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## p. 405 (#305) ############################################

No. 4407, APRIL 13, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
405
CONTENTS.
PAGR
PRESENT PHILOSOPHICAL TENDENCIES
408
Order). .
407
407
Woman ; The True Traveller)
408
108
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS
418
. .
414
THB ANTARCTIC ; SOCIETIES; MEETINGS NEXT
415—417
417-418
BACH
419
we
come
420
is no doubt confirmed in his opinion that ideas, nor look on with sublime indiffer-
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1912. the works of Mr. Bennett are of vastly ence to opinions as to the true and the
superior merit.
false, the desirable and the undesirable.
This modern self-confidence is un- That is why, when a correspondent
MEN AND BOOKS
doubtedly a healthy sign of intellectual recently accused us of showing a “political
activity and eagerness. It goes to show | taint” in one of our reviews, we replied
that authors are scrutinizing keenly the that The Athenæum is primarily a literary
Two SAINTS (St. Francis of Assisi ; St. Clare and her
life that is going on around them ; paper ; that
that they are interested in facts and
IRELAND FROM WITHIN (The Pope's Green Island)
as such it is bound to take account of the
things, and seeking to give them a larger whole of literature and most account of
ANNALS OF THE POOR (The Autobiography of a Working reality in terms of ideas ; and we see that that part which is most vital, which expresses
they are finding a similar response from most strongly and spontaneously the actual
NEW NOVEL (The Heart of a Russian)
the reading public. It is not without thought and life of the time. ”
409 significance that all through the period of This does not mean that we take a political
FORTHCOMING BOOKS
the Coal Strike publishers reduced their view—though some of our contributors
output of books to the smallest possible may have political bias. It means that,
LITERARY GOSSIP
dimensions, and especially refrained from regarding politics as a portion only of
SCIENCE-NOTICRS OF NEW BOOKS ; CAPT. SCOTT IN
issuing books of the highest class. We do human affairs, and the party view as a
WBEK ; GOSSIP
not believe that this was merely due to the partial view, we prefer to take a broadly
FINE ARTS ---NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS; THE INTER-
fact that in times of economic crisis there human, and in that sense strictly critical
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF SCULPTORS, PAINTERS, AND is a lack of pocket-money with which to and literary, view of literature.
GRAVERS; SALES ; GOSSIP
purchase literature, The fact surely was But when we have said that, we are
MUSIC-GOSSIP; PERFORMANCES NEXT WEEK; J. S.
that much of the attention which in many also bound to point out the drawbacks
DRAXA-OTHELLO' AT HIS MAJESTY'S; GOSSIP 419 420
circles is given to modern books was and serious limitations of the modern
drawn away by the stirring events that tendency. It includes—and
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
were happening in our midst. The study back to the point at which we started—
and contemplation of the Coal Strike a tendency to dissociate modern writing
were precisely of the same nature as the from the continuous stream of English
LITERATURE
study and contemplation of original con- and world literature. Incidentally the
temporary literature. For that literature, self-satisfaction and the didacticism of
in its most characteristic forms, is con- modern writers have not only served to
MEN AND BOOKS.
cerned with the problems and the structure make a breach between themselves and
of modern society.
English literature as a whole, to the
“ We must read what the world reads at If we inquired what English plays of detriment of their perspective; but have
the moment,” said Dr. Johnson in an
recent years have called forth the most also set a gulf between themselves and
argumentative mood, though he gave criticism and interest in intellectual circles, those of another school, for whom world
the remark an ironical meaning when he we should have to name, first, Mr. Gals- literature is more important than the
added, “ A man will have more gratifica- worthy's 'Justice,' and, perhaps, secondly, literature of to-day, for whom erudition
tion of his vanity in conversation, from his Štrife. ' The latter was concerned and scholarship are not to be lightly dis-
having read modern books, than from with a situation exactly similar to that missed as academicism. We can imagine
having read the best works of antiquity. ” developed by the Coal Strike. The action no greater disaster to letters than a
Nevertheless, one great difference between of the drama took place in the middle of a breach between the literary originator
the time of Dr. Johnson and the world great strike. Mr. Galsworthy presented and the man of learning. Such a breach
of to-day is, that whilst the former | typical characters representing owners can only mean that learning is cast back
lived in perpetual admiration of antiquity, and men, both acting on principle, both upon itself, loses humanity, and becomes
we live in perpetual admiration of our- determined and irreconcilable, stubborn academic ; and that the author who
selves. Johnson agreed that Pope's poetry and loyal, both betraying human qualities despises or ignores erudition tends to
was not talked of so much after his death fundamentally the same. We are not for become opinionative and shallow. His
as in his lifetime ; but, he said, it
the moment concerned with the conclusion work must lack the imaginative range,
has been as much admired since his death drawn by the dramatist, but with the the mellowness, the beauty which cannot
as during his life. . . . Virgil is less talked of fact that the serious attention which is take form through instinct alone, which
than Pope, and Homer is less talked of than given to modern literature and drama is cannot be expressed by those who have
Virgil ; but they are not less admired. ”
the same sort of attention as that given to not lovingly studied the models of
Now it cannot be denied that in that the great social questions of our time. antiquity and our own literature.
