The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-06-24
NOT A DULL PAGE IN II,
Only One Mention of II by Any Critic
in Forty Years.
WHAT JOHs G. lO-K4A2T WROTE IN 1897
Scott Was No. Prop nIy Appreciated b. William
Haz'it: His Distinguished Contempt
rary, While Saintsing Has
Great Praise for Him.
Great Praise for Him.

N-
Sir Walter SCOTS that may IL said 10
be much neglected. In a Wide reading
OF essays in books. British reviews and
magazines, and a long familiarity with
much of the very best in American
literature OF that kind in the foremost OF
monthlies and weeklies, / do not re-
member TO have seen this particular
novel so much as referred TO with
slightest commentator. Indeed, ! do
not recall but enc 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 il a two or three
line notice wlth a bit OF praise. Prior
to 1896. you might have seen It COM
mended in books. The critics and liter
ary men from 1920 to 1880 We're appre-
ciative Of Scott's mastery and splendid
genius. and liked the novel ] have II
mind, and which | have recently re-read
after probably more than forty-hve
wears of interval. | had 81 forgotten
it that it occurred to me that | would
once more read it, and see il il deserved
TO be so much ignored by writer's or
the present who touch upon the illus
trious Scotch author, who, | 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-
ton inexhaustible f~ecundity and un-
rivaled variety and interest.
The result Of my last reading was
highly gratifying. l did not find a dull
page in it. 1t is really full of human
interest and passion. and is richly en-
tertaining and overlooking With exciting
incident, and has admirable character
painting of high skill and in natural
colorS. and is of sustained power all
through, with fine dramatic scenes ana
very intellectual conversations. IL IS an
historic romance maryellOuSly lnVlgof
ating and fresh, considering that IL 1ol-
lowed so many of Scott's great pictures
| que romances, such as are some or ms
wonderful Scotch novels, strictly, and
his splendid romances of other lands
.Ivanhoe," "k%enilworth,' Quentin
Onward and others. l am considering
"Anne of Geierstein," written in 1898,
when his health had been impaired by
overwork in his gigantic attempt to pay
| off a debt Of more than q 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
a great inroad upon his health. the
| scene of Anne of Geierstein' is laid III
Switzerland mainly, but a part IN Aus
| tria. There are many splendid descrlp-
lions 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 il as ! have
done. / am tempted to enlarge upon It's
| plot and some of the stirring incidents,
| but l forbear, as l 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" a novel which contains
original characters and strong scenes al
though regarded by critics as really
showing decay. as showing rather
a ftful and expiring fash Of the glorious
genius that had so enriched and en-
| ravished the world. 1t Immediately pre-
ttt 1III Vi 1'A'I IL o'' -
| some manifestation of failing powers il
| gives out brilliant CLEANS of light and
there are even strong manifestation
that the old minstrel fire still burns.
Henry of the Wynd is a character
worthy of the greatest Magician" in his
| palmist 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 and poetic ardor and
power.
Before closing what l have to say Of
the novel under consideration. l viii
give the reader the benefit of our in
dorsement from a 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
a Scotch lawyer OF parts. a chief con-
tributor to "Blackwood's Magazine"
puDllSned many fOluIneS that attracted
the attention Of contemporaries, among
them four novels, and in 1924. sent forth
Ancient Spanish Ballads" possibly the
most popular OF all his writings. 1t was
not until 1887. and after. that he gave
to the world the very best biography
since James Boswell published his most
extraordinary Life of DR.. Johnson"
Lockhart died in 1854. and Sir Walter in
1892. OF ANNE of Geierstein" this most
accomplished author. in the life of Scott.
! wrote as follows. and no man has lived
since who is better qualified to appraise
J its true value:
1T may be almost called the last work
! of SCOTS imaginative genius. : : =