The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-21

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Almost the last work OF the late james An
thony Froude was the delivery Of "a series OF
lectures at oxford upon the English sea
men in the XVI century, which now APP
pear in a handsome volume from the press OK
the Scribners. The nine lectures make a book
of great historical value. and OF the most alb
sorbing literary interest. No richer field
exists in English history. 10 was during the
reign Of Elizabeth. when the Spanish King
Mary Of Scotland. the Pope. and factions In
England were each trying TO overthrow the
Queen. that John Hawkins and Francis Drake
led the freebooters Of the In filibustering
and piratical expeditions that rivaled in dra-
matte interest and astonishing results the
widest flights of fiction. and resulted In
training up a race of hardy buccaneers, who
were able and ready to sally out and beat on
the great Spanish Armada, almost upon their
own responsibility Ind at their own cost
These men laid the foundation for the
modern English navy. They did far more
They made England possible, by beating on
the enemies that were anxious TO engulf her,
and that were able to do 10 IL left to contend
only with Englands government. Hawkins
and Drake showed how 20 humble Spain, and
always divided the spoils with Elzaooth. by
Gripping Spain's power. and showing the
Spaniards that their reliance upon their
patron saints and Our Lady, could not
qualify them to contend against feet vessels
and stout English arms, these bold ouc-
cancers freed the Netherlands from Parma's
bloody grip. and made Catholic persecution
curb its ambitions. The w6hderful tales Of
adventure are told in spirited fashion, and
the book is one Of the most entrancing II is
possible for the student of history 10 get into
his hands. II opens the door and points the
way to a very rich mine of literary diamonds
Whiting for the revealing work of such
writer's as Stanley Weyman, Zangwin ct ali.
preston a. Rounds. Providence.
The latest volume In ths Great Commanders
series Of the Messrs. Appleton In General
Sheridan" by General Henry f. Davies.
Sheridan was OF the most interesting
figures left vividly outlined upon oar coun-
try's historical screen by the fierce light that
the civil war beat upon It.. He was the hrst
commander of the United States army who
had all his life been soldier What sort OF n
soldier 'fLttle Phir' was we all know but
we lkrS,w il better by reading General Davies
careful, accurate, and sympathetic narrative
OF his life pathetic interest attaches to
this biography OF a soldier by soldier from
the fact that General Davies died almost inn
mediately after finishing his work-within a
month after penning the brief preface.-(H.
Gregory, Providence.
"The Cat" by r. S. Huidekoper, NJ. D., is
little book (Apploton) which gives a great
deal of information about that domestic ami
nal, chiefly useful to those who wish to pur-
sue catology as fad or science, or
who want to be able 20 properly care for
tabby when she Is beset with tho ills feline
life is exposed to.--(E Gregory, Providence.
"Reminiscences by Thomas NJ Clark" is
the modest imprint ON the back Of modest
volume recently from the press OF Mr..
Thomas Whitaker, which is of peculiar inter
est here in Rhode Island but which has suf-
fcient merit TO win interested readers any
where whore men are interested in interest
ing notabes. Bishop Clark writes charmingly
OF the men and times he has been conversant
with, omitting much mention OF himself. He
seems TO have followed no set plan or thought
out scheme. His book is very much like q long
chat before an op &re with only the glim.
mer Of lamp fro a. another room for other
light: and il is a very delightful and com.
Portable chat indeed. The bishop has been a
preacher nearly 60 years, as he.was made rec
tor of st. Andrews Church, Philadelphia, in
1856. He remembers President Monroe and
the Marquis dc La Fayette. He tells of the
men no knew. and Of the events he witnessed; /;
of the developments Of thought and learning
and invention he relates anecdotes. md gives
bits of intimate personal contact with men OF
tho times He touches lightly upon the great
affairs that tug at mems heartstrings. such as
the civil war. tacitly acknowledging that they
are not yet ripe for photographic summary -
IA. Gregory, Providence.
"The New Moon" by G. E. Raimond ZAP
peton), is a novel with q purpose. evidently.
What the purpose is cannot be easily gathered.
Jeoffrey Monroe. physician, has an invalid
wife-a shallow creature, devoid OF harm.
given 10 superstitions In time no meets
Dorothy Lance, and in little more time he
loves her. and she loves him. She did not
know OF Mrs. Monroe until her heart had left
her keeping. They agree TO be friends, and
they continue simply friends for a long time
At last, however, the fires OF passion had al.
most consumed principle and prudence, and
only on accident prevented the usual catas
trophe. A Are IN n Swiss hotel burned
Dorothy up, and forced Jeoffey to fight to res
cue his wife and save himself The wife soon
died, but there was no Dorothy TO comfort
him, as perhaps there would have been il tho
intrigue for the secret meeting that must
have had n sinful ending had not led her into
the hotel just before II burned. All OF which
shows that Jeorcry Monroe was not quito
good enough TO be happy ever after. and that
tbs more polite. rs well as more decent TO be
as content possible with one wife. while
the gods permit her to live,-(H Gregory,
Providence
II is not every man who is capable Of max
ing a will that Is according 10 law nor every
lawyer. Mr.. George +. Tucker has written a
little treatise, "Your Will: How TO Make IL, {"
which ought. should say, 10 bo given place
among the few volumes Of popular summary