Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-10

likely to find all his pet saying and an- ecdotes in this catchy little book, and great many more beside, and the book will prove acceptable to all who wish something to pick up at odd moments to entertain and enliven. Any page se- lected at random is sure to please.
 A Yorkshireman. was advised to read some really good book and Plato was mentioned as likely to suit him. After ward he was asked, Well, what do you think of Plato?' Plato? O, that Plato. I'll tell you what I think of him. Hes as big a humbug as ever lived. Why, man. Emerson has said it all before him.
 "Curran being asked what an Irish gentleman, just arrived in England, could mean by perpetually putting out his tongue. answered, I suppose he's trying to catch the English accent
 " Call that kind man?' said an actor. speaking of an acquaintance, a man who is away from his family and never sends them a farthing? Call that kindness?' aYes. unremitting, replied Douglass Jerrold." (Houghton, Miffiin & Col
 Lafcadio Hearn had charmed us with his original, quaint stories of southern life, and the lower coast particularly, as so exquisitely told in "Chita," when he travels far from his native shores, shak ing off the comforts and luxury of the western civilization, and apparently all remembrance of it, and as 1t were adopts the life and customs of a new land for his very own, and the only evidence that we have of his remembrance of his na- tive soil is the fact that he continues to sends us books replete with vivid descrip- tions and dainty imagery, telling us of the land of his adoption and how he has en- tered into the spirit and charm of the Orient. "Glmpses of Unfamiliar Ja- pam was delightful book, and con Veyed to the readers imagination really Iisrif1p innnraGcinn If fha lnvtprnal 1CnRCf of Japan.
 Out of the East" by MT. Hearn. is characterized by the same marvellous charm of style; the entire book is formed of "Reveries and Studies in New Japan. The opening chapter, ''The Dream of a Summer Day" first appeared in the Ja- pan Daily Mail. and is a splendid exam pie of the beauty and musical rythm of the authors writings. "The music of her voice passed, and I felt enchantment fall ing all about me like the thrilling of a ghostly web, for the name-Urashima- was the name of the story of song that bewitches" One of the most entertaining chapters is entitled "Of the Eternal Feminine" in which the author tells us of his experience with Japanese students in discussing the literature of the Occi- dent One class of authors who write for Japan, he says, call them race of chill dren; others judge the nation essentially materiallstic despite the evidence of it's religions, its literature and It's matchlesS art. q cannot persuade myself that eith- CT of these judgments is less fatuous than Goldsmith's observation to Johnston about the Literary club: There can now be nothing new among us. We have travelled over one anothers minds A cultured Japanese might well answer with Johnson's famous retort: Sir you have not yet travelled over my mind, promise you!,
 We can readily believe Mir Hearn will have still more to tell us of his new home-Japan.
 home-Japan. QIoughton, Mifflin & Company.
 The Hampers announce work which will prove of unusual interest to all Americans-the autobiography of Mary Anderson Navarro, which has been com pleted after several years preparation, and will appear next February.
 "A Magnificent Young Man" Is late work by the popular English author John Strange Winter the novelist, though she has just made her appear ance as a song writer, having written a school song called "The Princess of the Poor," which has been set to music by Lester Carew. It was written and con- posed as an expression of loyalty to the