The morning call., 1893-03-05
THE LARGEST RETAIL DRY-GO0DS FIRM
ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS

VALUABLE NORK.-1he nrSt b00k
published by the State Library at Sacra-
ment0 is volume of intrinsic worth and
historical Importance. 1t gives complete
and unbiased account of all the State po-
lltieal conventions held in California from
1849 to 1892 and includes biographical
sketches of all the Governors since the
American occupation. An important ad-
dendum is acomplete list Of the men who
have held Office under the State government.
The history of political conventions Is
comprehensive enough to convey even to
the casual reader clear idea OF the men
and methods to which the State is indebted
for its present prosperous condition. The
chapters detailing the rise and subsequent
disintegration of the Workngmen's party
are of special interest and are written as
they should be, from the standpoint of an
impartial observer. In fact the eu tire work
of over 700 pages may be commended as an
unprejudiced account Of the most important
political events which are chr0nicled in the
annals Of California.
The manuscript from which this hand
some volume has been compiled by Samuel
Leake, Assistant State Librarian, was
written and collected by Winfield J. Davis,
historian of the Sacramento Society of Cali
fornia Pioneers.
The trustees of the State Library deserve
commeDdation for their enterprise, which
though not likely to result in financial
profit, has placed within the reach OF the
younger generation of Calfornians a sue
cinct story of the events which have shaped
the political history Of the Golden State.
The book is well printed and strongly
bound in calf, legal style. 1t will be sold
a; So 30 copy TO defray the expenses of
publication.
SIFTINGs FROM POVERTY FLAT.-Here
is book with heart in it and sentiment of
the sort that appeals to the earnest reader
who after glancing over a few pages is
quite likely to continue to the end, over
looking by the way many lapseS of literary
art, which the true critic cannot afford to
ignore. Probably the author, Miss Fannie
a. Charles. daughter of the late Henry A
Charles, once q well-known figure on
Change, Is aware that her maiden effort is
not quite perfect, for she has dedicated it
Il o readers, not critics." 1t must therefore
be judged from the readers point of view.
and according to usually accepted stand
ards must command a favorable verdict
Better short stories than any in this col
lection have been told; more exciting incl
dents have been woven about equally
prosaic events, but seldom has young
woman made more clear the fact that she is
writing of people whom she loves anC con-
cernIug things with which she is perfectly
familiar. She takes one into her confidence
so completely and chats so like a chum
whose talk is interesting because it is he
who speaks, that it is impossible not to
SympathtZe with her literary aspirations
What she may accomplish in the future
depends largely on her ability to recognize
and remedy the defects which critic
might point out in these "Siftings From
Poverty Flat" The readers who are NOT
critics-to whom she appeals-can do no
less than predict for her successful career
in the realm of letters. Published by the
California Publishing Company. For sale
by Beach and at RobertSon's. Price, 80
cents,
THE BooKwoRM.-Th sixth volume of
this famous English publication was begun
with the December number. 1t is an illus.
trated treasure of old-tme literature. Amid
the high pressure Mt which every phase of
work and thought is carried on to-day,
there can be no greater relaxation than TO
seek an antidote in things of the past, to
stand aside from the beaten track for
While and interest ourselves in the book
matters which affected our forefathers.
There Is boundless field for study
In old books, in the bookmen of past
generations, in the first editions and the cir
cumstanees under which they we're pro-
dueed, OF great authors, in manuscripts
which were written long before printing
rendered this most eXacting of arts an obso-
lete pursuit, In old booksellers and book
auctions, in literary clubs of the past two
centuries and in the prefaees, the title
pages and the dedications which have in
many insta noes made or marred the fame
Of a book. While the Bookworm has es-
tablished n wide popularity in Great
Britain, there is no reason why it should
not find ready welcome from book-dealers
in this country. London: Published
monthly by Elliot Stock, 81 Paternoster
row. Price, sXpence. Bound volumes in
large denny Syo., Is 81 per volume.]
AN ODD SITUATIoN.-This latest book of
Stanley Waterloo is in some respects a re-
markable one. 1t is a romance, and the
scene is located on the Canadian border,
and has an International interest quite
aside from its quality as strange story.
One of the critics predicts that it may have
something OF the same effecton the relations
between the United States and Canada that
"Uncle Toms Cabin" had with the institu-
tion Of slavery. so strongly and correctly
are those relations presented lChicago:
Morrill,. Higgins & Co. For sale at the
bo0kstOres.l
EvERYBoDY's FAIRY GoDMoTHER.- This
is little story told in fifty-elght pages by
Dorothy GA rising young journalist of New
York City, who at one time was a resident
of San Francisco and contributor to THE
CALL. The story, told in an enchanting
manner. Is that of a little girl who was
placed in the care Of her godmother She