New-York tribune., 1900-05-19
FICTION.
A COMEDY AND AN IDYLL.

THE BATH coMEpY by Asqss and Egs5sen
Company.
THE CARDINALS SNUFF BOX. BY Henry Har-
land 12mo. PIP. Sls. John Lane
FROM SAND HILL TO PINE BY Bret Harte.
limo. PIP. SN. Houghton. Mifiin Co.
Three forms of art illustrated by Mr.. and
Mrs. Castles new book, those used by the nov
elist. the playwright and the painter 1t is OF
the last that we are inclined 10 speak first THE
Bath Comedy has the sparkle and lightness Of
a water color. 1t presents picture OF fashion
able English life in the last century, but Its de'
fly to the special color and carriage OF RatE,
where the scene is laid. is not incompatib VIII
certain exquisite note that recalls the eighteenth
century artists in Fra II is though the
brush of watteau had passed across a modern
canvas exchanging the luminous golden at
mosphere of that fascinating painter for a
crisper keener air, but revivng his nimble
grace. his polished gayety his inimitable mode
OF translatng all the elements of artificial
civilization, its manners, its dress. its speech
fits furniture, into unit of charm which is in
dubitably human but is as certainly the result
of art. The Bath Comedy" the very name
suggests would doubtless be effective on the
stage. Yet We would be sorry to see ii there
It's quality is too fragile. 1t is distinguished
from the romantic and dramatic novel Of the
day as the water color is distinguished from the
oil painting. Every touch in it is light and
feeting: the fantasy is Of the daintiest. the
humor is OF the sunniest. The pathos, too, which
just brushes against the brilliant fabric at the
end. is gone in a sash. leaving only the faint,
subtle sense Of grave tenderness which is needed
20 round out the conception of the story. The
authors know their history. but they never
pedanticaly historical. The comedy moves on
artless feet, sweeping every of the cast into
the meshes of an essentially eighteenth century
intrigue which is nevertheless plausible
though it had been drawn from modern life. 1t
is beautiful book, beautifully written.
Mr. Henry Harland has travelled far from
the characteristics of his earliest writings 1t
was notable transition for him from the
thorship of "As II Was Written" the novel that
brought him success, to the editorship Of THE
Yellow Book" and there is an even stronger
contrast between the principles that moulded
the brief destiny of that periodical and those
which Mr. Hariand has since applied in various
short stories and now employs in The Car
dinars Snuff Box" They were always artistic
principles. to be sure even Mr. Harland, then
writing under the pen name of Sidney Luska,"
practised them in the rather crude pages of "As
II Was Written" and Mrs. Pexada." But he
has not hitherto used them to the best ad-
has taken the humanity out of his work. In
"The Cardinals Snuff Box he shows that he
has obtained control of his art that it is
subordinated to the substance of his book. Only
once does he falter and then. sad to say, In
manner that almost ruins what ought to be the
best part OF the story, its climax. In the OPEN
ing scene there is meeting between the hero
and his Duchess. 1t is prettily contrived. But
when the two meet in the same place in the last
chapter Mr.. Harland, with fragrant artfce re-
peats the initial conversation. This is obviously
done for effect. and since the charm Of the book
q whole lies in its freedom from such sug-
gestions. the expedient strikes the reader as
wholly nartistic. 1t offends the taste like a
brutal dscord. 1t is in short. an egregious
blunder. If we regret it so deeply. It is because
We find The Cardinals Snuff Box" all other
counts, captivating. book so good. that we
want IL to be perfect. 1t sets interesting
love story against the enchanting background
Of the italian lake country. and the genuine
passion which animates the romance is veiled
by persihage that is almost incessant yet never
wearisome THE Cardinals Snuf-Box" is
spontaneously amusing tale. Save for the single
lapse in judgment and technique to which we
have referred, it is a book to enjoy and to
praise
Mr. Harte is unique in that he write short
stories from a pattern without ever losing his
vitality and magic. The six tales of the Pacific
slope which gathered together in his latest
volume, From Sand Hill to Pine" reintroduce
the old familiar types and places; the profane
but kindly stage driver the young express mes
senger and the gentlemanly outlaw who holds
him up" the radiant nymphs who rise from the
wild landscape clad in homely calico, and the
handsome young men in muddy boots and red
shirts whom they promptly marry. 1t is all
ancient history now. We know in advance just
what is going to happen. But we could not
resist the temptation to read story by
Mr.. Harte If tried. and We never regret hav-
ing read IT. He has the narrative gift and the
SAVIOR of genius. No doubt there is difference
between THE Luck Of Roaring Camp" and these
latest products of the authors inspiration. But
II does not matter. The book is boon.