section of modern intellectual England Although we may
detect here The great gain to literature in recent
which is most before the public there is serious limitation to literature, a didac- years is that it is more closely related to
a tendency to despise the traditions of ticism alien to the disinterested spirit of action and those general ideas which lead
English literature and to worship only art, still we cannot fail to see that a new to action. Its great corresponding defect
the idol of originality. We recently read sort of vitality, belonging rather to the --- and this
- and this is immeasurable - is its loss
in a paper largely devoted to literary moral sense than the intellect or the in form, in universality, in that disin-
matters a statement to the effect that perceptions, has been infused into imagi- terestedness which is essential to art.
many authors, indifferent to books, neither native literature. Something at least Erudition, when it is humane, and even
buy nor read them, whilst others positively which is fresh and real and vital has been when it is merely academic, has, at any
dislike them. Mr. Shaw's quarrel with introduced, exclusive of much that we rate, always that disinterestedness which
Shakespeare has been of long standing, have been accustomed to regard as excel is essential alike to science and art. If
but at least Mr. Shaw has done his old- lent, but serving surely to give a distinc- it is humanemas it was, on the whole, in
fashioned rival the honour of reading him. tive and far from negligible character to the Elizabethan age—its whole moral
Mr. Arnold Bennett, on the other hand, the typical literature of our time. That support, vast in this age of idol-
who is undoubtedly one of the most typical literature, in its most important worshippers, will be on the side of dis-
brilliant contemporary novelists, has lately manifestations, is concerned with the interested art and literature. We do not
declared, not without pride, that the only events that are happening around us here hope, or wish, that all authors should be
novel by Dickens that he had ever read and now — with ideas, largely partisan, men of learning-they should be of all
was 'Little Dorrit,' and this but re-
that give meaning to them—with the sorts. But if authors and men of learning
cently, and that he considered Dickens a purposes that direct and determine them. are far removed in sympathy, interests,
greatly overrated novelist. The conclusion Criticism, if it is to be vital criticism, and ideals, it is a sign that both are in a
is not surprising, and the living author cannot wholly dissociate itself from those bad way.
66
a


## p. 406 (#306) ############################################

406
THE ATHENÆUM
No. 4407, APRIL 13, 1912
>
as
>
causes.
to his social traditions for better or of description for explanation'
' means
Present Philosophical Tendencies : a worse, Prof. Perry seems prepared to simply that science has grown more rigor-
Critical Survey of Naturalism, Idealism, compromise mainly in favour of the ously empirical. ”
Pragmatism, and Realism, together with latter, when religion is in question; and Thus he concludes that “science is not
a Synopsis of the Philosophy of William | there is much to be said for this view.
all of truth, nor physical nature all of
James. By Ralph Barton Perry. What, then, of philosophy ? On the being. ” So far as naturalism ignores this
(Longmans & Co. )
face of it, perhaps, it leans towards limitation, its claims are extravagant.
