New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-09
4 Notable American Story of Lore
and Politics.

NJ winston Churchirs new novel invites re-
section on his development author from
ne tine when his first book published. Just
=, vsars ago. That book The Celebrity" was
:, amusing skit- In mere Cleverness 1t was
ore effective than anything he has since put
.sris credit. But he had the good sense 10 per-
.sAre that cleverness is not the most precious
,nslity n the world and in the books that fol-
F,-e6 Richard Carvel." The Crossing" and SO
= he acknowledgements historical motives
- rs aid-to make his appeal more serious
r-oun6s. Ee won the success that intelligence
and sincerity command. and at the same time
4s.e5 70 achieve distinction. Something about
ne fibre Of his work was disappointing 1t was
commonplace where one wanted It to be Artistic
Honest workmanship was there, good story
xeu told. and the authors spirit was unin-
peachable bat he did not write the pages that
tnkindle With ~Coniston' he made a stride
forward. showing not simply that his faculties
had r1atured but that he possessed unexpected
gifts n his latest novel Mr.. Crewe's Career"
h. rises 70 3 level he has never known before
srs gives rs one Of the best stories Of American
life ever written Il is much TO have accom-
rishel in ten years. Looking back over the
r-0-z that Mr.. Churchill has done in that period
ens considering II as q whole II is a pleasure
- see that he has not been content to mark
-.--s. bur. with rnanfuI energy, has forced his
~ - q worthy goal His sweetest reward
---s- lie IN the fact that this new novel shows
- ss-- Of effort Il IS not the work of Jealous
craftsman. L Is the work OF an artist IN full
srs easy command Of his Instruments.
NJ Crewe's Career IS American 10 the core
I has in 4 the very SAVIOR Of the soil OF New
r-s.ar6 state There is q great railroad in the
background q the story. a corporation given 10
r-a--ces which II recent times have been the
cause q 50 much heated discussion The in
=1e-ce z his railroad IS far-reaching and pro-
found Z closely touches the lives Of al the
figures n the book. Yet this is not by any
means one # those tractarian novels which OF
lac have been SO common. the author has, no
67uh-. a sermon 70 preach. but he never forgets
thar H= has also 2 romance TO unfold The two
interests those n love and q political reform.
ere 81 de-cately adjusted that the readers
sense Of proportion Is completely satisfied. This
harry balance fl the framing Of the narrative
is largely matter Of skill. but IL is in the first
instance 70 be traced To the remarkable spirit
II which the author has approached his task
We call i remarkable because in these days Of
machine made friction i is impossible 10 praise
r7a warmly the man who Enthusiastically has put
his heart into his book. That is. first and last,
ira - lent merit of Nj Creves Career. Il is
written our 0f q sympathy with goes deep. Mr.
CE1--rlE has felt the things that he has 10 say
- ms book He has got under the skins Of
--e r-pes ne has elected To portray: not only
ira good ones but those who are calculated 70
arouse suspicion If not 10 excite frank dislike.
Il either words. AI-- Churchill here paints human
nature with that power which denotes equal IN
-=~z-a-5inE. whether the parsonage studied be
--l--..l= or exalted wise or foolish friendly or
Ez--+uL- With greater insight. too. there has
come deeper emotion. The authors touch is not
Only f-uer but more sensitive. There runs
throughout The book q kind Of gusJo for what
Is right and fine sense Of quick human re-
Spouse where the interests Of genuine men and |
women are concerned. by virtue OF which an |
--areakzbIe bond is established between author |
and -aa6e--
--a story story. is not a particularly /
elaborate a- wei=hry affair Hilary Yane. the !
lawyer who has spent the better part Of a life !
--- -1 aiding the railroad aforementioned TO /
CONTROL the government Of the state. has a son,
austen whose soul Is set upon higher ideals
---E---ls Flint, the president Of the railroad
-z- q daughter, Victoria. who only slowly learns
-.= true significance Of the wealth she enjoys
--=- Austen Nane should presently be found |
ranged IN law and politics on the side Of oppo- /
s-..- ~ tho=e principles held 10y his father and
3 -l- Flint il IS hardly necessary 10 note Il /
Is 5.Ea-E obvious that he and Victoria should /
--- FL love with each other In all this Mr.
------- follows Wei worn convention. Yet If
--e IS one thing which could not be said OF
NY. grewes Career il is that the book is con
2 10 |
la--- r-7- goes 10 The root Of the matter. Nj |
------- has -e- put together an artificial mar
ra.-a- He has Euirrored life. Thus the story |
d story good as i Is. might be said hardly 10
r.--. ~ all Il Il character that is made i'm
I--z1- Ia this tale, the Incidents Of the comedy
~-a- IS played simply bring out the traits Of the
various individuals involved. These are in
,7.-=y Interesting They have their complex
--ez- .-- they are put before Us with a sim
s-z--y which is. perhaps the authors best re-
s.----- Augustus Flint, for example is not
SINISTER Parsonage brought upon the scene as a
---- q lie hero he is studied fer his own sake.
A. Is explained and made not only credible but
= Up. way, sympathetic. So Il Is with his srafd
-7-.--.-al, Hilary Eane, and 50 il is with all Of
--= ---z6r characters. the subservient piacer,en
az al -le rgu- OF selfish 1.nder-stra4rars Z
~ are 10 le blamed that is the readers affair.
~. Church II is. or course on the side IF -ba
~--s. --- in the satire which forever Dlavs
-- --5 Portraits of the men in the camp Of
E there IS not spark Of malice He
-.- -ar-e the note Il he writes as 4 sat
- II Is not 81 much 10 castigate as to ilurnj-
ne IS as good natured as anv OF the
-=sS be brings into his pages
-s I'D ms treatment OF these farmers that he
.|s --s work in one OF It's most agreeable as
--5 i-ey are the real thing No mistaken
-.- las gone 70 the making Of them and ;
s7s any patronage been bestowed upon
-~ II they are on occasion amusing II is .
s-.. people are sometimes amusing in If.
@+ .- know IT. II is important TO observe
-.-- t-eir excellence as studies IN charac- {
-"-.1 does not rest upon the authors pos ]
.- l-lt II Is due 10 something finer and
-.. I'D spontaneous instinct OF fellowship (
3ir Churchill knows an American :
rr-