The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-01
BOOK NOTES.

| Mary Johnston's new book Audrey,
published by the Houghton. Miff1in COM
pany was placed on sale at the Topeka
stores last Wednesday and the early
sales are all that could be desired. One
firm in Topeka had enough confidence
in the book to order $50 copies and a
window at Kellams is devoted entirely
to them.
Like ITO Have and To Hold' and
Prisoners of Hope Audrey is a Vir-.
gilman story, but it is laid in the 18th
instead of the 18th century. The life of
Colonial Virginia has been growing
more rich and picturesque; we are in
troduced to the stately mansions that,
adorn the banks of the James River,
and to the lively capital, Williamsburg.
Typical figures include the witty Col
onel Byrd (2d), of MISSIONER, and his
daughter Evelyn, the famous beauty.
The orphan girl, Audrey, is, we believe,
age created by Miss Johnstons imagi-
nation. Indeed, this latest story re-
yealS everywhere maturity of obServa-
ton, Joined with a profoundly poetic
Interpretation of nature and of human
passion.
Colored illustrations make the book
unusually attractive. Mr.. F. G. Yohn,
the well-known artist has caught the
spirit of the author most successfully,
and his six striking pictures are repro
duced in color by a new process which
marks the latest advance in the art.
Stephen Phillips Ulysses both as a
poem and as a play. Instinct with
high poetry conveyed in melodious
verse. 1t is a real play and 1t
is real poetry; a conjunction not often
attained in these days and yet one that
is absolutely necessary if the poetic
drama is to live and live worthily." A
point of interest about Stephen Phillips
is that he has succeeded where Tenny--
son and Browning failed, he has writ
ten a poem-a drama-that can be sue
cessfully acted. 1t is published by Mac
milan.
Forbes and Co, of Boston, who have
heretofore refused to- be drawn into the
field of fiction, combining themselves
largely to the publication of popular
humorous verse, have been unable to
reject one of the novels recently offered
them, so extraordinary are it's merits.
The story, which is entitled Buell.
Hampton is written by Willis George
Emerson, and will be published about
April l.. Bishop Charles II. Fowler, who
read the manuscript, says: 1.-The story
is written with a charm of diction that
captivates from the beginning, while its
intense spirit and thrilling descriptions
lend dramatic force that is irresis-
tible."
There is plenty of whimsical. humor,
delightful satire and 'blue-sky ph:ios-
ophy'' in Naked Truths and Yelled AL
1usions," publish by the Henry AltemuS
Co., Philadelphia. The authors cle4-
erness and psychological insight into ex-
listing conditions; her spirited femininity
and quaint dissections of social prob
lens, have produced volume that even
the most jaded reader can enjoy. his
book of many surprises, witty and bril-
liant from dainty title page to epiiogue,
is largely given over to bits of wisdom
regarding the -and-woman side of
things. The naked truths on these I'M
conventional pages are neither whitened
or rouged, yet the manner of their tell
ing touches sleeves with elegance. There
may be something of whilnsicality in
the authors analysis of the passions,
tastes and humors of both sexes
when we admonished, IF you can
not be clever, be careful and the eDi--
grams may range from grave to gay,
at once wise, easy, playful or worldly.
yet they charm by their naivete, their
extent and variety The author is Min
ma Thomas Antrim.
Practical Astrology,'' by Comte c. de
Saint-Gerrnain, is published by Laird &
Lee, Chicago. The. authors name is
guarantee of thoroughness, scientific
depth and lucid presentation; while
glance at the makeup of the volume
proves the publishers wise liberality and
excellent taste. This book is depar-
ture in astrology, as the author has
based his work on an entirely new
method worked out by himself, or
rather rediscovered by him, as he claims
it is the very method of the ancient
Egyptians and Assyrian magi, lost dur
ing the Dark Ages intervening between
their times and ours. Be this it may,
we certainly do not find in this work
any of the difficult calculations and OPP
erationS without which heretofore as
trolOgy does not seem to have been
thought of. Instead we find a simple
process of cleaning a few directions and
all the results from simple tables-truly
vast improvement upon the old ways
Anybody may be aStrologer now.