davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
THE Sewers.

This is novel dealing with Russian life,
by Henry Seton Merriman, whose story,
From One Generation to Another" has
rendered his name familiar to many Amer
lean readers.
The Sewers is a story of the efforts of
Russian nobleman to help the people of his
estate. He is handicapped on the one side
by the vigilance of the Russian Govern
ment, which looks askance at all efforts to
elevate the people, and on the other by
the ignorance, distrust and apathy of the
people themselves. With others of his
class he organizes a charity league, with its
object to educate the ex-serfs. The league
is betrayed by spy, many OF its leaders
are sent to Siberia, but Prince Paul Alexis
escapes TO England. Here he meets, loves
and marries the woman who was the be-
trayer of the charity league, The means
she uses to prevent his discovery OF the part
she played in that movement, and the
Vaccinations against Paul of man who
loves her and knows her perilous secret
form the motif of the novel. There are
many strong scenes in its pages, but Mr..
Merriman writes with a certain cheap and
cynical tiippancy which is sufficiently irri-
tating to spoil, for sensitive reader, what
would otherwise be powerful and striking
picture of modern Russian life.
New York: Messrs. Harper e. Bros.
For sale by Payot, Upham & Co., San
Francisco. Price 81 80.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

as heart as is compatible with the physical
facts of life. Mrs. Munday is cold, sordid
and grasping. To make people UNHAPPY is
the very breath of her nostrils, and from
first to last she is thoroughly unconscious
that the world about her do not take her
at her own valuation. She is married to
an artist, to whom she makes life one long,
exquisite torture; but the one ray of COM
fort in the whole book is that she never dis
covers it. The poor wretch has at least
the comfort of knowing that the pain OF
his writhing soul is hidden by her own
obtuseness from her curious observation.
Detestaple as she is, there is a certain game
courage about Mrs. Munday that prevents
us from losing interest in her. She be-
comes almost likable while she is facing
what seems inevitable death on the scow
with Cassie Davenaut, who, man though
he is, proves an abject coward. In France
Nevill, the author has sketched for us
lovable type of girlhood ION the borders
of Bohemia" One can scarcely blame
Ferdinand Munday for loving her, and
one feels moved heartily to echo Mrs.
Munday's wall, the one touch of feeling
she betrays throughout the volume, when
she discovers that she no longer holds his
heart, and means: II have deserved it.
The book abounds in dialogue that is
clever without being too systematically
pyrotechnic. New York: d. Appleton &
Co. For sale by Doxey. San Francisco.
Price 81 25
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

might, in very truth, name herself as an
American citizen. In that same year
she was appointed a notary pubic by
Governor Markham, being one OF
the first women in this State TO
hold such a position. She was for
several years assistant TO her father IN
his real estate and insurance office, ana Is
now successfully carrying on the business
for herself in Santa Cruz, only her spare
time being given to writing. OF late. how
ever, that spare time has been well utilized,
as her sketches in THE CALL and other
local publications viii testify. Poems ana
stories from her pen have also appeared
recently in the New York Independent,
Chicago Advance, Lippincott's, the over
land Monthly and st. PauPs Magazine OF
London.
1.-THE Songs of Fool" are supposed to
be the utterances of kings Jester;
Who serveth gracious king;
GOOD meat good wine, they are never free,
SO mirth is the price bring.
The poor FOOLS mirth is at times some,
what strained and his follies ever slcklled
Ger with the pale cast Of thought, but the
poesy and expression are alike genuine.
There is, in fact, thought and feeling,
rather than inspiration, and the light Joy
BUSINESS Of the jester in all his songs. The
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
SONGS OF 4 FOOL.

