The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-04-03
THE OBSERVATORY.
4 kkkk&kk rk&kk&kkk

can Affair of State" by J. c..
Snaith; Doubleday, Page & Co.,
publishers.
This is an interesting book, the
beginning of which is calculated to
arouse curiosity to learn what the
writer is driving at; for he plunges
right into his narrative story with
out any explanation, leaving it to
the reader to catch on as he pro-
ceeds. The writer is an Englishman,
with all the common prejudices OF
many Of them against Dissenters, or
members OF the Free Churches, as
those not of the Church of England
are termed in that country; and ali
his chaaacters must take "whiskey
and sodas," as mothers milk, and the
brightest women smoke cigaretts.
Those things tire me; to me they are
serious blemishes, and you may call
me Puritan if you wish. But leav-
ing out those things, the book has
much interest, and just at this time,
when the English government is be-
ing sorely tried, the story awakens
deep interest.
The scheme of the book is that at
a time which may be about now, or
years hence, the classes in England
have become arrayed against each
other sharply; the Aristrocracy and
Labor, with large middle class COM
prising the liberalized portion of the
higher class and the better educated
and less radical part of the laborine
people. The government has been
run by coalition ministry, till the
most prominent member of the labor
wing, who in some faint way re-
minds one of Lloyd George, detects
a sinister attachment to an innocent
looking bill being put through by the
government, and at the risk of de.
feating his own ministry, he speaks
against it, exposing it's grave defect,
which results in the overthrow OF
the government, and now the pur-
pose of the book appears in that it
seems next to impossible to form
another ministry. that the country
will accept. The north of England
is a great hive of labor, and the writ
er represents that they have become
so highly organized that thew hold
the destiny of te country in their
hands; the only man who has been
prominent in the ministry and Par
lament whom they will trust is James
Draper, who at times reminds one of
Llyod George and at other times of
John Burns; but there is now a hind
erance, because few years before
Draper has fallen in love with and
married a lady of the aristocracy,
who reciprocates his affection; but
she was from one of the most ex-
elusive families of the Nobility, and
the Labor party became suspicious
OF him because of such a marriage.
The King is made to play quite a
prominent part, but strictly accord
ing to the long accepted constitu-
tional requirements. He might well
be George V, grown gray, and hav-
ing developed his best qualities, al
though he is not named. The leader
OF the aristocratic party is a Duke OF
Rockingham, who reminds one, when
at his best, of the Duke of Devon
shire, once in a while-or when not
SO good-of the Duke of Marlbrough
as we might suppose him to be after
his foolish youth; and his wife, while
from one of the Oldest and most ex-
elusive families, is the platonic friena
| OF Draper, wholly in sympathy with
the Liberal party, and a woman OF
great ability and influence, of whom
her own class are afraid, but who is
trusted by the Labor party as much
as they will trust anyone born in
high rank and caste. While a pure
woman, she has long ago seen thru
her easy going husband, with his ex-
elusive notions, thinking more OF
sport and caste than OF England's
welfare. The story makes him play
on Draper'S wife'S caste sympathies.
and leave him because he will stand
by the Labor party. Much as Ora
per loves his wife he loves England
more, and while the country is act
ually without a government for over
two weeks, and the land is full of
anxiety, he puts all other sentiment
aside and accepts the mandate of the
King to form a ministry; in the
concluding mix-up, the Duke Of
Rockingham challenges Draper to a
duel, most ludricus feature in the
age to which England has arrived |
out OF this ferment Diapers wife
has revival of love for her husband. |
returns to him dramatically, the duel |
IS not fought, the new ministry is |
formed with Draper at its head, and |
some OF the best men of all parties |
going in with him TO save the
country"
While the government is in sus.
pense there is questioning as to what
the Army and Navy will do in GER
tain contingencies, and what the
almost fierce laboring men of the
middle and northern counties of En-.
gland might decide to do; but James
Draper is able to hold them, and
guide them into wisdom's way, which
prove those of peace. The ghost of
land reform stalks across the stage |
more than once, and makes one think |
OF what may be when the great land |
ed estates must be divided; for div
ided they must be, if England shall |
survive. To read this book, the last
two weeks is to keep one thinking of |
the passing events in England and
ireland each day. The style is good |
and clear, and | am surprised at the
authors success in leaving out; lust
touching many points, as though we
understood it all, and passes on tn