Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-21

in Japan and Java, the Garden Of the East "
New York: The Century Co.
Miss Scidmore has visited China a num-
Der Of times and in the course Of her jour-
neyings as outlined in this her latest work,
has seen Ten Tsin and the neighboring ports.
Pekin. the Ming tombs, Shanghai, the great
bore at Hang Chow, the tea mart at Han
Kow. the gorges of the upper Yangtss. and
finally Canton. She has penetrated into the
homes Of high officials as an honored guest
observed the people at close and far range
and weighed all her observations with
keen discrimination. She was too early for
the great reaction now taking place. did not
meet a single Boxer" and makes no men
ton whatever of the secret societies, al
though there are many evidences through
out her work of the intense anti-foreign
sentiment of some classes of the people. as
for instance the potters of King tie Chen
and the Cantonese.
The author has seen, however, throughout
China signs of great degeneration, of an
intense prejudice on the part of the true
Cinnamon for the Manchus and a dfspo-
sition on the part of the literati. or schol-
ars, to foment trouble. There was no sign
of national spirit, no concern by the peo-
pie for anything beyond their immediate
ken, not even thorough appreciation Of
the fact that Japan whipped the empire in
1894.
Miss Scidmore's many visits enabled her
to see an unprogressive China, and she
formed the impression Of its utter inca
pacity to develop any marked military
spirit. Since her latest visit there has been
a measurable awakening, considerable
importation of arms and modern military
movement which finds, of course. no re-
Election in this excellent work.
Miss Scidmores impressions are of a
China that has forever been a con-
tra6ictjOp nar9dOX. DuZZle to the
rest of the world Opinions as to her flu
ture and capacities differ as widely as do
personalities. The chief value of book
about this vast area this great human
hive. lies in what 1t tells. not what 1t an
ticipates. Miss Scdmore tells many things
about China Of immediate interest and
much value. Her descriptions are vivid and
her power Of analysis enables her to avoid
giving the impression of prejudice or in
sufficient observation.
Local interest in the work Is the keener
because of Miss Scidmore's position as a
Washingtonian, as vice president of the
National Geographic Society of this city
and as one Of the editors of the magazine
published by that society. Her well-known
work on Japan has won for her . wide
reputation which will be enhanced by the
present timely and valuable publication.
AN UNsoc1AL SOCIALIST By G. Bernard Shaw.
New York: Brentano's. Washington: BreD-
rRDos.
This book might readily be recognized by
those familiar with the Shaw style Of
thought and expression, even IL 1t were
published anonymously. 1t fairly reeks
with shawism, with radical socialism, with
the strong individuality of the author. 1t
is merry in places, abjectly hopeless in
others, epigrammatic everywhere and dra-
matte nowhere. The "unsecial socialist is
really a philanderer, man who sud
denly leaves his wife because he is sur
feited with happiness. and seeks seclusion
to work out a vast scheme of social regen-
Ell ration, Immediately proceeding to fall into
ridiculous relations with young ladies'
boarding school, leading to the sudden
death of his wife and thence to marital
complications which call forth the authors
most ruthless mode of dealing with the af-
fections. Indeed, the book is sheer fan
tasy whose only serious purpose can be to
afford medium for the exploitation of Mr..
Shaws almost violent views on the social
system and to introduce another of his
series of delightfully."- distinct characters.
RECOILECTIoNs OF A NAVAL LIFE Including
the Cruises Of the Confederate States Steamers
executive officer Of the Sumter and Alabama.
Washington: The Neale Company.
Captain Kelrs naval career has been
filed with incidents, most Of them Of his
toric significance, for he has been iden-
titled with some Of the most stirring mari
time episodes Of the republics record. Be-
fore the war of the rebellion he served
in the navy as officer and found action in
Mexico and Chinese waters. During the
civil war he was one Of the most promi
nent figures afloat in the service of the
confederacy. His experiences are narrated
in this volume with plain directness
which rises at times to the dramatic plane.
His version of the fight between the Ala
bama and the Kearsarge is given indi-
recuy, by quotation from the pen of
writer who interviewed him. 1t lays stress
and implies that her victory was the re-
suit Of accident. The book is an important
addition to the literature of the naval de-
velopment Of the United States.
SWEEPERS OF THE SEA: the Story Of a Strange
Navy. By Claude H. Wetmore Illustrated by
G. A. Coffin. indianapolis: The Bowen Merrill
Company.
This is a fantastic story of an imaginary
navy, fearfully and wonderfully made,
which, according to the title, really sweeps
tho seas of all foes afioat. The narrative
is well constructed, showing familiarity Of
tho author with naval Abjects When once
the Imagination is strechedi to the point of
accepting the marvellous and bridging the
ckasm of impossibility, tae story becomes Of
real interest and holds the attention of the
reader. The scene is laid In Peru, where
descendants Of the Inans, given access to
the stores of gold. supposed to have been
hidden away by the Peruvian kings of old,
proceed to restore Incaiand to her former
glory and make her a. world power To
this end a marvellous novyfi IS constructed
with great secrecy, ostczsbly to whip Chill,
but in the operation Grfat Britain becomes
involved and her greatest fleets also suffer
a drubbing.
TRAVELS IN ENGLAND. By Richard Ls Gal.
lenne. Six Illustrations by Herbert Raflton.
New York: John Lane.
England, centuries old in many aspects,
is yet ever new, according to the point of
view. LIE Gallienne, with the poets eye,
sees it from both aspects. His book is not
a guide. nor yet series of essays. 1t is
personal introduction to some of the most
charming hooks and corners of English
scenery and history, and folklore a pur-
poseless ramble through the old country,
with literary finish to the report which
gives it special value.
GUIDE TO THE TREES By Alice Iounsberrv
author OF "A Guide to the Wild Flowers
New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company
Washington: William Ballantyne e. Sons
In these days of tree culture and scientific
forestry 1t is well that the unscientific pub
lie should learn to love the trees to know