Evening star., 1932-04-03

WAY OF THE LANCER BY Richard Boe-
saavski In collaboration with Helen Wood
ward indianapolis: The Bobbs- Merrill Co.
Literary Guild choice for March.
RAMA Stark and raw. Shreds of
human body and soul drawn from
ir7terfudes of battle m the World
unison imposed by common dangers
of the fighting 'front.' or from tenn
porary loosenirg of the rigors of discipline
series OF vignettes. Sketches made IN
camp on march, in transport train, at other
points IN q general movement toward the Rus
sian rear where the revolution is rising
Where KerenSky and, later, the fun COMMIT
mist are the way toward the overthrow of
tradition and dynastic despotism.
A handful of labels to tiIese close-ups Of
war interlude: Man and Wife," Germans,
caught and strung up to a nearby tree. The
camp soldiery looking ON, stolid and casual.
Brothers" one a prisoner on the march; the
other an officer on horseback, herding the cap
tives. A second OF meeting. What about
mother?" from the prisoner. And the calf?"
And the crops?" Horses in box car.
More human than the british guards around
them What For?" What For, War;"
'Wolf's Law" The Last Roll Call" "A Nights
Lodging" Just a handful gathered from the
80 scenes making the chapters Of this book.
Drama is everywhere. On the city street, in
the drabest of households IN the grayest cor
ner, as well in heroic adventure poetic
moment Yet drama must wait til 1t is
seized upon by the deep imaginative power
that draws it out from its surroundings and
rounds it to unity inspires it with definite pur-
pose aninates it to vivid action and heads it
upon its own inherent fulf1lment and effect.
Richard Boleslavski is a dramatist of such
high quality. Each episode of Way Of the
Lancer" stands in evidence of this power. Here
medium and substance are in perfect accord.
The short sentence packed and full. The
swift turn of word or phrase for carrying on
in the spirit of the deed-all this and many
another competency of the artist are in readi-
ness here upon immediate demand.
Interesting on his own account, this Richard
Boleslavsh. An actor, manager Of a theater
in Moscow and otherwhere i'm Russia Then
to America in pursuit of the same calling.
Filled with these war scenes, naturally he
talked Of them. But, I cannot WRITE" said
he to the suggestion that he turn personal s4-
perience into print. Then providence in the
person OF a gifted lady. became collaboEater
with him, TO tine advantage of both, and OF us
Polish soldier, "a lancer In the Polish
army. But, above all else q dramatist of high
gifts and most communicable spirit
I WOULD LIVE IT AGAIN: Aaemsries Of .
seph Benson Foraker). Illustrated New
York: Harper 81 Brothers
CHE would undeubtedy She coald, too
- save only for times inexorable movement
into the future. Never the other way.
book Of memoirs. Upon them no lavender
scent, no minor plant, rue of self f-pity
such as frequently mark the long personal
"Reminiscences, and ure natural to IT,
Instead, q swift outstepping, q friendly
greeting. 10 immediate IN erect as TO suggest
recollections of last year, or other near when
Frcm 1858 70 1912 the story runs
knowing, clever fearless woman Julia D.
Foraker. At home with Ohio politics from
the inside. And with Washington politics, too
whether its tides be high or low, obscure or
open Mrs. Foraker walks back into these
two familiar areas for revival OF their re-
spective significances IN State or nation. Idle
paths leading nowhere do not exist In the ad-
venture at hand. Main roads are the pre-oc-
cupation OF this observer, this partaker 50
keen of memory, SO discriminating of essen
tias. Fortnight speech is one Of her best
gifts. "A mind open 10 the clearing up Of Oh
scurities, 10 the correction of passing error Is
another good count for this wayfarer out of
past, sufficiently near to absorb readers In
Its picturesque substance
Among innumeTable high points in this en-
gaging adventure is Mrs. Foralrers competentiy
fair delivery Of Mark Hanna from the maze
of Misrepresentation and abuse which entan-
gled that only half-revealed personality. This
Intelligent end worthy act, part of the earlier
years IN Ohio politics, when young Foraker
was stepping out into the open, when other
events OF public interest and concern were
over-unning the State to reach national
scope
In Washington itself, during the many years
OF Senator Forakers incumbency, the remi-
niscences widen and deepen First, a broad
survey of Capital society. A brilliant complex
Congress, diplomatic bodies, the Army and
Navy, scientists and hnanciers a body Of cul-
tured and fashionable citizenry-such the pag-
eantry Of Washington society. At innumerable
points Mrs Foraker pierces this with incident
episode personalities. to vitalize the whole.