The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-15
BOOK NOTES.

"A notable work has just been issued
by the University of Chicago Press. Its
author, Maxine Kovalevsky, formerly
professor of public law at the university
of Moscow, became connected with the
University of Chicago through his APP
pointment as an incumbent OF the re-
Gently founded lectureship on Russia in
situations. 1t is the lectures thus given
that are now offered to the general
public in book form. Up to this time
the standard work on Russia for Eng
disappearing peoples has been Macken-
zie Wallace's volume. The aim of Pro-
fessor KovaleVsky's book differs widely.
Instead of aiming Ito convey a general
idea of the country and people" (aS
Wallace phrases his object), it is essen
TALLY expository-the history of an evo-
luton. This history has never before
been written in English. The authors
task haSSbeen Ito give birdS-eye view
of the internal development of Russia.
In pursuit of this purpose the book
treats of the making of Russia, its COM
STUDIES, the development of Muscovite
institutions, the reforms of Peter the
Great and Catherine H. and the var
ious reforms Of Alexander H., with two
final chapters on the past and present
position in the Russian Empire of the
much disputed territories of Finland
and Poland. The greatest comparative
space is devoted to the period of Alex
ander H., the liberal car whose asSas-
sination brought about so serious re-
action in the great empire. And it Is
the chapters dealing with Alexander
reforms which will most interest the
general reader. In the main, the book is
one for the student and the scholar, in
a much more intimate sense than is, for
instance, Professor Bryce's American
Commonwealth. But the sections deal
ing with the emancipation of the serfs,
local self-government, and, especially,
the universities and the press, VIII pc
found to contain matter not only not
elsewhere accessible, but of universal
interest.
Current History for February pre-
sents a record of the worlds events
during December last and closes the
eleventh volume of this valuable chron-
icle. striking portrait of Secretary
Hay is the frontispiece of this number,
to accompany an opening article by
Joseph Fitzgerald, entitled THE New
Treaty and Secretary Hay" The con-
tents in general deal with congress and
the presidents message, the South Al
rican war, the United States in China's
crisis, the supreme court decisions re-
speeding the Philippines, the Pan
American congress, South American
matters, Lord Rosebery's Chesterfield
speech, Marconis triumph, etc Price,
$3.50 a year. Beginning with the Marcii
number new department, entitled
Literary Chronicle" conducted by Ma
than Haskell Dole, will be added to the
value. Other important additions to the
corps of writers are being madc.
Sample copy free on application. Ad-
dress Current History Co, Boston,
Mass.
Henry I.oomis Nelson, the distin
guished political writer, opens the Feb
ruary Atlantic with an appreciative ar
ticle on Three Months of Theodore
Roosevelt" in which he critically ex-
amines the events of the first three
months of the new administration IN
the light of President Roosevelt's well
known character and characteristics
He sees very much to praise in what
has already been accomplished, and
boldly prophesies that the president
will influence for good the politics OF
the country, help the blind to see the
value of public chastity, and the deaf
to hear the voices of the people greet
ing unselfish service in their behalf.
Mr. Thomas E. Watson calls his new
book Napoleon: A Sketch of His Life,
Character. Struggles. and Achieve
ments." He approaches his subject
from popular and democratic point of
view. using the word democratic in it's
broadcast sense. Napoleon's personality
is studied rather than his campaigns.
and his political system, his laws, insti-
| buttons and civil administration are
considered by Mr.. Watson as his most
important and enduring work, and his
attempt to reconcile modern liberalism
with the absolutiSm of a divine right is
looked upon as his fatal mistake. So
long as Napoleon was the soldier and
/ the organizer OF nDerallSIn as Iyp1Ded
| in the best work of the French Revolu-
/ ton, Mr.. Watson holds that he received
| the support OF the French nation, and
! also the sympathy of the nations of Eu-
! rope; but his downfall began when he
came to terms with the Pope and put
| France again under the heel of Rome,
| created new hereditary nobility and
| married the daughter of the Austrian
! Emperor Here. says Mr.. Watson. Ma
/ coleon's system changed. and he shift
| ed his supports from rock to sand. Mr.
| Watson enforces his opinions with
much spirit and with his already we'll
| known power of language and style.
| The book is published by the Macmillan
i company.
Mr.. F. Marion Crawford's novel.
Marietta: Maid of Venice is now
| in it's fortieth thousand and new edi-
ton is on the press; and a fourth edi-
! ton of Mrs. Alice Morse Earle,s old
Time Gardens is also on the presSF