The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-02
A TRULY MODERN STORY
OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN

Compton Mackenzle's story OF SIN
lister Street" ID. Appleton and Com
pany), which makes a second volume
in the considerable history of young
Michael Fame, accounts for Michael
from the age of IS to the age OF ~.
1t contains 654 pages, Of which $40
pages are concerned with the young
mans oxford experiences, the rest with
his sentimental and humane efforts in
the London underworld.
We should think that a realistic edl-
tor, keenly inspecting this account Of
MiChaels life at oxford, watchful
against sins OF omission. would con-
clude that very faithful hand had
been at work, and that not much had
been left out. The reader may not be
thrilled. but he has a fine chance to
gather information. Michael, departing
from London for oxford, was grateful
that the start should have been from
Paddngton. He had once seen of a
Cambridge friend, and he now recalled
his impressions OF the Liverpool street
station. The quiet simplicity OF Pad
dington was much to be preferred. MI
chael's thought upon this matter and
upon some others was diverted by the
arrival OF his friend Alan, who carried
pack OF golf sticks. Michael had
omitted to bring any OF these impressive
implements. Very likely the porter did
not allow his manner to be deeply in
fiuenced by this matter.
At oxford Michael and Alan took
different cabs, for one was going to St.
Maryis and the other to Christ Church.
Z ffHH. al htT
taking one cab. but they were not sure
about this, and questions would have
been untlmely. for dignity was TO be
observed. Michaels conversation with
the head porter at his college Is re-
ported. 1t was brief but fruitful, and
was furnished chiefly by the porter.
Porcher, an under porter, took up MI
chael's luggage. lie was polite, though
possibly overworked and good deal
sat down upon. 1t is not unlikely that
pollteness paid. that shillings rewarded
subserviency. 1t is also not unlikely
that Porcher was repressed by con-
genital fear OF aristocrats.
Michaers boxes contained no wine.
| The Gothic bookshelves in his sitting
room needed to be thought upon to the
end that It should be determined what
books in what bindings were required.
The pictures that he had brought ind-
Gated an insuficiently advanced taste.
! They were slid under the bed, where
| dust might accumulate upon them in
| fluffy mounds and ridges; 1t was time
/ for the "Monna Lisa" desirable not for
! it's smile. expounded by Walter Pater
and others. but for It's background Of
rocks, another and less celebrated mat
: ter. There was dinner IN half after
walk through Cloisters"; there was
| the tower of st. Mary's, which occurs
persistently; there were the fellows
from different schools who had come
up" to oxford. Their conversation Is
reported
We listen to Lonsdale at page 143
| Says Lonsdale: "Oh, l say, have you
chaps toddled round TO my new rooms
yet? Rather decent. I'm quite keen on
them. I've got a dining room now. Dew
/ fish convenient. Thought OF old We'd
ders to lay in a stock of pictures. II
would buck him up rather We pass
from Lonsdale, not with profund sor-
row, though doubtless he was rippin
and Jolly. The novelist entertains us
more when he throws in passages OF
subtle and sensitive description concern
ing ambassadors Of learning and litera-
ture whose predominant tone had per
hans been extended to the seventeenth
century from the Middle Ages. Those
speculative compendiums of lore duly
encouraged and proceeding to eclecti'