The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-26

1OrK regarding the opening OF the Fiji
teenth Annual Church Congress In New
York city on Wednesday morning. Mo-
yember 18th.
than usual, combines with admirable mis-
cellany. on religious themes. matter OF
interest 10 women and children hook
notices and editorials. TO make an exceed
ingly attractive issue.
a. LODGE.
STELLIGERI AND OTHER ESSAYS
CONCERNING AMERICA: BY BAR
rett Wendell. Charles Scribners Sons
New York For sale by West, Johnston
K Co. S.2.
Messrs. Scribner have seen Mt TO nut
this little book in uniform binding with
Andrew Lang's Letters to Dead Authors
and Augustine BIrrelPs "Obiter Dicta,"
and that old proverb about birds OF a
feather" were found lacking indeed. did
not a companion Of Messrs. Lang and
Birrell prove pleasant and profitable So
cietyl-
The musical Latin word "Stelllgeri"
stands for an English phrase that is al
most as pretty: they that bear the
stars" In past years deceased students
OF Harvard College were called "Stelli-
geri," from the fact that their names in
the catalogue were marked with asterisks.
The essay is a graceful and tender memo
rial Of Harvard as Mr.. Wendell knew it
when a student there-and Of American
traditions. which he likens TO Harvard's
"Stelligeri" of hopes, and dreams, and
conditions Of American life which belongs
to the past. or which, in more poeticaI
language. bear the stars
As to the other essays. -Four American
Centuries" is a striking and beautiful
paper; some new light is thrown on the
New England Purtans," and Salem
Witches;" and american Literature is
a thoughtful comparison Of the style OF
American authors with those OF England
with a view 10 discovering which OF our
singers have produced distinctly Ameri-
can note. There is a biographical and
critical sketch Of the Quaker poet.
Whittier, and the book closes with
glimpse of Lowell as a teacher and inter-
prefer of Dante. This last sketch is
brief. but the personality Of its subject
shines so wildly through it that the
reader seems. at the end, TO have a sort
Of recollection Of coy evenings spent In
informal and familiar chat in the cheerful
chimney corner Of Mr. Lowell's study.
Mr.. WendelPs STYLE in these essays, is
strong. clear, condensed, and graceful and
the moral tone Of his work is high and
pure.
MY DARK COMPANIONS AND THEIR
STRANGE STORIES: BY Henry NJ.
Stanley. Charles Scribner's Sons. New
York. For sale by West. Johnston
& Co. $500.
Readers who have followed Stanley in
his explorations through Darkest Africa"
will doubtless be glad to join his circle
around the camp fire and hear his dark
companions" tell their strange stories
These stories might be called African
nights, entertainments. They are series
Of quaint and amusing myths and anec-
dotes. which when the adventures Of the
day were over. the author Of the book Cor
Translator, as he calls HIMSELF succeed
ed I'm persuading his dusky guides and
tent-boys to tell him by Offering them
pieces OF bright cloth as reward.
The fantastic tale Of the creation OF
man"-placed first in the collectiOn-and
the story Of the prince who not being
satisfied with his earthly possessions tried
TO bull q tower TO the moon, are evident
~ distorted versions Of the Old Tesla
ment narratives OF Eden and Babel; while
"The Cunning Terrapin and the Crane
"The Goat, the Lion, and the Serpent
and other stories Of animals, bear a mark
ed resemblance TO some OF Aecop's fables
A book likely to be a bone Of conten-
ton in the library Of literary family,
for the children will think it belongs in
the row of prettilly bound story books
which make a streak Of bright color
across the bookcase just high enough
up for their little hands to reach, while
learned papa will want 10 put it on that
high shelf where the folklore" books
stand up stinly in their Quakerish attire.
M. NJ. L. y.