Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-12-03
THE DECEMBER ATLANTIC.

The Atlantic continues to devote
lts political comments to the llnmedl-
ate and vital problems confronting
the Datlon; and the December num-
Der presents a valuable group Of pa
pers upon the question Of dependen-
cles aud their management. Benja-
min Kidd, the distinguished English
soclologist and critic, opens the mum
ber with the only contribution 10
American literature which he has
made during his recent tour in this
country, entitled "The United States
and the Control of the Tropics" In
which he maintains that the tropics
must be developed by their own labors
managed by Northerners. This duty
towards our conquests has been una
voldably forced upon the United
States, and as the coming world
power OF the next century we must AS
sumo and fulfill the trust and the
burden. Mr.. Kidd's brilliant and
timely article is reinforced and
rounded out by the contributions Of
w. Alleyne Ireland, OF England, and
Prof. Carl Evans Boyd, Of Chicago,
University. Mr.. Ireland discusses
from the standpoint OF a long ex-
perience in British West Indies, the
methods, failures. and success Of other
nations In managing tropical colonies,
and the lessons to be needed by us
from their experience. Professor Boyd
traces the history OF our own former
acquisitions, showing how autOcratlc
these governments necessarily were
while territorial, and at the same
time he aptlY points out the differ
cnces In condition aud requirements
between contiguous, sparsely settled
lands and far-away densely populated
islands. Mr.. Howells's Confessions OF
a Summer Colonist remind the reader
OF his Suburban Sketches and
Their Wedding Journey. The same
graceful description and lively fancy,
with Il touch Of romance, enlIYened
by a quiet but penetrating humor
that sometimes j. almost pure fun,
characterize this paper, while It's ac-
curacy will be abundantly testified to
by all who have ever visited the scenes
of the sketch. John Mulr's animated
paper on The Birds OF the Yosemite
is a fitting companion for his article
on the Animals, from the love OF ma
ture and the keen observation and
lively description displayed la III;
while Professor N, y. Shaler pleads
earnestly for the Study OF Landscape
as Mean OF Culture.
Prince Kropotkin resumes his
unique end fascinatlngAutoblography
with an account OF his experience as a
student In a Russian military school
for noblemen's sons, and gives piquant
pictures of the curious and sometimes
turbulent life therin, and also start
ling glimpses OF the p!tiless severity
that premeated the whole system
Mrs. Howe, by contrast, in her Rem
lniscences OF her Earliest Years,
portrays peaceful and gentle days
spent in the heart OF happy Ameri-
can family, surrounded by eminent
and distinguished people.
Professor Shaeler In The Landscap
as Means Of Culture, appeals
strongly TO those who 'seck
communion with her visible forms" Z"
To train and edIcate themselves that
they may learn TO appreciate her
beauties In such a way as TO enlarge
and dignity their own lives and
minds.
isThe Carlyle Correspondence closes
with Carlyle's last letters OF his sister,
and the description OF his last days
and death by his bereayed and sor-
rowing relatives. The whole series
reveals many hitherto unknown ten
der aud religious traits Ia the great
authors private character. David
starr Jordan brilliantly displays the
charms OF California IN scenery,
climate and people; the love OF the
people for their state, and the respect
aud admiration TO which state
and people are we'll entitled from
their countrymen.
Among the poetry Of the number is
a patriotic poem by James Whitcomb
Riley, aLd also hitherto unpub
Ilshed poem by Lord Byron from the
Harvard College Summer Collection,
accompanied by an account Of It's
history by Pierre la Rose and a review
Of the recent Byron revival by Paul
Il. More, Ellery Sedgwlck contrib
utes notable review OF Rostand and
his work, including his Cyrann de
Bergerac.
Short stories and the Contributors
Club round out the number and the
year satisfactorily and brilliantly.
FROM ALASKA.