The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-30
rho Underwent House

s'rte indignant House,
BY Gilbext Parker. Illustrated by
w. Hatherell. r. I. Harper &c Broth
crs. OF New York and London. 51.a6.
A PREDATORY note from the author
OF this novel takes readers into conf
dence. 1t says: Except where refer
ences TO characters well-known to all
the world occur In these pages. this
book does not present a picture of pub
lie or private individuals living or
dead. 1t liz not In any sense u histori-
cal novel. It is a conception ard por-
tratture. work of the imagination"
This work marks a new era In the
life and work OF novelist whost first
book marked him out as a writer of
great power. an unequa1ed teller OF
Canadian romanoes and traditions.
In The Judgment House" there is
different setting for the story, and
different type Of character vitaIizes
the story. Coyent Garden and the tra-
umph of new prima donna: jasmine
Grenfel beautiful English woman,
known In London Bociety as the Jas
mine Flower: fair. slim man. Adrian
Fellowes In the first row OF opera
house stalls; beside jasmine Grenfel
Ian Stafford, Of the Foreign Office, and
Rudyard Byng. a South African nabob
OF thirty. who had made his three mil
lions OF pounds with Cecil Rho les in
South Africa-these are among the
book people who count, whose life
threads Cross and recross In intimate
association, who all come into active
presentation In the first chapter of the
first book OF 1.-The Judgment House"
Sir Gilbert Is remarkably dramatic
and never more 30 than in the novel
under review The opera singer at
Covent Garden was saved from being
burnt to death at the end OF her per-
Torrance in the first chapter by Rud-
yard Byng. Other men were present.
but he was the quickest TO realize the
danger, TO leap on the stage. eNtinguish
the flames with Jasmine Grenfcrs
opera cloak. and carry the opera sing
or to place OF safety in his arms
That began the tragedy OF the book
il led to the breaking OF an engage
mcnt between Jasmine Grenfcl and
Ian Stafford. TO the employment OF
Adrian F'ellowes by Rudyard Byng and
TO his marriage with the Jasmine
Flower"
Around Rudyard Byng centred re-
markable group of financiers. men like
himself Interested In South African
development. and one OF the In
teresting features OF The Judg-
ment House is found in the meet
ings OF the partners and their
consideration OF the problems of the
Boer War. For the period of the book
opens with tn" Jameson raid. and con-
tnuns through bloody scenes in South
African hospitals and on the African
veldt The cruel nature and the super
stitious enthrallment of the Boer ma
ture arc tremendously outlined In the
vind'ctivcncss and treachery OF Krool
Byngs native servant. who called
Byng Bass" and was willing that Byng
should be mis- overload and yet betrayed
him.
The book is unsparing in it's condern-
nation OF tho follies and coQuetries OF
English high-class society women. It's
contrast drawn between the side where
luxury and beauty go hand in hand
with life. and the opposite. where walk
"Jigger' and "Jigger's" sister. are as
vivid ms contrasts can be made.
accounts had been balanced and expi-
alton made explains it's purpose. OF
Rudyard Byng and his wife IL is writ
ten: They had tossed into the abyss
OF Time the cup of trembling and had
drunk OF the chalice of peace over the
grave into which this day they had
thrown the rock roses and sprigs of
the Raroo bush. they had. In silence.
made pledges to each other that lifc's
DISCUSSES should be no more for them:
that the door should be wide open be-
tween the chambers where their souls
dwelt each In its own pension OF be-
ing. with It's individual sense, but
with the same light. warmth and nutri-
ment. and with the free confidence
which eNempts life from its confess
sons. There should be no hidden
things any more"
"RnnchinR for sylvia
BY Harold Bindloss. Frederick a
Stokes Company. of New York.
very entertaining story of condi-
tions in the Northwest Canadian wheat
country. where farming operations have
developed into success with expert
cnce of much discouragement and dan
gerous opposition.
George Lansing. IAN Eneiishman OF
courage and determination. is the hero
sylvia" Is Sylvia Marstor. the widow
Of Richard Marston, who has left
George the executor of his property.
The executor has no keen inclination
for the executorship He has been
rejected lover of Mrs Marston. how
ever. and still feels a sentimental de-
sire to serve her TO the best of his abil-
ity. Edgar Lansing, his cousin, de-
cdes to accompany him and become his
partner in farming operations.
The trouble to be experienced by
drought by hailstorms and by robbers
OF stock Ia fully explained. There are
many interesting points of view con-