The morning call., 1893-07-16

straightforward narrative, apparently
free from eXaggeration or cOncealment
The various causes which for so long re-
tarled the advancement of the nation are
explained. and the grand work done by
the present administration is fully recog-
nized. Under the wise and enlightened
rule of DiaZ Mexico has been lifted from
indolent obecurity to an honorable place
among the progressive powers of the nine
teenth century. 1t is no longer merely
land of magnificent possibilities,
but the scene of many splendid achieve
ments in science, art, manufactures and
mechanical progress. The descendants of
MonteZuma are daily demonstrating tha:
under liberal laws, Justly administered,
they are capable of sober self
and rapid develo ment. physical as we'll
as mental. for the threatened degeneration
Of the race has been arrested by the slim
ulus of aroused ambition. The future of
Mexico certainly seems bright to-day. ana
a perusal of Mr.. Bancroft's valuable book
is commended to all who wish to become
better acquainted with the land below the
Rio Grande, its people and products Pub
liShed by the Bancroft Co., San Francisco |
bel NJ Rawson has writ
ten and and Della b. Rawson has copy
righted novel under the title of Sc
raltha." the suggestveness Of which is
apparent when it is explained that the
story is based oh the incidents of the
famous Hill-Sharon scandal. 1t is labeled
mo. of the Series of Social Catastro-
phes," future issues of which will, pre-
sumably. deal with disreputable incidents
in the lives Of people more or less Well
known. On the yellow cover is a
half tone picture of a fair young
girl in white affectionately grasping
buXOm colored woman, evidently on
the sunny side of so. Ii these figures
are intended to represent Sarah Althea
Hill-Terry ard Nanny Pleasant. the artist
must have drawn largely on his imagina-
tioE. This comment also applies to the
author of the novel. 1t is not difficult to
recognize under the thinly disguised names
the actors in the drama OF real life. the in
cidents of which are familiar TO all San
Franciscans. but with the Identification of
the characters in this fantastic romance
the interest," in the story ceases. 1t throws
no new light Or the shameful affair which
decent men and women DO not care to
recall, nor can its publication be excused
on the ground Of literary merit. The art
of Julian Hawthorne has contrived to
make readable several criminal stories told
by Superintendent Byrnes of the New
York police force. but these detective
tales derive quite as much valne from the
authors style as from the subject matter.
The same cannot be said of "Seraltha."
1t is story to be read and soon forgotten !;
or, better still, not ead at all. Published
by the Authors Associat New York
and San Francisco: For sale by Payot,
Upham & Co. Cloth 81. paper so cents.
THE TALKING HANDKERCHIEF.-T
volumes of stories by Colonel Thomas W.
Knox takes its title from the first one in
the book, which by the way, is about a
capture Of Chinese pirates: the talking
handkerchie! was used by the author ac-
cordng to the signal code from win
dow in his cabin and brought succor from
q gunboat in the offing. There are stories
Of Arctic adventure, elephant hunting.
the head hunters of Borne0, an exile's
escape from Siberia-indeed. from every
known section of the globe. The stories
are all OF healthy tone, too. and the oook
may be put into boys hands with perIect
safety. [St. Paul: The Price McGill
Company. For sale by the Bancroft Com
pany.]
The NEW ERA.-This work. by DIR.
Josiah Strong, is an application OF funda-
mental principles to the solution of some
of the great problems of the times. The
author has been termed philosopher Of
Christianity" An idea of the scope of the
work can be gathered from the following
table of contents: The Nineteenth
Century One of Preparation. l1--Tne
Destiny Of the Race. Ill-The C0ntrlDu-