Evening star., 1932-03-20

title. there is in substance a book of Ameri-
can literature. Temptation comes to say it is
the only one. Others of identical purpose are,
in the main, products of pedagogical traditlon
and practice Dusty with repetition musty with
odors of unared opinion. Such, on the one
hand. On the other, sprightly with chlidlsh
gestures toward new day and new way.
A builder of this house Ludwig Lewisohn,
lis himself ripe with years of literary intimacy
and love, with creative artistry on his own
account. Distinctly rich also in powers OF
analysis and appraisal Fearless toward every
thing save only the developed standards OF his
mind and spirit Ludwig Lewisohn stands
as host at this open door OF practically new
entrance upon American literature.
An historical survey? To be sure. naturally.
Yet in no sense droning timetable Of names
that stand for letters in this country. Rather
q budgeting by periods Of those who have gwen
significance to America by way OF creative
writing. Significance here, as in other matters
deriving from an immediate effect of truth IN
portrayal and Interpretation, from the promise
to pay also, to some future the essential sub
stance of that which it contains
Survival a partaking and influential sur
vival in each oncoming day-that is the final
test with Ludwig Lewsohn of the in1mortas of
American literature, of all literature. And SO,
here some called major, become minor, with
the full sanction of thoughtful readers
And with these minors" with the haf-gods
this author has little to do Rather does he
put time and power on the great writers from
Emerson forward, to disclose that at many
moment of inspiration one or another OF these
'builded better than he knew" hardly con-
scious himself of the true spirit Of that which
he said and wrote and said again and again
Just vision become vocal, something like
prophecy which only today, or tomorrow, or in
the next millennium becomes fact, influential
and directive
From Emerson to Theodore Dresser this
author moves forward within his chosen line
Nf ody amin nQCinQ
power of legitimate, inevitable, survival
always the test of genius.
To express America, to express anything, is
to be America, is to be that thing in the fullest
measure possible. So to writer and critic
even to the reader comes necessity for full
hfe-big and understanding. Such, in effect
is the heart of Ludwig Lewisohn's work, all of
it, ehether he be acting as critic or creative
artist
In an easy way of talking Mr.. Lewisohn tells
why this author has gone forward. and is stil
upon his way Tells also why that one has
fallen away from an early promise OF high
fulfllment. And in every case, the failure OF
the aspiring artist has been unfaithfulness to
the truth Of the matter in hand. Divided feal-
ties are fatal and many of these are cited here
You will come upon them, you read, imme-
diately recognizing that which had not before
taken shape as definite opinion
AS for the literary beauty of this book. no
one need to say that which is so well known
ing forward in high harmonies Of sound-for
that magic Ludwig Lewisohn stands pre-emi-
nent among the writers of this day, or Of
another day
THE SENATOR'S LADY. BY Mathilde Eiker,
author of Mrs. Masons Daughters ETC.
New York: Doubleday Doran & Co.
A TALE of gallantry. True chivalry the full
4 nAn-kt
standing And. besides, the brave and
hammered figure at its center is a lady.
A way of saying that time appears to have
slipped far away from those days Of old when
knights-errant simply had to be Of the male
persuasion.
To give credibility. even sense, to this
beginning let us pick two salient facts OF the
story Marylily the lady, having sulied the
fair fame of youth having done young
Beattie wrong, to speak, simply married him
back into his own usual self-esteem and into
that of the citizens roundabout. And later
Marylily loved man, another man. from whom
she ran away lest, through her, damage come
to the earnings and honors of long years of
striving on his part. This, the Senator" An
in-law of the Beattie tribe.
The background of this stirring adventure is
a single family. The Beatties, prominent and
important The author makes admirable work
of this setting. In economy strict and proper
tions perfect, the Beattie clan serves not only
the purpose of general marital vicissitude and
disaster but it portrays in fair adequacy all
important section of modern society. The we'll
to-do and in a measure the fashionables The
Capital becomes familiar setting for the whole,
except a Midwestern town for origins and
reliefs
The adventure itself lies in Marylily, heroic
and gallant. In the fact that nowadays, at
least, there manly women-courageous
selfiess protective yet gracious and beautiful
women wfthal. That there are men, feminine
according to the tradition of the sex-timd
frightened over public censure. moral towards,
under the bed so to speak, when the house is
being searched
If you chance to be looking for high ro-
nance. pass Mathilde Eiker by II you are
for Snft IN