Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-30
LITERARY NOTES.

II does not often happen that young author
whose nrst effort is q pronounced success is able
to follow 1t at once by a second and better per-
In the same line. This, however, is
what has happened to Mr.. Crawford. Although
not without noticeable faults and crudities, and
though its hero, who gives the book It's title, is
q highly improbable character, ''Dr. Claudus"
Is still an improvement as work Of fiction on
Its predecessor. A good deal Is to be overlooked
In young writer's; but one who has had oppor-
tunities for observation and experience In liter
airy work Of any kind ought to know that 1t Is
not customary with the English nobility to ad-
dress each other as Duke" and Countess"
but as your Grace" and ''your Ladyship;" that
it is not essential to the interest Of story to
specifically state that its hero made notes In his
book with patent gold pencil;"
and that to name the particular brand Of wine
which he drank at lunch looks too much like an
advertisement OF the authors favorite cham
payne. inserted and paid for by an enterprisIng
agent OF the manufacturer. The story is how
ever, bright and entertaining, and 1t will have
local interest for Washington because Sam
Ward, Of aforetime lobby memory, (who, by the
way. Is an uncle of the author), is one of the
Characters. This is Mr.. Crawford's very graphic
portrait sketch Of him: He was short, deci-
dedly; but broad, deep chest and long, power
taller adversaries In strange, barbarous lands
He was perfectly bald, but that must have
been because nature had not the heart to
cover such wonderful Uranium from the ad-
miring gaze OF phrenOlOgists A sweeping NOUS
tache apd long imperial OF snowy white sat
well on the ruddy tan OF his complexion. and
gave him an air at once martial and diplomatic.
He was dressed In the most perfect Of London
Clothes, and there were superb diamonds In his
shirt, while priceless sapphire sparkled in q
plain gold setting, on his broad, brown hand.
He is the only man Of his time who can wear
precious stones without vulgarity. He moves
like king, and has the air of the old school in
every gesture His dark eyes are brighter than
his diamonds. and his look. for all his white
beard and 10 years, is as young and fresh as the
rose he wears In his coat.
There are some people who turn gray but
who do not grow hoary whose faces are furrow-
ed but not wrinkled. whose hearts are sore
wounded In many places. but are not dead
There is a youth that bids defiance to age and
there Is kindness which laughs at the worlds
rough usage. These are they who have re-
turned good for evil, not having learned il as a
lesson of righteousness, but because they have
no evil in them to return upon Others. Whom
the gods love die young, and they die young
because they never grow old. The poet who at
the verge of death said this. said it OF, and to,
this very man."
HOT PLOwsHAREs. A Novel. BY ALBION W.
New York: Fords. Howard Hubert washing.
ton: A. Brentano Il Go.
We have here the last of Judge Tourgse's his
torical novels, which have been so widely read
and 80 favorably received within the last few
years. As their subject is substantially the
same, SO there has been some monotony OF
treatment, with not so much story as argument
and fact; but each has possessed individuality
enough to make q distinctive mark The period
covered by the volume before us is from 1910 to
1850, and the anti-slavery struggles which pre-
coded the great civil war, are wildly reviewed,
the author not processing. as he saws, to give a
history of the movement. ''but only truthful
picture OF the life upon which it acted" Incl
dentaly brilliant description Of all the discov-
cries and astonishing growth o. America is
given, which adds to both the charm and the
permanent value Of the book.
LAND AID LABOR II THE UNITED STATES. By
scribaars G rnDS MOODY; New York Charles
Son.
Mr.. Moody, who is the working mans friend.
and who has paid a good deal Of attention to
subjects nearly related to the title of the present
now discusses the use of machinery in
agriculture the growth and development of
the bonanza and tenant FARMS railroad grants.
money and industrial distress, the gospel of re-
Taxation. &c. 1t may well be doubted whether
the author has himself entirely mastered his
can or ought to be accomplished I'm the manner
he points out but he throws considerable light
on many points that are now attracting more
attention than ever before. and inasmuch as his
effort will stimulate thought and promote dis
cussion it will be the means of doing good, even
though his views may not be wholly acceptable
to his readers.
Sketches from Life By STEPHAN. formerly editor
York: Charles sc1ihnsr sons W.shi r0a, W Nn~
Ballantyne Son.
Those who desire to get an idea of the origin.
purposes, agents, and methods OF the present
nihilist movement in Russia, from q nihilist
point of view, will hnd 1t In this volume. It is
as interesting book as has been pablished
lately, but in reading 1t one is puzzled to know
how much Of it is true and how much romance.
1t bears the impress OF probability. however,
and those competent to Judge vouch for both
the capacity and sincerity OF the writer.
FASHIONABLE sUFFERER; OR CHAPTERS
author OF Eecollectons Of Auton House." Boston:
HBog%yhton. Miffiin & %. Washington: Robert
This is clever skit at the fashionable nervous
inyaldism of the period, in which the tyranny
and selfshness Of that large and growing num-
Der of women who are well enough to shirk
what they dislike and yet well enough to do
what they enjoy are shown up in strong colors
The illustrations, which are by the author. add
considerably to the interest Of the story.
JOHNS ALIVE; or the Bride of Ghost, and other
Sketches. By MAJon JOKES, of Pineville. Ca, au-
thor of Major Joness Courtshp," etc. Phiiad-l-
phia: David Mckay. Washington: 6. A. Whit
aher.
The late Col Thompson was one of the most
popular humorists of his day, and, though his
style was different from thate now In vogue,
there is much in this collection Of sketches,
many Of them based upon incidents Of his per-
sOnal experiences, to awaken a smile or provoke
a hearty laugh. 1t will certainly be welcomed
by a large circle Of old friends and admirers OF
the writer.
BEYOND RECALL. A Novel. By ADELINE SER
GEANT. kew York: Henry Holt Co. Washing
ton: Robert BeaI.
This is o very creditable addition to the ''Lei-
sure Hour Series" Of which it constitutes No.
LAC. In addition to the plot being original and
well sustained with clever character drawing,
the story has an interest from being laid in
Egypt, during the late war In that country, and
Astounding in graphic descriptions and exciting
Incidents.
THE READING OF BOOKS. Ih Pleasures, Profits
s'American Colleges: their students aad Work. !"
Boston: Lee & shepard Washington: VIM. Bal
lantyne Son.
So much has been written on this subject that
one would think there is no need for anything
more, and that nothing new remains to be said
upon It, which illuSi0n-if Illusion il really be-