The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-01-30
S"a'ss 4" literature and ! ios''pAp.
An Original WING Feature.
THE NOVEL" ROMONA."

THE NOVEL-"ROMONA."
There is surely something significant
in the fact that the three great literary
successes of the century have been
achieved by women, two of whom are
now dead, and the third living in green
and honored old age. 1t is not possible
that "Romona" should kindle the wild !
fire of eA element which ragged for at
least two years after the first appearance |
of "Uncle Toms Cabin The ndig- |
nant denial of the truthfulnesS of the |
picture of slavery as it then existed by |
the Southful people, and the threats and |
imprecations breathed against the writer,
only increased the great popularity of
the book in the North. | remember
asking a Southern lady many years after
the war if she had ever read Uncle
Tom" "No,' she replied; Il never
have, but should like to. My brothers
tutor once brought it to our house, and
inadvertently left it lying upon the Ii
brary table; had picked it up and read
about three pages when my father en-
tered the room. He asked me what |
was reading? | innocently told him the
title, never having seen or heard of the
book until that hour. Hand it to me,
he demanded. | did as he requested:
and judge Of my establishment when he
threw it upon the blazing CRATE, watched
with apparent delight until every page,
even the handsome and substantial bind
ing. was gray pile of ashes?' This
was the spirit that prevailed throughout
the South concerning this book and its
writer until after the war. 1t is impos-
sible that the wrongs of the Indian
should interest us now, or stir up the
African did then. And yet the story of
'Romona" must do good work, for it
is being widely read, and is calculated to
awaken deep thought among people who
have hitherto given the Indian policy of
our Government but little attention. The
writing of such a story is the best posi-
BILE attack that can be made against a
great wrong. A hundred people will
read and ponder over it to one who would
read the dry historical facts. A history
is to story as a cold statue is to a liv-
ing. breathing beautiful human form.
We care little for the sutferiugS of hu-
mahity EN- masse, as depicted on hstori-
cal pages, but suiferngs in detail as pic
tured in novel and drama never fail to
move us, because the chords of sympa-
thy are touched by the romance as they
never can be by the history. Apart from
its moral purpose and political bearing,
''Romona" is a charming tale. The
glamour of richest romance must ever
cling around the missions of the Fran
ciscan order in the Southwest, and what
happy thing it was for the reading
world that they should have been writ
ten about by so facile, powerful and
truthful writer as II. II. "Romona'
is not great or strong character. She
10 siuPiy True anu NlHP-llue 10 nef
religion, true to her race, true to her
lover. And yet one cannot but feel a
deep satisfaction when she is at last
freed by circumstances from the semi
barbaric surroundings of her lie with
the Indian husband and restored to civil
ization and the devoted, protecting affec-
lion of Felipe Yet it was necessary
for the purposes of the novelist that
"Romona' should marry Alessandro, in
order that the sufferings of the Indians,
on being driven from their homes, might
be forcibly set before the mind of the
reader. 1t is to be hoped that "Romona"
will be read and pondered over by those
who have it in their power to mitigate
the condition of the Aborgines. 1t is
evident from her letters to friends and
publishers that II. II. thought far more
highly of her Century of Dishonor'
than she did of her romance. Yet the
lighter work is a fitting prelude tc the
more serious and exhaustive one After
reading "Romona" We felt an irresisti
BILE desire to read the Century of Dis
honor" And we believe this will be the
case with majority of readers into whose
hands these works may Glance to fall.
That the two will exert lasting influ-
ence in shaping the policy of the Gov
eminent in the adoption of more humane
treatment of the "nation's wards" there
is scarcely doubt. CINQrEFoI..