The San Francisco call., 1909-12-05
''Beechy''

By Bettina Hutter. author of pam" etc.
Published By Frederick A. Stokes & Co..
New York.
If one had never read any other book
by the Baroness Bettina Won Hutton
one might wax enthusiastic over this
exceedingly interesting and well done
tale. but we expect too much, perhaps.
from the author. We have had Pam"
not satisfied with anything which is
not at least their equal. and we rather
expect something superior
In the tiniest sort of a preface the
author explains that the title, "Beeehy,"
is as nearly as possible the anglicised
form of "Bici" or "Bice," the Italian
diminutive of Beatrice. She also hopes
in an old fashioned way that we like
'Beechy" ss well as Pam or Tom
my" The writing is quite as good, the
dialogue is quite as clever. there is just
enough humor and just enough pathos;
but she has made too minute a study
of character of Beechy and tells US
about it too often. We are being con-
stantly told to remember this or that
because it has bearing on future
marks of character, all of which dis
tracts us from the story. This is jar
from so true an artist as the baroness
Won Hutton.
Beechy is a little Roman waif. In the
first few chapters we learn of her
parentage and childhood. When her
father is i'll and in need of money for
medicines and nursing she meets boy
in the neighborhood who tells her he is
singing in the chorus at the opera
house-but they take only boys. So
Beechy borrows some boys clothes and
in that guise secures a position. She is
so comfortable in these clothes that she
decides to wear them altogether, and
when her father dies she takes care of
herself by selling papers on the streets
of Rome. When she can get any little
chance at the opera house she takes it.
and determines in her heart to go on
the stage some day and really sing.
A tragedy banishes her for while
from the theater and she goes to con-
vent filed with orphans. where she re-
mains three years. Through the help Of
a priest she discovers her fathers fam
lily and by them is given the same al
lowance that he was given. His mar
riage to her mother had cut him off,
she being of the English middle class
and he of noble Italian family.
When Beechy gets his money she in
stantly takes lessons to develop her
voice and works like a slave for two
successful, for she studies acting as
well as singing and has the gift of
beauty besides. Beechy is one of those
curious people to whom nothing COM
monplace ever happens Says the author:
The most romantic things have a
way of happening to certain people
from the day they are old enough to
toddle across the room. Other people
may travel, tempt fortune in variety
of ways, lose and make fortunes, love.
marry and be buried without the small
est unexpected event breaking the
hideous monotony of their days. One
blames dull people for their dullness,
than which exists no greater injustice.
Who wishes to be dull? No one. And
those poor creatures who are dull ought
to receive from the lucky others at
least the tribute of pity.
"Beechy was of the adventurous
type but that in itself meant nothing.
Many adventurous minded people are
lodged all their days by romantic hap
penings. know a woman who went
through Persia on horseback and all
ing was that she broke the busk of her
stays and was made miserable thereby
for days"
The author is as subtle as ever and
her style is as readable and interesting.
1t is very difficult to put ones finger
on the books shortcomings.
Beechy travels to England and re-
veals herself to her mothers people.
Her aunt is narrow. vulgar and cock
ney, but Beechy stays and completes
her musical studies. Before she is 21
she is La Cavaleone, the rage of Lon
don.
Love affairs pour in upon her, but all
amount to nothing until she meets Lord
Charles Cressage. the gayest Lothario
of London. Things look pretty desper-
ate. both for Lord Charles and the
prima donna, but the reader is assured
he is quite changed. Many of the other
characters of this period are singularly
strong and well drawn-Lady Cassie"
Lex Wauchope. the musical critic; Aure-
lilo, the faithful friend, and the remark
ably unselfish Lady Kitty.
The book is decidedly worth reading.
IT is only not bad. but less good than
others by this very clever author.