The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-02
BOOK NOTES.

Poor People," by I. K. Friedman
author of 1.-The Lucky Number" etc.
Price $125, published by Houghton, AIifflin
Co., Cambridge. Mass.
This book tells the story of love and
artistic ambition surrounded by sordidness
and poverty; of the struggle for existence
and the influence of environment.
The author has studied his subject by
practically living the life of his characters
in their own surroundings.
The characters include a playwright,
Matchmaker a. wood carver, a furniture
maker. a saloon keeper, a shoe maker. a
fortune teller, and others. The story
shows careful observation conscientious
statement, a genuine sympathy, fine
sense of romantic possibilities and an eX-
cellent style.
THE Cardinals Musketeer," by NJ. I'M
lay Taylor, author of "A Yankee Nolun-
teer," etc. Published by A G. McClurg,
< Co. (Through Kellam Book & Station
cry company) Price, SIPS.
The hero is introduced as a small boy
living with Jacques de Horloges, a fam
Gus clockmaker. But one realizes 1mmed-
lately that there is something mysterious
about the boy. He has a patrician air,
and there are certain boxes containing
rich vestments in the garnet Peron, Tor
such the boy is called grows into
stout lad and becomes skilltul in the use
of arms He finally attracts the attention
of Cardinal Rtchelleu, who takes him into
his service. PerOn learns that he IS real
ly the son of a nObleman and that his
father had been put to death as a result
OF q false accusation. Inc accQSeT Is now
enjoying his titles and living on the es-
tate. The villain has a beautiful daugh-
ter, who saves Peron's life, and when ner
father is finally cut of IN ms evil ways,
marries the hero. The chief merit of
this story is the fact that the historical
| portion IS skillfully woven in with the
romance.
ITO Have and To Hold" by Mary John
| ston. Published by Houghton, Miffhn
| Co., Boston, Mass.
This novel is enjoying an immense sale
! it is now selling In its 200th thousand
/ Miss Johnston is well known by her popu-
4 lar book, prisoners of Hope" which is a
novel of two hundred years ago.
ITO Have and TO Hold is also story
/ of the south, the plot being laid IN Nlr-
/ ginia and being one of the most brilliant
| colonial historical romances.
In this story are pictured two OF the
strongest and most beautiful characters
in romance, they being Captain Ralph
Percy and the Lady Jocelyn Leigh
A great deal of interest is beng given
! this story by its accurately drawn pic
lures of historical personages and places
that tend toward making the book valu-
able as we'll as delightful
Charles B. Waite. published by c. V.
Waite & Co, Chicago.
instructive and most interesting
! The book may be said to consist OF three
| parts-a digest of Spencer s new philosophy,
/ a digest of the most important criticisms
/ Of SpencerS system, ana a d1alecuc anal
| ysis and criticism of certain definitions, ar
| eumenfs and conclusions of Spencer, by
| the author OF the book himself. His logic
| is invulnerable, his arguments are direct
! and to the point, and his crlLlclslns are
never trivial or undignihed. Inc author
| makes no attempt TO beIitte the genus
of Spencer, for whose greatness and INTEL
lectua1 power he expresses the most pro-
/ found admiration. This book rs entltleG
to the respectful consideration from all
| students of philosophy.
Robert Tourney" by William Sage
| Published by Houghton, Mifhn Co., Bos-
ton. Price, $1.5O.
Robert Tourney is a romance of the
French revolution, but its author has
been more concerned to tell a good story
than to write doubtful history Inc
hero, who gives his name to the DOCK
is one of the people. He defends
against grave dishonor, his young mis-
tress Edme, whom he secretly loves. he
joins the Republican army, and having
risen to high rank, saves her from the
fate of q. suspect With the aid of g
friend he subsequently rescues her from
a prison ship-a daring act winch wins
prison He is saved from the guillotint
by pardon wrested by the courageou:
girl in a very dramatic scene, from
RObeSpierre himself The gallant Genera
Hoche, the cruel Robesplerre, and TIT
magnificent Danton. and the pretending
I marriage of Tourney and Edme, th'
theft of the death warrant, ana the res
cue of Robespierre's victims the day o
his downfall, give historical interest Il
; the story. The actor Gaillard, who as
sisted Tourney to rescue Edme, tn
beautiful La Demoiselle Liberte,
character suggested by a real parsonage
the Demoiselle Theroigne; and the patri
otto aristOcrat St. HilaIre, VINO becan
Journeys cell-mate in a Paris prison.
! The story is we'll told, the interest IN
{ tagging. and the succession Of event
t rapid and exciting.
Starvation never vet cured dyspepsia