The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-13
A GLANCE At THREE
WRITER'S OF GENIUS
Literary Gems From Ruins
of Classic Greece.
A SCHOLAR OF HELLAS
Ruskin and His Wonderful Gift Of
Expression.
SAINTsBURY's OPINION OF RUsKIN
Or. Kingsbury Finds in "Great Expectations
One Of the Most Original and Absorbing
of Dickens Great Works. Andrew
Lang's Judgement.

Lang's Judgement.
Ruskin, the great English author and
stylist, preferred "Redgauntlet" to all of
SCOTS greatest novels, Mr. Gladstone's
favorite was "Kenilworth." 1t is not
usual with critical readers to choose
"Redgauntlet'' as their favorite. Ruskin
was accustomed to read aloud pages
from this novel to visitors and friends.
He read capitally and entertainingly.
While "Redgauntlet'' cannot be classed
with such great novels as Guy Man
nering,' 1.-The Antieuary," Heart of
Midlothian" 'Ivanhoe,'' 'Kenilworth -
Quentin Durward.'' and two or three
Others it is very strong novel in parts,
in scenes. 1t is not so artistic and clear
as most of his other works, but it is rich
in character studies, and in scenes of
extraordinary force and dramatic in
terest. 1t is too fine work of genius
to be overlooked. And let me say here
that Ruskin is far too great an author
to be forgotten or ignored. l recall
with pleasure that l made the acquan-
lance OF this great master of English
and distinctly great prose writer in my
youth before l was twenty-five l read
his famous Modern Painters''-the first
volume-"The Seven Lamps of Architec-
ture" and 1.-THE Story of Venice''-three
very remarkable works that made de-
cided impression at the time they were
published. His books can be counted
by the score. Let me add that he was
not only a great admirer Of "Redgaunt-
let but was an enthusiastic admirer Of
Scott and 'all his life was the staunchest
of Sir Walters devotees," as Prof
Saintsbury writes of him, that eminent
Professor Of English Literature in the
University of Edinburgh, says that "he
has been a great prose writer from the
first" He thinks that after discounting
all serious objections as to his fiamboy-
ant style-lts excess in ornament and
extravaganza in style. that he was
far ahead of all that had preceded him.
His words are: What an enormous adj
vance there is on anything that had
gone before" His gift of expression
was very great, and equalled all rivals
before or since. You can scarcely find a.
full rival in all English writers-De
Quincy alone possible--in the richness.
beauty, perfection of his descriptive
passages. Prof. Saintsbury does not be-
lieve that the "Wave Studies in the
first volume of Modern Printers" the
pine Forest in Jura," 1.-THE Angel of the
Sea-" had even been equalled before
and have none been eCualled since al
though written from thirty-five to forty
years ago. Read. If no others, Sesame and
Lilies" 1.-THE Ethics of Dust" "The
Crown of Wild Olive" and "Fors Clavig-
era"
Some five years ago the literary and
scholarly world was much interested in
then recent discoveries of some remains
of the illustrious Greek philosopher,
Aristotle. Then followed another highly
interesting find by the British Museum
In London. 1t was regarded as very
valuable. 1t concerned a forgotten, an
almost unknown Greek writer. 1t was
the hnding of certain manuscripts of
Herodas. 1t was known to savans that
such writer had lived, and that he
was regarded as the most learned of the
Greeks. The find contained poems.
There were ten manuscripts in all. There
were dramatic sketches in verse, in the l
Ionic dialect written on papy-
rus. Herodas was not a great poet,
it appears, but his writings are classed
high by scholars. He resembles Theo
critus, who was an idyllic poet of rarest
Gifts and most enhancing freshness
and originality, who founded the now
celebrated Greek idyllic school. and to
whom Tennyson was so greatly indebted
for form, rythmical effects manner
feeling, sweetness, influence suggestion
and perfection of rythm. Theocritus
was greater master than Herodas. and
really much more poetical in its fnar
sense than the other. The "fnd"-the
poetical portions-was discussed at the
time with much appreciation. The Lon
don Saturday Review, for more than
forty years a distinguished authority in
literature, had this-now some eleven
years ago, which 1 preserved-of the
now famed poet and it is informing:
or his manner, as Mr.. Kenyon saws
the fifteenth idyll of Theocritus. called
The Women of Syracuse, will give
fair idea. Mr.. Kenyon adds that Theo-
critus is the greater master; it might he
better to say that he is the greater
poet Herodas, in fact, is not poeticaI
at all, in that sense which makes poetry
depend on certain unreality of atmos-
phere and circumstance That he writes
tradition, and to say the truth his
Verslheation is his least merit; his pur-
pose plainly is to be as true as he knows
now and for vivid life he may compete
with any one. ancient or modern. that
we know. 1t is the best and truest of
compliments to say that he makes us
call louder than ever for the lost
Me" nder. But perhaps a good time is
yet coming"
Since have been enjoying leisure and
liberty | have been reading more than
ever the great writings-Shakespea
Talne, Scott, Thackeray, Dickens, George
Eliot. with some nineteenth century
writer's of merit and entertainment
Saintsbury and Andrew Lang and Henley.
nave for the first time read a novel
Dy Dickens that | had neglected. and
DO not know why. / found in Great
expectations" great surp. A lover