The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-29

klNR~SS saSY-S&SN as his name would
Indicate, Is partly Japanese by birth, thor
oughly acquainted with the history of art
in Japan and fitted to tell the story in
way to make it as interesting to Ameri-
can readers as if they knew OF Japanese
art as well as if the writer was treating
of American art. The primitive art was
altogether religious. With the feudal pc
Rod it became secularized and formal
lied. The renaissance, under renewed
Chinese influences, came at about the
same time as the renaissance in Europe,
and in the epoch of the Fukugawa Shog
innate in the seventeenth century. Japa-
nese art enjoyed a sort OF Augustan age.
Later the classical ideals gave way before
a realistic tendency, and the populariza-
ton of art, through color printing and IL
lustration. had it's influence in Japan as
in the West. Mr.. Hartmann. who dis
avows any purpose Of writing for special
lists, has told all this history very clearly,
dwelling less upon individuals than upon
general characteristics and emphasizing
only the most distinguished names. He
explains the technical processes of Japa-
nese painting In an interesting way. and
points out suggestive parallels between
Eastern and Western modes of treatment
and attitudes toward nature, not over
looking the relations between painting and
the other arts. There is an informing
chapter upon architecture and sculpture
and the decorative arts are dealt with in
their aesthetic rather than their technical
aspects. The influence of Japanese art in
the West is traced with great deal of
perception and some ingenious fancy, and
there is finally a chapter on modern Japa-
,O% ,rb
by no means hopeless. The little book is
well Illustrated, and should be altogether
welcomed by those to whom it is address
ed-"those interested IN the culture of a
country, where, apparently for centuries,
all worked in harmony, pursuing the same
ideals and following the same methods of
ornamentation, in order to produce a ma
tional art the art of cid Japan"
HALE A DOZEN HOUSEKEEPERS by
Kate Douglas Wiggin. Illustrated by
Mills Thompson. Price IS cents. Pub
fishers: Henry Altemus Company, Phil
adelohia.
This attractive little volume is made up
of story for girls in half dozen chap
tiers. 1t is a charming story for girls in
which the author gives an insight into
the natural life of natural people. 1t is
fresh, wholesome, amusing and would de-
light any healthy-minded girl and also in
terest girls of larger growth.
GEORGE WASHINGTON JONES, by
Ruth McEnery Stuart. Price $3.50. Pub
fishers: Henry Altemus Company, Phil
ade]Dhia.
If this story had been written by an un-
known author it would have made a great
reputation for the author Com
ing from the pen of the most famous
of Southern woman writer's, it is ensured
a large reading audience because what
ever she writes is eagerly read In all por-
tions of the country. She understands
Southern life and the negro character as
well as Joel Chandler Harris and depicts
it so charmingly as to make Southern
people happy and to delight all people
who love a true story of nature told faith
fully.
George Washington Jones, ''ten
years old, little, black, sensitive"
tries to give himself away, af-
ter hrs grandfather's death. to
some lovely young lady who would make
him her page, as in the days 'befo' the
wah.' His varied experience is well told
and he finally gives himself as a Christmas
present to quality lady" who ''played
on a golden harp" She turned out to be
the daughter of the family to whom his
grandfather belonged. He does not know
this She does not know he is the grand
son of the man who so long served her
forbears. When they find it out both are
very happy and will live happily in the Old
time relation that was seen in the old
times in the South.