The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-25


than that of any other American diplomat
whose career we recall; both were schol-
ars as we'll as diplomats, able to hold
their places with the first men OF the
world. free from the fawning and cring-
ing that made Bayard-and Hay the just
objects OF severe criticism but demean-
ing themselves with that dignity that
through them brought honor and respect
to their country This is the style of the
American diplomat that truly represents
his country, and it is fortunate when
such man is accredited to the first ma
lions of Europe. The blusterer and pro-
vincial and the minister who spends his
time "loafng around the throne" to his
Cwn abasement-these are the types who
in times past and present have reflected
anything but honor on cur country.
Eustis and Taylor were the best diplo-
mats that Mr. Cleveland sent to Europe
to represent the Republic.
The reception of DR.. Taylors Origin
and Growth of the English Constitution
is one more of many evidences that the
South is producing men who are making
the literature of the country. Before 1860,
the South had statesmen of loftier ability
than came from any other section of the
Republic because men in the South had
leisure and stimulus to study State craft.
From 1860 until now the South has needed
all it's brains to make bread and meat
and prevent the destruction of its ciVlll-
cation Now that it is emerging from
poverty and the evils of reconstruction,
we may hope to see its sons again become
leaders of their country, not only IN
craftsmanship but in literature, law and
industrial pursuits. The career of Ham
mis- Taylor should be an inspiration to the
youth of the South, particularly of North
Carolina and Alabama
BIBLE STUDY SONGS, by Bertha F.
Vella Publishers: The Pilgrim Press,
Chicago. Bound covers 80 cents; cloth
binding 40 cents.
This is an excellent collection for pri
mary Sunday school workers and Junior
Endeavor Societies with blackboard sug-
gestions.
RED POTTAGE. by Mary Cholmondeley.
Publishers: Harper q Brothers, New
York, vol, cloth. Price $l.50
Some of the best critics have declared
that Miss Cholmondeleys Red Pottage'
is the greatest work of fiction since
George Ellott's day. That is perhaps too
high praise, but every reader will agree
that it is a book of remarka BILE power
and that the reader feels that he is in
touch with personages who have intrigued
and suffered. The story begins with a
sensational scene-Hugh Scarlett is con-
frCnted by the Wronged husband, Lord
NeWhaven, with two paper lighters OF
unequal length, and this proposition: He
is to draw one, and whoever holds the
shorter is to kill himself within five
months-that long interim being given
doubtless to leave time for carrying out
the balance of the story. The guilty wife
listening at the keyhole (think of the
wife Of Lord doing anything so undis-
nifedD is an ear witness only of the en-
counter. She does not know whether her
husband or her lover has drawn the shOrl-
er light. The lover. however, is the vic
tim. Afterwards when Scarlet is about
to drown, Newhaven rescues him, and
Scarlet falls very much in love with
Rachel West whom he desires to marry.
Closing an excellent review of this pow
erful novel. Fl. G. Paine, in 1.-The Book
Buyer" says:
In fact. the keynote of the story is
struck, not in the incident with which il
opens, but in the situation which made
the incident possible. And so throughout
the narrative the situations seem Incl
dental rather than essential Back of the
plot with its undercurrent Of melodrama,
the real interest centres in the people ard
in the development of their characters for
good or i'll. Herein lies the strength CT
the book. The author is a close observ-
er of life and she is able to interpret it
to others. And if social life as she sees
it in England is not lovely in all its as
poets land what society at any time or
anywhere is altogether lovely0, she does
not blink it. She sees that woman will
forgive in repentant man what man will
not forgive in repentant woman; but she
shows that the very love which purifies
man must also unfalingly condemn
him.
Recognizing the interpretative power
of the artist we believe that she could
have brought out the same truths in
different composition or with another col
or scheme; but we are grateful for the
picture as it stands. For its brilliancy
attracts the attention. even of the care
less, to its merits"
MID tCI b,, Tbopoae Dod1c n n