The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-17
1872 Fsb:2 1919

the character around whom the story
convergcs-whut is called the hero"
for want OF n more accurately de-
acrtptire worlds not the novels
great character. Charles Darnay,
Marquis OF l2vrcmonde. the hero OF
the Tale. would. indeed, DO quite
sufficient nero were IL not for the
greater character who is introduced
almost accidentally.
Though from the beginning the CIcure
OF SYDNEY Carton II Immensely real.
Immensely distinctive. hia story
through the greater part Of the Tale
is 10 entirely subordinate that when
he disappears before tho passion and
nrc Of the French Revolution. 1t
seems natural enough that he should
drop from the accne forever. Had
Dickens 70 dropped Sydney Carton.
though die would always remain one
OF tho novclists striking characters.
only alert and keen readers could
perceive that he was to have been
something more: and even the keen
est never could perceive What an ex-
,raordinary part he was to have
played.
yet this part ohat ha does play when
nc rchppcHrS again suddenly, was no
alter Thought Of tho author. In no
other OF his books IS the development
30 absolutely conslttent. or docs II
adhere so truly to tho original de-
aisn. Dickens paid little attention
sometimes none--to The mechanics
OF storytelling. ina IS. TO plot and
10 gradual steady conccntrat ton to-
ward that plot Ills novels are good,
not because they wcro well invented.
but beoausc ne was Charles Dick
ems. Djlnns who rear Aladdin's Pal
aces do not need mechanics.
For those who are not djirns, Dick
ens's novels would be extremely poor
models. with the ono great excep-
ton OF this Tale. II Is perfect In
plan. construction Development and
climax, Apart from IT'S characters,
apart from the splcndors Of lis word.
ans, apart from its marvellous de-
scr!ption OF tho Revolution ani the
Terror. II ranks as one or the best
examples OF story making
sydney Carton is Dickens's greatest
tragic figure, sorrowfui figure. but
never sentimental. heroic without
Incroics. rising at last 10 such a
height that nc seems to dominate tho
Revolution. and passing in a final
scene 70 solemnly beau,iful that the
storm and fury of that Revolution
secm to hush while the silence of
Eternity receives him.
n FOOLISH King was on the throne
~ of England. and foolish King
= Was on the throne of France
There was hearty hatred between the
TWO countries though In all conscience
they should have had the closest fell
,iow-tcel!n:. Tor they were alike IN
many more respects than having mere
~ foolish Kings. They both maintain
cd Ignorance and want as national
institutions. and they Both adminis-
tered Death as a sort Of curc-all for
all evils that arose thercfron.
In the sunny land of France, under
the legal fiction that the King was the
father OF his people. a man who tried
to Kill him bccnuso he was but heart
less and wicked father was treated as
:, parricdc ana torn 10 pieces alive
in the streets OF Paris with ladies look
ing OIL and anplaudins while horses
pulled the limbs from him one By one,
50 slowly that he lived Till sunset.
In Merry England the forgcr was put
10 Death. The uttcrer of a bad note
was put 10 Death. The unlawful open
CT OF letter was put to Death. The
THE: WHO stole forty Shillings ana six
pence was put 10 Death. The holder
or horse who ran away with 1t was
nut to Death. The coincr OF a bad
shilling was put to Death.
And while all this cheerful putting
10 Death by the law, and putting to
Death by hunger, and putting TO Deat tn
by misery was going on so CALAMITY,
shSre were trees growing in France
boards and planks to make certain
frame work with a knife in IL, terrible
in history.
But the foolish Kings aud the
judges and the victims in the two
countries did not know of those trees.
They struggled on, Iaboring day and
night to he royal. iaboring day ana
night to abolish crime with gallaWs,
aXo and hurdle, working day and night
to produce moro crime.
In tho noXious court room of the den
known as tho Old Bailey In London.
they were trying man and they had
woven the net around him 40 patiently
that It was extremely plain that try
ing" hin, meant Trying to Put Him to
Death.
lie was yoUnE man, strong and
handsome. With sunburned cheek aud
dark. brave eye bhat did not attempt
80 hide anxiety, though IL looked at the
Judge steadily enough. He was ac-
cused Of Treason. In that he had been
guilty of sundry cominss ana gongs
between England and France, With a
design of srylng on EnsIands army
and revealing Its secrets TO the French
King. Tho crowd loked at him With
a horrible relish; for, if he were found
guilty. as was tho very evident inten-
ton of Crown Prosecutor. Judge and
Jury. he would be drawn on a hurdle
TO hi half Banged. taken down to be