The herald., 1896-10-11
R00I<5 ANp tMkl1!i 140sEI 4Es!E:, HEM
Al 20. WNl1u MAKE: u ~0,G~
EDITED BY RNOcH KNIGHT
and their name is legion that will lii
to read 1t.

and their name is legion that will like
THREE LITTLE DAUGHTERS OF
THE REVOLUTION, by Nora Per-
ry. Illustrated by F. T. Merrill.
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston.
A prettier or worthier book for young
people than this one will scarcely appear
this season. Nothing but choice work
ever came from Nora Perry's pen and
no sham volume or inferior specimen of
the publishers art was ever sent out
from this old house, Sand' so the story of
Dorothy and of Patty, and of Betty Bos-
tons Fourth of july will be found in ap-
propriate setting, making volume good
to read and good to put away for any
other season, or any other generation of
young American readers.
WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD, by
Thornton Kirkland Lothrop. Hough-
ton, Miff1in & Co., Boston.
This Is the latest volume in the Ameri-
can Statesmen series, edited by John T.
Morse, Jr. In a general way most of our
readers know about this famous list of
short biographies. Nothing could be
more modest and sensible than this plan
OF literary work, and the public long ago
approved and adopted 1t in the most sub
Stantial way They are worthy and
beautiful volumes.
1t is the mission of biography to bring
historical facts and points Of view to a
central point-to focus. 1t is the incar-
nation of history-the most vital human
study.
To read this life of Mr. Stewards is to
have the country's history for quarter
OF century summarized before one
for while few great events of the period
are any more than touched upon. we
have glimpses that bring them into
memory and proper relation in a most
striking way. Probably no single vol
ume in existence can tell us more about
that "irrepressible issue" against
slavery, which eliminated in the men,
orable campaign Of 1856, with Fremont
at its head as the standard bearer who
Put on the hunting shirt once more
And led in Freedoms van."
Behind this whole movement as well
as every succeeding one till the end, Mr.
pion, though not always in the glare of
the conflict. He was generous and hope
full After the surrender of Lee he good
humoredly remarked: II said at the
outset that the rebellion would end in
ninety days, and I have stuck to it ever
since!" He was the most philosophical
if not the noisest champion of human
liberty the great conflict called out and
there was not one phase of all our trou-
bles in which he did not take serious
and saving part. While many deplored
the action of President Lincoln in form
ing what was called the compound cab
met, that is, made up of Democrats and
Wings, Mr.. Seward cheerfully took a
place alongside Welles and Rlair. In the
Trent affair his wisdom and moderation
served the nation we'll, as did his firm
but gracious stand upon the question of
withdrawing the French troops from
Mexico in Difference to the Monroe doc
trine.
Mr. Seward was an optimist in poll
tics, though dauntless in urging his be-
liefs. He was, therefore, a powerful
agent in the settling Of the earliest
troubles arising out of the war. Perhaps
the tender sympathy that went out to
him on account of his martyrdom and
family sorrows. added to his fame and
influence. till 1t made him almost an
oracle. The attempt to assassinate him.
at time when he was helpless in bed,
from an accident received while driv-
!. ing. is always freshly remembered by
every citizen living at the time. This,
and the death of his wife and daughter
swiftly following. invested his remain
! ing life with pathetic interest. Few
F., Americans have deserved more for pa
/ tient and heroic services. and few have
received greater respect and honors
| from the civilized world.
Hawthorne. j. 3. Lippincott COM
pany, Philadelphia.
This beautiful little volume is the
fifth in the I4otos Library which has
been such success on the part Of this
old printing house. The text is hand
somely Illustrated, making an exquisite
little book.
1t is romance of Southern California
of the olden time, and tells of an earth
| quake which opened gushing torrent
on desolate plain, and how kamaia-
kan, the old Indian, wrought a spell
upon Miriam, the beautiful daughter
of General Trednoke, and made her a
princess who should find and recover
her family treasures in the desert.
The treasure is found, the water also
flowed, and the trio of events together
made the maiden happy, as also her
lover, Harvey Freeman, the civil negi-
neer who expected to find water and a
wife only after long campaigning and
waiting.
Don Miguel de Mendoza, too, the
proud and naughty Mexican, found in
! Grace Parsloe, the pretty orphan, his
hearts desire and his turbulent spirit
repose. Not the least interesting char
acter in the play is Professor Meschines
| The plot is novel and the plan of the
author ingenious and audacious, but
the work is hurried and fragmentary-
that is, ragged, lacking patience and
serious attention to details. Some OF
the fathers genius is shown in the sons
work, but there is a great gulf between
them in real knack of authorship. One
cannot resist the feeling that what the
:on inherited is mostly a famous nam.
and that he has been over-anxious tc
realize upon it.
BIRD-LAND ECHOES, by Charles Con.
rad Abbott, author of The Birds
About Us, etc. Profusely illustrat-
ed. Crown 8vo., cloth, gilt top so
j. b. Lippincott company, PhiladeI.
phia.
Outdoor nature has no keener OBJ.
! server nor more devoted lover than DR.
Charles G. Abbott, who has given us this
delightful volume. Let us briefly tel
the reader about 1t. It contains nearl,
| 800 pages, with the index, and is q per.
feet specimen of book-work throughout
1t is adorned wit over eighty illustra-
| tions, giving the reader fine pictures O,
all the most notable song birds of Amer
lea. The plan of the author has beer
| to group "the birds of the mill pond
the lowlands. the fields, the woods. and
even the dusty highways" There rs
| order throughout and a scientific pur.
pose, and yet the text Is so charming as
to make 1t easy and restfuI to read
1t Is a comprehensive and satisfyinp
work, that appeals to all lovers of ma.
ture everywhere.
THE HERB MOON, by John Olive,
Hobbies (Mrs. Cragie) Frederick
A. Stokes company. New York. Fol
sale by StOll e, Thaver