theory-nay, is theory at its most com- Nevertheless, between naturalism
HARVARD UNIVERSITY may by this time prehensive. Therefore, according to what and the traditional supernaturalism no
of day be said to have established a per- has just been said about science and one would now hesitate to choose. ”
manent tradition that requires the highest religion, it might appear that its true Idealism, on the other hand, is a bio-
type of philosophic work from its teachers affinity was with science. Prof. Perry, centric" doctrine. It
and representatives. Prof. Perry ac- however, labours to show that science is
claims himself loyal to this condition of not the unique type of theory any more not only. , construes things in
their
service alike by the matter and by the than religion is the unique type of belief. bearing on life, as religion does ; but affirms
form of his present treatise. There is a Science of the theoretical order has as
that such a construction of things affords
finish about the presentation of his its correlate, he maintains, a special kind the only true insight into their nature. ”
opinions, whether critical or constructive, of belief which manifests itself in popular Through this alliance with religion, argues
that redeems his book from any charge and applied science ; and both the theory Prof. Perry, it acquires
unmerited
that might be levelled against it of being and the corresponding belief relate to prestige. ” For religion is concerned with
occasional in scope. Because it deals proximate
But behind these certain special issues, such as the immor-
with the philosophical tendencies of the proximate causes lie certain ultimate tality of the soul :-
passing hour, it need not follow in logic, causes. He concludes that philosophy
and does not follow in fact, that it is is the theory, whilst religion is the belief,
“Religious hope and fear, like all hope
written for the passing hour. On the relating to such ultimate causes. As
and fear, are discriminating. They issue
contrary, if Prof. Perry is right--and we such, philosophy must ever remain more of other things. The believer looks to God
from the love of some things and the dread
hold him to be right-in believing that limited and tentative than religion :-
for a boon, knowing well the sweet from the
the present juncture is momentous for
“For the saving of his soul, a man must
bitter. "
the future of philosophy, which after a
convert theoretical possibilities into sub. But idealism contributes little or nothing
decade or so of rapid evolution would
jective certainties : he must believe more
seem momentarily to halt and hesitate than he knows. "
to the solution of special problems. It
as if at a parting of the ways, then the
is an all-saving philosophy, encouraging
This view about the relation of philo- the supposition that a profounder insight
time is opportune for a review of the
situation such as may encourage and sophy to religion will doubtless in large would reinstate what ordinary discrimina-
guide a fresh advance along securer lines. part. account for our author's critical tion rejects out of hand. Thus it offers
method, as followed in the rest of the but a religion of renunciation, founded on
Twenty years ago the battle
was book, which examines naturalism, idealism, the ironical promise that the world shall
between idealism and naturalism ; more pragmatism, and realism in turn. His be his who asks of it only that it shall be
recently it has raged between pragmatism last word on each type of philosophy is itself.
and realism. Prof. Perry is inclined to concerned with its value as a theoretical
regard both the older and the newer basis for religion.
Is pragmatism any more satisfying ?
type of antagonism as little more or less
Under Prof. Perry's analysis it becomes
“Naturalism,” according to Prof. Perry, a very ambiguous form of philosophy.
than a philosophic version of the popular “is but science in the rôle of philosophy. ” He tries hard to effect a cleavage between
feud between religion and science. In Hence, during the last century, it has William James and his American followers
his introductory chapters he explains shared in all the respect and gratitude
shared in all the respect and gratitude on the one hand, and Dr. Schiller and
and justifies, as regards the latter dispute, due to science for having fulfilled “the various
the right of each interest to maintain a
other European
European pragmatists,
certain independence. Religion is pri- knowledge.
Baconian prophecy of power through amongst whom he would, perhaps, include
.
.
M. Bergson, on the other. The former
marily practical; science is primarily
theoretical. Now practice rests on belief,
“Nature has lost its terrors. It has are realists without being fully aware
and belief is judgment backed by the submitted to the yoke of human interests, of the fact. The latter are idealists of the
and been transformed from wilderness into bio-centric order, and subjectivists and
force and constancy which are the con- civilization. The brilliancy of scientific relativists at that. On the whole Prof.
