The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-31

world since the appearance OF the Car
dinal's Snuff-box," some years ago,
Surely no one has ever written OF Italy
and Italian life more beautifully than
Mr.. Harland has. He has repeated him
self in my Friend Prospero,," but 1t is
a repetition with such an infinite variety
that one accepts it without criticism and
with delight. The story opens at the
castle of the medieval village Of SAINT
Alessina where Lady Blanchema1n. an
English tourist, has driven over from
Roccadoro, seven miles distant, to look
at the celebrated Zelt-Neuminster collec-
ton Of paintings, which the castle con-
tains. Mr.. Hnrland. one Of whose many
| fine accomplishments lies in the skill
with which he describes graceful old
age says OF Lady Blanchemain:
big. humorous, emotional, imperious.
tut, above all, Interested and soclable
Lady Blanchemain: do you know her,
, wonder? Here billowy. white hair? Her
handsome soft old face with its smooth
skin? Her beautiful old gray eyes, EN-
phasized by regular black brows? The
light colors and jaunty fashion OF her
gowns? Her gay little bonnets? Her
gems? Do you know her? If you do, L
| am sure you love her and rejoice In her;
and enough is said II you don't, l beg
leave to present and commend her.
~ spoke, by and bye. of her old face.
| her old eyes. She is to be sure, IN so
| far as mere numbers Of years tell, an
old woman. But Ionce heard her throw
| out in the heat OF conversation, the
phrase a young old thing like me- and
| | thought she touched TRUTH
| Novels have so few real love stories
| of late. and Mr.. Harland Is always at
his finest in describing lovers attitude
towards his lady and in whatever passes
between them. my Friend Prospero'
is a lover OF whom the whole world
must approve. lie Is not an Italian, but
| en- Englishman, though he; has all the
fervor OF Imagination and all the poetic
nature awakened by long residence I'M
/, der italian skies for his English tongue
is moved, in describing his lady. to char
| acterize her thus:
"Did l say only know her little, |
know her a great deal. know her
through and through. know that she
liz pure gold, pure crystal: that she Is
! made OF all music, all light. all sweet
| ness, and Of all shadow and silence and
mystery, too. as women should be- II
you could see her!
III you could sec her eyes-her deep
glowing, witty. humorous; mischieyouEs
Innocent eyes. with the soul that burns II
them, tho passion tnat sleeps. IL you
could see the black, soft masses OF hcl
hair, and her white brow. and the pale
rose of her cheeks. and the red rose 9
her lovely smiling mouth, II you cou!e
see her figure. slender and strong, ane
the grace and pride Of her carrlagc-th'
carriage OF an IMPERIAL princess. II yol
could see her hands-they lie IN her lal
like languid lilies. And her voice-tis IN
color of her mouth and the glow OF lie
eyes made audible
or plot the book contains but little. ant
Mot Is not needed to heightcn the swee
1dyl that grows day by day into musl
along tho box-bordered garden shades o
the castle of SAINT Alessina:,, !,
The picture drawn Of the village priest
niece. the little Annunzlatn. shows tina
Mr. Harland can create enchanting Vlslol
OF childhood as we'll as of maturity.
The only complications that arise ar
not serious enough to harrow the, imag
nation One Is mainly conscious IN M
Friend Prospero' of tho figure OF maj
and woman, about which other tlgure
revolve: of gray hills, snow, peaks, bril-
liant sky, With the golden light and pur
pie shadows: Of the expresses and olives
the river cleaning, the faint scent o
rosemary growing everywhere, the pur
ity,. the Intensity. and yet the RESTRAIN
OF color In the italian landscape. Whic
makes 1t look as II designed by con
"Given''' Mr.. Harland says, tho tire
gifts Of faith the sense OF beauty ana ~
sense of humor, and the, world is ST.
always young and romantic. The poetr
and the folly Of earth can never be deac