The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-29


 Bulwer's novel of Eugene Aram' high ly idealizes a real person who was ex- ecuted for fraud and complicity in the murder of one Clarke in l769. The Houseman of the story is also a real character of that name Walter Lester. the squire and the love story part of 1t are the inventions of the novelist
 The character of the real Aram was so remarkable that it has lent itself readily to romance and poetry. Hood wrote a poem about him, and he was the nero of one of the plays acted by Henry lrv- ing. But Bulwer's novel is the fullest and most complete study of Aram's com plex character; and with all the manner isms of the author-and they are many and with all his pseudo -philosphy, which he strings out through platitudinous pages, it is a book that well repays reading. There is a genuine gold hidden among the dross of Bulwer-Lytton, and that is why his books have lived so long and are likely to live for so much longer. It is worth noting that the real Eugene Aram was the first to discover the af- finity of the Celtic with the other Euro pean tongues and among the first II not the first, to dispute the theory then gen. orally accepted of the derivation of the Latin from the Greek language.
 TUGENE ARAM'S fame as a scholar
  A to the country village where he lived When mans fame does this 1t Is great, indeed.
 It was not because of any parade that Aram made of his profound knowledge, but rather in spite of himself that his attainments had become known. Shun- ming his fellow men and content to pur- sue his researches and studies solely Tor the satisfaction which the pursuit afford
 I,f.. than a pleasure to him to find his society sought by his neighbors and his opinions demanded by men of science of inter national fame.
 Though scarcely more than 35 years or age, his scholarship was so ripe that It had made him equal, if not the superior of eminent men of learning who had de- voted their long lives and ripened abili- ties to study. Tall spare, With power ful frame, his great brow and thoughtful and majestic expression gave hlm ols- nity of appearance that awed all who were brought into contact with hlm while sweetness and gentleness of man ner which he could assume when he chose, won the affections of those whom he condescended to admit to ms ac- puaintance There was also. about the man a something hidden and something deeply sorrowful, born as 1t seemed, or turbulent and smoldering passions that flashed across his mood now and then and added to the fascination which all felt who entered Eugene Arams pres ence.
 Even Peter Dealtry, host of the sign of the Spotted Dog, and his boon compan- ion, Corporal Bunting, retired. felt pride in having Aram as an inhabtant of their quiet town of Grassdale; and one day, when a rough looking traveller )olneu them and inquired about the wealth and possession of Squire Lester, the lord or the manor they cut him short in order 10 boast of the "scholard.' The most notable man in this part of the country said the landlord, lis Master Aram-a great scholard, sir, a great scholard. And he gave as much to the poor last winter as the squire himself. Them pig wigs of learned folk come to see hlm from ever so far away, and you can see the carriages of the county families a. frequent rolling on their way to his lone some old house over there. You can Just catch a glimpse of the what-you-may call-it he has built on his roof lie got glasses there, they tell me, as you can see people in the room Waikihs oii their hands with"
 The stranger gazed at the lahalofo "itu a fierce intensity.
 What name?' said he Did you say Aram-Eugene Aram? God.How strange!' 'Vbat,t exclaimed the host You know him? Have heard on him likely?'
 
 seat and walked back and forward m short turns, muttering to himself, now cinching his fist with fierce expression and now laughing quietly
 Rum tantrums!' remarked the cor moral aside to his landlord Just then Peter and the corporal sprang to their feet to salute the two pretty daughters of Squire Lester Madeline and her younger sister, Ellinor, who were pass ing on their evening walk. They were girls well worth looking at, but the stranger eyed them indifferently, seem inc absorbed in the reflections caused in him by the mention of Aram's name.
 Madeline was the beauty and the boast of the county Above the average height, her figure was richly and exquisitely formed Her complexion was so trans lucently pure and soft that 1t might nave seemed indicative of delicate health and it not been for the dewy and exceeding redness of her lips and the freshness or teeth whter than pearls.
 Her deep blue eyes were thoughtful and serene and her high, broad forehead gave promise of a certain nobleness or lntel- lest which added dignity to her ienlihihe beauty.
 tllinor was of a softer and less ele- vated tyne of beauty, but the sunlight of an innocent heart shone through her lovely face and beamed Tn her snile' AS it chanced, the two girls were talking as they passed on Ol lHc SHiiiio PNiHS'' mention of whose name had so dlsturped the rude stranger-Eugene Aram.
 He is so melancholy mad thoushtiul' Ellinor was saying; mot bright ana cheerful like our cousin Walter. Mad cline gave a laugh and Ellnor blushed. But when he smiles he seems posltlVeiy handsome" continued she, to cover her confusion
 "Oh more than handsome.' cried Made line, with that high pale brow and those deep. unflathomable eyes" Ellinor smiled and it was Madelines turn to blush.
 The next day the gossips of the village said that the rough looking stranger had not only visited the lonely house of Aram where the scholar lived alone with an old woman who served as his house. lseeper. but had even spent the night be- reath it's roof Aram explained by say ing that he was man whom he had Lnown tormery-a wild, rowing fellow, hut harmeless. He had called on him for assistance and he had given him what he could and sent him on his way. This seemed simple enough: but in .nite of the correctness of Aram's life and the apparent openness of his history. nanv people felt instinctively that there was some sort of mystery lowering ovber him.
 His family had once been lords of the village of Aram on the banks of the Tees: hut time had humbled their pretensions to consideration and Eugerss father. a poor farmer could leave his son little or nothing at his death From the age of 1s the boy had been of remarkably