The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-21

library with his other superfiuous pos
sessions, at a pawnshop, and the proba-
bilities are that he hadn't any book
plate.
In recent examination paper a teacher
found the statement that Cardinal VOL
sey shot at the Pope" The boy had
been told that the Cardinal aimed at
the Papacy.'
There will be an illustrated article on
DR.. Georg Ebers and his home, in the
September number of the Critic. A Curl
Gus scientific fact is mentioned in con-
nection with this article. The Critic says
that it would have published facsimile
of letter by DR.. Ebers had not the letter
been written in purple ink Purple is
color which the camera VIII not recog-
niZe.
Gen. Wheeler is said to be writing a
book about the Cuban campaign. The re-
mark of Solomon, 'Oh that mine enemy
would write book has no application
here. At present Gen. Wheeler has no
enemies except the Spaniards, and they
cannot read.
A new book by Maurus Jokai is an
nounced and its title is AS We Grow
Old" There will be an Introduction adj
dressed to the American reader. and
sketch of the author by Nellie Blanchan,
whose bird books have found such warm
appreciation in this country.
There is a picture of Mr.. George Moore
In the August Critic, which is sorrow
full thing to look upon. II may resemble
the author, but IL has the look OF
man half distracted by some weighty
problem, so that he has forgotten TO
comb his hair.
The Critic publishes sketch, by Edith
Thomas, of a young Hindu girl, who
bears the somewhat bewildering name OF
Sarojini Chattopadhyay, but who has
written some really exquisite poetry in
English, to judge by the extracts Miss
Thomas gives. If this young Oriental
writer can find nom de plume which
will be little less mysufylng
to the English reader. she will
do well TO publish a volume of poems
describing the wonderful life OF her ma
tive land. She seems TO handle the Eng
lish language with the ease OF one 10
whom it is birthright
The August number of Little Journeys
10 the Homes of American Statesmen Is
devoted to Daniel Webster. Nearly a
third of the sketch,is given to disserta-
ton on district school oratory and oratory
in general. and il strikes the reader as
being a little too long for mere intro
duction However, IL Is very clever ana
bright, and bears some relation to tne
subject, for Webster undoubtedly did
cause a great revival of interest IN
this branch OF culture. MT. HuoDaro
opinion of Webster is rather
small one. He regards the great
orator as man of no principle
worth mentioning, of very little lnteiect
In the creative and administrative olrec-
lions. but of great personal magnetism
and extraordinary command OF language
He does. however give Webster the cred
II of having inspired IN vast NUMBERS VI
his countrymen an intense love for their
native land. He says in this connectloh'
webster believed in Americas greatness,
and in the splendor of Americas mis-
sion.''
Some one has lately made the remark
that tbe only classics of the worlds lit
erat,,re which are alike enjoyed by young
and old by men and women OF all CIV
flized countries and all classes OF society,
are Robinson Crusoe and Don QulX-
ote" And on mature consideration, IL
looks as If this were absolutely true. me
reasons for it are not so readily seen. Inc
extreme simplicity OF both taIes each
having but one central inquire, mas some
thing to do with this general acceptable
tv Then. each hero is typical of a stage
of human existence. There is a time in
the life of every human being when the
desert-island manner of existence has Its
charm; and this time, is recalled to the
man or woman who reads Robinson
Crusoe." There is also a time in the
life of most people when they are ready
to tilt at windmifls, and there is always
a time when they can laugh at those who
do The humor of Don Quixote' and
tha adventure of Robinson Crusoe" are
the qualities which appeal most strongly
to the public. and two of the necessities
of primitive human nature are the need
for action and the need for laughter.
A new paper covered edition of that
great work of T. Dewitt Talmage, From
Manager to Throne has been issued by
the American Agriculturist Company. The
arrangement of the Illustrations is pecu-
liarly frank exposition of the writer $ re-
ligious convictions The work is supposed
to be a life of Christ The first and finest
picture of the book is carefully finished
half-tone of DR.. Talmage himself. The
next two illustrations are wood cuts OF his
wife and daughter, IoiloWeu ny poftTdilS
of two of his friends. Then come DIR.
Talmage on the Banks of the Jordan"
and "Dr Talmage Baptizing Convert
in the Jordan" and DIR. Talmage Riding
Camel Somewhere about the middle
of the book the doctor finds time to pay
a little attention to Christ. There is an
indifferently- sketch, probably
intended for the Madonna and the Holy
Child, in. red ink, on the cover. To all
readers who wish to know what DR.. Tai
mage really is, this work is commended.
The opening sentence is especially char
acteristic. DR.. Talmage says
Others might write life of Christ without
seeing the Holy Land, but could not.
This is probably true. There is so very
little of the life of Christ in this work,
and so very much of DR.. Talmage and
the scenery, that one can well believe
that his material would have been limited
had he remained athome. The only other
remarkable feature in the book is the
abundance-of capital rs. 1t suggests that
the printers must have been obliged to
purchase an extra font of this useful let
ter. i