tribution of will and feeling, as dis- achievement has given man a sense of
tinguished from intelligence. Theory, on proprietorship in this world; it has trans- Perry strives to be fair towards an inde-
the other hand, is--not to put too fine a formed the motive of life from bare preserva. terminism and irrationalism that evidently
point on it—the affair of intelligence ; tion to conquest. And so frequently has run counter to his temperamental bias,
since we may for our present purpose
science overcome the accepted limitations and finally characterizes pragmatism thus :
include in the notion of intelligence those
of practical achievement, and disclosed
possibilities previously unsuspected, that
“It is the philosophy of impetuous
highly detached and disinterested forms man now greets the future with a new and youth, of protestantism, of democracy, of
of will and feeling that are concerned unbounded hopefulness. Indeed, this faith secular progress—that blend of naiveté,
with truth as pursued for truth's sake. in the power of life to establish and magnify vigor, and adventurous courage
which
It would be fatal then, argues Prof. itself through the progressive mastery of proposes to possess the future, despite the
Perry, if the purely scientific attitude of its environment, is the most significant present and the past. ”
mind were to prevail likewise in a religious
religious idea of modern times. "
There remains realism, the author's
context. There is a real danger, he Prof. Perry therefore strongly depre-own philosophic creed. Unfortunately,
shows, to the stability of society in the cates all attempts—he takes Dr. James it is impossible here to do justice to his
-
modern sort of credulity that offers to Ward as a case in point-to disparage positive plea in its favour. Suffice it to
every novel idea the plighted troth of the naturalism by showing science to have say that he follows Messrs. Russell and
whole-hearted doer – something, utterly proved itself fallible within its own field. Moore somewhat closely in his line of
different from the welcome proffered by But he insists that this field is a restricted proof. He refuses, however, to endorse
,
the scientific knower, whose greeting is one. Science deals with “ the proximate the gloomy heroics in which the former
“Dilly, dilly, come and be experimented environment. " It fastens on things at
on! " Between the credulity of the man close quarters, reporting them as they are hold it necessary to purchase the emanci-
renounces religious hope. He does not
of to-day who plays havoc with his powers found, and renouncing all references to pation of reason at such a price. With
of will and feeling by allowing his intellect powers beyond experience :
James, therefore, he takes refuge in the
to pay allegiance to every fad, and the
credulity of the savage of old who stuck ceduro of science (misprinted “ silence"],' when to a truth-value which pure theory
“The gradual substitution, in the pro-“over-belief,” in the “right to believe "
“
.


## p. 407 (#307) ############################################

212
407
THE ATHENÆUM
No. 4407, APRIL 13, 1912
6
means
rigor
is not
all of
es this
agant.
alism
mno
bio-
their
firms
ffords
an
rgues
erited
with
mor
hope
Issue
read
God
the
ning
It
ging
ght
na.
Eers
01
be
cannot make good an emotional value, particular to the point of madness, but The author of St. Clare and her Order
though irrelevant in the logical sense, the fact remains that he was not nearly is anonymous, as befits the subject, for
attaches itself by a "forced option. " 80 stupid as he seemed. We doubt never was there a humbler, more retiring,
But it is surely rather craven to believe whether he would be constantly quoted yet withal more practical woman than
the world good simply because a pistol throughout Christendom, not only in the first Abbess of San Damiano. She
is held at your head, or, in other words, the ecclesiastical world, but also as an had the same passion for poverty as her
because the alternative is to despair. object of admiration in the fashionable teacher, and she, also, playfully refused
Mr. Russell's refusal to allow his option quarters of Paris, Rome, Vienna, St. to be released therefrom by the far
thus to be forced is nobler far. But Petersburg, or any other of the capitals, poorer Pope, while she humbly kissed his
James, we believe, meant something else unless he had well-nigh played the fool feet and craved absolution from her sins.
by his pragmatism, namely, that we have when he stripped himself in the court and
She had a brain also, and was a won-
a right to believe that the world is good flung his clothes with dramatic contempt derful organizer, though “ only a woman,
in the sense that it can really be made at his father's feet.
so that, after all the ups and downs of
good by men who are strong because they
There is a touch about this Francis seven centuries, there still exist ten
feel the thrill of creative evolution in their which prevents fatigue and defies time, thousand poor ladies called Clares, who
hearts.
for the excellent reason that supreme choose to live quite away from the world,
abandonment is immortelle which sleepon a slanting board, take a minimum of
never fades. It really is delicious to food, and indulge in a maximum of prayer.
TWO SAINTS.
read how Francesco flouts the Pope, the A strong freemasonry obtains between St.
