The San Francisco call., 1906-07-08

that great calamity TO our city to Illus
trate the lesson of his new novel, called
"Coniston," after the New England viii
lage where the scene Of the story is
laid Speaking Of US and our disaster
ne puts il, the calamity that has late
ly befallen one \of the most beloved of
our cities" and then to get his Illus
trauve figure of speech, explains the
theory that earthquakes are caused by
a necessary movement on the part of
the globe to regain its axis; and here
is his political application of the OK
preston; In America today we are try
lng-whatever the cost-to regain the
true axis established for us by the
founders Of our republic"
There are several reasons why the
coming out OF this new novel by Wins
ton Churchill is a notable event in the
literary world. For one thing the
writer Of the book is the most popular
author in America, as attested by the
summing up Of the book sales the coun-
try over. Another interest is that the
novel is a study Of America by
writer of proved ability and wide popu-
larity, so that his appeal reaches with
more Wide-sweeping voice than any
other American writer Of fiction who
is now speaking TO our countrymen.
Another element of the works import
ance is that it is a continuation of a
series. the previous numbers of which
have been most remarkably successful.
dealing through the vehicle Of histori-
cal novels with the political develop
ment OF America in some Of its periods
Of crises. "Coniston," though not
strictly speaking, so clearly in the
class of historical novels as are
the authors preceding great trio.
richard Carvel.' The Crisis" and
The Crossing" is, nevertheless. a
nlstorical romance in the sense of
Its being descriptive of a phase
OF american political life-the pow
er OF bossism. Added TO these
values there is a superlative one that
IL links fine love story with its por-
traiture Of typical American schem-
ing manipulation Of elections and legis-
lauon, and does this combination with
so little Of literary forcing that "the
boss" lives before US as a really human
hearted being with whom we must
nave some sympathy, however much
we may condemn the methods of his
control over men and politics.
There are few stories that show with
more subtle skill the powerful in
fUence that a noble woman can exert
over the political affairs of the coun-
try, and that without assuming any
active political rights whatsoever, but
merely by being completely feminine in
The way she inspires men TO high ideals
OF honor. It is this feature which will
make the novel take its strongest hold
upon the lovers of fiction, and in the
most sure way fasten upon his readers
the great political lesson which he aims
10 give US as now very necessary
patriotic pill. but so sweetly sugar.
coated with delicious love story about
a most lOvable young woman that we
take the dose with enthusiastic pleas
ure as well as with exceeding profit
The intent OF the novel TO be a politi-
cal medicine is clearly shown by its
motto, which is a quotation, full Of
warning to America and all democ-
racies, from James Russell Lowell
II is from that passage wherein Lowell
tells US that we are compelled to see
what is weak IN democracy as well as
what is strong, that popular govern
ment is not in itself "a panacea," and
that when men undertake to do their
own kingship, they enter upon the dan
gers and responsibilities as well as
the privileges Of the function" That
warning we get right in the beginning
OF the book, and close TO fits end we
get this other one from another great
writer, Macaulay: We now know. by
the clearest OF all proof, that univer-
sal suffrage, even united with secret
voting Is no security against the es-
tablishment of arbitrary power"
ChurchiHs new novel illustrates to
US by the history Of the life of q polfti-
cal boss" Jethro Bass. by what clev-
erly concealed ways this threatened
arbitrary power constantly encroanbes
upon our boasted liberty and gives 1t
limits never contemplated by the
founders OF the constitution Jethro
Bass. successful tanner. born and
reared with little education in a small
village, gradually acquires, through his
Instructive knowledge OF human nature
and his genius for controlling men via
the less noble motives, so much politI-
cal influence that first the town meet
ing and then the members of the State
Legislature, the Speaker of the House
the Judges, the big bankers and manu-
facturers, and even railroad presidents
are compelled by the skilled combina-
tiOns he machinates to be subservient
to his Will
The author admits that this fiction
creation OF his had a living human
prototype, but he disclaims writing a
biography OF him. Some things set
down in the book the real man did and
some are wholly fiction. The author
meant his model to be typical of his
era, and il is Of this particular era
that the story treats. The New York
Herald thinks that II the scene of the
story had been laid in New York in
stead Of New England Jethro Bass
would seem to have been intended as
composite picture OF Mr.. Platt and Mr..
Murphy
The novel has two widely separated
periods, and two distinct love stories
divided by generation. It opens
when General Jackson was in the
White House. A new era had begun.
which Churchill dnbs "the Boss Era. "
He says that certain gentlemen. with
q pious belief in democracy, but with
q frmer determination to get on top,
arose-and got on top. In these days
Jethro was a youth and developed his
ideals Of life after the models of the
men then held as political heroes
while he went about IN a coonskin cap
and grew exceedingly shrewd of mind
and strong Of body. Then as an un-
couth, countrihed young man, but with
an exceedingly strong and ambitious
character, he has his first success in
gaining political pull and much world
ly wealth, and also his first defeat in
love. After the severe blow of that
love defeat, defeat that lasted Jethro
Bass for a lifetime, for he never court
ed again, the story's progress Is made
so rapid that IL almost leaps across a
generation, till Jethro is past middle
age and a fully matured boss of re-
lnarkable domination and perfected art
Then comes Jethro's second love story
the great love story Of the book. the