The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-07
THE BOOKS

Tracks of Tenderfoot in Africa.
Asia and Europe.-,B By Gulan Lansing
Morrill, Illustrated. =, ~
Everybody who knows him in Minneapolis
was aware that when Rev. G. l.. Morrill,, one
OF the brightest, most observant, cheerful,
pushing and aggressive of our clergymen,
went abroad, he would see everything that is
to be seen and make himself at home every
where, whether in the tombs of Egypt or In
reading Pauls sermon, recorded in the Book
of Acts, on top of Mars Hill. Mr.. Morrill, has
fulfilled all expectations in this volume,
which is one of the breeziest, most humor-
Gus and exhilarating records of travel re-
Gently put in print. The book is we'll illus
trated, and an interesting feature of the illus
tratons. is, the authors portly form is seen
in nearly all, conspicuously in the foreground.
Thus, If any one expresses "a doubt whether
he has "been there the worthy gentleman
can just draw the photo on the doubter. It
is an excellent idea
The author is a good traveller. He is hiia
rious during seasickness, and the annoyances
of oriental travel. He takes ir everything
in passing. In his travels in Egypt the an
thor admits he smoked several cigarettes, but
explains that he was under compulsion of a
suspicous-looking fellow traveller. He will
not resume that smoke in Minneapolis. He
had his picture taken showing him standing
on top of the house of Simon, the tanner
where Peter lodged when in Joppa. Mr.. Nor
rill isn't bit sentimental. He, visited all
the show places in PALESTINE bubbling over
with good humor and practical ideas. He
sat down at the keyboard of the great organ
of the Church Of the Redeemer in Jerusa-
lem and pulled out the loudest stops in play
ingu"Dixie," America" and other familiar
airs. Here is a graphic description Of Beth
any: .s..a.... .e..-r@-.-
sit used to be quiet, delightful city, but
from the time I entered it 1 was followed
by a crowd of blear-eyed rag-bags who bonn
barded me with 'Tombo Lazarus-buck-
sheesh, Observation-Disclosures Lazarus. Even
the dogs looked mean and barked bucksheesh,
and little babies who could not talk stretched
out their filthy fingers and isped,. 'sheesh.' -
The trip through Europe is delightfully."- de-
scribed. The author, in his breezy way, spices
his information with exquisite humor. His
own mistakes are described minutely aud
framed in humor. He says he came back TO
America with the conviction that there is no
land in all the world like ours in respect to
its domain, history and citizenship; that for
unity, wages, education and religion, we are
foremost in the files of time';I had rather
be born poor here than prince anywhere
else s.r-.- = ~ - :-.fNI
Some of the matter in this. volume was
embodied in some letters Mr.. Morrill, wrote
to T J o u n. a l,-during his trip, but it
has been amplified and illustrated and added
to. For sale by local booksellers.
"Reminiscences OF Il Dramatic Critic.
With an Essay on the Art Of Henry jIrv-
ing By Henry Austin Clapp. Boston:
Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Minneapolis: N.
Mccarthy Price s1.75.
The author Of this book is recognized as the
most atle dramatic critic in New England,
and in this book he reviews the most inter
esting features of the stage during the past
quarter of century, recalling the qualities
of leading players, such as the elder Sothern,
William Warren, Edwin Booth, Charlotte
Cushman, Charles Fechter, Salrini, Adelaide
Nelson Mr.. Clapp has no intention Of pre-
senting a history of the theater in this coun-
try, and he has contented himself with record
ing certain "reminiscences, and no doubt has
done his work to the satisfaction of his read
ers He does not enter into personal details,
after the manner of Pepys, but contents him
self with telling the impressions made by
their dramatic work and its quality.
Mr.. Clapp gives sketch Of the stage at
fractions of fifty years ago, in spectacular,
farce, melodrama and minstrelsy, and recalls
his childhood delight in the fairy plays which
were then presented The variety show came
in vogue then, and farees were favorite side
dishes on theatrical bills Of fare.
On the subject OF dramatic criticism. Mr..