The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-08
LITERARY.

DANIEL TREETwoRTHY. a TAIr oF THE GREAT
fIk on GmeAoo: ny John MeGoyerni Author
Chicago; Rand, McNally & Co.; Memphis; IL.
NJ Mansiord
Other stories OF the great fire OF Chicago
In October, 1871, have been written, but
none OF them has equalled "Danlel Trent
worthy" In interest or power. 'Daniel
Trcntworthy" is novel, but something
more II Is also an accurate and graphic
history OF n phenomenal tragedy. The
author Is worthy the subject. lie comes TO
his work admirably equipped. A writer of
skin, n poet, a philosopher, he enjoys.the
further advantage Of having witnessed the
appalling scenes which he portrays in so
mastorful a manner. And yet, though
description Of the fire be a special objective
on the part Of the author, the reader at the
end Of the book feels he has been accorded
not only a thrilling view OF that event. but
that he also has had laid before him re-
markahlo analysis OF the conditions material
and social, under which Chicago grew 10 the
metropolitan dignity she enjoyed when Alto
fell upon her. The book Is an important
contribution 70 American literature in this,
that Il reveals 10 the public writer who
possesses qualities, the lack OF which, among
American noyclisis, the critics have
long dcplorcd. Hero we are introduced to
story-tollcr who holds his ear close 10 the
hearts OF the people; whose analytic
faculty Is wondrously acute who has no
respect for sham and prctcnse; who can
distinguish the sublime in the apparently
trivial; whose perceptions are at once mi.
cfoscopic aud telescope; whose sympathics
are easily stirred when there Is reason and
whose gift Of expression is "a eloquent as his
discornmcnt Of truth Is accurate. His style
Is original. Nervous force is lis chief char
ncioristic. The prc-cmincnt virtue Of the au-
thor himself, 40 FAR rs his mental bent Is
concerned, Is that Of philosophic inter
probation. lie delights In deductions
And yet he does not prose. There
Is not long sentence In the book. The
movement Is swift, the crowding situations
dramatic, the life" Of it all intense. The
author never forgctS that he Is writing
story, not an essay, yet the reader perceives
abundant material Tor theses. There Is, in
deed, more thought packed between these
covers than we have found In a novel for
many day, aud we do not think the quest
| Tor great and distinctiycly American work
II fiction need be prosecuted beyond Daniel
Ifcntworthyl" Tho book ills all require.
mcnts and meets the demand. II
Is at once scholarly, elevated, dra.
matte, picturesque aud true 10 pro.
foundly interesting phases Of American
life. lalsion, The famous California banker
and the most conspicuous figure on the coast
In the day that witnessed the rise Of the
bonanza king, Is porlfayd In John Trent.
worthy, the father OF the hero aud the mu-
iations Of American life are shown In the In.
I PRODUCTION Of Daniel Trcntworthy 10 the
reader a. a Harvard collcsian become fire
man In Chicago because Of impoverished
condition. resultant upon tho collapse of
his fathers financial fortunes. This Is
bold stroke, but the author Is en-.
ticly justified by common experience
/ The incidents Of the book cannot
be- detailed here. II Is sufficient 10 say that
they are Of absorbing interest Trcntworthy's
adventure the night when, n pipcman, he
lonpcd from a toppling wall TO the telegraph
wires. being there suspended until rescued,
Is a triumph Of descriptive Nothing better
Is 10 be found In an American novel. The
clocutionist will nnd I, superb Tor recitation.
While oil incidents lead up In orderly 70.
qucnco 10 the crowning cvcnt-the great IRE
the author finds occasion 10 give the reader
some Insight into city politics ~ Il existed
In Chicago twenty years ago, and rs 10 stisis
In many cities Of the land even unto thl,
day. The evolution Of Chicago from the
marsh i succincily but mos, clearly shosn.
The early cgoiism Of the community il de.
uiciod happily, the prccooiiy aud cStrior.
binary assurance Of the city In ~ youth we'll
sct forth. There Is just enough detail 10
make u good history without disturbing the
symmetry OF the story. II the reader will
but accept the cue the author give, In III.
Introductory chapter be- will lind no fault
With the authors treatment OF bis theme The
plot u developed carefully without confusion
aud everything u within reason. The de
scriptpn u the trc u masterpiece, and vet
the thread 81 the story runs through H. An
the proved facts Of the holocaust are sub
mi,iod Asa literary tour lie force, II will
challenge comparison with any similar
achievement In English literature The
event is mustered a. Victor Hugo mastered
the naiiio Of Waterloo - by tho en-.
ploymcnt 81 eloquent aud Illuminating
detail a. Ia the instances Of the news
boy IN the bird storc, the fall Of the
alarm boil In the fire tower. The flight 81 the
raft 81 fire, etc The vocabulary Of the
writer IL unusual, but biz appreciation Of
the rhetorical proprietics'so discriminating
aud his artistic scnsc ~ acutc that be make,
no false notes, nor does he weaken nj any
moment Every newspaper reporter should
rad its matter II education NJ McGovrn
makes an incident appcf tragic or pathetic.
nv stating clearly the facts In the case and
trusting "a the sympathy of ihc rcidcr Thi,
IL The highest ART ln work oi This character.
iut wc cannot proceed further iu thc dis.
cuuiou of the novel. Il j. omphatcally an
nch.cycmrntui monumental excellence. The
author j. entitled IN pmmpt and uncquivo
cal welcome into the rank u The y,r, ahlest
" American noyclists There has been
complaint that American fiction wns suf
iering from the dilctianie spirit In Mr.
McGoycrn We end the antithcsla Ills en-
ersy IL trcmcndous bis ideals high his
power magnificent