Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-20
LITERARY NOTES.

\
| Fir ncisSo: A. l.. Bancroft Co.
| 1t is somewhat curious that the two writer's
who have most exhaustively treated the history
of the American continent should bear the same
NAME though. we believe in no wise related,
| and residing some three thousand miles apart.
1t would be still more curious if the younger Of
the two should ultimately tale higher place
as historian or at lest as an investigator and
compiler. .:rcn his venerable namesake. And
| tis may possibly happen. But. whether it does
or not. it is certain that the later aspirant has
| undertaken work the successful COM
| pletiOn of which cannot fail to win
for him an enviable position in the world of
| letters. Mr.. Hubert BancrOfts researches In his
chosen field bore their first fruit when his
| Native Races of the Pacific States" made its
appearance. in five large volumes. several years
! ago. The work then begun is to be carried for
ward in the form indicated In the volume before
US; and if the plan adopted be followed out it
bids fair to be- within the limits prescribed for
| It, more comprehensive in its scope and more
elaborate in its details than any historical digest
yet attempted in this country. The first three
volumes of the series are TO be devoted to Cen
| trail America. From that point the author will
Mexico and the North Mexican states,
California, Nevada and Utah. Oregon. Wash
| ingtOn, 1GahO and Montana. and end
| ing with British Columbia and Alaska.
This is most stupendOus undertaking. but Mr..
| Bancroft seems to be adequately equipped for
| 1t. as well I'm the material he has brought to-
| gether as in the intelligence. industry and en-
| thusiasm with which he prosecutes his work
| More than twenty-five years ago he began to
| collect books and manuscripts bearing on his
| subject. and the result of his continuous efforts
is now seen in special library consisting of over
| 5000 volumes. and representing q direct eXpeI-
dfture of about $500, eco. Considering Mr.. Ban
| croft's early training, and his long and close ap-
pilcatiOn to business pursuits. the literary merit
| of his work is remarkable. 1t is open
| to the criticism of Ornateness but some
thing of this naturally springs from the pecu-
llarly romantic character of the period and cOun-
| try discussed at the outset. fault like this
| can. too, If not too conspicuous or carried too
| far. be excused for the solid and valuable mate
rial which it adOrns. There also appears to be
danger that the work may grow beyond the
limits OF desirablity, both as to style and bulk,
unless the authors disposition to philosophise
and indulge In rhetoric be curbed somewhat;
but this is fault that will probably correct it.
self as the work goes Oh and the author per-
ceives the necessity for it. 1t may be proper to
add here that so highly is Mr.. BancrOft's pre-
viOus effort thought of in England that an edi-
ton of it is shortly to be brought out in that
country, by Trubner, at guinea volume.
GATELY's UNIVERSAL EDUCATOR. An Educa-
tonal Cyclopedia and Business Guide: Edited by
Three Volumes in One. Boston: NJ. R. G. tey.
Washington: C. d. Anderson. Webster Law Build
The task Of putting the sum of all human
knowledge in single volume will never be &C
| cOmplished until wise men know less than they
do now, or until mortal powers of cOndensa-
| ton consistent with Ineligible statement are
| considerably increased. 1t must be admitted,
| however. that great mass of useful and inter-
eStlng information is contained in this fat &C.
| tavO volume of nearly 200 pages. Where so
much is undertaken. the treatment of the va
Ill,
| brief. and in some instances unsatisfactory: but
| give c:'!ld this book, and none other and by
the time it is mastered the result will be pretty
we'll Informed persOn.-nOt sufficiently equipped
for college professOrship. it is true but still
| very we'll able to get along in the world. 1t is
IN short, fair sized and well selected library in
| itself.
''sient Tom" Boston: D. Lothrop & Co.
This, the latest Of the "V. l. F. Series" is a
charming story, In an original vein. and with
/ something of a moral The scene opens in
| Paris, where lovely wife and mother dies, to
| the despair of an adOrlng father and daughter
The father a wealthy American, is hardened by
| his loss, and, becoming so msanthropic as to
neglect his only child. tails an easy prey and is
engaged to be married to an adventures who
| has found her way into the family as maid and
companion to the daughter. At this pOent en-
tiers Grandmother Normandy. stern. relentless
| old lady, of whom everybody is afraid and who
| has marred many lives. Her portrait is well
painted. as is that of the other characters intro
duced, including the noble Newfoundland dog
blossom" and the whole is done in entertain
ing style.
PAGE. SQUIRE AND KNIGHT Romance of the
Boston Eses LaSra H. washnon Ro6er
Beall.
Mr.. Adams who is justly popular writer for
Juveniles. carries them pleasantly, in this hand
some and prOfusely illustrated volume, back to
the days of gallant knights and ladies fair; of
helmet, hauberk and shield; of flowing plumes
and jingling spurs,-to the days of old King
Henry. Richard Occur de Lion, and the cruel
wars in Aquitaine; of beleaguered castles and
| fleeing peasantry; Of troubadOurs and monks
and all the romantic and picturesque Access
| series Of the PERIOD so dear to the Imagination
of story tellers and story readers.
HEART ART OF a.s STEEL Novel: By CHRISTIAN REID
| Brentano & Co.
| Miss Fishers new story is, like all her works.
full OF power and purpose. 1t opens in Paris,
with characters mostly English and American,
| but the greater part of the action transpres in
| Rome Its descriptions are beautiful. but so
| lengthy as to weary the reader and the story Is
trifie too long; but the heroine is very inter-
esting and well-sustained character, and the
| tone Of the book throughout is healthy and ele-
| waiting.
| THE SECRET DISPATCH. By JAMES GRANT New
York: John W. Lowell Company.
historical novel of the time of Catharine
| 1.-THE scene being laid in Russia-full Of hor-
| rOrs and brutal treatment of women, ETC. WHY
| it should have been written unless in the inter-
est Of Nihilism is question that will force it.
| self upon the reader.
| Messrs- Rand McNally l. Co., the well-known
railway and industrial publishers of Chicago,
have established an agency in Washington. where
their publications may be found The Indexed
| Atlas Of the World recently issued by this
| house Is one of the most remarkable and valu-
able compilations that has appeared In any
country for many years.
The extreme limit Of cheapness In book
making would seem to be reached In a neat
| little pamphlet edition of Irving's charming
| story Of rip Van Winkle" which is one of q
| series to be published by John b. Alden, of New
York, for the triiling sum Of two cents.
Willing 60 Pay for Advice Rather than
| be Thought q Dead Heat
/ From the Detroit Free Press.
A prominent Detroiter, who has the reputa-