Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15
REVIEWS OF NEWEST BOOKS
Group of Novels for the Days of Early AutumnTabot
Mundy Writes of Cleopatra Thornton Wders y:
Earlier Work.

fort, or ought to be 50 made. Besides, 1t is
not easy to find ones self In this TO
nance. So, of course, 1t cannot count;
not much. Here 1t is, set just outside
OF Rome and engaged with the feelings
and doing and sayings OF handful OF
people, mysteriously exclusive group,
men and women left over out Of past,
seemingly much more worth while than
the gaudy and noisy present that sur
rounds them. And that's the story
the reactions Of this duke and that
cardinal, this ducheSsa and the young
who somehow find them
selves on little neglected island Of out
moded thoughts and feelings, Of ideals
and behaviors long left behind by the
ramping rush OF the years in their fresh
frontage upon life. And what to do in
tlnij dilemma? The most instructive
and natural thing in the world. To
change in order to keep step? Not at
all. Rather to ascribe to themselves the
high place of superiority, to shut them
selves therein, o close corporation of
social excellence living upon past ex-
illusions of rank and birth and inilu-
ence. A clear Characterization defines
the group, the ''cabala," as such, and
an equally clear art presents each Of
its members in special trait and beha-
vior. AS one reads along, pleased with
the vivid and life-like effect of these
people. enlisted whether he will or no
in their tenacious hold upon a vanished
past. then that reading one comes to
the fact that everywhere, not alone in
a Roman villa with these interesting
has-beens, but everywhere along the
way of here and now there are similar
groups marooned in a past which they
will not or cannot relinquish for the
sake OF the sweep ahead that Is going
on around them. So, satisfied that 1t
Is a story about himself, after all, the
reader goes over 1t all again to spot the
points at which the matter ceases to be
general in a sort Of allegorical way and
becomes his own particular story Of
getting left here and there and over
there while the great possession moves
forward. An imaginative writer OF ex-
elusive stamp this Thornton Wilder,
given somewhat to parallels OF modern
stripe, but he Is amazingly worth while
when you come to know him. love
this book. Let me tell you secret
rather q shameful secret. I didn't read
THE Bridge" No? why not? No
body gave it to me, and ! can't read a
book unless have an obligation toward
it. Haven't time. The obligation
goes with the gift Of sthe book. In 100
years may have time to read accord
ing to choice. Then I'll surely reach
for San Luis Rey.''
THEoDOR HERZL: A Memorial
Edited by Meyer w. Weisgal. New
York: The New Palestine Magazine.
T|HEODOR HERzL, the subject Of
l. this memorial. was founder OF the
Zionist movement. and counted by
many as the greatest OF modern Jewish
figures. This book is drawn from many
sources of recognized authority. Its
purpose Is to cover not only the purpose
but to include as we'll the life and work
man, brilliant in intellect and scholar
ship and literary production. Most
amazing, too. that without contacts
with the many who were evolving plans
for the Jew in Palestine, who were con-
sulting together over these plans. this
man, apart from these, conceived the
importance Of such q movement, and,
having entertained 1t. went to work to
perfect it to working program. There
fore, he became In the course Of events
the accepted leader in the great trend
toward the East. This memorial, CEN
tering upon HerZl is, In essence. eulogy
and commemoration that takes many
forms-poetry, drama, analysis Of the
man in his bearing upon the great
scheme of migration. personal recollec-
lions by friends and relatives, his eff
feet upon England when he went to
that country, summary Of his vision,
q forecast of this vision turned to
reality: oh, q thousand points. of view
from which one and another of compe-
tency and power contribute to a COM
plete revelation of this truly Homeric-
looking hero-Theodor Herzl. The
book, SO richly sourced in Jewish
achievement and real distinction, gives
in substance the last quarter century of
Jewish history as this, both directly
and indirectly. bears upon the various
stages Of the Zionist aim and endeavor.