New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
FICTION.
AL.IIIONSE
DAUDET'S POSTHUMOUS
NOVEL.


THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY. BY Alphonse
t baqdet Tr'pslated by Levin Gar goG DUO
MATERFAMII.IAS by Ada Cambridge. Duo
decimo PIP. 3i5. ID. Appleton Il 60.
A REALIZED IDEAL. by Julia Magrudcr. l6mo.'
PIP. rs Herbert 5. Stone ~ co.
NJ Daudct probably had no serious purpose
in inditng his last story few French novelists
Of the period being afflicted by any such incon-
venicnt and "inartistic" intention. Yet II, by
way Of moral Lesson he had wsl ed to show 10
what a depth OF communicating bascness modern
Partisan ideas may lead n weak nature he
could hardly have made more energetic effort
The trouble is that il is a lesson which isn't
needed. Everybody knows that the incapable
and self-absorbod weakling exists In all civilized
countries. and the Partisan type Of him has been
dilaicd upon SO often that he threatens TO be-
come bore. only n very great genius could
make him amusing or effective awful
warning and We take leave to doubt that
NJ Alphoase Daudct clever as he was.
vas a great genius. The head Of the
family is the elder son Of a Partisan manu-
facturcr. who. borne down hy business mis-
fortunes commits suicide when his two boys
are still N school Antonin. the younger,
is nervously affected by the shock. but goes
bravcly 10 work as an electrician. and pres
emily comcs to be the real support Of tho family.
The handsome Raymond however, has been as
signed by sentimental friends 10 the role OF
prop. and he keeps the pose H. draws tears in
feminine houdOirs by the story Of his "sacri-
fees" while his tastes for luxury and intrigue
are ministcrcd to by his hard working mother,
sister and brother. His only achievement is an
,l i.h a.. IN
the hero. noble being. dcvoured by the
M,ioch 81 bis selfish family" We have not
patience 10 rchoarsc I'm detail The story Of this
vile creature can only say that the book
,locs not seem % us sufficiently great In ts art
TO justIf' its uup'easantncss. II leaves bad
taste ~ ihr mouth and FOR many readers 1t is
far from bong Wholesome bitter There are.
81 is true o. fcw decent poppl" IN It's pages. but
th,y ar. mostly rather sturid. II is one Of The
oddities al letters that though there are plenty
Il Fren,hmen and Fr"uchwomcn who manage
10 combine 4 good wit and clean heart we do
not often find them in French novels. This book
is understood TO be- the last literary work with
which lts author busted himself and It's weak
n..ses of obstruction and characterization do
indeed show failing strength There Is some
thlue harrow Inr iu the thought that slowly
4, lne man aware that he is drawing near the
end ~ au things earthly. could find interest and
enjoyment in painting the portrait OF 70 bestiai
a cad AZ Eaym ni EHdclin"
"Mai,rf lmilias' ~ an amusing study or
fcmlniniiy II uaycrscs the lie Of a woman
from the DAVIS Of her wilful marriage to her
grandmothcrhood. and 1t sets her forth with a
gay humor and lcnicnt tenderness For this
heroine whose experiences are mostly those OF
everyday commonplaces. inspires both love
and Laughter. AZ the old fashioned woman viii
do to the end II the chapter Thoroughly un-
reasonable. wildly lmpulslvc. devoted, beauu-
fully unsrlnsh and terribly selfish when she
loves this is the woman HON men have adofed
for ages and viii still adore In spit" Of all the
new women looking their prcttcat and wisest
I'm gown and rcnchcr Mrs. cross may De- con
graduated on her feat in drawing woman
as man knows her best and cares for her most.
Miss MagIudcr's little story IL fun If tn"
sweetest and soncst sentiment II describes
two perfect beings intended by heaven for one
another ard allowed to wed after a passing
socfation with an uncongcnial husband fond Of
field sporfs had shown the young widow what
rnarriag, ought to be-. The tale is as dccorous
az IL is honcycd and 1t is calculated to bring
TO confusion all those cynical persons who as
cert that ideals are never realized IN this I'M
perfect world
ce.rgc Eliot Apparently suffered somewhat