New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A MYSTICAL NOVEL.


Mr. IsAACs: A. Tale OF Modern India. BY r. N ARIoE
CRAWFORD. 12mo. PIP. 316 Macmillan & 20
m one could imsgins the occult Colonel Olcott
suspending his impressive exertions to reach the
incomprehensibie through the medium OF the in-
possible and turning the full flood of bis recondte
information into the pages Of u novel. MI lsaacs
is not unlike the sort of novel which might be ex-
peeted TO result from such diversion or WISDOM
It is true that this story there are bits OF Ror
geous description not unworthy OF Lord beacons
field or an auctioneers catalogue and there are WIS.,
ions OF my stery which dimly remind us OF Sir E'
Bnlwer Lyttou; while Colonel OlcOtt's mind has
gcuerully been considered profound rather than
brilliant. 1t is impossible to say, however, what
effect long and close association with adopts the
osophists higher brethren, and other exceptional
persons may have in the development OF the imag-
ination; and il would he unsafe therefore, to as
sumo that there is anything too fine or too awful
to be written by the Colonel the present stage VI
his existence There are at all events two a'sages
In Is Mr.. IsaacsD " hch are exactly what we should
look for in any novel cur distinguished countryman
might cOndescend to compose: in the introductory
chapter describing the scenery and society OF
Simla, we read that among tho rhododendron
trees Madame Bavatzky Colonel Olcott and Mr..
Sinnett move mysteriOusly in the performance OF
their wondersn: and later one of the characters
Buddhism that Madame Blavatzky has set hem
ali IN THIS country" e., in lndial "by the ears"
The story has nothing to do with Jews. MT.
Jsaacs Is the name assumed, for convenience oil
business by Persian dealer in diamonds and other
precious objects--a gentleman of almost unearthly
beauty, nnheard of accomplishing nts and miraculous
weulh distinguished alike for the perfection OF his
English and the nobility Of his character Mr..
Isaacs being a Mahometan. has three wives, and
he desires to complete his collection by adding u
fourth in the person of an exceedingly lovely Eng
lsh girl. TO the not unreasonable suggestion of his
friend PAIL GyjOgs that the lady and her family
might object to a husband SO heavily encountered.
he replies that he means IemOve that difficulty
by marrying Miss WestORhGugh by the English
Church service and under English law; then, he
adds, should be as much bound to her and to
her alone as if l an Englshman myself"
Strange to say, this simple plan not only rllences
Paul Griggs but satisfies every body else. The lUve-
making proceeds, with the entire acquiescence Oh
all the characters-and no questions asked. lac
three wives vanish utterly out OF the story. Miss
WestoRhaRgFs confidence in the magical effect OF an
English Church service is apparently unbounded !;
and Mr. isGacs under the il fluence of woman
moro spiritual and refined than he has ever known
before arrives at new views of the domestic state
new theories of happiness. and new ideals Of love.
The psychological de yelUpment of lsaGcs In these
circumstances is not depicted with any refinement
of art but in the purely narrative and descriptive
portions of the book we find freshness and vlvac-
ity The scenery of India, the strange ways OF ife
the modes of travel the customs of Anglo-lndian
society the intercourse between the whites and
natives are topics in which the pen of the novelist is
aRreeably exercised. Some of the pages devoted to
.eut-of-door sports and incidents arc especially
good. There Is Il graphic and vigorous account OF
anHt ttoa a nj n n
camp on the edge of the jungle is breezy and excit.
linr when afturward the course of the story takes
us n ron Oh day-and-night secret journey, by relays
of fast horses into the recesses of the HImaayas.
and shows Us the hero and his friend in the pres
euce of deadly danger. the skill of the novelist
touches its highest point. Hero tine description is
Impressive the narrative is instinct with move
ment and force. aud the situation is charged with
mystery and expectation. So much of Mr.. Isaacs,"
indeed is strong and interesting that we are pro-
yoked because it does not turn out better
The radical fault of the book is the weakness OF
II, motive and that is insepa ably connected with
the introduction of what for want of better term we
may call the machinery OF Oriental magI' There is
asolemn and iucomprehensble sage who presents
himself IN extraordinary ways vanishes from under
peorles noses penetrates hidden designs. knows
the secrets of nature" and battles the machna-
tions Of the wicked; and this Old person. it must be
confessed is somewhat ridiculous. lie Is too crude
TO impose upon the imagination; and his copious
discourse which has mole of the Asiatic flavor
than the rigmaIole of cheap conjurer. is only
Brunmagem theosophy. the sillest OF all atiecta-
tions. Ii is this transparent humbug who IN
tedious epilogue declares the moral OF the story and
leads the hero off the stage. He bids hr IsaGcs
observe that through love and suffering he has been
brought 10 the threshold of tho higher ite the life
Of the adept brethren and his business now is TO
come forth" this Mr.. Isa0cs declares that he is
ready to do. The twain go forth hand in hand.
But what it Is TO 20 FORTH" what is the higher
life. what are the adept brethren what are their
aspirations. what they do with tbs hidden forces
of nature when they find them. and what it means
TO enjoy the ethereal range of the onter armament"
these are things which feilow can find out.