The age-herald., 1902-05-04
Churchill's Idea of the Hiatorical Novel.
BOOKS By Paul pry

ton one might rightfully call the essen tials of faithful, true historical work. The unessential parts of this class or nc- ton may easily be in slight measure dis torted to meet the requisites of the story and the authors art. For instance, in
 Charles Majors new work, Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall," why should we complain if in developing the very delight full incidents of the story the author should use some flexibility in the question of dates; provided he is truthful and faithful in the character work of Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots, and presents them to the reader in a vivid
 ly intimate way. Why should we worry if Mary Stuart's exact Imprisonment in Lochleven and her escape therefrom may not coincide with our Malcolm's descrip- tion; or if in faith, she really never saw Haddon Hall at all? These, I claim are the unessentials of great historical fiction and a very unimportant part
 Gilbert Parker says: There Is only one test for a novel; that 1t be first and before all a well-constructed story; that it deal sincerely with human life and character; that 1t be eloquent of feeling; that 1t have insight and revelation; ..lat it preserve idiosyncrasy; but before all that it be wholesome" Few recent novels can meet most of these requirements as satisfac- torily as Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall.' MT. Charles Majors new romance is centered round Haddon Hall set in per haps the most beautiful of English seen ery-the hill country of Derbyshire, through which flows the Wye and the Derenent. It lacks to a great extent the spiritual beauty of his former work, When Knighthood was In Flower" al- though it is difficult to explain why this is so; unless it be the presence of what we might call a commercial spirit-be- cause Dorothy's evident intended destna- ton is "the footlights." However. 1t by no means lacks the fine qualities which characterized the former work, and which carried its author at one bound into prominence and universal favor A story in which good Queen Bess" and Mary Stuart and Dudley Earl of Leices- ter figure so intimately could scarcely fail to prove very fascinating to the reader The scene of the story, the picturesque environments, and the romantic devo- ton of the hero and h>roine are splendid " selected and prove the author to pos sess most exquisite judgment of histor- lcal possibilities. The story is clearly, de- hhltely ana exceilently conceived; there Is no uncertainty, and the author evidently knew the end from the beginning. and very delightful end too. This is a source of satisfaction to the reader: for any apparent indecision or waverine on the part of the author makes the read CT feel that he lacks a perfect grasp of his story and his creations.
 That the story is full of deep human fn terest all will agree who read tho book and are forced thereafter to carry with them heart full of tender love for '.the fairest, fiercest. gentlest, weakest, strong est of them all-Dorothy Vernon Now. if 1t be a good story, well told and struc- tural throughout, full too, of eloquent human feeling from first to last that leaves you with no time or inclination for aught else. what more should we ask? From these two prime qualities 1t Is sat- isfying. Why add with captious pen that 1t lacks historical atmosphere and that Dorothy, charming in all her tender. fierce willfulness. is in reality twentieth century girl? We can excuse in her many things, but one fault ~or weakness-as you will-she possessed. It was her in- herent untruthfulness. Possibly the exi- gencies of the case demanded 1t; and they do say there are extenuatirg cir- cumstances in this respect. If so, such an lrate and exasperating father was cer- tainly sufficient excuse. But her constant "apbing' is woven into the very wool of the story and appears as a very dark hio&rt Tn. th;s one reqpect. which Is