"Ibsen was keenly sensitive to place, and if we would get the utmost feeling out of his plays we must remember how large a part was played by fortunate or unfortunate position and circumstances in contributing to the wonderful 'atmosphere' of the dramas."
That is what Mr. Roberts thinks. A sense of humour would also have saved him from the one black note of sentimentality in the book:
"Ellida might be Solveig analysed—but analysed with how loving a touch, how unerring a kindness; it is as if a great surgeon were operating on a woman he loved."
Such things, we had imagined, could only be written by members of the Académie française.
FOOTNOTE:
[2] "Henrik Ibsen: a Critical Study." By R. Ellis Roberts. (Secker.)
MISS COLERIDGE[3]
Athenæum July 1910