From time to time, during the past few
months, unnoticed save in the most casual
manner, by local reviewers, Franklin
Hichborn of the San Jose Semi-Monthly
Letter has been issuing, in a pretty
pamphlet form, certain very creditable
work by California writers. The press
work OF the small publications is a model
of taste and neatness, and, in the case of
the latest issue in the series, at least, the
contents are of notable merit.
Miss Geraldine Meyrick, who writes the
"So7gs OF a Fool" that make up the issue
in DIGESTION, is a very young writer, hut
one Vhom we may expect TO help sustain
CalifArnia's growing literary reputation.
Miss Meyrick is English by birth, but has
resided IN Santa Cruz since early child
hood. She has made two visits to England
since coming here, in 1876 remaining a
year each time, but is a loyal and enthusi-
astiC Californian, and, in 1892 took out
naturalization papers in order that she
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

folly OF the fool is not nearly so apparent
as his earnestness. and that is fatal to the
effect which is aimed at by the suit of
motley. The songs are not OF equal beauty,
but there are many lines that are full of
beauty and promise, as in the noble ones
that relate how the fool is, ''Sent Forth on
Errand High" by his royal master.
Sire, prepared to co." I said.
" Wherever thou shalt bid" He, kindly eyed,
Laid his white hand upon my hair, and spake:
Because see that love has touched thine heart;
And because whose loveth is no fool
Therefore charge thee, lay aside thy iests;
And gravely. as becomes man who wears
This token of his sovereigns love and trust
Carry my greetings where may not go"
With that, he placed upon my trembling hand
signet ring. And them know not what
Followed, except that faces crowded round,
And many grasped my hand, and wished me well.
But, all the time, only saw one face.
Radianty fair, and only heard one voice,
As low my lady mQrmured, 'Have no fear.
But trust thyself as others trust in thee"
And in the poetic insight of this brief
song:
1t is not true that love is blind.
The soul that oveth well can see
Away into eternity;
And If 1t loOketh not behind,
Nor heed5th much the things that
IT'S but because il sees far;
Love is not blind love is not blind.
We have space but for one more quota
ton from the "Other Verses" that show
Miss Meyricks muse to better advantage
than do the Songs of a Fool" We wish
there had been more OF these "Other
Verses, for few thoughthey are, they ar
more real and spontaneous than the 9TH
ers, showing that the singer is endowed
with that sympathy with life and nature
that alone can make the poet singer for
the people.
SANTA CRUZ.
AS Oft in DAYS of chivalrv knight
pom his shield would grave his lady's name,
And bear X ever with him in the fight,
That, if his valor should achieve him fame,
Whereer his praise told, twould added be:
TO such maiden he avowed his love-
AS being worthy; so J. loving thee
Fair Santa Cruz with thy blue skies above,
Thy flowing streams and hillencircled sea,
Would fam so weave thy name into my song
That they might never wholly parted be;
But If my verses CHANGED TO please the throng,
No one could doubt that twas thy LONELINESS
Lent unto them such grace as they possess
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

Balaam, the Chaldean, had foretold that
star should rise out of Jacob. When the
star appeared he sold his possessions and
brought three jewels as an offering to the
coming King. Then he set out for Baby
Ion to join the three magians, who awaited
him for ten days. But he was delayed,
and was too late TO journey with them;
and for thirty-three years he wandered
through Egypt and the Holy Land with
out ever finding Christ. He entered Je-
rusalem on the day of the Crucifxion, and
died during the earthquake. Mr.. Van
Dyke has made very tender and pathetic
story of the events of this long pilgrimage.
The book is got up in beautiful style, and
profusely illustrated. New York: Harper
Bros. For sale by Payot, Upham e. Co.,
San Francisco
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
BEAUTIFUL HOUSES.

This book by Louis H. Gibson author of
convenient Houses" is one of the most
valuable publications of the month. 1t is
printed on heavy paper, the type is large
and nearly every page contains an illus
tration. The work, which embodies the
authors ideas on the subject, is partly his
torical ana descriptive, but for the most
part suggestive and practical. Mr. Gibson
has been abroad since writing his first
book, and his writing and illustrations
show that he has made careful study of
the national architecture of many coun-
tries. Any one intending to build new
house or alter an old one can obtain valua-
BILE information. Mr.. Gibson is scientific
architect and the book will prove invalua-
bic to his brothers in the profession.
[One VOL, 8vo., cloth, 346 pages and 200
illustrations, So. T. Y. Crowell & Co.,
New York and Boston
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
TARTARIN OF TARASCON.

