The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-22
Anne of Geierstein", Al.
most His Last Great Work
NOT A DULL PAGE IN IT,
Only One Mention of It by ANY Critic
in Forty Years.
WHAT JOHN G. Lo.K4AaT WROTE IN 1897
Scott Was Not Properly Appreciated by William
Hsz'iH; His Distinguished Contempt
rary, While Saintsrg Has
Great Praise for Him,
Great Praise for Him.

IMII WING b0S
Great Praise for Him.
To the Editor: There is one novel Of
Sir Walter SCOTS that may be said to
be much neglected In wide reading
of essays in books, British reviews and
magazines, and long familiarity with
much of the very best in American
literature of that kind in the foremost of
monthlies and weeklies, 1 do not re-
member to have seen this particular
novel so much as referred to with
slightest commentator. Indeed, 1 do
not recall but one solitary mention of
it by any critic of the last forty years,
either English or American. Prof.
George Saintsbury, a widely cultivated
and able critic, gives it a two or three
line notice with bit of praise. Prior
to 1850. you might have seen it COM
mended in books. The critics and liter
airy men from 1920 to 1850 were appre-
ciatiVe of Scott's mastery and splendid
genius, and liked the novel / have in
mind and which l have recently re-read
after probably more than fortyf1ve
years of interval. l had so forgotten
it that it occurred to me that | would
once more read it, and see if it deserved
to be so much ignored by writer's Of
the present who touch upon the illus
trious Scotch author who. l do not
doubt, was the most creative mind
since Shakespeare-not the greatest
genius as to reflective powers and in
tensity of view, but in imaginative crea~
tion ineXhaustible fecundity and I'M
rivaled variety and interest.
The result OF my last reading was
highly gratifying. l did not find a duh
page in it. 1t is really full of human
interest and passion, and is richly en-
PERTAINING and overlooking with exciting
incident, and has admirable character
painting of high skill and in natural
colors, ard is of sustained power all
through, with fine dramatic scenes and
very intellectual conversations. 1t is an
historic romance marvellously invigor-
ating and fresh, considering that it fol-
lowed so many of Scotts great pictures
que romances, such as are some of his
wonderful Scotch novels strictly, and
his splendid romances of other lands
'Iyanhoe,'' "Kenilworth," Quentin
Onward and others. l am considering
Anne of Geierstein," written in 1889,
when his health had been impaired by
overwork in his gigantic attempt to pay
off a debt of more than a half million
dollars caused by the failure of the
Ballantynes, Edinburg publishers, with
whom Scott had become very unfortu-
nately connected. In some six years he
actually made by the products of his
fertile pen some three hundred and
fifty thousand dollars or more. 1t made
III h.
scene of "Anne of Geierstein" is laid in
Switzerland mainly, but a part in Aus
tria. There are many splendid descrip-
tions of natural scenery, some exquisite,
impressive, even dramatic scenes, and
no little of majestic intesity as we'll as
of tragic pathos and force of express
sion. There is much of very markedly
good portrayals of character, and some
highly poetic as well as of rarest charm.
write of this half-forgotten novel be-
cause / wish others to enjoy it as l have
done. ] am tempted to enlarge upon it's
plot and some of the stirring incidents,
but | forbear, as | thank no one to tell
me the story in outline of any novel
purpose to read. Let me add that anne
of Geierstein" is a work of more great
and unbroken interest than the Fair
Maid of Perth" novel which contains
original characters and strong scenes al
though regarded by critics as really
showing decay as showing rather
a fitful and expiring flash of the glorious
genius that had so enriched and en-
ravished the world 1t Immediately pre-
coded ANNE of Geierstein," and despite
some manifestation of failing powers it
gives out brilliant CLEANS of light and
there are even strong manifestations
that the old minstrel fire still burns.
Henry of the Wynd is a character
worthy of the greatest Magician" in his
PIANIST days. "Anne of Geierstein" is
suffused with no little of the ineffable
glory of other and more masterful works
of fresher and earlier days, and is made
splendid often by the divine light that
comes from high imaginative genius.
The first scene in which Anne appears
during the raging of an Alpine storm
is full OF grandeur aud poetic ardor AID
rover.
Before closing what l have to say of
the novel under consideration, ] will
give the reader the benefit of our in
dOrsement from very high source. John
Gibson Lockhart was the able and ac-
complished son-in-law of Sir Walter
Scott and was a writer of true genius
and vigorous mind. He produced genuine
poetry, very able review papers, was
for a long time the editor of the great
old London Quarterly Review" which
still fiourishes in undimmed youth. was
Scotch lawyer of parts, chief con