New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-15

The character of Anthony Hopes latest novel
nclines the reader to glance with peculiar inter
rest at the list of his works which is printed
, opposite the title page. This list wakes many
memories of exciting romance but down at the
end of it are two significant titles, THE Kings
Mirror and "Quisante'; significant because
they stand for distinct departure from those
/ interests which at one time seemed destined To
/ control this novelist throughout his career. lie
did the ''Zenda" sort OF thing so we'll he made it
his own SO completely. and, moreover, with such
/ obvious delight in it. that it seemed incredible
that he should do anything else But The
/ Kings Mirror" showed that he could do
thing else very we'll indeed, "Quisante" ratified
| this impression. and now in "Tristram of Blent'
he continues along his new line with perfect
| Self-poSseSsOn and in manner fruitful II
pleasure for the public that it is impossible 10
| regret his abandonment of the cloak and sword
inspiration. 1t is not a perfectly satisfactory
book; in fact that Anthony HOBO
will give work much better in the future.
work more symmetrical more uniformly sound
But it remains a clever book, and serious one;
| above all, it has the virtue for which are
! most insstent in a novel. it takes hold of the
! reader and. though he may be FESTIVE now and
| then-even feeling a little bored in places-he
cannot put it by until he has read the last
chapter
The story deals with tangIe of circum-
stances ana with character Tristram Of Hlrnt
/ is the of Lady Adde Tristram. a heautfuI
ard somewhat unconventional persouag" whose
. earlier ADVENTURES dating from before the
period at which the novel opens-result in sad
trouble for her heir Young Tristram loves his
stately home. its wonderful treasures and the
beautiful estate that surrounds it, with pas
sonate love; but while he is still in his teens
his erratc mother, in a fit of conjunction and
Iious exaltaton. confesses to him that certain
irregularities in which his birth had been in
volved would. If discovered, deprive HIM "f
Beat and send him out into the world vita
81 Oh money she could herself bequeath To
him. but with neither lands nor title fact,
with scarcely "A name. He was born in ttuss't,
md confederation of events involving espe-
cay the difference between the Russian cdIen-
dar and that Of the rest Of the world. puts his
status as the inhcrItor OF Bent in jeopardy.
/ Ills father is dead. Mother and son, knowing
| that there is real stain upon the family
honor but recognizing the deadly effect which a
legal technically might have upon the success
sion. set themselves to work TO keep the prop
erty where they think it belongs. and where.
morally it certainly does belong The keynote
to Tristram's attitude in the matter is given in
a conversation between him and his mother,
from which may take this fragment.
He was smoking maiitatively. and jcrked out
what he had to say between the puffs.
Il shouldn't Xix to mortgage Blcnt," he went
Mortgage Rrnt; What for"
He raised a hand To ask to be heard out But
should like To feel that | could al amy
moment lay my hand big lump of ready
moncy-Say GInOoO even tlOOUH | should
like to be able to pun il out of my hreeches
pocket and say. Take that and hold Your
tongue " lie looked at her to see if she fol
lowed what in his mind Il think they
would take it; mean if things got far
| that. you know he ended.
you me IN the GansborouGhs2'
Yes oh. anybody else would I've cheaper than
that: but 100 OOO would ba better than - doubt
full case Eut il would have To be done directly.
before word Wa heard about it, | should
like to live with check 10y me-
lie spoke very simply, "a another man might
speak of an Improvement rate or an application
/ from an impecunious brother.
Being strong in of right he spoke
/ too-aS ii is important to remember without
/ the dishonorablc intention which the Sure rficial
aspect of his words would suggest. Now. there
! were two ways of weaving a story around the
( situation in which Trstram finds himself. The
author might have evolved a tissue Of more
less dramatic episodes, springinE from thu s.
forts of Bent and his mother to conceal their
Sc, ret and from those of another claimant To
Wrcst ii from them. BY another method the
effect of the whole business upon Clients char
acter might have been made the main theme.
Anthony Hope has endeaVored to give each
motive about equal Importance. and the result
is "a certain uncvenness in the merit of his work.
The analyS of Tristram's character and mental