In one of the dainty volumes of their
"Faience Library" with all the beauty
attendant upon wide margins, smooth
paper, red letter and gilt illumined covers,
Messrs. T. Y. Crowell & Co. give us this
month Daudet's incompatible little
classic 'Tartarin of Tarascon." Who does
not know and love Tartarin-the gentle
braggart, an exaggerated Quixote-simple,
shrewd, high-souled Tartarin, with the
heart of child? He is one of the men,
cries of childhood, and one of the delights
of maturer years. The present edition is
capitally illustrated with a photogravure
and spirited thumbnail sketches. New
York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. Price ST. |
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
A YELL FROM THE YELLOW.

The "YeIlow Dwarf Tin the "Yeliow
Book'O, in an almost lncoherent scream
against the literary ladies and gentlemen
of the day, walls as follows:
The bagman and the stockholders clerk
land their lady wives and daughters ave
usurped his (the gentleman and scholar's")
place, and his influence on readers; and The
pressman has picked up his fallen pen-the
pressman, sir, or the presswoman
With an illiterate bowling mob at our doors,
and a tribe of pressmen scribbling at our ia
bles, what, in the name OF the universe, can
we expect? What we get; not so?
Well, what we get" is (among other
things) the above shrek of the yellow
Dwarf who seems to do his full share of
the "howling" he attributes to the read
ing mob" and who, indeed, might be bet
ter described as the "Yellcr dwarf. LON
don Charivari
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
THE CARVED LIONS.

Messrs. Macmillan & Co. are to be con-
graduated upon the excellence OF the new
uniform edition, now issuing by them, o t
Mrs. Molesworth's stories for children.
The present series is illustrated by Wal
ter Crane and Leslie Brooks, and has all
the attractiveness that fine paper, clear,
pleasant-faced type, embeilished covers
and moderate price can give to books.
Mrs. Molesworth's stories are worthy to be
styled classics among juvenile literature
Her children are real. human young peo-
pie, and she has q most cosmopolitan APP
probation of child-nature other than that
of her own England.
Always favorite with the little people
this beautiful edition of THE Carved
Lions" one of her most charming stories,
will prove a welcome Christmas gift to
many young readers. London: Macmil-
Ian & Co. For sale by William Doxey,
San Francisco. Price ST.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

to the domestic sentiment. The principal
characters OF the novel are Cedic Cedics-
son and Cicily, his wife, who was a jour
nalist before her marriage and who is two
years her husbands senior. They go to
live with Cedic's mother and sister. Cedic
and his sister Irene, who have been con-
verted to Romanism, suppose that their
father is dead, but toward the end of the
story they learn the truth. He was a
criminal and had to fee to Spain, where
he was still in hiding. Cedic's mother sent
him money at stated periods. The man
who aided the father to escape has the
family honor in his power, and therein is
centered the strongest interest of the story.
1t is we'll written and the characters are
not overdrawn. Henry Holt & Co., New
York. For sale by William Doxey. Price
IS cents.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
RECOLLECTIONS OF LINCOLN.

Books about Lincoln will, perhaps, never
cease to appear. Certainly we may ex-
pect them while any OF his contemporaries
remain upon the earth. In the present
instance it even looks as though we might
expect them into the third and fourth
generation of them that loved him. for
this volume is the personal recollections
of the great man, noted during his lifetime
by Ward Hill Lamon, and edited by his
daughter. Dorothy Lamon. NJ. Lamon
was for many years partner OF Lincoln
in the practice of law, and his confidential
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
FAITH PICTURES OF CHRIST.

In the spring Of 1S49 NJ. James Tissot ex-
hibited in the Champ de Mars portion of
his magnificent illustrations for the Life
of Christ shortly to be published. Their
effect upon those who saw them is said to
have been curious. People went away
weeping. and women made the tour
of the room upon their knees.
Many came from the provinces in
groups, with return tickets, and the ex-
hibition partook of the nature of a pill
grimage. The pictures have little of the
familiar religious symbolism, being, as
Theodore Stanton says, "pure realism tenn
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
LIFE OF CHRIST FOR THE YOUNG.

