The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-18

mick's suggestions az TO the proper method Of
living resolve themselves into q simple formula:
Eat plenty Of fruit, take regular exercise. and
never forget that virtue 10 its own reward"
The amiable and ingenious tourist who trots
round the world armed with q kodak, q note
book, and n fountain pen 10 always an interest
ing object. His capacity for absorbing mis-
information sometimes renders him an OBJ
ject of amusement to tho hopelessly faco-
tious, but he Is in general a harmless
enthusiast whose kindly purpose 1t is to
amuse himself and TO communicate some share
Of his pleasure to tho world ut largo. Every
traveller has met tho species and has noticed
that by n curious dispensation OF Providence 1t
happens that, wherever he may be, there Ia
always an accommodating stranger on hand
ready and willing to load him up Nth all tho
assorted information hc can cow cniently cnrry.
Mr.. Michael Myers Shoemaker. who, in q vol
ume with the attractive title "lslands OF tho
Southern Seas" Putnamsl writes the pleas
ing record OF his wanderings in Hawaii.
Samoa, Now Zealand, Tasmania, Australia,
and JAW, modestly disclaims any purpose
merely educational. "If you are looking for a
historical or a political work these notes OF n
journey to the islands of the Southern Seas will
in no way please you,' no says, but II you will
como with me = . . on to tho southwark as
the spirit moves us. taking life as God gives 1t,
perhaps you will not be disappointed" He
seems to have mot q good many accom-.
modating strangers in trains. steamboats,
and hotels. and to have carefully sssimilated
as much as possible Of what they told him.
Ho did not go to Molokai. but with q graceful
acknowledgment to Mr.. Charles Warren Stod.
dard. who did go there several years ago, he re-
writes and quotes from that Rentleman's book,
drops a sentimental and long-range tear to tho
memory Of Father Damien. and. with his long
range kodak. gets q photograph Of the
grave OF tho martyr priest In Samoa,
where he stays two hours. he gets another long
range photograph of the tomb Of Robert Louis
Stevenson, which is some miles inland. and
which he did not see. and writes q chapter on
the place. the people, and their present con-
ditions. Which is quick work.
1t is, however, In Australia that he gathers In
his prize story. This is what some wicked
humorist told him about the laughing jackass:
These queer productions Of tho ~feathery kingdom
seem to love music. Often they gather near the
open windows of q church and listen. apparently
with great interest. as long as the music lasts, but
when 1t ceases their peals of derisive laughter have
been known to break up q service. This happened
not long since. In one OF selbourne's most stately
and fashionable sanctuaries; but, on that occasion, 1t
was the text which seemed to excite their ridicule.
for. in the pause which followed the delivery thereof.
the holy silence of the church was broken by such
shouts of laughter that the minister was forced to
dismiss his congregation.
1t is q pity that this traveller did not find
time TO journey into tho interior Of Australia.
There he would have met moro accommodating
strangers. who would have surely told him OF
the spot where tho only surviving Dinky Bird
sings upon the. Amfalula tree; Of the curious
habits Of tho man-devouring Bunyd-B unya,
that sits in swampy places and lures its victim
by singing love songs in q sweet soprano, and
that in captivity is useful in church choirs
and other strange things. But he has done
fairly well, and his notes, which are excellently
printed and illustrated. are distinguished by
much amiability.
In "Chalmette' (Lippincott's). which tells the
story of the adventures and love affairs Of one
Capt. Christopher Robe before and during the
battle of New Orleans. Mr.. Clinton Ross has
written a short novel Of adventure that. In It,
presentation of q number of interesting charac
tiers. It's freshness and narrative power. marki
q distinct advance in the quality of tho author
work. Gen. Andrew jackson. jean Lafitte. tn,
handsome buccanecr. and the bravo and nodes
Christopher himself are excellently drawn
There is a pleasant love story. some good. hare
fighting, and something of the color and move
mont that distinguished Now Orleans at thii
most picturesque period of her history.
In Racing and Chasing" Nongmans. Greer
& Coz Mr.. Alfred f. T. Watson republishes
number of sporting stories that appeared in tn,
London Illustrated Sporting and Dramati
Neu8 while he was editor Of that journal. The!
are all light and readable and well illustrated.
We have received from Messrs. Marcus War;
& Co. q number Of artistic and useful block cal
endars for 1898.
We have also received Tho Workers-Ar
Experiment in Reality" Walter A. Wyckoff
(Scribners).
Songs from the Wings" Minnie Gilmore
(Neely).
victorian Literature-Sixty Years Of Book
and Bookmen." Clement r. Shorter. Dodd
Mead & co.,.