New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-24
NEW NOVELS.
SOCIALISM. HISTORY AND HUMOR IN FIC-
TION.

Few writer's reflect more faithfully tho prevail
ing currents of thought than Mr.. Mallock But he
is much more than telephone diaphragm. While
possessed of "a singuarly attractive stvle and a
power OF delicate carIcature which produces eiec is
hardly distinguishabe from the travestied or1nnal
he brings also to the treatment of troublesome
topics a keen insight and a healthy optimism
which almost persuade his readers to accept as
real solutions the half-trutbs so forcefullv aud
plausibly presented No one can point refined and
| gentle satire with higher art than he. and "a few
modern writers purer English, his books are
sure to charm and delight even when thew do not
convince II was inevitable that so ImpressioDable
n writer should be influenced by the Socialist doc
trines which are fermenting so actively among the
masses everyw mere IN these days, and perhaps if
was not less inevitable that in throwing his views
upon these burning questions into the form of fc-
ton he should prefer the aspect of the democratic
| NOV ement seen from a social elevation to that
which obtainable from the plane of the agi-
| tatiOn.
He has therefore given IN "The Old Order
Changes " what is probably faithful picture of
the impressions produced on the English arsto-
| cratic mind by modern Socialism Not that he
omts the SOcia Ist case Itself One of his characters
Mr. Foreman, is a lightly disguised portrait Of the
English Socialist Hvndman, and the figure is
painted In with vigorous lines and IN almost lurid
coors He ls permitted to advance the staple argu-
ments of his class with freedom. tempered, 1t is
true. by the superior knowledge of facts possessed
| by one of the Roman Catholic prosts who occupy
such influential positions in some OF Dsrae's
novels. This priest Mr.. Stanley. is certainly very
ceverlv drawn. and quite attractive end estim-
able parsonage; i'tte roo omn Iscient but humanity
defective IN the Arguments INTENDED to be crush
ing-with which he meets the philosophy of Mr.
| Humbert Spender alias Mr.. Herbert Spencer
CaTew. the hero, is aristocrat deeply touched by
COMPASSION for the lot Of the majority n really fine
| character whose mental waverIngs between the
race and class teruperament which fights against
the democratic spirit. and his strong impulses
toward fraternity, are set forth with remarkable
| skill.
There is love story woven into the book. and il
is told with 80 much tenderness and delicacy az TO
deserve hearty praise and admiration. Nothing
prettier than the episode OF Carew's infatuation
for Violet Capel has been print for "a long
time. aud ind ed, there few ~ the scenes ~ the
o Provence chateau which are not marked by a
Singular charm Many of the persons of the drama
are uncommonly natural and fehke. Lady Man
got seid III ght have stepped out of one OF 1hack-
er1ys books. for example, and Lady Chslehurst
aud Mr. lingo are only less real. Lori Alden, said
10 be intended for Lord Lvtton. is shadOwy; mere
outline sketch IN fact. The Burton sisters especl
HllY Ine elneT ones, are wei uOub iOnSuelO is no
doubt a remarkable voung woman of extremely ex-
allied ieas and comprehensive views for the ainei-
Grafton the condition of mr. fellow creatures, but
there Is something intangible AMI unreal her
One suspects that she is more embodiment of he
authors idea of the humanitarianism of Rome than
a simple woman.
For Mr. Mallnck's last story like his first. is what
the Germans call a "tendcncv" book. Som, people |
avoid this kind of literature children AVOID the
sweets which have been made the vehicles |
for phvsc, and for such as demand |
only relaxation and amusement from fiction. |
this attitude is doubt the natural one. |
But even readers who ind flerent to social prob
lens ind mp-ns for the didact,c |
and suggestive parts of - The Old Order Changes"
in the brilliant and delightful imaginative sections
which, 80 to speak buoy up the heavier chapters.
rhe question presented is the one which has
hitherto BAIL d human nreI gence: the emlnI-
ton of suffering If not altogether. then such
extent permit the to realize that !
they have souls, aud that there something in life
worth living tor beyond the mere satisfaction of
appetite and the securing of periodical rest from
exhanstlng toll. This question Is complicated with
that OF the future and toe duties of the English
aristocracv Thus II is moot point whether democ-
racv will leave To the governing class the DISPOSE
ton of its own destInles but If il free what
course ought il to folowi The presentation of
these deep problems sufficiently indicates the scope
OF Sir. MaIl0cKs undertaking. Naturally he finds
satisfactory solution In the usual econo mic
theories Socialism IS a fever-iream capable
only of producing mischief Tr ldes -uniOnIsn, CO.
operation, profi-shariug good to a certain ex-
tent. bnt none If them far enough. The radical
defect of all tho plans thus far proposed is that
tLey omit the Influences which alone capable
of holding men TO any system contentedly
the influences. that IS of religion.
Mr. Malock as is usual with him. moreover i'm
Plies that when religion is IN question there can be
no assurance and no permanent relief save with the
great mother church. Rome Is for him. as it was
for all the world during ages the centre of the up-
verse. Nor modern Socialism, hostile as It ap-
pears. really inImlcai to the Catholic Church, the
latter always viganty observing the current of
mems thoughts and the direction Of human pro
gress but awaiting the ft opportunity TO assmilate
the new doctrines, and maze them her OVID So
eiansm sanctiied and refined by religion il rho re-
vested of all that makes 1t a menace TO order and
progress, and endowed with the sprit Of love |
" hch will render IL realization OF pristine Cos
pei teachings rs concrete Application of this
idea the author introduces curious suggestion for
practically blending monachism and Socialism in | !
action. This is 70 be a monastIc or conventual So
cety. but while vowed TO poverty and purity it is !
not TO be vowed to seclnslon IL IL 10 pursue an
industrial careers to establish o factory for ex-
ample; all the brothers ss' are TO work there
IN as mechanics at current wages. but the entire
profits of their production are to be employed in
ways This is the last word of t
nineteenth century thought from Mr. Mallock's ,
point OF view. He does not, indeed. insist much
npon the plan do his ca appear to re-
gard it with any enthusiasm IL is the embar- :
rassment of all attempts to deal with hard puzzles
hat fn ure to furnish practicable solution il re-
,ented and too often looked upon as proof of speca
ncompe ence. Bat has succeeded any better =
han Mr.. Maock, and at least his ideas have The p
merit of certain freshness
He has dealt with the questions Of the dav in a