New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-17
OUIDA'S LATEST STORIES.
THEORIES OF ARIsToCRATlC DEPRAvITY.

A HOUSE PARTY DON GESUALDO: AND A RAINY
JUNE BY OUIDA. Philadelphia; j. b. Lipplncott
The "dominaht idea" which stingushes Ouda
from all other novests is a fixed belief in the total
lepravty of all arstocracies, and especially that
of England. Thus it is that the d" home party u
which she introduces the public Is a gathering in
the country seat of British earl, arranged on the
peculiar system, o. pairing every male guest with
the wife of some other man. the other man not
being invited. To increase the pervadlng moral
confusion of tho arrangement the hostess Is repre-
sented as perfectly vIrtnous woman though IN
her desire to make everything pleasant for her
guests she has. her dis ,greeably candid husband
declares acquired for the said country seat the
reputation in society to be sort of modern
Orleans Club" The theory foil owed bv the vIrtu-
countess is that no husband ever wants TO be in
the same house with his wife. and no vile ever de-
sres to be in the same house with her husband f;
both wives and husbands requiring. Tor tler peace
and happiness. the society of some other man or
some other woman The earl rails against this ac-
commodating plan but It would be great mistake
to conclude that his own moral is often ded by
it, His wife who knows his tastes and judci0usy
deters them takes that himself ls sOothed
and gratfed by the presence OF the particular
somebody elses wife he affects lie only finds fault
witt his wife oil the amable general principle that
thug u wife docs ought to De unSatlslactofY
to a rightly constituted modern husband.
The little drama taxes place amid these singular
surroundings 1t is scarcely an idyllic fir. a
very much bored lord falls in love at first sight
with a wonderful Russian princess whose beauty
and diamonds cause her to be iuriously enved. and
over whose past there is just that shade of mystery
aud scandal necessary to give the gosslps some
thing to talk about 10 mako things even 1t is
commonly reported that Lord Brandoln. her sutton.
keeps harem of hndoo women at his country
house There happens to be no truth in the story,
but it is believed and il makes q difference in the
estimation in VII ch he is bel l. IL appears finally
that the princess has been saniered Iu fact. Che
is the only thoroughly respectable woman in the
story OF the men none are admirable. and most
are despicable. Fhe tale ~ told with much force
and sprigh lincss. the situations are elaborated
with Ouida's characteristic Skill but it is tine KIND
of story that leaves bad taste in the mouth. and
it is true to no sort of life in any part of the world
Don Gesuado" is study of a peculiar Italian
tyne a san priest. hed With religious enthusi
asm but deuscy ignorant Of the word. is the hero
young wife who had been his playmate in child
hood, and who has married an Old man for his
money. has all intrigue with young man. Don
Gesualdo does his best to make the girl do her duty
but fails The hus Dan is found murdered, ana the
young wife is used of the crime. Presently the
real ureror reveals the truth to the priest under
the seal of confession. thus placing him in
horrible situation, for he now knows
the innocence of the accused woman but
cannot interfere to save her. His mind,
originally weak, is racked and tortured 50 by his
Impotence that finally he oonceves the strange
idea of substituting himself for the real criminal.
The development of thus idea IN his eDfeebed brain
Is carefully and naturally carried oat, AMI tnd
story, while not light ~ pleasant one. is decidedly
strong and original.
a Rainy June" a bitter little sketch of the
honeymoon OF Italian Prince Who has married
an English beauty. in IA secluded English country
house, during month of almost ncessant wet
weather. The form Is ep stolary, and the way IN
which the alteration of the Roman gradually fades
under the depressing influence of the place aud the
rain is very amusingly told while at the same time
the disappointment OF The innOcent BRIDE at finding
that she cannot prevent her idol from being bored
almost to death. is brought out clearly. Ihe out
come of the dangerous eXp erlment Is what was TO
have been expected. the rainy June sowing the
seeds of stormy future