The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-23
THE EYES OF THE WORLD"

THE EYES OF THE WORLD" By Harold Bell Wright Illustrations
 Ss Cootes The Book Supply com
 pany. publishers, 2s1 West Monroe
 street. Chicago.
 Harold Bell Wright has written the most Interesting book that has ap- peared in years, in his latest novel, en- titled, eThe Eyes of the World
 This cannot be denied. for from the moment the reader opens the book on the first page, where the mother Of the hero Is calling for her son--fighting against death until he comes so. that j she may give him the message that is in her heart--to the closing chapter. painter and happy man, there is not one dull page in it.
 It is well written-admirably and originally conceived, every character a word painting al remarkable as the painting done by the hero. Arin King in the story. and every turn surprise, an agreeable one, every aphorism of the great novelist, Conrad LaGrange, per feet joy to the reader
 '.The Eyes of the World" is easily the best thing that has been written this year and if Harold Bell Wright Hhad never written anything else, inis alone would bring him fame and for tune-and place him at the top of the literary horizon--unreservedl
 But "The Eyes of the World in stead of being the first is the authors sixth consecutive success and the greatest novel he has yet written
 The setting is one of southern Call fornia,s cities among orange groves and the surrounding mountains. Tn poetic feeling and in the descriptive character portrayal, in fancy and con ception the story is more romantic than "rhe Shepherd Of the Hills Sibyl Andres, the mountain girl, Is the love Hest sweetest, daintiest heroine that MT. Wright has had. The beauty and grandeur of the mountains is more real, even. than the desert in "The Winning of Barbara Worth
 "The Eyes of the World will have q tremendous influence for cleaner, more purposeful books. All lovers or decency will be grateful to the author il for this powerful blow al the present day evils in art and literature.
 MT. Wright has put so much of the human into his story that you will cry and laugh in turn if you are your self human. It is more masterful than "The Winning of Barbara Worth and more romantic than The Shepherd of the Hills" .
 An interesting bit of information ls given by Elsbery W. Reynolds concern ing Harold Bell Wright and as the au- thor's name is now before the puphe in such glowing letters and his person alitv is of such vital interest to the hundreds of readers of The Eyes or the World it may prove interesting to <peruse MT Reynolds statement-whleh to h,ne was extremely attractive and fasci- hating.
 Says he: o, . first met Harold Bell Wright I intro- duced myself Back of this hangs the real story of the beginning of our closely associated life work.
 At that time I was member of the official board of one of Chicago churches. The pastor was determined on holding a revival meeting. Many years ago. we Campbellites would said, pro tracted meetingp It turned out to be anything but a revival It was not even "protracted.'
 The board were opposed to the pas tors wishes as they considered 1t un- wise to hold any special meetings at that time. The pastor won. The ''revival' was announced and MT. Wright was called to preach The ally got busy MT. Wright was made the goat and more material was furnished that made pos .ksibe "The Calling of Dan Matthews fY If YOU care to look up the glowing re- port of that meeting, so successful spir- itually but not in numbers-as published fin the church papers-you will find the
 
 report was not signed by Harold >eil Wright The argument they all do it would not induce MT. Wright to lend his signSfure to a falsehood in the name of religion He was literally a stranger among strange people.
 MT Wright was then living in Pttsburg Kansas and to me he was only preach- CT. But his strong character and clearly defined purpose in life stamped in every line of his face, his clear vision, his
 sr.-f1 e delivered from the speakers stand, all made it's impression and won my admira- ton and sympathy for this young man in his work. It was then, I determined to make his acquaintance.
 He spent the next evening as a guest in my home. We talked much about books and pictures but true to his char acteristics he modestly refrained from talking about himself or his work. He did