The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-17
GENERAL LEW WALLACE.


Essay Before Lafayette Afternoon Club.
The Fair Cod his first book depicts the
earnestness and sincerity with which the
Mexicans chung to their old worship, and their
looking and longing for the Fair God. The
descriptions of the scenes and scenery are
beautifully and truthfully written, and are
as fascinating as a fairy story. The book, al
though not universally popular. is highly
valued by many cultivated people Sir
Charles Dixie in a private letter to Lord
Dufferin, says of it: 81 regard The Fair God
as the finest historical novel ever written,
better than old Morality better than Ri
emil better than 'Romola.'" But it was in
Ben Hur" that General Wallace's genius
was finally fully recognized. Like 1.-The
Fair God" it is both historical and religious.
The subject as the subtitle indicates,
is "a Tale of the Christ The
beauty of language and thought
are worthy of the subject. 1t was a difficult
work, requiring much study of bygone civil
lzations, people now extinct, and countries
unvisted by the writer. OF the page de-
scribing Ben Hur's view of Jerusalem before
the Passover, one of our missionaries famil
lar with Palestine says: 1.-The geography is
absolutely correct" This required accurate
study, but the invention shown in the book
required genius. After the vanishing of
Christ, to keep the miraculous child in the
mind of the reader, to describe battles by
land and sea, chariot races, games, diverse
characters and scenes, love making, both
pure and sensuous and over all to hold the
shadow OF the cross; to do this successfully
the highest grade of genius was required
Not one word is uttered by the man of Naz-
areth except those printed in the gospels
Every one is from the Book. One of the
strongest chapters, and one which the critics
have hitherto OVnrIOOEeH is M w do
pcts the last stormy scene between Iras andv
the hero, where she shows her true nature,
and that she has all along been the spy of
the Messiah. How the beautiful came to
earth is the authors view of the much-vexed
woman question. Much meaning lies be-
meath the surface and is hidden from the
careless reader. Thus in Ben Hur we see
the natural man humblng his enemy under
the eyes of the East-Christ, the Divine one
praying his father to forgive them, for they
know not what they do" Ben Hur was
written in the intervals of seven years in
hours stolen from the practice of law. on
Sundays and on journeys. When finished,
General and Mrs. Wallace went to New York
aud offered it to Harper for publication
The manuscript was written with the most
fastidious nicely, as every sentence was
wrought to the most perfect finish of which
the author was capable. When Mr.. Harper
opened it he said: This is the most beauti-
full manuscript that has come into this
house" 1t was given to the profess
sional reader, but he returned
vague answer. Mr.. Harper kept them wait
ing three weeks in suspense; he said it was
bold experiment which had been made often
and always failed. A second man was en-
ployed to read it, and finally they undertook
the publication, though evidently with mis-
giving. But contrary to all expectations it
was great success, 500 copies being sold in
Indianapolis alone. 1t was read with ayidity
plarUu nd Loft
General received many letters from clergy
men of great distinction praisng the book
and indorsing it. Among many other testi-
monials he received photograph of lady
whom he had never seen. and on the back of
the card was written: "a woman, converted
last book President Garfield ever read, and he
sent the following letter in regard to it,
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 10, 1881.
Dear General have this morning finished
reading Ben Hur, and must thank YOU for the
pleasure 1t has given me. The theme was diff
cult, but you have handled it with great delicacy.
and power. Several of the scenes, such as the
wise men in the desert, the sea fight, the chariot
race, will, am sure, take permanent and high
place in literature. With this beautiful and rev.
erent hook, you have lightened the burden of
my daily life, and renewed acquaintance
which began at Shiloh. Very truly,
JAMES A. GARFIELD.
When President Garfield gave General
Wallace his commission as minister to Con-
stantinople, he wrote across the paper Ben
Hur'-a graceful compliment most grace
fully given. In Constantinople, General
Wallace has been received with distinguished
honor and attention. Ben Hur has been
translated into Turkish by the Imperial
Scribe, at the Sultans order The Sultan
has offered the General many valuable gifts,
among them two Arabian horses, and the
star of the Order of Mecdiidia, which he has
been compelled to decline, in accordance
with the laws of our country. Mrs. Wallace
says of their life in Turkey: "The plash of
the Bosphorus is in our ears the stored hills
of Asia in our sight the tower where Haroun
AL Raschid besieged the Arabs is one of our
picnic grounds, and under the plane trees,
where Godfrey de Boullon encamped, we sit
and rest after a walk. All is picture, fable
history, lovely water and soft, shining sky"
In this land of sun and roses, we will take
our leave of General Wallace hoping it may
inspire him to give us still another of his
beautiful books.