The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-03

deny essef refuge 20 those VINO car 70
tsrger bear TIE calling obligations o. ao-
Eor~a-s tGass Nothing ear be more rspuE-
nart % a high =enae nf moral eqalpclse
than the Ehought q a physical relation
against whirh all the iner ihres o. berg
rebel To continue IN such bondage IS iHa-
neral. 70 bring children forth into its dis
cords. criminal Tire ic-ion that law puts
virtue into suen z relation II too puerile for
discussion As 20 the reTna rri2gs q
those who havs been divorced there can be
10 question 81 the broad principle OF the
Individual right 20 happiness.
These are some OF the IDEAS that are
worked out IN the lives Of Sllas Bragdon
ard his former wife. 90 that when they
meet more than twenty years later a. the
marriage % their daughter they agree
that. Whatever the conventusifty 81 sJcn
matters common sense supports <ne belief
taat those hound rs a legal tie that does
nor satisfy the holier requirements u na-
turs should sever IL a. soon - possible.
without prejudice 20 the dignity or good
VIII Of either one-certainly without essen
rial bitterness Of spirit toward each other.
Marriage should be treated like any other
contract which proves unsatisfactory in its
practical workings
The author Is utterly Inconsistent in
many Of her tenets. She believes all mar
riages should be based on love-the emo
ti0ns-yet she imagines THAI the separation
can be devoid of emotion or bitterness.
ihaf because one has ceased 10 love. or may
always have been incapable Of it. II IS
quite right that the other. no matter how
deep and true his affection. should ne de-
prived Of home and child and all that he
has cherished as best ard happfest in life.
One cannon but feel after perIsal Of this
book thaE IL Is not 50 mucn more rigid d.
yorce laws that We need. but laws TO pre-
vent marriage until those attracted know
absolutely that their natures are congenial.
and tha5 the sentiment they cherish is no
ephemeral fancy. but love true and de-
voted for life and eternity. But as such
law would be altogether 100 Utopian for
this sphere we must acknowledge that IN
der the present existing circumstances.
Mrs. MlIeTs book contains many truths
and the story is undoubtedly one OF much
merit and power. Sun. one cannot but hope
that the day is far distant when American
society will accept. in their entirety Mrs.
Jeuness Mllers views on divorce as en-
bodied in her hrst novel
BARBARA B1.oMBERG. A Historical
Romance BY George Ehers Translated
from the German by Mary j. Stafford.
In TWO volumes. New York: u. Apple
ton & Co
George Ebers has so long been identified
hat II is interesting TO have him transfer
his scenes % action TO HIS own country. as
he has done in his latest novel Barbara CT
Blomhurg" which Is. as the title Indicates.
a story of imperial life during the latter
part OF Charles VS. reign. II is period
fun Of interest which Ebers makes entirely
subsidiary 70 the romance between the
monarch and a girl of humble birth so I'M
fortunate To please him.
The emuerOrfs porfrafs : "a raftIlfV drawn
with historical accuracy. He is jealous.
naughty. iniractable. frequently cruel yet
with qualities which appeal to the magma.
ton. and seem 10 demand great personal
devotion. Barbara. notwithstanding her
foolish pride. her perver>ity and her frank
ambition TO inspire a monarch's love is
fascinating creation whose beauty high
spirits and passionate. loving and childIike
nature combine 10 make an irresistible por-
trait, vivified with warm human interest
The story Is charming even in it's sadness,
and the authors conscientious portrayal of
the history Of the time makes the book
most enjoyable and satisfactory reading.