The Washington times., 1902-06-08

| ature OF an early period IS evident by
| the strict care and precautfon with
which the Library copy is attended. 1t
forms part of the collection of old and
| valuable books which are kept in de-
partment to themselves and which are
not allowed to go cut of the library. In
fact. special license is required 70
gain access to its pages and every pre-
caution taken that the book is not
stolen.
The story is not unlike many which
have made their appearance since Fos-
disk wrote his wonderful romance. The
later novels. however, lack the
strength. style. and firm grasp which the
author of '.Malmiztie' displays through
out his book. The period is one of which
later generations know but little and
its people, or the people who inhabited
that particular Part of Mexico at that
time. were practically unknown. Yet
Fosdick has taken the time. people and
place and has woven about them a story
OF intense interest and plausibility.
1t treats of Mexico at the time of the
Spanish invasion and involves the most
unique and highly realistic scenes and
incidents. Much of the romance is sup
piled in the characters and quaint and
unusual customs of the time.
The author has told his story so vivid
ly and with such a strong touch of
realism that it is hard TO believe that
it is really a romance and the product
of 4 brain SO superior that even his in
innate friends were not capable of APP
preciating Fosdick's genius.
A peculiar thing in connection with
'.Malmiztic" is the fact that stories have
since made their appearance which are
strikingly like this Mexican romance.
Were the time somewhat like that of a
definite period in the history of any
country or the people, those whose
habits. personalities and life are fa-
miliar through the works of writer's who
lived at that time. then an excuse would
be easily found for stories which could
be likened TO that of Fosdick. But NAL
miztic" is essentially and absolutely a
romance of a people whose history is
blank and whose mode of living was and
always will be profound mystery which
will ever battle generations to come as
it has those of the past.
The most conspicuous example OF sim
ilarity in later writings is presented in
Gen. Lew Wallaces story The Fair
God" which deals with practically the
same set of characters and possesses the
same atmosphere that characterizes Fos-
dicks story. When Fosdick wrote NAL
niZlic. OF rather Wnen II was pup
lished. Wallace was twenty-four years
old. 1t has been suggested that Wall
lace wrote The Fair God in his youth
and held it back from the publishers.
The literary works of Wallace. accord
ing to authentic Gdvices. did not begin
until he had passed bis youth and so it
seems improbable that he would have
written a story dealing with so unique
subject and declined it's publication.
That he has reproduced the time. place
and people made known in Fosdick's
story may be ascribed to many things.
Some have SAID that General Wallace
probably read '.Malmiztic" and that its
deep impression and distinctiveness pre-
scented themselves unconsciously in his
own story. Again 1t is asserted that the
author of Ben Hur'' never saw the Eos
dick book II the latter is the case,
1t is the best illustration of the old
time adage that great minds run in the
same channel that has ever occurred
since the saying became a by-word with
the English speaking race.
The fact remains however. that NAL
miztic' is among the literary cur1os OF
today and in it the Library of Congress
has a rare possession. while the good
people of Cincinnati continue TO search
through their garrets and pack-boXes Tor
= thing which might have brought them
a neat little bit of money and whicn
they have probably given to the ash
man.