The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-15
"xHoUsE-BOAT ON THE sTFx"
Some Thoughts Suggested by MIR, John
Kendrick Bangs Book.

ut least out OF consideration ior tns
authors feelings, that no intelligent per-
SON reads a book without having some
impression. Fortunately this is not al
ways favorable. else We would have an
even larger army OF aspiring scriblers
clamorlng for public favor than at pre-
sent. This would never do. for nowadays
almost every field Of labor Is crowded TO
suffocation, and. with the exception OF
book-agents, priZe-hghters and congress-
men. there are no class OF people we
could better do without than the aver
age inferior writer and publishers who
cater TO deproved tastes. often book
produces bad impression. and frequent
ly suggests that the writer. while vast
ing much time that might have been
better utilized in travelling for soap
factory, or soliciting subscriptions FOR
public hospital. at least amused himself
and gave the printer employment.
In all seriousness nothing OF this kind
can be said OF Mr. John Kendrick Bangs
rather ingenious little book, "A House
Boat on the styx." In making some
comments on Mr. Bangs book l shall not
be surprised IL there be many who DIS
agree with me. Readers do not all read
alike, just as writer's do not all write
alike: and I venture that there are no
Interpretation. over-estimation, or lack
OF appreciation as are humorists.
In the outset I may note that Mr..
Bangs book possesses. besides some
faults. decided merit. This is saying
great deal in these days when so much
that IS put upon the public as humor is
really nothing more than tresome buff
foonery OF the grossest type. The lead
ing idea is old as the hills. 1t might have
been gotten from Virgil, or even az for
back as Homer. The underlying thought
Is tho same though OF course developed
In totally different way. This frivolous
and, at times clownish treatment OF
most serious theme appeals 10 the mass
OF readers who seldom discover imperfec-
lions or even glazing absurdities. Ger
tainly there are scenes and incidents
cleverly described, a number OF bright
dialogues and sprightly conceits well set
forth, and many satirical thrusts skllful-
~ directed. Some Of the eccentricities OF
celebrated people are finely brought our
by exaggeration, and the writer in sew
eral instances displays keenly humor-
Gus appreciation OF the individuality or
the characters introduced, notably Dr.
Johnson, with Boswell his pursuer, Sir.
Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth, and
others.
The book has been widely read. In this
day the cry is. "Amuse US" No matter
at what expense. This Mr.. Bangs has
succeeded in doing l must adrdft reaA
the volume with pleasure upon the
whole. / found great deal that is
really amusing. equally as much that Is
strained and fiat, far too much that is
quite revolving TO one who reveres sacred
things, and not few puerile passages
that might have been avoided with a
little more care. There are many things
which had best been left out.
49,
A master stroke OF satire Is attained
when Shakespeare Is made to say, dur
ing a controversy with Bacon as TO the
authorship of the famous plays. that there
are In the United States seven dozen
actors who are trying hard 10 Kill him,
but can't This is finely put Its strength
consists In no small measure OF the truth
involved. The thrust, too, at frenzied
poets, while unjust. is none the less
clever. 1t will find a sympathetic chord
in many who know poetry when they see
IL, and who consequently shy on from
the poetry department OF newspapers md
magazines where verses after the broken
hearted order SO often suggest that
1.-THE lunatic, the lover, and the poet
or one imagination are compact"
sss
In Mr.. Bangs hands some Of the mod
ern folbles and folies come In for a full
share Of pungent ridicule. as. for ex-
ample. when confucius. during discus
sion whether there shall be a ladies' day
at the club. opposes the proposition, and
asks what club Is for IL not 10 enable
NJ VI
And Phidias. recalling recent
visit to earth, during which he
saw lfe-size statue of the
inventor of a new kind OF lard, in chat
with Homer and Burns expresses the
most profound disgust at such DEPRIVED
taste. Artemus Ward IS made TO ask
what is the average weight OF copy OF
Punch" This is ridicule pure and sim
pie: but Mr.. Bangs exhibits a fine bit OF
humor when he portrays queen Elizabeth
replying to the question why she never
married by remarking that her father |
had INDUCED In wedlock quite often |
enough to last the family several genera
tons. The picture OF Or. Johnson CON
stantiy pursued by Boswell with his pad
and pencil, while overdrawn, Is by Jar
the best piece Of caricature in the book.
IL is unquestionakly the work OF genius.
These are only few OF thu good things
In "a House-Boat on the Styx. There
are many others, TO be sure, that over
balance some of the characteristics whose
absence would not have materially dam
aged the book. Indeed, just as many
weak literary productions have their re-
deeming points somewhere II our patience \
holds out 10 discover them, so the best
modern works have their faults which
vi
roscope Mr.. Bangs In his book depends /
largely for success upon materializing the |
spiritual. so 10 speak. The idea of asso- |
ciating mortal tastes. worldly pleasures |
and pastimes purely human appetites |
and passions, with the future states OF |
departed spirits is carried TO bold ex- |
tent lima CINE, II you can. Adam turned |
out OF a club by a janitor for not paying /
his dues, while no word OF defence Is
spoken in his behalf. Again, think OF !
Robert Burns, whose very nature Was l
over with poetry, comparing an
omelette TO a picture Of glorious 81 n
set The fancy is too gross. earthy. 10
one who knows aught OF Burns, aad VINO
Is familiar with the Scottish bards gems
u song, the conception OF the siiniie az
tributed to him is next 10 an lmpossibll-
ity There is a limit 10 legitlma1 VII
which Mr.. Bangs overstepS wnen ne puts
INTO the mouths OF men who have been
anded down as famous from genera
lion 10 generation for centuries ridiculous
slang expressions heard on the Bowery
IN 1854 Such absurd extravaganza may
suggest TO some that the writer Is not
bumortst for want of refinement and de-
icacy. nor even a wit VINO must neces-
.ariIv possess both originality and fine
bowers OF adaptab ility; but rather wss