The National tribune., 1892-12-15
RECENT LITERATURE.


Mass. Price 50 cents.
The constant increase in the nu mber of books
treating of spirituaiism is one of the numerous
evidences of the growing interest in tho SUBJ
ject. The plot Of this story, if plot there be, is
simple and direct. There are few characters,
few emotions, but the book is full of quaint
originality, human sympathy, and mystic
fancy. With all the mysticism there is vein
of clear Judgment and understanding. "The
Dream Child is reflective study, not only in
the sense of dealing with Visions but it reflects
the enthusiasm of the writer in psychological
research. After the tragic death of her only
child the grieved heroine, who can find no con-
ISOLATION, is taken abroad by her husband; but
after her journeying, she returns unbenefted
by the change, and is still nervous and I'M
happy woman. Then begins her dual-life-a
life on this earth and life on the spiritual
world. In her visions at night she wanders
with her child, and later on with the chid's
guardian and teacher, throughout tho land of
the immortals Her accounts of her visions
induce those around her to believe her insane,
and she is placed in retreat for the Treatments
of diseases of the mind. Her loving husband.
skillful physicians, and specialists watch her
case eagerly. While in the trance condition
with the divine essence" absent from the
body, she lies on her couch, motionless. So
familiar were the apparitons to her. that they
wore as dear as the living friends around her in
her waking hours. In this abnormal state she
seemed to understand everything connected
with her visions, and she lived in the two
worlds, passing from one to the other without
trouble. She would tell her husband Of her
flight to this other land, Of her experiences
there, of the spirit-voices whispering to her,
and the divine harmonies of the angels.
"Stels," the Dream Child" who was visible
to the mother, was unchanged, untouched ex-
cspt that She grew In natural way, develop
ing from babyhood to girlhood in the world of
phant0ms Then comes the end the fond hus-
band watches the wife grow paler and more
fragile. and though she still smiles upon the
man who had cared for her so lovingly yet she
looked oftenest upward to the angels who
awaiting her-the angels whom she loved best.
Finally she is no more on earth, but has joined
them. There is no need to hunt for the plot Of
the story or for incident. Each life has it's
dreams, and dream life will never end even
after we "shuffle off this mortal COIL"
TALES FROM TEN POETS. By Harrison g.
Morris. Published by ]. Z. Lppincott Co.. Phil
sdephia. Price 50.
Tho most acceptable Christmas set that has
come to our desk is this work Of Harrison 8.
Morris. whose beautiful volumes, where
Meadows Meet the Sea-" and SIN the Yule
Log Glow" oday grace many center table.
The work consists Of prose stories of the fam
Gus poems of swinburne, Owen Meredith,
George Eliot, Robert Browning, Tennyson,
Rossetti, William Morris, Elizabeth Barrett
Browning Matthew Arnold, and Robert Blu.
chanan. These tales mako entertaining read
Ing for the holidays. The three books are
bound In green and gold boards. are hand
somely printed, and contain finely executed
portraits.
TALES FROM THE DRAMATIsTs By Charles
Morris. Published by J. B. Llppincott Co., Phil
adepbs. Price "a.
These works are uniform in binding and
letter press with "Tales from Ten Poets"
The scheme is the same, and there are four
volumes. Charles Morris is well known as the
editor of Half Hours with the Best Humor-
DUG Furnofxo Half Hours with American
History" Half Hours with the Best Ameri-
can Authors" etc. and the success of these
works is sufficient guarantee for the way this
latest production will be received by the criti-
cal public. The dramatists whose works
mado into prose tales George Colman,
Thomas Morton, John Tobin, James Sheridan
Knowles, Richard Labor She'll, Sir Thomas
Noon Talfourd. Ben Jonson, Beaumont and
Fletcher Philip Massinger, George Farquhar,
Oliver Goldsmith, Richard Brinsley Butler
Sheridan, Bulwer Lytton, and many others.
MY FLIRTATIoNS By Margaret wynman
Published by j. B. Lippinoott Co., Philadelphia.
and for sale at Bretano's, Washington. Price
s1.25.
This highly entertaining. breezily written
u
q frt has already achieved considerable sue
cess II is bound and printed in Lippincotts
best style, and makes most acceptable gift
book
WHERE rs MY DOGP OR, IS MAN ALONE
IMMORTAL? BY Rev. Charles Josiah Adams.
Published by Fowler Wells Co.. New York,
and for sale by Vim. Ballantyne d Sons, Wash
ingten. Price 81.
In this book the author calls attention to the
fact that man possesses the physical faculties
in common with tho beast; shows that in
degree the lower animal has the intellectual,
moral and spiritual faculties in common with
man. and he discusses whether there is any ar
gument in favor of mans immortality which
may not give US hope for future for our
more humble brethren, who cannot speak for
themselves.
the Practical Application to Dress of the Laws Of
Health, Art and Morals. By Helen Gilbert Ecob.
Published by Fowler & Wells Co., New York,
and for sale by VIM. BaIlsntyne g. Sons, Wash
ington. Pricesl.
The author of this little work discusses her
subjects from those points of view that ra
tional consideration suggests to the thoughtful
mind. These are some of the topics that en-
gage attention: Causes of i'll health; the sins
of the corset as revealed by the deformities it
produces; its perncous effect on the heart,
lungs, ETC.; woman's special physiology of sex
what constitutes beauty of form, grace of mo-
tion, and the esthetic elements of dress. The
book gives counsel for the correction of dress
abuses, and herein consists its chief value.
THE FORTUNES OF TOBY TRAFFORD BY
J. II. Trowbridse. Published by Leo & Shepard,
Boston. Price SLIPS.
Tho reputation which Mr.. Trowbridge has
acquired as = writer Of boys stories Is fully
kept up in Toby Trafford. The story is adj
mirably written and cannot help but interest
the juvenile mind and at the end all its diver
sitied people remain in the memory as types Of
human nature. The book contains "a full-page
illustrations.
CLEANS AND ECHOES. BY A. r. q. Published
by Lppincott Co., Philadelphia. Price 81. For
sale by Brentsno, Washington.
The book is by the author of might Etch-
ings," and is fully in keeping with that in fact,
if anything, it is better. geographically the
book is perfect. being printed on extra heavy
paper and illustrated with excellent wood en-
Cravings from drawings by eminent artists. 1t
is bound in pale green and gold, very pretty
combination and would make an acceptable
gift to all those who are fond of poetry.
A PRINCESS OF FIJI. BY William Churchill.
Published by Dodd. Mead & Co.. New York, and
for sale at Brentsno's. Washington. Price Is
cents.
This fascinating and thrilling story is full
of remarkably -true-to-life pictures end scenes
of savagery, and will be read with interest by
lovers of adventure and romance.
Spiders Eat Their Mothers.
[Ndturel
One of the most unnatural things In nature