The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10

parts already issued deal with Virginia
and Philadelphia in the period before the
Revolution. The field next to be covered
Is that of the seventeenth century, in
New England. In addition to being the
first comprehensive guide and cycIopedia
for the collector of old furniture, the
work is an interesting and correct social
and domestic history of colonial times.
The manners of the people, their style of
dress and standards of living, are all
faithfully portrayed. The illustrations
are from careful photographs made from
the original prints in various parts or
the country, which were visited by the
author and the photographer.
In answer to the criticism that THE
Penitentes, one of Bowen-Merril's new
publications, is overdrawn, and that the
attempted crucifxion. as described in the
story. never did and never could occur in
free America, 1.-THE Evangelical Herald"
of Cleveland says, in n. recent review;
" The Penitentes live in the San Luis
valley in the State of Colorado, and have
attempted the practice of their peculiar
religious rites in the last few years. One
nearly related to the writer of this review
was witness to their practice as late as
1SS2.'
Another elizabeth in a German Gar
dem seems to have appeared in England.
under the title, ''Sylvana's Letters to an
Unknown Friend" The London Acad-
envy says of 1t:
These Letters of Sylvana'' make a series OF gar
den chronicles from April to November. Some
are addressed from Home some from house
in Abcrdeenshire, others from fishing lodge not,
gather, far north. They breath the true
garden spirit-ove of quietness, patience, delight
in color and form, the delicious sadness born OF
fading loveliness, the joyful appreciation OF the
glory of the years prime. The heart of 4 wise
dreamer is in them interpreting, suggesting, con-
selling. The style fits the subject as neatly as an
acorn fits into its cup. Even the so-often-ugly
botanical nomenclature slips from the pen with
grace and takes some share in the music of the
easy sentences There is imagination, too, OF
peculiar sweetness, which perhaps is at its best in
letter devoted to Dream Houses'-beautiful
sernblances that never were. And here is bit
Of pretty observation which may be quoted as
TYPICAL
1.-THE cottage. with its smooth belt OF dewy
lawn, reminds of singular appearance some
times visible before the dew is off the grass. The
morning must be shining steadfastly behind
you you walk across the dew, and it may
happen that sainted shadow goes on before; that
in some such lustrous hour your shadows head
may be encircled by rainbow-tnted, radiant,
nimbus Yet be not too proud, Amaryllis! 1t
does not mean that nature herself crowns you
for poet-priestess.
Apropos of the exclusion by the Com
mittee of Selection in the Boston Public
Library, of Maurice Hewlett's charming
Little Novels of Italy, the following
lines on his work are not without point.
We reprint them from the New York
Times Saturday Review" They are ad-
dressed presumably to other novelists of
the day by John Ernest Mccain:
Ye write with pens: this New Man with sword;
Ye write with ink: and he with blood and tears;
He from the head: and he from the head and
heart!
He fronts his work like Richard, his great Lord,
Or like god who rules starred hemisphere,
And not like greedy traders in a mart
Herbert D. Ward will publish in March,
through Houghton, Mifin & Co. a story
entitled THE Light of the World" In
conception it is daring. equaling, in its
different way, some of the ideas of Mr.. H.
G.. Wells. The author seizes upon some
recent scientific discoveries concerning
the nature of light. and. amplifying them
for the purpose of his story, brings them
to bear upon the Resurrection.
AS some but not all animals have quail
ties that approach the human. some
people are immortal, but not all, says DR..
Samuel D. Mcconnell in his book on 1.-THE
Immortality of the Soul" about to be
published by The Macmillan Company.
Dr. McCouneITs theory is that immor-
tally is the highest step IN a long process
of evolution the final result of the sur
vival of the fittest.
D. Appleton & Co. will publish a book
Words" and will treat in the authors
characteristic manner of words commonly
misused giving numerous examples, with
advice how mistakes may be avoided.
Book News says:
'Babylonia and Assyria," by Prof Robert VIII
lam Rogers. Of Drew Theological Seminary, puts
the entire body of historical readers under obliga
ton to its author. From Sargon to Cyr4=, from
about 400 3. G. to $50 b. c. there stretches
trail of history in the Euphrates and TiEris
Eaf1 r11.-t InI
bare in the past twenty-five years than was
known all put together, prior to that time.
This historical material is as yet little more
than annals. Before history in the full sense can
be written, it still needs to be extended, elu-
cidated connected, related and explained such
as it is, its knowledge has antiquated all pre-
tious historical discussion OF this period peoples
and region. Rawlinson is today only step less
outdated than Rollin. These records Of $500
years of the race or twice the Christian era lie
scattered in hundreds of publications, a great
library OF deciphered inscriptions, not easily
grasped even by professional students. Prof.
Rogers has done the inestimaJle service of col
lating this vast mass.
Mr. Norman Hapgood's new book on
THE Stage in America" 1S97-19)o, will
treat those aspects of the acted drama
which have been most important in Amer
lea during the last few years Plays which
are Of ephemeral interest, however great
their temporary vogue, are, in the main,
dealing with stage humor, the trend of the
book is serious, and 1t is intended to have
a permanent value as a picture of one
period Of the American drama. or rather
the American stage. for ii takes up the
best plays to be seen here whether they
are made a home or abroad, and whether
they are performed in English, German
French or Yiddish. As far as the actors
come in, they are treated as artists and
not in the gossiping vein.
In speaking of THE Influence of Christ
in Modern Life" by Newell Dwight Hills
Book News says that the pages ''reek
nation" however that can be. The critic
seems to have gotten his metaphors a
little mixed. Moreover. in order to in
struct Mr.. Hills to avoid small errors in
future, he says:
These tides Of emotion never rise without bear
ing some hearer higher. but why not be informed
accurate and equipped on .hese mOmentgus is
avoid the perpetual inieiicitous asscr-
ton OF a warped partial. or an incomplete
statement often not needed for plea and used
only for lavish illustration?
There is an old proverb about people liv-
ing in glass houses which seems to apply
here.
japanese Plays and Playfelows" is the
title of u little book by Osman Edwards
which will be published Immediately by
the Macmillan Company. 1t will contain
twelve colored plates by japanese artists.
To quote the authors own words in the
preface. he has burned a good deal Of
incense in honor of the Musume" who, as
he says still summarizes in her dainty |
little person much of her country's magic, |
its picturesqueness its kindness, its no.
likeness" There are chapters on religious |