Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-14


These reproductions however, have a
more serious purpose than the offering of
evidences of how our English forbears en-
joyed themselves at the play. Through the
successive plays ran influences which Gull
minated in Shakespeare. Overshadowed
though they are by the masters work, yet
these samples are significant as indicating
the courses which led to him and his Won
derful creations. In this volume much
space is given to a series of scholarly es-
says and notes on the plays and their au-
thors and the periods they represent. The
editor. DR.. Gayley, leads off with an his
torical view of English comedy, which evil
dences deep research and painstaking COM
parsons. The plays given are as follows
John Heywood's PLAY of the Wether'' and
"A Merry Play Betweene Johan Johan, the
Husbande. Tyb, his wyfe, and Syr Jhan
the PRIEST Nicholas Udall's Rooster Dois-
ter; William Stevenson's "Gammer Cur
tons Nedle: John Lyly's Alexander and
Gampaspe;'. George Peele's The Old
Wives Tale Robert Greene's 'Honourable
Historic of Frier Bacon" and Henry Por-
ters The Two Angry Women of Abing-
ton" The text follows the spelling and
construction of the original texts, and other
than a substitution of the modern letters
for the quaint and confusing forms of the
period. the plays stand as they appear in
the best original editions. Where possible
those published during the lives of the au-
thors are utilized.
THE YELLOW VAN. By Richard Whiteing. au-
tnOr OF NO. . John Street, &c. New York ::
The Century Company. Washington Brentanos 8.
Richard Whiteing knows the vast extent
of the pressing sociological problems of the
day in England as do probably very few
writers or workers. He has studied the
slUms and the byways and he sees the OBJ
stacles to be surmounted by those who
would alleviate the sufferings of the sub
merged tenth. In a somewhat different
manner from that of the late Walter
Besant he is engaged in a propaganda of
great possibilities. He is appealing to the
intelligence of the upper classes in his de-
ScriptionS OF the life of the wretched ones.
His stories have fine literary finish. They
sometimes deal frankly with disagreeable
themes. from which many readers instinct
lively shrink. Again. they are SO presented
that the people who must be reached if
re form is to be undertaken are compelled
to read by the sheer force of the fictional
interest. OF such character is this book,
which carries in it the germs of revolu-
ton. The yellow van is mere symbol,
token of the forces at work among thu
middle and lower classes of England today
toward reimbursement of the relations be-
tween the landed proprietors and the I'M
behring's. 1t is not too much to declare that
if Mr.. Whiteng's novel is fair presenta-
ton of the case England is in great a
need of land legislation as Ireland. There
are really three stories in this novel, the
story of the very rich the story of the very
poor and the story of the propagandists
who are striving to awaken the rich to the
needs of the poor and to arouse the poor to
demand their rights of the rich. 1t is ire
mendous theme, with such great POSSIBLE
tiles that the wonder is even this capable
author found himself equal to it's manage
rent Those who read for the story alore
will perhaps be disappointed, but those
who look in it for a picture of one of Erg-
lands most pressing problems will be en-
lightened and perhaps depressed.
JUDGMENT OF PICTURES; Handbook for
Students and Lovers Of Art: BY Fl; R; Poore,
Tayior Compang. Washington: VIM. Bailan
tyne X Sons.
The unlearned lover of art seldom an
alyzes. He looks at a painting or a photo
graph, and it is to him good or bad or in
different. If asked why he likes or dislikes
it. he may not be able to express himself
Something is wrong with the drawing, or
the coloring. or the composition, and he
turns from it with distaste. Or all is in
harmony and he fingers lovingly. The
trained eye. aided by a knowledge of the
vernacuiar of the atalier, could doubtless
accurately interpret his sentiments. He
would perhaps find his enjoyment of a
gallery increased by the ability thus to de-
fine his emotions. Yet, lacking the techni-
cal skill or the artistic inspiration, he feels
that it is not worth while to acquire the
lore or the critical viewpoint of the skilled
observer. This book may offer just what
he wants without requiring him to espouse
art for arts sake. While designed for
students, it is also intended T those who
are not artists themselves, either actually
or in prospect 1t is well worth the care
full study of any person who ever felt
quickened by view of a masterpiece.
SANCTUARY. By Edith Wharton. Illustrati lions
by Walter Appleton Clark. New York: Charles
Scribners Sons. Washington: VIM. Ballan-
tyne Sons.
Mrs Wharton's analytical pen was never
more congenially employed. Her present
theme suits her method of thought and
her style of expression to nicely. An emo
tional young woman, sensitive to almost a
preternatural extent, is on the eve of mar
riage to a young man of loose moral fiber.
She discovers that he has concealed the
truth as to his stepbrother's marriage and
has, therefore, contributed to a tragedy.
She breaks with him and suffers as only
such soul can suffer. Then suddenly she
thinks of her duty to his possible progeny,
and, for the sake of their moral welfare
sacrifices herself, humbles her pride and
marries the man. That is the prologue
The story in chief concerns her mental
struggle to save her son from a great temp
tation. of the kind that would have con-
Quered his dead father. 1t is not always
easy to follow Mrs. Wharton's processes
quickly. Her text requires close reading,
Jul IL III tile UnOSL minute scrutiny,
She employs her forces with assurance and
skill. In consequence she produces the eff
1ect OF great power, not quite expressed
Her story. which has had its serial publica-
ton, is calculated to arouse criticism as
to the sufficiency of Kate Orme's reasons
for marrying the man she knows to be a
moral coward. but assuming that such a
woman exists under the spell of so tense
a psychologist strain, what follows in the
narrative is entirely rational
IMMORTALITY RATIONAL FAITH; the Pre-
dictions of Science, Philosophy and Religion on
Future Life BY William Chester Chicago.
Fleming H. Revell Company.
Rev. William Chester, well known in
Washington as the son of Rev. DR.. Ches-
ter has In this volume undertaken to re-
state and elucidate the great Fundamental
faith of Christendom. appealing especially
to the intelligent truth-seeker who wishes
to be able to give reasons for his faith in
the life hereafter. His text is Remarkably
free from the confusing phraseology of the
controversial theologian, and the results of
his deep study are stated with gratifying
lucidity.
JUDITH OF THE PLAINS; Novel By Marie
Manning. author of Lord Alingham Bank
rupt. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Miss Mannings Washington friends have
expectantly awaited the appearance of her