The Washington herald., 1909-06-13
BOOKS AND BOOK REVIEWS.

TIE CHIPPESDALEs. b. Robert Gnut. New
York Charles seibner's sons; Washington, Bren-
tanos.
Robert Grant has produced another
readable novel in The Chippendales." a
story OF modern life in the Hub. and In
volving the social and business tra0iuons
/ connected with the great New Eng
/ land. the metropolis, and a study or
the characters. principally by the con-
versational method. which might be con-
sistently brought into a story with the
scene laid in that city.
The motive OF the tale seems 70 pertain
20 the meeting Of the two prominent
classes 10 be found in the upper end mid
die strata Of Boston society the CON-
mingling OF the old Boston families,
bound by the traditions which come from
being a part Of the city for generations.
with later comers. bound BY no traditions
and bringing new ideas. yet nearly. II
not quite. equal 10 the other side IN In
telllgence. culture. and character. The
conditions afford a fertile field from
which 10 cultivate a growing story. for
! the old Bostonians are as exact in their
social doings. and strict IN their adher-
ence 10 ideas passed through generation
I 10 generation. Who was your great
grandfather" is a question as pertinent
there. In the abiding place Of the Puritan.
as It IS IN the States springing from the
/ settlements OF the Cavalier. Entrance
into the highest society is regulated by
about the same rules. the mere possession
Of education and refinement being per-
I haps more quickly accepted as a pass
word. but az base. the principle IS the
j
questioned open sesame" II Mr.. Grant s
I story is correct In spirit. however. the
conditions are gradually changing. and
wealth. business reputation and all OF
the other factors in American society are
beginning 70 exert their influence.
Upon this foundation the author has
built up a very interesting story. with the
most substantial honor going. as might
be expected. 70 a scion OF one Of the old
families. but with the newcomer. Blais-
dell, showing a splendid character. while
a number OF love affairs so egreeably in
and out Of the story. There is little OF
the dramatic in the book. unless il be
where a man turns down a fortune for
the sake OF principle and the action IS
carried on by means OF a series OF epi-
sodes in the social relations OF several
families and individuals. some OF a minor
by that conversational method which has
become a feature OF modern story telling
This talk, however. IS the brightest ele-
ment in the work. and is characteristic in
respect that II is just the kind Of talk
that one would expect 70 hear among
people OF intelligence and education. as
the personages who pass along the pages
Of the book surely are For the most
part. their opportunities have been many.
their associations eieTating. and their
ideals high, consequently there is an en-
tire absence Of the vulgar. grotesque. or
sensuous. which fact alone should make
the book interesting 10 readers OF the
same prOclivities as the characters
To those who delight in following the
easy and conventional lives Of others for
purposes Of comparison with their own.
without recourse 10 the bizarre. melo-
dramatic. or even the poetic, a perusal
Of the novel viii affori abundant pleas
ure.