Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-03

| writer, who is evidently a lady. and quite
| young. and an admirer Of the work of Mrs
Amelia RiVes Chanler, will write a good,
strong, sensible, striking and readable novel
But not yet u. B. Lppincott Company; ]. R.
Weldin Co., so cents).
FUGITIVE FACTS is an altogether different
sort of book, as indeed is suggested by its
title. 1t is a Handy Family Reference Book, -
well described as being entertaining and in
structlve for desultory reading" but incor-
rectly styled unique" Miss Killikelly's ex-
celIent book of Curious Questions covers as
wide a range, concerns things which one ID
even more likely to want information about,
and is in better type. There seems to be no
particular reason why Mr. ThOrne should have
selected just these particular facts. Still, how
ever, we are not disposed to quarrel with
his choice. However much Of interest
has been left out, almost everything is of
interest which has been brought in.
Every page attracts attention and invites
the reader. The Cardiff Giant and the Star
Chamber, the Sphinx and the Flying Dutch
man, Dynamite and Volapuk are discussed with
thousand other things in brief. clearly stated
paragraphs. Mr.. Thorne naturally in SO wide a
field falls occasionally into error as, for ex-
ample, where he attributes the name Star
Chamber" to star ornamented ceiling. The
better explanation finds the name in the fact
that in the times when Jews had no standing
in local courts, but were dependent solely upon
the King for justice, their bonds, which in the
Hebrew were called ''starrs." were kept for
safety In this strong room. In the main, how
ever. the collecting and editing has been wisely
and carefully done. The appendix contains
musical, nautical, commercial and medical vo-
cabularies, and q dictionary of neurological
names The book comes close enough to date
to take in the Eiffel Tower. "a. L. Burt. ].
R. Weldin Co. S2)
A LITTLE book with red covers and of size
to slip easily into the average coat pocket,
with good paper and clear type. and Tales from
BIdckWood for a title contains six notable
stories Or rather five stories and ballad.
The ballad Is written by John Stuart Blackie,
and tells of the battle of Anerum Moor, wherein
was done that deed of valor which is kept in
memory still by the quaint inscription on a
stone which marks the spot:
"Fair Maiden Lilliard lies beneath this stane;
Small was her stature, but mickle was her
Upon the English looms she laid full many
thumps,
And when her legs were cuttit off she fought
upon her stumps."
"Fiddlers Three" by Mrs. M. L. Burton,
dramatically written, and showing what good a
little music did. Most of the stories are sad,
several are tragic. The Dragon Tree of Telde''
describes the working of grim destiny with
bleeding tree for message bearer. THE Ghost
of Morcar's Tower is a capital venture into
the undiscovered country. ''The Last Words
of Joseph Barrable" is bit of story by way
of comment upon the relations between justice
and poverty. The way in which people can be
tortured and robbed and murdered "By Act of
Parliament" is very grimly shown. 'How 1
Fell Among Thieves" lightens up the book
little, the misfortune of the story being nothing
worse than a succession of weddings, making
inordinate demands upon the purse for presents
which were not appreciated. (White & Allen;
]. r. Weldin q Co.; 40 cents).