The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-11
(New York: Harper & Bros.)

These pages have precisely her mixture OF broad
Imagination with sharpness Of detail; they breathe
her yearning and her restlessnesS.
New York: Harper & Bros)
Minor Fiction.
THE Surface OF Things" by Charles
Waldstein, is small book Of essays put
into the form of conversations and COM
bined with some clever character work.
One Of them deals with the anti-Semitic
prejudice in broad and liberal way-that
is, liberality is shown toward the objects
of this prejudice, not the people who in
dulge in it. Another deals with the down.
fall of a cad, which was accomplished in
manner eminently satisfactory to the
reader and the last of the series, "Cui
Bono?" contains really charming story
of an old soldier and his catalogue Of battle
flags. The argument of this last sketch Is
that whenever earnest faithful work is
done, good is accomplished, whether direct
ly or indirectly, and the conversation re-
corded grew out of discussion on the good
done by the study of pure mathematics.
The oracle of the occasion contended tina,
by honest, industrious study, even Of an
abstract subject something was added TO
the sum of the worlds good and he then
told the story of the old soldier. 1t be-
came necessary, or at all events highly de-
sirable to find out whether certain regi-
ments of Hesse Darmstadt were at the bat
tie OF Badajos in 1872 their presence in
volving the honor or dishonor of the fam
lily of a certain officer who was In conf
mand OF one of them at the time. Obvi-
Ously, if the regimental flags could b.
found and their history traced, the matter
would be settled, and the regiments were
said to have been taken prisoner by the
British. Two Hessian princes came to
England TO find out about the matter, and
we're directed TO the teller of the story as
a person likely 10 know some clew. They
were taken TO Chelsea Hospital, where
many flags are but could recognize no par
ticular flag among the mass of tattered
colors Nobody seemed TO know anything
of the history Of the collection, but it was
finally discovered that an old soldier then
at the point of death die know something
about them. and. TO mike long story
short it was found that he old man had
for pure love of the work, made a cata-
logue of all the flags, with records OF their
history and fac-similes OF the original
colors The disputed matter was easily
settled and the old man died content. Dos
ton: Small, Maynard Co. T.25.)
THE Lovely Malincourt," by Helen Ma
theirs. is a Duchess-like novel. with the
usual pretty coluette in 1t, and the usual
multitude OF lovers. The hero is called
Ronny for which may the author of his
being be forgiven, and We understand that
he has done some very wonderful things
in foreign lands for which he is con-
sidered hero beyond all measure. All
that he does in the book, however, is 10
col hnaOu1a tho StTtippt nj
a hot rivalry between two girls both of
whom quite frankly admit that they are
in love with him. Lesley Malincourt, the
heroine, finally gives him up. quite quiX-
otically. to Cynthia De Sails. who has
been In love with him. the reader is given
to understand for several years, and is
not at all beloved by him. One gets the
impression that the two young ladies have
tossed up a penny TO see which will marry
him, and the loser has gone off TO live in
the country. 1t is not very dignifed
spectacle. all things considered. tChicago:
Charles II. Siegel Comp ny. $l.25)
"A Manifest Destiny" by Julia Ma
gruder, will delight all the shop girls and
factory operatives who may chance 10
read it 1t is modelled nicely after the
plan ct the old-time Ledger" romances.
The heroine. poor girl with much beauty,
goes to see rich old nobleman, on bust
ness, and receives an offer of marriage
from him on the spot, which is very con-
venient for her since she is fond of luxury
and not aware that she has any heart.
She Inarries him. and becomes society
queen, and he is considerable enough to die
in a few years. leaving her ready for a
second romance while her beauty is as yet
unfaded. The old lords cousin. whom the
young lady Tilted for the sake Of the title
and the fortune. now reappears, and turns
out to be a most exemplary young man
The end Of it all is another marriage by
which the heroine regains the said estate
and title and the patient lover his long
loved sweetheart. (New York: Harper q
Bros $1.25)