Part 45 (2/2)

[Sidenote: New York World.]

Etidorhpa, the End of the Earth, is in all respects the worthiest presentation of occult teachings under the attractive guise of fiction that has yet been written. Its author, Mr. John Uri Lloyd, of Cincinnati, as a scientist and writer on pharmaceutical topics, has already a more than national reputation, but only his most intimate friends have been aware that he was an advanced student of occultism.

His book is charmingly written, some of its pa.s.sages being really eloquent; as, for instance, the apostrophe to Aphrodite--whose name is reversed to make the t.i.tle of the story. It has as thrilling situations and startling phenomena as imagination has ever conceived.... There is no confusion between experiences and illusions, such as are common in the works of less instructed and conscientious writers treating of such matters. He knows where to draw the line and how to impress perception of it, as in the four awful nightmare chapters ill.u.s.trating the curse of drink. Etidorhpa will be best appreciated by those who have ”traveled East in search of light and knowledge.”...

[Sidenote: John Clark Ridpath, LL.D.]

We are disposed to think ”Etidorhpa” the most unique, original, and suggestive new book that we have seen in this the last decade of a not unfruitful century.

[Sidenote: Times-Star, Cincinnati.]

It is as fascinating as the richest romance by Dumas, and mysterious and awe-inspiring as the wild flights of Verne. Hugo wrote nothing more impa.s.sioned than those terrible chapters where ”The-Man-Who-Did-It”

drinks liquor from the mushroom cup. There never was a book like it. It falls partly in many cla.s.ses, yet lies outside of all. It will interest all sorts and conditions of men and it has that in it which may make it popular as the most sensational novel of the day. Intricate plotting, marvelous mysteries, clear-cut science without empiricism, speculative reasoning, sermonizing, historical facts, and bold theorizing make up the tissue of the story, while the spirit of Etidorhpa, the spirit of love, pervades it all.... Happy is the scientist who can present science in a form so inviting as to charm not only the scholars of his own profession, but the laymen besides. This, Professor John Uri Lloyd has done in his Etidorhpa.

[Sidenote: The Inter-Ocean, Chicago.]

For eighteen years the writer has been seated at his desk, and all kinds of books have been pa.s.sed in review, but has never before met with such a stumper as Etidorhpa. Its name is a stunner, and its t.i.tle-page, head-lines, and weird, artistic pictures send you such a ghastly welcome as to make goblins on the walls, and fill the close room with spooks and mystery. The writer has only known of Professor Lloyd as a scientist and an expert in the most occult art of the pharmacist, and can scarcely conceive him in the role of the mystic and romancer in the region heretofore sacred to the tread of the supernatural.... The book is the literary novelty of the year, but those interested in such lines of thought will forget its novelties in a profound interest in the themes discussed.

[Sidenote: The Chicago Medical Times.]

The work stands so entirely alone in literature, and possesses such a marvelous versatility of thought and idea, that, in describing it, we are at a loss for comparison. In its scope it comprises alchemy, chemistry, science in general, philosophy, metaphysics, morals, biology, sociology, theosophy, materialism, and theism--the natural and supernatural.... It is almost impossible to describe the character of the work. It is realistic in expression, and weird beyond Hawthorne's utmost flights. It excels Bulwer-Lytton's Coming Race and Jules Verne's most extreme fancy. It equals Dante in vividness and eccentricity of plot.... The entire tone of the work is elevating. It encourages thought of all that is enn.o.bling and pure. It teaches a belief and a faith in G.o.d and holy things, and shows G.o.d's supervision over all his works. It is an allegory of the life of one who desires to separate himself from the debasing influences of earth, and aspires to a pure and n.o.ble existence, as beautiful and as true to the existing conditions of human life as Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. The sorrow; the struggle with self; the physical burdens; the indescribable temptations with the presence and a.s.sistance of those who would a.s.sist in overcoming them; the dark hours, Vanity Fair, and the Beulahland, are all there.

[Sidenote: Indianapolis Journal.]

In every respect the volume bearing the t.i.tle Etidorhpa, or the End of the Earth, is a most remarkable book. Typographically, it is both unique and artistic--as near perfection in conception and execution as can be conceived.... The author is John Uri Lloyd, of Cincinnati, a scientific writer whose pharmaceutical treatises are widely known and highly valued. That a man whose mind and time have been engrossed with the affairs of a specialist and man of affairs could have found time to enter the field of speculation, and there display not only the most extensive knowledge of the exact natural sciences, and refute what is held to be scientific truth with bold theories and ingenious speculations on the nature and destiny of man is marvelous....

The Addenda is as original as the book itself, consisting, as it does, of a list of names, some of whom are not subscribers, but to whom the author is deeply obliged, or whom he regards as very dear friends, and those of a few whom he personally admires.... If each of them has a copy of Etidorhpa, or the End of the Earth, he possesses a book which is not like any other book in the world.

[Sidenote: Cleveland Leader.]

It relates to a journey made by the old man under the guidance of a peculiar being into the interior of the earth. The incidents of this journey overshadow any thing that Verne ever wrote in his palmiest days.

But perhaps the most singular part of it is that they are all based on scientific grounds. Dr. Lloyd, the author of the volume, is one of the deepest students, and is well known as a profound writer on subjects pertaining to his profession, as well as one who has taken much pains in studying the occult sciences.... The book is a very pleasant one to read, a little redundant at times, but full of information.... Readers who succeed in securing it will be very lucky indeed.

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