Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-28
LITERARY NOTES.
CAPTAIN MANSANA. And Other Stories By ByoaS-
srJERSE BJoRSsoS. Translated by Rssinus b.
Anderson Boston Houghton. Mifiin & Co.

BJornson has laid the scene of the title story of
this volume in Italy, and drawn as he tells US
IN the preface. some of its scenes and incidents
from real life there. 1t seems hardly credible,
however that many ladies would risk such
mao rover as the hero. and in this prOsac age
Inc story Is intensely thrilling. at times but on
tne Whole Is not pleasing. and the popular YER
d!ct VIII probably BE- that the author does best
III dealing with the subjects and phases of life
Iouhd nearer home. The other story, THE
railroad and the Churchyard'' and a strange
mystical sketch entitled Dust" which make
up the BOOK, are in the well known fanciful vein
OF the author
ih bRa i44usa r PEOPLE Y OF sHAKEspEARE,s
tPa nr new York: ID. Appleton Co. Washing
Apropos to the comments recently made in
some OF the critical Journals as to the compar-
atiVeiy lnfrequent Introduction of children, and
especially OF little girls, into the plays of Shakes
peare, comes the volume named above. The
historical sketches which form a considerable
part of Its contents will interest those for whom
it was written; but on the whole the book ap-
pears to have been compiled because Miss Barr
wanted to send forth book rather than because
of any real need Of it. The letter press is cred
TABLE which is more than can be said Of the IL
Illustrations.
THE JEAN INGELow BIRTHDAY BOOK. Boston:
Roberts Brothers Washington; F. Ii. Mohun.
since birthday books made up from the writ
ings of fayorite authors are in order, it Is but
natural that there should be one representing
Miss lngelow. And even her warmest admirers
VIII, we suspect, be agreeably surprised to see
now well much of her poetry is adapted for the
purpose The selections and arrangement seem
10 DE made throughout with taste and skill, and
the volume is handsomely gotten up. 1t is
printed IN col0rs, and embelished with steel
of has h.,
tfation suitable for each of the twelve months.
MAGMA CHARTA STORIES. Edited by ARTHUR
uiLMAN ILLUSTRATED. Boston: ID. L0throp " Co.
Both The purpose and achievement of this lit
Tie BOOK are to be commended. It's object is to
Illustrate the persistence with which the idea of
freedom has been pursued from time immemo-
rial, by presenting collection of clever essays
or sketches OF notable deeds of personal hero
ism in behalf of liberty There is nothing abso-
iutely new brought out. but the several authors
confronting to the contents of the volume have
invested their respective heroes with fresh
charm, although they have not in all cases
Drawn as clear line as might be desired, in the
interest OF historical accuracy. between the mar
rowly separated domains of fact and myth.
THE B0DIEY GRANDCHILDREN, and Their Jour
ton: Honghton, Mn IS' Co. E. W ssRDEt bIs
b. Mohun.
The hosts of delighted little folks who have
followed the wanderngs of the original Bodley
family Will be glad to accompany the offspring
OF That party in their jOurneyings to foreign
parts. undertaken in an imaginary point of time,
some thirty years later. The first volume of the
new series is devoted. as its title indicates. to
WISH 10 the low countries prefaced with just
enough historical information to show the rela-
lions originally existing between them and the
American colonies, and gives promise that the
new series Will be as interesting and as popular
as We're the first five volumes. Instruction and
entertainment are admirably combined in all
Mr.. Scudder's literary efforts.
UNDER THE SUN. BY PHIL. ROBINSON With Pre-
face BY Edwin Arnold author of The Light of
Asian Boston: Roberts Brothers. Washington: ].
Under the Sum- is one of the most charming
books of the year. The author has been almost
everywhere, has an appreciative eye for nature.
animate and inanimate. a keen sense of humor.
industry, admirable powers of de-
scription, and fine literary style He does not.
give us mere journal of travel. bald
and commonplace, padded here and there with
guideboOk platitudes. He places before us. in
stead. a series of most delightful sketches, based
largely on the experiences and observations of
prolonged residence in India, with hints of
adventures in other lands that read almost like
chapter from Robinson Crusoe" The fact
that the book is warmly praised by so excellent
Judge of its quality, both as to matter and
style, as Edwin Arnold is certain to insure it
warm reception from the literary public; but 1t
really does not need any endorsement. Mr..
Robinson is quite able to make his way on his
own merits.
AUNT NJ, JoE'S SCRAP-BAG. AN OLD FASHIONED
Ra hhtNhs Ra, etc; By Louisa NJ. ALcoTr.
Mohun. 49,
The many warm admirers of Miss Alcott will
hail with pleasure the appearance of this little
book, which is the 9th and concluding volume
OF the Scrap-Bag series, constituting a collection
of her shorter stories. Most of them have
already seen the light in contemporary pubca-
tons, but In this enduring form they will be
more highly priced than ever
THE GENEVA AWARD ACTS: With Notes and Ref
erences to Decisions of the Court Of Commits
spref IF Of he A Wsn Claims BY FRANZ Hack
Co. Washington: Robert Beall.
Its title sufficiently indicates the character of
this volume, which cannot fail to be of great
value to members of the legal profession. since
1t contains, In compact form and conveniently
arranged and indexed, what could otherwise be
obtained only by long and labOrious search
through many and widely scattered sources of
information. The manner in which Mr. Hackett
performed the task he undertook has received
the endorsement of the very highest authorities.
TALES BY FRANK r. STOCKTON
Robert Beall. VII
MT. STOCKTON, VINO Is great favOrite with
the little folks, and whose fances are equally
popular with older members of the family. has
given here charming collection of stories about
fairies. giants, dwarfS and the like full of an
tique oriental flavor all told i'm way to delight
the host of readers they are sure to have
MY GIRLS By Ida A. CHURCHILL Boston: D.
An interesting experience of four young lady
telegraph operators, who. losing their situations.
resolve to go to New York and work out their
careers. How each followed her own particular
vocation, and what trials, disappolntments and
triumphs she had, is told in such an original.
natural and charming way that once the story
Is begun 1t Is pretty certain to be finished II il
about the best of the ''V. l. F' series. to which
it belongs.
VICE VERSA; OR, 4 LESSON TO FATHERS. By
ingt1n: +. b. Mohun. ~
The majority of American readers will. we
think, be puzzled to understand the praise which
has been layished upon this book by the English
critics. This will be partly due, doubtless. to
want of knowledge of English nature and Eng
llsh ways, upon which it is largely based. but to
a still greater extent to an honest difference of
opinion as to its literary merits. 1t is humor-
Gus account of how father and son changed