New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-16
theory in mind il is easy to find many things that
suit il well.
RECENT NOVELS.
JOHN INGTESANr. \ Romance vols or sV'' PIP
3ii ass LONDON. Macmillan q Co.

tle German by T. NICHOLSON. l2uo' PIP ia new
York: Henry Ilolt Co
Uo hove ,rouned these two books togeth3r--if
two may b. spoken Of as noup-tecause' al
thoucb issued bv different publishers. they came TO
ne tocether bv n coincidence which is little not
allie ~ thcv are both philos lphical-rciaiou'
novels botl, filed with historical pcrsonaees ana
both have their scenes lald IN the same pe'lo"-'"'
mid lie and latter pat Of the seventeenth century
Hahn Iroesont the hero of the first, is m English
ocrtlcman Of an old Wiltshire family which Is not
only Cavalier but quas-Roman Catholic. lie Is tho
vouncer of twins so like that not only IN chluhoou
bnt in manhood they could with difficulty be as
tinruished even by their friends. Both are OF
conrso attached 70 the fortunes of Charles J. and
Charles II. The elder becomes n courier w"
vopnrer John. although nc fights at Edgchill and at
Nascby is not soldier, and leads Tile OF very
siprular adventure, which is the consequence OF
his early training lie is educated, as some young
T,,,ish,ucn were in those days to be a secret agent
Of the RoyaliN Roman CatholIcparty. In his boy
hood he is placed in charge of Jesuit-one OF those
crafty. subtle schcming men who, Ivy their
soracIfy. their knowledge of The world, their
charming manners and their absolute and unscrupu-
Ions devotion 20 their Order, obtain dangerous
influence over all with whom they are brought INTO
close contact. John Inglesant becomes the crea-
ture almost the slave of Father St. CAR; anu
being one of those men III whom loyalty TO inc
cause which thoy take M is absolute. and Is the
first and highest principle of action. h" is ust such
an agent-for with all his submis'iycncss he can
hardly be called a tool-as the Cavalier Jesuits
needed and priced. Father St Clair feels that he
may trust John Inglesant to BE- faithful. not only
unto death but to the utter sacrifice OF his whole
life. of his reputation, and even OF his conscience.
He is not deceived Ingcsant who is strangely
no he
orders Of his superior without hesitation, and APP
parcntly without doubt as to the rigltfulncss of
his absolute Submission
The book has not the construction of an ordinary
novel not even that of religions novel. Plot it
has none and can hardly be said to have n story.
Love plays small part in it, Indeed, women figuIe
little upon the authors canvas. and have 10 in
Gurncc Of importance upon the fortunes of any OF
the pcrsonagcs The hero does indeed love two
women. and marTics one of them in the middle OF
the story But even this is used rather rs
means of developing and displaying his character;
and her DEATH of the plague. Is mentioned IN mere
mattrr.oi-couTsc way. The other is a sort OF half
nun whose influence upon the hcros carly years Is
rather religions than feminine. She also dies after
she has fulfilled her function Of assisting III the
development of his character and leaves him with
a memory Of her saintncss vhich does not make
him at all nsensible to the more sexual attractions
Of her Successor Notwithstanding this absence OF
what Is regarded the essential element OF novels,
tales and romances the book is one of strong and
singular interest.
The first half Of the story of John inelesants life
passes in England; the second IN Italy 10 give
the reader any idea of the incidents of that life ID
notice like the present would be quite Impossible
During the civil war which cost Charles |. his
:; ,..,i,o fff 1pf1qc ffc mi
mat. OF means of confidential communication be-
tween the Royalists and always in the interests of
the Jesuit party One incident of his life mnst
serve as our only illustration of the duties which he
WAS called upon to perform ana of the way Ill which
he performed them.
In the wcll-knoVn scheme FOR the introduction OF
Roman Catholic Irish troops into England which
was the eliminating bunder o. the secret managers
of the Royal cause, Ingesant was made the conf
Dental agent of the King. AZ the command OF the
Jesuit he undertook to carry the Kings authority
for the invasion TO the Earl OF Gla.organ anu the
Roman Catholics in Ireland. Charles himself. IN IN
interview with Iuglcsant writes with his own hand
n few lines requiring all to whom he might show
them TO give credit TO what he might tell thcm as
If il came directly from the King. IL should be TO-
membcred that Inglcsant WIS nominally at least a
Protestant and was chosen for this mission for that
H.
turns TO find Chester completely invested by the
Parliamentary army. lie contrVes 10 ger INTO the
CITY in the dress of miner ana Announces the cont
ing relief. Lord Bhon, who is in command, wei
comes him almost a messenger from heaven, but,
not being in the secret, cannot Imagine where the
promise ala is 70 come from. lngcsantpoducos the
Kings written authorization and intimatcs that the
relief will consist of Irish Roman Catholic troops
At this Lord Biron reyots, and to he brief obtains
the Kings letter from lngesant and asks him If it
is genuine. Inelesant. to save the King land know
ing that Charles viii rcpudiate the scheme to
further which il was given. now denies its genuine
ness and says it is a forgery. He Is placed under
arrest. Chester is surrendered the Earl Of Gla-
morgan is arrested for conspiracy by the Kings
Council lnglcsant is summoned before the Far
lamentary commander, and there, in Lord Birons
presence he a-an declares the letter Of AUTHORIZE
ton to he forgery lie is sent TO London, and is
condemned 70 death; but at the very scailod is re-
proved and is assisted to escape. The management
of this strange incident is one of the most skillu
passages in modern fiction. The high tone TO use
much abused phrase of all the men concerned in it,
except the King and the Jesuit is brought out by
touches equally firm and delicate indeed, the union
of frmncss and decacy III the writer's hand Is
striking trait of his Style; and, strange sad and
almost revolving as lnglesants conduct is we do
not lose our interest in him, nor even the respect
with which ne has hitherto inspired us
We cannot go with particularity into the further
discussion of the merits Of this remarkable book
which is quite sui GeEcrs; unlike any other with
which we are acquainted. The writer calls it
philosophical romance; and indeed, ii Is filed with
discussions Of what may DO called the philosophy Of
religion. It's tone might be called widely tolerant
ii it not that the writer's purpose seems rather
To reveal motives and to place himself within the
consciousness Of Lis various personages and TO look
at their faith and their actions from their own
point Of view than to condemn or to approve them.
Notwithstanding this avowel purpose of the book IL
is rich in romantic incident, almost much 50 as if