New-York tribune., 1903-07-05

DAINTY DEVILS. A Novel. 12mo pp 3s1 VIII
lam H. Young & Co.
The transition which Mr. Lewis makes in ms
new novel from the vein he has cultivated ir
the volumes Of short stories through which he
has won his repute is startling to say the least
In place of the Old Cattle-Man we have Press
dent Andrew Jackson; in place of the rough
ness and humor Of plainsmen we have the
suave intrigues of Washington society in the
last century. It is curious story that is told
in Peggy O'Neal," and Mr. Lewis makes II
seem the more curious by telling it in a very
suited and unnatural style Nevertheless it is
interesting. Old Hickory is portrayed with .
good deal Of vividness, and he is made to ar-
peal to US the more through being presented
not sc much as a great public figure as in the
character of a chivalrous gentleman moving
heaven and earth to defend an Innocent woman
from the cruelty and detraction of her enemies
Peggy herself Is a fairly beguiIing creature
who comes near to justifying on the printed
pase the admiration and affection which we are
told was shown toward her by her champions
There is humOr in the book and there is some
drama. The duel fought Peggy's behalf is
well handled
In Lees and Leaven," as in a Summer IL
New-York," which we were reviewing only the
other day. Mr Townsend treats Of the life Of
the present day in familiar scenes. Though the
newer story takes the reader more than once
outside OF New-York this is IN the main a
novel of city life. 1t has, therefore, the anima-
ton to which Mr. Townsend long since accus-
toned US. but in one respect this book marks
an improvement upon anything he has done
before. There is more understanding Of char
acter in it, The hero, who, by the way, is the
most unheroic of individuals. is an entirely
credible type. and the author paints him con
sistently There is even a certain strength IL
this novel It holds the attention and leaves
the impression that if Mr.. Townsend continues
in the path he may do better and better
work.
The Autobiography Of a Thief is offered as
an authentic narrative. Even without my ex-
plicit assurance" says Mr.. Hapgood in prefa-
tory note, the autobiography bears sufficient
internal evidence Of the fact that essentially
1t is thiers story" We may accept it as
true. But when we have done so, Is the book
much more interesting valuable? We are
not sure that the question could be answered
in the affirmative by the special student
of sociology. For one thing, there seems TO he.
already. plenty Of documentary evidence as to
the ways Of criminals accessible to the general
reader. This book is. in essentials, but repeti-
ton OF the sort of thing which may be found il
the writings of Josiah Flynt The only passage
which strikes having any freshness at all
is the one in which the hero Of the autobiog-
raphy protesting that he is not trying to point
a moral or pose as a reformer. or to suggest
that he quit the old life because of any re-
lgious feeling" continues in this manner:
only saw by painful experience that there Is
nothing in a life Of crime. / up against
society, and found that l had struck some
thing stronger and harder than a stone wall
But it was not that alone that made me reform
What was it Was il the terrible years I spent
In prison? Was it the confinement in mad
house where I daily old pals of mine be
come dwelling idiots? Was il my reading of
the great authors, and my becoming acquainted
with the beautiful thoughts of the great men
Of the world? Was il a combination of these
things? Perhaps SO, but even that does not
entirely explain il, does not go deep enough
I have said that I not religious, and I
definabe which l suppose people might
call an awakening Of the soul. What is that.
after all but the realization that your way Of
life is running you even to the very foundation
of your nature?
Perhaps one ought to be grateful for the light
this throws on the subject, yet it fails to recon
cile the reader to the fact that The Auto
biography OF a Thief is not only unpleasant
but commonplace and dull. The fault is partly
Mr Hapgoods. He has failed to turn his thiefs
story into literature. the one thing that might
serve to give it serious significance.
Mr Balfour has written The Golden King
dom" in Ieisurely fashion In fact he is
unconscionabIe length Of time in getting down
to business. But when once he has launched