The times., 1897-09-26

We present this morning, in addition To
Nj. Ford's portrait, whose features are
familiar to aIarge circle OF Washin etontans,
a picture Of the author of the anonymous
ncyei, The Descendant" which occa-
sioned a great deal of comment on its pub
lication last spring and some praise. She
is Mss Ellen Glasgow, resident Of Rich
mond Va Miss Glasgow was born in
| Richmond just twenty-five years ago.
lie is sprung from an old and prominent
Virginian family, and is of Scotch-Irish
descent. During the last six years she
has pursued the study of physical science
and political economy with unreuitting
ardor and her famiiiars in the book
world are Spencer, Darwin, HaeckeI, Hux-
ley. Romanes, Mill, Bagehot, Clifford, and
Weissmann. This has given her imaginative
work a scientific basis, and has developed
her poetic sense OF things into a concrete
ness of form that rarely is found inthe work
of women. George Eliot is the grand exceE-
tion, and it is this tendency in Miss Glas-
gov which presumably has caused some of
her loving friends to advertise her rashly
III the Same category. Speaking of this
point. the Bookman sa Us:
Miss Glasgow will be wise not to heed
inuiscriuina1e praise, but TO be faitnfui 10
her own ideal. There is sufficient power
and originality together with a love of
beauty in her first book to lift it above
the ordinary, and TO make us look forward
with eagerness for her next work In fiction.
1t is certainly difficult to explain the
marked sympathy with the mystery OF pain
and the tragedy OF failure i'll the work OF
one SO young and adolesCent. Such deep
sympathy comes from intuition, and be
tokens the possession of tnau high order of
mind which we call genius, but which
often lacks staying power. If Miss Glas-
gov viii nurse her powers carefully aud
work conscientiously, without haste or pres
sure from without, we snail hope for some
thing from her pen which may Justify
the unusual promise of Tine Descendant.
But II publishers and editors conStrain her,
she is lost.
The publication of Miss Glasgow's first
book was an entire surprise to her closest
friends. Her Ieticence deceived even her
own family, who knew nothing of ''The
Descendant until it was published. The
fate of the manuscript reverses the usual
hopeless tale. From the moment
the manuscript reached Harper's
first reader there is said to have
been no doubt of the ultimate publica-
ton of the story. 1.-THE Descendant was
In the hands of the public in less than q
year after it was finished IL is intimated
that another story, and perhaps volume
of poems, from Miss Glasgow will be pub
lished this fall.
The following tribute to Paul Leicester
Ford is as comprehensive as SO few words
could make it, and it had the twin virtue
Of presenting criticism in which probab
all readers Of this delightful American nov
elist will concur. 1t is from the pen of Ed
ward S. Van Zile.
Paul Leicester Ford has distinguished
hllnseH by writing powerful American
novel and as the author of q briIlia MT
historical work. The Honorable Peter STIR
ling is, in many respects, the nostsuccess-
Tul effort yet made in fiction TO enIbod
the characteristic features of our political
ana social Hre- Not long ago Mr.. Ford
made an amusing comparison-by what
is known as "the deadly parallel columns =
the result proved that there exists a wide
diversity OF opinion regarding him as a
writer OF fiction Yet, the critics posse ssing
the best right TO hearing seem to be
practically unanimous in their verdict re-
garding the inherent strength of The Hon
0rable Peter Stirling
This novel, neglected at first by the
reading public, has steadily increased in
popularity, an d, whatever may be its final
place on the shelves devoted to this gem
eration's work in fiction, it has served
TO awaken widespread interest In Mr..
Fords future as novelist. That he
looks at the men, manners and customs
of his own time with eyes that nee
clearly, that he uses the material within
his grasp with the skill of an artist. that
ne possesses power, patience and an as
sured literary touch, is not to be denied.