The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-04


 ''The Heroes of the Nations" series, published by the Putnams, continues to enjoy great popularity. Volumes have recently been issued on Edward Plantag- enet, Augustus Caesar, and Frederick the Great. The last named work appeared this summer and is the thirty-seventh volume in the series. The author is w. F. Reddaway, who has written a really excellent history.
 In summing up Fredericks claims to greatness, the author writes:
 .Frederick's fame finds it's most solio basis in the achievement to which all else in his life was subordinate-the suc- cessful aggrandizement of Prussia. By his single will he shaped the course of history. His rule complied the fusion of provinces In a state, his victories gave 1t prestige, and the success of his work was great enough to consecrate the very arts by which 1t was accomplished. Two decades after his death king of Prus- sia entered his tomb by night, seeAing inspiration to confront Napoleon. As long as the Grman empire flour ishes and the world is swayed by the princi- ples of its founders, co long will the fame of Frederick the Great remain secure"
 For new novelist MT. Edward Peple has already made an enviable name for himself. His fifst book, "A Broken Ro- sary,' was published by John Lane last winter and instantly became recognized as one of the successes of the season. The many thousand readers who enjoyed "A Broken Rosary are now awaiting with eagerness the appearance of MT. Pepel's second bo2k The Prince Chap which will be brought out in the fall by the Putnams. 1t is promised tha. tb;a novel is even more attractive than "A GSroken Rosary, containing equally dramatic scenes and a happier conclusion. The DOCK Will contain frontispieee in color by Mrs. Charlotte Weber, whose illustra- tions for Orcutt's Robert Cavalier'' and other popular novels have attracted much attention. Mrs. Weber is enthusiastic over "The Prince Chap" and she has cho- sen a particularly charming scheme for her illustration. The Prince Chan" is an American sculptor in London, and the frontispiece will show him modelling in the evening with the rcd lamplight falling on the beautiful statue which is. in his hopes, to achievet his fortune and that of the little girl whom he has be- friended.
 MT. Albert Bigelow Pane's biography of Thomas Nast' who has been called
 the father of the American cartoon" will be one of the most interesting and delightful of the autumn biographies. The Macmillan company announces 1t for publication early i1 October, illustrated with reproductions of about 400 of MT. Nast's best cartoons.
 The essay in MT. William Carrot Browns recent book, "The Foe of Com promise" "A Defense of American Par ties, will be read with special interest apropos of the presidential campaign
 According to the lists published in The Academy the two novels that are having the largest sale in England at present are MT. Hewlett's Queen Quair' and MT. Winston Churchilrs "The Crossing" or the former 1 have already written, says MT. Alden in the New York Times Saturday review Last week I noticed the first adverse review of the book that has so far been published. With this ex- ception, the praise that the book has re- ceiyed has been unanimous. MT. Church. bills book Is also highly praised The re-
 
 gre alone a sunfficient answer to the ab- surd charge that there Is prejudice here on the part of critics against American books. Had the book in question been written by the author Mir Churchill 1t could not have been more warmly re- ceived. Possibly it is true that some persons buy The Crossings because they believe 1t is written by the English Churchill, but judging from the way the press has spoken of the book, the time is not far distant when, instead of con- founding the American Churchill with the English Churchill, the opposite mistake will be made and people will vote for MT. Winston Churchill for Parliament un- der the impression that he Is ...e author of The Crossing"
 Gelett Burgess, co-author with VIII Irwin of The Picaroons' and "The Reign of Queen Isyl' who has been spend ing the summer at Scituate, Mass, has employed his leisure moments in charac- teristic style. In corner or an adjacent orchard he has built little house com posed entirely of packing cases. This building which he has named the "Goop Hotel,' consists of four rooms, two stories snd a stairway, piazza, doors and win dows complete, the whole ground plan covering an al ca of only six by eight feet The rooms are high enough for a child Of four to stand erect and the explora- ton of the residence to an adult, is achieved with considerable difficulty. The upper chamber measures only three feet square, and here MT. Burgess has spent hous of seclusion in writing. The house is an object of interest to children for miles about, and has been the scene of numerous tea parties.
 Gilbert Holland Montague's book on the facts of trust organization, manage ment and legislation for and against them Trusts of Today has been adopted by the department of economies at Harvard university as a text book. It will be used In the courses of that institution next year. The book has received this honor because of It's brevity, complete ness and accuracy.
 The biography of Walter Pster by Fer ris Greenslet, which wcs published by Me as tho second in their Con- temporary Men of Letters series, will be brought out by William Heinemann in London this fall
 The scene of Stanley Weymans last book, "The Long Night" is laid in Gen eva during the early days of Calvaffism. Mir. Weyman seems to have incurred the everlasting gratitude of the Genevars, and they have sent him an illuminated address In which occurs the statement that the foundation and inspiration of his art are intimately conected~ with the life and teachings of Calvin
 There may be some doubt as to the truth of this statement. but there Is no doubt that the frank admiration of the Genevans, which couples Mir. Weyman's name with their notable man Calvin, is a great honor for Mir. Weyman.
 Myra Kelley whose East Side school