The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-20
IN THE FIELD OF LITERATURE.

IN Hampton Roads" by Charles Eussns
Banks and George Cram Cook Rnnd Me-
Nally Co. Chicago.
II is stated that Mr.. Banks has been en-
gagged for several years upon the preparation
OF this work, which surely g.se abundant
evidence OF much research. Of extraordinary
attention to detail and OF n saving devotion
to the demands of tho best English. The
style is excclcntly adapted to the narrative
crisp. nervy. lucid. The dialogue Is always
natural to degree but seldom attained
George Cram Cook is associated with Mr..
Banks in the authorship OF '1n Hampton
Roads. .
The battle between the Monitor and the
Merrimac is tho historic incident about which
the story is built Tho villain Is General
Hugo Won Bcnznger. who. although an officer
in the Union army. allows the South to
profit by his scientific knowledge. The scene
Is laid on Virginia plantation. within sight
OF Hampton Roads. A beautiful daughter OF
the South Virginia EEgleston, Is loved by the
vlllainous Benznger. and by n young officer
Of better character. when Mr.. Banks at
tcmpts TO draw villain he stops at nothing
Benzinger. piaued at being refused by bliss
virginia plots to accomplish her death. His
discontinue and the Anal triumph OF true
love are the main incidents in the story.
which Is well written. though rather unjust to
the South in some instances.
~
Lees Question Settler" published by
Laird Lee. Chicago.
There are over 100000 words compressed
with 2ss pages OF weil-chosen and wel-print-
cd matter In this little book. Among others
there are articles on the Transvaal and the
partition OF Africa. the export of American
products the armaments OF the leading ma
tons. the automobile. the European colonial
possessions, patent and copyright laws, al
about Cuba and Porto Rico, Admiral Dewey.
Dreyfus case worlds production of gold.
all about Hawaii. the American jew the
Klondikc, liquid air. navies OF the United
States and other powers. parliamentary rules.
pension laws. etc.
"Thc Log of Sea Wait" by Frank T.
Buiien. d. Appleton & Co.. publishers New
York.
This work is simply an account OF the
authors early life. or rather the first four
years Of his experience while sailor AS
such 1t is much more fascinating than any
fiction he might write. though 1t is not so
unusual as was THE Cruise of the Cactalot"
II is undoubtedly as authoritative a handling
of the subject as has yet been writtsn, and
though 1t sets forth clearly the hardshps
of such life it Will appeal strongly to
boys, especially as all Its adventures and
escapes are real.
"A Voyage at Anchor" by w. Clark Rus
sell d. Appleton & Co.. publishers New
York.
This is description OF the summer life
of party OF people who spent their vacation
on a ship. turned into house boat and
anchored of the coast OF England There is
a little love story woven into the theme,
but the whole thing is dull and dreary II
looks as though Mr.. Russell had tried to I
show he could write entertainingly of SCI
life without dealing with shipwreck. mutiny
and rescue The failure of this attempt is
rounded and complete
"Chatterbox for 1892" Dana Estes G. Co.
publishers. Boston. (
No child in the country ought to he with
out 'Chatterbox. which makes lis appear
ance annually. little in advance of the
holidays. 1t is storehouse OF pictures and
stories of kind which appeal irresstibly to
the young imagination. Tho long stories in
TINS volume arc The Boys OF Courtland Alb
hey' Iairaweena.' and Gerald, or the
Lost Boy The story of Modern Dress
gives great deal of information on a sub. 4
iect about which few people are accurately
Informed.
~
i, Private Smith at the Philippines" by
MARION Leonidas. the Franklin Printing and
company, Hammond Ind
The author pretends to be the reporter of
ho debates instituted by United States sol
Hers on a transport running from tho Phil
ppines The topics preached are those which
re now being generally discussed on the
lump and in the press of this country. Most ,
u tho characters are made 10 speak as the
esuit of their experience of tho war. AS +,
ho whole plot appears to be imaginary. no i
redenee can be given the statements adj t
'uced; and as tho only merit of the publica.
ion is controversial. It would seem that
his deficiency invaldated it completely I
sTU,t,