Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11

onstreted that she is entirely compe-
tent to deal with the daintiest as
We'll as the most difhcult topics in writing
OF strange lands and peoples. The work Is
especially valuable and Interesting because
OF the fact that comparatively little is
known about this densely populated and
works of importance there are, indeed.
about Java that Miss 8Scidmore's book il
almost a pioneer. She has opened a treas
ure boz OF wonders and delights. and her
CHARACTERISTICS OF composition and treat
ment ind full play in her descriptions of
lie In this far-away corner of the world
neglected Java, indeed. is now likely to
become Mecca for tourists largely
through the attractive influences of Miss
Scidmore's entertaining narrative The
book is handsomely bound and profusely
illustrated.
FACTS AND FAKES ABOUT CUBA; A Review of
the Various Stories Circulated in the United
George Bronson Rea, field correspondent of the
New York Herald. Illustrated. New York:
George Aunroe's Sons.
Herein are contained statements that
tend to discredit the force of the Cuban in
surrection. The author, in his capacity as
correspondent of the Herald went over the
field and tells now of his adventures in a
spirit of protest against the credence given
In this country to the insurgent cause
There are touches, here and there, that
wholly fair in his work. He seems to have
been seeking trouble with the insurgent
leaders, and he tells in graphic terms of
an occasion when he was threatened with
death by Gen. Maxine Gomez in case he
printed certain matters relating to the
rebel army. There Is too much personal
reference In the book and too many allu-
sions to newspaper rivalries to make the
work or any material value.
THE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST; An Interpr-ta
ton BY Elisabeth Stuart Phelps, drthor Of
Saint Agatha's,' etc. Boston: Houghton
Mifiin Co. Washington: Brentanos.
Mrs. Ward says in her preface that her
work Is not theology. nor biology, nor his
tory, nor controversy. nor a sermon. In
fact, there are many other things that 1t is
not, as explained by its author. 1t is, how
ever, she says. a mere narrative, and the
reader must supplement this fact with the
assertion that 1t is most delightful up-
lifting and inspiring. There Is evident a
deep sympathy between the writer and her
subject. She says she has tried here to
portray the Great Story with loving
dccility," and the pages bear out her effort
most convincingly. Handsome illustrations
add to the material beauty Of the book
which Is issued in most timely fashion at
season when human thoughts In Christen-
dom naturally turn to the wonderful exist
ence that began very nearly eighteen hun
dred and ninety-eight years ago.
LUMEN. By Camille Flammarion. Authorized
Translation from the French by A.A.M. and
I'M ~ with portions Of the last chapter writ
York: Dodd, Mead & Co. Washington: Bren-
tano's.
Flammarion has achieved an interna-
tional reputation as a bold writer on SCI
entific subjects. He has startled the world
with his marvellous representations and
his speculations. He has in theory con-
quered the realms of ether and reduced to
exact terms the mysteries of space. This
book is report of series of conversa-
lions between a substance, character or
what not, called "Lumen," cternity-wise
and bland, and a worldly questioner. Lu-
men tells marvellous things about other
spheres and gives vivid descriptions of
phases of material existence of which we
of earth have no ken. 1t is enough to say
that the work is thoroughly characteristic
of the school of extravaganza that has
become somewhat popular of late years
uider the name Of science writing.
THE SACRIFICE OF A THRONE; Being an Ac-
count of the Life of Amadeus, Duke OF Aosta
Sometime King OF Spain BY H. Rernsen
Whitehouse, formerly attached to the o. s
Legation at Madrid. late secretary of legation
and consul general to Central America secrc-
tary of Legation to Mexico, secretary of the
ian-Ainerican Conference and Fecently secre
York: Bonnell, Silver & Co.
The story of King Amadeus I of Spain is
romantic and interesting. both as a per-
sonal study and as an historical narrative.
Mr. Whitehouse has had such experience
as to place him in touch with the atmos-
phere of the situation and within reach
of many valuable sources of material that
have not up to this time been utilized for
the information of American or English
readers: In view Of recent and current
events in connection with Cuba the story
of the king who sat for such brief period
on the Spanish throne is of particular
value at this time. Mr.. Whitehouse has
written with the precision and balance of
a true historian and his work is valuable.
THE INVASION OF NEW YORK: or. How Hawaii
was annexed By j. H. Palmer. New York:
Here is another of the "glimpses into
the future that just now abound. 1t pur-
ports to give a story Of events that might
be expected to occur with the United
States attacked simultaneously by Spain
and Japan, Hawairs annexation serving to
arouse the latter nation to warlike action
incidentally it touches upon a variety Of
topics. such as labor disturbances, rela-
lions of capital and the masses and the
currency. It's narrat ton of the improbable
ties Of which it consists, while smooth
enough, is replete with errors of fact. The
most remarkable naval campaigns are out
lined, while the invasion of New York"
which forms the titular incident, is as
toundingly conceived.
IMPRESSIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA BY James
Bryce. author Of The American Common
wealth., 'Transcaucasia and Ararat,' The
Holy Roman Empire. New York: The Cen
fury Company. Washington: Brentano's.
So much commercial and political atten-
ton has been directed to South Africa of
late years that the subject is well worth
the study of so close an observer and so
clear a writer as James Bryce. 1t is a
topic suited to his temperament and his
style. He describes its many phases with
confident strokes and touches in the course
of his expansive work, which has had
previous magazine publication. the geo.
graphical. physical. racial. geological. COM
mercial and political aspects of this rapidly
developing area. 1t Is today beyond doubt
the best work on South Africa that has
appeared.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOL AS IT WAS. BY One
Who Went to It. Edited by Clifton johnson.
Boston: Lee & Shepard. Washington: VIM.
Ballantyne & Sons.
This quaint little volume affords a direct
glimpse into the past Of district school
days. more direct than is usually possible.