The Detroit times., 1915-07-14

4
heart-rending plays Of the wrongs
committed by society through false
standards and values.
While this was taking place an
other set Of writer's was revolution.
isins our well entrenched convic-
tions by attacking this materialism
through the longings OF the never
satisfied spirit.
Maeterlinck. In Belgium. brought
forth from sources too deep for us
TO fathom. his beautiful characters
with their soul cravings and gave
to us limitations OF a world which
only the eyes Of the spirit can see.
Strindberg. In his saner moments.
sensed the meaning underlying hu.
man action with the subtlest intui-
tions. Hauptmann took us TO the
borderland Of spirit and matter. and
schnitzler has given IN his remark
able plays. which feel. rather than
reason. all the depths OF human
emotion.
The last 10 have been translated
have just come to us and are THE
Lonely Way" "lntermezxo" and
Countess Missie."
After reading these mastery works
We have no heart for the ordinary
book Of the day. The mechanical
parts are % perfect that one Is
never conscious OF them. Like the
common affairs of life. they work
unseen. II Is only in the complete
impression. when We have hn-
ished. that the tremendous force Of
their beauty and art come over us.
THE Lonely Way" 10 the story OF
family and three friends. The
mother dies early in the play;
there u . premonition OF death In
the opening scene. which IL distinct.
ly psychic. The daughter. Joanna.
feels the wells falling between her
mother and herself and is somewhat
afraid.
The characters are all well dra wn.
We might meet they anywhere. but
there Is the mystery Of two lives
enveloping them. the life of the flesh
and that Of the spirit.
Schnitzler does more for his wo-
men than does Ibsen. Unlike Nora,
Cecilia II given her freedom with
the full approval OF her husband.
We can see II is no new idea; but.
after all. the keynote of these plays
10 reactionary. Freedom for man
and woman is the watchword, and
In each case this same freedom. %
passionately desired. has brought
nothing but emptiness In the end.
From an artistic literary stand
point these plays are exquisite: In q
psychic sense. remarkable. and In
bringing to our understanding Ger.
tain truths which underlie all life.
illuminating beyond criticism.
Mitchell Kennerley. Publishers,
New York sl.f0.
Horace Annesley vachell Is said
to be an English-American whose
"hy phen is one of love for our land"
He now lives in England. after
spenoing many years OF his life In
California, marrying an American
ana writing many American books.
His book. "Quinneys," has been
recently dramatixed and has met
with great success In London. II Is
the philosophy of cheerfnlncss made
man. In the character Of the hero.
Mr.. vachell divides people into
two classes. Those who love things
and those who love people. We all
know the two varieties and know.
too. which sort comes out ahead.
not only In the future but right here
and now.
Out Of his life In California was
born his latest book. "6pragse's
Canyon" the struggle Of . western
man to keep his little jewel Of
farm" which the sprasses have
carved out Of the chaparral. His
mother and his cousin. Samantha,
help him, and another woman almost
undoes him In the time-honored way
Of the sprightly girl from town. but
love and devotion win out In the
end.
A. business on the side, Spragge
collects wild beasts and snakes for
q Wild animal dealer.
Geo. H. Doran. New York; &l.2S.
"A Short History Of English" BY
H. G. Wyld, 10 really the evolution
Of the English language. which takes
unto itself words and expressions
and sloughs on old ones to AZ the
changes of life through which II
passes. This Ia q valuable book to
the student. and interesting beyond
ordinary studies of It's kind. for We
are made TO understand the English
that We 'spesk today and realise It's
gradual change.
II is a long step from Chaucer's
"whan that Aprilie with hise
shurre's solite
The droshte Of March has peirsed
TO the rohte," TO the legitima-
tixed slang OF today.
4. p. Dutton q Co.. New York.
Charles r. Henderson, who 10 we'll
remembered In this city, has left q