The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-01
BOOK NOTES.

ITO italy. the beloved and beautiful;
instructress of our past, delight of our
present comrade of our future. The
heart of an Englishwoman offers this
book" The undisguised impress of an
artists hand, scholars thought, and
poets soul stands clearly forth from the
above beautiful dedication, to the close,
of Mrs. Humphrey Warde's last work.
and probably her masterpiece, Eleanor"
Italy's atmosphere, doors, and sounds,
its fieeting visions of earth and sky; it's
magnificent depth of glorious coloring,
all unite in tinging the canvas of this
one of the most wonderful word pictures
of this century. Two of the graphic
scenes to be always remembered are
those of the Pope Leo XIII, being borne
through the worshipping crowds of st.
ePter's; and when the aged pope rises to
chant the Apostolic Benediction. The
description of the latter is certainly one
of the most beautiful and pathetic in the
wide world of literature. THE Quaver-
ing voice rises into the sudden silence of
st. Peters, Fifty thousand. people hush
every movement, strain their ears to lis
ten. Nothing more touching, more tri-
umphant than this weakness, this per
severance. Not a trace of stOicaI con-
cealment, but also not a trace of finch
ing He sings to the end. and st. Pc
ter's listens in a tender hush. After hav-
ing exacted homage for Papal Rome, its
glory, its impression and its venerable
age; Mrs. Ward turns her work towards
the new italy In spite of the very fact
that she admits it's crimes, it's plumbers,
and crudities and also that she reveals
the most lamentable rift between the
church and state and the strife be-
tween love of country and religion; one
is to believe in the Italy of the present.
The chara cterS in Eleanor from the
most prominent to the least, are real
men and women, and are all peculiarly
vital; so that the most natural CONVEX
sation is maintained throughout the
novel, and is never strained or forced
in the least Also, simply touching on in
terGStInR of
lends an unusual reality to the book.
The four dominating characters, for
whom this beautiful back ground is laid,
are Eleanor, the American girl Lucy
Foster, Edward Manisty and Father
Beneclxe. In her conception of Eleanor
Mrs Ward has surpassed herself; and in
attempting to analyze her character, il
can simply be said that she is truly a
woman of poets dreams; dainty, distin-
guiShed, capable, sympathetic, she de-
Inands our attention constantly, and we
follow her through the book with an
anguish of admiration" and at the
same time furious with the circumstan-
ceS that arise. But finally in the great
sacrifice that Elearnor makes for the
friend she has fOStered and cared for, her
character stands forth in it's own pecu-
liar beauty, and we are drawn closer
and closer to the last, when she is seen
leaning over the loggia waving her
handkerchief to the two she has made
happy by her great renuncia ton. Lucy
Foster is a beautiful Puritanical charac-
ter, child of New England SHOWS. She
is crude where Eleanor is finished ard
yet she has the notable culture that is
derived from, plain living and high
thinking in substance, Eleanor is a
book with a SOUL and as has been said
of another prominent literary work, not
the novel but the public is to be judged
by its reception. Published by Harper
& Bros Through Kellam Book and Sta
t1onery company.
In Arthur T. Persons Forward
Movements of the Last Half Century,
historical records of noteworthy enthical
religious and reform movements, during
the past fifty years. are ingenfously pre-
scented in such a way as to clearly set
forth the basic principles and incen-
tives for new and enduring Christian
effort These records are not altogether
those of successes, but some times of
failures. To the sociological student,
minister, theological student. this latest |
and most useful contribution to the !
cause of practical. progressive religion,
will come most welcome and |
helpful offering. Published by Funk &
Wagnalls. Kellam Book and Stationery !
company.
Mr.. Spencer Wilkerson has at last been |
awarded his right position as one of the |
great test living authorities on the sci |
ence of war. In his War and Policy"
published lately by Dodd Mead & Co.,
ne has given US a series of most interest |
ing articles on this subject one of the |
longest OF these De1nS an article on the |
- American Civil War" Captain Mahan, |
generals like Mottke, Lord Roberts, and |
Lord Wolseley, have recognized his at I
tainments and all unite in presenting the /
highest opinion of his work.
G. P. Putnams. Sons have recently is
sued a new book by Theodore Roosevelt,
1.-The Winning of the West 1t is a
brilliant and dramatic narrative, result
ing from his most scholarly and |
thorough going research. In this work |
he has done for the central western and /
southwestern territory, what the Histor-
lean Parkman did for the great north
western section of our country Kellam
Book and Stationery cornnanY