Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-19
CHURCHlLL'S NOVEL.
Anew COMMENTS on THE CHARM
ING STORY ORCHARD oARvEL''
SPLENDID WORK OF FlCIlON'

ptonraphicnl tnfor""
uo,chcs Of John Paul Jones
c,.r,c. James FOX, and Others
we cannot all be literary out We cav
q, least try 10 make people think we are
To do this we must employ discrirnina
,,on and watch the fashions. so mat DS
tho uae Of little discretion, we can pro-
cure sufficient booklsh knowledge 70 u''
us over the difficulties which arise IN con
versation. Possibly we may fnd SNAKES
peare a bore (as most Of us do)' ana re-
gard Milton as q grammatical ana poe"'
monster but by keeping quiet we can
avoid making such a confession Hpo"'
current literature. however. we must oo-
oas,onally be able 10 open our NOUNS
and speak. Even that famous quaorupeu
which constituted part OF Balaams per
sonal property was compelled on one oo-
coslon 10 venture a few remarks, ana
heroin lies the rub To read all the new
books published would be 10 quit every
other vocation. and so we must watch
and listen and take short cuts we must
fly 70 the literary digests. gather the IN
tellectual gleanings. wheresoever we may
discard the cham by every means IN our
power. and then blossom forth as serene
and sclf-cOnidont critics.
II IS with these facts In mind that !
essay 20 write what could hardly De uig-
pifod with the name OF crltique III
short. IL Is my purpose 10 give my views
of Richard CarveL" the latest popuiar
novel. which has been recently adopted
- citing subject for social discussion
PERHAPS some other fellow has not read
the book. and may be able, by reading
what 7 have said. 10 keep in the CONVEX
eational procession and at least save him
self from utter contempt az tho hands OF
people who peruse four books q year
Some dav I shall get q reward for TINS
bencfcent act on my part. Who knows
when 1 shall have 10 consult a digest Tor
Information concerning some novel about
which am at present ignorant?
And so, my dears Gas the author OF
Orchard Carve" quantity addresses his
readers. you are TO hear this much-talk-
ed-of novel discussed by one who has
hardly dared 20 hope that he could find
time 10 read one-half the new books
First. IL should be stated, however Gor
the benefit of those who are supposed 20
keep posted. that the last year or so has
seen a great revival in literature per
tanning 10 Colonial days, and more par
tlcular.y 10 the years Immediately sue
eecding and pending the Revolution.
Ford's True George Washington" per-
haps whetted this taste. and later we had
Or. Mitchelrs Hugh Wynne," which is
now followed by Winston Churchills
splendid work. the subject matter of my
abOrtive efforts.
II IS q mistake 10 suppose that book
which attracts the vulgar herd IS lacking
in merit. and cannot stand the scrutiny of
critics. In sooth this so-called vulgar herd
IS tho best OF all judges in art, music,
painting. and literature. Public opinion
that is the opinion of the high and low.
the rich and poor-is generally instinc-
lively unerring. and can be implicitly
trusted Public opinion has endorsed
"RIchard Carvel" aud ! have yet to find
a man who will gainsay tho accuracy OF
that judgment.
And so my comments on this great
novel shall all be words Of praise-yea,
words Of enthusiastic praise. Tn truth, the
novel IS absolutely unique, for it is pure.
II - not often that we can say that Of
books nowadays Add TO this a charming
etyle-a style quaint, beautiful, and
fetching--and we have another merit,
while last, but rot least. IS that delight
ful thread Of historical and biographical
narrative which brightens almost every
page.
But revenons a nos moutons-to return
10 our mutton and digress no more.
Richard Carvel. who writes his own
biography. tells MS how he was born Of
wealthy stock in Queen Anne county,
Nd. on the fertile shores which bordored
tho Chesapeake His father was killed
when quite young and so the lad was
reared by his grandfather, who ever re-
malned loyal to King George. despite the
mutterlngs Of discomfort which marked
the decade Immediately succeeding the
revolution. Richard. as he grew to man
hood was brave athletic, and impulsive,
and soon found all his sympathes lean
ing towards the patriots. The fops Of that
day-the macaronies, as the author calls
them-all aped the English and ordered
their very inery from London. Richard
frequently came In contact with these.
but though supplied with ample means
and blessed with high social station, he
held this faction in the utmost contempt.
Occasionally there were fights and duels
between the two classes, and towards the
demonstrations OF more or less violence.
1t must not be understood, however,
that all the best people In America were
Wings. On the contrary. both Hugh
Wynno" and Richard CarYel" show
that there was a remarkable division OF
sentiment among the Americans and
many OF the best in the land would fair
have chung to the King to the last
In alluding TO Carveis early life it may
perhaps be well 10 here introduce Doro-
thy Manners. tho heroine, who is va
TiO1sly described as a 'mischievous littlC
baggage" and a maynard mink" Al
through the book she lives up TO these
descriptions and gives Richard no enc
OF trouble and worry. She was the daugh
ter OF a wealthy. but snobbish man. who
lived in the neighborhoOd. and 50 the
girl for years was almost like a sister Il
the boy. Richard loved her from the tim,
no was no bigger than piece o
chalk and Dolly certainly had an earlS
liking for him. but she assuredly tool
good pains not to show II. She was an
aggravating heartless little cOquette
who generally consoled Richard by tellinl
him he was awkward and stupid-tw,
compliments not well calculated to in
spire a young man TO press a suit fol
the hand Of one who utters them. They
didn't check Richard. however.
4 few years before the Revolution
Donys family moved 10 London. wher,
her miserable. contemplate father hope,
20 find her titled husband. The cir
was tremendous success I'm the Eng
lish capital, but more of this anon.
There is a nice bunch Of assorted vii