Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-16
LITERARY NOTES.

LETTERS grIFds. Of LYn1A MARIA CHILD With Bio
III y we WESpEht PaLL1ps Boston:
The title of this book indicates its character
sufficiently to insure for it warm welcome and
thorough perusal at the hands of large circle
of readers. Mrs. Child doubtless was, as Mr..
whittier assures US. the most popular literary
woman in the United States half century
ago; but it is chiefly on account of her connect
lon with the anti-slavery agitation that she is
remembered by the present generation. 1t is
well, therefore, that these letters are published,
since they tell In her own words the story of her
whole life, and in manner at once complete as
to range and most charming as to STYLE Mrs
Child was thoroughly delightful letter writer.
and as the letters selected for this volume cover
a period from 1880 to $780, and touch upon
nearly every subject affecting the daily life of
the American people in that time. it can readily
be understood how interesting they are and how
We'll worth reading. in retrospective point of
view, now that SO much she struggled for has
been achieved. or the manner in which Mr.
Whittier and Mr.. Phillips have discharged the
duty committed to them. respectively it is I'M
necessary to speak. 1t is known that whatever
they touch they adorn.
author e5 Of te d Of Friends By Gh1GE
Williams Co. Washington: j. j. Chapman
The name of Maria Edgeworth is an almost
forgotten sound in these rushing days of highly
seasoned literature, but to the generation now
fast passing away it represented great deal
She was woman OF many accomplishments, and
rare opportunities friendships comprising
almost all the interesting people of her day in
both England and France-and she was the
pioneer IN the ranks of those old-time nOvelists
whose mission it was to reveal the beauty and
interest OF everyday life, and. in the guse of
romance, to celebrate virtue and truth. and COM
bne instruction with entertainment the while.
Her biography can, therefore. not fail to be in
tereStlng, as well to those who never read her
writings as to that smaller circle in whose
mouths they were familiar as household
words; Miss divers task has been well per-
formed. She evidently has had access to full
and reliable sources of information and has
made good use Of her material The Quaint
d-fashioned illustrations, too while they do
not count for much in these times of artistic
drawings and engravings. add considerably to
the interest Of the volume.
FACTS AND PHASES OF ANIMAL. LIFE. Bv
VERNON 5. MoRwooD. New York: D. Appleton
Co. Washington: W. II. Morrison.
The study of animal life. always fascinating
pursuit to the young, should be encouraged. 1t
Is self-rewardlng. and if taste for it be duly
cultivated it affords immense pleasure in after
life. and often develops into a taste for scientific
study The author of the work above named,
who is lecturer to the royal society for the pro-
lection of cruelty to animals. seems to be well
qualified for the task he has undertaken i'm that
direction. and describes in simple language the
wonderful characteristics of large number of
animals and insects. interspersing his Obserya-
tons with original and opposite anecdotes The
book is also illustrated with some seyenty-fye
wood cuts.
THE WINNERS II LIES RACE: or, THE GREAT
BACKBONED FAMILY. BY ARABEILA r. RuCK
T Il u New Mos. York: d. Appleton Co. Washington;
The author OF 'Fairyland of Science" "Iife
and Her Children" etc. has given, in the vol
ume before us, great deal of curious, interest
ing, and valuable information upon the general
subject of natural history while treating of the
origin, construction, and habits of those ami
mails coming properly within it's scope The
text Is furthermore illustrated with nearly q
hundred wOod-cuts drawn and engraved for the
purpose, which add largely to the value of the
book as an educator.
QUISTUs CLaUDIus. ARomance Of 1m,eri,, ROM.
D. EhNsT scksTEIN. From the German. by CLARA
i Bsth Aes 1ark YIN s. Wash
The publisher deserves well for having given
American readers version in their own Ian
guage OF this popular German novel, It's great
popularity In its own country Is not SURPRISING.
In addition to being an interesting story. It pre-
SCENTS lathlul pictures of nearly every phase of
Roman life and character during the perod II
covers. ana lts loot notes are numerous and full
enough TO constitute the romance a very fair
handbook of Roman history customs terms etc
A WHIMSICAL wOOING. BY ANTON GruL1o Ran.
BILL BILL tron the Is;iian by Clara Bel. New
SBrentano Il Co.. Vim. Ballantyne 4 Son a.
\ clever and interesting story, brightly told
but with little or no plot and hardly of sufiici-
ent consequence to be presented in q bound vol
ume by itself.
ODDITIES PrH r ~ S5oTTH H LIFE AND cHARAc
Hopghton. Miffiin Co. Washington Robert
Mr- Wattersons volume hardly comes up to
the expectations reasonably entertained when
It's publication was first announced. 1t is. how
ever, very enjoyable collection of humorous
articles that were familiar to the readers of
newspapers OF quarter of q century ago To-
Selher with number Of selections from writer's
ana speakers of more recent renown and will
serve to pleasantly vile away a dull hour or
two. Va
s sSas h&a9xn a e g. o. 4 M..hD:
A collection of papers containing good deal
OF Information, but presented in not very at
tractve way. and better adapted for the ssspare
hours" of the few than the entertainment OF the
many
Some Holiday Books.
"Edens Of Italy" published BIZ T. Whitaker.
New York, and received through Ballantyne i
So1) Is the title of o somewhat pretentious and
rather attractive looking book, out Just In time
10" the holidays, which. though not without
considerable merit, Is likely to prove trie dis
appointing On close examination. The author.
Rev. DR.. Joseph Cross, spent nearly year In
Italy collecting the materials for the work. the
main purpose Of which Is to point ont the
e..ar'es OF some Of the more delightful portions