The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-01

In her latest novel, the Marriage of
William Ashe, Mrs. Humphrey Ward
keeps on in the newer manner, if it may
be so described of her Eleanor and Lady
Roses Daughter. There are a number
Of respects in which the books resemble
each other, and differ from her frst
novels, and a notable difference is the
laying on Of her earlier didacticism,
certain pedantTy, which was the great
est flaw IL Robert 11lsnere and Marcel
Ia. Intellectual Mrs Ward is always,
and her writing forever breathes the
spirit Of s high culture and a broad
mentality But ia her later books she
has attained e1lighfsF touch without de-
tractiEsR froTs 5iei serious merit Of her
work
1lFEselally in the Individuality Of her
hffoiness Eleanor ana Julie in the pre-
ding books and Lady Kitty in the
present one, Is there striking similaFi-
to- And yet they are only alike in n
certain extravaganza Of humOrs GER
tain exalted egOtism, a certain unre-
Gtfainable passion for life and all that
can give whether Of Weai or woe.
Yet Mrs. Ward has always shown
certain weakness for women OF this
sort. There was the girl Rose-what
was her other namee Elsmere'S wife
sister in Robert Elsmere-the girl with
the red hair who played the violin ana
was as different from Elsmere's wife ana
from Marcella as Eleanor, julie ana
Lady Kitty are. Yes, undoubtedly the
author has fondness for heroines of
this type; women of mysterious 1aSel-
nation, strong passions, unusual talents
and unfortunate love affairs.
Fer Mrs. Ward Obliges all her hero
ines to know the Christening influences
OF sorrOW''-tO drink the cup of passion
to it's dregs. Perhaps obliges is not the
word, however. More than with almost
any novelist of our day it really seems
as though Mrs. Ward were a helpless
agent and had little TO do with the mo-
tives and actions of her characters. II
they are puppets, and they seem little
enough like them, one rarely sees the
strings by which they are manipulated.
One of this authors strongest qualities
is her ability to create an atmosphere
for her book people so that from the
very first chapter the reader moves ana
lives with the characters forgetting IN
the absorbing interest of their rational
~ unfolding story, that they are not
flesh and blood. That sure testimony OF
life in fiction, the perception OF a ch mar
acter's growth and development IS aue
an Mrs Wards creations.
The Marriage Of William Ashe is
strongly dramatic novel set IN a superb
picture Of English eighteenth century
life But even if it were not 50 Well
done. of so great interest in itself, the
book would attract attention on ac-
count of the identity Of the principal
characters with some OF the best known
men and women Of the England OF a
e
Lady Roses Daughter, which as every
one knows. had a heroine modelled from
Iulie de LespinaSse, MIS-. ward mas
a4yain gone to history for her material
and. it is no secret that her new heroine
is a slightly idealized Lady Caroline
Lamb, known to fame for her mad IN
fatuati0n for Lord Byron The poet
also figures in the story under the name
Of GeOffrey Cliffe and the other actors
in the sad and pitiful tragedy Of the IN
la rtTsvf T.a6v Caroline are also easily
discerned. William Ashe, which 1s only
another name for William Lamb, Lady
Trannore easily recognized as Lady
Melbourne, whom Byron described as
the cleverest woman Of her day, and
Mary Lyster, who is no other than Miss
EliIbank later Lady Byron. The story
OF Lady Caroline did not require re-
modelling and Angltcizing like that of
Julie de Laspinasse. All the material
for her novel was ready at Mrs. Wards
hands in the memoirs and biographies
of Lady CarOline's contemporaries. And
indeed the latter is not q new figure in
fiction. Both Disraeli and Bulwer
IsVtton introduced her in novels. The
latter. it viii be remembered was one
of her lovers.
In history Lady Caroline sometimes
shines with an Obscured light. 1t would
aDDear that she was nadly in love
with Byron and that, after he had tired
of the affair, and had cruelty written
her that he loved another lady" she
pursued and prosecuted him, painted
him very blackly in her novel G1enarvon
byron dismissed the matter as the case
of q woman who played the devil and
then wrote a noveP') and made him
the victim Of many melodramatic scenes
AS when, at a ball, piqued by his in
difference she attempted to stab herself
with a pair of scissors. Lord Byron be-
ing told of the occurrence shrugged his
Shoulders and said it was all acting.
AT another time she is said to have
dressed as a page and forced her way
into the poets apartments When ne
began his overtures to Miss Milbank,
who was q relative Of her husband.
Sir william Lamb. she opposed it
stfenuously. Later she burned a copy
OF his miniature, his letters and some
Of his poems in which he attacked her