Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-02
LITERARY NOTES.

Dress Of Women from the Gallo Roman Period 10
hrGusTIS CKAILAMEI- BY Mrs Csshel Hoey ami
Washington: Robert Beal
This is a more sumptuously gotten ND
volume one would think, at first sight. than
either the Importance or interest of its subject
demands; but IL it be true. as is claimed. that
fashion is the real expostor of our social re-
lations and habits. and that its history has a
permanent value as an index which serves the
philosopher. the historian and the novelist as a
guide to the morals and ideas of the time
then the efforts and money of the publishers
have not been expended in vain. But it
is not in its appearance alone that the attrac-
tion Of the book lies. 1t is not only history of
fashion In dress, but the text illustrates the
manners and customs of the times. written in
fresh and charming style. full of anecdote. and
lnterspersed With quaint extracts and apt quo
ta ad fro;3 kGwes and records, as amusing
example, world the average American woman
relish law lac the one quoted from in this
extract?
''No bonrgeoi. lna7 wear minever or gray fur or
erniif and such re sons nus get rid Of such fa-s in
Their jcssezsin within year from next Easter, and
pearls s'' --'' ''"'s' n'' ''''' i''t
Nearly every chapter is accompanied by beau
tiful c0lored-pate figures. clothed in the COS
tune OF their respective periods. which give to
the book a pictorial interest for the general
reader and special value for artists and au-
thors who have need Of clear and correct infor-
nation OF the subject. The binding adopted for
the volume is at once unique, appropriate and
attractive.
POEMS OF LIFE AND NATURE. By MARY GLEN
MEa. Boston: James r. Osgood & Co.
The rcadngpublic, which has long been famil-
lar with Mrs Cemmers contributions to the
press. both in prose and poetry. will greet with
pleasure the appearance Of this handsome vol
ume. which constitutes, we believe, the first
published collection of her poems. While she is
not entitled to place in the front rank of poets
many of Mrs. Clemnlers poetical productions
rise farabnve the commonplace. and not few
OF them breathe the spirit and are clothed in the
garb OF true pOesy. Those on Life are the eX-
preston of deep feeling and keen experience,
while those classed under the heads of Love
Nature and Religion will touch a responsive
chord in many hearts
ROBIN ny M foa shos Of ya5 H csr
bolt L Co. Washington: Robert Besll.
This is enc of the clevercst OF the Leisure
Hour Series, to which it belongs. The scene is
laid mostly abroad. opening in Venice. Robin,
the heroine, is an unframed and undiscipned
girl. brought up by father of whom little good
can be said. She has mother to guide Or i'll
fiuence her. and falls violently in love with an
idle Young fellow. friend of her father.
who disappears without disclosing his love for
her. and the father nlarrics her to cousin-a
rich mans son. Later she meets her old lover.
and then realizes low maGly she adores him.
The husband conveniently dies in time to pre-
vent complications likely to arise from this
source. and, knowing Of their mutual passion
kindly joins their hands before he breathes his
last. The book is well written, and it's descrp-
lions are vivid and life like.
THE WONDERFUL. CITY OF TOXIC; or. Further
Adventures of the Jewe.t Family AMI their Friend Oto
Na,nbo BY EDwAR3 Carry, author Of Young
america III japan" etc. Boston: Lee Shepard.
Washington: J. II. Ere.
While this will make q capital holiday
book for the young. it has n permanent
value, and is not without interest to those
OF mature years. 1t treats of every day life
in the far and strange country of Japan. its
people, customs industries. paStimes and attrac-
tons, with great fitness and ccarness The
Illustrations, which are numerous and clever
give additional interest to the text. They are
indeed, a special feature, many of them being
the work of native artists and possess all the
quaintness and force of japanese graphic art.
CHAMrvEY author of - Neglected. CocS.c- Of
Europe. etc: Boston, Estes X Lalrist. Washing
ton: W. II. Morrison.
This snowy rather than elegant volume is an
account OF the rambles of three college girls on
a vacation trip through France and Spain for
amusement and instruction, with their haps and
mishaps. as the title sets out. 1t does not pre-
tend to any value as a record of travel: but the
sayings and doings of three bright and saucy
American girls give considerable interest and
sprlghtneSS to the story Of their observations
ana adventures. The book is pro:uSeIy illus
trated, bat good many of the pictures add but
little value to its pages.
FIFTEEN; OR LYDIA'S HAPPENINGS. By Mrs
New iSrk Rr ts Bro Nh
ton Wm Baiantyne Son.
An interesting story, especially adapted to
young girls. 1t might indeed be ranked as of
the Sunday school order. but it is written in a
lively vein. and the plot is rather new. A young
girl supposes herself an orphan, and is brought
up by an aunt as SUCH when Unexpectedly her
father appears upon the scene. and, unknown to
her, endcavors to win her love. The denOue-
ment Is very happily told.
Bosom: Estes Lauriat. Washington: VIM. Bal
lantyne l. Son.
peculiarly Frenchy story, giving a vivid pic
ture, or rather series Of pictures, Of the QUes-
tiOnable side of Partisan life having like it's
sort, good deal to do with would be resnect-
able women who have gone astray. unprincped
men, matchmaking, detectives, etc. etc.
Her CRIME. l''No Name Series') Boston, Roberts
Brothers Washington w. III. Morrison.
strange story. the interest Of which turns
upon beautiful and fashionable leader of So
ciety being induced through loss of fortune and
the bad advice of a lawyer to assume dual
character. by which husband. intimate friends
and the world are alike deceived.
MORSE STORIES. Retoli from the Eddas. By HAM
ILTON WRIGHT MABIE. Boston: Roberts Brothers,
Washington: W. III. Morrison.
To those who are curious in Scandinavian
lore this collection Of legends will prove inter-
esting, and the subject, it may be added, is well
worth attention.
JACOB WITHERBY: Story. By AGNES G1BERNE.
New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. Washington
VIM. Bal,antyne Il Son.
pleasantly told Sunday school story, by
we'll known and popular author, in which the
great virtue OF patience is properly celebrated.
Some Holiday Books.
most attractive volume for the approach
holiday season is the young Folks Annual"
published by D. Lothrop & CO., Boston. 1t is,
in fact, eight charmingly written and beauti-
fully illustrated books in one containing in
struction entertainment and amusement in cX-
ceilent proportions and captivating literary
style.