The Washington times., 1894-07-22

They are so nearly alike in plot and person.
age, in scenes and situations, rs to become
confounded In the memory soon after reading
them. One might almost be continuation
of the other without any sense of emptiness
II the names were changed, Many of her
novels are too long. and might be reduced to
half their length with exceeding advantage to
the reader. Some Of them are apt to be ted
tous from their difYuseness and endless itera-
tion of the same sentiments In very similar
language. Her style is very apt to be YER
bose and declamatory, though it is often elo-
sesses remarkable talents, but she has i'm
paired them by injudicious usage and lack OF
proper self-control.
The critics. rs a rule, have not done her
justice. They include her with the ordinary
sensational novelist, but she is far superior to
them in intellect, culture, power, and origi-
nality. She may write like them frequently,
though she always writes above them.
Many persons will not read her books at
all, under the impression that they are I'M
moral. which, in the ordinary sense, they are
not. She does not paint vice in detail, she
does not hang fondly oyer the indecorous and
turn it round and round for public inspection.
She simply indicates unpleasant things, but
indicates them SO frequently that they stay in
mind until. in way, they have sullied 1t.
Her stories insist and illustrate that society
will allow whatever is hidden, however
shameful; that it will pardon anything and
everything to conventionality and a desire to
conciliate its leaders. This is not a whole
some lesson, even If true, and thus her writ
ings are pernicious to the young, particu-
larly by fostering the belief that the world is
far worse than it appears, and that the sole
sin, socially considered, lies in positive dis
covcry. "You may be as guilty as you
please. she says, in effect, elf you will only
observe the external properties. Society for
gives everything to those who play the hypo-
critic. gracefully and acceptably."
Her first novel bore the title of "Granville
de Vigne," and was written when she was
about 20 years old. 1t achieved immediate
success with the large class, who without
much culture or critical acumen, read merely
for amusement or mental stimulus. It was a
vicious kind of book-artificial. improbable,
sensational. and indirectly iicentious-with
an excess of color and a variety Of incident
that made it interesting to lovers Of highly
seasoned stories.
Hardly anybody had then heard OF Ouida,
who was thought at first to be man, OIL ac-
count of the flavor Of barracks and taproom,
and the suggested indecencies that pervaded
the novel. 1t was often asserted that woman
could not write such book. and If she could
she would not. Ouida was evidently some
what blase man, who had had any number Of
questionable experiences and had led a very
free life. Such was the opinion supposed to
be intelligent, but like many other intelligent
opinions it proved to be incorrect. Other
novels, bearing the same name, speedily ap-
peared. "Strathmore," "Chandos," Cecil
Castlemaines Gage" and "Idalia." They
were plainly the product of the same brain,
having the same faults and the same entice-
ments for the average mind. The critics
censured the novels and their author. but the
n novels sold largely and the author. therefore,
must nave been comforted. By this time the
mysterious Ouida had been revealed and
proved to be young woman OF hap-hazard
training and unusual antecedents.
To read Ouida's later novels one would
form the same idea OF the society on the con-
tinent to-day that one would have formed of
France had he lived in the time ofthe Regent
Philippe dOrleans, or of England during the
reign of Charles II. Her representatives are
repulsive, but she VOWS they are strictly true,
not even exaggerated for the sake of fiction.
Doubtless there is always more or less cor
ruption in society which claims to be the
best; but the corruption is rather exceptional
than general, while Ouida portrays it exactly
the reverse.
1t seems such strange fact that Ouida
should be SO nearly destitute at the present
time when her novels have always brought her
in such splendid income. Her first novel,
Granville dc Vigne," brought her in $1,000.
and she now gets Mt least $40 900 for every
new work in three volumes tina: she writes.
She is SO popular that she can make very
favorable terms with publishers. and she
never neglects her own interests, il is said.
Moths" and Friendship have been ex-
ceedingly profitable, yielding her $4,000 and
Sl5. 900 respectively. and are still in demand.
The fact that her stories are reported TO be
wicked gives them zest with many young