This is volume of questions and
answers, prepared by Mary Hastings
Foote, and especially adapted for use IN
homes, in schools and for the use of Sun
day-school teachers. 1t follows the Bibli-
cal narrative and endeavors to give every
event, miracle and parable in the life of the
Lord in strict historic order. The ques-
tions and answers are short, concise and
strictly to the point and q great deal of
study and research has gone into the COM
pilation of the volume. The book is very
well indexed and contains map of Pales-
tine and a diagram of Herod's temple.
New York: Harper & Bros. For sale by
Payot, Upham g. Co., San Francisco.
Price 81 25.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
ELITE and THE KATYDID.

Francis V. and Edward J. Austin latest
work, ''Eliie and the Katydid," is one of
the daintiest child's Christmas books of
the season. 1t is handsomely bound in
cloth and is printed on heavy paper, with
very attractive illustrations. The fairy
tale deals with Elfie's experience with the
katydid and troupe OF fairy elves thrown
in for company. 1t is written in an enter
tanning style, and the little reader could
not find sweeter companion than the
charming heroine, Ellie. The Merriam
Publishing Company, New York. For sale
by Johnson & Emigh, San Francisco
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
JACK ALDEN.

War stories always attract boys. War
rem Lee Goss realized this some years ago
and the result has been series of first
class martial tales from his pen. They are
all well written and well pictured. The
last. Jack Alden" is story of the Vlr-
ginia campaigns, and most, if not all the
incidents of the book are based on nara
tives of veterans. That famous trip of
the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment through
Baltimore in 1861 is told, and there is a
thrilling escape by tunnel from Libby
Prison. The volume is dedicated to the
boys and girls of a reunited country. t.
Y. Crowell & Co. New York and Boston. |
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
CRICKET"

Cricket" is charming story of the haps
and mishaps af little girl and her friends.
1t is one of those children's stories that
possess an interest for all readers, young
and old. Mrs. Harriet r. Richards, the
author, is new writer of literature for
children. If her future work fulfilIs the
promise of the present volume her destiny
is that of popular writer of Juvenile fc-
ton. Cricket" is natural, unconven-
tionaI and healthy story. All the pictures
are spirited and many of them quite ar
tistic. 1t is attractively bound and will be
a welcome Christmas gift. Estes & Laur-
lat, publishers, Boston. Price, 81.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

A PART from the leading novels of
~ the day, notably those strong
~ works OF fiction from the pens esG Of
4 N Anthony Hope, Maclaren Wey-
man, Du Maurier and some others,
there are not many OF the current novels.
however, that demand particular atten-
ton.
. y y y y
The chief consideration in some cases
seems to be catchy title. That being sup
Piled, the story can take care of itself. In
many instances the writers have not even
a bowling acquaintance with the English
language.
y y y y y
Ii one of this class of writers chances
on a plot on which to hang his string of
sensationalism, nine chances to one in ten
1t is stolen. Plagiarism is as common
among them as hastily written English.
y - > y .
Often the publishers refuse to handle
the manuscripts of first-class but modest
and hitherto unknown authors, and such
books are published at the writer's ex-
pense, while at the same time lnsipid
twaddle, thrown together with a SCOOP
shovel and squared with a tapeline under
meaningless or enigmatic title is bought
at the rate OF so much rod.
y . = y y
1t is a credit to the reading classes that
when real genius is once discovered, he
Is greeted With a warmth that is sufficient
to repay him for the bitterness of his
early struggles.
q . y y y
In the cases of Maclaren and Hope this
happy truth finds direct illustration
Their works still lead in the local sales
and whatever they write will be read with
eager interest. None OF the new books of
the week have caused even fiutter OF in
terest. At least it would seem SO in con-
trast with the steadily increasing demand
for Bonnie Briar Bush" Days of Aud
Lang Syne," Prisoner Of Zenda" and two
or three lesser sellers.
y y . y .
Books of Californians are in good de
mand. Annie Laurie's The Boy Who
Lived on the HIP differs somewhat from
Ina Coolbrith's Songs from the Goldeh
Gate, but both relate to San Francisco
and California, and both are popular.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

Their Young2" with the Encyclopedia
Britannica" on the Viper" by James
Simpson, editor of simpsons History of
the Gipsies." The Social Emancipation
of the Gipsies" is from the pen of the
author last named. Both works were boy
cotted in England and all over Europe in
1SS290 from feeling of caste. The writers,
being English, naturally preferred to bring
out their work at home, but were forced to
have the original plates shipped over here.
There is much to entertain and instruct in
both volumes. They are printed on good
paper and ably edited. Edward o..
Jenkins Son, New York.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
THE NAUTILUS.

