Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS
SOCIAL LIFE IN THE EARLY REPUBL1Q By
Anne Hollingsworth Wharton. author g
Through Colonial Doorways, &c. Hlustratso

Inc spirit OF research Tor historical matoe
rails has carried many writers into far less
interesting fields than that chosen BY Miss
Wharton. whose previous works have
proved of great interest and value a.
throwing light upon the social phases Of
the early American life. Her Salons Co
lonial and Republican" was pronounced
upon its appearance one OF the notable
books in long historical series, SO clearly
did she illuminate the subject. Her pres
ent volume is devoted to consideration OF
the social life which marked the beginnings
of government at Washington, when, the
war of the revolution having ended, the re-
public was settling itself for mastery ot
its civil problems. The social factors Wnich
clustered here despite the diScouraglnEly
slow progress of capital-making were often
of serious Importance in the Shaping OF
public policies. Then as never since did the
salon exert an influence. Whereas now
adays social functions are regarded chieny
as a means of recreation and entertain.
ment, then they were often Significant OF
political ambitions and OF even lnterna-
tional activities.
Miss Wharton has closely studied the
story of the making of the capital. Her ac-
count of the foundation of Washington II
succinct and avoids much OF the nctlon
which marks some of the works on the sub
ject. She traces the growth Of the early
social establishments, defines the positions
held. respectively, by members OF the gov
ernment and the old residents OF the re-
gion and gives many interesting anecdotes
of the social life which was transplanted TO
this comparative wilderness just as were
the offices of government.
The book is illustrated chiefly with por-
traits of the leaders of the early American
society. 1t is handsomely printed and
bound and makes a beautiful gift book
which will arouse the interest OF many
readers in early historical matters
horne Illustrated. In two volumes. Philadek
phia: Henry T. Coates & Co.
The author spent three years in Japan
learning all that a bright foreigner could
learn in that time of the islands, the people,
the customs, the history and the prospects
After her return she vainly tried to tell her
friends all about 1t. In her Introduction sho
says that visitors to Japan nowadays at
first write home many yards OF letters on
the thin rice paper Of the region, then the
letters become shorter and finally, In de-
spair of the task of giving a really COM
prehensive idea Of the true significance OF
Japan, the letters dwindle to a few pages
each of diary-ike notes of routine. The
book is the result of this experience. She
found too much in Japan to be told In let
tiers or in conversations. She has spent her
time well in putting her impressions into
print They are clearly stated, and beautl-
fully illustrated. Her work includes a his
tory Of Japan, which is a necessary basis
for a complete understanding and apprecia-
ton of the people and government Of today.
Descriptions of the cities and the rural re-
gions of the indus tries, Of the customs, or
the inhabitants and of the religious prac-
tees are all inspired by an evident affection
for the subject Only by thus entering
heartily into the Japanese spirit Is salts
factory work on Japan possible OF produc-
ton. In consequence Of such spirit the
present author has evolved a comparatively
compact work which Will attract nrst De-
cause of the external beauties OF its dress
and the care with which it Is Illustrated,
and second and most lastingly by the PAINS
taking manner in which the subject mas
been studied and presented.
NoTRE DAME DE PARIS. By Victor Hugo. In
two Volumes Bertha Galland Edition. New
York: A. Vessels Company Washington: VIM.
Ballantyne Sons.
The dramatizatton of the novel now being
enacted by Miss Bertha Galland Is the In
spiration for the present sumptuous edl-
ton, which presents the great novel In per-
haps It's most beautiful and attractive form.
The text is printed in excellent type anc on
good paper The illustrations have the dou-
Bile interest of picturing scenes from the
story and showing the features and poses
Of living players. A fine portrait OK Hugo
forms the frontispiece of the second vol
ume. The novel Is regarded by many crit
les ais Hugo's strongest not even excepting
Les Misera bles." However that may be,
1t is generally given high place In the list
Of the worlds novels. Its intensely ara.
matio climaxes, it's steadfast fidelity OF
lk-portraiture and it's wonderfully vivid
action from scene to scene and sentiment
to sentiment give it a charm which few
works of fiction possess.
JUprrH's GARDEN By Mary a Stone B s,stt
Illustrations in four colors by George wright. :
Boston: Lothrop Publishing Company.
There Is more than earth and leaves and
trees and flowers and turf in this story OF
a garden 1t Is peopled garden. not mere
ly q place for the eXertion OF natures ef-
forts at termination and Identification.
The human characters are the narrator,
woman of refinement and keen observation
blessed Irish gardener. The garden is
redolent place, and 1t suffers In no degree
because of the fact that several gardens
have lately figured in fiction ana descrlp-
ton The workmanship bestowed on the
making Of the book Is OF the best sort, and
the fresh suggestion Of a garden which
each green-bordered page affords gives the
work distinctive value OF its own
CAPTURED SANTA CLAUS By Thomas as. Nelson
York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
Mr. Page has way Of making war seem
almost beautiful by his delightful stories
bearing upon sentimental phases Of that
dreadful institution. He has a method OF
statement which commands sympathy.
style Of character drawing which arouses
the highest and best feelings and heals
wounds and stirs up spirit OF patriot
ism. 1t tS Impossible TO READ LnlS uLtle
tale of war and Christmas without realizing
that the great conflict which sent men into
combat against each other was not all
brutal and degrading, was not all killing
and merciless reprisal. The Christmas
spirit was not dead, because 1t will never
die Nor was the kindness Of a true man
for little children lessened because of the
fact that in this particular instance the
children were the offspring of a man whom
circumstances had classified as an enemy
AMERICAN MEN OF LETTERS-HENRY wADS-
WORTH LONGFELLOW. By Thomas Went
worth Higginson Boston: Houghton, Mifiin
Co. Washington: William Ballantyne & Sons.
At the outset 1t was the plan of the pub
fishers to include a life Of Longfellow
among the Men Of Letters Series." but the
performance has been unavoidably delayed
until that work, naturally to have been
expected among the first, Is now just off
the press But 1t is the more welcome, II
possible for the delay. DR.. Higginson en-
toyed a close personal acquaintance with
the poet and Is therefore qualified, as are
few living writer's, to tell of Longfellows
works, ideals, methods and life changes. He
acknowledges that his biography rests part
iy upon the poets brothers Life" pre-
pared sixteen years ago. but he calls atten-
ton to the fact that 1t contains new ma
terial CLEANED from the manuscript corre-
spondence Of the first Mrs. Longfellow, re-