New-York tribune., 1899-12-17

Mr.. Richards. owns the journal: but in any
event fame awaited Mr.. Phillips when he re-
ceived this distinction. His books at once came
into notice and he was introduced to the pub
lie as a lecturer on the art Of poetry and as the
coming playwright for the stage Mr.. George
Alexander engaged him to write play for the
st. James's Theatre. and Mr.. Lane has pup
lished il in advance Of it's production on the
stage Mr.. William Archer and other dramatic
critics have accepted it in the secluson of their
libraries work of remarkable dramatic
strength and singular nobility and beauty.
Mr.. Archer has been describing this week his
ideal theatre before the Playgoers' Club, and
has frankly confessed that 1t has never existed,
and probably never will exist. 1t is to be hoped
that "Paolo and Francesca" will not be con-
demned to await the construction OF that shad-
owy playhouse. Apparently 1t VIII be put on
trial before many months for the book IS al
ready exciting controversy and creating pub
lie which is anxious TO have the play enacted.
The poem is essentially dramatic, with hne
thread of Greek irony running through the woof,
and the blank verse is the purest and simplest
that has been written for the stage for many
day.
DR.. Robert Anderson, Assistant Commissioner
Of Police for the metropolis employs his leisure,
when he is not looking after criminals and
dynamite plotters, in writing books of remark
able erudtion and logical power on religious
questions His books are widely read in Eng
land and ought to be also in America. His
SILENCE of God" a powerful and subtle
work. which passed through several editions
other aimed against ritualism, and entitled The
Buddha Of Christendom," with the imprint of
Messrs Holder and Stoughton When the LORD
Chief Justice received the Lord Mayor In state
few weeks ago he delivered a lecture on the
evils of stock promoting, and apparently from
force of habit sternly eyed the official in robes
and addressed him though he were prls-
oner in the dock. Unconsciously DR.. Anderson
from his long service In hunting down criminals
has fallen into the same manner OF dealing with
theologians and controversasts. He follows
them like a trained detective, almost like a
sleuthhound, and runs them to earth with re-
morseless energy.
DR. Anderson has an exceptionally clear mind
and lucid style, and he reasons against MS three
Rs rationalism, rtualism and revivalism, with
the same skill with which he would work up
chain of direct and circumstantial evidence
against a gang oil forgers. His book is a charac-
teristic example Of detective work In ecclesias-
teal polemics and every page bears evidence
to his scholarship learning and detestation Of
what he considers humbug and sham in religion
the various confidence tricks by which good
people are deluded through bondage to ordi-
nances tradition and authority when they have
their open Bibles before them. Theirs" he
saws. lis the religion Of the Buddha OF Christen-
dom, which. like a pirate, holds the tortuOus
channel of salvation by ordinances; while d.
vine grace has cleared the way right out into
the omen sea" The book is not only a valuable
contribution to the religious literature of the
time and we'll adapted TO the impending Crisis
In the English Church. but II Is also snguarly
interesting In it's literary and controversial
method as an unconscious adaptation of detec-
tive work in criminal administration TO the eX-
posure of the vagaries and follies of theologans.