Cardinals, and the whole bench of bishops, Clare, her immediate successors, and her
It seems natural to notice these two as also of his preference for rags in place present disciples. They all spell the
records of saints at Eastertide, when the of the purple, and dry bread instead of woman who loses because she loves, and
religious world is thinking of that Cross finer food. " Innocent III. was not far the woman who lays down her life that
which was the common enthusiasm of wrong when, in his vision, he saw the the world may be blessed through her
St. Francis and St. Clare. Few idylls have Poor Little Brown Man supporting the devotion.
come down to us more eloquent of the
Church which leant to falling; and pro-
exquisite and intimate communion possible bably, if analyzed, the strength of the
to man and woman animated by a single Papacy, or, indeed, of any other Church,
IRELAND FROM WITHIN.
desire and blended in the pursuit of one is in exact proportion to the number of
ideal. We have taken these books to similar poor little brown men who do MR. W. P. Ryan has given us a very
gether, as expressing the completeness similar things. At any rate, this is the human book about Ireland. He tells the
which St. Francis and St. Clare brought argument which will always appeal to story of the controversies, the struggles,
to one another, and students of Franciscan that profound critic, the man in the street; the fears and the hopes which surrounded
literature will agree that the world would and we believe that, were such teachers his attempt to form a Liberal Catholic
have been poorer if they had never met. more numerous, strikes would be less fre-
party in Ireland. This attempt he under-
It is refreshing to turn
to this quent, and the greatest Anarchist would took during a period of some five years
Italian picture of seven centuries ago,
doff his hat to the type whose only am- while editing first The Irish Peasant and
when two experts in simplicity solved a
bition was to give and to suffer.
afterwards The Irish Nation. Irish car-
problem which threatens to baffle modern So far, so good, but we are aware how, dinals, bishops, priests, and deacons mis-
statesmen.
before the grass was green on the Pover-trusted the editor and denounced him.
It is unnecessary to go again over betrayed itself, and amongst the Flowers that of Newman, and regarded references
ello's grave, the vulgarity of money They preferred their own theology to
of St. Francis, but Mr.
of St. Francis there sprang up all sorts to the famous "Letter to the Duke
Jörgensen may be congratulated on having of noxious weeds, ranging from collective of Norfolk' as savouring of dangerous
written a book full of earnestness, and display to pride of learning, and loafing speculation,
,
reproducing the atmosphere of the scenes almost to
. In the end the spiritual
depicted with the touch of a true artist. hereditary, nor have we read of a second the Nation ceased to trouble the sensitive
a pest. Genius is seldom powers triumphed, and the Peasant and
Its charm is enhanced by the impression Shakespeare. Francis
was unique, not consciences of certain of the minor clergy
that he is a sincere disciple of the doc in his poverty, but in his love of it, having who were disposed to be critical of the
trines taught by his master, while it
breathes a devoutness and humility more
a way with him which changed dross into Ultramontanism of Maynooth. In his
autobiography of these five years of
eloquent than a mere exploitation of such gold as well as gold into dross.
a subject for literary ends. We must
leave the reader to study carefully the from his severity, amounts to a miracle, life which to the ordinary observer are
The charm of St. Francis, apart strenuous work the author has thrown
a side-light on certain aspects of Irish
details bo patiently collected by the surpassing many others attributed to mysterious and obscure. Writing as a
so
author, and we heartily commend this him which we do not in the least believe, Catholic, or at least as one whose heredity
exercise to those who are of opinion that though we are certain they were perfectly and circumstances brought him into close
the martyr is a greater force than the true. His main idea was always to pre- touch with Catholic influences, he has
millionaire.
serve the “gentle-man,”and in all circum-
Again and again we come to the conclu- stances to act the part of the debonair attempted to give a frank and intelligent
sion that the son of Bernardone was a richer and the aristocrat. He had immense faith analysis of a situation that is little under-
stood outside Ireland.
man by far when he begged his bread than in manners, and in the oblique gospel of
To most English people the “ religious
ever he would have been had he become perfect refinement as more effective than
difficulty” in Ireland means the supposed
a merchant prince and flaunted it in the lugubrious sermons.
antagonism, or at least the want of
streets of his native town. He is St. Clare was a replica of St. Francis, rapprochement, between Protestant,” as
, , “
immortalized mainly on account of his whom she loved, and whom she therefore represented by the Church of Ireland, and
unflinching insistence on the law of Holy copied, a trait not infrequent among Catholic ” as represented by the Church
•
Poverty, which he regarded the women,
thus adding greatly to the of Rome. To those who know Ireland,
essence of all his schemes. At times responsibility of the sex which all too however, the problem is entirely different.
