Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-09

The author, who married into
the famous scientific and lit
erary family, has written a COM
prehensive. creditable novel.
It deals with British colonial
tion-at a time, only a few years
ago, when the empire seemed
an imperishable institution, be-
fore the sun showed signs of
setting on it.
Mrs. Huxley has managed to
combine a careful psychological
study of two English couples, CO.
lonial officials and their wives, with
series of events and an interpre-
tation of government and native
influences in a typical colony. 1t
happens to be in Africa. Before
you get through the book, you'll
feel, I think, that you have a pretty
good idea of the difficulties, mis-
understanding and absurdities that
must have gone into every effort
to govern a distant, alien people
from plush bureaus in London.
The theme is hardly new to novel;
lists. Before the century turned,
Kipling had American readers
conscious of the heat, the plaques
and the loneliness under which
civil servants at outposts in India
suffered and sometimes disin-
tegrated. Later Vaughan wrote of
the complications of heart and ca
reer that beset Englishmen who
roamed their country's lands in the
East. Even the thinly angliciZed
Pole, Conrad. wrote largely Of Brit
ish colonizers and adventures. And
many others have. But the subject
is not exhausted, and Mrs Huxley
need not worry-she had her own
story, and she has told it objec-
lively. There is irony in it and
understanding.
This story takes place in the two
decades between the two world wars
The most important character is
Robert Gresham. He had gone into
the colonial service as a youth.
After many years in Africa, he was
cynical, distrustful. an agnostic, and
yet there was a core of idealism in
him that impelled him to do the best
he could for the natives int-usted
to his ministrations. He worked
out practical schemes for their eco
nomic improvement, but every time
he had an idea it was vetoed by
some London Official without the
faintest knowledge of the situa-
ton, if not by some higher up in
Africa who was suspicious of every
new thought. Robert was too civ
iiized to believe in the inherent right
of one man to rule another; yet he
faced a condition, not a theory,
and he did what he could. On one
of his leaves in England he found,
as the result of romantic acci-
dent, lovely Priscilla and married
her. Their romance did not wear
we'll under the strains and fevers
Of Africa.
impossible Barriers.
Robert was always encountering
Freddy Begg. another minor official,
who was on the upgrade largely be-
cause his wife Amorel was ambitious
for him and did the right things
Freddy was stuffy and without
Imagination. There was a subtle
enmity between the men, and their
wives did not get on too we'll The
pudgy, inept Freddy tried futilely
to make love to Priscilla whenever
he got a chance and he thwarted
Roberts career at more than one
opportunity. 1t was Robert who
got so far and ended in obscurity,
Freddy who attained the eminence
of a governorship and knighthood.
Mrs. Huxley has brought out we'll
the impossible barrier between the
natives, with their Witchcraft, their
emirs and harems, and the British.