The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-09
LITERARY NOTES

The Salem Press company, of Salem, Massachusetts, sends out Colonel Alex ander K. McClure's "Recollections of Half Century" These recollections of the veteran publicisf cover not only the civit war, but of events that led up to 1t. The book is particularly interesting as to Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, and the deeply historic events woven about their careers. The first hundred pages of the book relate to the civil war. Then follow a recollection of succeeding presidents and acts in their administra- tion. the whole forming an admirable mine for the future historian of the most stirring days of the republic. There Is scarcely any subject of abiding interest in the last half century which is not discussed in Colonel McClure's book. All through 1t his Americanism shines con- spicuously, and his deep love and faith in our institutions.
 Lady Bariow's Ambition" by Arthur M. Winfield, is published by the Soalfeld Publishing company, Akron, Ohio, price, sI. It Is a story of a country lad, who goes to New York. and because of his bravery at fire secures a place in the fire department. His adventures in that department, the rescue of young girl in the Turning of hotel, and their joint affairs are the thread of an unusually interesting tale. The book affords much valuable information concerning the fire departments of large cities.
 'Erb." by w. Pett Ridge is one of Appeton's Town and Country Library, price 50 cents in paper covers. "Erb" is Herbert Barnes, a young man, and the hero of the story. The scene of the story Is laid in London. Like all Inc other books of the Town and Country series, 1t is full of interest and excellence.
 ''The Shadow of the Czar." by John R. Carling, is published by Little, Brown & Co.,. Boston. The story ends happily. although 1t Is one of Russia and Rus sian conspiracies. MT. Carling intro dleF to us real live people on the Dal- >matian coast and the reader becomes as much interested in their fate as he would be if they lived in his own country,
 George Cabot Lodge, son of Senator
 
 and a novel entitled "Mediocrity'
 Miss Annie Chapin Ray, author of the Teddy" stories, which are among the popular juvenile books of the day, Is graduate of Smith college.
 Elisee Rec1us. the famous French geogrepher, now in his seventy-third year, Is living at Brussels in great se- clusion. It Is almost impossible for a stranger to meet him.
 The author of that almost forgotten humorous work, ''Helens Babies," John Habberton, has written a new book about children, to be called the "figer and the Insect"
 1T. Harrison, of Manchester, N. H., is compiling a history of tle battlefags of this country. especially those which were carried in the war between the states.
 The "American Jewish Year Book" contains among other things a biography of Commodore Levy by Simon Wolf. This celebrated naval commander was born in Philadelphia in 1792 and died in New York in 1862
 Julian Hawthorne recently wrote a quite different from others which have appeared in the effete east He pointed out some of its more glaring defects.
 It Is said that Hall Cain purposes dramatizing Hallie Ermine Rives novel. Hearts Courageous. meeting took place between the two novelists recently, for the purpose of talking over the pro ject
 Howard Pyle has written and illus trated a tale for children entitled "The Story of King Arthur" It will soon ap- pear. MT. Pyle is said to have devel- oped the ability to make the illustra- tions for a book and dictate the text at one and the same time.
 A Parisian writer has made the dis covery that Balzac invented the wood block pavement for streets. The first reference to it Is found in Balzac's com points out the advantages of a pavement which makes barricades impossible.