Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-04
LITERARY NOTES.
COREA, THE HERMIT NATION. By WILLIAM Ell
LOTT GRIFFIs, New Yerst Charles Scribner s
Sons. Washington: Vim. Ballantyne Son.


best Informed concerning that jealous and Sc
cluded country. 1t may indeed be elassed with
the most important books of the year. Supple
menting his own considerable knowledge of the
subject by close and exhaustive study of all re-
liable authorities. Mr.. Grffis has been able to
present in compact form and attractive style a
work which will not only be highly priced by
students of ethnology, phiology and history.
but greatly enjoyed by the general reader for
the flood of light it throws upon the social con-
ditions and daily life of most unique and inter-
esting people. In its typographical execution.
ETC.. the publishers have left nothing to be de-
sired. and the text is illustrated by numerous
wood cuts and a number of maps which add
materially to the value of the book.
ANDREW JACKSON, AS PUBLIC NAN. What
With mnat W NE nan aPd s What he P Did
lessor Of Political and social eienee in Yale Col
ton: F. B. Mohun.
The portrait of Jackson given here is as diff
ferent as can be from Partons fancy sketch or
the imaginary likeness of "Old Hickory"
stamped upon the heart of his thick and thin
admirers; yet on studying it it is difficult to see
why pOsterity will not accept it as mastery
and true representation Of its subject. Professor
Sumner fully acknowledges the personal hon
esty and courage of his hero. but makes no at
tempt to hide or excuse his many and glaring
faults He appreciates JacksOn's strength of
character and his patriotism, but is not blinded
by his military exploits. nor does he hesitate to
point out his utter inability to take statesman
like and impersOnal view OF the high Office he
filled. The book is certain to be severely crit-
c!sed in certain quarters; but all who read it
must admit the authors sincerity and ability.
and admire his vigOr and clearness of style,
whether they agree with him on all points or
not.
THE LAND OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS: Being
BY W% AFaa u fna to
World Letters New York: Charles Scribners
Sons. Washington: VIM. Ballantyne & Son.
Considering that this is the work of an Amer
lean and that an edition of it was published in
England some seven years ago it is little sim
gular that it has never made it's appearance in
this country until now. That it might have
done SO long since on its merits would seem to
be evidenced by the fact that the late Bayard
Taylor thought enough of it to endorse it in an
Introduction written for the original edition.
The route of the author is sufficiently indicated
by the title. and the story of his experiences
and observations Is told in pleasant conveIsa-
tional style, with no pretence of scientific or
chronological research. The latter part of the
narrative Is, however. far the more attractive,
since that portion describes scenes and people
not often visited by the ordinary sightseeing
traveller The book is profusely Illustrated, but
the reader would be the gamer had some of the
wood cuts been exchanged for good map
showing the countries and places visited and
their geographical relation to each other.
GEORGE RIPLEY. By OcrAv1us Brooks FnorH-
fngton: +. b. Mohun.
Although he attracted little attention to his
goings and comings, Mr. Ripley was man who
exercised far more influence in his day and gen.
Grafton than many men who made much more
noise in the world. And to the credit of his
memory it can be said that that influence was
always for good. Neither was it less important
for his country and his race that the field he
chose was that of literature and criticism, in
stead OF the more conspicuous arena OF public
life. 1t is we'll, therefore, that his biography
should be placed in the hands Of one SO compe-
tent for the work as Dr. rockingham The
story. whether told in the language Of Mr.. Rip
ley or that of his biographer. is pleasant and
interesting reading throughout and the book
well deserves its place in the american Men Of
Letters series. It's value to the admirers of
Mr. Ripley is still further enhanced by the addi-
ton OF well engraved steel-plate likeness, pre-
pared especially for this volume.
RECORDS OF LATER LIFE: By FIR sscEs ANN
kEMBLE: Henry Hot Co. Washington Vim.
Bal.antyne Son.
This is one of the most entertaining books of
the kind. 1t supplements the "Recolectons of
GirlhOOd," published some time ago, and in
cludes the married life of the author her subse-
life in Philadelphia, Georgia and England, and
her return to the stage as reader. Mrs. Kem-
BILE always enjoyed rare opportunities for seeing
and hearing what was most worthy of attention.
and as she was a keen observer and had powers
of comprehension and description above the
average. what she has to say of life and society
has the advantage too of not being written like
many others of its class at remote period,
from memory, but is made up from familiar let
tiers written to intimate friends during term
extending from 1884 to 1S4S, while the scenes,
events and persons who were their subjects
were fresh in mind. There is added, what is
very useful in a book Of the kind, a complete
and well arranged index.
JOHN RANDOLPH. By HENRY ADAMS. Boston:
Hoqghton, Mifiin Co. Washington: Robert
Barring somewhat unpleasant air of assumed
superiority observable in its pages, this is a
lively, interesting and useful book. AS might
have been supposed from his early surround
ings and training, Mr.. Adams has little sympa-
thy for his hero's character and ways, and the
picture he paints is not pleasant one; but it is
we'll that it has been painted for all that Ran
dOlphs career has always been involved in a
rather attractive but unwholesome sort of
glamour, which Mr.. Adams thoroughly dispels
He leaves his subject a picturesque figure in
political history, but stripped of every vestige
of fictitious grandeur. His style is bright and
vivid, and he seems to have rare faculty of
presenting striking points.
THE CRYPIoGRAM. By JULES VERNE Translated
by W. J. Gordon. New York: Charles Scribner's
Sons. Washington: Robert Beall
The interest of this volume, which is the
second part of THE Giant Raft, )" hinges on the
perils environing a condemned man and the
expedients resorted to by his friends pending
the unraveing of an ingeniously constructed
secret CIPHER which was to establish his inno-
cence, and which is of course happily accom-
plished before the book closes 1t also has some
merit as quaint picture of life in the valley OF
the Amazon, all done in the brisk bright way of
the author, which never seems to lose its charm
for the young.
THE HOME NE NEEDLE; By ELLA RopMAs CHURCH.
New York: D. Appleton ca. Washington: W.
HONE ocCUPAT!oNs By JANET sRurz REEFS.
II. Morrison. .of a
Two of the deservedly popular series entitled
"Appleton's Home Books" The author of each
has already written acceptablv ON kindred topics