The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-23
Crime In Fiction.

When pathos degenerates into vapid
sentiment, it is sometimes an opiate,
though more often an irritant. Sopori-
fics are very well in their way, but on
the whole the patrons of the circulating
Libraries prefer TO be excited and inter
ested. Hence the popularity of the
sensational novel, taking horrors for its
subjects, and criminals for its heroes,
and leading the reader from surprise to
surprise to the dramatic announcement
which should be envelOped in mystery.
The range OF the criminal romance Is
wide enough. in all conscience. AT the
best it may be the subtle master
piece Of the analytical genius of Bal
FAC; at the lowest, though not invari-
ably at the worst, it may be dashed off
in blood and thunder for the penny
dreadfuls and the shilling shock
ers." Much depends, Of course, on the
public for whom the romance is intend
ed. and the blood besmeared story
which has a grand success in the New
Cut would possibly not 60 down in Bel
gravian drawing rooms. Yet we ven
ture to affirm that the criminal romance,
pure and simple, although il may be
devised with the practical instincts of
Gaboriau or toned with the literary taste
Of a Bulwer. has one unfailing charac
teristic-it leaves an unpleasant and
unwhOlesome flavor behind. Like the
garlic in Provencal cookery, the SAVIOR
NAV seem to be smcthered for the time,
but there is an arriere goat that comes
out sooner or later. There are fasci-
mating novels which are as edifying in
their way as Thomas a Kempis or the
Pilgrim S Progress. Like the plays of
Shakespeare cor the poems of Milton.
they raise US for the time on the wings
of heaven-born genius toward the
noble ideals of the highest life. After
we have smiled and wept-the weep
ng is figure of speech-we
feel morally better and much
happier. But after tale of
crime. however talented it may be, some
faint of the disreputable company we
have been keeping clings to us; we feel
as if we have been cOnniving at their
guilt, if not actually accomplices in it.
There are worthy folks, as we are given
to understand. with unimpeachable
moral records, who come TO find an ac-
tual relish in that vlcarious degrade
ton. and who take pleasure in the vita
ted atmosphere of the prison-cells and
the iails. In rare cases. like NJ. LecOq
in Gaboriau s Crime d'Orcival, they
even give loose rein TO their perverse
ina gInations, and revel in the
clever escroqueries they might have
committed hod the chances of their
lives offered favorable opportuni-
ties. Bat cases of this kind
are altogether exceptional. 1t is as
serted, and we dare say with some
truth, that novels like Ainsworth S Jack
Sheppard and illustrated sheets like the
Police News have largely recruited the
ranks of the thieves and the burglars.
There the seed had fallen in kindly soil
prepared by circumstances and heredi-
tary depravity. The mass of amateurs
of the horrible in the upper or middle
classes are more prosaically minded or
less Economically disposed. AT all
events, they seldom dream of transla
ting thought into action. and taking the
short but dangerous cuts to their crimes
which come so naturally to their favor
tie heroes and heroines.-Blackwood' 8
Magazine.