New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-30
TWO FRENCH NOVELS.

CONSCIENCE. Par HECTOR MALoT Paris: G.
Carpenter ct Gle; NewYork W. r. jenkins.
voLONTE Par GEORGES oHNET Paris; Paul
Ollendora Newyork W. II. jenkins
Hector Malot has made a very interesting study
of q deep problem. His hero is an agnostic physi-
cian who holds that there is such thing ms con-
science or remorse; that the man Of sense may
avoid the doing of deeds which social laws pro-
hibit because he docs not wish to be punished.
but that il he makes up his mind for reasons suiii-
cient to himself, to commit crime he will take
precautions against detection, and having secured
himself will suffer no rcmorse. This man finds
himself in dire need and he murders an old money
lender and robs his safe. He is not suspected but
circumstances inculpate young man who turns
out to be the brother of the murdcrer's mistress.
This mistress the doctor marries, and he interests
himself actively on behalf of the accused youth.
who, nevertheless is convicted and sentenced to a
long term of impr sonment Now, according to
his own principles the doctor should have felt
remorse for his crime for he had escaped detection
but, in fact, he suffers greatly and increasingly.
and though his material affairs prosper, and he
reaches an exalted place in his profession, his mind
becomes disturbed as time passes and he fails
to find relief or satisfaction anywhere. The grad
ual development Of this sceptics physical tor
ments, the constant combats between his intellect
and the mysterious power which overcomes his
cynical philosophy, mocks at his reason, visits his
pillow with horrid visions gradually deprives him Of
Sleep skaters his nerves and breaks down his Will.
is described with astonishing skill and vividness
In the daytime he is able to laugh at the agonics
of the night and to convince himself that they have
no warrant in fact: but when darkness comes all
his philosophy proves futile. The tragedy of this
wretched life marches steadily, and each step is
~ ST
murderer begins to talk in his sleep, and discover
ing this is compelled TO sleep alone. But Nemesis
cannot be eluded, and an accident reveals to his
wife what be has struggled so long and so dcs-
perately to conceal. She has been his main sup
port. but her love cannot survive the knowledge
that her husband has deliberately sacrificed her
innocent brother to save himself She does not
denounce him, but she leaves him. and he remains
isolated, his life blighted and blasted by reliance
upon pseudo-phosophy which has proved TO he
built upon fallacy. This is powerful, consistent
and artsticaly executed novel.
NJ Georges Ohnet has in Volonte' dealt with
the effects of will-power upon human life but his
touch is far weaker than that of Hector MalOt.
and his theme is much more ccnventionaly treated.
The possessor Of the strong will in his story is n
girl who loves and is loved by young man Of in
ferior but amiable character There is another
woman, also resolute, but whose aims are sinister.
She is at once foil and rival to the heroine. She
seduces the feeble young husband, and holds him
in her tolls until he is almost ruined, both mate
rally and morally. In order to put the heroincs
steadfastness in stronger relief perhaps, tho author
has made him so very nfrn that towards the end
Of the story il seems scarcely possible that he
should be capable Of regeneration, and when finally
his faithful wife succeeds in rescung him from
the syren, it is questionable whether the mans
moral nature has not undergone so disorganzinG
a process to be beyond medication Balzac.
who knew human nature much better than NJ Oh
net once drew picture resembling this one in
many respects but he did not conclude melo-
dramatically, with the rghtng of all wrongs and
the reformation of all the prodigals. He saw that
when man, naturally weak, forms habits of in
fidelity and selfndulgent vice. the prospect that
any power can save him is exceedingly poor. In
his terrible story the wrongdoer goes from bad
to worse losing with each downward step some
fresh remnant Of his conscience and his staying
powers until intellect is fairly swamped by animal
ism, and he ends a hopeless wreck. In real life
Louis Heraut, after his experience with Madame
Olifaunt, would nine times ont Of ten, have been
untrustworthy. His noble wife might have saved
him again and again, but when temptation assailed
him his resistance would have been feeble and tame
and the presumption would be strongly against his
final redemption. No doubt NJ. Ohnet's way Of
dealing with the problem is calculated to please
that class Of readers who dislike gloomy endings
and care nothing for truth to life. But those who
respect art in fiction must admit that Balzac's
method was the only one deserving approval or i'm
itation, and that NJ. Ohnet serves no worthy pur
pose in sugar-coatng the bitter consequences OF
plant selfshness. As story Volonte" is interest
far inferior to Conscience