Such is the moral of “The Cream of the Jest,” a summarizing of Cabell’s ironistic philosophy. It is decidedly Nietszchean. In a Puritan land he conceives life as a work of art and sees in Art the highest form of life to transcend itself. This he did with fine daring and great poetic feeling in a chapter of the same book, “The Evolution of a Vestryman.” In pages filled with a humor reminiscent of Samuel Butler, Cabell eulogizes Chance. In a world of chance encounters, Art alone reveals intentions and a goal to the human puppets. The author, boldly unfolding his thesis, roundly scores the religions. He reproaches them with postponing till the morrow what Art promises to us _hic et nunc. Carpe diem!_ Cabell’s philosophy assumes an artistic epicureanism midway between Anatole France and Walter Pater. Then comes a paradoxical apology of Christianity, which Cabell forgives for having falsified human perspectives because it has increased the romantic interest of life. According to him, God did not die to redeem us. Imagine a novelist dying for the marionettes he has paraded before our eyes! God reincarnated himself and died to _express himself_ and to teach us to do as much. What would the Puritans think of this new theology? * * * * * I shall stop here with this rapid view of Cabell’s mind. I have neglected his early works, although some of them were quite significant. Some are even very attractive: “The Rivet in Grandfather’s Neck” is the touching, beautiful and ironic story of an _amour d’automne_ in the romantic background of a Virginia estate. Cabell is a very subtle and delicate psychologist of the woman’s heart. “The Eagle’s Shadow” is a suggestive sentimental “imbroglio.” “The Cords of Vanity, A Comedy of Cowardice,” portrays a modern descendant of Jurgen experiencing in real life all the adventures which had occurred to Jurgen only in dreams. He flirts with, seduces, and abandons half a dozen ladies, victims of his disillusioned philosophy of love. This book gave Cabell a chance to display a delicious bit of _marivaudage_. CHAPTER XI _Reinforcements: Willa Cather, Zona Gale, Floyd Dell, Joseph Hergesheimer, Waldo Frank_