The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-07-08
CHURCHILL,S NEW NOVEL.

Coniston BY winston Churchill; With
Illustrations by Florence Scovel Shlnn.
Tho Macmillan Company. publishers
New York.
A novel by Winston Churchill! always
makes noise in tho literary worIo, anu anu
tnis Will do so, no less than did his
Richard Caryel," "The Crisis, and
Tho Crossing" Those were oil IN a
way historical pictures OF important perl
DDS and events in American history, Inc
present novel is not of that order; thoug9
tt rev!vcs in a way poliucal seGmEs i "nu u
methods OF former days, by glNlnS hi
example OF how a great-brained man OF
masterfu disposition and unusual re-
sources was able TO become the pohtical
dictator OF his State-let US say New
Hampsnire, though mo State Is named.
Jethro Bass, silent uncultured, rlch Tor
his time, Srasping, domlneering, aole, anu
knowing men, overthrows the old regime
locally TO the disgust and horror OF tho
old exclusive set He stands for Jack
sonlnn principles, and also for the power
OF the mortgages he holds so plentifully
on his neighbors' property, TO WIN ms
points. And yet he Is personally re-
volting to Cynthia Ware, the minister
fatunted with him. while che is tho ono
woman in the world for him But she
refuses to yield to her inclination. goes
clerk, who has literary aspirations, a
daughter Is born, and she becomes tho
hereditary heroine OF the story. She IS
also named Cynthia, and whom the mother
1ies the father goes to Jethro Basss town
and keeps store. The little Cynthia and
Jethro become passionatcly attached to
becomes hUncle" Jethro,s little girl.
When she grows up, Jethro gives her
every advantage. yet she remains In bliss
tul ignorance OF his boss rule" over the
opened and while her love for Jothro
does not in the least diminish. she de-
eides that ehe can no longer live OF his
bounty. but must earn her own living
She applies for and obtains a position
as school teacher in town not far
away; but a political foe of Jethro's, the
way. had also wanted to wed her moth
er) secures her dismissal by the sub
servient majority OF the school board
But this arouses the town and an indig-
nation meeting is held. MT which q great
woman suffrage advocate from Boston
4 friend OF Cynthin's, is tho decisive fac,
tor Cynthia's triumph IS complete and
In the meantime. however. Uncle
Jethn," who has retired from politics
methods, reused himself called his
supporters around him. and n bitter
campaign is on, the issue being bill
soiidatc. This was essential, to tho for,
tunes OF the great man" who had
ousted Cynthia, but for his doing SO.
Sn s old term So to had ISed 'so
lonG. was bent on the ruin of tho man
who had caused Cynthia 8 deposal and
so we'll did he manage. that on the fnaI
showdown it was apparent that the bill
was defeated and tho great man" was
ruined. But just then. Jcthro (Who
knew that Cynthia loved the great
termined to marry Cynthia despite his
fathers bitter opposition.) sent for the
great man" and offered to let the bill
PASS If he would consent to the mar
riage of the young folks, The great
man" had the choice Of consent or ruin,
md naturally he consented. Then
Jcthro. retired for good from his posi-
1t Is a powerful story. told with
wonderful intensity and charm AS a
study of New England life generation
nigh skill and roDute The characters
arc vivid and the scenes are drawn
with an art that is nature itself And
yet there is q false note in tho final
outcome 1t should not be In the ma
.ure of man like Jethro Bass to sell
,ut a battle just on the eve OF de-
,isive acknowledged triumph, for
,ecrct, personal reason: nor should we
Expect a man of his independence and
lnf1inching determination to put his
niece" In the position OF having TO
agree TO receive her as a daughter-in-
aw. Rather should we expect to see
Iethro crush the saeat, tn man n sns utterly fot
mercy. and beg for the honor Of the al
lance. 1t is not natural to see great
lighter. who draws men to him In faith,
allow him to betray his friends and
the cause that all had fought for to
victory and allow the foe to carry their
uoint, after they were beaten. We be-
would be stronger with an ending as
suggested. more in accord with tho ma
tural expectation OF what character
such as Jethro Bass would do: and In
making such change he would have this
iilustrious precedent Of Rudyard Kip
ling in his ''The Light that Failed"