The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-21
THE CRITICS COLUMN.
DEVOTED TO COMMENT UPON RE
CENT PUBLICATIONS.
Rooted In Dishonor" by Rev. Hartley
Csrmlchsel-"Chur ches aud Castles
OF Meiiaevsi France"

ROOTED IN DIsHONOR. BY Hartley
Carmichael. sampson, Low 4 60.
London. For sale BIZ West. Johnston
q Co.
Any book by the Rev. Hartley Car
michael. rector Of St Pauls church,
would be secure OF a local interest, but
the success of a book does not depend on
the personality of the author, unless it
be an ephemeral success. The first
claim of Rooted in DishOn0r' upon the
reader is that It is interesting. The
language is simple and pure, the style
convincing, so convincing that the motive,
a doubtful one, Is no longer doubtful
as related. One is perfectly willing and
able TO believe that the evil genius OF
the book accomplishes his ENDS IN the
manner set fortn, and II is only after
We have turned the last page tnat We
seek for evidence to sustain us IN our
conversion 70 a new theory for crime.
II Is a canon OF art, generally accepted.
that the true artist clothes human
thought ana feeling In such permanent
forms of beauty AZ may tovch anu ele-
waite tho bcholderS soul. ana tnat the eN
celence of such art lies IN its indiyidu-
atty its truth 10 its own conditions,
and its strict obedience TO It's natural
limits. These conditions IL seems 20
us. the author OF Rooted In Dishonor
has fulfilled. Treating OF an occult
science, a psychological problem, there
is not one trace OF morbid love OF the
horrible The pure carnation not
has II. This is q healthy, strong, Sur
ring novel OF modern life, the story or
two friends. the one victim TO ainbi-
ton, the other it, martyr. And " ~
told with that air OF distinction that
preserves the villain from our contempt
or even hatred. Seldom Maxwell s. wicked,
but he is human: he is brave. he is re-
pentant at the end. IL would be a false
note to make him otherwise whom no
is honorei and loved by the greater num-
Der of his associates.
Rooted in Dishonor' is so essentially
a icvei with a plot that Il would be n
shame 10 spoil the story by more than
a hint of IT, The stage is set in Ireland
ard America. and the drama Is played
in both countries. Opening with 4
spirited and realistic account 81 meet
Ing of students Ia Trinity College. DUO
I'm, where, IN an Atmosphere OF piles
ana ale ana mesmeric exp riments, we
are introduced to the principal Sn3r-
ac tcrs- Arthur HarwoOd. the son OF
wealthy Dublin disullcr, and seldom MAY
well. a young Nirsnian who has been
sent 20 tho university 10 complete MS
medical education. Both men are sinSn,
larry attractive. well bred. and ven
placed Arthur Harwood, the leninile
element OF the IDEAL friendship, IS, bow
ever rich while Maxwell Is the son OF
| an embarrassed Virginia planter, ot
whom in the interest Of his scientihe re-
/ searches. he is obliged 20 borrow hsasNE
| to meet his expei ses. Proud. and loving
! his doting father with sincere aueeuoh,
| Maxwell determines 20 repay the eider
| man and rescue the Impoverished estate;
| How he did so Is for the reader 10 nnd
| out. We would like, however, 10 point
20 the charming description OF the flou-
| cester homestead which the friends visit
ed, Arthur Harwood as Maxweils su.ss'
| and 70 be the first TO introduce the reader
if he be worthy. TO that daintie5t, SIM
| rlest and sweetest Of Virginia maideaS,
| Courtenay Armistead and 10 the dear
| people who form the society about her'
| In his preface the author acknowledges
I his indebtedness for much OF the local
| coloring cf these chapters, and 10 the
! sketches OF some of The characters that
! are essentially Nirginian. 10 Miss Augusta
! Daniel, OF Richmond. and we can wen
| believe that these delightful characters
ana that charming atmosphere comes aot
| by observation merely nut py the closer
! intimacy of actual life and experience.
The strongest character In the mover
except Maxwell and the Deus ex machlna,
| who divines the influence by when arthur
| HarwOOd Is disgraced, Is an irish priest
| named Father Dan, creature run OF
humor good sense and piety, VINO mas.
| however been compelled 10 resign MS
| charge for political rather tnan ienslous
| reasons. finding he has a work TO DO IN
| the world that he can better DO unlrah-
| melled by the machinery Of the tSotnsen
| Church The temptation tO~hN's~~ f'rna
! Father Dan Is great. well as TO repeat
| the meeting between COurtenay and
J Arthur when the young man tells his
story one Of seeming d.ssrace ana dis-
/ honor The simple dignity OF the girls
| steadfast love and unfaltering trust are
/ drawn with so true and delicate hand
/ that we would bid the hction'st OF the
| revealing school take "a lesson In the
| reserve. which Is "a principle Of true art
! The final scene. in which Maxwell meets
! his doom is realistic i'm the extreme, and
/ follows the line of probability IN inc
! improbaIsle that is the genius or TINS
/ book.
THE cHUPcHEs AND CASTLES OF
| NEDIAEVAL FRANCE. BY Walter
| Cransfon Larncd Charles Scrltners
| Sons New York $l5O For sale by
/ West, Johnston & co.
The public is certainly indebted 10
| Nessrs SariLner for presenting TO II, IN
! a shane AZ once so attractive and 20
J inexpensive. so much OF the beauty Q.
/ "A cCuntry abOun1ing In the beautiiul ana
! fhe pictureguue The book Is a record or
I an intelligent and thoughtfnl traveller
| imrrcss.ons Of the great monunents OF
! France. and the hope which that re-
| cCrder and traveller expresses IN DfieI
| nreface that his book may help others
| 10 SEQ them. Is one which TN our cp,n-
| ion he has conspicuOusly realized. lie
| has brought the treasury OF "A Well-sloltu
/ mind and n Well-trained one, 70 MS task,
! and history, observation. and fancy are
! woven into one with charming, az wen
} as valuable, results -
! MFR. Iarned's literary style Is exceed
inplv simple. direct. and easy-moSt nap
! riIv suited TO his work. We could scarce
| iv travel through France by more keen,
] ~ obearvant thoroughly appreciailVe, anu
! retentivc proxy and have him 10 thank
for a really delightful book, of which me