_Within These Walls._ By RUPERT HUGHES. (Harper & Bros.)
It is the natural tendency of every generation to consider much
less vivid and wicked those that have come before. We still hear of
the “old-fashioned” mothers in sentimental appreciation or pity--as
contrasted with the obstreperous rising generation.
In this light, it is interesting to read Mr. Hughes’ novel, which has
as an obtrusive background the very vital and naughty New York of
1825-1875. With a slight hesitation for touches that obviously cater to
our surprise, we would class the bulk of this background as authentic.
It is the main theme of the book. A restless melodramatic movement of
indifferently drawn characters across this setting gives the author
his excuse for it. The action is too stereotyped in its thrill to be
in itself worth while, and it is given the reader as substitute for an
ability to define the characters into lasting silhouettes. Mr. Hughes’s
_forte_ is a running-fire, rat-tat-tat description of stirring events
(as the great fire of 1837) which never fails to work one up, and is
thus highly effective.
However, the author does hew to the line of his purpose, and gives us
an interesting (however faithful) picture of the growing New York,
and its groping fight for an adequate water supply. Daniel Webster
enters in two places--once as toper, once as orator--with doubtful
appropriateness.
One does not for the most part feel in sympathy with the book.