Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

| THE ORIGINS OF INVENTION: A Study Of Indus
try Among Primitive Peoples. By Otis T: Ma.
Of Ethnoosy in the United States National Mu-
sm,hssnan Institution Wasa Ms59s
| Scott. Imported by Charles Scribner's Sons,
New York washington: Robert Bean
This is remarkably clever expansion of
a paper on the birth Of Invention" con-
| tributed by Prof. Mason to the celebration
| Of the centenary Of the American patent
system; an expansion which scientists and
students cannot do otherwise than value
most highly. Prof. Mason's expressed de-
sire in his Introductory chapter is to trace
some Of our modern inventions to their or
igin and to show how the genius Of man,
| working upon and Influenced by the re-
sources and the forces of nature, learned
its first lessons In the art of inventing.
That he has done this most admirably must
be evident to any one VINO has studied or
will study this the latest of Prof. Mason s
records of deep and intelligent research.
Some of the conclusions reached WM inter-
est even the least scientific of people. Prof.
Mason says that the Mediterranean race
| is the most mechanical OF all ana tnat the
bfue-eyed and brown-eyed variety must
each settle for itself which shall bear the
palm. The Semit is much less so. The
Monaghan is. perhaps. more ingenious with
his hands. The Africans and Papuans are
nesians; the Eskimo than the red Indians:
and the Australians are the least clever OF
all. In each several division of humanity
there are smaller centers of invention, ow-
ing both to natural ingenuity and to nat
ural resources. In the higher walks Of Ian
guage, art, social structures literature.
science and philosophy, the peoples Of Eu-
rope and Asia will need new distribution
for each classic concept The Hebrew
has never been excelled for sublime con-
ceptions on religious topics. the Egyptian
invented chronicles, the Greek perfected
harmony and protraiture In art, the Ro-
mans laid the foundation for Jurisprudence
Literally illustrated and so written as to
attract all classes Of readers, this book Is
deserving of the warm welcome 1t WIN
come well known.
ouTRE-MER. Impressions Of America; By Paul
York: Charles Scribuer's Sons. Washington:
Brentano's.
In spite of the fact that criticism Is the
principal feature of "Outre-Mer." the book
| is neverthel sss becoming quite popular In
the United States, for its author says so
cleverly many Lf the disagreeapie things
which Americans themselves ought to say,
but which they do not say because they de-
sire to be mistakenly loyal to The land Of
their birth or adoption. Locally the book
Is Interesting, for its author testifies to the
fact that the people of leisure throughout
the country long after Washington. 1T is
delightful place." said one lady to M.
Bourget while discussing Washington.
1.-The men are not busy. as they are here
They are in politics or something. They
have plenty of time for afternoon teas!
At which condition NJ. Bourget does not
seem 20 be disp1eased, for he says that the
abundance of time for o'clock teas does,
in fact, give to the city on the banks of the
Potomac something Of the effect of Dres-
lit, Ill Ahc-
Streets" he writes, with their border of
private houses. with no suggestion of bus
mess or commerce, you might fancy your
self in some strasse of a German capital
And the easy f1exibility of social life is in
singular contrast with the overweighted
condition of the ether cities" The solid
affairs OF government, however, receive no
attention from The Observing Frenchman
in his cleverly written homilies. so in place
of dissertation on congressional methods
or departmental ways. we have a detailed
account OF succession of prize fights
which NJ. Bourget witnessed in the GYM
nasium CT Washington's best known ath-
letic club and which to him appeared to be
extremely brutal. Bourget has succeeded
in giving us sktllful sketch of superficial
America, but only In few of his bold out
lines can there be found indication that he
saw far enough beneath the surface to
recognize the solid foundation upon which
American character is based.
! WORDS OF LINCOLN. Including several tu, dred
opinions Of his life and character by eminent
persons Of this and other lands Compiled by
Osborn H. Oldroyd. author Lincoln Memorial
Album "a Soldiers Story Of the Siege Of
W.. Fuller. chief Justice of the United States.
and Tennis $: Hamln. PASTOR Church of the
H. Oldruyd.
Much as the character of Abraham Lin
coin has been discussed and much as that
true nobleman has been eulogIzed yet the
limit Of discussion and eulogy has not been
reached. Occasionally there comes to the
surface of literature material which adds
to the mental stature and moral girth of
the martyr President OF such is this VOL
ume CT the Words of Lincoln; a carefully
selected series of utterances which gives
even to those who have devoted some
thought to the career of the ideal Ameri-
can new impressions and a more compre-
hensive idea of his true greatness. Capt.
Oldroyd makes no pretense to having
placed In this book even 1.-THE of the
good things Lincoln said during his pre-
maturely shortened Bfetime but the au-
thor has succeeded in placing upon record
and In convenient shape for reference some
Of the more striking remarks dealing with
matters Of more than ordinary moment to
individuals or to the world at large. In ad-
dition to the quotations from Lincoln, there
are many of the tributes paid by men Of
note to Lincoln's memory. thus giving to
the volume the appearance of complete
ness. In an introduction 1t is stated by
Melville w. Fuller. president, and Teunfs
s. Hamlin. vice president Of the Memorial
Association Of the District of Columbia,
that Capt Oldroyd has donated the profits
resulting from the sale of this book to the
service Of the association. which, at this
time, is engaged principally in an endeavor
to preserve in perpetuity the house in which
President Lincoln died. where there now is
located a very valuable Lincoln museum
JEWELS OF MEMORY. By Col John A. Joyce,
author Of ''Checkered LIFE Peculiar POEMS -
"Zg-Zag,' DC. Washington: Gibson Bros
These Jewels from the -casket of per-
sonal memory" says the author in his pre-
face, II flash over the ocean Of literature,
trusting that some sparkling rays may
attract human hearts when the soul that
OWNED and the hand that fashioned them
has vanished like the dews Of the morning"
Whatever the jewels may do when the
fashioning hand loses its cunning and its
life. it is certain that they have already
attracted much attention. In times past
principally a. writer of poetry, Col Joyce
now gives us a series Of biographical
sketches of great men with whom he was
more or less intimately acquainted; he
deals with Lyon and Jackson. Fletcher
and Blair, Farragut and Porter. Sheridan,
Sherman, Grant, Conklng. Spinner, S. S.
Cox, George D. Prentice, Parson Brown
ESo<t D.,ay, Vahx