Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-25
LITERARY NOTES.
THE MANUFACTURES o. LEATHER:


American practice To " hich ADD d rlp,ete
lists Of a. Angrioal pit MT - n,teria-, Yro-
so. En-r.,vil and 4. Samples # owed Leaf hers
Phi adj lphis: Henry Carey Baird d Go.
The purpose and scope of this handsomely
printed and profusely illustrated volume of
over 500 pages are fully set .orth in the title
page quoted above that little remains to be
said on those points except to add that the arl-
thor, who by the way i a citizen OF Washing
ton, seems to have done his work with singular
ability and completeness. Until its appear
ance there has not been. the preface states a
single current volume in the English language
embraces; and To meet this want Mr. Davis has
not cnntented himself in it, preparation with
merely cOiiating stale facts, but Ire has aimed
to present a comprehensive view Of the stale of
the art as it exists in the United States at the
brought a clear knowledge of his theme supple
mented by laudable ambition and untring
industry, and in carrying it out he had the
advantage of the hearty cooperation OF the
leather trade OF the country, with such aid as
could be given in the prosecution of his nqui-
rles by the authorities of the Patent office and
OTHERS in possession of valuable data relating 10
the subject. IL is not too much to assume,
therefore, that Mr.. Davis exhaustive exposition
will become u standard authority with all inter-
estS and persons connected with the manufac-
ture and use of leather. At any rate. ii is diff
cult To see how anything can be added 10 his
contribution to that branch of industrial Htera-
ture while existing conditions continue.
PILOT F0RTUNE BY MAEIAS c. l. REEVES and
Jest" "Aytoun,r and "Wearthorne.' Boston:
Houghton, Mifiin Il Co. Washington, Robert
Beau.
For the readers life it cannot be told where
one of the writers of this story left off and the
other began her task, nor what part either bore
in its construction. Neither does ii matter. 1t
is enough that it is thoroughly entertaining
from beginning to end with a special charm
for those who love the ocean. The scene is laid
at q small fishing station in the Bay of Fundy,
where, save single involuntary trip to St.
Johns, the whole drama is enacted. The de-
scrlptiOnS are wonderfully good throughout
and every page is full of local color and redo,
lent OF the breezy sea. Milly, the heroine, is
called upon to choose between two lovers one
the child of luxury and culture, the other a
stalwart farmer, manly and generous, but un-
cultivated. and her struggles in reaching a de-
however, with painful and pathetic incidents
and, in spite of the many clever things it
contains, leaves a somewhat unpleasant feeling
in the mind OF the reader.
NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS Bv Hrxpx A
BEES American Men of Letters Series. Boston:
Hn Thton Miffiin & Co. Washington: Robert
The present generation of readers know little
or nothing of Willis, who has been so aptly de-
scrlbed by DIR. Holmes "a reminiscence of
DOrsay, and fOrerunner of Oscar Wilde"
FROM quarter to half a century ago, however
he was prominent figure in the field of Ameri-
can light literature; and as a writer he exercised
no sllght influence upon the younger minds of
his day, first as a promising poet. and after
wards as the originator OF personal or society
journalism. His mission was not a serious one
but such as it was il was cleverIy fulfilled He
was a brilliant and elegant trifier, but he was
versatile and piquant in expression, and he ad-
ded a good deal to the enjoyment of a wide cir
Gle of readers SO that no less an authority than
Thaekeray was prompted to say: 1T is comfort
able that there should have been Willis His
career did not furnish the material for a great
biography, but Prof Beers has made out of it a
very entertaining book, and a really valuable
contribution to the biographical literature of
the country.
THE KNIGHT OF THE BLACK FOREST By
GRACE DEMO LITCHFIELD author of Only an
Incident New York: q. L. Putnam's Sons Wash
ington; Robert Beall
Short as to length, slight as to plot and Incl
dent, and vivacious to style, this story will
pleasantly while away an idle hour albeit it
seems to have been written as a description of
the black forest region of Germany and life
therein, with some love passages introduced to
add human interest to the narrative rather
than as a story with malice aforethought. The
herolnes are, moreover, decidedly unpleasant
ana, let us nope, rare, types of the American girl
abroad. and the. miscarriage of their schemes
does not excite the sympathy of the reader
A CHILDS GARDEN OF VERSES. By ROBERT
Louis STEVENSON New York: Charles Serb
ners Sons. Washington: VIM Ballantyne & Son.
Both for its contents and the attractive style
In which they are presented, this little volume
is TO be commended. Mr.. Stevenson is one of
the most popular of prose writer's for young
folks, and this collection of verses shows him to
oe equally lencltlOus IN rhyme. few of the
verses are adapted for the nursery rather than
Tor children who are able to read, but among
them will be found more than little genuine
poetry. The dedication to the authors muse is
particularly happy effort of its kind.
HOW TO DRAIN A HOUSE Practical Informa
ton for HousehOiders. BY GEO. f. WARING Jr
York: Henry Holt & Co. Wsshngton: srep Ms%
Brothers.
There is perhaps in no country a better au-
thority on the subject treated in this monograph
Fnt viz yr-l,<N
and odd pages the results of his wide observa-
tions and experience in such brief simple and
intelligible manner that with this manual in
hand any intelligent person can master the
problem Of a healthy home so far as drainage
Is concerned, We know nothing of its kind
nearly so good.
BY FIrz-JAMEs o'BRIEN. Collected and Edited,
WITH a sketch of the Author, by William Winter.
Sons Washington: Robert Beall.
1t is perhaps not too much to say that we never
had in this country more brilliant and fas-
cinating writer of short stories than the gallant
author of this collection, which contains thir-
teen OF those best known to the public quarter
OF a century ago. In the cheap but readable
form In which they now appear they will be
certain To gain wide circulation both among
old and new acquaintance.
THE LOST TRAIL BY EDWARD 8 ELLIS. antbor
9i we'd IN the Block House." etc Philadelphia:
Porter & Coates. Washington: VIM Balantyne&
Full of thrilling adventures and hair-breadth
escapes, this story will delight the boys. for
whose particular delectation 1t was written It
Is the first volume of new set, to be known as
the Log Cabin Series,' and they who read it
Will be pretty sure TO want those which are to
follow.
Those who desire to acQuaint themselves with
the questions involved in the struggle now in
progress along the disputed Afghan boundary
as well as with the character of the country
and its people, will find much to their hand.
coCclsely stated, in Charles Marvin's new book
recently issued in cheap form by Charles Serb
ners Sons, entitled The Russians at the Gates
OF Herat- Mr.. Marvin is acknowledged au-
tnorlty on the matter of which he treats, and
though his opinions are biased, as any English
man are likely To be. just now, his statements
OF facts are apparently trustworthy, and the in
Is given To the monograph by number OF
portraits and maps.
From the publishers, through Robert BealI.
We have bound volume of The Century for the
last six months, that is the numbers from No
Vember to April both inclusive. Aside from the
attractions usually presented in the way of
beautiful Illustrations and choice light lit
erature, 1t contains a large amount of historical
portance III Il perhaps the most valuable of
ali the volumes OF that periodical vet published
which Is saying great deal.
Lowelfs charming "Fireside Travels" and
Bret Hartes Luck of Roaring Camp" with sew
eral other characteristic stories, constitute the
second and third volumes respectively of the
attractive Riverside Aldine Series OF Houph-
ton, Mifiin & Co. which we have heretofore
To F-rR4lx