The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-03
SThe Common Law

BY Robert ". Chambers Iilustrat-
Cd by Charles Dana Gibson. n. Apple
ton q Co, OF New York, 81 30 net
A New York studio furnishes the
main background for Mr.. Chambers's
new novel of present DAY American
life The principal characters in the
book are taken from the artists circle
Of New York. though there is rever-
Fion now and again TO country life
among the wealthy leisure class on
parties at big country houses.
a painter named Louis Neville IS
the leading mans character in the
novel and an artists model. Valerie
West, who poses principally 20 him,
Is the heroine
Mr.. Chambers's previous books have
caused him to be we'll known 10 the
American public His war novel,
"Ailsa Page" appearing last year, ex-
cited widespread interest and proved
almost as popular as The Fighting
Chance" which first rendered its au
thor popular.
AS to the title of his present book.
It embodies the authors idea of the
one law TO which no woman should
dare subscribe, sometimes known as
the Common Law OF Marriage The
purpose OF the book seems to be to
prove that q young girl may be as un
conventional as she likes, and yet
preserve SO pure an atmosphere of
personality, exercise SO great an in
fuence over men with whom she is
associated, by her unselfsh sincerity
Of purpose and her freedom from any
more serious faults than q pretty
woman's natural leaning to coquetry.
as to justify her IN doing what she
feels will afford her the greatest in
terest in life and the best opportuni
ties for coming in contact with cul-
tured and educated men. who are in
clined 70 show her the brighter and
happier side of existence
Valerie West is pictured as n re-
markable girl in many ways. Her
education. conducted by an invalid
but scholarly mother. includes a
knowledge Of the classics and pro-
foiency in Latin that enables her to
cap Latin verses or quotations when
she Is SO inclined and opportunity Of
fers. with the greatest ease, Dainty
by contrast In all her tastes and
ways. careful of expense. yet thrifty.
independently managing her little
apartment, which she shares with a
woman friend this heroine is in many
respects a most attractive combina-
ton.
Louis Neville. tho painter who first
gives her employment as n model, to-
whom she remains faithful ever af
terward fails in his work, despite OF
talent and concentration of purpose.
because what nc paints pleases the
eye, but does not arouse deeper feel.
ings or awaken the sympathy and
prove the inspiration that is the
characteristic Of what is truly great
or beautiful His eyes are never
opened TO his real defects, moreover,
until his love for Valerie West
teaches him unsclfshness, until his
increasing comprehension OF her
creed of loyalty and comradeship in
her intercourse with others. impels
him TO higher and nobler ideals for
himself and others. Louis Neville be
longs to a family particularly proud
OF its traditions and jealous of it's
eNciusiveness Yet Valerie West sue
oecds in breaking down an apparently
insurmountahte barrier OF prejudice
against herself before she becomes
Louis Nevilie's wife.
So far as all this goes the book is
20 he commended But 1t has another
side which is TO be equally con-
demned
In It's Characterization there is
everything to catch the fancy of the
young and Inexperienced. Many n
girl reading such book as The Com
mon Law may imagine herself
heroine by hndinr herself. anything
else, If she attempts to initiate Valerie
Vests example. Many girl may
find her ina gination daEzled and her
Judgment hopelesslv at fault In de
Gliding questions Of propriety that
Valerie overrldes with safety
The book processes TO teach n
moral lesson. but 1t is a book. never
theless. Of dangerous tendencies
Right is right and wrong is wrong,
not relatively. bur positively The
freedom enjoyed by young American
women is their birthr!ght and an in
alienable INHERITANCE But 1T is a.
trust, and one not to he abused
So let no young American woman
be persuaded that the life led by
Valerie West is one tina, can he fol
lowed without the loss Of much that
is most precious to womenhood. much
associated with its finest and tender.
est feelings. That The Common
Law IS justified by Its happy ending
IS a precedent that canno, be accept
ed without serious reservation
"Her Little Young LndyShip."
BY Nyra Kelly Charles Scrlbner's
Sons. Of New York through the He'll
Book and Stationery Co. Of Richmond.
Va sl25 net
Tho question Of international mar
rage. with rs reaultar' happiness or
unhappiness, has occnniad the attcn.
ton OF the twentieth rArtnrv novels,
in many recent books
That the STOW undrr consideration
IS from the pen ~ tho author If Lit
tie Citizens" and Little Nnons" at
once vouches for Its mol, and its
Individuality
The American sirl who becomes Nv
her marriage Vita Lord Gresham Of
Gleadaire IrelHnd. was Dorothy
Forhes. daughter Of Iohn Forbes OF
Edsecombe supposedly small Com
necticu: town
Dorothys father was verv wealthy
man, and the Forbea home : model ~
convenience and comfort such as the
wellto-lo American citizen likes N
surround hiInsel. with Dot has nar-
eis;ent suitoF named Ahroham Pei.y.
on which the Wit end humor Of the
author IS expended The 6eFcripiior.
indeed o, tho EdGecombe commun'tv
Sc hlled WITH lively snrcaEl1,. renferlnr