Laura E. Richards has added another to
her famous Captain January series, called
'The Nautilus" 1t is by far the best work
produced by this popular author. The
hero OF the tale is little boy. around
whom the story is woven, yet the book
cannot be strictly termed a ''iuyenile"
one, as it is equally interesting to both old
and young. 1t is uniquely bound vol
ume and contains illustrations from origi-
nal drawings by w. L. Taylor. ESTES e.
Lauriat, publishers, Boston. Is cents.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
THE WISH.

A cheap edition of Herman Ludermann's
famous novel, the authorized edition of
which, with translator's preface, was is
ued in the spring by Harper & Bros. The
appreciators of Ludermann belong to a
class TO whom the average paper library"
stuff has no attraction, and "The Wish"
is scarcely book to prove profitable for
purveyors to the lovers of sensationalism.
The publishers have done their best, how
ever, to convey an air of sensationalism
in their cover illustration. [Chicago:
Rand, McNally & Co., Globe Library.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
A HARD WOMAN.

The author, Violet Hunt, calls this book
story in scenes. 1t is told in alternate
drama and narrative, an arrangement
which, unpromising as the description
sounds, is both artistic and effective. As
matter of fact, "a Hard Woman" is a
more than usually clever bit of workman
ship, and the author shows a very clear
appreciation of the human documents
from which it has been compiled. 1t is a
study in the development of thoroughly
selfish, vain and frivolous natare, as little
endowed with that human quality known
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
A MAN AND HIS WOMlNKIlD.

Nora Vynn's latest novel, "a Man and
His Womankind," published by Henry
Holt & Co. OF New York, is bound in the
fashion OF the Buckram series and will fur
nish two or three hours pleasant reading.
1t is short story, covering only 195 pages,
and small pages at that. There is not
much OF plot, but the incidents which
are crowded into the home life of the
highly respectable English family appeal
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

friend during his Presidency. While the
book, from a historical standpoint, adds
nothing to the admirable work of Messrs.
Nicolav and Hay, it will yet, doubtless.
find acceptance with a class of readers to
whom that literary monument to Lincoln
Will not appeal. 1t abounds in fac-simile
documents of more Or less interest, and
contains even more than the usual allot-
ment of Lincoln stories. Chicago: A. G.
McClurg & Co. For sale by Doxey, San
Francisco. Price 81 so.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

Volume V, part l, of the second series,
Proceedings of the California Academy of
Sciences, has just been issued. The second
part, finishing the volume, will be issued
about the middle of January, and if it is
as ably compiled as the one under consid-
Grafton the series will constitute valu-
able acquisition to the scientific literature
OF the coast. Volume V, part l, is entirely
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
CALIFORNIA; BLUE BOOK.

The Blue Book, or State Roster, compiled
by L. H. Brown, Secretary of State, has
been issued. 1t is complete official di-
rectory of the judicial, executive and leg
islative departments as usual, and is re-
plete with interesting data referable to the
State and county governments in all of
their branches The cuts are more attract
i've than usual. State Printing Office,
Sacramento
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08
JERRY'S FAMILY,

''Toby Tyler" won for his author, James
Otis, the enthusiastic admiration of all
young readers, and this new story by Mr..
Otis will in no wise lessen his fame as a
writer of capital stories for children.
"Jerry's Family is the account of how a
New York newsboy proved friend in need
to woman in dire trouble. He suffered a
good deal in playing the good Samaritan,
but everything comes out delightfully."- in
the end Boston: Estes IL Lauriat.
For sale by Doxey, San Francisco. Price
81 25
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-08

made up of original matter, the record of
work done under the supervision and
direction of the Academy of Sciences. 1t
is a bulky volume, containing 800 pages,
including a number of finely executed
plates. For a work of such value it is
mistake not to have had it bound in cloth
instead of fimsy paper covers. California
Academy of Sciences, publishers, San Fran
cisco1