New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-19

raised her to the highest round Of the profese
siona ladder and the development Of her ina
nermost nature has brought about change in
her feeling toward Sir owen Asher. From this
point onward the analysis lays bare the struggle
between sense and spirit in the prima donna's
heart Another lover is introduced, and he
accelerates the evolution OF the sensualist into
the devotee, since he breeds confusion in her
soul and all unaware of his influence helps
to throw her, in agony Of self-accusation.
into the arms Of the Church Of Rome
We have outlined thus briefly tale of strk-
ing simplicity. yet the book is packed with
meaning il is varied In scope and color. and
the readers interest is sustained to the very
last page. whereon n parts with the heroine as
with a figure in real life, naturally with no
forced climax. with no touch Of the theatre To
some extent the interest has been kept up
through the curiosity inspired to the upshot
Of IT all. one hurres on. wondering how Evelyn
Inncs will end. Partly too. the book holds the
attention through its artistic presentmrnt OF
the eruiite musician among his ancient instru-
mcnts. OF quiet DulWich Of tn scenes i'm Lon
don and Paris which Mr. Moore has studied
with the feeling and qualifications Of a painter.
All through the book there are passages ~
searching and beautiful descriptive writing. and
every parsonage no matter how unmportant.
IS sketched with delightful sympathy and fin
ish The priests and nuns carefully
limned thu heroine. her father and her
lovers From beginning to end the musical
learning and enthusiasm Of the author spend
themselves layishy .n discussions Of Palcsrina
and Beethoven Nttora and Wagner. which are
original and luminous Merely as a novel II
music Evelyn Innes' promises TO rank high.
1t Is the first work OF fiction in which the
musical ideas Of the present time have been
exploited with knowledge and tact. But be-
yond all the picturesque descriptions. beyond all
the minor portraits beyond all the penetrating
criticism Of music old and new. the heroine
looms impressively and, in her. the artistic
temperament. Evelyn lines Is first and last
study II the artistic temperament, and 10 the
chaos Of tn. heroine's emotions W. are never
permitted To lose sight Of that single passion
which even the most superficial observer recog-
nizes In tho man or woman Of genius. only the
superficial observer is apt 10 conceive of the
mastering passion in a rather matt"r-oi-fact
way lie calls It love Of n.nslc. devotion 10
letters or some such easily lauelled thing, and.
aided and abcttcd by shallow noyelists he
thinks Of tho man OF genius rs creature whose
particular gift has reduced all his other traits
to insigni ncaucc. Mr.. Moore shows in tho char
actor Of Evelyn limos how the musical ,nspira-
ton Is Joined with others seemingly unrelated,
how tho woman moral nature acts and is re-
acted upon hy the music she sings. especially
wagner music and how in place of a SUBJ
lection OF her other faculties t. tho one by
which she wins her fame there exists fusion
Of them all, with cons luently more interesting
results.
He secs his details. in fact. in their proper
proportion. Nowh,r, is this business of vision
more admirably displayed than in tho treat
mcut Of that moral crisis TO which in its
episode relation We have all, ady alluded.
Evclyn's flight 10 Paris with Sir owen Asher
would hc simply material and immoral al most
dramatic if IL We're the outcome Of passion
alone and tn novel would drop To the level Of
a shabby love story at once But the girls ad-
Grafton Of the man whom she has fascinated
is not iguoblc il IS ineXtricaby wound up with
the aesthetic aspirations cherished 10y them both,
aud hence il is with no short-sighted considera-
ton II the cxgcncies ~ his story that Mr..
Moore pushes the sentimental aspect IF the stu-
alton temporarily into a subordinate position.
He r,curs t. IT when il Is necessary as Evelyn
rccurs 10 il herself But he has placed himself
beside her and realizes that during the years
OF her apprenticeship and first splendid
triumphs she is too busily engaged in finding
her artistic meter - give more than a passing
thought 10 the instability Of her moral founda-
ton He does not palliato the latter The Par-
sian episode is handled with bIeNity but not
with cynicism This quiet acceptance Of the
herone's misstep means simply an acceptance
OF her moral weakness and reveals the tact OF
the artist, pursuing the main point and dsdain-
ing supernuous details. He gains 10y This curt
Is,rlx-