The age-herald., 1898-01-30

Colonel Richard Malcolm Johnstons
 "Old Times in Middle Georgia" seems to
 be pleasing English readers and is attract
 ing considerable notice in their reviews. A
 second edition has just been announced
 by the publishers. and the Macmillan com
 pany also are now putting second Amer
 ican edition through the press.
 A recent letter from Paris says that
 Zola's "Debacle' is finding a worthy rival
 in "Le Desastre.' by Mime. Paul and Vic
 tor Marguerite. romance of the Metz
 campaign. The American rights of this
 thrilling story have been secured by D.
 Appleton & Co.,, who will publish the book
 immediately under the title of ''rhe Dis aster."
 The Macmillans have begun the pubica- ton of "The Bible' in their standard Ev ersley editions, eminently tasteful and satisfactory style of book-making The first volume contains Genesis, Exodus, Le viticus and Numbers, and is printed with
 out the division into chapters, or verses, as contiuous piece of literature. MT. J. w. Mackail contributes an introduction. The learned Psychologist and popular
 novelist, George Ebers, this year will pre-
 sent to his readers novel entitled Ara chne," the scene of action of which will again be Egypt. The hero is young Greek sculptor and this circumstance en- ables the author to interweave his own views about art.
 The new edition of MT. Gilbert Parlser's
 novels published by the Appletons in-
 cludes thus far '"The Trespasser'' and
 "The Trail of the Sword" which are uni
 form with "The Seats of the Mighty"
 Mrs. Falchion'' will shortly be added to
 the uniform edition. MT. Parker is a pop
 ular Canadian novelist, though he now re-
 sides in the United States. "The Pomp Of
 the Larilettes' is one of his most success
 full stories. The average individual likes
 something that is within his comprehen- sion and at the same time outside of his
 experience. Gilbert Parker supplies this
 demand; he has the advantage of de-
 scribing vividly and well places and peo-
 pie unknown to most of us. He always
 has something to say and good narra-
 tive style in which to say it.
 scribner's Sons have just published a volume entitled 'The Decoration of Houses" which is the result of a woman's faultless taste collaborating with a mans technical knowledge. Its mission is to reveal truths lying just beneath the sur face Possibly it isn't taste" that many of us lack here, but money" with which to decorate.
 Harper's announce that they now have in press, for early publication, condensed
 or students edition of "Motley's Dutch Republic prepared by the Rev. William Elliot Grifis, including a continuation or the History of Holland from the death or William l., Prince of Orange, to the pres ent time. The book will be illustrated with over forty portraits, views, etc. This will be good news, no doubt, to those who have found Motley's most delightful his tory little tedious reading from the fact of it's details.
 A "Group of French Critics Is soon to be issued by McClurg from the pen of Mary Fisher. It introduces to English readers five modern French experts in literary criticism. These are Edmond Scherer, Ximenes Dondan, Saint Marc Cir ardin, Gustave Plauche, and Ernest Ber- sot The life, character and personality or each is briefly sketched, followed by typi- cal extracts from his published reviews and opinions. This ought to prove most delightful work. A most profitable acquaintance can be formed of the liter ature of a country through It's learned and studious critics.
 
 The volume of reminiscence entitled
 "Marchesi and Music" which the Harpers have just brought out, is an extremely in- teresting record of the career of the most distinguished teacher of singing at the present time. Madame Marchesi included among her pupils such artists as Melba, Calvi, Sibyl lSanderson, Emma Flames and Gerster, and she has known nearly all of the great representatives of music during the past fifty years, among them Liszt. Verdi, Manuel Garcia, Meyerbeer and Ro- sini and about many of them she has de- lightful stories to tell.
 The Mcclure company has secured the book upon which the late MT. Henry l George was at work for the last two years os his life, and which he regarded as his magnum opus. The work Is entitled "The Science of Political Economy" but not withstandng It's rather formidable name, 1t style that made Progress and Poverty" of our time.
 The Macmillan company have announced a series of volumes under the general title of Stories From American History" The volumes now in preparation are: Spanish Discovery and Conquest" by Miss Grace King; "The War of 1872" by MT. James Earnest "Calfornia History and Explora- tions," by Mr. Charles H. Shinn; Stories of American Pirates,' by MT. Frank R. Stockton; '"Tales of the Enchanted Isles of America" by Col Thomas Wentworth Higginson, and "The Active Life of a