The herald., 1894-12-09
AMONG THE AUTHORS.


MoFFaTr. Chicago; kand, McNally 4 Con
pany.
The reviewer who takes up Mr.. Moi
iett's email book for perusnl and com
ment finds much to arrest his attention
and challenge his reflection. 1t is not
work on the science of government writ
ten by q litterateur in closet. 1t read
like the product Of & practical man o
affairs. The author brings vividIy to th
recognition OF the Sensible citizen re.
alization OF the serious inadequacy o
our present political machinery to giv'
effective expression to the will OF tn,
people and conserve their interests, ma.
tional, state, county and municipal. Blu
he lie not simply a fault-fnder. Con-
currently with his clear and trenchanI
exposition of defects in our present sys-
tenn he makes pertinent and practical
suggestions for radical improvement
along lines entirely consistent with oul
echeme OF government. He works ou,
q plan for the adaptation of the initial
i've mandate to every branch of our civil
government, meeting every requirement
and obviating every plausible objection.
His arguments urging the inauguration
OF these reform agencies by states and
municipalities are remarkably cogcnt
and need only to be widely promulgated
to gain general acquiescence. There may
be something to be said for the retention
OF the present system 40 far Gs the ma
tional government is concerned. The
two great parties are now fairly repre-.
sentative OF essentially hostile theories
regarding tho province and prerogatives
OF government There is body of con-
sci ssvssives dspioyias between shs lines
of the two parties which tends to hold
in check radical legislative action.
whichever one OF them has dominance
at Washington. This conservative ele-
ment is not particularly intelli.
gent, but it ia slwaye timid.
1t 10 moved by superficial consid-
erations to gravitate heavily to
one eide or the other: and thus cam
psigns are fought and oil argument di-
rected to the precipitation OF these in
determinate thousands. In this view,
while it is apparent that the element OF
chance enters a good deal into the
election OF party in power, vet, being
in, legislation in consOnance with n fixed
body OF doctrine is sure to follow. Ii not
absolute at lesst comparative unity OF
action is obtained by party caucuswhich
could not be secured il representatives
had the fear OF precipitate action upon
the part OF offended constituencies ever
before their eyes. No congressman
would dare to yield ANYTHING which
made for the peculiar advantage OF his
district for the sake of policy affecting
the commonwealth. A barty may be
carried into power upon the high moral
tidal wave of an aroused public con-
science and thus be committed to sub
stan.ial reforms which can only be
wrought by trenching here and there
upon local interests. But, alas. when q
given locality perceives that it must
surrender something immediate and ut
hand tor the prospective aggrandize-
ment of the whole people, it's enthus-
iasm for reform rapidly cools and short
sighted eelfishness asserts itself. In the
light Of recent history a doubt may we'll
arise in the mind whether the great
American voter be not too tickle and
mercurial a sovereign tc be entrusted
with the initiative, referendum and i'm
psrssive mandate. ss applied &c ns:ions!
affairs. W. S. G.
DAN OF MILLBROOK. BY CHARLES CARLE-
TON COFFIN. Estes & Lauriat, Boston.
Mr.. Coffin was known to the public
OF a quarter OF century ago as one of
the most famous newspaper correspond
epts the country has ever produced,
writing under the name OF Carleton.
His de epartment in the Boston Journal
of that old, enterprising New England
daily. After the war Mr.. Coffin began
all-around writing, among other things
turning out several very stirring books
like Winning His Way and Boys of '61.
The present volume is a new edition OF
q bright story of New England life.
written 0years ago, and known to the
readers of that time as Caleb Krinkle.
1t is a strong story for young Americans,
finely illustrated, snd sourd and whole.
some in lore. 1t can be warmly com-
mended as q good book to read and to
keep.
CHATTERBOX for 1S94-Estes Il Lauriat
There is an all pervading and ever
new interest in Cbatterbox. Its annual
appearance, with it's illuminated board
covers, is an event Of no small conse.
quencs to the thousands upon Thousands
of modern young folks who have been
drought up" on it. 1t contains about
500 pages, with half as many striking
illustrations-alwsys spirited, il they
are cheap. No other book for the holi.
day season ia at all comparable to this
In real popularity. The publishers can
honestly claim that it is absolutely
unique in the whole list of youthful
books-lite.ally the king of the juven-
lies. It's stories and it's alluring pic
tnres improve with each year of its ex-
istence.
RUBY AT SCHOOL, by MINNIE Z. PAUL.,
with illustrations by Jessie McDermOtt
WalcoI Estes & Lauriat, Boston.
This ia number three OF the taking
Ruby and Ruthy series. and a most
charming juvenile for this or any other
market or season. The young people
who have become interested in Ruby
and Ruthy, through the previous vol.
umss, will find in this one additional
reasons for the praise bestowed upon
the authors work. Miss PAUL is elm
gularly fortunate in these ventures. 1t
has not often been given TO q writer for
young people to be able TO talk down to
q child's point of view and yet keep the
charm of worthy literary style.
xx~
NARCIssA, OR THE ROAD TO ROME, by
LAURA E. RICHARDS. Estes d Lauriat Bos-
ton, and MARIE, by the same author and
publishers, reach us together
These two volumes need Jew words
from the reviewer. He who has read Capt.
January. Melody or Queen Hildegarde,
or any ything from the pen Of Laura Il.
Richards Wi TAX a II n ona of these hand.