The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-11
Current Magazines.

one or the most interesting articles IN
the December number of the Strand Maya
zine is an account by Rene Bache Of The
Devils Corkscrews'' a peculiar formation
in the Bad Lands of the Dakotas which has
puzzled biologists. The Strand includes
among its attractions a story by the late
Grant Allen. writer who will be greatly
missed from the pages of this periodical,
where much of his work appeared
The current issue of the quarterly mags-
zine Poet-Lore has among other features
reprint of 1.-The Tale of King Coustans,'
an old French romance done into English
by the late William Morris. There is also
a short story by Pau Bourget. There are
also a number of appropriations" and es-
poems. A study programme Of Brownings
folk poems is arranged by the editors A
class arrangement for giimpses of present.
day poets is also offered.
The Eclectic Magazine. which is now the
monthly edition OF Littelrs Living Age, has
in its December issue articles from foreign
periodicals on the following topics: The
Philippines and Their Future" Literary
Courtshps. 1.-The Lie OF Shakespeare,
Girls Novels in France and England"
THE Decline of the Latin Races. The
Transsiberian Railway. THE Recent Fuss
About the Irish Language" New Wine
Victor Cherbuliez," Five Letters by Car
dinal Newman" 1.-The Country Parson'
and Mrs. Samuel Pepys."
The distinctively Christmas features OF
the December Century consist of several
poems, stories and drawings. The pictorial
features of this number have been previ-
ously mentioned; they are a triumph Of
the art of illustration. Two delightfully."-
entertaining contributors to this number
are Jonn BURROUGHS paper on THE Art OF
Seeing Things and Ernest Seton-Thomp
sons Biography of a Grizzly" Sir Wal
ter Besant writes of East London in
more cheerful strain than those who dis
course on that theme usually take. All is
not hopeless, according 10 him. Joshua
Slocums travel serial, John Morley's
biography of a Quack," occupy consider
able space. Several short stories and
poems help make up this entertaining
number.
The Atlantic Monthly for December opens
with dispassionate review of the troubles
in South Africa between the British and
| the Beers which have led up to the present
war. 1t is written by Alleyne Ireland.
"Poe's Place in American Literature" is
the subject of a sympathetic essay by
Hamilton Wright Mabie. ar. Mabie says,
in conclusions: ITO those who understand
that character is never perfect until IL Is
harmonious, and truth never finally re-
vealed until 1t is beautiful, Poe's signifi-
canoe is not obscured nor his work dimmed
| by the faults and misfortunes of his life.
The obvious lessons OF that pathetic career
have been well learned Ii is time TO seek
the deeper things for which this fatally en-
dowed spirit stood; for the light is more
| than the medium through which IL shines"
Jacob n. Riis, who has written much
about slum life in New York, concludes a
series of papers in this magazine with a
cheerful expression of hope that better
civilization is dawning In that city. "A
| Philistine View" by Thomas Lounsbury. is
| q revival of old-time gossip connected with
| the production Of Browning's play, "A Blot
on the Scutcheon." and a study of the
dramatic Inconsistencies of the play.
Wanted, a Chair of Tent-making." is the
| title given to very strong paper by AL
| fred Brown, Layman," on the modern ten
| dency to consider a minister's usefulness
practically ended at an age when men OF
| other professions are held to be at their
| best. The question ne raises is, lis the
| chair of tent-making inevitable, or can the
| Christian ministry yet be made a vocation
| for nfe?" 1.-The Seven Seas and the Ru-
| baiyat'' is study, by Paul Elmer More OF
! the qualities of kipling's verse that give AZ
| popularity and argument showing how
the same readers who listen to this young
| poet eager, exultant voice can also turn
| to Omar, the prophet OF disillusion ana
doubt THE Grand Canyon OF the Colora-
| do Is described by Harriet Monroe. An
| educational paper by Andrew =: West, rs
There Democracy of Studies? endeavors
| to point out the most desirable curriculum
for the average student. Ella w. Peattie
/ writes Interestingly of 1.-THE Artistic Side
| of Chicago" Notwithstanding the recent
/ assertion by Fuller, the Chicago novelist,
| that the city on the lake is bowling will
derness from an aesthetic standpoint. Un-
der the head of "Platonic Friendship Nor
| man Hapgood discusses the increase or
| friendships between men. and which mas
| naturally followed the so-called emancipa-
| ton of women in the United states.
| French Open-mindedness' and In Praise
| of Old Ladies' are essays by Alvin r. San
| born and Lucy Martin Donnelly. respec-
lively Three short stories and livery IN
| stallment' of Miss Johnston's ITO Have ana
| TO Hold" make I'D a remarkably good num-
Der of a magazine which always contains
| sornethine we'll worth reading.