Evening star., 1884-07-26


man scholars, and the story is told to the end
in spirit of perfect fairness. No attempt Is
made at rhetorical display. but graphic and even
brilliant passages are not lacking: and the gen.
erai style of the author is clear, straightforward
and frank, keeping himself out Of view as much
as possible and devoting himself entirely to the
elucidatiOn of his theme. An idea of how the
history is esteemed in Germany may be formed
from the fact that over twenty thousand copies
were sold last year in that country, where books
are not so widely purchased as here.
PALACE,PRlsoN; PAL ,;Ep OR, THE M PAST AND THE
Washington VIM. Ballantyne Son.
An expose of the interior of an insane
asylum,-the narrative showing a young girl OF
nervous temperament to be so treated that she
becomes really and incurably insane, lis natur-
ally not a pleasant subject for a novel. And
viewed as novel "A Palace Prison" is far from
success. The writer Is evidently in deep
earnest. and we fear exaggerates somewhat;
but the purpose is good one, and If the effect
of the book be to ameiiOrate in any degree the
condition of the poor souls who drag out mis-
cradle existence inside the walls of mad houses,
it will not have been written in vain.
CLYTIA. Romance Of the Sixteenth Century. By
en GEoRsE h TAYHoR nor author d Of AntnouS" Frgm the
Gottsberger Washington: VIM Ballantyne Son
"Clytia" is deeply interesting story of Ger
man life and experience during that unsettled
period of the 10th century when different and
bitterly opposing religious beliefs were strug-
Cling for the mastery in that unhappy country.
The heroine and her father are charming char
acters, and the young Jesuit priest is strong
and original conception. who, though causing
much suffering, atones for much by suffering
much himself. and making such reparaton as he
can. The book is much thought Of in Germany,
and Is translated In the usual faithful and felicit
Gus style of Miss Stafford.
BARBARA THAYER: HER GIoRIoCs CAREER
Novel. By ANNE JENNEss MILLER. Boston Lee
Shepard Washington w. II. Morrison.
The GLORIOUS career" of the heroine of this
rather clever story seems to have consisted in
acting for one season as governess, then taking
the platform as public reader, and finally in
breaking Off brilliant matl limOnial engagement
because in earlier years her lover had betrayed a
woman whom he afterward refused to marry.
The literary style of the author indicates that of
a beginner, but the story may be taken as the
promise of better things later on when time and
practice have done their work in the deliueation
of more natural characters, more artistic con-
structlOn, and better expression Of thought and
feeling.
COUNTRY DOCTOR BY SARAH ORsE JEwErr
ert Bail ''0'7 A''-' q w. wash ~ ''n '''0
This is the first boOk-szed romance written by
Miss Jewett. who is one of the best short story
writers and perhaps the best deiineator of New
England life and character we have 1t is marked
ny the best characteristics OF her style. though
1t is not so much a romance pure and simple as
plea for woman right to choose her lfe-call-
ing-the purpose being to demonstrate that she
may have career before her, and he born to
profession. as well as man.
There promises to be no lack of campaign BIZ
ographies of Blaine and Blaine and Logan by
the time the Presidential campaign gets fairly
under way. The first of its class to reach US is
pOrtly volume OF over five hundred pages
published by Thayer. Merriam & Co.. of Phila-
deiphia. the text of which is from the pen of
Mr. William Ralston Balch the author OF a
Life of Garfield. and several other popular
works. 1t gives favorable idea of the charac-
ter and career OF Mr.. Blaine, and though its
present interest lies largely in its value as
campaign document, it has sufficient literary
merit to give 1t more permanent hold; though
OF course the haste with which it was prepared
left the author scant chance to appear at his
best. In addition to the biography OF Blaine. it
has a chapter of Facts about our Presidents;''
one on the "Women Of the White House" with
number of portraits, singularly enough inclu-
ding that of Mrs. Logan, and emitting that of
Mrs. Blaine; short biographical sketch of
General Logan, and well stated resume of the
tariff question from protectionist point of
view. Another biography of the two republican
candidates, by Thomas w. Knox. the well known
writer, also covering some five hundred pages,
has been issued by the Hartford Publishing Com
pany. Still others are announced Mr.. H. ].
Ramsdell, of this city, has for some time past
been engaged on one, for the preparation of
which he has enjoyed exceptional facilities,
supplemented by close personal friendship and
warm admiration for his distinguished subject.
fourth biography OF the republican candidate,
written by Mr.. Charles WOlcOtt Balestier is an
nOunced for issue, in a few days, by Il. Worth
ingtOn, the New York publisher. 1t Is said that
this volume has been read in proof by MIR.
Blaine. and has his sanction as to it's accuracy
sketch of the life of General Logan will be
appended.
The second and third numbers of D. Lothrop
Il CO.. 'YOung Folks Library fully justify the
pleasant things said on the appearance of the
initial volume. 'Maggies Mission" by Marie Oil
Yer. though trie sad, will be interesting and in
structive to young readers. teaching how
peace and happiness was brought to a miserable
home; and kitty Kent's Troubles" by Julia A.
Eastman, is not less so. 1t is story OF girl
who was neither all good nor all bad and shows
how her faults brought trouble, and how from
them peace came at last,-the moral being,
to use the authors words, that ''the only road
to Happiness lies through the land of Goodness"
That excellent paper. the american Angler,
celebrates the commencement of it's sixth vol
ume by doubling its size and greatly improving
its appearance. The angler is the only paper in
this country devoted wholly to the gentle sport,
anu "eii ueseifes tne IaPor OF which Unese lul-
prOvements are such substantial evidences.
'The Bassett Claim" story of life in WASH
ington, by Mr.. Henry R. Elliot, of this city,
will be published by the Putnams early in Sep
tember: The story appeared as serial during
the early part Of the summerfn the New York
Commercial Advertiser, by whose readers it was
received with exceptional favor
A Visit to an Industrial School.
To the Editor of THE EVENING SrAp.
'Tis agreeable sometimes to turn away from
public buildings. from viewing beautiful parks,
magnificent churches and bronze and marble