New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-04

thing is expected OF him. ana one cohtesses W a.
most as great interest in his scandalous career
as was felt by the ridiculous devotee whom the
author provides as a feminine foil The mere bones
of this story are worth attention. They provoke
a sigh OF regret that they were not articulated by
some one with a lighter hand Buy the book LOT
the first story In IT, but shun its companions unless
you especially desire be bored and bored ana
bored.
Mr. Guy Boothby may not give delight In MS
melancholy tale of far island life "A Lost Ell
deavour," but he inspires respect He has deftness
in the elaboration OF his plot, plot when Desins
in simplicity and ends in curious comp'ca.Io 10"
without anything unnatural In lis CROWN. ne
story IL compacty' told and is successfui IN us
creation OF a remote atmosphere THURSDAY isia"'
Ives in these pages. The hot sun purns lis ho''e',
The very lazness Of the sea that breaks pe1"cen J"
and the Australian coast is reproduced IN eHorUess
diction The few characters in the book-therc are
only three al the most for serious consideration
are clearly and vigorously modelled Inc perc'"s
grief In which the two principals are shrouneu -
narrowing. but II the heart aches VITA syfhpa'ny
for the man black sheep from a ducal family
diving OF consumption and the woman, a convict
escaped from Botany Bay. there is such tenderness
evoked with the sympathy that you are glad to
have gone through their sufferlrgs with the pair
Mr. Boo,hby has a virtue which makes MIN h'sniS
gratifying novelist. He has reticehce' ne
knows when to stop. and the consequence Is that
interest which might easily be maintained through
as MANY pages more This is a fair test OF a story
teller.
There Is scarcely a hint OF romance given
to the reader OF The Plated City. win
rect.tude that is perhaps not to be desp.sed'
with devotion to his "loca. color that guards MN
from tho weakening delights OF any romantic nu''
Mr. Bliss Perry keeps his. characters ana 'n''i
conversation hope:cssly commonplace One dim
,,,tpp
ncctcut light In which tho busy town OF factories
Is bathed An enchanting Canadian and her bury
brother appear to their fe.low-towrsio.K 10 nav
remained on the wrong side OF the color hne'
which IS so often remembered In certain con'muni-
ties and the story OF their emancipation Is deity
unrave"ed from an obs-urty In which we ieave
the reader find It. But that Is al. ana that Is
no, much For the get bail game and a
strike for the Utilization OF our modern nerves
and in n pictorial way the book s ceVer repre-
scntation OF New-Eng.and town at work with
occasional, s,reaks OF sentiment running through
its composition. The book is put together In
workmanl!ke manner: the story runs on rather MIN
h.y in fact but Il caves absolI',y cold. for
the encourage has not gmmer OF charm the
plot pquancy. the characters want charm
and the author wants. believe some more obvi-
Gus reason for writing nove than The fumdrum
set of situations In which he asks us TO study his
types.
There Is nothing hum1rum about THE Time Ma
chine" neither the book u that name nor the in
yenton which II describes being in any respect
tame. The originality We question. The contrivance
by which Mr.. Wells enables his hero 10 travel IN
time instead OF in space IS a variation On a theme
which has engaged the Wit OF many noveiists. But
find his ta.e picturesque performance,
end We offer the praise with an inclination to
emphasis. The main thing TO do when you proceed
10 explore the fourth dimension IL to carry convic-
ton with you. 10 lend verismilitude 10 your mar
ratlve. and this Mr.. Yves has done beyond perad-
venture. There is In the book and he Is
an editor. who observes that the Time Travellers
story is al "a gaudy lie" That editor was sus
pclous beyond the habit OF his craft. For our own
par, find the lie gaudy enough but 1t Is
winning lie. neatly tod and u.lng 10 the fancy
that had quite believed the Time Traveller. as
he discoursed OF the Mor.ocks. who to inhablt
the regions under the earth In A. D. 210i. and the
f. o. who are I've above ground When that in
curing inventor took voyage into the future on
tho saddle OF kind Of transmogrifed bicyc.e We
were prepared 70 believe anything he tod us. Ard
ye; II seems 10 have been thought BY one OF MS
friends al "A gaudy lie" Well. the editor may
have been right but that lie is soace in the r1ldst
OF n group Of latter-day novels. and we recommend
the gentle reader who Is disposed 10 batten
truth alone-in fiction.