New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-25
SOME MINOR NOVELS.
TWO CLEVER BOOKS.

THE PHTLIsTINEs. BY Arlo Bates. 1omo. pp. 44a.
Boston Ticknor q Co.
THE ROGUE. BY W. f. Norris. 1Gmo PIP. 5o7.
Henry Holt Co.
| THE ADMIRABLE LADY B!DDY FAVE. BY Frank
Barrett 12mo PIP 352. Casscil Co.
II Mr. Arlo Batcs's story Of The Pagans7 canscd
commotlou in the aesthetic circles OF the modern
Athens. II may be surmiscd that his now story The
Phtines.' will and even extend the agitation.
whether 1t is the distinct purpose Of Mr. Bates TO
satlrlze the intellectual movements OF the modern
Athcnlans Is perhaps not quite certain. though II
cannot be doubted that he entertans desire to chasen
these his friends, and II may be admitted that the
Christening IS decidedly severe. The Pagans arc the
young artists and men Of letters. The PhillStnes-a
least such OF them specially interest Mr.. Batcs-are
! gIOwn-up and Sophisticated Pagans Arthur Fen0n,
the painter and Fred Rangcey. the novelist the
shocking examples Of this kind Of meiamOrphOss.
They hunger and thirst after tho patronage Of the
established Phllsta. From their forlorn refugees in
bohemia they look forth and begin to envy tho things
and the people upon which and upon whom they
have long sharpened their wits. The wicked old
world in short, claims them for lis own and according
to their dosyncracies either openly ard cynlcaly
under the cloak Of false pretonces they pass over
10 respectability, convcnonasm, and the region Of
steady incomes and dinners every day.
Some times, Ike Fenton they frankly declare what
drew them sometimes. Ike Rangeley. they try keep
up tho appearance Of Paganlsm, while living the PILLS
tine life. In all cases. however they find 1t impos sble
! to dIsembarrass themselves of uneasiness which
belongs 10 the burden of honor into which they
were not born" Phlista II Is true receives and pets
and pays them. 1t buys their pictures and novels
opens its paror and dning.rooms to thcm and In a
more less perfunctory way intimates a desire be
good 10 them. But with all this Is a OF patron
age which initiates the more sensitive among tho
transformed Pagans and degradcs the more callous
into cads Mr. Bates handles his theme with pleasing
adroitncss. He does his spirithg gently. He gives
a capital picture, in his best sarc vein, OF
browning Society reunion lie int reduces to
womens luncheons, at which the fair guests and
hotesscs talk the toploftiest BOstoneso with uency
/ which is little less than appalling. We feel less
tain when he comes 10 the Boston clubs. Can II be
possblethe reader asks hlmsclf-that such dongs as
described at the ST. Felipe Club really ever occur
in Boston Institution of the kind Can a poker
scandal convulse of these superior assocatlonsl
Nevertheless. the club troubles are amusing and
indeed, Mr. Bates-whom we glad to find improving
in his art from book 10 book-has afforded so many
cearcut sketches and well observed social studies in
this story that 1t is not to decide which select
for examination
There smart raps at tho Boston city government
the committee on the statue being particularly neat
example As fols to the depravy OF the transformed
Pagans, who reluctantly turn out much than the
fhilsnnes, Helen Greyson and Grant Herman are
mercifuly provided They artists who honor art
by their Interpretation OF H. and who find the pursuit.
OF the highest ideals not Incompatible with devotion TO
the ioiticst ethics and the purcst arusm. II thorc
IS any dldacto purpose IN Mr. Bates's clever book
these two paint and illustrate It these two I'm their
attitude as living conrasts to the sordd career Of the
Psgans turned Phstine. and the futile fInbIlprs of
tho indigenous PhisiiDcs after the sweetness and Igbt
Of true culture Though the author Is too judIcous
to Insist upon any moral, II Is there. Just as IL IS in
daily life, for any ono who chooses 10 Look for 1,
The story Is dramatic protest against sham and
make believe culture and against all the InanItes
whereby a certain society peruadeS itscif that II is
not frivolous and essentially superficial aud foolish
II has many strong situations. much admirable
dialogue and consider It decidedly the best thing
Mr. Bates has yet done-a performance credltable 10
him and encouraging 10 his friends
"The Rogue' Is a curious and strong novel Tho
central 1guro In 10 10 = man. concerning whose real