Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07

and the critic, tells of their circumstances
and their tendencies, while the pictures
throw light upon the natural influences
which found expression in their works. Mr.
Mabie's touch is always gentle. His dis
agreements are never harshly expressed.
yet they do not fail to score their effect
on the mind of the reader. His estimates
of the writers named are liberal and in
elusive of both their faults and their merits.
OLD QUEBEC: the Fortress of New France. By
Gilbert Parker and Claude G. Bryan. Illus
Washington Brentanos.
Sir Gilbert Parker has studied his Canada
with the minute attention of the novelist
so long that he is perhaps as well qualified
today as any man living to write it's history
or to discuss any phase of its romance. lie
and his co-author say in predatory note
that there is no dearth of material for the
student of the subject. Indeed. he is likely
to be embarrassed rather by his riches
than otherwise Thus this beautiful
book consists in compilation and fin
ished presentation of the story of "Old
Quebec as drawn from the many sources
which have contributed to the volume OF
records There is no more fascinating story
in all the range of history. Quebec was the
center of a scene OF romantic conquest ana
reconquest, intrigue and bargaining, brav-
cry and enterprise covering period OF
many decades. Its stones are pregnant
with history. I0Qay 1t SldnuS d
of a past which challenges the attention Of
the world Many undying names are
craven upon it's tablets. Wolf, Montcalnl,
de Laval-the list is too long for repeti t'Hn
In these pages the story is told with art
istic smoothneSs and grace and appropriate
dramatic periods. The Illustrations are
handsome and the general dress of the vol
ume superior.
HISTORY OF SOCIALISM IN THE, UNITED
STATES. By Morris Hillquit. New York:
Funk * Wagnalls.
1t is impossible to read this intelligent
and well-written record of popular move
ment without feeling convinced of its fuc-
tuating character and the inability of the
mass of the people long to hold together on
any distinct doctrine of socialism The
author who is leader in the socialist
party believes that socialism is waxing in
the United States, but he is compelled to
point to the succession of growths and
breaks which have marked its record. His
book tells an interesting story. 1t throws
light on the viClsSitudes of the workers in
the field of social reform. 1t describes the
various doctrines which have been devised
and pressed the schisms which have been
caused by factional ambitions and the de-
velopment of scruples. 1t recites the re-
lations of the various political parties Of
bodies which have dominated the affairs of
the republic. 1t traces the courses of So
cialism to their beginnings and finds the
chief cause of the remarkable revival of
interest in the propaganda in the nine teenth
century in the extraordinary industrial de-
velopment which the United States eX-
perienCed. Socialism as defined by the
author, is an attempt to adjust society to
the conditions surrounding it.. In con-
clusion he says.
Thus the socialiStic movement in the
United States has grown immensely in eX-
tent and influence during the last few years.
1t has penetrated into the broad masses of
the American workingmen: it is gaining adj
herents among otner classes of the popu-
1ation, and RAPIDLY invading all parts of
the country. And still the movement has
apparently by far not yet reached the full
measure of its Development. New gains in
members and supporters, new acquisitions
in the press. and new victories at the polls
are being reported steadily. and if all
indications 10 not deceive socialism will be
potent factor IN this country within a
very few years.
HETTY WESLEY; By A; T. CUTLER Couch: au-
The Macmillan Company. Washington: Bren-
tanos.
This book is rather unfortunately styled
1t appears to be a novel, whereas in fact it
is very far removed from that type of fic-
ton. 1t is no less than an imaginative rem
dering of the facts in the history of the
family of John Wesley, the great preacher
Hetty Wesley was his sister. She sinned
and paid a bitter penalty, and had the au-
thor chosen to weave his tale around her
melancholy experiences and her nobility of
character he would have produced a most
entertaining result. But he chose rather
to mingle fact and fancy. doubtless in a
sincere attempt to tell the story of the
Wesley family. 1t was a most interesting
aggregation. The father Samuel Wesley,
was austere. harsh, suspicious. regardless
domestic tyrant. Mr.. CUTLER Couch de-
scribes the household of the vicar of
Wroote with delightful changes from hu-
NOR to pathos. He introduces scattered
uncle In India. and a. boyish school
fight won by Charles Wesley Johns BROTH
er, and adds to his narrative many pages
Of transcribed letters which bear unmis-
taxable signs OF being drawn direct from
the records.
AMERICAN ER;1, HISTORY AND ITS GEOGRAPHIC
tCoNDfrlOSS. By Ellen Churchill Semple
With maps. Boston: Houghton, Miffin q Co
Washington: William Ballantyne & Sons.
Until recently but little attention has
been paid to the close relationship between
the history of the United States and its
geographic conditions. OF course the
broader influences of the physical environ
iHent On the development or the colonies
and the republic have been traced but it
has remained for the upgrowth of a virtu-
ally new science, anthropo-geography, to
lead the way to a detailed discussion of
the whole effect of physical features upon
a country's story and growth. Miss Sem
pie, who has acquired a high standing as
an authority upon geographical subjects,
calls attention to the working out of gem
eral laws in the relationship between the
people and their natural surroundings. She
not only notes the minor effects of geo
graphical conditions, such as in the shift
ing of campaigns, or travel courses, or the
location of rivers, but she views the sub
ject in the broader aspect, and notes the
economic and political results of noun
tains plains, seas, harbOrs, forests, lakes
and other items of the earth's makeup, to-
gether with climatic forces. The book is
fascinating in the new light it throws
upon facts which heretofore may have
seemed merely fortuitous, but which Miss
Semple indicates TO be the result of natu-
raj laws.
THE CHASM: a Novel. By Reginald Wright
Kaufman author of The Things That Are
Caesars etc, and Edward Childs Carpenter.
New York: ID. Appleton Co.
There probably never was is not and
never will be quite such d political boss as
Larry O'Brier of this story. There prob
ct