The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-10
SOME NEW
BOOKS RECEIVED.
Review Of Rev, Hartley CarmichaeFs
Latest Novel.
THEAUTHOR'SS POINT
The Story Of the Gar. by James era
bam-The Barn Stormcrs-"Ih The
Flowers ofLifc"-Literary Notes
Ibsen's Seventeen Birthday.

BY Rev. Hartley Carmichael S@H'P'0''
Low & Co. -. NJ.
Company.
We have read this book with great in
terest. first as the work OF distinguished
CLERGYMAN Of this city; second. as Dr.
Carmlchaers second excursion IN the
field of fiction. 49,.
Rooted in Dishonor." his first EFFORT
was Of very decided promise when we
think has been more than fulfilled IN the
work under review. 1.-THE Carstalrs OF
Castle Craig" shows the inexperienced
hand hardly at all. and indicates that
with further experiments in constructing
plots and sustaining characters Dr' Car
michael will acquire extraordinary skill
in this branch OK writing. The merits OF
the book are palpable. even upon cur
sorry reading. First we think that the
author shows unusual power in managing
crowded stage without confusion. The
characters are numerous. but. as a rule.
they are drawn with firm hand. and
stand out with perfect distinctness. Major
Carstars, the Earl. the Bishop, old An
drew. and Tilden Motion, especially. are
stronger individualized without being ex-
aggerated. The Major is a thoroughly
original figure The whole conduct and
talk OF the man IS true TO nature. He Is
at once impulsive and headstrong, but
warm hearted and lovabe. IL is I'm such
character as this that DR.. Carmichael Is
strongest. Banbury IS also very well
drawn. being a mischievous gossiping
sycophant. The easy-going Bishop. the
eccentric Earl. both stand out boldly from
the background OF the story. Sir Stuart
Skelmerdale is more commonplace. and
while the idea OF the author as to the
character Is clear enough. the character
is not satisfactorily sustained This IS
equally true of Andrew Carstairs. Dr.
Carmichael is not so skllful in presenting
the ordinary types. Three of the most
conspicuous characters are Bulteel the
Dublin lawyer; Lady Skelmerdale. and
Rev. Tilden Motion. Bulteel, we think
is not quite fairly dealt with. The author
seeks 10 make the impression that Bull
| teel is "deviiishly shy" that, in short. he
is a very decided hypocrte, and canter
In spite OF this. the readers sympathies
are strongly enlisted in favor Of the man.
so much SO that the development Of Bull
| teel into an embezzer. II not a thief
comes as a surprise. This part OF the
work. is. we think unsatisfactory, and we
| hope our author has in view a sequel that
will clear up several mysteries unex-
planned at the end OF the present book.
We must confess that we find II DIFF
| hcult 10 understand how such a charac-
ter as Lady Skelmerdale could be endured
| In a civilized society Her conduct 70
| Mary Carstairs seems beyond the bounds
| of probability. II would appear as ii no
| woman with any trace Of gentility, could
! have acted In the rude. vulgar and I'M
| Drinclped manner that characterized heT
| Rev. Tlden Motion. though a remarkable
man In his way. a drunken, rowdy clergy
man with kindness Of heart withal is
| more ineligible. IL seems a curious
| state Of society. where such clergyman
| Is tolerated and where Lady Ske.mer-
| dale. who puts no restraint on her spite
| and hatred Is a woman Of position and
| influence. The character OF Miss Paw
ker. the demented old lady. Is drawn
| with marked skill in spite of there being
J at times a little method in her madness
| The ability 10 handle such character IS
| a truar test OF the authors powers than
the ability 20 handle any other character
| appearing In the book. Miss Pawker
| is such a parsonage as Dickens might
| have imagined and II shows the range
| OF DR.. Carmchaers talents as a novel
| lst that he has been able 10 sustain the
character with the same ease as he does
| such a character as Major Carstairs
| Wherever there is a humorous element In
| the character the sureness or the auth.
| or's tourch IS seen. His sense OF
| humor is keen. and his power 70
| seize upon various peculiaTities strlk-
| ing. We would suggest to him a
| work I'm which this appreciation OF
| The humorous aspects or lie ana lhIl'
| viduaHty should have complete sway Tie
| Is greater IN comedy than IN tragedy anc
| his most successful work will be one II
| which the tragcal will be omitted
| We have been glad 20 note the very
| favorable reception which THE Carstairs
| OF Castle Craig" has had in England
| We hope 1t will not be long before the
| accomplished author will issue sequel
| one being necessary to comp etc the story
| We heartily recommend TO our readers
| Dr. Carmichaers latest novel as very IN
| teresting, both In It's scenes and eharac'
| tors +. +.