The San Francisco call., 1896-05-17

DNHE renaissance of romance started
by stevenson and so tardily for
Wdrded by some minor artists has
N brought strong pen out of Wales
that OF Owen Rhoscomyl Al
ready his 1.-The Jewels OF Ynis Gallon" had
been a worthy introduction of his strange
power. His last book, "Battlement and
Tower" will complete his position. This
remarkable story seems not yet to have
been discovered fully on this side of the
Atlantic; We may be sure that England is
Teveling in t.
The story is laid mainly in Conwy, on
the rugged northwest coast of Wales. and
1t concerns the stirring time, some $50
years ago, when the Roundheads and Cav
alters were reddening the soil of England
with blood-when Cromwell able and pa
tent and implacable, was driving King
Charels to his doom. The story depicts
the savagery of the Welsh, the fierce valor
OF their men and the sweet gentleness and
courage of their women. 1t is a tale of
blood, battle, intrigue and love, as such
tale OF the war fought DIV Welsh. Irish
English and French must be-
That SURPRISING love of native soil, his
tory and story animate Rhoscomyrs hand
Is evident in every line. In his preface be
says:
There may be other high-walled towns and
strong-towered castles, but there be few to sllr-
pass the walls and towers of the town and
castle OF Abrconwy. Carnarvons keep may be
majestic, but Conveys is beautiful.
And yet il is pathetic sight to see the pill
grim as he wanders in patient desire by bat
tlement and tower, looking with dumb Wist-
fulness at the hoar stones his long-gone fathers
bullded- The stately pacing centuries have
smoothed and softened them TO all the lowell
ness OF reverend years, till now they stand, in
sIinct with the power 10 stir the deeps OF the
"a a nil lcyrTT Ic
vaguely conscious of q some thing missing as
betwfxt himself and them, and there broods
above his spirit the monotone of yearning TO
know and seize the subtle essence that is lack
ing.
The tale is so wild tumble that it de-
pends more for its interest on the separate
pictures which 1t paints and the exquisite
style in which II IS written than on the in
telligent and exceedingly tender and
pathetic story of love that threads it. To
lovers of strength in structural design the
love-story is left for the reading; it is too
simple and strai- htforward for a critics
dissection. It proceeds bravely through
wonderful adventures and disasters and
as it carries no mysteries it depends for it's
intrinsic interest on the Incompatible
delicacy OF its treatment. A remarkable
feature of it is the reminder which it gives
OF Shakespeare. Indeed a certain lighter
quality OF that master unmistaka bly, re-
sides in the book. This does not refer to
the stately language of the speakers nor to
any of the other externals, but to an inner
spirit.
a better understanding of this may be
had from a few quotations. Here is a
love scene that for grace and delicacy
could hardly be surpassed. Two sisters,
Morva and Barbara are loved by two
young men, David and Howell. The latter
Is but just of age, Barbara not quite IS.
The castle is being stormed by the Sieur
st. Pol, who designs to bear away Morva.
David is in love with Morva, Howell with
Barbara. David had been wounded and
Howell had rescued Barbara from the
soldiers.
cat the new grace of her manner las Bar