Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-06
LITERARY NOTES.

serial In The Century that there is no call for
criticism upon it at this late day. There are.
however. good many people who will not read
| a book until finally completed and published in
proper form. and not a few even then follow the
excellent rule Of deferring its reading tor year
and day after publication. to see whether OF
not interest Is still kent alive In IL. and thus be
able TO Judge pretty well in advance whether or
not 1t is worth the time required TO go through
it, For the benefit of such it may be said that
while .'pr. Sewer" is not a great novel. and may
not ontlast its present reputation. il is in many
respects. beautiful story. told with uncommon
grace and art. It is a vivid picture of life in
New Orleans. along in the early sixties. and the
scenes and incidents introduced are portrayed
with rare fidelity. and occasionally with consid-
cradle power. There are also many passages OF
quaint humoT. some excellent descriptions and
the picture is eHQuistety shaded throughout
But there is little too much of the val-a5ond
Narc:sse: III spite OF some dramatic qualities the
separation of John and Mary Ech!ing is spun
out too long: the dialect tho admirably rem
dered. becomeS-tiresome at times; and the char
acters are not as vigorously drawn and as
Clearly defined as one would like. For the latter
popularity tie author has. however plenty of
precedentS in the style of certain artists whose
efforts in portrature. however vague and indis-
tinct. both i'm outline and expression OF charac-
ter. find no end of admirers. fl is understood
tllat tuc cilalacteE whose name gives the BOOK
Its title is study from lifc.-the original being
DR.. f. Warren Brickell. prominent physician
and able writer, OF New Orleans, who died in
| that city few years ago.
HALF A CENTURY OF ENGLISH HISTORY: Pfcto-
illiy Presented IN Series OF $50 Cartoons from
ington Brentano Brothers.
In one sense the title OF this book is rIislead-
ing but fguratively speaking it is accurate
enough. A written history it is not; vet. as all
the world knows. the events and personaCes
represented by the clever artists of the great
English satirical weekly are precisely the things
that have occupied the attention Of Great Brit
ain for the last fifty years. 1t is true that. as
has been charged. the historical panorama mot
complete. because no cartoons have been Sc
lected which refer to the Crimean war the In.
DIAN mutiny or the Franco-German war: but
what may be called the domestic political his
tory OF the country is fairly illustrated, and the
cartoons presented serve to show how largely
the personality OF Disrae filed the British eve
and mind during his public career His unmis-
| takeabie !ineaments both open and close the
series Of cartoons while he is either the central
| figure or conspicuous feature of more than
| half the whole number given. In this respect
! he nearly doubles his great rival. Gladstone As
a rule the caricatureS or rather perhaps the
eXagTeratons. are very good, and the book as
whole is extremely diyertng.
Juniper New
Brentano Brothers.
The author of this novel writes ANONYMOUSLY.
but with great earnestness. and at times with
decided force. Its theme is the money-gettinc
craze of the period. and its moral the old one
that the wild chase tor doubtfully acquired
wealth brings no happiness. The material for
the story is furnished by the sayings and doings
of sharp spectators in New York and ras-
caily Jaw makers in Washington: but. while
there unfortunately exist some well defined
originals for the scenes and characters described
many OF them are greatly exaggerated and
some are improbable As a story ION a Mar
GIN is not without interest and it has some
merit as literary performance. but the atmos-
pherc is unleathy.-as is perhaps unavoidable
the result is unsatisfactory, and the impress
sion left on the mind is likely to be unpleasant.
SELECT POEMS OF ALFRED LORD TENNYsoN.
Hai,edf with Notes by WIIIIAM j. RoLFE NJ
Co. Washington: Brentano Brothers.
THE PRINCESS: A Medley BY ALFRED LORD Tx
EYsoN Edited. with Notes, by WILLIAM j ROLF,
good Co. Washington: Brentano Brothers
In the preparation of these volumes Mr. Rolfe
has shown the same extensive research and ey-
celIent judgment displayed in his popular edi
ton OF Shakespeare, published by the Harpers.
some time ago, and which they exactly resem-
BILE in letter press and binding Although in
tended for the use of students. both volumes
Will De found admirably adapted for home read
ing. on account OF the copious notes. which aid
largely to the better understanding OF the
author on many points which. without such
help. would be somewhat obscure to the gem
erai reader.
The DESTINY OF MAN: Viewed in the Light of his
Mn Coy TSnS msS gO1s9n ,Housson
This essay attracted a good deal of attention
when read before the Concord School of Philoso-
ply, last summer. as well for the views advanced
as the clear and forcible manner in which they are
presented. Prof Fiske treats this theme philo-
sophically rather than theologically but he nev-
ertheless is not in accord with the extreme OAR
win school. avOwing his belief in the doctrine of
immortality. though, to use his own expression.
mot in the sense in which | accept the demon
strable truths of science, but as supreme act
OF faith IN the reasonableness Of Gods work"
Birth to the Present Time. with hs Theory on the
Richmond: K. T. Hill Co ~ ~ --i- D.
Those who read this book must rise from if
with the impression that, though man Of con-
siderable crude force Of character who has
doubtless done some good in his calling. its
subject is an ignorant, head-strong and con-
ceted person. with nothing in his individuality
or career to call tor an extended biographical
sketch like this. 1t may be added Furthermore
that the book is handicapped by an amateurish
style and unnteresting padding.
HEIDI: HER YEARs OF WANDERING AND LEARNING
Story for Children and those who Love Children
Translated from the German of JOHANNA SPYRI by
LOUISE BROOKS Boston: Cuppes, Upham & Co
Washington: Brentano Brothers.
Somewhat sumptuous in appearance and ex-
pensive as to price, the cost Of this pretty little
pastoral poem in prose should not prejudice if
in the eyes of book buyers since its publication
is solely for the benefit Of worthy charity in
Boston. The story is moreover, On its own merits.
well worthy its attractive setting It IS
sweet and simple tale of child life in Switzer-
land, full of beautiful descriptive passages and
pure and elevating in tone. 1t is singular that
the writings Of author so deservedly popular
at home have not before this time found their
way into the English language and now that
their quality has been tasted il is to be hoped
Others will follow. But, however that NAV be.
young readers and those who provide for them
are to be congratulated on so pleasant an intro
duction as the volume before US affords.
THE ANCIENT EMPIRES OF THE EAST. ByAH
SAYcE, Deputy Professor of Comparative Pbioloov'
oxford. Honorary Ii. D.. Dublin New YOrk::
Charles Scribners Sons Washington: VIM. Balan-
tyne Son.
The purpose of Prof Sayce In the prepara-
ton of this volume seems to be to point out
wherein and to what extent the statements and
theories of the ancient historians are rendered
valueless by modern research and discoveries.
than that which he essays to take away is not
quite clear, but historical students will find
much to interest them in his presentation of the
subject even ii they are not able IN aoraa With