The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-08
NEWS OF TIE BOOK W0RLD
THE UNEASY CHAIR

The EngIishman's Sense of Hunor:
Rudyard k1piIng Shows that He Has 1t, In
"The Bonds of Discipline" Story In
His New Book.-After reading one Pye-
croft's account Of an incident on board
the Archimandrite, British man-o' war;
as related by Rudyard Kipling in one Of
the stories which make up Traffics and
Discoveries, it is no longer possible to be-
lieve that the Britisher has no sense of
humor Some Britishers may not have,
but the majority have, tho it may not
be so nimble as the corresponding sense
among other peoples. - 80.
The story referred to IS "The Bonds OF
Discipline Therein stoWaway on
board the Archimandrite is suspected of
being a French spy, and 1t is decided to
give him convincing example Of the lack
of discipline in and the general useless
discipline are therefore loosed for day.
The ingenuity OF. the British tar, in de-
wishing schemes with which to- fill the
spy's7 mind with the conviction that the
British navy, tho composed of good ships,
is manned by a lot Of woodenheads, is
something to marvel at. It lasts only for
a day, for as evening draws on the
stowaway is transferred to tramp"
where he was probably set to stocking.
PyecrOft is represented as. telling the
tale to Kipling, under the 1nducement Of
whisky and-hot-Water. When he is done,
Private Glass, who had a. part in the
Arcl1imandrite incident and is present
when Pyecroft relates It to Kipling inter-
jects: "'E never saw the fun from first
to last A -rnournful begga1-most de-
pressin'." - -
Mr.. Kipling continues:
Mr.. Pyecroft wrinkled his brows in thought
the profound and far-reaching meditation that
follows five glasses of hot whisky and water.
''Well, don't see anything comical-greatly-
except, here and there. Specially about these
redooced charges in the guns. Do you see any
thing funny in it?'' :
There was that in his eye which warned me
that the night was too wet for argument.
NO., Mr.. Pyecroft, DON'T I replied. 1T
was a beautiful tale, and I thank you very
much"
Pyecroft was the exception to the rule
if he did not see anything conical about
| the incident he related. Perhaps it was
| the wetness of the night that logged his
| sense of humor.
! The story is Kiplingesque and one of
the best of the brand. But one must be
prepared to find things quite different in
''Traffics and Discoveries. For example,
there is 'They," about which so much
has been said. And again, dealing with
| the occult, is "Wireless." These tales
and the others in the book possess the
power that has marked Mr.. Kipling from
the first-that of drawing the reader into
the place of his characters, so that they
see things as-well as Pyecroft, for ex-
ample. Pyecroft is bit technical, but
! he is picturesque from every point OF
view, and will have a lasting place, nc
doubt as one of Mr.. Kipling's best.
| Doubleday. Page & Co., New Fork.
| n Mccarthy, Minneapolis. 81 SC.
Are You Goop?-There are old
"goops" and young ones. Gelett Burgess
Coop Tales, however, deals with young
goops Dowanto is one Of the goops cele-
brated by Mr.. Burgess in song AID story
in his book. "
| Dowanto so his Parents said,
| Just simply loved to Go to Bed;
| He was quiet could be
Whenever there were Folks to Tea;
| But Still he often had Way
| OF Grumbling when he should Obey
Besides this rhyme about Dowanto
there is a story which more fully dis
closes the character of this very common
type of coop. There are many other kinds
of goops as cleverly shown up in the
book. Are you COOP?
Frederick A. Stokes company, New York.
Stories of the Woods and FeIds.-Y ouns
readers will find Stories of the Coco
I Green Wood, by Clarence Hawkes., "a boob
! to delight them. The scene lis the
woodland and field, and the characters
are the small citizens Of this outdoor
community. We become acquainted will
| the family Of Mother Fox; we read the
tragic tale Of the pet coon which grew
| wild again, we witness the plovers' flelt
DAY, and we learn many secrets of wood
craft. The book is profusely illustrated
Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., New York.
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