Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-14


sketches come. depfores the limitations
which modern mechanical processes I'M
pose. but compliments the publishers on
achieving the most satisfactory results
in the circumstances His own work shows
rare degree OF intimacy with the birds
and their songs and bespeaks for them
that kindly consideration, which. II made
the basis Of practical missionary work In
these days Of bird slaughter for the sake
of fashion and In the name OF sport ought
to yield delightful results In a few seasons.
With this book in the pocket. ready for In
slant reference when bird flashes out OF
bush or lights on a tree, walks afield will
acquire a previously unimagined signif-
canoe.
THE STORY OF KING SYLVAN AND
QUEEN AIMEE. By Margaret Sherwood.
With Illustrations and decorations by Sarah 8.
StillwelL New York: The Macmillan Com
pany Washington: Brentano's.
Aweary of his high estate, Of the for
n'ality surrounding him. the restrictions
upon his personal freedom, King Sylvan
whispers to his queen and plans an eiope-
rnent into the forest. They have borne
themselves toward each other most graci-
ovsly for the years of their welded estate,
but without avowing the love that burned
in the breast of each. So when they tiptoe
forth into the forest, clad simply as es-
quires and danes of the court, they soon
find occasion to declare their love, and be-
come as wooer and wooed. and stand be-
fore the priest and are wed again, and
then dive deep into the forest to evade
the knights pursuing them to replace them
on their thrones. Then comes their great
hound and saves them from discovery ana
eventually they make a home by the sea
and live there happily. But they are at
last discovered by a faithful knight who
deeply loves the king, and he persuades
them to return that their young son. born
to them there. might be dubbed the future
ruler over the realm, to succeed his father
cousin. who has been chosen to reign In the
stead of the fugitive monarch. Thus the
king and queen and prince travel 10 court
and then withdraw to that sweet peace
which has enchanted them. Beaut1fuiy
told, this simple tale engages the sympathy
of the reader from the first page ana
holds 1t to the last. 1t breathes the spirit
of freedom, of work. OF peace ana love
and truth, and 1t charms with It's SIM
plicity and sincerity. It Is one OF the
notable books of today, book to make
the heart glad.
THE JESSICA LETTERS; an Editors Ro-
nance New York: G. p Putnams Sons.
This love story has two elements to dis
tinguish 1t from the run of novels of to-
day: 1t is anonymous and it is epistolatory
That combination does not, of course, set 1t
off absolutely in a class by itself, but It's
striking style assuredly does and gives 1t a
distinction which not even its character as
an anonymous series of love letters would
afford The romance is between the lit
erary editor of New York newspaper and
a Georgia girl, who has demonstrated ex-
ceptional talent for writing book reviews
At first the theme runs rather deeply
along the channels of book criticisms, ind1-
eating clearly that in certain measures the
two minds are attuned. But soon develops
striking divergence, widening as the per-
sonal attraction between the two people
who have thus far met but once-increases
This divergence relates to their religious
views, the editor confessfng to certain
philosophic agnostieism, while the girl,
being the daughter of Methodist minis
ter holds to the established Christian doc
trines. He abhors "humanitarianism," as
expressed in the professional, strenuous
sociological propaganda. That leads to his
forced separation from the journal and TO
other complications, the greatest, to him,
being the refusal of the old Georgia preach
er to consent to a marriage. But 1t all
comes right. The letters continue, eked out
at the time of absolute separation by diary
entries and by the subterfuge of letters to
and from q waif who has been adopted by
these two young people, and eventually the
vibrations of wedding bells and the odor OF
orange blossoms may be anticipated Ten
der sentiment and deep thinking combined
make the book unusually attractive apart
from its adroit suggestion of being posi-
bly, actual happening. Those who are In
clined to accept 1t as well-ed1ted docu-
ment of real romance will find evidences
here and there to support the theory-per-
haps adroitly injected for that purpose.
THE ROMANCE OF PIsCAToR. By Henry
wysham Lanier Frontispiece by William Bal
four Ker. New York: Henry Holt & Co.
Washington: William Ballantyne & Sons.
Love, the arrant rogue tied the fishing
lines around these two hearts. whose suf-
ferings prior to their great happiness are
described in this delightful little romance. 4
He led the persistent Piscator wild chase
after the Peri. He entrapped him in diff
cult situations. He caused him to commit
that most objectionable of sporting crimes,
''jigging' a salmon. He led him 'all
around Robin Hoods barn" in Maine try
ing to locate the particular bass waters
which the General. the Peri's father, want
ed to fish. He laid lures in the form OF
other pretty faces, and finally, after many
trials and happy meeting and an ap-
parent joyous finale to the romances, caused
another tangle in the lines and another
pursuit. But, after all. it was worth while,
and the reader Is glad when the Peri &C
knowledges that for her the world en-
compasses only one other. and that is
Piscator. The author has evidently in
herited much of the love of the outdoors
which marked the poetry and prose OF his
father, Sidney Lanier. This story has a
distinct charm and personality, and appeals
to all lovers Of a lover, and more directly
to all lovers of fishing. 1t is a happy
blend of sport and hearts.
THE MYSTERY OF MIRIAM. BY J. Wesley
Johnston author of jewellers In Gotham" &c.
Boston: Herbert B. Turner & Co.
A hero who marries three times before
the story ends, villain who DISCUSSES
himself with a false beard and Is never
recognized Wall street operator who
gets cornered and fails, rival operator
who lays traps and catches his wicked
enemies-these are some of the folks who
people this book. It is distinctly melo-
dramatic. plainly machdne-made and. de-
spite some features which are worthy of a
better setting, wholly unbelievable. The
mystery consists of striking resemblance
between living girl and dead one which
deludes even the mother Of the girl who
Is dead. No explanation Is vOuched either
for the suggested phenomenon or of the
employment of the likeness as the central
theme of an overriding novel,
THE EFFENDI. by Florence Brooks White
house, author of 1.-The God of Things" Illus
trated Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
This is a romance of the Soudan, writ
ten by one who evidently has had expert