The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-12
CURRENT PERIODICALS.

The New England Magazine has under
taken the Interesting task of tracing the
influence of New England on the West
and In the current issue traces the work
of the Yankee settlers in Kansas. The
article claims for them much of the credit
FOR the establishment of the colleges. Ii
braries and other educational institutions
of the State. A paper of Importance in the
same number treats of the part taken by
the people of the Cumberland mountain
region in the struggle for freedom. 1t is
written by Rev. William 4. Barton.
The Month. the literary ma gazine recent
ly established by Joseph E. and Jeanette
l.. Glider. contains many Of the best fea-
lures of their weekly publication. the
Critic, and is therefore not of especial in
terest to readers of that useful and enter
tanning periodical, but because il is n
monthly and in more permanent form, is
better suited TO the taste of others. The
March issue contains signed contributions
by number of well-known authors, re-
views of the books of the month and por-
traits of several of the literary people most
talked of.
The noticeable articles in the Review of
Reviews for March are the character sketch
Of Lyman j. Gage, secretary of the treas
ury, and of Queen Victoria, whose reign
has been the longest of any of kings or
queens in English history. Both are pro-
fuSely illustrated. One other article is
worthy of mention, that on the naming of
the Indians on the Western reservations,
where they have come under the civiliZing
Influences of the agencies. The Interior De-
partment has issued instructions on the
subject that will make it easier to trace
relationship when the rights of property
are involved. The general review of cur
rent events is complete as usual.
A writer in the New England Magazine
has an interesting study of the Canadian
immigrants in the Eastern States. Con-
trary to the impression given out by most
published discussions OF the subject. he
classes these people as valuable addition
to the population From what l have seen
should say that he is among the most de-
sirable of those who seek a residence in
the United States. He possesses the power of
adaptability TO a remarkable degree, and
IL is his chief desire 10 merge himself into
the new civilization into which he has
abiding citizen in the end, and in the third
generation TO become thoroughly Ameri-
caniZed."
James Fenimore Cooper is the subject of
well-written sketch in the Bookmans
Coopers lack of a sense of humor involved
him in curious difficulties with his con-
temporaries and prevented justice being
done him in literary circles during his life
time. and has perhaps affected his later
fame. LET us remember" says the writer
of the article, in speaking of this. the
strength Of will and conviction. the loyalty
whole or not-the affection that gave his
domestic life a constant beauty, and let
the memory of his aggressiveness, his mis-
takes OF pride and Judgment and whatever
else may be unlovely, take care of itself.
These may or may not be true estimates.
1t is certainty that when Cooper died at
Otsego Hall in 1851. lacking one day of six
ty-two years, personality of extraordinary
vigor and distinction was taken from the
world, and American letters lost the man
through whom American books had won
and perhaps still are winning, Il wider dis
semination than any other single hand has
given Them.
The Atlantic Monthly shows a tendency
to trench upon the province of the political
review, which is great pity. considering
the fact that the public is we'll supplied
with reviews of that character whereas
the Atlantic has stood supreme among
purely literary periodicals. The March is
sue opens with eulog1stic paper by
Woodrow Wilson on Mr.. Cleveland as Pres
ident; John Fiske discusses the arbitra-
ton treaty; there is a paper on legislative
shortcomings and one on The Good and
the Evil OF Industrial Combination" -four
articles. well enough in their way, but bet
ter suited, say, to the Forum. n contribu-
ton of a different character is THE Ra-
tional Study of the Classics which dis
cusses in a practical and intelligent way
present educational tendencies and the need
of the influence of Greek literature and the
classical spirit to counterfeit the limita-
tons of imaginative modern life and the
ship. current events make everything;
about Greece of especial interest, and in
his account of sixty days spent i'm that
country Mr.. Basil Gildersleeve has man
aged To tell many of the things that peo-
pie like 10 know about the life manners
and customs of the people who are now
disturbing the peace of Europe.
Percival Lowell. the astronomer. has the
happy faculty of so freeing his planetary
lore of scientific technicalites that his
stories concerning the stars have the at
traction OF romance To the unscientific
reader. Indeed. il is limited by rival as
tronomers that Mr.. Lowells narratives are
largely works OF the imagination. but AT
least they are good enough TO be true. In
the March Atlantic he tells the results of
four months study OF Venus from the
Flagstaff observatory. He makes it clear
why so little has been definitely known
about Venus heretofore aid demonstrates
in way convincing enough TO the lay
reader that Venus does not revolve UPON its