The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-08

4E MILLER OF OLD CHURCH,
h Ellen Glasgow. Published by
D0uhleday. Page Go. Fixed price.
9I.s5.
An The Miller Of Old Church Miss
2ngow again depicts with a skilfut
"a and apprehensive perception life
Virginia in the period following
10 Civil War. when the hum bic class
farmers, who had accepted the
Hperiority of the large land holders
IA slave owners rs natural, In the
kx3er OF things were beginning To
make 10 their new opportunities as
Hers Of the soil and citizens of
aacer&cy. The social barriers that
ID been impossible In the times
sAen Molly Merryweather's unfnr,u-
Ats and errins mother was a gifi,
~ broken down in this new era,
then the sons and daughters tran
<cend the conventions OF a former
IN and wed where love leads, wheth-
or not the object of affection he
welcomed a social equal. Parallel with
HE upheaval in social life Ia a simi-
IT transition in the sphere ~ poll
~; ~ -H-hnn + the humble mil
~. Abel Revercomh, rises to po-
6kaien OF political power, command
nc the attentive respect Of the en-
Ire community. Ii In this transition
0s
IL can still ha heard AZ Il clashes
eAinst lond standing custom and
t4dition. that forms the stage set
~ for the very interesting details
Miss GlAsRaws new book.
Even hasty pcrusai Of ''ffhs NIL
n of Old Church hv one who has
1T = bare knowledge IL George
11ots Adam Bsde" and The Min
the Floss, cannot fai! TO result
m involuntary but favorable COM
r1son OF the work Of Miss Glasgow
1kh that OF George Eliot The SINH
x3ty In style Is striking, as also is
- character drawing. One does not.
oCofnA 70 we'll acquainted with Miss
en1Gow's characters as with those Of
NJ Engiish authoress, for she does
IA reveal as minute or as many de-
1s ~ does George Eliot. Then.
~, Miss GlasKoe's work has quick
action. and rather more OF the
n9ratiye than descriptive gensltty.
spite OF these differences the Sim.
nIlty between the inteliects Of the
~ women a. revealed in their writ
~ Is remarkable. BY the COMPARE
u Miss GlasEows book loses none
it, charm. which. on the other
md. II enhanced. While II lacks the
mpfetsncsa and perfect portrayal Of
Z
AAracterixe George Ehots work, It
- many Of the qualities that have
Iad0 Adam Bede" and ''The Mill
b the Floss" classics and abiding hi
uences In the literary world that
Illnesses 80 many births but few ca
<eers.
The story OF tho romance OF 1.-THE
KILLER OF Old Church. and Molly Ner-
|kHweather Ia very charming bit Of
|Nckion. Capricious az AN April day,
holly 10 a. fascina ting as she Is elu-
|t1ye. while Abel is dependable and
ENat In his ways" Fearful OF love
nd Jealous OF liberty. Molly fights
|Aer love. which In the end masters
|Aer vAgaries. and Is the refining
force that aceomplishss AbeIs man
|nDod.
Mrs. Gays cltnging and appealing
|2enderness. nourished by selfishness
md fed by the sacrifices OF otherr
|AAppiness. laid op tho altar by de-
voted relatives and friends doing
homage To her delicate health and
|NxActing self righteousness, IL won
|Nerfniiy portrayed in all its banefui
|Nn0cts. and Is really one OF the best
|Aet4ils OF the book
Intensely interesting and pleasantly
amusing IL the homely philosophy Of
the several village characters that
GAfs gathered at Bottoms Ordinary,
m Inn where there were always guests
Who talked. but none who paid. Old
Adam Dool!ttle. who SAYS The pity
with big -natured folk fs that they
|ptough up 4 mountain and trip at last
sDver Z pea yins.' with Solomon
15assh ard sse:say' Bottom. make q
trio that one scarcely meets. but
whose sage epigrams and human ra-
nArks ars most entertaining. White
you may wish their observations wers
more relevant to the story, still they
1a0w a marked creative ability on