The age-herald., 1897-08-08

I U fore false gods, or trooping with the vul- gar to crown with laurel brazen brows." Somehow, the thought recurred to me when I read the last page of "A Rose of Yesterday" Crawford's latest published work.
 He is writer we have long since learned ito treasure and revere. as being almost al- ways certain to give us good work.
 Marion Crawford was born in the sum my land of Italy, and up to the age of F knew not one word of English. He trav- elled extensively, spending a year in India, and no doubt gathering in and laying away that large store of observations and expe- riences that have since been of such aid to him in his literary work There is an interesting incident told which shows how this now famous author came to devote himself to the field of letters, although it is often said that Mir Crawford does not love his pen. but merely follows 1t for the money consideration. Mir. Crawford was dining with his Uncle Samuel Ward. of New York, when the conversation turned on India, and Crawford was asked to give some reminiscence of his sojourn there. Being gifted in relating a story he told of MT. Jacobs, the diamond trader of Simla, in such charming style that his suncle persuaded him to write it for print. It was an immediate success. The pretty love story is interspersed with pictures of eastern life, tiger hunts and Arabian love Songs. "An English beauty for a heroine and a hero with a sublime descent"
 Dr. Isaacs was followed by Dr. Caudius which is at present being dramatized
 Mir. Crawford's best style and literary quality is found in his choice Italian TO- mances, where he evinces such depth of understanding and breadth of knowledge of men and scenes-the sunny land of Italy, which country Crawford has claimed for his own, and in writing of it he instinct lively weaves much of the poetry and en- chantment of it's cline into his artistic ally finished work. He is born story teller. and all his books are skilifully and pcturesquely drawn. Not content with the success of these marvellous Italian stories, the author all of sudden bursts forth in an hitherto untried field, and amid new scenes gives several books which deal with carefully detailed New York society. : Here again he scored success Although critics declared he could no longer be classed with romanticists for 'The Ral- stons" must place him among the broad, decided ranks of the realist.
 We are ready to admit that F. Marion Crawford is one of Americas strongest and greatest novelists; we accord him all praise and honor as a writer, who brings to his work true knowledge of life and an accurate analysis of character and mo- tive; but he cannot expect us to go down upon our knees and praise him in this strange god of his. "A Rose of Yesterday"
 In writing this book it is evident, pain fully evident, that MT. Crawford had . purpose .n view.
 James Lane Allen allowed himself to write one of these purpose" novels, but 1 then Allen gave us in Already" one of | the most charming little books ever writ i ten. the history of two people that IS thrilling and deep, appealing to every sen- timent and emotion.
 Not so with MT. Crawford's latest work. In the first place he allows himself to ser monize and moraliZe over the question of 'divorce," as If he felt the insurficieney of his characters to express his views" Un- til the reader Is apt to ask with some impa- tiencee, .Is this a novel or a book of es- says?" The purpose of the work is the question of divorce; and there is no doubt 1hat MT. Crawford has taken the right stand in being opposed to it, though it oc- CUTS to me that reviewers have stated that MT. George Meredith taught one thing in his books while others have with equal contrary.
 Divorce easily obtained will surely be as easily sought and men and women will in divorce seek relief which oftentimes, only too often, in fact, has only for it's basis the favorite complaint, "incompati- blity of temper"
 The characters are totally uninteresting and unreal never quite believed in the earnest. deep, sincere love of Colonel Vim pole for Helen Harmon from first page to Hast Helen is quixotic mixture Of preju- when, contrary to our expectations, she remains firm against the persuasons of to seek relief in divorce there is no persua- sive moral strength found in her charac- presses % the reader ts as s being % fippanty % com , cocted merely as a vehicle to convey the sermons and views of the author, and in manner illustrate what he means to say. 1t is unlike MT. Crawford to miss alto gether such an opportunity, as he had in the character of Sylvia, whose promising ahSnlnfalV After I had finished the book. I turned to : the beginning and reread the opening chap authors treatment of a young girls heart love which at first seems honest enough tion. How can MT. Crawford preach con stancy, even unto death, to the VOW taken in marriage. when hearts of. his women characters play them such tricks shame less tricks. as did Sylvia's? Suppose she had married Colonel Wimpole on the morn- ing of her nineteenth birthday. before nightfall of the same day she discovered the terrible mistake of her love- and came to full realization of the age of her be- loved, Then what lifetime in which to regret her mistake.
 In reading Crawford's works, nothing knowledge of the feminine heart. I have placed him next to Balzac in that subtle Knowledge. analysis and expression of all those little emotions of the heart which make up the feminine life. You may ob- serve person until you are tired and then begin again, tell what he eats and what
 
 yet know absolutely nothing of him: mere gropings among externals. His unspoken nmbitions the stories he tells himself si- lently at night: his hopes and fears, and the ridiculous fancies he hugs in secret: {: these prove the novelist to be born. not made.
 This Crawford has always done re- member in Casa Braccio-perhaps his hb.cst work-in the character of Gloria. the play of the emotions was so fino. and the description of each little revusion of feeling so vivid. that MT. Crawford proved his ability to dissect the very springs of human emotion and consequent action. In so many ways he has added little touch- es in his delneation of women that even the most casual reader knows 10 be true and yet so rarely noted and spoken of even by most discerning writers
 It is unusual for Mir Crawford to fail to give us an acceptable portion of romantic love-n1aking. vet what an opportunity he 5pisses in "A Rose of Yesterday" when he fails to score an artistic success in a final love scene between Colonel Wimpole and Helen, which would have left a softening effect upon the whole work and have borne a touching testimony to it's truthfulness
 PAUL PRY.