New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-05

same number which contains this remark about
Balzac there is printed the first part OF an essay
which in It's complete form is one Of the sound
est criticisms Of Stevenson ever penned Stew
enSOnians good StevensOnians, would naturally
writhe under it, for it sums up the novelist with
understanding and justice, hence leaving him
considerably below that exalted plane upon
which his idoaters have set him, to his undong.
But unless the Stevensonian is terribly hard
ened he will learn something from this dispas-
sionate review. An interesting letter from Stev-
enson is printed. a reply to The AthenRum's'
contention that "Kidnapped' really consisted OF
two distinct parts, two stories which Stevenson
had tried in vain to weld into one. The Steven
sonians were aghast at such an argument, but
the romancer himself wrote:
Il wish to thank you for your notice Of Kid
mapped, and that not because it was kind.
though for that also valued it. but in the same
sense as have thanked you before now for
hundred articles hundred different writ
efs-you who fight the good fight, contendng
with stupidity, and would fam hope not all in
vain in my own case. for instance, surely not in
vain. What you say Of the two parts in Kid
mapped was felt by no one more painfully than
by myself. / began il partly as lark. partly as
a pot-boiler, and suddenly ii moved. David and
Alan stepped out from the canvas and found
| was in another world. But there was the
cursed beginning, and cursed end must be APP
pended and old friend Byles the Butcher,
was plainly audible. tapping at the back door
SO it had to go into the world one part Gas 1t
does seem TO mel alive. one part merely galNan-
lied; no work. only essay. For a man of ten
tative method, and weak health. and scarcity
OF private means. ard not too much of that fru-
galty which is the artists proper virtue, the
days Of sinccures and patrons look very golden.
the days Of professional literature very hard.
Yet | do not so far deceive myself az To think
should change my character by changing my
epoch the sum OF virtue in our books is in re-
ation Of equality To the sum Of virtues in our
selves: and my Kidnapped was doomed while
still in the womb and while | was yet in the
cradle. to be the thing ii is
Every one whose interest in Mrs. Steel has
been strength cncd and excited by her novel or
the Mutiny ION the Face Of the Waters" should
read her short story in the current numtc or or
Suit" is like Kpng. with difference. and it is
worth reading for both the res, mblancc and the
difference.
little book by Mr.. Stuart Henry. published
by Way & Williams Of Chicago. under the title
of Hours with Famous Parsians' contains
some charming vigncttcs OF writer's, actors,
PAINTERS and composers in whom the world takes
an interest. Mr. H"nrys list is long. 1t includes
Sardou and Catuc McndcS Jules l.cmaitre ana
NJ Uuysmans Marcel Provost and Nine. Bern
hardt. NJ Coqucn and ivettc Guilbert, lienner
and Masscn"t. All Of these folk our author has
seen face to face. and he sketches them in brief,
suggestive papers with quotations now and then,
and touches Of personal nature. making the
celebrity no less celebrated but nGch more ac-
cossiblc natural familiar. Trying To be highly
artistic in his portraits. Mr. Henry goes peril
ously near to being merely affected and "clever
at times but. the whole, he has made "a
bright vcracous book. which the publishers
have done we'll to print On nice paper with un-
cut edges and between pretty covers.