he is almost tiresome in this respect, and seldom furnishes a pattern to be desired. Belfast apart, religious intolerance, as
probably he would now be considered as When Clare was quite a child, she heard between one sect and another is, in the
and saw, and was conquered by, Francis, present reviewer's opinion, a thing
grossly
St. Francis of Assisi. By Johannes who dedicated his victory to God, with exaggerated; but within the Catholic
Jörgensen. (Longmans & Co. )
out one scintilla of self, devoting his
St. Olare and her Order : a Story of Seven convert to Christ Crucified with a whole-
The Pope's Green Island. By W. P. Ryan.
Oenturies. (Mills & Boon. )
heartedness beyond praise.
(Nisbet & Co. )
18
F.
the career
en
TS
>
5
1
as


## p. 408 (#308) ############################################

408
THE ATHENÆUM
No. 4407, APRIL 13, 1912
world in Ireland there are
wars and
She was born near Vienna, the fifteenth writer could have drawn in a few lines
rumours of wars.
child of a drunken father and of a mother such a picture as this ? -
On the one hand, there is what Mr. Ryan quiet, always driven by necessity and her Scotchman called Sandy, who had been
who allowed herself no time for rest and
" The last companion I had had was a
describes as the folk-lore conception of
the priesthood—that of a power magical honestly
and to guard them from hunger. ”, argument on religion with an Irishman.
own desire to bring up her children arrested in Chicago. He had started an
and sacred, against whose occult decrees But this devoted mother was herself It was late at night, and the three of us
it is futile as well as impious to contend ; illiterate, and resisted education for her were standing on a street corner. The
on the other are the forces of enlighten- daughter. At the age of ten and a half argument had continued for more than an
ment and progress amongst the more the little Adelheid had to become a bread- hour when a policeman came forward and
laity, which are gradually breaking down earning fivepence to sixpence in twelve Sandy and I started off in another direction.
laity, which are gradually breaking down winner, and learnt how to crochet shawls, told us to go home. The Irishman wished
us all good-night and went on his way, and
superstition, and bringing about à saner hours,
and working overtime for a few However, Sandy took a foolish notion to
and finer view of the relations between farthings more. At every turn she was argue with the policeman, and turned back
cheated by employers, for that purpose. But the latter did not
oppressed and
priests and people.
while all her toil and all her mother's want to argue, and told Sandy to be gone.
Mr. Ryan, who is an enthusiastic paid for only a single wretched room, Sandy then wanted to know if we were not
champion of the Irish language, has shared not merely with a brother, but in a land of free thought and speech. The
much to say of the work of the Gaelic also with a brother's friend, and this room this question than by taking Sandy by the
policeman could make no other answer to
League, and particularly of its successful had no window, but was lighted by panes collar and making a prisoner of him. And
acts of resistance to clerical domination. of glass in its door.
that was the last I saw or heard of my
One of these periods of storm and stress
friend Sandy. ”
No wonder the poor girl was often ill.
arose out of the holding of “mixed. ” Unskilled as she was (her mother had Not everything here is as good as this,
Irish parish priest, who had banished paid for her to learn a trade, but the but Mr. Davies is usually persuasive,
woman who should have taught her making a case for views and habits which
the cross - roads dancing, frowned upon made a servant of her), she was often out in another would seem perverse and not
social gatherings, added courtship to the of work, and knew the heart-sickness of worth the skill of an advocate.
list of deadly sins, and reduced the seeking employment day after day and
Irish country-side to a dead level of being always refused. Finally, she ob-
monotonous dullness, from which the tained work in a factory where her wages
only escape was by way of the emigrant rose to the magnificent sum of twelve
ship, mixed classes were naturally ana- shillings a week, and there she remained
NEW NOVEL
thema. But, in spite of denunciations, until å perusal of Socialist papers gradu-
the executive of the League stood firm, ally converted her to the views they set The Heart of a Russian. By, Mikhail
and the classes went on.
