Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21

the British in almost exclusive possession
of the passenger traffic. The authors de-
tail of this matter and his portrayal of
the consequent impairment of the Ameri-
can marine will repay perusal. The SUI
procedure of sailing vessels by steamers
in the mercantile service was not so I'M
mediate, but it followed with steady and
increasing encroachment.
The author rejects the commonly &C
copied theory that the decadence OF the
American marine began with the civil
war. or has been consequence there
upon, and he shows very clearly by the
official government statistics that it be-
gan prior thereto and has continued with
increasing downward steps to the present
time. The statistics of this decline show
that the proportion of our commerce car
ried in American ships in 1915 was SIT
per cent: in 1860, the year before the
attack of Fort Sumter, it was 6o.o per
cent: in 1876. eleven years after Lees
surrender at AppomattoN, it was III per
cent In 1891 1t was 1875 per cent, and in
1901 it was only 50 per cent. These sta
tistics, however only relate to foreign
commerce American shipping has al
ways held. and still! holds. a monopoly
OF the coastwise and of the lake traffic.
and the tonnage in both of these services
has steadily advanced with giant strides.
This book was obviously written for
purpose. The author does not devote
much space to his argument, but in his
entertaining history, and his sk1lful and
imposing array Of facts and statistics
he contents himself with a statement
pointing with potential force to the end
he aims at, and furnishes a repertoire of
information available for ready use before
our people and before Congress for the
speedy adoption by our government Of the
policy OF the now pending bills in the
Senate and House of Representatives for
the grant of subsidies to American steam
ships engaged in foreign commerce.
B. r. ".
JOHN GAYTHEA.'S GARDEN AND
THE STORIES TOLD THEREIN. By
Frank r. Stockton, Gilustrated):
Charles Scribners Sons. New York.
Price. $3.50.
For sale BY the Bell Book and Station
cry Company, city.
The death of Mr.. Stockton few
months ago deprived the literary world
Of one of it's brightest ornaments and
forever ended the work Of a pen that
had a peculiar charm. It will be seldom
hereafter that we will find Mr.. Stock
tons superior among the short-story
writers to come and therefore, the vol
une before us should be priced most
highly. And aside from all personal
considerations. it can truly be said that
John Gaythers Garden" IS q delightful
book which not only amuses but enlisht-
ems the reader. Mr.. Stockton bestowed
great ipains upon this collection OF short
stories which can be read at random or
ccnsecutively for their is thread con-
Meeting them all. The titles of the
stories follow: What 1 Found In the
Sea; The Bushwhacker Nurse; The Lady
in the Box; The Cot and tie Rill: The
Gilded Idol and the King Conch-shell;
My Balloon Hunt; The Foreign Prince
and the Hermt's Daughter; The Con-
scious Amanda; My Translatophone:
Tne Vice-Consort; Blacksum Agin'
Thunder.
A COLONIAL MAID OF OLD vIR-
GINA, BY Lucy Foster Madison.
Author of "a Maid at King Alfred's
Court" etc. Illustrated by Clyde O.
pany. Philadelphia Price, 80 cents net.
For sale by Hunter & Co.. city.
Here is another story OF the American,
Revolution and a good one! 1t will
prove especially interesting to Virginians
as most of the scenes are laid IN the
Cid Dominion and once we even lind the
..Hbri personae" in Richmond. Indeed,
the stirring plot is closely interviewer
with Colonial history and the very names
of the characters are almost house
hold words with US.
IN the course Of the story we NEE,
General. Mrs. Washington, and a num-
Der OF other historical persons besides
the Indians and French. The style OF
the authoress is pleasing and she *
r,Jo ,nr al
factorily. The illustrations by Mr.. De-
land are exceptionally good and the
canary and white binding most tasteful.
THE LEFT-SIDE NANNY Margare,
Blake Robinson. Author of Souls in
Pawn "a Reporter at Moody's', etc.
New York. ]. S. Ogilvie Publishing
Company. 81 Rose Street: II Paternos-
ter Building, London. Price. s1.25.
An Irish political story, in which the
hero Caha! Desmond is one of Parneli's
most ardent supporters. He comes TO
America and becomes editor Of news
paper. He returns to Ireland at the time
Of Parnell's fall and death. and resumes
his position as the heir Of his fathers
old castle and property. The book gives
an interesting picture of Irish conditions
under the sway oe Parnellisnl, and is as
we'll pleasant love tale.
THE JEFFERSON CALENDAR-1so3
a C. Brechin & Son. Publishers, Char
lottesvllle, Va.
This is most tasteful calendar in
gray. brown, and blue. On It's back is
handsome 'half-tone picture Of Jefre.-
son. The twelve pages indicating the
months of the year, are handsomely en-
belished with photographers Of the
buildings at the University.
THE ADVENTURES OF NJ. D,HARI-
COT By ]. Storer Clouston. Illustrat-
ed New York: Harper and Brothers
For sale by the Bell Book and Sta
tionery Company
A thoroughly funny book after the style
of Innocence Abroad" The hero is
Frenct,nan, who is trying TO be an Eng
lishman. His readiness for adventure.
and his susceptibility to feminine charms.
involve him in many entertaining situa-
tons His wit Is keen and his assurance
never fails him in the most embarrassing
crisis. The illustrations are very gro
tesque.
THREE YEARS WAR. BY Christian Ru-.
dolph De Wet. Frontspiece by John
S. Sergeant r. A. Four plans and
map. New York: Charles scrihner's
Sons.
This is record of General De Vets
personal experiences in the heroic strug-