The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-20
LITERATURE.

SIBERIA AND THE EMILE SYsTEM-By
George KEENAN,. New York: The Century
Company. Cloth, two volumes) After the
course of remarkably interesting lectures re-
Gently delivered in this city by Mr.. George
kennan. the world renowned traveller and
writer, his comprehensive book, entitled
siberia and the Exile SYSTEM" will be
taken up with sharpened appetite by the
reading public.
These two volumes are made up of the ar
ticles by this writer which have appeared in
the Century MAGAZINE, and to those who are
familiar with them it will be an added salts
faction to have them in bound volumes. Sit
uated as we are under the liberality of
American institutions the many accounts
which have appeared In print from time TO
time depicting the horrors of the Siberian
exile system have seemed distorted and
wildly exaggerated, but Mr.. Remnants mas
teriy treatment of the subject to which he
devoted years OF close attention leaves us n
alternative, and we must accept as truth
what he has written, and at the same time
acknow leAge that he knew of what he was
writing. Indeed. when one considers the
vast amount of facts and knowledge at his
disposal 1t is matter of wonderment that
he could have gotten it all in the limited
space in which 1t is presented.
Mr.. Remnants pen pictures are so intensely
vivid that the sufferings Of the exled peO-
pie are brought sufficiently near to cause a
shudder. The sufferers are not of the llwer
class, but in the majority OF cases are peo-
pie OF position, wealth, education and refine
ment. Their punishment comes not as a
result OF blind struggle against tyrann-
cal government, but because of real or fan
cled opposition to the entire failure of the
ends of justice and to the operations OF a
misgovernment which admits of no anchor
alton OF the terrible condition of the lower
classes. This gives to the subject fresh
horror, and places us at once in closer SYM
pathy with this class of political prisoners.
The several parties existing in Russia
MT. kennaD treats with great thorough
ness, and of the courage, endurance and
nobility of even the more dangerous element
he writes in terms of praise.
The work abounds in interestIn g anecdotes
OF personal adventure while engaged in his
tions, and, taken in its entirety, il
cannot fail to interest and instruct even the
most casual reader. Offered by A. M. hob
ertsoD, Post street.
The LATER POEMS OF ANNA MORRISON
REED-(San Francisco Stuart 81 Co. Cloth,
90 pp., SD In a neat and Handsomely
pound little volume of 55pages are presented
thlrty-one of the later poems from the pen
OF Mrs Anna Morrison Reed of Layton
vile, Mendocino County, lady whose
writings have won for her the admiration
not only of friends but of strangers, who
have been drawn to her BY the beautiful
sentiment she has at various times so elo-
quentiy eXpi essed in choice verse. This
collection is one that every lover of poetry
will feel delight in possessing, for the
writings Of this lady are so full of tender
ness and contain such degree of feeling
that they demonstrate that the heart Of
the writer as well as the brain is in
each composition. This is notably the case
in Her King" death of General Grant"
and Mother, Reverie." In this volume
there is also "Ode to Progress" poem
Tor which Mrs. Reed was awarded, over
large number of competitors, handsome
gold medal by the Agricultural Association
OF Lake and Mendoclno counties, aud a
charming poem dedicated to the Native
Sons of the Golden West.
Mrs. Reeds poetry is remarkable for ele-
gance and purity, and 1t is of that class that
IS read by the masses and finds a response
In warm, sympathetic hearts. 1t is a
splendid volume for a gift book, and de-
serves the encouragement OF those who feel
pride in fostering the efforts of Califor-
Mas literary workers. Offered at the book
stores.
SONGS OF DOUBT AND DREAMY Ed
gar Fawcelt. New York, London and To
ronto: Funk & Wagnals. Svo.. cloth, gilt
TOP 81 p, pPs 81 These who have have read
Romance and Reyery," Tie previously hub
lished books OF poems from the pen OF Mr.. ~ W
cett, VIII welcome as an addition o the cove
ton this, his latest volume. While 1t is less uni
Iormly picturesque In treatment than either OF
Inc previous volumes, II Is certainly more
thoughtful and phiIosophic. Mr. Fawcelt who
may be classed among the advanced writer's OF
the tlnes recognizes the fact that strong human
Interest Is requisite nowadays as an element OF
all modern poetry. Moonbeams anu diiiodils
are not enough for this earnest eager and
strongly intellectual period. 1t W mis- these. If
you WILL but 1t wants them as back
grounds only. Mr.. Fawceit gives a fair supply
OF moonDeams aud daiodlls, aud at the same