The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-19

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DR.. Weir Mitchell seems to be one of
those men-produced more often in Amer
lea than elsewhere-who can follow two
professions and be successful in both. He
not only stands high in the medical pro-
fession but by his latest work in literary
fields, Hugh Wynne," has proven that he
possesses talent akin to genius. Dr. Mitch
ell first wrote medical books, the outcome
of his experience and investigations in
nervous diseases. His novl and verse writ
ing began as amusement to pass away
spare time during his summer vacations
and he probably did not expect to meet
with very much success in it; but litera-
ture has now for long time been an inn
portant part of his career.
Among his more successful novels many
will recall with pleasure when All the
Woods Were Green" which has become
a great favorite. AS for myself, if you'll
allow confession, my first introduction
to DR.. MitchelPs work came through his
latest novel, Hugh Wynne" About
year ago it appeared as a serial in The
Century A great hue and cry went up
that the great American historical novel
had at last been written. This story was
much advertised and much was expected
of IL. At last it appeared in book form
and it has already exhausted many edi-
lions.
The work is In two volumes. I read over
half way through the first volume and
declared, in spite of all favorable predic-
tions as to it's being 1.-The" great novel,
that it was as dull and commonplace
book as 1 had ever read, and felt disap-
pointed-yet 1 persisted.
DR.. Mitchell has always had fondness
for the history and traditions of his ma
tive state and city. "Hugh Wynne' is a
novel of the revolution, with its interest
concentrated in Philadelphia Taking the
Quaker City as its base of operations we
are given with great completeness CO.
lonial life and manners at the time of the
revolution; in way, too, that will be a
revelation to most people who suppose that
those times were colorless and dull Soon
the interest began to deepen. Hugh
Wynne" finally emerged from that monde
script age of pinafores. AS men of affairs
were brought into action and events were
placed upon the canvas with a wholesome
and completeness that suggested some
sweeping panoramic view, | began to re-
greet heartily that 1 had stated as my
opinion that the book was good enough
as novel dealing with the love affairs
novel, it lacked the great essential ''his-
torical atmosphere" The form of the
story is autobiographical fiction. At first
this seemed a serious drawback but later
we soon came to realize that the author
is the best judge of his own mission and
he has certainly forged out style and
manner of his own, full of incident and
intellectual force. 1t would be impossible
to do justice to this delightful surprise
which Dr. Mitchell has given in the matter
OF characters, real and imaginative; one
and all clamor for honorable mention.
Hugh Wynne" must perforce remain the
favorite hero of the gentler SEX but find
us the man who will not be attracted to
Jack Warder's simple, noble life. "All
men can love-" said George Sand, "but
few have the capacity for friendship"
Jack was one of the favored few in his
tender fidelity to Hugh Wynne' and to
Darthea, we have another of those rare
and precious tributes to the reality of
friendship between men and women. Then
Hugh's father, as severe and unbendng
in his Quaker discipline and prejudice as
was ever Puritan of Plymouth and Hugh's
mother, the fascinating littlysslady of the
Midi in France, one of the most winsome
and charming creations imaginable. Be-
queathing of her vivacity and affection,
!. that which broadened out and humanized
the Quaker for her son the Free Quaker"
But the charm and attraction of the whole
book to me was Hugh's.
"Aunt -Gainor'' and second mother a
host within herself. She is indeed a clev-
erly and superbly drawn character, and by
her personality and fancies and foibes we
are furnished the most fascinating pictures
of the old colonial society of that day, with
the ominous sounds of the oncoming storm
entering faint rumors brought from
afar, to be taken seriously by few, and
deemed ridiculous of belief by most. Her
vigorous masculine propensities for bust
ness and the rugged strength and broad
ness of her character contrasts strangely
with the sweetness and tenderness of her
noble maiden heart. This is tersely shown
in a bit of conversation. He had ruin in
for a moment to see his aunt the army
was marching through Philadelphia She
said: You must go and see Darthea
suppose you will not tarry here longtand
get your epaulets, sir. l want to see my
boy in his uniform Bring Mr.. Hamilton
here and the French gentleman. Fetch
some of them to dinner tomorrow Then
she kissed me again and told me how
strong and we'll 1 looked, and so on with
all the kind prettiness of affectionate
speech women keep for those they live"
Towards the middle of the second volume
the narrative catches fire as circumstances
begin to fan the flames of the passion of
patriotism and of the passion of love. To
the end we are absorbed, until the cur
tain is rung down on the happy denoue-
ment victory-crowned conquest, both in
love and war. To my mind one of the
ablest bits of work in the book is the
graphic handling of the matter between
Arnold and Andre; it is forcefuy and WV
idly presented and evinces not only a skill
and ingenuity but creativeness on the
part of the author.
This sad blot upon the revolutionary
struggle is related with great equity and
Justice with a duep roportion of censure.
The whole story is permeated with love
for honor, for purity and high mindedness,
and nothing untrue or ignoble sullies its
pages; its view of life is sane and normal.
pervaded by an excellence that seems to
have the promise of permanence in it,
Mr. Mitchll possesses peculiar gifts in
his dramatic recital of historic events
While he does not enter very closely into