New-York tribune., 1881-12-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
J.Nrgs THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY.

I2mo, PIP. So Boston HougIioD Mlnhh w.
If there is anything in the motto Oh si' 'Oi ar
sake" if the way of doing thing Is rs many
claim of more Importance in literature than the
thing done then this last novel OF MI James heeos
no justification or apology. No work printed n
rocept wears. on either side the Atlantic OF on
either side the English Channel. surpasses this IN
serionsness of intention in easy scope and mastery
of material in sustained and spontaneous dignity
and grace of style, in wit and epgram, anu OH tue
whole in clear conception and accurate derheatloh
of character. The title was stumbling block 10
many as the story pursued It's leiSurely course III
The atlantic Monthly and now that il is finished 1t IS
the title which affords TO criticism It's easiest AT
tack 1t is claimed that the heroine is OF all the
characters the one least clearly painted, least per
feetly understood But it would not be difficult to
say that VIC know as much of her and of her motives
as the author chooses for to know, and the in
forest of the novel comes in great part from the
yagneuess of our acquaintance with Miss Archer; ;
and after all when we lay down the book, we cannot
denv if we are candid, that know rs much OF
the motives which induced her to refuse two gallant
aentlemen and TO marry selfish and soullesS
scoundre as we do of the impulses which lead our
sisters and cousins TO similar results No can
COMPLAIN of the cearness with which the other
characters are drawn. There is hardly sharper
portrait in our literature, and certainly none more
delightful, than Ralph TOuchett None who read
the opening chapters of the story year ago can
forget the slight shvor of apprehension they felt
when Mr. James distinctly announced that Ralph
Touchett was clever, and when Lord Warburton
declared that he was never bored when he came to
Gardcncourt: one gets such uncOmmonlv good
talk" 1t shows fine arrogance in the most hard
ened iOuster to throw down such challenge as
that 1t is said that Shakespeare killed Mercutlo
carly in the play where he appears Tor fear Oh henS
killed by him but Mr.. James evidently has no such
fear of his own creations. From the first chapter 10
the last Ralph is clever, witty and charming as
Mr. James tells us in the beginning. with charm
which overcOmes the tedium OF hopeless Illness ana
the responsiveness of death. The book is fuil OF
living and breathing characters Mr.. IfolIope
has never drawn better English nObleman than
Lord Warburton, the splendor of whose environ
ment is delicately suggested, described, and
whose manners are painted in dozen subtle
phrases like these: He had a certain fortunate,
brilliant. exceptional loOk-the air of happy tenn
perament fertilized by high ciyilizatlOn-whlch
would have made almost any observer envy HIM at
O venture y; his English address, in which vague
shy ness seemed to offer itself as an element OF good
breeding; in which the only defect was difficulty
of achieving transitions" The portrait of OsmOnd
is one of those wonderful pictures in which Mr.
James exccls drawn entirely from the outside but
as perfect as If his acts and COnversa ions had been
supplemented by voluminous pages of soliloquy
His sister the Countess is equally good; SO is the
dry, practical, causic Mrs. Touchett; so is the
travelling newspaper woman, Miss Stackpole 1t
is almost worth while, after reading Mr. Jamess
lust but unhattering portrait of Henrietta, to look
M novel of Hamilton AIDE in which the same sort
of person is introduced-that YOU may see the
difference between the work of master and that
of bunger. In Aides story, Poet and Peer the
American lady correspondent" Is characterized
merely by the cOpous use of the word vurry Tor
ayeryp Amnrrcan" for " American" taste for
filthy scandal ana propensity to say fright
away" in places where no Yankee would ever eX-
pect ii. Mr.. Janess method is altogether different,
ms Will be seen from this brief extract Miss Stack
pole is visiting at the house of an American banker
domicled in England. and Is discovered to be writ
ing letter for her newspaper describing the place
and the people. Miss Archer protests:
"I don't think you ought to do that. l don't
think You ought to describe the place."
Henrietta gazed at her as usual why it's just
what the people want, and it's q lovely place"
It's too lovely 10 he put ~ tie newspapers ana
it's not what my uncle wants.
Don't yOu believe that" erred Henrietta.
"They are always delighted, afteiward"
@My uncle won't be delighted-nOr my cousin.
either. They will consider 1t breach OF hospi-
tality"
Miss Stackpole showed no sense of confusion; she
simply wiped her pen very neatly, upon an elegant
little Implement which she kept ioT the purpose.
and put away her manuscript. OF course II you
don't approve, won't do 1t; but | sacrifice a beau
titul subject"
iects ali round yoH We win take some drives, and
/ will show you some charming scenery
SceUe erY is not my department; ! always need
human interest. You know | am deeply human.
Isabel; always was,' Miss Stackpole Iejoined. "
was going to bring in your c0usin-the aIenated
American. There is great demand Just now Tor
the alienated American. and your cousin is beau
tiful specimen. ! should have handled him Sc
verely"
ale would have died of it Isabel exclaimed
GNot of the severity. but of the publicity
"Well, should have liked to XII him little
Ard should have delighted to do your uncle, who
seems TO me much nOtler type-the American
faithful still. He is a grand old man; don't see
how be can object to my paying hln honor
Isabel Looked az her companion in mucl wonder
ment; it appeared TO her so strange that nature
in which she Ound much TO esteem should exhibit
such extraordinary disparltles. My poor Hen
rietta," she aid, d" you have no sense of privacy"
Henrietta cnlOred deeply, and for a moment her
brillianteyes sntfused while Isabel maryelled
more than ever at her Inconsistency. lou do me
great Injustice" said Miss SackpOe. with dignity
4 / have never written word about myself"
al am very snre of that; but IT seems to me one
should he modest for Others also
" All that is very good ~ cried Henrietta. seizng
her pen agaiu. Just let me make a note OF it,
and will put it in a letter"
Further on. Henrietta, who is a ferocious patriot
though she ends by dreadful act Of recreancy-is
attacking Ralph for not sufficiently loving his
country, and for having no regular occupation
Ralph bespoke her attention for q small Vatican
hanging near. which represented gentleman IN
pink dOubet and hose aud a ruff, leaning against
the pedestal of the statue of a nymph in garden,
and playing the guitar to two ladies seated on the
grass.
That's my ideal Of a regular occupation" he
said.
Miss Stackpole turned to him again. and though
her eyes had rested upon the picture, he that
she had not apprehen fed the subject. She was
thinking of something much more serious.
" don't how you can reconcile it to your con-
Science" she said.
My dear lady, have no Conscience
"Well. advise you TO cultivate one You will
need it the next time you 90 to America
" shall probably never go again.
+" Are yon ashamed to show yoursefp
Ralph meditated with gentle smile.
suppos, that, if one has no conscience, one has
no shame"
" Well, You have got plenty Of assurance" Hen