Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13

Author of The Dynasts.'
ent and future. Mr.. Hardy has under
taken a novelty in perspective. He has
carried himself-and, by stroke of unde-
nable art, his reader with him-into the
ether above the planet, into the over
world" as he styles it. Here he offers such
phantom intelligences' as characters in
the drama as The Ancient Spirit of the
Years eldest born OF the lmmanent
Will" or supreme being: the Spirit of the
Pities, the Spirit of Rumor tspelled
Rumour) Spirits Sinister and ironic,' the
Shade of the Earth recording angels.
spirit messengers, and chorus for each OF
the spirits. These intelEgences have their
own dia lOgueS in dissertation upon the
affairs of both the overworld and the world
itself. They vibrate with a strange, esoterlc
philosophy, akin to a major fatalism. In
order % demonstrate certain propositions
the Spirit of the Years cites the events
then occurring on the planet. The argu-
ment runs that the Irmanent will is work
ing out certain evolution, involving dis
asters and cycles and cataclysns The
NapoleDnic wars are in their place func-
tiOning 10 this end.
To prove the proposition, Years accom-
panies Pities and the Sinister and Ironic
spirits to the scenes of these events amid
certain wildly described scenic changes
which &ptly bear out the tone and nature of
the composition. The actual dramatic con-
struction on the mundane plane Is broken
into brief episodes. In this first part is told
the story of the Illustration of NapOleon's
design TO invade England. 1t includes
scenes on the continent. in England and at
sea. Il comprises the naval battle of ira
falgar with a stirring description of the
fight and of Nelson's death, and the battle
of Aus crlitZ. with its resulting compact be
tween Napoleon and Emperor Francis OF
Austri5-. II includes the memorable debate
i'm The British house Of commons between
Pitt Sheridan, Windham, Fox and other
members on the army reorganization act
when England trembled in apprehension of
Napole1n's coming. 1t gives brilliant pic
1ure of the coronation of Napoleon at Milan
as King Of LOmbardy. Other scenes, his
tGric and fictitious. abound, all to the end
of conveying strikingly clear impression
OF the Napoleonic strategy and the English
state o mind.
The author draws his characters from
the historical records and his showman's
box of maTiunetteS with no qualmS of con-
science on the score Of an oVerCrOwded
stage For background he shows whole
continents, in dumb show marches armies
of a hundred thousand men and more
across the scene. All the conventions have
fallen. all limitations are exceeded The
sUperhuman intelligenCes comment on the
affairs of the world. and occasionally as
spirits of rumOr take human form and
mingie with the smaIl-voiced mortaIs. The
dialogue is in aicStic measure, dignfied
and even orOtund At times and again in
close description col!oquial to the point of
comedy.
The Dynasts" would be fantastic but
for its art. II is notable literary achieve
ment. Of interest to the student of history
as well as to the lover of the poetic drama
Unfortunately only one Of the three pro-
je"ted parts is as yet printed. The other
two, the publishers note, are in hand but
tl.yir publication is not guaranteed No ex-
pl1nation is offered although in view of
the modest size OF the initial volume the
question OF cost would not seem TO war
rant this conservatism. The second and
Third parts are outlined however. and APP
pear To cover the fun range OF the active
career of Napoleon. reaching an evident
climax II Waterloo.
THE oLIGsRCHy OF VENICE; an Essay.
NiIfH!n \ co.
Mayor McCleilan-who. 1t is stated had
10 idea OF becoming mayor when he launch
ed forth upon jhe inquiry which evolved in
TO this essay-regards Venice as one of the
most instructive and interesting historical
subjects i'm all the range of world records.
For Venice, he points uut. is finished. has
gown and dwiuGled and has formally and
forever passed out Of existence as a sepa-
,rate political entity. Therefore its story can
h viewed in the round, as whole. and it is
1.-THE more instructive in that it presents an
,auomaly in the evolution Of government by
inversion. II grew 10y precisely the reverse
OF the usual method of the development of a
Estate. Starting with 4 broad degree of pop
uIar political liberty. il became steadily
through the centuries more ard more def
nitely and clearly oligarchy, and it met
Fits fate one of the most perfect specimens
| OF class rule ever known in the world
! This book viii inevitably be read by many
with an eye 10 its present-day political sig
niticanCe. Here and there will be found
traces of the authors thought 10 apply the
results of his research and analysis to i'm
mcdia1: national conditions. He does not
attempt 10 conceal his disapproval of i'm
periaiism' and high protection. He plainly
reveals his antaSonism to class rule He
freely asserts that Venice went TO it's final
| d,SSolu ion as a state because of its land
lust lis failure to keep within its own
Epoundaries its mingling with the political
ana1rs Of other powers, its scheme OF
.tariR and its exclusion of the plebeians from
tany share In the government. Especially
suggestive are his comments on the i'm
tpe1alistic' tendencies OF Venice, and he
pays high tribute to the doge Tomasso
tMocenigo who. dying. warned his country
men against the perils OF what the author