The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-25


quaint rhymes illustrated by pictures of
wild animals photographed from life, ap-
peared in the Sunday Tribune last Mo-
venlber it caused considerable comment
and much interest was manifested. Read
ers of the Tribune doubtless will be glad
to know that the series, with some adj
ditions, printed in book form, under the
title of THE Animal Alphabet. has Just
come from the press of the George M
Hill company
The author. Henry Morrow Hyde, has
succeeded in presenting unique volume
for children, in making it life-Iike, inter
esting and educative. Each page bears
the picture Of an.animal, beginning with
AS for Anteater'' and ending with rs
for Zebra Under each picture is
rhyme of six lines. describing with catch
ing humor some traits of the animal
whose picture is given.
Without exception the rhymes have
point which adults will appreciate as
well as children The verses also pos
sess the merit of being such that any
child can understand them They are
easy to memorize, having the swing of
nursery rhymes without being senseless
jingles. The author has evidently fol-
lowed the theory that children prefer
real fun to mere folderol.
Monsieur Beaucaire' BY Booth
Harrington. limo. New York: Mcclure,
Phillips & Co. $1.25
Mr.. Tarkfngton's last novel reveals
the author in new field of fiction, and
it would appear that he is just as sue
cessfuI in this as he was in describing
the trials and tribulations of a genial
editor in a western town. Yet there are
certain points of comparison, even of
similarity, in this new story. The auth
or again shows the power of a man of
nobility and courage under the inspira-
ton of womanly beauty and grace. The
hero stands somewhat solitary-infact,
alone-with his ideal, but he is all the
more fascinating for that reason. Mon
sieur Beaucaire meets his White Caps,
not in a rural American country seat,
but in an English center of fashion and
in society that glistens with artifice,
convention, and degeneration. His indi-
viduaIity and the weapons that he en-
plOys remind one strongly of those at
the disposal of Cyrano de Bergerac-an
ever-ready wit which makes him SUI
preme in every intellectual combat and
a French dueling sword which gives him
triumphs on the field of honor. But the
outcome of all combats is the samoa
triumph of healthy, honest manhood as
"A Private Chivalry'' is the title of the
new novel by Francis Lynde, which
MeSsrS. D. Appleton and Company an
nounce for early publication. The scene,
which is laid in Colorado, shifts from the
stirring life of mining camp to Den
yer, and the story is said to be remark
able for dramatic actions and suspended
interest.
Baby Goose; His Adventures, is the
title of a remarkably fine volume for
chtldren's enjoyment just issued by
Laird & Lee; it is the joint effort of
Miss Fannie E. Ostrander, a we'll
known author Of charming talent, and
Mr.. r. W. Hirchert, clever and witty
artist. Our little tots seem to be get
ting every year more difficult to please,
and it looks as If they also had inhaled
the progressive spirit of the new cen
tury. The old fashioned baby-bo
with glazing Autographs or unintereSt-
ing wood-cuts have to give way to bril-
liant and tasteful process engravings,
wherein the clearness of the sketches
vies with the delicate blending of the
colors. Among these new departures
Baby Goose stands first and foremost.
The story, told in a, catchy, rollicking
verse; is a continuous one, each of them
with its full share of inimitable dainti-
ness and humOr- Everyone of the SO
pages. large quarto size, album shape,
is a picture in itself with the hand
made lettering coming up bold and dis
tinct BY a novel rotating method,
over twelve different colors and a num-
Der of extra tints have been used
through the book with most attractive
effects, the cover and back-cover are in
themselves real gems of composition
and treatment, and are sure to meet
with the enthusiastic welcome an ex-
pense of so much money and trouble
truly deserves. The publishers deserve
credit for the thoroughly artistic make
up of this exquisite volume. Laird &
Lee: Boards, cover in four colors,
$1.25.)