forth. She began to write in them, read the Yurevich Lermontov. Translated by
It would be a mistake to regard Mr. works of Lassalle and Engels, and after a
J. H. Wisdom and Marr Murray.
Ryan's book as in any sense a philosophic time spoke herself at meetings. Eventu-
THE scene of this book is laid in the
survey of contemporary Ireland. Its ally she was appointed an organizer for l (Herbert & Daniel. )
limitations are too great and its omissions the party, and became editor of a working-
Caucasus. A traveller, on his way over
too many. Like every enthusiast, the women's newspaper. Her days in the Mount Gût, falls in with an old staff-
author is inclined to exaggerate the factory were now over, but not her days
importance of the causes for which he of labour and stress, since she has remained captain, who beguiles the time, as they
has fought: for example, he much over-
tramp side by side or shelter in a rough
a strenuous worker, and has known im-
estimates the value of the Irish language prisonment for the views she has furthered life in a lonely fortress beyond the Terek.
hut from a snowstorm, with tales of frontier
in modern Irish life. But, though he in print.
There he had had as a comrade, years
lacks the sense of perspective necessary
to an historian, his book is suggestive,
With the formula of her political creed ago, a man called Pechorin, who, on their
and full of interest as a record of personai many readers of her book will be at separating, had given into the staff-
variance; but every one must agree that captain's charge a mass of private papers.
experience.
there is something wrong in a social system This person the travellers meet for å
that wastes the childhood and youth of moment at Vladikavkaz, where he coldly
such a woman in mechanical labour for repels the eager advances of old Maksim
a starvation wage.
Maksimych, and scornfully gives him
ANNALS OF THE POOR.
leave to do what he will with the papers
HERE are two first-hand books about the
To pass from Frau Popp's book to Mr.
so long treasured. These, in his vexation,
life of the poor-one, the consecutive Davies's is like going from a hot work the old man hands over to his friend
history of a woman's desperate toil ;
room into the open road. Very curious is of the road, and the second part of the
the other, loosely strung sketches of a
the sense of open air which pervades his book is drawn from Pechorin's diary.
man's deliberate and by no means un-
essays, many of which deal with the 'A Hero of our Time'-as the novel is
fruitful idling. The latter, being the sordid life of the streets. The mantle of called in Russian-was written under the
work of Mr. W. H. Davies, is full of Borrow has, in some measure, descended influence of Byron, and there is in Pechorin
character, detached views, and creative upon him—although its cut is altered not a good deal of the Byronic variety of
imagination ; the autobiography of Frau a little. He has the true wandering spirit, world-weariness. He is an unhappy vil-
Popp has no eloquence beyond that of and a fine unconsciousness of social dis- lain, but in other respects his mode of
facts, and no beauty beyond that of her tinctions. But he has an austerely unpre- villainy-cynical, ruthless, and always
own simple, sincere, and noble character.
tentious style of his own, flecked here master of himself and circumstances
Yet her story strikes deep, and is valuable, and there by words of an older date, and reminds us less of Byron than of Balzac :
because it is, in all its early portion, the revealing the eye that sees things afresh he might be one of the famous “ Thirteen. "
story of hundreds - nay, thousands of every time. So simple and inevitable do Lermontov, in an epilogue, seeks to justify
young women.
his pages appear that to read them is himself for having made so bad a man
almost to believe that anybody could his hero, offering in excuse the faot that
The Autobiography of a Working Woman. produce the like who had wandered in he found entertainment in doing so, also
By Adelheid Popp. Translated by F. C. the same world of beggars and common his belief that the public needed sharp
Harvey. (Fisher Unwin. )
lodging-houses and women of the lower truths. His readers will probably con-
The True Traveller. By W. H. Davies. depths. In reality this simplicity is the sider that his justification lies rather in the
(Duckworth & Co. )
very height of art. What other English
What other English skill with which he has wrought.


## p. 409 (#309) ############################################

No. 4407, APRIL 13, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
409
AND
THE
severer
The first part of the book, the story told Willoughby (Frederick S. ), THE SEVEN Shakespeare, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS,
WORDS FROM
by Maksim Maksimych, is far more
THE CROSS
edited by Frederick Morgan Padelford,
SEVEN SACRAMENTS, 1/8
attractive than the second. Not only
1/ net. New York, Macmillan Co.
