New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-11

or,.tcism sc,u,s disposed to appraise him as being
more hmm that There has been an expectancy III
the air which has seemed TO warn us Oh sra.
event In Mr. Barrie's coming, The truth Is mat
he IL one of the unobrusve tribe OF authors. mat
faot has been enforced by the modesty OF his ad-
dress personality! IL 10 '"''"'' commune" ~
his books.
There Is something mysterious about the uproar
which has been raised over Mr.. Barrie /, seems
10 be part OF gigantic obsession on the part Vi
the public which has been produced by unthihH-
ing study OF THE Little Minister and My Lady
Nicotine" two books which nave been acclaimed as
masterpieces because they have happened TO touch
the sentimental side OF readers in a quantity orig
inal way. To give distinct hllp 10 the eu'o''oi'S
is something. and slnce Mr.. Barrie has done inns
and has done it with quiet humor that Is his
own no one can grudge him certain popularity
Nut there is something hcadong about the praise
which is poured about his ears. and even this new
edition which the publishers are printing 80 luxurl-
ously seems TO he taking him Win ever so n"eh
more SERIOUSNESS than he deserves TX recaiis tue
portentous Edinburgh edition of Stevenson, whieh
Is one OF the first absurdites Of our time classic
is entitled TO presswork OF the sort that has been
Iayished upon Stevenson. Is he IA classic yet! IL
would be interesting to know And in the elaoora-
ton of these new volumes of Mr. Barries there
turks "A hint OF the same dubious sort. Are the
publishers trying to make him classic before MS
time It would seem unkind were the books not
so well made that just books-whether Earries
or not--it 10 hard to ind fault with them purely
as literature the contents OF the volumes fail 10
support all this magnifcence There Is pleasant
streak OF whimsical fun running through t.e
"Aud LIGHT Idylls." but the Importance OF Thrums
has been comically exaggerated IL In Ike MT
trockott's "Iilas Sunbonnct'' or Mr. Maclarens
"Bonnie Hrier Bush" beautiful things-of which we
hear however. a little bit too much. Mr. Barrie
himself does not dote upon Thrums so dreadfuy.
He loves the place--that much Is plain: ana no
writes of It's folks with tenderness that is one
~ h, mos, persuasive traits But in talking about
h,s first efforts az a writer. and Of how he came
up to London when as subsequent events showed
he might more probably have remained at home,
he does not convince the reader that he is actually
dolefu over his early departure from the queer lit
All through his work. all through the best a i.
,here rms quality which belongs to London. a quail
i,y of touch and-ge. Of l!ghtness. which II Is no IN
dignity describe as The speca, o. }snrna
though he says that he always meant to be novel
st he has not yet proved his nevels,ic aoilit! inc
oe ,momhous thing in the word profoundly NOV
ing 10 those people who think Th.ums q great place.
but altogether without n TOR hen snooS WhS
II has il that one to which reference has just been
made-ihe Journalistic quality 81 pmt,ing tnnS Win
with spontaney more expressive Of everyday NE
q nympan Gsisn wr,, rSa, M, + which maxi. AZ,
"snionabe man that he is There Is no solemn self
sSnseioisnsss about his life. He 4 popular author.
plies but he contryes TO hear u without increasing
ocss in ne new edition OF his books because il puts
MIN on record In the best Of photographed ways.
and Il will dispose efectualy of the prated editions
and mpertient reprints Of early failures which have
been circulated his discred in this country. But
II he is tho man Of tslen. for which ws take him Is
thoughts and sayings have been endowed