The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-26
LITERARY REVIEW.

Maltlnnu, the nfst novel Dy TINS hutnOr,
and q work Of acknowledged power and
effectiveness, will be ready TO well
come another from the same pen.
In those essential qualities which be-
speak literary genius, both OF these novels
bear the stamp Of uncommon order Of merit,
and II is perhaps question Of taste merely
which Is the clevercr work of the two.
Some critics have likened 'rhe Silence of
Dean Maitland to Hawthorne's ''Scarlet
Letter." and IL Is certainly undenablc that
In the portraiture OF arthur Dimmes-
dale" and that Of cyril Maitland" the
prcdominating motif is the same. There
fore, as between Maxwell Grey's two produc-
tions, "'rho Reproach OF Annesley" may
Justly claim the merit OF originality. In
both works there is distinct and well-de-
fined purpose manifested through the hui
man weaknesses both Of cyril Maitland"
aid paul Annesley," In whom, despite
the inherent master-passions In the one case
OF pride ambition and self love" In the
other the more hidcOus one OF jealousy,
there exists the same latent germ Of good
which, though all but stilled and stunted,
rises at last stripped Of all hypocrisies aud
shams, triumphant in q new manhood, en-
nobled and spiritualizcd by the victory over
self and its lower nature. But save perhaps
In the mad struggle between the two cous-
ms on top Of the Juia Mountains, where
Paul makes the cowardly attempt 10 hurl
Edward over the brink, and instead falls
himself, nowhere In "Thc Reproach Of
Anneslcy" is there any such revelation OF
dramatic power as that In the painful scene
Of Cyril's public confession from the pul pit OF
Bclminstcr Cathedral. II requires less cour-
age to hide from the world than is necessary
TO face IL, and II Paul Anncsloys sins are not
as many rs those Of Cyril Maitland neither
Is the expintion Of them as cruel. Who
would not prefer the Monks garb and cell
M penance 10 the terrible self imposed or
dsa OF humiliation aud anguish through
which Cyril Martiand passed. Though diff
fcrently woven the materials Of these two
novels are In the main the same.
"The Rcproach Of Anncslcyn deals also
with English country life, the incidents
and interests peculiar TO the gentle folk aud
their tenantry. The villagc characters are
real human beings, prolific Of quaint super.
stitions and orcdulitios, and picturesque in
their simplicity and surroundings The
change Of scene from the sweet, dreamy
quietudc of English hills and dalcs TO the
wild grandeur Of the Alpine Mountains,
where the author brings her principal dra.
mats persona. Il happy diversion, and
the pages descriptive Of their sojourn at
Neuichntcl and vicinity are surprisingly
charming. Like "Henry Eycrard, ed
ward Anncslcy," too, Is wrongfully sus-
pectcd OF the crime Of murder aud although
he suffers many years under this odious re-
proach yet no open accusation Is made,
consequently, perhaps, he is not compelled
to pass the better part Of his life In prison, rs
is the case with young Eycurj. OF the two
maidcns In The Rcproaeh Of Anncslcy"-
"Alice Lingarl" and ''Sbyl Rickman'-wc
think tho latter the trucr woman Of the
two, for from first 10 last she never wayer,
In her firm belief IN Edwards innocence OF
the crime imputed 10 him. Alice
has loved him almost from the
very first hour Of their meeting. but
rs long as the suspicion OF murder rests upon
his name she refuses 20 marry him. II !,
not until after the dcnouemcnt, when II
turns out that Paul Anncslcy II not dead
and that Edward Is guiltlcss Of murder. that
Alice I.ingard realizes and contrtcly ayowi
the wrong her doubts aud dstrust have don,
him. woman's faith generally grow
stronger and more unialicring the darker th'
clouds that oycrshadow the fame Of the mar
she loves. However. both have been dc
ceivcd by Gcryasc Hickman. the crafty dis
scmblcr and schcmcr who finally gains thl
whole world but loses his own soul. Al
together THE Rcproach Of Anncslcy" u
story that gains on one, the lines are not ~
boldly drawn, the effects not 10 broad a
those Of the authors hnt work. yet l
abounds Ia many charming pictures, will
much Of the romantic element interviewer
one Il an inspiration. the other a study, an,
both are efforts that require an artists toucl
and feeling. Tho combination Of grace viii
strength, two qualities 70 conspicuous Il
the two works, j. not surprising when W
remember that Maxwell Grey, the author,
a woman with masculine brain power an,
, yigor. For sale by Mansiord.
{ - splendid Egotist' i The title Of a nc,
, novel by Ms. Jeanette II. walworih. TOT
. mcrly a resident Of this city, lattcrly ofNc'
fYork who will be best remembered by IA
readers Of Tm ArrrAL under her nom Il
= plume OF Mother Goose" Mr.. walwortI
a Il a woman ~ talent, energy and ability, un
i. has written several novels since she lei
Memphis for New York ten year, OK,
where, until recently she removed /
i Natchos. she has remained During sir
!. Walworths solourn in New York she M
4 engaged entirely In literary work. and hi
acquired n reputation among the most POI
ulnr noyolisis aud writer's OF the day. II
u with dnccrr pleasure We record this fac
!. "A Splendid Egousf' Is one u Mrs Wa
wofih's most admirable efforts In II N
deals some sound blows At the worst II q
sins, because Il 4 the handspring Of ever
l. other qnc-that Of sclhshncss. "l,anda
@ Macknyo' u n sculptor, young, handsou
o and gificl, but supwmcly and dcvutodly
love with himself llc Is married to mob
= hearted woman who ia painter, aud
q whose brush and energy her iudolcn
,. selfish, lamnh husband owes cvcrythinI
a even such commonplace but ncccssnI
things o. food and clothing Like man
~ another woman elsewhere than IA N
10 art world who sets up such ido
70 10 worship, Marianne Mackayc" NJ
no one but herself 10 blame II ,hc finds th
idol clay. A statue Of his wife. which. in n
hrt flush Of his art pride aud love Tor he
N he has begun. and calls Loves Youn
10 DREAM" Il an interesting feature of n