lis movement flows quietly along fOr pages. like plain
mauer-ofiact narrative, not greatly enivened by its
practical dsquistons architecture, engineering, and
agriculture with is shrcwd hints Of financial and po-
Iiucal economy. when az once You arc "started and
Wayaid" ny reflection Of unexpected holiness, an orig
inal fash OF thought, suggestion acute and pointed
even 10 subtety betrsyug writer of every day
c0inplishments with whom the construction Of novel
Is not the task Of artisan, but the inspiration OF an
artist.
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