New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-23
THE AUTHOR OF LORNA DoONE."

me AUIHOB Or "LORAA DOONE.'
A little less than a year ago Mr. Blackmore
had occasion to write a letter to The Tribune.
The dedication of a new novel to him had, for
certain reasons that appeared to be valid. pro-
voked criticism of the young author in England,
and this criticism had been repeated in good
faith in America. Mr.. Blackmore was filed
with generous solcitude for his friend, and
wrote to exonerate him from all blame. The
incident was characteristic He was known all
his life long a kindly man. Lorna Doone"
made him one of the famous authors Of the
century, but his personality was not so much
that of professional man of letters as it was
that of an unaffected gentleman, caring for
nature and for natural things among men.
Like Waller, whose go, Lovely ROse!' is re-
membered, while all else that he did is left
practically unread; like the Marquis of Mont
rose, whose matchless lyric 'My Dear and Only
Love" is his one imperishabe monument,
BlackmOre was the author of many things and
of one masterpiece. He wrote well in Spring
haven in Darrell" in "Perlycross," in MARY
Anerley'' and in several other novels, but he
wrote consummately in Lorna Doone." 1t
seems almost incredible that that beautiful book
should have appeared only thirty years ago, for
it has become an integral part of English litera-
ture, wearing that ageless aspect which we as
sociate only with the incontestable classics.
Within its pages a perfect English style fuses
together all the elements of great romance.
characterized chosen to begin with-iS studied
with the keeneSt insight into it's secrets The
enchanting landscape amid which the action
passes is enchantingly portrayed. A thousand
high thoughts on love and life are strewn along
the narrative, TRANSPORTING the experience of the
humble personages, but never exceeding the
purpose of the author which was not to preach
but to give innocent delight. He held the mir
ror up to nature; he was as brilliant a realist
Victorian literature has known-if realism
means truth-but for him the glamour of rO-
nance was the essential thing. Lorna DOone"
which abOunds in truth, abounds also in beauty.
HumOr, sympathy, tenderness were all his.
These qualities, touched by the light of genius
in his single great book, were constantly dis
played in the man. He used to laugh over the
strange tributes paid to Lorna DOone" The
name was borrowed for ships coaches, and all
manner Of things, animate and inanimate "Oh,
that bookr' he would exclam at is pity it
was ever written; it ought to be destroyed"
But there was no real wrath behind even his
most pointed utterances. He could be indignant
over some modern institutions. He abhorred
the printed interview" One of his chief traits
was "a fine hatred Of humbug" But a sunny
disposition was his most salient characteristic.
For many years after he won his success, and,
in fact down to the day of his DEATH he dwelt
in rural Teddngton happily engaged in garden
ing tasks devoted to trees and shrubs and
flowers. The world had long since ceased to
expect from him any writings of serious
ment. But the world never forgot him, and
long a feeling for pure romance is kept alive
the world will lovingly remember his name.