New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-29

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has studied human nature to better purpose. 1t
is the most triumphant and realistic touch IN the
book that Robert Elsmere, having abandoned
Christianity. remains effectively Christian His
intellect is Convinced that the historical evidences
fer the old fifth are insufficient; but his soul
refuses TO accept universe dcnudcd OF Christ,
and his RELIGIOUS Imagination reinforces this senti
mcnt. and creates picture and an ideal which in
al, but name is the Christ q the Resurrection and
the Ascension IIcredity and the influence Of carly
teaching are together too strong for the kctgeist
Robert aronzcs over the discovery that his in
tellect will no longer respond TO the old spiritual
indictments but his remuneration is, after all, su-
perfcial.
lie plunges into missionary work in London,
and by degrees is led to the institution Of an asso-
citation of worxingmen All those under Elsmcres
teachings have accepted his views of Christianity,
but they have not been lowered by this adaptation,
fer their original state that Of coarse and bru-
tai sccpticism. The New Brotherhood OF Christ
is the name chosen for E,smcres association, ana
at the end il is left fourishng and surviving It's
founder. In reality he has not broken with the
faith he thinks he has been forced to renounce.
and this is clearly perceived by Langham, the OK
ford don, who is another and striking modern
type Ianghams nature is sceptical, and his
Studies have pushed him into so general dubiety
that he has no longer any beliefs, and lacking
the sangune temperament of his friend Esmcrc,
he gradually ceases 10 possess ambitions or hopes
or incentives to action. The episode OF his love
affair with Rose Lcyburn is most delicatcly rem
dered Sceptioism in this case has literally de-
st:cycd the foundations of character. Life, IN
Langhams jaundced view is not worth living,
and though lie is still sufficiently sensitive to be
magnetizcd into passing stimulation Of passion by
contact with fresh young beauty and navete, the
influence finds nothing to feed upon and dies out
the moment the exciting cause is withdrawn.
Langhams intellectual vision is yet clear. and he
sees that Robert Elsmcre, while making an intel
ectual surrender, has retained all his innate rev
erential spirit, is controlled as much as ever by
his religious imagination, and is really separated
from the Church more by a certain ethical scru-
pulousness than by any radical end irreconci,abe
docrinal differences.
With sceptics such as Langham or Roger
Wendover the overthrow of the historical evidences
of Christianity precludes any effort at rchabll1-
tation They at once place the diScredited creed
in the category Of false religions, and have no
further interest in it save as it may serve to
point bitter gibes at the crcdulity of mankind.
The old Squire is a type Of the thoroughly worldly
minded sceTtic, who employs great learning TO
extend the cynical and concmptuous unbchef
TO which he has arrived. and has neither COM
prehension nor tolerance for such illogical com
promises as bring comfort and satisfaction to
minds of Elsmeres class. The portrait Of Wend-
over is strong virile. intensely individual There
is power and dignity in it as well as cynicism,
and the fact that his family has madness in its
blood is marked by adroit touches. In fact. there
are no dummies in this book. Every man and
81 md I'd
Leyburn, Mrs Thornburgh, Agnes, Rose, Langham,
Robert and Catherine, Lady Charlotte. Mrs Darcy,
Roger Wendover. Hugh Flaxman, Madame dc
Nettevile, Henry Grey, NewcOme, and not only
the regular dramats pcrsonae but also the many fig
ures which appear but momentarily, each and all
are Disseminated, realized, viviied, in remark
able way.
Rose Leyburn is delightful creation, and the
reader follows her development with ever growing
pleasure and interest SO light, deft, pure and
charmingy capricious a young girl is seldom en-
countered in modern fiction and oily wOmans
hand could have drawn so womarly a picture.
The book is full of attractive scenes. Of natural
dialogue, of unaffected action, of bright sketches
of Nature and local studies. The style is smooth,
graceful and at times brilliant and epigrammatc.
The author has happy choice of language,
precious gift of lucidity. She is never solemn
in the sense Of dulness, but she is frequently
strenuous from the sheer gravity Of her topics.
Robert Elsmcreo is not to be labelled didactic.
1t is so as all human life is so neither more
less. If it be the novel with purpose
that purpose is assuredly no other than to hold
the mirror up to nature. II is disfgured by no
straining after effect 1t does not belong in that
class of novels which have pecn characterized rs
magnificent pamphlets, splcnddly illustrated
J;ofr; II IL nd, of, toll
realistic, dealing in most natural manner with
the working of great moral and spiritual forces
which everybody knows are in active operation
and which not only may but do produce such
social and other effects set forth so wildly
in these pages The inference that the author
identifies herself with Robert Elsmere" is not
warranted 1t might with precisely equal force
be asserted that she identifies herself with Cath.
crime the Puritan. Possibly with even greater
plausibility, inasmuch she has employed all
the resources Of her art, and successfully to
render thoroughly lovablc and sympathetic
character the salient points of which almost ira
ditionally belong to narrow rigid and harsh
natures.
There is one episode in the book which may
appear to some readers superiuous or irrelevant.
We refer TO the episode Of Madame dc Netteville.
But reflection will show that the striking and disa-
greeable picture of that bizarre circle IS
not introduced merely to fill gap
In fact, it rounds out and gives
emphasis to one Of the sdc-issues
of the story The main purpose Of Robert Els
mere is to exhibit the characteristics of transit
tional period IN religious thought Generally
speaking the atmosphere is tonic and the indica-
lions hopeful. We are shown a great outpouring
of earncstncss, movement among the upper classes
IL.
position even among doubtcrs to apply the secular
teachings Of Jesus an anxiety to promote the wei
fare and improve the moral and intellectual no
less than the material condition OF the poor
Enthusiasm, self-sacrihce altruism, the pursuit Of
high locals the cultivation Of delicate conscien-
tiousness, mark the prevailing action But foil
to all this eager progressive experiment is needed,
and it is to be found in the salon Of Madame
de Nnt1nVillc She and the friends