Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-28
LITERARY NOTES.
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN. A Story. BY R. II.
NEWELL. (Orpheus C. xerr) 'Our Continent" Lii
brary. New York Foris. Howard Hubert

brary New York: For,is Howard Il Hubert
Washington: Brentano Brothers.
A singular title to an equally singular book,
about which a good deal may be said in both
praise and censure, but which, we think. all
readers will agree is too long. The author uses
too many words and his plan Of combining
queer scientific theories with romance does not
commend itself. On the other hand the story
has the merit OF originality. in conception and
treatment, with somewhat witty flavor. fair
proportion of incident and novel experiences.
and descriptions that are graphic and seem to
be truthful. The story opens in New York, a
little over a halt century ago. but the scene is
soon transferred to BOrneo. where most of the
events transpire. An air of probability and per-
SOnal interest are given to the narrative by util-
iZing the strange career of Sir james Brooke,
Familiarity known as the "Rajah of BOrneO." but
the authors effort to demonstrate phlOsOph
zeal idea reversing the Darwinian theory of pro-
9reSs-the degradation and debasement of the
human race. instead of its advancement, in other
wOrds.-can hardly be called q success. 1t is at
once absurd and repulsive.
B1BLIo 0iRY OF THE BACoNsHAKEsPEARE
II. WYMAN Cincinnati: Peter g. Thompson. Wash
inston: Brentano Brothers.
1t is not likely that the general reader will
take much interest in this book, but to those in
terestcd in Sha&esperean literature it will be
found both useful and entertaining. 1t is the
outgrowth of a small pamphlet printed for pri-
vate circulation, couple of years ago. by its
authOr.-a brother. by the way, of U. s. Treas
urer Wyman.-which gave some sixty odd titles
in the photography of the singular controversy
to which it is devoted. This has now been eX-
banded into a handsomely printed octave vol
ume, of 124 pages. containing 255 titles with
explanatory notes and extracts which add great
ly to its value. In completeness. within its own
field, We know nothing equal to it.
THE AMERICAN H ,,RsEwoMAN By Mrs. Eliza
Washingto.: VIM Ballantyne ( Son '''n''n q w.
The present popularity of horseback riding
with our countrywOmen ought to make wide
demand for this book, which it well deserves.
Mrs. karr seems to thoroughly understand her
subject theoretically and practically. and she is
able to impart her knowledge in a style SO
pam, comprehensive. yet concise. that any
woman reading her instructions thoughtfully
may. with reasonable experience, master that
most desirable accomplishment of riding we'll.
TO further this end a number of appropriate
diagrams and illustrations are given.
MINGa: And Other Sketches in BLACK and White By
Joel CHANDLER HARRIS author of =" Nights with
Washington: Ereatano Brothers.
The peculiarities and merits OF Mr. Harris
sketches of southern character and k-lore are
so we'll known by now that mere announce
ment of the publication of a collection of them
is warrant enough for his legion of admirers
tie Is genius in his way. and the contents of
TINS volume show him at his best. AT league
Poteet's. which is perhaps the best OF the pres
ent group, has been pronounced by Julian Haw-
thOrne one of the best pieces of recent American
fiction.
FRANK II. STOCKTON. New York: Charles Scril-
ner's Sons Washington: VIM Bailantyne l. Son
capital book, this, for a railway trip or sum-
mer resort reading where one does not want to
tax the mind with prolonged or heavy efforts
In fantastic humor Mr. Stockton excels, and
some OF the dozen stories which constitute the
present volume are in his best vein. Most, If
not all of them have been published in maya
zines, but they are well worth preserving in per-
mauent form, to be read one ut time at odd in
tervals, as fancy prompts.
OUR an BASE BAtL GLIB and How it Won the Cham
g HrtI Nines ct. etc With an Intr9l%ctou by Al g;
New York: f. p button Co. Washington: VIM VIM.
Ballantyne Son '-'
Mr.. Brooks is, we believe the first author to
hang romance upon what may be called our
national game. and a very clever story he has
made of II, especially for the younger classes
ofreaders. large part of it is taken from lite,
ana several OF the characters are real per-
sonaGes, well known. under fictitious names,
which gives an increased interest to the nara
tive OF the ups and downs of a 'pcked nine"
AN AVERAGE MAN. By ROBERT GRANT, author of
1 CONCESSIONS G OF Fnyoloms Girl" ETC Boston:
Brothers
The promise given by Mr.. Grants previous
sparkling little book is not kept in this volume,
neither is the expectation held out in it's begin
ming rewarded at the end. It's scenes are mostly
laid in New York, and many of the doings Of
wall street and the dark ways of society arc
unfoGed Some Of the situations are exciting
but as whole the story is rather below the
average of current fiction
THE HANDY COMPANION FOR CONSTANT USE.
Hubbard SY ct G.Ferts New York
We can best give our opinion of this little book
by telling that, travelling on the cars not long
since, We bought a copy from that irrepressible
nuisance the train newsboy. solely on it's merits
as an epitome OF interesting and useful informa-
ton.
Charles Scribner's Sons Washington; VIM. Balan-
The reputation established by it's predecessors
Is amply sustained by this volume-No. of the
series,-which contains stories by Miss Woolson.
H. C. Bunner, N. P. Willis, Mrs FoOee. ]. w.
De Forest. and Noah Brooks
COOKERY FOR BEGINNERS A Series of Familiar
LESSONS for Young Housekeepers. BY MARION
hold" etc. Boston, ~
An admirable little book, in every way, with
Its directions so plain and complete that no one
observing them can fail to succeed in the some
what difficult task of cooking well.
Other Publications Received.
OUR AMERICAN RESORTS For Health Pleasure
and Recreati Where to Co and How to Get
There. With nearly One Hundred and Fifty Illus
tratlons. Edited by LOUIS M. BABCOCK Second
Edition. Washington: National News bureau
BROKEN ENGLISH Frenchmans struggle with
tn" English Language Amusing q Narrative
Instructive as Il Handbook of French Conversation
By T. DUBOIS In English and French Bo ton
Lee Shepard. Washington: J. G. Parker
THE READING CLUB AND HANDY SPEAKER
Being Serious Humorous, Pathetic Patriotic and
Dramatic Selections, in Prose and Poetry for Read
lngs and tecitations Edited by GEORGE NJ BAKER
No l3. Boston, Lee 4 Shepard.
WHIRLWINDS, CYCLONES AND TORNADOES By
WILLIAM MORRIS DAVIS. The "Scence, Series
Boston: Lee Shepard. Washington j. c. Parker
WHAT is TO BE DONE. A Handbook for the Nursery.
With Useful Hints for Ciildr II and Aiu,ts By
ROBERT NJ Dixon, ID. Boston, Lee l. Shepard
PicniCs, Excursions. &c.
The Carroll Institute excursion to Marshall
Hall on Monday will be by the steamer Corco-
ran, which leaves at 10 am. and pm, return
ing leaves Marshall Hall at 3 and $50 pm, and
the Mary Washington, which leaves her wharf
at 10 am. and 5 pm, and returns at 2 and
$50 pm,
The cOmmOdOus steamer New Armenia leaves
her wharf at am, Saturdays eXcepted tor