New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-08
THE TEMPER or THE TINE.

We refer al some length Oh another ldge TO
now novel nv Mr. Eccrton Castle. Young April
I'm which The whole trend of the narrative Is
toward the apotheoss of youth Without re-
rcating here the discussion Of It's literary quail
ties we may note the suggestive light which rs
opuparanca throws on the broad tendency OF
eontomporarv rfe The century IS old; II j.
diving. But man was never younger lie is
Younger because ne f. lighter of heart more
ready 10 whistle misfortune down the wind
Whether he IS wiser or not We leave for the
rlndits 10 decide What is unmistakable Is his
love Of q good time. love in which he never
hcstateS 70 indulge
II Is said. Of course, that this IS frivolous
and callous generation. whose empty laugh con
ccals a vacant mind. capable at the most OF
rather weak kneed pessimism. But VI This Is So
why are books Ike Young April published
and read Why has romantic gauantry lis
place upon q stage that u.s. we admit. on the
whole exceeding vile; Why do we ell make
holiday with such willingness and ardorf The
explanation. We believe, Is not 10 be found IN
mere fippaucv and holovness Of mind though
We recognize and depore the vast extent Of e
norance and vulsarlty in orr day-but IN
genuine readiness ON the part Of maturity 10
turn from ts fatiguiue duties 10 things that are
not only amusing but innocent in their mirtD
fitness For the thousands who support bad
art and literature there are greater thousands
who arc eager for the good, and support II
when IL comes II may be nothing more than
reaction against the strain of hard work II not
Of high thinking Bpt the effects of such q re-
action soon pass. and What we find encouraging
I'm tho present condition If things IS that we are
cheerful nowadays without any effort; We laugh
because We find life after all. passing pleasant
The springs of or gladncss lie deep. Else how
could We hear the burden Of trouble and sinister
excitement that is constantly pressing upon the
world History can scarcely show more war
Ike enoch If the mere continuity Of military
preoccupation is considered The cloud that
threatens every day 10 burst in the Iransvaal Is
only one OF long procession that has darkened
the horizon and seems destined 10 darken II In
definitely In the East there is always war.
The Turks I'm Thessalv aud I'm Crete testified 10
state Of fermentation which is characteristic
of the Balkans always. and ia no direction can
We look without finding the peace nj nations
either mcnqcod or In actual disruption But We
continue 10 laugh
We are not callous. We simply getting
used 70 tho turmoil ~ the world, and ar the
sense Of humor of The race develops It is per-
coived that tears win not put ont the flames OF
war brave and cheerful spirit IS our only
safeguard against dscouragement. and while II
Is told that soldiers Joke on the battlefield the
civilian. going about his business with n full
sense Of the sorrows Of mankind. nevertheless
declines ~ despair Ginger is still hot T. the
mouth Youth is still fun of hope and beauty
This blessed earth IS sul place Of 10y. The
novelists wax merry. aud their books arc sold
bv thousands We return 70 the novelsts he
cause Il Is 70 them that We turn perhaps most
frequently only limited number of mortals
can find the time 10 play golf or ride horseback.
or watch the Yacht races We can all read, and
/ we do Again the moralist enters with the grim
! observation that what We read being mostly
trash. we can hardly claim 10 he uplifting our
souls IN reading H. Rut IL is not all trash: there
is much that IS good # There is lille that Is
| great. and even certain amount of the trash is
good humored fooling Mark how young HUI
morlsf ike Mir " ~ Jacobs Of slight caibre
though he be IS taken instantly into rhe friend
! ship of considerable audience on both sides If
the Atlantic "Nfr Doolev.' n comic journalist,
lbs won undouhtodlv q greater vogue than any
serious commentator ON the same Spanish
American War that gave him large proportion
OF his opportunities 4 sad world il IS, my ma
tiers. no doubt BAT the spirit Of youth. with lis
iov in the present and Is sanguine outlook. stili
holds lt~ sway among The sons of mon