Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-14

.to encourage beauty in our soul; SO little
to awaken the slumbering angels; or per-
haps there is no need of awakening-1t
Is enough that we lull them not to Sleep.
And to this, with the abundance OF his
optimism shaping his thought. he adds:
'It requires more effort to fall. perhaps
than to rise" Looking farther in the
complexities Of human hearts. he finds
in all men an invisible goodness which
..cares not to reveal itself even in look
or tear" and which seeks concealment
for reasons one cannot divine. It is as
though it were afraid to make use OF its
power We are fearful lest
we exhaust the heaven within US"
And I'VE dare not act upon the
whisper Of God, who inspires US. And
therefore it is that this secret goodness
Of ours has never yet passed through
the silent portals Of our soul. 1t lives
within us like a prisoner forbidden TO
approach the barred window of her cell.
But, indeed, what matter that it do not
approach Enough that it be there. Hide
as it may let it but raise its head, move
a link of its chain, or open its hand, and
the prison is illumined, and the presence
of radiance from within bursts open the
iron barrier
Afaeterlinck's new volume, 'The Buried
Temple suggests again even in its name,
lis often repeated ideal of the good that
is at the heart of all things. and of the
heroism that is in every heart In his
first essay here. 1.-THE Mystery Of JUS
tice," he finds in justice summing up
Of all the virtues. cit is at the center of
our love Of truth, the center of our love
Of beauty. It is kindness and pity; it is
generosity, heroisrn, love-" He says of it,
.'It has been imagined everywhere. ex-
-. IN tho SEv If
has lurked in the air and sea- It has
peopled an inaccessible universe. Then
at last we peer into its imaginary re-
treats; we press close and examine; its
throne of clouds totters; 1t fades away;
but at the very moment we believe 1T has
ceased to be, behold it rcappears and
raises its head once more in the very
depth of our heart: and yet another mys-
terry has sought refuge in man, and en-
bodies itself in him. In "The Evolution
Of Mystery readable for many reasons,
there is found special interest from the
mention the author makes of some of his
own plays. little dramas he calls them,
wherein lies revealed the disquiet of a
mind that has given itself wholly to mys-
tery-a dsquiet legitimate enough in it
self perhaps. but not so inevitable as to
warrant its own complacency."
''Thc keynote Of these plays" he says,
lis dread of the unknown that surrounds
u.s.
The other essays. in the volume, 1.-THE
Kingdom of Matter 1.-THE Past" and
Luck are not largely original in
thought. but have their beliefs and fan
cies expressed in Maeterlinck's character
isIc and persuasive style.
And while it is true also that the new
volume. as a whole, is lacking in much
of the beauty that makes THE Treasure
of the Humble so exquisite and haunt
ing work, yet it contains the peculiar
appeal of which this odd genius is con-
stantly capable, and is book that rarely
fails in its interest and charm.
THE OCTOPUS. Frank Norris. Cloth;
s1.5o. Doubleday. Page & Co., New
York.
For sale by Hunter & Co.
G~1HE OCTOPUS is the first mum.
Der in trilogy of novels in