The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-14
LITERARY NOTES.

An amusing mares nest has been discovered by
the literary editor Of OF the leading New
York evening papers. This gcntlemans review
Of "The Reign of the Law" consists OF a calcula-
tion that the hero has been made to purchase
one OF Darwns famous books two years before
it was published terrible indictment against
the whole novel! To judge by its enthusiastic
reception, "The Reign of the Law is being read
as a story rather than record OF publishing
dates. With the third edition just issued seventy
thousand copies Of this book have been sold
within three days OF its publication fourth
edition is in preparation
Laird & Lee, Of Chicago. have just Issued
new story by Etfe Adelaide Rowlands, entitled
"The Heart Of Hetta," and the events it relates
in a charming style, take place in England in
our time. It is quite a relief amidst this flood
of so.called historical novels to find refuge in
truly modern and in every way wholesome and
eleyating story Here the atmosphere is free from
murder scenes and antiquated swear.words; gen
tlcmen and gentle women meet in beftting sur
roundings, and the emotions are such as the
readers themselves apt to go through at any
time.
The July magazine number Of The outlook con.
tains an interesting collection of pictures relat'
ing to the present Chinese crisis, including au-
thentic portraits Of the young emperor and OF
kang Iu Wei the famous leader of the Chinese
reform party-poraits obtained from Chinese
sources, and it is believed, never before pub.
lished-an excellent portrait of Mr.. Conger, por-
traits of General ChafTcc, the newly appointed
American commander in China Admiral Kempf,
and Captain McCalla, and also a rare and in
teresting group portrait Of the members of the
Chinese foreign office, the tsungli yamen.
1t is not unusual that American writer on
European politics has large audience in Eng
| land. Professor Paul Reinsch, however, seems
| to be marking turn in the tide with his World
| Politics, which contains perhaps the only full
and reliable account yet published of the inter.
| national questions which have eliminated in the
massacre at PPkin, and which have made China
| the chess board on which the world powers are
now playing their game. Two editions have
been issued in England by the MacMillans within
a fortnight Of its publication in New York.
| WI Ting Fang the Chinese minister to the
United States, contributes timely and interest
| ing article on "China and the Chinese People"
| to the current number of Golfers Weekly. lie
| is, of course prccluded by his diplomatic func
tions, especially in the difficult and delicate posi-
| tion which he now occupies, from touching, eX-
cept in the lightest way, upon the existing rcla
| tions between China and the United States but
| he discusses in detail the manners and customs
OF his countrymen, and their political and educa-
| tiona system.
The English letter in the July number OF the
| Bookman reports Miss Beatrice Whitby's story
| "Bequeatncd," which the Harpers have just pub
| lishcd, as being one of the ten books in greatest
demand during the past month in England. Miss
| Whitby's earlier story, "The Awakening of Mary
Fenwick," scored decided success some years
SINCE and the publishers are confident that "Be.
| queathed" will meet with an equal favor, the
first edition was sold out on the day of pubica-
tion.
Noses have been turned up at trade as a sub.
iect of literature, but if we may judge by the
reception Of Henry Kitchell Webster's lates.
book there is the possibility of absorbing 70.
romance in it. at is doubtful" says the Chicago
| Times Herald, ''if we shall recognize the great
| American novel when it finally appears, but that
it will be something after the nature of Mr..
Webster's The Banker and the Bear there can
be no doubt"
The very books strenuous with which Theo.
! dorc Roosevelt quiets his nerves after the eN'
citement of his nomination for the vice.presi.
dency, The New York papers say that when the
convention was over he put Thomas Watson's
STORY Of France" in his grip and started for
Oyster Bay. Instructive genius! for II there is
one thoughtful and ably written book in our
language that will show him what kind Of a
government the people do not want, it is that
book.
Harper & Brothers have just published a new
work by Archibald r. Coquhoun entitled 'Over
land to China" More than half of the volume
is taken up with the authors travels in China
and the book is supplied with excellent maps Of
the country, This together with China in
Transformation" and Lord Charles Beresford',
THE Breakup of China" makes the Harper list
OF books on the Celestial empire strong one.
W. Carcw IIazlitt has just completed his his
tory Of "the Venetian Republic Its Rise, IL
Growth and Its FALL" which will be published
very soon in America and England by the Mac
milan company. The time embraced is from i2l
to the abrupt ending of the republic in 1907, anC
the work will be done in two octave volumes
W. Stearns Davis has made a remarkable sue
cess with his first novel, "A Friend of Caesar
(Macmillan), which is running through its seconc
edition within two weeks of pub cation. IL
dramatic qualities have been quickly seized upol
by the playwrights and it is likely to be put OF
the boards the next season.
Harper & Brothers have in press an historica
romance, "A Lady OF the Regency" by Mrs
stephen Rawson, a young English woman VIII,
has already made herself felt in London literar,
circles, The Of the story is laid in Englan,
Of James II, day, and several historical char
acters are introduced
Stephen Cranes "Whomville Stories" whicl
it is said the author considered his best work
will come TO an end in the August number o
IIarpers Magazine and will be published in bool
form with Peter Newells illustrations early il
August.