The Portland daily press., 1900-11-27

Mr.. Il. Il. Record ana WIG nhFe Auho
70 Auburn for the winter.
CONCERNING BOOKS.
have another round dozen OF books
for boys ana girls, than which nothing
could be more attractive and delightful.
such gay and beautiful covers, with
contents to match, and OF inflnite variety
Those from Messrs. Dana Estes Il Co.
portland: Loring, Short q Harmcn,)
are: Travellers Tales OF South Africa, by
Hesekiah Butterworth; The Boy Duck
Hunters, by Frank L. Kellogg; For the
Liberty OF Texas, by Captain Ralph
Bonehiil; line Substitute Quarter Back,
by Eustaoe Williams; The Animals OF
Ksop, by j. j. Mora, and The Little
Folks illustrated Annual What Did the
Black Cat DO: by Margaret johnson,
and Rita, by Laura e. Richards.
From Messrs. L. O. Page & Co., (Pors-
land: Loring, short g. Harmony are
Chums, by Maria Louise Poole The Ad-
ventures of Boy Reportsr, by Harry
Steele Morrison, and A Little Puritan's
First Christmas, by Edith Robinson.
The Harpers publish In the Hands Of
the Cave-Dwsilers, by q. A. Henty.
(Loring, Short s. HARMONY
MIR. Butterworth is well known to all
readers OF ''The Youth Companion" and
they are legion. This, his latest volume.
belongs to the Educational Travel Series
or Travellers tales OF New Lands, and
picture recent history.
Thts writer's earlier works, the Zig Iag
Journeys, must still be fresh IN the minds
of all who read them. They were intend
ed to encourage educational travel, and
related the stories OF different nations
that were connected with representative
life ana history. This new series Is OF
the same kind. except that 1t pictures
countries that are at this moment OF
special interest, while the author wisely
says that Folk lore is the truest his
tory, and most correctly demonstrates
the. life and progress of q people.
These stories are meant, as whole
to indicate the present condition OF South
Africa. to explain AID illustrate it's his.
tory, with the important events which
have occurred 81 nee colonization, and thus
incits the reader to further investigation.
There is not dry nor a dull page in
the book, and all historical details are
so iIlumined and adorned by the writer 8
bright fancy and knaok of storytelling,
that the reader will think he is simply
being entertained, where he is really get
ing much valuable information.
The volume is a handsome one, and Is
crammed with interesting illustrations
The Boy Duck Hunters. by Mr.. Kellogg,
writer well and favorabiy known, is a
beauty of book, which all boys are sure
to like immensely. The illustrations are
OF unusual value, as many Of them are
reproductions of Audubon plates. The
first chapters of the story relate chiefly
to Dick and Thad Kingston. and tell
how they went hunting. One doubts a
little II the real mammas would have al
lowed youngsters of SO tender an age TO
handle guns at all. bus this mother per-
mitted 1t, and we can only hope that
other small boys OF ten and twelve will
not follow the example OF Jack and Thad
to their destruction. However, 1t is all
very fascinating reading, and the heroes
OF the story did not. In the least, mind
being attacked by eagles, wildcats, etc /,
for the more remarkable the adventures,
the better the fun.
Captain BonehilI also Ia vastly enter.
tanning, and his book, For this Liberty
OF Texas, forms the first OF a line of
three volumes-each complete In itself. -
to be known as the rMexican War
Series" The history of Texas and her
struggle for liberty is full of romance
and exciting Incidents, for this territory
was settled by Americans, Mexicans,
French, Spaniards and pioneers Of vari-
GUS nations. 1t was also the home OF the
wild Comanche and other Indians, and
gathering ground for noted desperadoes.
The country was overrum with deer,
buffalo and the wild mustang, (which
made 1t famous hunting ground.
The Mexican War was picturesque
series OF battles. fought with superb
courage by men little accustomed TO
military art. The defeat at Ala no,
and the massacre at Goiiad, were disas-
trous, but General sam Houston came
upon the scene. and under his daring
leadership the army of Santa Anna. the
Mexican general, was utterly router.
The boys who read this tumultuous tale
will long for the time when they, too, MAJ
light the battles OF their country, an
taks part in such stirring scenes as ars
here described; and they will envy Dan
and Ralph for being IN II.