The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-21
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES.

Hail Gaines latest and, according to
some, his greatest novel, THE Christian" &"
has been issued by the Appletons, 1t is
Keyed in the strenuous style for which
this writer is noted and it has a large
measure of the elementals in human pas
sion, pathos and suffering. The central
theme concerns the struggle of a good
man whose nature aspires on its spiritual
side to higher levels to rescue a woman
from influences that tended to drag her
downward. In Hall Gaines hand such a
theme is worked out with a vividness and
power not paralleled by any other mod
ern writer, and the result is a book that
as soon as its large merits filter through
the public consciousness will be much
read and much more talked about We
reserve the right to recur to this work
again, under more favorable opportun-
ity. In the meantime 1t deserves to be
said that this is in all probability the book
of the year, which all must read who
would Keep abreast of the times.
When reverses in business career sent
Chauncey c. Hotchkiss into letters for a
livelihood fate did a good turn for those
readers who want fiction full of spirit and
fire. In Defiance of the King showed
the prentice hand but "a Colonial Free
Lance" now issued by the Appletons,
avoids its predecessors proliXity and runs
the gamut of heroism, adventure and
hair-breadth escapes in a manner that
even Cooper would have envied. It, also,
is tale of the Revolution, with a historic
figure in Sir Henry Clinton whom it
paints rather conspicuously; and, as in
the first of Mr.. Hotchkiss' stories, much
of the action takes place aboard ship,
giving opportunity for some graphic
marine tints. But the great charm of "A
Colonial Free-Lance' is its slap, bang
and dash; you never wink an eye lash
nd iS
happy enough to suit the most fastidious
Another of f. Schuyler Mathews in
teresting books on natural history is is
sued by the Appetons, under the title,
Familiar Features of the Roadside" a
title which affords a good idea of the
books contents. Professor Mathews in
this work undertakes to point out some
of the beauties and wonders of Mother
Nature which most of us wholly overlook
although they are continually and directly
before our eyes. The commonest flowers
and shrubs and bugs and birds that dot
the highway present under his glass fea-
lures of interest not recognized before
and it will be strange if the dullest boy
or girl, after reading this charming book,
shall not feel new bond of sympathy
for nature and a new sense of amaze
ment at the inilnitude of the Creators S
handiwork.
Alusion has been made editorially to
ore of the chief papers in the August
Forum-Senator Hoar's comparison of
English with American craftsmanship.
Among other features worthy of note may
be mention paper by DR.. Lyman Alb
bott on 1.-THE Growth of Religious Toler-
ance in the United States; one by Sena-
tor White giving reasons against Ha-
waiian annexation; one by Professor
Blackmar on Berlin's municipal govern
ment; one on THE Future of the Red
Man" by an Indian chief, Simon Po-
kagon; one by Professor Hopkins on the
situation in India and one by Commander
Booth-Tucker concerning his plan 10
found farm colonies for the urban poor.
Few recent numbers of this review have
been so interesting.
Gunton's magazine for August takes
up the money question:" that is to say
the currency reform issue, and presents
reasons why it must be the next thing to
be settled in this country. Gunton's is
| not always convincing in its arguments
| but 1t is never dull.
Wheelmen who want to read several
| capital short stories constructed with a
| view to exploiting the bicycle should read
the Ausust Home magazine.
1
| monthly published at 12S Waite street,
| New York, at 10 cents per copy or $l.0O a
| year. 1t comprises each month 40 pages
of well-edted and well-classitied informa-
tion concerning home hygiene and other
subjects relating to healthful living.
g.
Money, the non-partisan monthly devot-
| cd to a discussion of the currency ques
| tion, prints in its August number an in
| structive debate on bank credits as a
| money substitute. between Ben S. Dean
for the free silver side and Maurice l..
Muhleman representing the gold stand
ard side. Money is a valuable instructor
on the subjects falling within its scope.
o
Something Of the character of journal
| of current events has been lent to Chap
| Book since it began to discuss political
| topics in its Notes, II does this with
a style which IePays study even when its
opinions (Which incline to be Mugwump-
| ish) provoke dissent. Chap-Book may be
| described as a fcrtnightly sandwich, COIL
| sisting of notes ard book reviews with
| more or less interesting miscellany
| stuffed between.
COMPETITIVE RAILWAY RATES.
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