Los Angeles herald., 1891-06-04
THE LITERARY WORLD.
Louis j. Jennings and His Work as a
Writer of Stories.
Especial Correspondence.J

Writer of Stories
Especial Correspondence.1
NEW York, May 11-When Mr.. Louis j.
jennings was living in New York he was
about the last person who would have been
considered as likely to produce works OF
fiction. Not that he did not have the
ability, but that he was a very busy man,
intensely absorbed in his duties as a
journalist and at one time particularly
engaged in most stirring and important
public service. Yet we now have the
second novel from his pen. 1t is entitled
"The Philadelphian," and although it has
been published in this country only a
few days, the sale has been considerable.
This is partly due, perhaps, to Mr..
Jennings prominence as a member of the
English parliament, and partly to the fact
that anything he may write is sure to
be read by a considerable number Of those
who knew him when he was the editor of
the New York Times.
Yet this personal interest does not ac-
count entirely for Mr.. Jennings popular.
ity as writer of fiction. His first story,
called "Thc Millionaire was an exciting
tale. In it Mr. jennings revealed a capac-
ity to tell an interesting story. He adopted
the favorite method of novelists who know
something about America and more about
England, of depicting the experiences of a
wealthy American while in exciting life on
the other side of the ocean. The story was
so good that the recollection of it easily in
duced those who read it to read "The Phil
adelphian-"
This latter story might just as well have
been called ''The Virginian," /" or ''The Dyna-
inter-" or "The Welsh Squire" for the
part which the Philadelphian takes in the
story is really subordinate to that which is
ascribed to other characters. The story in
a word describes the experiences of Vir-
ginian and his daughter at the castle of a
lonely Welsh squire, who has married for
his second wife an American lady, and
who is mysteriously murdered. The plot
hinges upon this mystery of murder, and
the discovery of the assassin is told with
mo little dramatic power, and is quite as
surprising denouement as are some of
Wilkie Collins
AS delineator of characters Mr.. Jen-
nings is even less successful in "The Phila-
delphian" than in "The Millionaire" His
men and women are too automatic; their
creation is too manifest. Once in a while
they say and do something which suggests
real flesh and blood creatures But, on the
whole, Mr.. Jennings handling of them is
too manifest; they are too apparent agents
in the telling of the story. But while he
evidently fails in suggesting living charac-
ters, Mr.. Jennings succeeds in telling a
story which excites and keeps the interest
until the end. In this work his journal
istic bent is very evident, and the story of
"The Philadelphia" is just such as might
have been expected from a competent re-
porter who is describing remarkable
crime.
When Mr.. Jennings was making himself
and the New York Times famous by the
extraordinary combat which he carried on
successfully with ring rule in New York
city, whose boss was William M. Tweed,
it was supposed that he had the most
promising career ahead of him of any of
the younger men in journalism. He was
the editor of The Times, chosen to succeed
Henry j. Raymond, but he did not control
the property, excepting in his editorial
capacity. After the victory of The Times
over the Tweed r2g Mr.. Jennings star
was in the ascendant, and he had friends
who were willing to place money at his
disposal with which to buy controlling in
terest in that newspaper. For a time it
seemed as though Mr.. Jennings would sue
ceed, but the control passed elsewhere, and
he retired from the management of the
paper at the very time when he seemed to
be about to secure permanent foothold
and to become recognized as among the
chiefs of journalism in New York.
Mr.. Jennings returned to England, his
native land, and it was thought that he
would in London perhaps duplicate his
brilliant career as a journalist in New
York. This judgment, however, was not
confirmed. While Mr.. Jennings did con-
tinue his journalistic work, and was es-
teamed an able journalist, yet his successes
have been more in political direction than
in newspaper work. He was elected to
parliament, where he has served for sew
eral years, and where he managed to lift
himself above the average level which
that body of Legislators.
1t was a surprise when Mr. Jennings
showed some desire to give up political ac-
tivity and to devote himself to literature.
The quality of his intellect is aggressive
he is fighting politician, just as he was
fighting journalist. Activity, the desire to
be of influence in the shaping of events,
and great courage in maintaining his posi-
ton, are the qualities which especially dis
tinguish Mr.. Jennings, but they are not
the gifts which are looked for in success
full writer of stories. Therefore, when his
first novel, "The Millionaire" was pub
lished it was thought that it would reflect
Mr.. Jennings aggressive, combative nat
ure, and might be a discussion of the bust
ness problems of the day under the guise
of fiction. But it was nothing of the sort;
it was simply story, and told for the sake
of the story. Mr.. Jennings has the capac-
ity TO become great story teller, although
he certainly will be unable to win great
fame as creator and delineator of char
acter.
Just as ''The Philadelphian" was pub
lished Mr.. Jennings was celebrating the
marriage of his daughter. one of large
family of beautiful girls He married that
charming actress and beautiful woman, SO
long favorite in New York, Miss Madeline
Henriques, and most devoted wife she has
been to him. Il. j. EDWARDS.
The Sounds of the City.
There Is certainly nothing musical in
the roar of a great city, and the new citizen
from the country is often half distracted
by it. But in time strange change comes
L. r.