The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-11-11
Literary Notes.


and employment for labor. He does not
think the doctrine of "the consent of the
governed" was seriously meant by our
fathers. but says that "the English
speaking races are -eminently prac-
teal rather than severely logical"
Mr. Conant has given the best defense
of the new policy that has been put in
operation by the large business and man
ufacturing interests. If one could have
the optimism of Mr.. Conant and could
put questions of trade expansion above
the sacredness of human life he might
be ready to follow Mr. Commits clear
and able exposition OF the economical pol
icy.
THE HOUSE OF EGREMONT. A novel,
by Mollie Elliot Seawell Price $3.50.
illustrated by c. NJ. Relyea. Publishers:
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York
If you wish to make a novel go YOU
must call it a historical novel and weave
in enough history to make the reader
wonder where fact ends and fiction be-
gins. 1t is a healthy sign that the his
torical novel has taken the place of the
religious novel or the socialistic novel
The last two were the rage in their day
and will return when the wheel of tickle
taste revolYes again. But for the pres
ent time the historical novel is all the
rage Miss Seawell has made hit-a
palpable hit-with her 1.-The House of
Egremont." 1t may not have all the run
of Richard Carvel' or Janice Meredith
it will depend largely upon whether it
touches the popular fad-but it is dra-
matte, fascinating and deeply interesting.
1t is a romance of the seventeenth cen
fury, dealing with the friends of the
exiled Stuarts, and abounds in adventure.
WIT AND WISDOM OF THE TALMUD,
edited by Madison G.. Peters. Price
800. Publishers: The Baker & Taylor
Co., and East 10th St, New York.
Mr.. Peters says that while gathering
facts for Justice to the Jews" he chanc-
ed upon so many wise proverbs, witty say
ings. beautiful parallels, and quaint le-
gends OF the Talmud that he became in
tensely interested in this remarkable lit
erary production of antiquity. He found
that few educated men knew anything
of the Talmud except a few sentences
now and then. He has given in alpha
betical order the wise proverbs of the
Talmud, for example, the first two under
the headline of factions" are:
ACTIONS speak louder than words. -
Judge a man by his deeds, not by his
words
DR.. Peters compilation places hundreds
Of these within the reach OF English
speaking people and forms an attractive
reference book of apt and striking quo
tations from a hitherto somewhat mac
cessible source.
To show how little is known of the
Talmud it is related that after a lecture
at a Western university, by a well-knOwn
Rabbi one of his hearers went to him
and said: 81 came to hear The Talmud,
in order to know what kind of mud it is,
confessing his utter ignorance as to the
very name
A SUMMER JOURNEY TO BRAZIL, by
Alice r. Humphreys, with sixteen full
page illustrations, cloth. II mo. Price,
$1.25. Publishers. Bonnell, Silver & Co..
"a West 22d ST.. New York.
The author has enjoyed exceptional adj
vantages for knowing Brazil, having first
visited the Empire of Brazil when Dom
Pedro was at his best; then in the criti-
cal period following the revolution; and
last when the era of discord had culmi-
1
peacefully elected. She draws a contrast
between the Imperialism of Great Brit
ain and the American ideal of govern
ment.
When Conger was Minister to Brazil,
the United States in protecting American
shipping ended the Brazilian republics
most serious revolt. But the United
States interference in Brazilian affairs
went no further, says Mrs. Humphreys,
emphasizing the difference between cur
treatment of Brazil and the Philippines
If it is right to steal any country whose
trade is desirable Brazil offered better
'pickings" than the Philippines.
You will learn more about Brazil, its
past. its civil government, its religious in
situations, the vitalizing influence Of the
labor of the missionaries than in any
other short book we have seen. 1t is told
in an interesting and plain manner, with
out any preaching or attempt to teach
The book contains many suggestions Of
value to merchants who may have inter-
national relations with South America,
to philanthropists and to missionary
readers.
Mary Johnston, whose second book ITO
Have and To Hold" is now in it's 270th
thousand, will bring out her new story,
Audrey" in the Atlantic Monthly, be-
ginning in the summer of 1901.
The first chapters of Sarah Orne Jew
ett's stirring romance, 1.-The Tory Lover, .
appears in the Atlantic for November AS
writer of short stories, the New York
Mail and Express said recently of Miss
Jewett: "She still remains the leader of
the New England school of story -tellers,
the absolute master of an art so finished
and delicate, even in it's strength, that
nothing in it seemingly can be improved. .
"a Defense of American Parties" by
William g. Brown makes timely open