New-York tribune., 1900-05-06

lhat II IS not half good a book. If we were
taxing the new novel seriousy-which the
author does not want to dove might exam
Inc II on its merits. but alas, we come to II
simply to be amused. and though we find a
1unny moment here and there we are on the
"hole' bored. Her Ladyships Elephant" was
irresistible because its droIIery bubblod up un-
forced 1t seemed TO have written itself it was
so unaffectedIy absurd. The new book reads as
If the author had sat him down deliberately 70
provide a companion for his first extravaganza
he Is Iaboriously preposterous. In the earlier
pooK tarclcal situations airily into being
and the reader forgot to ask how they We're
invented, he laughed heartily. In His Lord
shlps Leopard" he can see the machinery he
hears 1t creak, and save for an occasional more
or less ruefuI smile he waits for the climax IN
solemn patience When it comes he finds il
cheap enough. Mr. Wells proves once more
that sense of humor cannot be whipped into
activity. We would be sorry to think that he
had shot his bolt when he wrote Her Lady
ships Elephant" and will hope. indeed that
some day he may recapUure the comic instinct
which makes that book delightful; but there
can be no doubt that His Lordships Leopard
falls fiat. Decidedly. We cannot take it seriously
Mr.. Egerton Castles new book possesses one
great merit 1t reflects thought temperament
and genuine artistic feeling "AarshieId the
Observer" repeats the appeal Of its various
predecessors, appeal based on the broadest
sympathy for human nature but somehow IL
yariably original. Mr. Castle cares st for the
romance in life, brt he illustrates with remark
able fulness that rare quality TO which We have
more than once referred in this place the quail
lty Of linking the most romantic motive 10 eIe-
ments tangible enough, modern enough 10
satisfy the most eEacting realist. MarshfaId
the suppostitious narrator of nearly all the
stories in this volume. is the analytical spirit
lncarnate; but, true the catholic drift Of the
criticism Of his time, he gives its due weight to
every emotion. whether it be cruelty scientific
or passionately sentimental There seems moth
ing unnatural in his sympathetic recital Of events
fairly rocco in their superficial aspects He
IS always piercing to the human quality beneath
the trappings. and this book is perhaps most
effective when it is most audaciously decorative
There is a duel scene in The Guests Of the Wolf
master a scene elaborated with such richness
of color, such medieval pictureslueness, that
for moment the reader is in dread of a col
lapse the whole episode threatens to be of the
stage STACEY. But as we have noted on other
occasions in discussing Mr.. Castles work his
touch is sure; if he attempts a difficult passage
IL is with full knowledge Of the art by which il
may be carried through. and what might at
first blush be considered Z mere tour de force
is seen TO be a stroke of nature. art kindIed
with human emotion. Marshfeld is d student
of curious, even eccentric themes, and the
reader of this volume passes from one new SEN
satiOn to another But he finds nothing freak
ish anywhere, the romance is Of the most un-
expected character. yet il is the romance which
we feel TO be true and perennial