Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-29

add interestingly to the story Of France in
the days when the seeds of the great rev.
olution were being sown.
CONFESSIONS oE WIFE. By Mary Adams.
IIlustra lions by Granville Smith. New York:
tanos.
Occasionally comes book that creates
sensation Usually it is a revelation of
some form of feminine hysteria. THE
Confessions of q Wife" belongs distinctly
to this class, and it's appeal to the emotions
and interest of the reader is almost strictly
based upon the thought that hysteria is
entertaining. even though painful. The
wife here does not rave as wildly as have
some others who have written their men,
oirs. but her elementary inspiration is dis
tinctly neurotic. Interest Is likely to CEN
ter In the question of whether this Is a
genuine experience or mere bit of fiction.
1t Is too well written to be the work Of a
suHering woman without literary expert
ence, too dramatic in its construction to be
the product of novice. The judgment
cannot be avoided that 1t is probably very
clever bit Of deliberate novel writing in a
style of its own. The fact that the writer
has chosen to conceal her identity under
the name Of Mary Adams leads the con-
trary impression, to be sure, but as against
this theory may be cited scores of profess
this device as a medium of advertisement.
In the case of Mary Adams the mystery
has undoubtedly helped to give the book it's
vogue. 1t deserves all the notice 1t has at
tracted, for 1t Is well-written story of a
woman's inner thoughts, revealing a ro-
nance of a wholesome kind, free from any
moral faint and descriptive of some dis
tinctly human characters, and one almost
too good to be human. Its happy ending
pays the sympathetic reader for his pa
thence with many pages Of emotional diary
entries and unSent letters.
CECILIA: Story of Modern Rome. By F. Mar
ion Crawford New York: The Macmillan Co.
Washington: Brentano's
Mr.. Crawford's fondness for European
scenes is notorious, and his books are so
true to the continental atmosphere that one
Is Inclined to forgive him for devotkng him
self SO exclusively to foreign peoples and
topics His latest novel is a striking piece
or Notion. based upon an occult influence to
which two young Romans are subject,
drawing them together despite obligations
which would separate them If uninf1uenced.
Before they meet they dream of each other,
but as though they lived in the days OF
pagan Rome. There Is a strong suggestion
OF reincarnation. md no attempt is made
by the author to explain the phenomena
which he employssas q, medium for the de-
Velopment of his plot, save upon the basis
of seif-hypnosis He has produced story
OF rather more interest than many of the
romantic tales OF adventure now current
and has struck distinctly high note in
fiction. Il Div
BAYOU TRISTE; Story of Louisiana. By jose
phine Hamilton Nichols. New York: A s.
Barnes & Co. IN
Although this is called a story it is really
a succession Of sketches of modern life on
the bayous of Louisiana, designed to afford
an intimate glimpse Of the relations which
now exist Between the white people and
the negroes Some excellent character
sketches are given, affording opportunities
for display of the authors keen sense of
humor. The sketches thus connected carry
a feeble though pleasant bit Of romance in
volving the young white folks who figure
in the pages. Better illustrations would
add to the attractiveness Of the book,
which is above the average in its insight
Into the negro disposition end a welcome
addition to the folk tales of the south.
NAPOLEON JACKSON: the Gentleman of the
Plush Rocker. By Ruth McFnery Stuart, au;;
thor Of Sonny" etc. Illustrated by Edward
inRton: Brentano's.
Napoleon was marked for rest by his
cruelty overworked mother and throughout
his life he shrank from labor with an in
stinctive horror. Fortunately he won the
love of q woman amply able and entirely
willing to work for both Of them and for
the brood Of little Jacksons who cluster
around the plush rocker in front of the
wayside shanty when the story opens. Rose
Ann gloried in the privilege of toiling for
Napoleon, and when at last the young men
Of the town, conceiving him to be men
ace to the morals Of the community in pre-
senting thus publicly a spectacle of unre-
deemed laZiness, hale him before a mock
court for trial. 1t Is Rose Ann, outraged In
her matronly pride by hearing her chill
hol orC hn Cd ha
masked and whiskered court with such elo-
quence that Napoleon is acquitted trium-
phantly. The story leads through several
scenes Of humble JOY to this climax with
and at the climax reaches q point of in
tensely sympathetic appeal to the readers
emotions.
AMONG THE GREAT MASTERS OF WARFARE;
Scenes in the Lives Of Famous Warriors
Thirty-two Reproductions Of Famous Paintings,
with text by Walter Rowlands. Boston: Dana
Estes & Co.
This handsomely prepared book gives the
reader not only a view of some of the
worlds masterpieces in art, but brief
sketch of the careers Of some Of the most
famous of warriors. Thus a double pur-
pose is served and the appetite for bio
graphical reading well as for study Of
great paintings is whetted
HOW TO ATTRACT THE BIRDS; and Other Talks
About Bird Neighbors. BY. Nellie Blanchan,
IL.
New York; Doubleday, Page & Co. Washing
ton: William BallaDtyne Sons.
Bird books appeal strongly to many read
ers who are not ornithologists but who
realize by casual observation how suscepti-
bic of friendship the feathered folk of wood
and field may become under proper care
with gentle treatment. This book is charm
ingly presented with text which bespeaks
close acquaintance with the birds and pho
tographic reproductions of scenes Of the
domestic life of the birds their nests. young
and food supplies. Explanations are Of
fered of the architectural methods of the
birds, of their division of duties their
songs, their annnal mfgrations, their means
of defense, their reasons for changing
scene and their contributions to mans hap
piness and prosperitys There are also val
liable hints to aid in making friends with
the birds by providing homes for them in
yards and othefwiseT winning their conf
dence and gratitude.
MUTUAL, AID; actsrl IT Evolution. BY P. Kro-
potkin. New York: Mcclure Phillips & Co.
Washington: Woodwagd Lothrop.
Prince Kropotkin has studied deeply in all
lines which converge upon the social or