Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-13
LITERARY NOTES.

AN VICTORIOUS COLUMBUS; Or Evidence that
Hwui shan and party of Buddhist Monks from
tnfy a. b B. EDwanp Asria IN the 9 Y Gsn
ID. Appleton 4 Co Washington: Robert Beall.
There Is nothing inherently unreasonable in
the idea that this continent was visited by In
habitants of Asia long before Columbus made
his memorable voyage, and it is true that some
OF the Mexican and Central American antiqui-
Ties and traditions bear a strong resemblance to
those related to Buddhism, or at least show ap-
parent marks of the influence of that faith.
With these existing probabilities it is not diff.
cult to supply arguments in support of the the
DRY heretofore advanced, and now SO forcibly
presented by Mr. Vining that the rather vague
narrative of a party of Buddhist missionaries
on their return from long stay in strange
and distant land referred to a residence in those
parts of the American continent now known as
Central America and Mexico. But even If so
mucn were admitted, ii yet does not follow that
such consequences as are claimed could have
followed the alleged visit. Two fatal objections
to that view lie In the facts that there are no
evidences of a visit to sojourn in or "a passage
through any portions of the country lying be-
tween the points OF departure and Occupation
and that there l. no record OF any subsequent
visit or settlement by other countrymen of the
hve hardy explorers. II is not possible that the
supposed influences referred to could have come
from the temporary efforts of so small a band,
however earnest and active it might have been
IN propagating its faith. To have made so deep
and lasting impression upon a foreign people
prolonged and extended occupancy of their
territory would have been necessary, and OF
such settlement there does not exist the slight
est proof, nor, so far as We know, even tradi-
ton. Nevertheless, Mr.. Winning has made a
most ingenious and readable presentation of
his view, and as contribution to historical
literature it is at once unique and creditable.
study and patient research as it does also of
honesty of purpose and disposition to learn
the truth. The authors style is vigorous and
clear, and the movement OF the narrative is
logically and agreeably sustained throughout
BRICKS. TILES, TERRACoTTA. ETC. By CHARLES
AID Plates PhiladeIphia: Henry Carey Baird &
Those who desire information concerning the
manufacture and use of products made from
clay, applied to architectural construction
and adornment. will scarcely need to look be-
yond this treatise, which, to the eye Of the lay
man. appears to be both comprehensive and
exhaustive. The author, whose elaborate work
on leather we recently had occasion to COM
mend, has had considerable experience in both
the use and manufacture of bricks, and the
knowledge thus gained he has supplemented
by long and careful study of the subject in all
its branches that he is able to treat Of it not
only historically and practically, but also from
an esthetic point of view The product of the
kiln has been most important factor in human
progress, from the very dawn of civilization.
This fact Mr.. Davis fully realizes. Beginning
with the earliest attainable Information in re-
gard to- the manufacture of bricks in their rudest
form, he follows the progress and development
OF the industry down to its artistic achieve
ments of the present day. describing and Illus
trating the processes OF each forward step. so
that the reader of the dullest comprehension
may easily understand not only the mOmen-
tous results attained, but the particular means
and methods by which they have been accom-
piis1ed. Especially attractive, in view of the
great advance of public taste in architecture
and IN the use of burnt clay in its various forms
as means of external and interior embelish-
ment, will be found those chapters relating to
terra-cotta and to ornamental tiles but the
whole treatise, from beginning to end, is inter
priately dedicated to General Meigs "as a testi.
monial of respect To his high personal charac-
ter, and appreciation OF his abilities an engi-
neer and architect
SENT The story of its settlement. Progress and
torical objects Public Buildings Memorial Statu-
airy and Beautiful Houses BY STILsoS HUTcnINs
Post Publishing Company.
Something of guide book. and somewhat of
a local history, and having also some of the
snowy qualities usually residing in a keepsake
volume, this publication fills a place that SO far
as We know has not been occupied by any
single work now before the public. But having
certain characteristics of each, it follows as
may be supposed, that it lacks the best features
OF all, and will probably fail to meet the pre-
comprehensive and exact work of either of the
TWO classes first named. In literary point of
view the work of the compilers has been fairly
Wen done, though many pages bear evidence,
both in text and illustrations, of hasty prepare
ton, which should and doubtless will be re-
moved In future editions. In general appear
ance the volume is decidedly creditable. Typo
graphically, the letter press Is all that could be
desired. but for the engravingS which in some
instances give undue prominence to unimpor-
faHt and uninteresting subjects, not much
can be said. They range in quality from
Clever To indifferent, and in one two
pass beyond the latter point. The one repre-
sentin. the death-bed of Lincoln, for exam pie,
is one that could very we'll be omitted.
zorro iSTER. BY F. MARION CRAWFORD author Of
etc New York and London. Macmillan & Co.
Washington: Brcntano Brothers.
does of
his new story in the east, and to choose for it q
period remote and uncertain, thereby giving
free rein to his fancy without danger of being
brought up with a round turn by the Gradgrind
critics ON a charge of not conforming to facts.
"Zoroaster" belongs to the school of Kingsley's
"Hypatia' and Ebers' Egyptian novels; and
If il lacks the power of the first and the archie
illogical knowledge and careful detail of the
latter, ii Is still brilliant and successful lite
rary performance. The characters wildly
sketched, and the descriptive scenes Won
fully fascinating, while the plot IS full of
RHYTHMIC action and dramatic interest. Next
TO MIR. isaacs, we think this will prove to be
the authors most popular effort.
THE ANGt 4 r. , GUIDE BOOK and Tourists. Ga
and Canada 1857. Complied and Edited by
gier." New York: The American Angler.
Seekers after pleasant places of recreation can
scarcely desire. and if they should they can
hardly find, more comprehensive and reliable
data on the subject than is furnished in this
compact and conveniently arranged mass of
incarnation. Mr.. Harris Is himself an ardent
and successful az. cr, of long and wide expe-
thence and observation 50 that he knows eX-
actly what hi> gentle brethren need in the way
OF points a. To where and when TO go fishing,
how To get there, the kind of fish to be caught,
now 10 take them, character OF accOmmOd.
tons. probable expense OF y visit etc, etc. and
all this he tells them in terse yet perfectly sat-
tsfactOry way II is good kind Of book and
the best of its kind.
RED EYNINGTON. BY WILLIAM wEsr,LI
author o; Larry Lohengrn' The Old FACTORY y
etc exc. New Jrk: CsisSell & Co. Washington:
Brentano BrothSrs.
This is not a blood and thunder novel full of
savage encounter. and marvellous escapes and
told in a style 10 captivate Intending detectives
scouts and Indian slayers as might at first be
supposed, from its aliteratiye title and fiery
binding. but the rather common place but
fairly interesting romance OF an English manl-
Eicturer, who by the force Of popular ways and
good fortune manages TO get into parliament
and finally reaches The paradise OF his class by
marrying the dau.h of 4 uobleman and liv-
ing a life OF ease and luxury.
SPRIGs OF ACACIA By SAMUEL ADAMS wIoGrN
Washington. D. C.
This title. suggestive OF pleasant thoughts and
associations, has been chosen by the author for
a collection OF over two hundred pieces of verse
contributed by him during the past twenty
years To newspapers in various of the country
They cover, lie ni..lt he inferred Il wide range
of subjects. and SHOW The existence of consider
able poetic feeling the part oil the writer: but
construction and eXpre>siUn and, so far Is "a
cursory examination gives opportunity for
Judgment, few OF the illusions are likely To out
live the friendships vi the author.