Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-10

Courtesy of J. II. Lippincott Co.
nbsorbs the attention from the beginning TO
the end 1t lays bare the sordid Circum-
stances which surround the lives of some of
the exalted personages of the old world, the
petty intrigueS, the jealouSieS the I'M
bending prejudices the fine distinctions of
titular preroga tive. the lax morals of many
members of the ruling classes. 1t IS a COM
pick story with many cross lines of plot
ting. AS is often the case in real life
abroad, these lines touch the courts and the
stage frequently. The fundamental episode
is a forced marriage between the Prince of
Meissen-L oewenstein-Fra and profess
sional musician. From that alliance grow
complications which increase to the end of
the tale. A vivid picture is drawn of the
struggles of the morganatic princess, after
the death of her husband, to retain her
title. despite the efforts of the Austrian
court and it's appurtenances to Ignore her
existence. Her protege, young singer, is
the heroine of the tale, and shines like
fair flower in the midst of filth. Her mar
riage ultimately to a vastly rich American
solves the problems affecting her and brings
her to new life in this country. The story
is brilliant in coloring. and the translation
preserves much of the authors vigorous
style.
THE AMERICAN STATE SERIES; Edited tied Ivy w
W WiIloughby - PARTY ORGANIZATION
AND MACHINERY. BY Jesse Macy, professor
OF political science at Iowa College. New York:
The Century Company.
There is no more vitality important Sub
DIVISION OF the general lOpiC VI Inc fAihCi-
lean state than this relating to the organ
ization and maintenance of parties. The
party is the agency through which the great
body of the people moves to the end of
political achievement. 1t is the medium of
expression, and at the same time the In
strument of conservation. of the political
energies of the people. 1t is now regarded
as an inevitable, even a necessary, part OF
the system of self-government. 1t has been
written and read into the laws of the land.
Provisions are made by statute for its con-
duct and the supervision over its member
ship. Prof. Macy treats of the political
party as a necessity, although he sees the
evil features which have grown up around
the system of government by parties His
discussion of the subject is philosophical
and yet eminently practical. He describes
the party machinery in general and en-
ploys specific instances in Illustration. lie
says:
IA sense of imperfection must be asso-
ciated with all political institutions in a
progressive state Only thus are men slim
ulated to adequate effort for initiating re-
forms But the political party grew out OF
contention; from the very nature OF us rs
functions II has been kept in the field OF
rasping controversy; by virtue of those
functions it has ever incurred maximum
of damaging criticism, while at the same
time. in America at least. among all our
varied and interesting institutions II mas
received a minimum of impartial, scientlnc
study and exposition.
THE STORY OF THE NATIoNs-THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA BY Edwin Erie Sparks.
Ih.D.. OF the University OF chicago autnor OF
The Expansion of the American People, &c
Illustrated. In two parts New nork; C. +.
rutnam's Sons. Washington: Woodward q
Lothrop.
Mr.. Sparks notes at the outset of his
work that he has sought to pitch ii in a
medium key, between the extremes. He has
tried to be non-partisan, to restrain his pa
trlotic enthusiasm, to see things as they
are. and to tell the story of the United
States with one central proposition held
clearly in view-that of the essential char
acter of the United States with relation to
its component parts The Union, he notes,
has been viewed from one point as origi-
nally the creature of the states, whose pow
ers II afterward ungratefully usurped and
whose intent 1t willfully perverted to its
own ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 1t has been regarded
also as something inherent in the soil of a
new world. brought fully to life and su-
premacy at the time of the separation from
England. Mr.. Sparks takes middle ground
in this respect. He traces the gradual evo-
luton OF confederated republic under the
laws of necessity, acknowledges that radi-
cal departures have been made from first
ideals a result of progress, and takes
into consideration the underlying forces of
heredity and environment. He seeks to
make his two volumes tell the story of the
United States, and to show how the
phrase ''the United States is has been
evolved in the process of time from the
early practice of saying 1.-The United States
are"
FLOWER FABLES AND FANCIES. BY NJ Hudson
Moore, author OF The Old China Book" &c.
Decorations by Frederick g. Hall aud other IL
Illustrations from photographs New York:
Frederick A. Stokes Company Washington:
BrentanO's.
Amid dainty decorations and illustrations
the authors story of the tabled meanings
and uses of certain flowers and the refer
ences OF the poets to them Is attractively
set in this handsome gift book. He treats
of tulips. daffodils crocuses, violets, lilies,
roses, lilacs and chrysanthemums.
EDINBURGH AND ITS STORY. BY oliphant
Smeaton. Illustrated by Herbert Railton and ].
New York The Macmillan Company.
The story OF Edinburgh is in certain
measure the story of Scotland. and. in less
degree. the story of Great Britain The
ancient city is replete with historical sug-
gestion. Its tale is the tale of men and
women whose names have taken perma-
nent place on the records of the old world.
Its Intellectual activities have created
thought waves that have reached around
the world. What wonder, then, that the