The herald., 1896-11-29

Better is hash at home than roast with
strangers.
Nothing is so interesting as the gos-
sip about great men, when related with
taste and tact by those who knew
them familiarly, and who, therefore, can
write without challenge or doubt on the
part of the reader. We can recall no one
who could have told us so much about
the distinguished company Of workers
who made our last half century illustri
Gus in literature as Mrs. Field has done
in this charming volume. Her hand
some, hosptable Boston home, wherein
she and her husband held court so
many years, has always been literary
shrine-the inner court of the temple
of which the "Old Corner" bookstore on
washington street was the vestibule.
TARQUISARA. BY Marion Crawford
Macmill2n Company.
When we had occasion to review Ad-
am Johnstons Son a list was made of
CraWford's books and the extraordin-
airy amount of literary work done in
mis- short life was made to appear; and
what was said of that book can be said
of this one. 1t shows no diminution of
power and resources and no diuting of
the panstaking quality of the work ac-
complshed. Swiftly as these volumes
are turned out, the fact remains--the
rather remarkable fact-that they do not
show any signs of slight even in the
smallest details. 1t is all excellent story
telling. full of resources in plot, apt in
style and never overdone in the way of
ornamentation.
knowing Italian literature and the
life of the people, as one to the manner
born, Mr.. Crawford writes of Italy with
sure touch. The scenes of the present
story are laid in Naples. The first por-
ton is recital of dangers and crimes
in which intrigues abound, and from
which the habitual poisoned cup is not
absent. The latter portion tells of love
and romance to the full. The heroine of
the story is Veronica Sierra living with
her guardian, Gregorio Macomer, who
mas wasted a large portion of her es-
tate. Matilde, the wife, who is Veron-
icas aunt, is prompted to join in any
schemes and plots to save her family
The outcome of the story is best left
to the reader, with the assurance that
1t is one of the authors best.
FRIENDLY LETTERS TO GIRL
FRIENDS, by Mrs A. D. T. Whit
ney. Houghton, Miffiin G. Co.
Of the twelve papers that make up
this welcome volume Mrs. Whitney says
They are not full disquisitions; they
are rather suggestions. In revising.
they have been more or less filled out
and extended but even SO are by no
means offered now as exhaustive ESSAYS.
1t is hoped that they may convey some
thing of real fresh thought to those who
will think further and make wider appli.
cation for themselves"
This is modest preface. and its sim
cerity will not be misunderstood by any
body who has been fortunate enough
to read Faith Gartney's Girlhood. or A
ummer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life.
Nothing safer and sweeter than these
volumes has ever come into the hands of
Ar11n fl,N ~:
OF the papers in the present volume are
The World of Books, Society, Marriage
and Religion. 1t is book with a very
high purpose.
TECUMSEH'S YOUNG BRAVES.-Ry
Everett T. Tomlinson, author OF
Search for Andrew Field. Boy Sol
diers OF 1912, Boy Officers of 1872 ETC.
Cloth, Illustrated, being the fourth
volume of the War of 1912 series. Lee
& Shepard, Boston.
This story, based upon scenes enacted
in the last war with Great Britain. while
it is daring in invention and intensely
exciting, has slight thread and basis
or historical fact. The Creek war, as it
was called, furnished no end of bold and
bloody deeds; and nothing more to a
boys liking than the adventures related
in this book could be imagined or de-
sired. 1t is pre-eminently boys book.
and will be found especially acceptable
to him "about this time,'' as the old al
manacs used to say.
THE MERRY FIXE.-By Penn Shirley
uniform with Young Master Kirke
illustrated. Lee L. Shepard. Boston.
This is the second volume of the Silver
Gate series, and it tells of the adven-
lures of the Rowe family during their
soJourn on the Pacific coast. All who
have been permitted to know the earlier
happenings to the young people of this
volume will be sure to follow their for
tunes farther. 1t is one of the best of
Penn Shirley's books.
THE STORY OF AMERICAN GOALS.
by William Jasper Nicolls, author
of The Railway Builder, etc. j. B.
Lippincott Company
In the authors preface to this note
worthy volume he says that it is de-
signed t.. treat only of American Goals
"a subject of such Importance as to
reach the enormous total in value of
nearly two hundred millions of dollars
annually" The writer has had fifteen
years employment In the coal fields of
Pennsylvania and to his store of prac-
tical experience has added material from
every available source, to make up the
vast body of knowledge which this vol
ume contains. The subject is traced from
the frst theories through the geological
historical and practical phases, and last
ly treats of its vast industrial and COM
mercial bearings. 1t is a volume of 44O
pages, with an elaborate index. The
concluding chapters give some remark
able figures. Very few people realize the
vastness of the coal business, and what
it means to civilization. Thus, in 1S4s
the United States produced alone 3,OOO.-
900 tons of coal; while last year the pro-
duct was 182,000,000' Even in 1866 we
were producing only 100000 tons an
nually. We are now very close upon
Great Britain in production, and two
hfths ahead OF Germany. AS to the place
we must soon occupy the author says:
"At the head of coal producing nations
Is Great Britain with the United States
next, but with. our present developments
continuing for few years longer we
must soon stand at the head of all coun-
tries as a producer of coal and what it
signifies-power." He also quotes l..
Simonin, the great authority on the sub
ject: America, with her immense coal
fields is destined to become eventually
the great coal producer of the world"
The value of this volume to the person
interested in the subject of Goals can
hardly be overestimated.
JANE, by Marie Coreli. Lippincott
Company.
Jane, otherwise known as Miss Bel
mont" and sOld Miss Belmont" was a