The morning call., 1894-03-25
RECENT PUBLICATIONS

volume of a series of "Romances of the
PlaDets," and describes the journey of a
young American naval officer to Mars and
what he saw there; it tells of the beauty
and splendOr Of that wonderful world; its
mighty races and Kingdoms and its final
doom. Lieutenant Frederick Hamilton is
a member of an expedition fitted out in
New York in 1891 to explore the Antarctic
ocean and, if possible, force passage to
the south pole. The expedition had
reached the seventy eighth parallel when
a great storm arose and the vessel, the
AlbatrOss, had narrow escape from de-
struction-and it is no more than Justice to
say that if her commander had attempted
the ridiculous maneuvers which the author
describes there is no power that could have
saved her. Fortunately, however, not
withstanding tile reckless way in which
Captain Anderson let go his anchors and
wore ship, the Albatross finally found safe
haven in an icelocked cove. Here 1t was
that Lieutenant Hamilton left the ship to
plant the stars and stripes upon the highest
icy peninsula in sight and take possession of
the open polar sea beyond in the name of
his country. While upon the ice a storm
sprang up and Hamilton with two CON-
panioDs, one OF whom later died from
injuries received by falling into crevice
of the berg, became immured In cavern
from which they were rescued by party
of strange looking people, who turn out to
be Inhabitants of the lanet Mars At
their invitation be accom- nan ed them on
their return TO their far-away home.
How they got there was by means OF an
ethervOt-car, an aerial vehicle which the
lieutenant thus describes: "The shape If
the car was para b0llc, resembling that of
pear Ii was 80 feet high by 20 feet wide
at the base, constructed apparently of
crystal and brilliant as polished silver.
A row of small, circular double windows
ran around its circumference and a cir
cular door communicated with the in
terror; long. slender metallic staff pro-
jeeted from its summit. tipped on the eud
with a bright green ball. The
interior of the car was circular room 16
feet in diameter and 20 feet high; the
walls of a bright blue color and two feet
thick; the floor of dark blue metal; a huge
circular window in the roof and six
small, double sliding windows of transpar-
ent crystal extending around the room;
three were provided with powerful tele-
sc pic lenses" When all was in readiness
to leave the earth the order was given to
start the batteries. the levers of the ma
chinery were moved. ''the green ball on
the summit of the staff threw off shower
of electric sparks with loud, snarping
sound, enVeloping the ear like a fiery halo:
il rose slowly and gracefully from the
spOuting masses of foam, rapidly ascend
ing, and within fifteen minutes attained
an alti ude of &c, 600 feet in the air." Then
they were off on their long aerial iournev
1t would not be fair to rob the reader of
the surprises In stnre for him by describ-
ing tie wonderful things which Lieutenant
Hamilton saw on the way and the still
more wonderful adventures which befell
him upon his arrival. The author of the
book, DIR. G. w. Pore. believes that the
planets present as rich and inviting fields
TO the philosopher, poet and romancist as
they have TO the astronomer and scientist;
IN fact, he thinks that the sensational
novel and the society novel have had their
day and what may be called the scientific
novel is to become the popular form OF
fiction. Ii is with this idea in mind that
lie has written journey to Mars" New
York, G. w. Dillingham;. For sale by the
Bancroft Company.]
The ENGLIsHMAN AT HoME.-This is a
volume that viii meet with cordial re-
ceptiOn in the United States. as it gives in
a com prehensive form an excellent idea of
the various departments Of municipal life
in England. L. is the outcome of 0bserva-
tions and experiences of a newspaper man
iE England extending over seventeen or
eighteen years, of a journalistic career
which began in boyhood with the report
ing OF the proceedings of Town Councils,
Boards of Guardians for the Relief of the
Poor, School Boards. Police Courts, Quar-
ter Sessions and AssZes, and has included
over ten years of newspaper work in Lon
don, with a varied experience OF the actual
workings of the State Departments and
good insight into politics and political life
in the English metropolis. II is written.
too, with scme knowledge of the American
politics, as the author. Edward POrrit, was
engaged for some time on the staff of one
of the leading journals of the West, and
has done considerable work as special
correspondent in different portions of the
Union. Ii will be seen. therefore, that
the author has excellent qualifications for
the work he has undertaken. That he
has made good use Of them no une who
will turn the pages of his book will deny.
MIR. Porrit in his preface says: ''My
aim has been tn make the book not only
of use and interest to students of civic
and of English history and contemporary
pOlitics, but also of value to American
visitors to England and to readers of Eng
Iish news in the American press. III il
adds to the intellectual pleasure of an
observant American visitor in England or
helps an American newspaper reader To a
better understanding and appreciation of
cable dispatch from London the book
will not have been written in vain, and |
shall have made some slight return to
American frlendS In journalism, in
politics and in the educational world
who have helped me in my study of
American politics and American life"
New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.
For sale at the bookstores.
A WARD IN CHANCERY.-This story by
Mrs. Alexander tells of girl taken from
Bohemian surroundings iD France and
transplanted to the dreary realms of re-
spectability In London. THE reader will
find herein no hair-breadth escapes. no
extraordinary situations, but jest the Quiet
story of a strong, self-contained character.
developing In antagonistic and naturally
deadening surroundings. There is through
the book a contempt expressed for pro-
fessional life, and Gy certain sections for
other sections, which is intensely amusing.
whether intended to be so or not. The
character uf the heroine is carefully
drawn and is brought cut into strong
relief by the setting. The attempts at
love-making by the lawyer, Richard
LandoD. his self-satisied, SNUG apprecia-
ton of himself and depreciation of