Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-30
LITERARY NOTES,

THE BEGINNIEas OF HISTORY. ACCORDING to
he B Sit s and The Lrsdision: Of Oriental fspe
profss n s9 t os Rfcssooy a the
Nsnonal Library of France, etc. VIII an intro
Sss. !. ssiiS1srs washington
The purpose and scope Of this book are so
luy set forth In its title page that nothing need
De said on that point. As to the character and
quality of the work ITSELF 1t is only necessary to
say that the fitness Of the author for his task is
| recognized by the highest religious and scien-
iinc authorities, and that he has performed il to
the satisfaction of both. We may add what
might very properly have appeared on the title
page, that the difficult work Of translating the
book from the French has been most creditably
and acceptably done BY Miss Mary Lockwood of
| this city,
YOUNG FOLKS HISTORY OF MEXICO BY FRrp
e esl'f Bas onEf aIth Sro of in the
| The increasing interest taken in Mexico and
Mexican affairs by the people of this country at
the present time makes this handsomely printed
and profusely illustrated volume peculiarly
| acceptable contribution to current literature.
| The author appears to have done his work with
great industry and intelligence. and while his
| effort is modestly said to be intended for the
young 1T is doubtful whether any one can get
| any where else In so compact form so much
information concerning our next door neighbor.
81 TIE u MP
BY SIMON STERNE. of the New York Bar. New
Work: Cassell, Peter, Gapin Co. Washington:
Mr.. Sterne has not heretofore been regarded
as historical authority In this country, We be-
lieve; but the book before us. which Is intended
for popular use,-with view perhaps to meet
Ing foreign rather than home want on the
SUBJECTS nevertheless a very creditable effort
In the main. He does better however in deal
| Ing with the past than with the present. Where
| he Is able to avail himself Of the observation
and experience OF Others he does fairly well, but
In treating of current events he shows the quail
tiles OF theorist and pessimist, rather than the
well balanced judgment of the cool and dispas-
sOnate historian
IH TEgH EHSM IHE T Ssoxs
I In1Ss by W. d. HowELIs. Boston: D.
quotable extracts than those Of Canon Kingsley
Although not voluminOus, they covered an I'M
usually wide range of thought and subject and
appealed to both the heart and mind of his
readers. in whatever sphere of life. Mr.. Browns
! work seems to have been judiciOusy done, and
| his volume OF some three hundred pages con-
| stitutes casket Of gems that will find many ad-
mirers and lose little, II any, OF their lustre by
| lapse of time.
HBspshton. Aifiin CO. WashinSton: Robsr t
This is the seventh and closing volume of the
set containing all Bjornson's novels and short
stories. translated by Prof Anderson, of Wis
consin University, and published by the house
above named. Although considered by the
author one Of his less finished productions. 1t
popular with his admirers, while Ii is likely to
gain new friends for the way in which the rights
OF women are incidentally championed in it.
W. BUNGAY. New York: Fowler Wells.
Mr.. Bungay shows considerable capacity as
we'll as great fondness for pen-and-ink portrait
painting, as his several volumes of that charac-
ter heretofore published fully attest. In this
book he gives something Of the history and
character of nearly forty gentlemen prominent
in the various walks Of life and in some cases
examples of the literary style of his subjects.
In addition to the mental portrait furnished by
the author, each sketch Is accompanied by a
wOod-cut likeness more or less accurate.
Logo AND LIFE: With other Sermons; By the Rev
New ssS
ner's Sons washington: WIN. Balantyne Son.
This volume, which is warmly commended to
the American public by President Porter Of
Yale College, is mainly devoted to the specula-
tons and inquiries Of the times. and its perusal
strengthen the faith OF It's readers. 1t attracted
wide and deserved attention when 1t appeared
in England few months ago.
PADDLE AND PORTAGE. From Moosehead Lake to
VIM. Ballantyne Son.
Mr.. Steele who is well-known to the anglers
hunters, boatmen and tourists of the New Eng
land states by his readable volume, ''Canoe and
Camera" as well as by his excellent maps Of
Maine, has given here a very graphic account Of
a trip he made across the great northeastern
wilderness of that state in 1881, in which sport
| adventure and hard work were pretty equally
combined. 1t is accompanied by map show
ing the route taken, and is also illustrated by
over sixty engravings.
''Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy"
by Robert Hewitt Brown with numerous illus
trations by the author, published by ID. Appleton
| & Co.. New York, is an attempt to explain the
origin and meaning Of ancient and modern
mysteries, which will doubtless attract the
attention OF those interested in such matters,
but will not have much charm for the gem
eral reader.
Messrs Houghton, Miffln & Co. have issued in
very neat form the address delivered by Chief
Justice shea, of the Marine Court of New York,
i'm April last. in that city, showing that the
nature and form of the American Government
We're founded in the Christian Religion. Received
through Robert Beall.
Berger's "New Method of Learning the French
Language" received through Morrison from the
publishers, ID. Appleton & Co., has received the
endorsement of the highest authorities on the
subject, and is worthy the attention of those who
wish to learn the language, and to understand
| 1t when spoken.
''FoOtlight Frolics" is the title of little book
! received through G. NJ. Whitaker from the pub
! fishers, Lee & Shepard, consisting of minor
operas, plays, charades, ETC.. which will be wei
| coined by those anxious to devise pleasant ways
| of spending long evenings at home.
"The Modern Age is the title of a new
monthly, which begins its career with the new
year. at Buffalo. 1t is made up largely of WELL
selected articles, and. so far as can be Judged
by first number, promises to be worthy Of
| success.
PERSoNAL--Mr. William Henry Smith, the new
General Agent of the n. Y. Associated Press is In
| town.-Senators Anthony and Plumb, Represen-
tatiyeS Hit and Townsend. and Mr. de NefSSner