THE INDIANAPOLIS SUNDAY STAR

Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.

19 November 1916

COMMENT ABOUT BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

A GREAT MAN'S OPINIONS.

“A Prophet in His Own Country” is Henry Clifton Stuart of 2619 Woodley Place, Washington D. C. At least that is the title he gives his books, and as the book is filled with his opinions on many public questions, particularly on finance, it may be assumed that the “prophet” is himself. He is not a prophet without honor. At least he has one admirer. Aleister Crowley of New York gives him an introduction so laudatory that the reader must wonder how it comes that he never heard of Mr. Stuart before. After praising his writings, Mr. Crowley says; “It is really necessary to see Mr. Stuart rather than read him. When he speaks he is transfigured before you. The placid power of the man gives place to elemental energy. Both aspects remind one of the sea. It seems almost as if he grew physically much bigger. His personality fills the room. I have heard many of the great orators of the day, never one with one title of the passion and power of Mr. Stuart. Ben Tillett comes nearest, but Ben Tillett wastes his power in furious gesture. With Mr. Stuart the thunder of his tread and of his voice shakes the house, but there is no loss of self-control. The words rush out like molten steel from a converter under the blast.”

In conclusion Mr. Crowley says: “Let the reader understand that in Mr. Stuart we have not merely the wise man, or the strong man, or the good man, but the necessary man. The eyes are clear, the heart is pure and the hands work in entire harmony with them. When the anarchy which exists in this country becomes obvious to its people, and the dictator is required to bring order out of chaos, they have only to turn to the portrait at the commencement of this book and exclaim” “Ecce Homo!”

Mr. Stuart’s opinions on men and things are expressed in a series of letters addressed to congressmen, to the President, to public and private citizens, to newspapers. Interspersed among them are pages of rhymeless and rhythmless verse; also with public questions as its theme. With Mr. Crowley’s tremendous introduction in mind (nobody introduces Crowley) the reader will no doubt approach the lucubrations of Mr. Stuart with keen expectation.