An Unusual Novel
Albert Grope. By F. 0. Mann. (Faber and Faber. 108. (3d.)' BrrrEn poverty does not lend attraction to a hero of romance, neither perhaps does a great lump of new money. Humility and innocence of heart are in real life irresistible, but their fascination is indeed difficult to portray. When these qualities are joined to the rather ridiculous defect of timidity, and yet preserve their charm we know that we are in presence of' a very considerable artist, able to produce, as Mr. Mann has done, an original and exceedingly enjoyable novel.
Albert Grope is the son of a London charwoman.. Between " Al " and herself there is a strong likeness, and a very great friendship. Until the boy's schooldays are over they have literally no friends but each other, and no alleviation to their painful poverty but this friendship. At fourteen Al goes to work and before he is out of the 'twenties he is what the interviewers call a " Prince of Industry." How does he do it ? Fate brings him across two painters—one a man of genius, and the other a good-natured, crazy old bookseller, without an ounce of talent. His ugly and absurd productions catch the eye, and give Al, his shop-boy, an idea of what is meant by the art of advertising. The genius is a most unpleasant character, seldom sober and never civil, he is reduced to working for the rising young advertiser. Neither understand the other in the least—Al is kind to him, puts up with his in- sults and looks after his health, uses his genius in the adver- tising line, and consistently and quite innocently, underpays him.
Meanwhile the charwoman dies and the son is alone—a young man getting rich. He tries to make friends, and the greater part of the book narrates the story of these efforts, always convincing, sometimes ridiculous, never dull. All ends well, he falls finally into the hands of a well-off Frenchwoman, cultivated, sophisticated, experienced—quite thirty. She is not attracted by his money, she regards him as an adorable foreign child, who cannot do without her. She marries him and once more he has a mother.
CECILLk TOWNSEND.
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