Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21

rate-when, indeed. he Is on the brink
Of a suicides grave-he secures a posi-
ton on the Iconoclast, a Journal whose
mission is to reform" everything. He
becomes the editor Of the paper, and
the recognized leader OF all those who
have, or imagine they have, grievances
against society. Barring a few close
allies, his hand IS against every man,
and every mans hand is against him.
He Is an Ishmaelite Of Ishmaelites, who
bitterly and ruthessly attacks all social
institutions and usages which displease
him. He meets a young artist Rachel
Gavin, who like himself, was born In
Virginia. but OF aristocratio parent
age, and he falls desperately in
love with her, and she with
him. But as he disbelieves I'm mar
rlage bonds, he cannot wed her. Rachel
has genius, but her love for Michael
weans her from her art, and we have
many painful love scenes between the
two. Michael also meets another wo-
mana woman Of a different type en-
tirely-and at one time, it seems as IL
better nature IS about to assert itself.
But the faint is IN him, the clanklesg
chain still binds him. and finally. In
sudden frenzy, and when at the height
OF his career and power, he shoots and
kills a colleague who has had tho
temerity to cliticise his editorial policy.
and charge him with abandoning his
principles. Then he serves long term
IN prison. and returning a physical
wreck and broken in spirits dies In
the arms Of Rachel, who has remained
steadfast IA her love for and worship of
him.
The characters are wildly limned,
some OF the situations are intensely
dramatic, and the movement Of tho
story Is rapid. AS an example Of
literary art the book challenges our ad-
mration and our respect for the talent
OF the author It Is not without bright
lights and rich coloring, but the gene
raj life drift Is across a background
essentially morbid, and carrying in the
view OF many distorted social and re-
ligious shadows. The object of the book
IS evidently to impress the Biblical and
alleged scientific truth that the sins or
the fathers are visited upon the chill
dren. Heredity Is it's theme. In Rachel
Gavin a splendid woman is spoiled. In
Michael what Is cherished bellef with
thousands is Knocked. Whether sueh a
book will do good IS a serious question.
Our opinion Is that IL Will not and
that Il is a pity the talent and the study
and tho thought II represents had not
been directed into a different channel.
The name Of the author is not gwen.
For sale by George M. West.
PHROSo. By Anthony Hope. New York. |
Frederick a. Stokes. Price, N.25.
"Phroso" IS one OF the romances OF !
the day. 1t is in q sense going back |
to genuine romance. 1t is full Of action, |
full of adventure, as exciting as any |
thing Rider Haggard has ever written, :
and withal, admitting certain premises, /
IS not beyond the range OF possibility. |
The scene is laid on an island which IS
a hundred miles from any other land, |
and is populated by half-civillzed |
Creeks. who hate foreigners. The hero |
IS a young English lord. who has pur-
chased the island, and the heroine Is |
Young Greek girl. An old manor, with |
secret doors and underground passages, |
a family secret. which tradition 1
saws e is death TO disclose. two |
or three villains. and general mys-
terry figure in the story. Some /
of the character drawing is very /
fine, but the mind OF the reader Is not |
subjected to the strain of analyzing /
subtle motives. The story does not go !
deep beneath the surface, but 1t holds /
the attention from beginning 10 end.
In truth. there Is not dull line In It. |
"Phroso'' may not be a great work, /
Judged by the advanced school Of novels.
But IT is a great work Judged by the 4
recreative school. 1t has already APP |
peared IN serial form in one OF the,
but we venture the asser-
ton that many who read 1t as serial
will reread II in its complete shape, and I
derive new pleasure from II. IL was |
intended to be interesting, and II Is that |
and moro. 1t is fascinating. Moreover,
II IS wholesome. 1t is book TO set up 1
with until the last line is read. And 4
when the last line has been read, the |
Is to turn back and read the
story over again.
For sale by George NJ. West.
THE INTERNATIONAL STUDIO. An
illustrated Magazine OF Applied and
Fine Arts. Edited by Charles Holme
Published by John Lane. the Bodley
Head New York. Volume J. No. l.
Price, IS cents.
Truly a beautiful publication, both as
regards its Illustrations and its typo
graphical execution. The table OF con-
tents IN: "a Dream Painter" Nj. L. Levy;
seven illustrations; EARLY
scandinavian Wood Carvings" eight IL
Pencil Drawings at Busbey."
eight Illustrations; "A Letter from ia
pan" twelve Illustrations; ''rhe Decora-
ton of a Common-Placo Room" seven
Some Recent Book Bind
ings," six Illustrations; "a Spanish
Writing Book OF the Sixteenth Century"
six Illustrations; Letter From ]. II. Bat
ten Concerning His Water-Color Print.
The Harpies,' one illustration; Studio
Talk" six illustrations; "The Lay Fig
ure." with signs and designs; Reviews