New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-22

i. J. Ipvi>G Preface by GEORGE EBERs william
:. Gottsburger.
II ia not surprising that this work of Dutch
writer but little known outside OF the Netherlands
hitherto. should have received hearty welcome
on its appearance IN English. for II il thoroughly
artistic aud wholesome book. In Il preface which
is of itselfa valuable essay upon the distinction
between true aud false ant In hction, Professor
Ibcra introduces the author to his Enelisl-
sprnLing aud cnce. In Holland Nos-
inaof has long held high place, his
,onntfymcn having shown good taste and sound
Judgment IN ptcicffine hiH pure and elevated style
a. tho nefe,ucouH attractions Of tho modern real
ialo school. which, Professor Ebois SAYS seeks
a. amend the faults Of society aud to exercise hh
ntary influence solely by exciting disgust u In liz
deed more necessary than ever IN this ora of Cola
ism 10 insist that the proper sphere Of true art IL
the beautiful, and not its opposite ana that tho
products of the realistic eohou no matter how skl
full aie essentially false to art, In that they postu-
late state Of existence wherein vice and ugliness
dominate, as they neither can nor do in world
whose primal law is progress.
"Thc Amazon" is In one sense of the term an art
novel, Ii deals, that is to say, with the principles
Of art in sculpture, painting and music, incident
sIy. But II must not he concluded that the story
is merely vehicle for the conveyance OF the au-
thors IDEAS on these subjects. The story itself is
carefully and skilfuy wrought out, and while the
plane on which IT is set is lofty one, there is moth
iug unnatural or tedious about its development.
The situation is not q hackneyed one. young
man and young woman, both OF the
artistic temperament, and both suffering from
disappointed affection, have severaly
determined never again to yield to Love- They are
thrown together at Rome. The young woman Mar
ciana who is the Amazon" soon finds herself
strongly attracted by the young painter, Aisma.
But she has persuaded herself that she would be
foolish to yield her independence and to merge her
own life in that of any man, and the main interest
of this story lies the treatment Of the long strug
s,e that ensues in the minds of these stubborn
young people.
It Is all very deicately and subly managed,
and the art discussions which occur between Aislna
Narciana and Van Walbarch. al old Dutch ex-dip-
lomzt and politician, whose character Is charm
ingly drawn are full of excellent criticism, based
upon full knowledge and reflection. The style IS
limpid and smooth and the ideas presented are Wig
orous and elevating 1t may be thought perhaps,
that Marciana, toward the close of her inward
contest, appears somewhat less reasonable
than one Of her mental discipline and
Intellectual force should be; but in this
display of caprice or obstinacy should be
recognized the writer's comprehension Of that pecu-
Iiary feminine tendency to resist sef-prOmptings
even when they promise most happiness which has
been the admiration and the despair of men from
the beginning. Had Marciana been altogether
logical and consistent she would have been more
or less than woman. 1t is proof of the artists
skil that he has thus saved his heroine from the
fatal fault of over-perfcctiOn, fault which
. less experienced writer with such situs-