Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-12
GOSSIP FROM BOOKLAND.

Not oIe OI HIS IdteSL, put u very piiShl, breezy narrative is Richard Harding Da- wis "The Rulers of the Mediterranean" and while a few pleasant hours are passed in its perusal, not small amount of real information is gleaned. The last chapter in the book "Constantinople," gives one quite an insight into the sul- tans domain Of the city itself he says: "Constantinople is a faA weather city and needs the sun and the blue sky and the life of the waters about 1t, which give to the city it's real individuality. It misses in winter the pleasure yachts of the summer months, the white uniforms of the thousands of boatsmen and the brighter dressing of the awnings and flags of the ships and steamers But the waters about Constantinople are its best part and are fuller and buster and bright CT than either those around the battery or those below the Thames embankment, and by standing on its wide wooden bridge, over which more people pass in a day than over any other (save London bridge) in the world, one can see pro- cession of all the nations of the east"
 In writing of modern Athens" and deploring the absence of the Elgn mar bles he says: When the people of Great Britain have returned the Elgin marbles to Greece and the rock of Gibraltar to Spain and the Koh-i-noor diamond to India and Egypt to the. Egyptians they will De proud and -taughty people and will be able to-bsid their heads as high as any one ,es ..,,a.--,.
 This aza fair specimen of the quiet hu- nor of MT. Davis.
 Andrew Lang notes that Mrs. MacCunn has published Life of John Knox" This is the authors first appearance. but he says she has none of the literary faults of the neophyte, nor of her sex. "She does not strain after the pictur- esque and perhaps here is the first life of John Knox devoid of partisanship. Mrs. MacCunn does not dissemble his faults, though she is distinctly kind to his virtues
 Scribners will publish early in the year a novel by Mrs. Frances Hodgson Bur- nett called "A Lady of Quality" It is said to be the first work of the kind Mrs. Burnett has given us in long time.
 In Scribner's Magazine will be pub lished serially a new novel called "Sol- diers of Fortune" considered the best work MT. Richard Harding Davis has done. It treats of the fortunes of a young engineer in South America.
 
 A recent reviewer is very much amused over the fact that we sit on this side of the Atlantic and hear that "Trilby" is
  sententiously remarks that we may have given our British cousins a good many new ideas in the last few years, and now select their reading matter, though we do not write it for them.
 The Ghost" remarks that Mir Hall Caine Is now resting, after his American tour, at his home in the Isle of Man.
 He has been interviewed as vigorously in London as he ever was in New York, La.~ self upon being pretty we'll advertised author.
 Possibly he is writing another deemster story while he's resting"
 The Chap Book prints an incident of Kipling apropos of his contribution to Eddy Bok's Ladies' Home Journal. It seems that Kipling spoke of tossing down a glass of old Madeira" He had in all probability expurgated his usual style for this occasion only, since more in his line would be some such express sions as:
 Throwing a noggin of raw spirits down his sizzling gorge" but To! it was not enough. AS the Chap Book tells it, little Box. in panic, wires the brawny jingle man: "Can you change Tossed down a glass of old Madeira? Ladies' Home Journal rules forbid mention of wine" Kipling wired four words: Make 1t Mellin's food"
 
 Since Agnes Repplier gave us those delightful books. "In the Dazy Hours," Essays in likeness" and other of her charming works, we have grown to look with interest for new works from her pen, for she has long been acknowledged @ brilliant eSsayist Points of View" work of the past year, consists of nine choice essays upon familiar though in- teresting subjects, for Miss Reppier has the happy knack of treating even hack neyed subjects with originality, conspic- nor, all written in charming style.
 I think no title ever suited book better than Tn the Dazy Hours might suit all Miss Repplier's. She gives a strong plea in one of her essays to that old simple charm of self -forgetful absorption in book" and this Is just the delicious quail ity found here-a restful. easy diction and treatment of matter that soothes and quiets one.
 "A man." says Dr. Johnson bluntly fought to read just as inclination leads him, for what he reads as task will dd him little good, and yet" the author says, i've see both men and women, and sometimes even children, practicing curious sort of literary ascetcsm and devoting themselves conscientiously and very conspfcuously to the authors they least enjoy" Apropos of this remark Is the following: Ha
 "A very charming old gentleman whom I recently saw working conscientiously- and War" He sighed a little when he spoke to me and held up the book for in- spection. My daughter-in-law sent 1t to me, he explained resignedly, and said I must be sure and read 1t. But'-this with a sudden sense of gratitude and