Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-12
LITERARY NOTES.

! interesting OF the valuable series TO which II be-
longs, aud, though marked by less OF the dra-
| matte quality than some OF the others, will per
| haps. on account of the territory TO which n
relates, be read with most avidity by American
readers. Mr. Bancroft is the first person who
has ever brought together. studied and dIgested
the vast amount Of material bearing upon his
subject and he seems to have discharged his
task with singular sincerity and ability An
Idea OF the laboriOus research required FOR the
preparation OF this single volume NAV ba found
when IL is stated that the index OF authorities
examined and quoted occupies alone no less
than ffty-three closely printed octave pages
But fullness and accuracy not its only merits
In literary style and plan Of classification n IA
characterized by all the eXcellences which dis
tnguished the preceding volumes: and II nav
be pronounced, therefore, at once the fullest and
ciearest history yet written Of the early days Of
That section or our continent. IL Ia. indeed
hardly too much to say that il will long be the
source whence future students and historians
VIII seek for Information and draw their inspira-
tion. Like Its predecessors, the value of the
volume before us is enhanced by copies Of early
maps, etc, aud complete alphabetical index.
WILD wooDs LITE; OR. A TRIP TO PARMACHE-
Capt CHARLES A J. FARRAR author Of Eastward
VIM Ballantyne 4 Son.
Under the general title Of Lake and Forest
Series" Capt. Farrar several years ago under
took the preparation Of a set OF books nustra-
tive OF hunting, fishing, trapping and adventure
generally In the wilds OF Maine. The first vol
ume was devoted to the regions living round
about the famous Rangeley lakes The one be-
iole US taxes up the country at the head waters
OF the Connecticut and Nagalloway rivers and
In narrating the experiences of an Imaginary
party OF boys In that locality he manages to give
very correct idea OF woods life and of the rare
enjoyment to be had from trip Of the kind
"a ny Enr fu ,.-a11
has set himself. He is personally familiar with
all the territory described. and has knack of
putting things in taking way for young read
ers, although some parts of his narrative would
bear condensing TO advantage
UNITED STATES NOTES History Of the Various
United states By JoHS Jay KS0x With an krps sne
Court of the United sites and The Disslin,i,is
OPINION on the Legal Tender Question. New York:
tyne Son. 49, ~
In compiling this history Mr. Knox has turned
TO good account the information which came to
him during his long incumbency Of the Office OF
Comptroller of the Currency, and he has given
to the public volume which is not only useful
and interesting to students OF financial Cues-
tions but of service to the general reader Il
is, however, rather surprising and certainly to
be regretted that he did not incorporate with
the text FAC smile In form and color, If not i'm
to- 10 have done so would have been easy and
not very expensive, in the present state of illus
trative printing, and that feature would have
added largely to the historical and permanent
value OF the book.
TIE t,5 Pels &C FRIES OF AMERICA TO THE YEAR
q. L. Putnam's Sons. Washington: B1entano Broth
Students Of history will be greatly Interested
In this volume. 1t is scholarly digest Of
inn
possessed by the ancients relative to the western
continent and adjacent islands, and also of what
was known of the early discoveries of the
Mortimer, together with extracts from old and
rare books and manuscripts touching the explo-
rations of Columbus. the Cabots and other
naVlgators, prior to 1928. The copies OF ancient
maps, charts, etc, are very curious and inter-
estlng, In themselves, as well as useful I'm con-
nection with the text.
BBays by .; 4 EoTHRock NJ D. Philsdaphia J.
Persons interested in pleasant, healthtul and
economical means of recreation will find this
book worth their attention. In very attrac-
tive way the author tells the story of q three
months cruise with his two little bovs-an oc-
casonal visiting company,-and indicates how
congenial party can realize three or four times
as much from such trip as can be got from any
fashionable resort. and at less than half the ex-
pense with the narrative are interspersed
notes on botany and natural history and there
are several clever illustrations from pictures
taken by the author acting as an amateur pho
tographer.
NOTES TAKEN IN SIXTY YEARS BY RICHARD
sAlrH ELLIOTT, OF ST, Louis. Washington: Bren-
This is queer tumble of facts. Incidents in
formation, personal recollections and gossip.
thrown together in hap-hazard sort Of way.
but not without interest, nevertheless, and es-
pecially to those partial to remnscential litera-
ture. Born in Pennsylvania in 1917 and living
In st. Louis, since 1913, the authors obserya-
ton has naturally covered awide range Of topics
ana great changes In places and population;
and In telling his story he has made a very en-
PERTAINING book. even though it may not take
high rank in the minds of the critics as a fin
ished literary performance.
STAGE-STRUCK; Or, She Would be an onera Singer
B sy BInS sf koosEyELT aqth9r Of Marked In
Washington: Brentano Brothers
The purpose OF this book Is laudable enough
but it Is too big, whether the end in view or its
literary attractions be considered. Its avowed
object is to prevent American girls from going
to Europe to study music; and, as a warning
the career of O sweet-yoced ambitious girl is
traced from her happy home in Wisconsin to its
sad end in Italy. The plot is hackneyed, and the
style Is not good; and the story as NAV be
imagined, is not pleasant one: but ii is worth
reading by ambitious lady vocalists and their
partial and injudicious friends.
ROMAN SINGER ING, BY F MARION CRAWFORD
Mfiin Co. Washington: Robert l5eall
Although Mr.. Crawfords reputation with
novel readers is likely to rest on his first effort.
because of the originality of its queer plot and
characters, this is unquestionably his best pro-
duction 1t is in charming narrative STYLE. the
story purporting to be told by a garruious old
man, who knows much OF written philnsnrsht,
but little of human nature. and who through
out the book is hardly ever out of sight. The
authors best work is in the character of .'Nino ="
the singer, but the whole story. though not p
without serious defects, is full OF quiet charm.
PHOEBE Novel. By the Author of ''Rutledge- Bos
ton; Houghton, Mlfiin Co. Washington: Win
Ealantyne Son.
1t is a long time since Mrs. Harris has given
the public work of fiction, and IL is not likely
that she will ever produce anything equal toher
first effort 'Ph9be" is certainly not to be COM
style lie good but the heroine is a confused and
unsatisfactory character. The moral, so far as
one is conveyed, is good,-the aim being to en-
dorse and show the necessity of suffering and
social condemnation for errors committed.
THREADS OF THOUGHT By ANNIE ARMSTRONG.
Washington: Brentano Brothers.
little volume Of verses. pure and earnest I'm
sentiment, and fairly well expressed. but hardly
of sufficient merit to pass into wide circulation
outside the writer's circle of friends