Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03

or unfounded attacks. He does not con-
done her immortality, but he condemns the
treachery OF those upon whom she had law
fshed her affections and her wealth, and
who. in her hour of peril, turned against
her unwarrantably. He does not soften
single outline of her character, but he asks
that the ugliness of that character be not
exaggerated by maIevolent or ill-informed
critics.
The volume in which this biography is
contained Is too large for comfortable read
ing. although the types and margins are
restful and artistic. The illustrations are
remarkable for their quality and appro-
priateness. The sixteen full-page photo
gravures include the portraits of the prin-
with Du Barrys ignominious death on the
scaffold, being reproduced from paintings
by the great artists of France.
HIGHWAYS AND BYwAYs OF THE SOUTH
Written and illustrated by Clifton Johnson
New York: The Macmillan Company. Wash
ington: Brentano's.
There are many parts of the south that
are never seen by the tourist who seeks
comfort and well-advertised picturesque
ness. And yet these are not the least COM
Portable or picturesque, by any means.
Some of the most attractive parts of the
great southland lie off the highways,
around the corners, through the woods,
across the bayous, up the rivers and
'criks." Mr.. Johnson has found them out,
and has gone to them and through them in
the only spirit which yields results. He has
approached them as a friend, and has met
the real hospitality for which the south is
Famous. He has encountered some of the
types and characters who have been intro
duced with more or less fidelity the
stage and in fiction. He has sought to prove
nothing, to show no particular kind of life,
and in consequence his pages have WIN
| ming charm, accentuated by the fidelity of
his illustrations to nature. There is a fresh
air quality about the book that comes evil
IDENTIFY from the authors own predictions
for the fields and foot paths. The hunter
| and the fisherman will follow him in his
wanderings with keen zest.
FRECKLEs. By Gene Stratton- Porter, author of
Stetson Crawford. New York: Doubleday, Page
Co. Washington: William Ballantyne & Sons.
1t all comes out just right. precisely the
| way it does on the stage. The nameless
| waif reaps the reward of fidelity and brav-
! cry and tenderness, his long-lost relatives
| find him and establish his identity as a
| member Of a distinguished family, and
everybody is happy. 1t really sounds quite
| like an old-fashioned story. But it is quite
| up to date and it takes hold Of the heart as
though 1t were not quite SO obvious.
FreckIes. the wait. is of the kind to win
friends. The way he grapples with his
hard job as guard of the great Limberlost
timber lease and studies nature and does
his duty by his employer is refresh
Ing. The Angel Is a revelation, even
for a story. She sweeps into the heart
Of Freckles at first contact, and it all
comes right for her and for him in the end.
The story Is written with an evident love
Of the birds, and by one who knows about
trees and their uses and misuse. 1t has the
outdoors atmosphere and rings true note
Of wholesome sentiment. Freckles ought to
make as many friends in the book world as
. rteyfvr 81 n in Ne ga
OFF THE HIGHWAY. By Alice Prescott Smith,
Mifhin & Co. Washington: Woodward & 10th
rop.
When Drake Wilmot, celebrated sur
geon and man of wealth and refinement
jumped off moving train at a little sta
ton In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada
noun ains he acted on an impulse which he
could not himself analyze. He had fol-
lowed a stranger whose face strongly ap-
pealed to him. He was seeking absolute
rest from his professional work. and he
found 1t. But he ran full tilt into a mys-
terry and a romance, which involved him in
some remarkable experiences. and finally
gave him great happiness In her nara
ton Of this story Mrs. Smith has continued
the good work of which she showed herself to
be capable In her first novel. She writes
with the fine discrimination and a power of
character portrayal seldom to be found
nowadays in novelfsts. A subtle humor per-
vades her story. Her people In this story
of California life are all vividly human Mr..
Cavendish, the minister, whose face at
tracted Wllmot on the train, is strong
creation, and holds the sympathy of the
reader. despite the play of the romantic
elements Of the tale. which only incidentally
affect him. "Off the Highway Is a book
worthy of winning wide favor immedia tely
for its strength, its unusualness and it's free
dom from obvious story telling traditions.
The women In it are lovable creatures
whose sacrifices deserve close study.
Edited By Harry Roberts-xI THE BOOK OF
versity Botanic Gardens cambridge , wv With
chapter on the cultivation of the Oconcy clus
Section, especially written for this work by the
late Rev Henry Ewbank. NJ: A.. formerly vicar
Of St Johns. Ryde, Island of Wight New
York: John Lane.
The latest addition to the practical Gar
dening'' series is likely to please a large
circle of gardeners, both amateur and pro-
fessional. The work keeps two aims in
view: In the first place, to give all the In
formation upon iris culture that is avail
able, and, secondly, to provide an easy and
eff1cacious means for the verification of
names and for the naming of plants. In
the verification of names that happen TO be
correct there is rarely any difficulty, but
with regard to the naming of plants, irises
are exceedingly variable. They hybridise
both in the garden and in a wild state, and
Intermediates, or forms, not agreeing with
any description. at least always liable
to be met with. The author by division in
to small easily understood groups and by
the construction of serviceable keys, pro-
vides special facilities for overcoming these
difficulties. The plants discussed are chief
ly those in cultivation. or which may at
any time be introduced or reintroduced. All
newer irises up to the end of 1903 have been
included or referred to. The book is n
Illustrated from carefully made photographs
showing the flowers and plants. usually on
a dark ground.
ROME AND IT'S STORY. By St. Clair Baddeley
and Lima Dun Gordon. Illustrated by Aubrey
Waterneld. London: j. NJ. Dent 4 Co New
York: The Macmillan Company. Washington:
Brentanos.
The story Of Rome has been told so often
and so well that for each new attempt in
this direction the reader looks for some
especial feature to recommend the work
At first glance In the present case this
reason Is to be found in Mr.. Waterfeid's
exquisite colored pictures. of which there
are forty-nine. and in the numerous Illus
trations in the text and handsome repro
auctions of paintings and sculptures. In
deed. in point of illustrations this volume
Is exceptionally notable. 1t is a rare treat
IN, lac nd ", arl