The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-02
BOOK NOTES.


BOOK NOTES.
Various Items About Books That Are
Attracting Attention.
'eParsifaI," in its new English poetic
version by Oliver Huckel, has reached
its tenth thousand, say the publishers,
Thomas 7. Crowen & Co. Others or
their current successes are Dr.. Henry
van Dykes new book. Joy and Power,
which is in it's twelfth thousand; OPP
tirlisrn," by Helen Keller, which was
published December ] and has already
reached it's fifth thousand; and Things
Fundamental" by DR.. Chas. E. Jener-
son, which is in its second edition.
The story of a German knight who
fate, is .sFouques Undine." published by
the American Book Co. One OF the
most popular and touching OF fairy
tales with it's pathetic presentation or
soul, and who deems herself happy In
it's possession, despite all the suffering
that the divine gift entails. The story
is simple, clear, and effective, and has
been translated into most OF the EURO
pean languages In this edition IL IS
presented with helpful annotations and
complete vocabulary, and prefaced with
an able and scholarly introduction, CIV
sources of the tale. This is the latest
addition to the series of Modern Ger
man Readings published by the Anerl-
can Book Co. The book is edited by ].
Henry Senger.
Next weeks Golfers. issued today, is
the first number of the new year 1t
contains a. pictorial review and a retro
spective description of the events OF
1903 The review consists of photo
graphs of the important events of the
year now ending, and will prove one
OF the most interesting double page pic
lures ever presented
The Popular Science Monthly for
ticles: Herbert Spencer; "A Case OF
Automatic Drawing" by Prof Will
liam James: THE College Course" by
Prof J. ]. Stevenson: 1.-THE Functions
1.-THE Eruption of Pele." by Prof. 7. A.
Jaggar, jr.; Imagination and the Pubs
lie HEALTH by DR.. Allen Mclaughlin 4
''The Successful Women of America,
ern Agriculture" by Prof. D. D. Wal
lace; Voice. Song and Speech by DR..
w. Scheppegrell; and What Knowl-
edge is Of Most Worth by the late
Herbert Spencer.
The World of Today for January be-
gins a series particularly appropriate to
the St Louis exposition year. 1t Is
history of THE Great River" which
is to contain articles by leading writers
upon the varied and picturesque history
of the Mississippi. The first article,
1.-THE Gathering of the Waters" by
Prof. A. P. Brigham, is a most interest
ing sketch of the physical geography of
the Mississippi valley, illustrated by
many river views. One of the great
pleasure resorts of the world is de-
scribed by Albert r. Carman in s.Janu-
airy on the Riviera" Perhaps the most
startling contribution in the magazine
is the discussion of Graft in Private
Business" by the president of q large
ma TaJ1f a 7fF I'M zyhn
name is withheld for obvious reasons.
The writer cites case after case of
gross and open bribery in commercial
life. and explains why it is that com
parativeIy few cases of this sort come
to public notice. According 10 his
statements, some lines of mercantile
business are honevcombed with cor
ruption. The article is likely to create
a sensation in some quarters. and
should be read by every business man.
prints a list of best selling books through
out Great Britain, similar to the list pub
Mr. Moriey's Life of Gladstone" comes
first in order of demand Mr.. Crawford's
THE Heart Of Rome" third and Mr.. Quill
ler-Couch's "Hetty Wesley fifth.
Mr. Charles Majors 1.-The Bears of Blue
River has just been adopted by the In
diana Reading circle The Scenes Of
the bear stories in this book are ali laid
in Indiana near the authors home.
Life, the humorous and satirfcaI week.
ly. has offered prize of 800 for the best
short essay on THE Meanest Railroad in
the United States"
No steps have yet been taken to print
a second edition of Harmon d. wilson,
book, Troubles of a Married Man"
though a large number of orders have
accumulated.
"Cirillo," that dainty story of love en-
tw1ned with music and painting il hay-
ing a rapidly increasing sale. It Is one Of
those curious romances which through its
gains popularity not by advertising and
the usual methods. but by the dee6 and
agreeable recollections it gives its read
ers causing them to remember If with
pleasure and to recall it to their friends
in speech. As a specimen of book rnaSsing
it is a stupendous production
The Burlington magazine will hereafter
be published in the United States bv The
Macmillan company. This monthly mag
azine for connoisseurs has become famous
during its two and a half years Of life
for Its beautiful reproductions of nm
known paintings of special interest Eng
even Chinese. In addition its ILLUSTRATIONS
include woodcuts and half-tones and color
plates of pottery, porcelain. 1laSsware
medals, panels, sculpture, Wagons tank
ards and pewter ware. It's dfstinctjcn is
that 1t publishes reproductions of Ilneol1aI-
led beauty and accuracy of all sorts of
rare objects of art the real app-eriation
of which is confined chiefly to the elect
The contents sometimes include freeI<y IL
lustrated descriptions OF famous coilec-
tons.