The Portland daily press., 1899-02-09

tempt, saying; III II my impeson
that the Emperor Napoleon Is . discreet
and sniabIs man, but he 10 not 30 clever
as the world esteems him. The world
plucss to his account everything that
hsppsns and n 10 rains In eastern Asia
nj an uussssouahle moment chooses to
attribute 10 to some malSvolent machine
ton Of the Emperor. His understanding
IA oyerratsd 81 the expense Of his heart.
The man does not impose upon me at all.
The faculty 70 admire individuals Is only
moderately developed in me, and 10 10
rather defect In my vision that IL Ia
sharper to dstect weak nessss than msr-
it's"
Interesting ~ are this chapters dealing
with the Franco Prussian war. scarcely
less so are those concerned with the Aus
trisn conflict, the abortive struggle with
the Papacy, and the Congress Of Berlin.
From the story of the last We learn Chat
even before crossing the Danube Russia
CONSENTED 10 turn over Bosnia 10 the Aus
TRANS. On the history Of the quarrel with
the See Of st Peter. when Bismarck oer-
tainiy came very near going to Canossa,
II would be . pleasure to dwell; but the
desire must be dismissed, as we'll ms the
consideration Of many other pages OF in.
tsrest and solid information. Things
said about German policy In Samoa have,
however, q bsaring on current events,
and 80 are not to be neglected. Bismarck
says,
''It has always been my ideal aim, after
we had established our unity within the
possibl limits, to win the confidence not
only of the smaller European States, but
also of the grsat Powers and TO convince
them that German policy will be just and
peaceful. I have followed this recipe not
without some personal reluctance in cases
like that OF Schnabele, bouIangsr. kauff-
man NJ toward Spain In the question OF
the Caroline Islands, towards the United
States in that Of Samoa, and i imagine
that In the future also opportunities will
not be wanting Of showing that We are
appeased and peaceful. i have never
looked at International Quarrels which
can only be settled by n national war.
from the point Of view OF the 6ottingen
student code or the b onor which governs
IA private duel, but have always consid-
cred simply their reaction on the claim
of the German people, in equality with the
other great States and Powers OF Europe
TO leAu al autonouous pohbicoi iie, 30
far as is possible on the basis OF our pecu-
liar national capacity"
The memoirs cease with the death Of
the Emperor Frederick, and nothing Is
said Of his oonseoratcd successor. Per-
haps this Is we'll: for the contention with
the young Kaiser was not dignified. and
reflected little credit upon either dispu-
tant. And then, too, the later chapters
OF the book display querulous tone,
which might have become acrimonious
had the story been prolonged TO the days
Of the second william. Enough has been
told to make solid, splendid, and most
valuable contribution to knowledge. A
search light has been thrown upon Euro
pean history.
1t only remains to say that the volumes
are admirably indexed, and thus made
easy to consult. They are for sale in this
city by Loring. Short Sc Harmon.
Among recent books of travel one Of the
most notable 10 Through Asia, by DIR.
sven Hedin, the eminent Swedish ex-
piorer. In lSs9-eo DR.. Hedin visited
Persia and made journey through that
country preliminary TO an undertaking
which was to place him in the front rank
of explorers. On his return to Sweden he
obtained the support of King Oscar and
on e or two private individuals for an ex
ploriag trip through some of the least
known regions Of central Asia. This
trip was begun in October. 1898, and oc.
eupied about four years. during which the
intrepid explorer travelled nearly 155, 00t
miles, a large portion Of the way through
regions which no European had ever be
fore visited. 1he greater part of 1894 was
spent IN investigating the climate and
glaciers of that complicated mountainous
mass, tho Russian Pamirs, 1.-The Roof Of
the World" The next two years and d
half were occupied In traversing the CON
tiuent of Asia by practically unknown
paths, leading through the mountainou.
region of Thibet and finally through Chine
to Pekin. Then the traveller turned
around and tFaversed Asia by the Siberi
an route. IN the course of this remarkabl,
journey DIR. Hsdin came In contact with
many strange Tribes and peoples anc
being an accomplished linguist, he Wa,
able to communicate with most of them
The description Of these peoples, of tn,
vast and my terious regions inhabited by
them and OF the travellers perilous ad
ventures makes work Of intense inter
est Another distinctive feature Of 1t Il
It's scientific notes, surveys, maps, etc.
supplying a mass Of valuable information
for scientists quite apart from that per
tanning TO the work as one for genera
readers. The book is written in plair
narrative style, stupsndous wonders Of
nature. hair breadth escapes and thrilling
adventures being described in such 4
modest and graphic way as to give IN,
work u special charm. 1t makes two vol
umes of liberal size. is oopiously illustrat
ed and pu blished by Harper e. Brothers
portland: Loring. short 81 HARMONY
Ii0hiGsT