The morning call., 1892-08-21
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

MAGAZINE MAKING IN CALIFORNIA;
The Californian Illustrated Magazine is now
being printed on its new presses. and the
October issue is being run off on sheets Of
fine book paper, the largest ever used
west of New York, taking thirty-two pages
OF the magazine at one time The magazine
Is made up six or seven months ahead in
the rough, the engravings being all on
hand months ahead. The success Of the
Californian has been phenomenal, the de-
mand from the East alone being an increase
oil 1000 per month, while the Pacific Coast
SUBSCRIPTION increase is almost as large.
Inc Californian is preparing to establish
agencies in all the large Eastern cities aud
proposes TO enter into direct competition
with the Cosmopolitan, Seribner's and
DINER Eastern magazines, on their own
ground. and Will in a short time begin an
English edition. Preparations arc being
made TO Improve it in every way, the
experiment so far showing that the
Pacific Slope can and will support a mag
aZine OF the first class. The September
number is just issued and is full OF good
things. Among the notable articles, all
prOfuSely illustrated, are: "Can Ghosts Be
Photographed" by Professor Elliott
Coues; Yachting Around San Francisco"
by Charles g. Yale; The Black Art in
Hawaii" by Rev. A. n. Fisher. ID; IAN
American IN India" by Joseph Simms,
a.,
by Laura Bride Powerss.
THE DoINGs OF RAFFLEs HAw"-Cer-
tainly this is not the most attractive title in
the world for a novel, yet a glance through
the pages OF this book is sufficient TO indi-
cate that the author. A. Conan DOYLE has
produced a volume worthy to rest on the
same upper shelf with Haunted IIerliRda,"
The Mystery of MipitaS," and other simi-
lar works of fiction. 1t is a story with
plot. and the plot is sufficient TO sustain the
interest of the gentle reader" who other
wise might become weary Of the intense
style adopted by the writer, whose previous
efforts have shown traces of real talent.
Or 1t may be, and this assumption
seems quite likely, that the success of The
White Company" and micah Clarke" en-
couraged Mr.. Doyle to try one on his earlier
productions on an indulgent public. He has
written good detective tales, but has gener-
ally subdued the ''shriekng and whistlng
OF the wind through the branches of the
great white-limbed elm." and the refine
ment OF his hero has, as a rule. been ex-
hlbited otherwise than in This puckered
eyes. However, it is not we'll to be hyper
critical, and those who yeaTn To experience
that creepy feeling" cannot do better than
to read about The Doings of Raffles Haw"
at midnight IN some co nyenient graveyard.
Published by Lowell. Coryell & Co. New
i ork: Price, paper 90 cents, cloth 81.
THE COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL NOVELS
The first TWO of a set of l. volumes, de-
signed TO contain complete history Of our
country from Columbus down 10 the present
day, have been issued from the pen of John
X Musick. Ii tho succeeding numb
prove as interesting and as well sustained as
these two, namely, Columbia" and Is
teyan. the author viii accomplish some
thing for which he will earn the thanks OF
parent aud teacher alike. Instead Of con-
hnlng himself to the mere dry data of his
t0rlcGl events, the history is arranged in the
form OF l. complete stories, each fitting
into the succeeding narrative and his
torical epoch. While the stories do not
possess that mystical charm which the Ger
man historian EberS has thrown around his
Egyptian historical novels. there is still
that plan Of throwing upon the private life
OF the individual the side lights to ilumi-
nate the hidden undercurTentS and show the
loves and hatredS, the motives and amb-
tons Of the actors in this historical pageant
Romance thus woven into the bare record
OF historical events robs the narrative Of
dizziness. while it does not impair its truth
The volumes are handsomely bound and
generously illustrated. New York: TIE
Funk u Wagnalls Company. Cloth, 81 30
per volume For sale at the bookstores.
THE AVERAGE WoMAN-In this vol
ume are grouped three of the best short
stories written by Wolcott Balestier,
year ago. An introduction by Henry
James furnishes a slight insight into
the character of the story teller, and is a
graceful tribute 70 a man who was all
American" familiar with the Western
scenes and people he described. "Reffy'' is
clearcut. picture of life at a from
tier railroad station, slightly reminiscent
OF Bret Harte so far as materials are
concerned. though differing entirely in the
method Of treatment There is little de-
scriptiye writing; the sunsets and moon
Ight effects are ignored no words seem to
be used for the sake of euphony and the
result is a stFCng bit OF realism that will
leave an Impression on even the average
reader. The other two tales are entitled
"a Common Story" and Captain, Ny Cap
tain" Both are we'll worth perusal, and
each displays IN a different way the intu-
tive art instinct which characterized the
brilliant but ill-starred author. Published
hv the New York Book Company, New
\ ork. For sale at BancrOft's. Price, 81 25.l
AUD LIGHT IDYLLs-This is a book to
delight all who are fond of thu Scotch dia-
lect and OF quiet tales well told. Although
OF the Younger school Of writer's, the author,
j. Nj. Barrie, has already attained an ELI
vable reputation. He has the rare gift of
imparting glamour Of interest TO the most
commonplace incidents in the lives of
simple people. He takes the reader
" far from the madding crowd"
and with the touch OF master
reveals much that Is quaint and
picturesque in the existence of the Scottish
peasaGtry who plod their weary wav from
childhood to the grave in the same narrow
path trOd by generations OF their ancestors.
No one can doubt the truth to nature Of
" The Counting Of II Nowhead's Bell" nor
deny its literary worth. In bis chosen line
Mr.. Barrie is without a rival, and his work
IS oil more than passing value, for like Mil
let he has idealized his subjects simply by
making US see them as they really are. As
with the painter of the AngeluS. il is the
art which coDceals art that constitutes the
charm Of these al ld Licht Idylls." Pub
lished by Lowell, Coryell q Co., New Ysrk
Price, paper 80 cents. cloth ST.
COLUMBUS AND CoLUMBIA-ThIs IS the
title of richly bound. properly illustrated
volume of over 500 pages. AS the title page
indicates, Il embraces a review Of our eOun-
trys progress, a complete history OF
America, new life of Columbus and an
illustrated description OF the great Column
ban Exposition. Rather a portentous list
OF subjects for one volume. And yet a
glance at its pages shows that all the SUBJ
jects have been treated by able hands. For
instance, the Progress and Development
OF the Western World is written by James
q. Blaine; the Life of Columbus" is by
the distinguished author and traveller. j.
w. BTiel, and Professor John Clark Red
path writes the history of America under
tile title OF Columbia The Illustrations
have been expressly prepared for the work
many Of them are done in colOrs. Alto
gether they serve to interest and instruct
the reader. Springfield, Ohio: Mast, Crow
ell d kirkpatrick, publishers. Sold by sup
serption.
A LAW DIRECToRY-A volume Of espe-
cial interest not only To professional but 10
all business men is Martindale's American
Law Directory, just from the press. 1t
contains list of all the lawyers in the
United States, together with their profess
sional and business standing. While
the ordinary reader would not find
this work much more interesting read
ing than a dictionary, yet the stu
dent Of nomenclature who has any