The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-26
Biography Of Danras.

The world has sought perpetual notion
wrote Laniartine 10 Dumas pere, you have done
more, you have created perpetual amazement"
The words Of Lamartne are hardly an exaggera-
tion or, II 50, cxaggeration is the only adequate
way OF characterizing the man whose whole ma
ture was loud fantastic and extrsvagant~oexs
eessive both in its strength and its weakness.
The strain Of tropical blood which Alexandra Du-
mas inherited from his negro grandmother was
but little affected BY the modest bravery Of his
father OF the sober simplicity Of his mother.
Born with a talent that a vertable gold
mine, his love Of luxury and magnificent display
could easily scatter it all. With the power
TO imagine a Monte Crsto there was also the
power OF Undertaking. it, but not the ability 20
hold t. His genius knew no form OF temperance.
His generosity and kindly sympathy were as eS-
travagant as his other excuses
The centenary Of the elder Dumas is celebrated
by the appearance OF two new biographies The
first Is Alexandra Dumas Pere, His Life and
Works. by Arthur F Davidson, from the J 3.
Lppincou company, Philadelphia Mr., Davidson
does not affect to introduce az unknown man
or to discover an unrecosnised genius. He has
given close study to Dumas for the last fifteen
years. and believes there is room for a co-ordi-
nation Of facts which represent in due proportion
both the life of the man and the work Of the
thor. Other books have represented some par
tieular side Of Dumas talent and some particular
period Of his life. The present volume aims
TO show the man by his work and his work BY
the man, for Dumas IN a remarkable sense lived
writing and writing lived
Studying The traits OF this distinguished man
one is tempted TO accept fatalistic theory and
believe he was simply what heredity and
vronment made him. His temperament was
easy, happy reckless Neither in his life nor in
his writings is there the slightest evidence of
anything that hints Of self-mastery or restraint
Goethe's precept Thou must renounce, never
entered Dumas head still less his conscience IL
h.. hal k,A "a E.t -.
were his by nature, not hy grace of effort, ire
Elective and at times almost irresponsible, his
principle was Live and let live, but above all
do not stop TO think He carried with him an
atmosphere Of life and stir, His power was
almost demonle. Il was self-knowledge as we'll
vanity that made him say after spending
evening alone with Balrae; 1T would have
been dreadfuliy dull without myself"
Success, that with most is the result Of ef-
fort, with Dumas simply the result of his
natural activity. lie loved the marvellous, senss-
tional the dramatic, and easily produced them.
Never in any sense a student he had taste for
history, because with his wondrous imagination,
his skill contour and his passion for moye-
ment be could easily trausfgure history into dra-
matte romance and outdistsnce any competitor.
Historians sneered az him, bot he won the null
titudc and led them 70 read history. Never fet
tered by facts. he knew how 70 make persons and
events attractive and entertaining He cared
nothing for original research and he never bal
auced probabilities tn a quest for truth. His
view was refreshngly sure and provided Il was
marvellous even impossible, il mattercd little
as 10 actual facts OF course. he was mindful
never to degenerate into the absurd and was all
ways careful TO lie like truth
II was not in the character OF Dumas genius
90 start out on wholly subjects new lines
Of thought What lac did do was 10 take what was
IN the air and reeast It in way TO arouse popu-
lar interest The domain of thought was not his
province He stimulates wonder, surprise. adnira-
ton. He appeals to the feelings never TO the I'M
derstanding
sardou considered Dumas the best all-round
homme de theatre Of his century, and Mr.. David
son indorses this opinion, saying that much as
the French stage has been indebted to Scribe and
for observation and analysis to the tradition Of
Balzac's method in the whole range Of emotional
and sensation effects which are the ultimate
sity OF the theater no influence has equaed that
Of the elder Dumas"
The author does not attempt 70 hide or explain
away the nnnmerahle plagiarisns with which
Dumas is charged Dumas himself said The
man Of genius does not steal but eonquers." He
certainly had gift for appropriation and
markable inability TO distinguish between thine
and NINE" but with the same indifference he al
lowed his own treasures TO slip into others
hands His power OF communication, his ability
70 inspire and enthuse others, 10 lift them into
his own imaginative realm, and catch and
fleet is spiendor explains a large part of that
collaboration which IS remarkable as any other
Of the remarkable facts Of this strange genius.
The book fulhlls It's purpose Of giving a CO.
hefent account Of the life of Dumas and Of his
works. As a biography II Is thorough and COM
prehensive for popular needs. As piece OF
criticism Il Is intelligent appreeiatiye and JUST.
Chicago Chronicle.