The Portland daily press., 1897-10-02
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The Christian. A Story by Hall Caine,
author of The Manxman. 1t is almost
heralded and bespoken in advance as was
the case with Mr.. Hall Gaines most re-
cent publication, because the reader
brings unconsciously all manner Of expec-
tations of the reading, and in some of
them he is pretty sure to be disappointed.
The Christian is SO strenuous and intense
a tale that we do not in the least wonder
at the authors exhaustion when he had
completed the work. To follow its course
closely is to become fatigued and on the
whole little confused. Yet the book is
able, individual and Of IN almost breath
less interest. The author plunges at once
into the questions of the day-Christian
Socialism; the influence of an ''estab-
lished" religion; woman's position in
society; the struggle between material
desires and spiritual perceptions. Feel
ing rather than intellect rules the story
throughout, which is fine in it's descrip-
lions OF the country and Of the Isle Of
Man, but gives one the impression of
grating onto alien stock, when Lon
don sights and pageants and gaieties are
involved. Glory is splendid creature,
and Drake, if.worldly, Is to our think
ing at least an uncommonly good fellow.
Father Storm is fanatic, never serene
even in self abnegation, but of heavenly
mould and deathless love. The story con-
tains constant sharp contrasts, SO vivid.
as between luxury and squalor, as to
raise question in the candid mind of the
naturalness of such juxtaposition. The
most sensitive will individually work for
and with the lowest and most degraded !;
amongst the latter we shall come upon
exceptions in delicate souls born for other
fate, but the educated classes and the to-
tally deprayed and ignorant must pur-
sue different lines. To lessen the neces.
sity for these differences is the appointed
work Of the world today, but the "Char-
lie Wilkes and MRS. Jupes'' are well
nigh hopeless of approach. Mr.. Hall
Caine's series of pictures in London de-
pravity are flash lights and not so sugges
tive of the ameliorator of social wrongs
as q more steady glow. Perhaps any
awakening to these existing contrasts is
i to be desired. At all events The Chris
tian is q powerful novel, and one not to
be forgotten.
This reviewer enters a protest against
the death of the faithful bloodhound.
There was agony enough without that
touch, just as in The Manxman we could
not bear patiently Pete's drowning OF
his dog-his faithful and only friend.
New York: D. Appleton & Company
Portland: Loring, Short & Harmon.
Price $1.50.)
Talks on the Study of Literature, by
Arlo Bates. Readers of this author s
previous volume, Talks on Writing Eng
lish, will enjoy the present collection of
cssays-Lowell Institute lectures for
1856. A writer who delivers lectures on
English and who occupies chair devoted
to literature and rhetoric, necessarily lays
himself open to special criticism in his
chosen field. And it is fact that Mr..
Bates's style and diction are not beyond
criticism, and that an awkward phrase
/
scarcely perceived in ordinary prose
work, is here brought to the reviewer IS
notice, for the very reason that the sub
ject has to do with the highest standards
of finished composition. Dealing with
the study of literature in general .and
with the classics, new books and old, flc-
ton and poetry, Mr.. Bates has incor-
! no tad int 10 tov% -
mon sense. He is also clear, thoughtful
!, and concise in the handling of his theme.
1t would be careless reader who should
not gather from this book respect for
thorough work in reading and weighing
the thought of great writers; and who
would not experience pang at the re-
membrance Of the insults paid the best in
standard books by hurried, unintelligent
, non-studious perusal. Mr.. Walter Pater'f
devotees will grieve las the author adj
mits) over the charge against him that he
"has expended his energies in exquisite
excuses of language; he has refined his
! style until it has become artfully mani
mate. 1t is like one of the beautiful glass
flowers in the Harvard Museum. 1t is nc
longer message spoken 10 inc nearG OF
, mankind; it is brilliant exercise in
! technique"
Mr.. Bates believes that art enriches
and ennobles humanity, and that litera
ture is art most direct mode of expires
) son. He makes eloquent and urgent the
old appeal to 60 to the fountain head te
read about the masters only with view
of reading their most characteristic writ
) ings, with care and appreciation. Fic
ton of a certain stamp he defines as pa
! per-fower, or again as jig-saw work. HI
> considers our own age as only outranke(
by the Elizabethan in the history of Eng
, , lish literature, and bids US rouse ourselves
! to knowledge of its worth. One mari
Of genius in a book is whether or not i
delights the reader-not startles, shock
or amuses, but delights.
The Sunday newspaper-that mucl
: abused yet valued servitor-is exhibited
Il