The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-15
Short Notices on
Some New Books


to read "Thc Real Chinese Ques-
tion,' by Chester IIolconbc (Ncw York: Dodd.
Mead Coz Mr.. llolcombe spent score OF
years in China in varying official capacities IN
connection with the American legation, part OF
the time as acting minister. He understands
thoroughly the Chinese language, is personally
acquainted with most OF the leading Chinese
officials and is surpassed by few men in his inti-
mate understanding of the Chinese point OF view.
Five years ago lie wrote 4 book on 'Thc Real
Chinalnan,'' considered as TO social customs,
which is the ccarest and most engaging volume
on that topic in print; and now that lie has
taken up the political aspects OF the Chinese
situation the result is 4 book even more enter
tanning and instructive.
There is material in Mr.. IIolcombe's book for
many pages OF quotation and commcnt but TO
briefly outline his position it is necessary TO
understand that, Willie not defending such out.
bursts of violence as recently occurred in China,
his sympathcs are Enthusiastically with the Chi.
ncsc. lie shows BY example after example that
the foreign treatment Of China has been an I'M.
broken series OF insults to native pride. indigni.
ties. cncroachments and the brutal trampling
under foot, by virtue merely of superior force,
Of the rights and prerogatives of Chinese sovcr.
eighty lie makes it clear that ii tenth part
Of the provocation under which China has been
groaning ior years had occurred in European
country, in spite Of boasted superior Christian
virtues and graccs the natives would in all prob.
ability have risen long ago and cut the throat
of every foreign devil within their rcach max
ing no effort to separate the innocent from the
guilty. Mr.. llo!combc does not make these as.
scrtons blindlv. lie gives facts to back them
up: facts many Of which have not been known
before outside OF official circles.
As the reader follows Mr.. lIolcomhc through
his long list OF instances of wanton foreign out
rage on China pCrpCtratcd often in the nalEe
Of civilization and Christianity, lie soon finds it
easy to understand why missionary labors in
China have not hcen more fruitful and encour-
aging. Mr. liolcomhc is a staunci1 defender Of
the Christian missionary and says that the effort
TO shunt the burden OF blame upon his shoulders
is not0Iiously and wholly unfair Nor do the
Chinese object 10 the missionaries as such. The
whole trouble rcvulvcs around the discrepancy
between Christian preccpt as taught by the mis-
sonarics and Christian practice rs cXempliticd
in the bully European powers. The missionary
says: ''Do unto Others as ye would that Others
should do unto YOU" The powers, throughout
their methods and practices OF intercourse with
the Chinese government and people, have said and
are saving in eject: 'Do the Chinaman and do
him numerically" Not being able to reconcile
these divergent policies, the bcnightcd Celestial
has judged the foreigner by his deeds rather
than by his words
Mr.. iTocombc points out that no race on earth
is more susceptible than the Chinese to kindly
and considcrate treatment. Had thcT powers
treated with them on this line, they could have
had whatever they wanted. The only solution he
can see to the matter is TO charge radically the
whole tenor OF intercourse; to recognize in all
fairness Chna's right TO govern in China as
England France or Germany would expect 10
govern in their respective countries; to encour.
age but not force the growth OF reforms, and to
suppress utterly the covetcousness and grinning
greed which have been the paramount influences
in the past.
\ new poet from the Golden Gate, Howard v.
Sutherland, makes his eastern bow in dainty
little volume entitled "Jacinta,' just issued by
DoNey. The title comes from the opening and
longest poem, love story which 'rcads right
along" lis quality may be CLEANED from a
brief quotation:
'They met at first beside the sea
The sea which gives and takes again:
Tie restless priest of Destiny
Whose very voice is fraught with pain;
The sea which never sleeps, and sees
Such sorrow and such tragedies!
",nd then They met upon the hills,
Zach drawn towards the other by
That force which guides and sometimes stills
The flaming mctcors of the sky.
Aud soon Jacinta knew no more
The peace that had been hers before,
"For though they talked Of other things,
About their hopes, about their fears,
Love touched them gently with its wings
And 10! il seemed that they for years
Had wandered thus on hills or sand
Two happy children, hand in hand"
Other verses -sonncts, lyrics, descriptives--are
included in the volume, and while OF uneven
merit show feeling, scholarship and q superior
mastery OF the technique OF versiication. Mr.,
Sutherland as n poet, seems to have future
o.
The quaint philosophy and rich human ma.
ture study OF Edward Noyes Westcott's "Dayid
TIarum' continues TO delight millions Of readers
| in both America and Europe The sale OF this
remarkable book has exceeded by many thou
sands of copies that OF any similar publication in
recent years and shows no signs OF declining,
The original plates having been literally worn
out upon the presses, the MeSsrs, Appleton have
issued in time ior the holiday season \ hand.
some new edition, illustrated by D. West Cline
dnst, with text drawings by G. ID. Farrand.
These illustrations will attract almost as much
attention the text. They are mawels OF rip
ened embodiment OF the authors ideas.
4 collection Of ''songs of All the Colleges"
| compiled and arranged by David u. Chamberlain,
| oi Harvard, and Karl P. Harrington. OF Wesley,
| an, is published in surnptuous quarto volume
| by Kinds and Noble, Cooper Institute, New
| York. Care has been taken 10 give in lust pro
| portion both new and old iayorites; and IL Il
| evident that the book will have place nc%t Ia
the hynlpal in the affections OF all college nicu
anxious 10 keep alive the spirit Of their student
| days.
| In the line Of books which are dressed To- III
| the merits Of their contents what are known a