Los Angeles herald., 1893-01-02

probation of the habits, character an
peculisrities OF the inhabitants of thi
country. Two of our most noted writer
are DIR. Walker Lind ey and J. P. Wid
ney, authors OF California of the South
which gives its physical geography, eli
mate, resources, routes of travel, an
health resorts; being a very complet
guide book for travellers. 1t has alread
passed through two editions, and is in a
greatdemand as ever, and for an accurat
description and comparison of old an,
new Southern California nothing ha
ever been written half 60 complete. W.
ought to mention q book in which
reader will find little history, little
prophecy, few fascinating statistics
many interesting facts, much prsctica
suggestion and abundant humor ant
charm. 1t is Our Italy, by Charles
Dudley Warner, being ar exposition o
the climate and resources of Southern
California. 1t is book of solid value
such as a clear-headed business mar
will appreciate, yet it is such book al
only an accomplished man of letters
could write. 1t can not be recommended
too highly to all who wish fur.
ther knowledge of region toe
little known by Americana. 1t is finely
illustrated with scenes taken during
different seasons OF the year. Probably
more magazine articles have been writ
ten in the past year concerning Los An.
geles, Pasadena and vicinity than has
been produced concerning any other
spot in the United States. The eyes OF
the world are upon the wonderful prog
ress OF this particular favored spot, and
soon our literature will be as well known
as our climate and our fruits. This year
but few books have been written by
California authors. Mr.. Lummis, an
old time Angelefio, has produced some
very interesting books on New Mexico,
Arizona and California, entitled A New
Mexico David, and his new book,
Strange Corners of our Country,
which is especially attractive.
A new book has just been placed be.
fore US entitled Nestlings, collection of
poems by Ella Fraser Weller, illustrated
by K. A. Fraser. The poems are songs
and lyrics for the little ones, called forth
by the mother love of the authoress for
children. Some of the finer passages
are very touching and reach the heart.
Some OF the principal poems are The
Fairy's Motto, Ny Baby's Feet, Two OF
Them. Two Boys, etc. It is well worth
reading.
A valuable book on receipts, queries,
statistics and general information is the
annual statistician, published by l.. P.
Mccarthy Of San Francisco and entitled
McCarthy's Statistician and Economist.
1t is issued in M arch of each year and
contains: Population of all cities over
1000 inhabitants, populations of states
and counties, length OF principal rivers
OF the world, heights of principal noun
tains. Compares electoral votes of diff
ferent years of presidential elections. Is
an encyclopedia of general information,
besides being valuable guide on all
sporting events, and authority on past
events, and compares each season with
those OF years past. That reliable data
may be obtained correspondence is kept
up with nearly every country on the
globe, as with the several states of our
union. Official reports, often accessible
only to diplomatic circles, are regularly
received through secretaries Of state or
chiefs of bureaus. Within compass
which the busiest man or woman can
find time to master, are recorded the
latest achievements in nearly all
branches of science.
Thomas Fitch and Anna M. Fitch of
San Diego have an excellent book in
their production, entitled Better Days.
or A Millionaire OF Tomorrow. 1t is q
book with purpose, and is doing
work for American literature, with
others of like merit, which cannot be
lightly estimated, either in their influ-
ence or their direct achievements. Many
magazine articles of note have been
written this year. Jeanne @. Carr con-
tributed an instructive paper for the
October Californian entitled, Among the
Basket Makers Charles Frederick Hol-
der, one of the publishers of the Calfor-
nian, is very prolific writer, his On
Coral Reef and an Isle of Summer
Santa Catalina, being exceptionally
good. Hon. l.. J. Rose and ex-Goy.
Lionel A. 6heldon write quite fire.
quently for the papers and
magazines, the formers Gross
Country "Reminiscences being par
ticularly good, while the latter gives an
excellent paper on The Election of
James A. Garfield. Mrs. Dorothea
Lummis is frequent contributor to the
Argonaut. Occasionally we read a
poem from the pen of Major Elderkin,
who seems to be second Eugene Field,
while the poetical articles by l.. E. Mo-
sher of the Times closely resemble the
genial James Whitcomb Riley, "Jay-
hawker," the newspaper correspondent
and well known political writer, is again
with US. Mr.. G. A. Dobinson seems to
be the most popular dramatic critic and
being 60 very we'll posted on stage his
tory and stage literature it seems as II
book of "reminiscences might be compiled
by him that would be far superior to
anything yet issued, He has seen all
the great artists and is personally &C.
quainted with many of them, and has
memoranda and data and stage litera-
ture which he has been saving foryears.
Probably the best magazine article writ
ten by Los Angeles county author is
the one by Margaret Collier Graham of
South Pasadena. 1t ia beautif pas
toral piece of fiction in two parts, COM
mencing in the November Atlantic and
ending in the December number, en-
titled The Withrow Water Right. 1t is
an idyl of the San Gabriel valley, the
principal scenes of which are in
and near Sawpit canon in the
shadow of old Cucsmonga. The
character and dialect resembles Charles
Egbert Craddock MARY N. Murfee) and
the principles and morals involved
those of Helen Hum Jackson in Ramo-
ma and A Century of Dishonor. Our
resident writers are gradually paving
the way and preparing themselves for
future efforts that will he credit to the
Pacific coast. Kate Douglas Virgins
originally was Los Angeles author, and
has onlv left us for wider fields of labor