New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-16
BOOKS AND AUTHORS-REVIEWS AND Comment
VIEWS AND REVIEWS
OF CURRENT FICTION
Hopkinson Smiths Posthumous Novel-"Casuals of
the Sea \ Study of Models and Formative In
Auences-Nlystery, War Romance and Crime

end. The novel was complete, all but
the actual writing OF 1t, and as, accord
ing 10 his wont, the author had con-
stantly discussed 10 with his son, Mr.
Berkeley Smith was fully equipped 20
take Up the tale where his father had
left - and 70 carry 10 70 conclusion
This he has done with signal success
and with laudable respect for his
fathers literary fame, for. with the ex-
cepton Of minor touch here and
there, ike the attack on Academy
Juries and hanging committees. the
book IS pure Hopkinson Smith, entitled
10 It's place on the bookshelf at the
end Of the row of his many volumes.
His standards were high. He felt a
moral responsibility toward his read
ers. He admired manly men and good
women; he revelled IN the battle for
life AZ It's highest and best-his own
had been d brave struggle toward sue
cess-his zest for honorable achieve
ment remained undated by the grow
ing weight OF years. To the last he
Was young al heart, in understanding
sympathy with youth. Hence his popu-
larity, for his stories had a tonic dual-
ity. One was the better. one felt the
better, for having read them. Not
born author was he, but one made, and
well made, by fine talent, q persistent
ambition and an energetic, overmaster-
ing power Of application. To his fellow
novehsts the framework sometimes
showed; but the general reading public
only saw the general effect, and liked It
Perhaps had he lived 20 finish this
story himself he would have indicated
the period Of New York's growth in
which its scenes are laid less inciden-
tally than his posthumous collaborator
has done. As il is, we must orient our
selves, after that first introduction TO
Waverley Place when II was still
residence street, though already given
70 lodgings, by taking heed Of refer
ences TO the vanished Solsri's and the
forgotten Harry Hills. One would like
20 know, by the way, whose is the
capital description Of South Street, the
fathers or the sons?
Enoch Crane himself is one Of Hop
kinson Smiths happiest creations-a
true New Yorker Of an older genera
ton, somewhat sentimentalized in the
Thackerayan manner, 20 be sure, but
then, Thackcray was one Of this authors
dii mdjOres. as Dickens was his model
among humber folks. For the rest, the
reader Of this review is referred 20 the
story. He Will find pleasure in reading
il. The heroine comes from the South;
the hero is a young architect-the
Renaissance here Of the Latin Quarter
and the Quatz' Arts ball IS undoubtedly
Mr. Berkeley Smiths; there ls
swindling promoter from New England,
there are two INDECENT ladies, and
pretentious one from North Carolina,
q darby couple that remember the
days Of slavery; and, further uptown.
there are the vicious Lamont, man OF
fashion and bonneS fortunes, and Rose
van Cortlandt, a. whose house the
heroine sings. From his top floor IN
Waverley Place, from his chair at the
club. Enoch Crane, the soul Of ehly-
airy. watches the plot unfold until the
time comes for his effective interior
ence.
Mr. Berkeley Smith has rendered
real service. he has paid a worthy fhal
tribute 20 his fathers literary memory.