The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-17
in American libraries since its APP
nearar,t,~ seyeroJ venra ns,r

in American libraries since Its APP
pearance several years ago.
"Mr. Crewe's Career, resembles
"Coniston" In that, from first to last
1t presents plea for puret and sanel
politics in the United States.
To say that 1t Is excellent in plot
in construction, in expression, would
be simple reiteration of the qualities
the right to which has been long age
accorded Mr.. Churchill as man OF
letters. who magnifies his profession
lie has assembled in IFS hook com
parry for ''M>. Crewe's Career" the
railroad president, the corporation law
yer the automatic State governor, the
clever aspirant for popular favor, the
shrewd lobbyist and the honest legis-
lators from the rural district.
Above all he has invested his women
kind with distinctiveness. From the
Vane's housekeeper. faithful Euphrasia
the willy Mrs. Pomfret. and her ac-
quicseent daughter. Alice--to the wo-
manly Victoria Flint, daughter OF the
railroad president, but questionable
enough to marry Austin Vane for
love--all these women act, talk and
think in natural harmony with their
environment and make the acquaint-
ance OF their readers much as their
flesh and blood counterparts might
do.
The session of the Legislature, with
Crewe leading the attack OF the In
Railroad. which controls the state.
is pictured with great spirit and acu-
men. The Pelican Hotel and room
remain ndelibly impressed upon tho
mind In connection with the figure of
Hilary Vane, sitting at a table within
1t. marshaling his forces and pulling
the strings to make his puppets dance.
Hilary and Austin Vane-fnther and
son.-are pitted against each other in
Career" but Humphrey Crewe stands
apart from It's vital issues, which are
fought out between the vanes.
They belong to opposite types, these
two. Both are Strong natures. but
each clings to his point of view. and
in the end the son wins. but retains
his respect and affection for his elder,
who becomes convert to the "purer
politics" doctrine.
The love story of the book is as
sweet and pure as love story can
possibly be. Victoria Flint is charm
ing in every respect, and her attitude
toward Austin Vane and his toward her
is revelation in this day OF material
! Ism and cheap sentimentality,
Discerning readers will have much
to satisfy their desires in book that
| possesses SO much in the way OF d.
version, entertainment and genuine
artistic merit. IT rounds out into n
whole which can be very genuinely aud
heartily commended
THE PRIMADONNA. By r. Marion
Crawford The Macmillan Com
pany. of New York. s1.5o.
The readar Of nroy{ore boo1,. -. IT,.
Crawford meets several old friends In
The Primadonna" The personality OF
the singer herself Is all the more al.
Turing from previous acquaintance, ant
the most dramatic episode in the. book
is that in which she Is described a.
singing the mad scene in Lucia" whe,
the lights went out in New Yorl
operahouse and the people, frightenc,
by an explosion in the subway, would
but for the prlmadonna's courage, hav
stampeded. and many OF them beef
trampled to death.
AS 1t is, around one life lost thu
evening centres the mystery of tn,
book, and the major part of It's inter
/ est One feels like taking up the
threads of old acquaintance, when on,
comes face to face in the book witt
Logotheti. Washington and others. On
feels as If studying a new Margaret
one that has wonderfully develope,
during the years of professional
career as n primadonna.
Two OF the most attractive peopl
in the book are Van Torp, the Anerl
can, and Lady Maud, the type Of wha
is best in English womanhood.
, The style of the book is very clever
| and the attention OF the reader is he'll
in close grip. That 1t breaks off, a
!, it were, in the midst Of a paragraph
gives promise of a sequel, in whic
the Primadonna's life history shall b
finally and happily rounded to it
!, finish