The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-07
NEW BOOKS.


The thirty volume in .The story If
the Nations" series does not suffer by com.
parison with those which have preceded il.
inere are lew more interesting stories than
tnat OF the brave, iiberty-lovipg people who
nave performed almost incredible feats of
arms ana furnished the world an example
n constitution building that deserves the
closest study. and II is well told in the 400
pages OF the book. What IL known at the
present day as 1.-THE playground of Europe
mas been the stage Of action of many peoples
since the time of Julius Cesar, and beer,
possessed by those who have made their
mark upon and contributed to the history
OF the nation. To give each grand event in
the march of ages its due prominence
within the limits set by the plan of the
work is no simple task, but the authors
nave achieved more than fair measure of
success. A chapter is given to the lake
dweilers, and the results of the latest dis.
coveries shown. Beginning with the Hell.
vetlans, who did battle with the Romans
and we're victorious. I07 B. c., the record
Of the centuries is briefly told down TO the
latest times, when the little republic. con-
tanning only l6. 900 square miles of territory,
and that nearly ali mountains and lakes,
mas population of 100000. The names
OF Tell, Winkeiried and Bonivard will live
long in story and song. and while some of
the mists that surround the careers of
these heroes have been cleared away in this
book, they have not been taken down from
the pedestals they have occupied so long.
There are many fine illustrations and maps,
and well-made index completes a volume
that is of permanent valae.
TEE BRIDGE OF THE GODS: A Romance of In
dian Oregon. BY F. H. Balch. Chicago: A.
c. McClurg 4 Co.
Two hundred years ago q great natural
bridge spanned the Columbia at the be-
ginning OF the lower river. and Mount
hood was 40 active volcano. The author
OF this story takes his readers back to that
time and tells them of the life of the In
dams. their homes in the great forest, their
fierce battles and weird ceremonies. their
legends and superstitions. He has lived
among their descendants in the region he
describes, and his book is full of pictures in
words that only one familiar with the land
and people could draw. The sad history
OF the young missionary who felt impelled
to leave his New England home to carry re-
ligion to the red men of the wild North.
west; the romance OF Wallulah. the lovely
daughter OF the great chief Multnomah;
the story of Snoqnalmle's wooing and the
tragic end Of the wedding journey. are
threads in the tale that once taken up will
be followed through to the end. Mr.. Balch's
work is worthy of the neat dress the pub
fishers have given it. and it should meet
with favor at the hands Of all who would
know more of a race that now is scattered,
degenerate and dying.
THE MAGAZINES.
The December number of the Forum con-
tains eleven articles, all essays upon i'm
portant questions, from the pens of some
OF the ablest writer's of the day. Archdea-
con Farrar's article, Formative Influ.
ences, is the seventh in series of auto
biographical sketches. and gives his opinion
OF some of the books, poems and sermons
that had distinct influence upon his char
acter. ''The Stability Of the French Re-
public" Is the title OF valuable contribu-
ton by Jules Simon, who lost . high
position at the Sarbonne for refusing
to swear allegiance 70 the second
empire, and then became one of the chiefs
Of the republican party OF France and
later q senator. DR.. William Martin. pres
ident Of the Imperial college at Pekin,
writes on the question: docs China
Menace the World?" Major J. w. Powell
discusses 1.-THE Humanities, and Frances
Power Cobbe ha. thoughtful paper on
PITY, Genuine and Spurious" There are
other papers on the government of cities,
city growth and party politics, and armor
for war ships, practical and timely, and
contributed by such thinkers as Andrew d.
White, Congressman. Springer and Com
nander r. NJ. Barber. The Forum easily
holds the high place 1t has won among the
reviews.
The success which the Arena has gained
in this fiood-tide of magazine literature is a
matter for congratulation, with both the
publishers and the pubic. The December
number Is even stronger than any that
have preceded it. 1t presents photogravure
portraits OF Count Tolstoi. Rev. Lyman
Abbott, Helen H. Gardener and Hamlin
Garland, with q contribution from each
writer. The correspondence of Tolstoi and
Rev. Adm Bailou on 1.-The Christian Doc
trine of Nom Resistance, is given, and
Rev. Abbott answers the question what
Is Christianity Helen H. Gardeners
paper is entitled Thrown in With the City's
Dead" and Hamlin Garland has touch
ing story, tine Return of Private" with
deep meaning between the lines A. c.
wheeler's paper on "Dion Boucicault," is
characteristic of his finely critical, but
erratic pen. There are dozen other good
articles, and not page too much in the
number.
There are many magazines far more
splendid in appearance, crowded with
beautiful picu res. and printed with every
elegance OF the topographic art, but there
is not one among them that has the at
fractions OF the Atlantic Monthly. with its
staid cover and prim, narrow columns OF
condensed esvy-fsced type There is
a charm about its pages that is felt by all
who look into it, and it is ever new. The
December number is rich in varied con-
tents. The two stories, Frank +. stock
tons THE House of Martha" and Fanny
N. ID. Murfrees Felicia" are continued.
with good installments, and the interest in
each is not allowed TO flag. Louise Inogen
Quincy writes of 'Sir Walter Raleigh of
Youghal" and entertaias with
new and half-forgotten "reminiscences
of the Eiizabethan hero. Sophia Kirk has
A pathetic sketch entitled "Heimweh,"
John Fiske tells of the Southern militia in
revolutionary times in From Kings
Mountains TO Yorktown" and BiIge Har-
rison describes 1.-The New Departure in
Partisan Art" The poetry of the number
is headed by But One Talent" fourteen
stanxas in Oliver Wendell Holmes own
happy verse, with no hint Of the rlpening
wears of the loved poet unless it be in the
solemn meaning below the rythm. The
Contributors Club is as full of quaint con-