The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-17
Social anl
Personal.

At the Woman's Club last afternoon
Miss Orrie Hatcher gave an exceedingly
well delivered and we'll received lecture
on the Rise and Development of the Eng
Iish Novel; from which, as Miss Hatch
or very clearly showed, tho American
novel has had It's outcome.
In locking pack to the sources of the
English novel. the earliest beginnings of
which Miss Hatcher placed at nearly
four centuries before the novel proper
appeared, Troilus and Cresida,' a love
story of Chaucer, was cited by her as
presenting new note in emphasis on
Il character, and power TO present it subj
~.
The three notable books of Queen Eliza
beth's reign, along the line Of her search,
Miss Hatcher, characterized as the
'Euphues' Of John Lyly; the Arcadia
+ Of Sir Philip Sidney, and Nash's "Jack
Milton" Subsequent to the Ellzabethar
reign, two important books or narration
were mentioned in "PilGrm's Progress. =
and "Gullver's Travels" On the side
Of character Interpretation, the "Sir
Roger dc Coverly Papers" were placed.
and Robinson Crusoe'' was spoken of as
link between early fiction and the mod
erll English novel. Richardson's Pa
q
the father of the school of realists In
English fiction, Pamela" being the first
example which fulfilled conditions and
non properly the name OF novel.
After the author of Pamela notice
of the realistic school of fiction was
continued in Henry Fielding and Law
renee Sterne. The last mentioned. it
was declared. left Richardson far be-
hind in the deliciously whimsical quality
of his sentimentality.
In the Romantic Group" OF novelists,
prominence was given to Mrs. Radcliffe,
10 Goldsmith In his portrayal Of sim
pie lcme life, TO Fanny Burney, Maria
Edgeworth and Jane Austin.
Walter SCOTS power In the creation of
comparatively modern romance was
touched upon brightly and sklfully, and
tribute was 'faid, torthe enduring influ-
enee of his 'hanie and his charm.
Thackeray and Dickens were contrast
cd by Miss Hatcher. She reckoned up
Thackeray as cool analytic and superior
to Dickens as an artist, and Dickens him.
self as eXuberant and impressionahle with
wonderful power of sympathy and supple
ness Of wit.
OF George Eliot, Miss Hatcher said:
One nlarvels more and more at her com
binution of Philosophical insight and pow
ers OF analysis: her sure artistic instinct
and workmanship; her grace and force
of expression.
Of Thomas Hardy, as George 15liot's
disciple, she affirmed that he lays hold
of the primal instincts OF lower classes
and prcgents problems arising from them,
then lays them bare without attempting
any solution. George Meredith was held
up as the exact antithess of Hardy and
the Lcst example Of discmbodied intellect
applied TO fiction.
Had TINA r1e,ruIt,ed Mise Jaf
stated IN conclusion, she would have been
glad to speak briefly of the traits aud
Tendencies OF recent American fiction.
As II Was she was forced TO close with
out expressing her great pride in the
noyeiistic work OF Richmond women, and
10 include in her review such names as
Miss Ellen Glasgow, Miss Mary John
ston. Miss Anne Winston Mrs. Kate
Bosher and others. who had passed the
line Of apprenticeship into the sphere OF
literary achievement and success,
reception, at which Miss Hatcher
met many Richmond friends and ac-
qualntances most pleasantly followed the
lecture. Mrs, Evan Chesterman. Miss
Mary Frazier, Mrs. Rankin, of Nash
vile. Tenn; Miss Emma Whitfield and
Miss Peasants were the guests of the at
ternoon.
The parlors were thronged with an ex-
celient audience and Miss Hatcher as
long as she remained was the center VI
an interested group. Both at Yassar Col
lege and the University OF Chicago. Miss
Hatcher acquitted herself with the Ut
most distinction. She has for years been
recognized ~ Richmond as a woman OF