Stockton-on-Teos, Yorkshire Publishing Co. This volume of the Tudor Shakespeare
does his rugged, homely, and honest
Wo fail to find justification for the pub- has brief notes and an Introduction. The
character lend it wholesomeness and
lication of these addresses. The verdict latter, we think, considerably overrates the
reality, while the gentle and piteous Bèla, and tone of the address upon matrimony are worth of the play, in which we cannot
the little Tartar princess whom her
80 reactionary as to be reminiscent of recognize the unhesitating Bureness of
brother sold to Pechorin for the chance mediæval clerical doctrine.
touch discovered by the editor.
of making off with a horse he coveted,
Snider (Denton J. ), LINCOLN AND ANN RUT-
has the wild grace and charm of Byron's
poetry and Drama.
LEDGE: an Idyllic Epos o. the Early
Eastern heroines; but, further, in this
North-West.
part there is interfused most potently Gibson (G. Herbert), IRONBARK SPLINTERS
St. Louis, Sigma Publishing Co.
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH, 5/ net. An earnest effort, in
the chief excellence of the work — its
three hundred
Wernie Laurie and fifty pages of monotonous hexameters,
rendering of the loveliness and grandeur The splinters of “ Ironbark," the
of the Caucasus. The pieces of actual “ thistledown and cobwebs of Australian President Lincoln.
to realize poetically the love-story of
The phraseology varies
description are not many, and there is literature, are difficult to criticize, because from ecstatic apostrophe to bald colloquial-
about them all the restraint which belongs the greater part of them are couched in a
ism, and such antithesis is, we fear, all
characteristically to poetry;
but the style difficult to understand. The author that in any way holds our attention.
land lives, and the reader, for the time has evidently read much of Kipling, and
being, lives in it, and can hardly dissociate his work abounds in jaunty colloquialisms, Sowerby (Githa), RUTHERFORD AND SON,
us
A PLAY IN THREE ACTS, 2/6 net.
from their surroundings the figures whose
Hall (W. Winslow), METRED PLAYLETS,
Sidgwick & Jackson
fortunes he is made to follow.
The only
1/ net.
Fifield
The book-version of the play now being
English novel we can think of in which
The only vein that suits the author's criticized in our issues of Feb. 3 and March 23.
performed at the Little Theatre, and
this particular excellence is achieved in peculiar fancy is the grotesque, and
in that It is interesting
as being the work of a
the same supreme way is ‘Wuthering line he shows some relish and abandon.
writer new to drama who has made
He plays happy juggling tricks with words, distinct impression.
Heights. '
and carries off his meaning with a pleasant
insouciance. When he follows a
discipline, his failure is lamentable.
Bibliograpby.
Inkster (Leonard), VALE, A BOOK OF VERSE, Catalogue of Books Printed in the Fifteenth
1/ net.
Fifield Century now in the British Museum :
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.
Many of these poems have appeared in The Part II. Eltvil-Trier, Germany. 35/
Westminster Gazette, and they are certainly
British Museum
[Notice in those columns does not proclude longor
worth more than ephemeral publication. The second volume of a work which will
review. )
Mr. Inkster is a craftsman of perception and be one of the class cs of the bibliography of
Tbeology.
diligence, who also writes directly, if incunabula. It deals with books printed
sombrely, out of his promptings. His at 22 German towns and preserved in the
Antram (C. E. P. ), THE TENSES OF THE verse is the genuine fruit of mental and British Museum, including 620 pages of
CROSS, 1/ net.
Clarke & Co. emotional activity, but is nevertheless heavy- description, and 30 of facsimiles.
gaited, and wants ease and fluidity.
This book, partly in the manner of a
lyrical vein he least successful, but his
sermon and partly in that of a private sonnets now and then are closely welded
Catalogue of the Fifty Manuscripts and
Printed Books bequeathed to the British
devotional exercise, rehearses well-known and instinct with a praiseworthy solemnity.
Museum by Alfred H. Huth, 22/6
things. It mingles with them illustrations He should write better when his faculties
British Museum
from literature and law, and utterances of
Illustrated by a portrait of Mr. Huth,
are more mature.
approval or disapproval with regard to public
18 collotype and 46 line facsimiles, and 5
affairs, which are often not a little out of Lutyens (W. E. ), POEMS, 2/6 net.
indexes. The manuscripts have been de-
tune. The symbolical drawing at the
Elkin Mathews scribed by Mr. J. A. Herbert, the printed
beginning is unfortunate. The outlook of Mr. Lutyens works somewhat ineffectually books by Mr.