Caine, Thomas Henry Hall

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

Thomas Henry Hall (1853-), an English novelist and dramatist. He was born at Runcorn, Cheshire. His education was received at the Isle of Man and at Liverpool. He became an architect, but abandoned the work for journalism. His early writings were along the line of literary criticism. In 1885 appeared his first novel, The Shadow of a Crime. He won no prominent notice, however, until The Deemster appeared in 1887. This was the first of the stories dealing with Manx life, in the delineation of which Caine is at his best. The Deemster is the story of a youth who, under strong provocation, commits an unpremeditated crime. He is banished in consequence to a remote part of the island. The development of his spiritual nature during this life of isolation is a striking instance of the author's power in character drawing. The Bondman appeared in 1890; The Manxman in 1894. These, The Deemster, The Bondman, and The Manxman, are the three books upon which Hall Caine's fame as a novelist must ultimately depend. The Christian, however, published in 1897, gave rise to so much discussion that it was for a time immensely popular. One hundred thousand copies were sold in England and as many in the United States within a year after publication. It was translated immediately into nearly all the European languages. Everywhere the motive of the book was discussed, the verdict in this country being for the most part favorable. The Eternal City appeared in 1901. Caine, in conjunction with Wilson Barrett, has produced two dramas, Ben-ma-Chree, a dramatization of The Deemster, and Good Old Times. Hall Caine's stories are full of variety in scene, character, and action. One's interest never flags. The atmosphere, however, is somber and depressing. Few of his characters are weak, but many are wicked, and some have no quality but strength which can call forth admiration. See Isle Of Man