The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-02

BOOK NOTES.
Various Items About Books That Are
Attracting Attention.

Lincoln Steffens, of McClure's staff.
in spite of his years of newspaper
work, declares that he is a journal
ist." 81 am a reporter" he says, yet
not a newspaper reporter, so I think
that I must be a Journalist
''The Highroad" is published anony-
mously. though its arraignment of
yelled. No direct criticism is made
but the picture presented is in itself
a criticism.
English Gothic Architecture is
the latest issue in the series of Tenn
pie Primers, published here by The
Macmillan company. Mr.. p. H. Ditch
fields volume is an available hand
book for travellers to the other side
who care for the old Gothic churches
and castles.
Cosmo Hamilton is the author of "a
Sense of Humor," the novelette, which
opens the July number of The Smart
Set. The story is a delightful COM
edy, written with admirable art, and
will be refreshing to read on a sum-
mer day.
H. NJ. Caldwell & Co. of New York,
have just published Strenuous Epi-
grams" of Theodore Roosevelt. There
is brief biography of the president
followed by his speech on Mckinley.
Then comes a compilation of RooSe-
veltisms which will interest any
reader.
The late Henry Seton Merriman, au-
thor of "Barlasch of the Guard" (Mc-
Clure-P Phillips though not much of a
social lion abroad, was a splendid host
at home. AT one time ne lived in the
country at the top of a very steep hill
and extended the following racy vel
come to his visitors: Every man who
bicycles up my hill is rewarded at the
top with a bottle of champagne" 1t
is a difficult hill, and every man who
accomplished the feat got his bottle, as
did also great many other men who
tried. failed. and acquired nothing but
a great thirst.
Henry and Hora's "Modern Electric
ity,' published by Laird and Lee, Chi
caSo, has been prepared with great
care, and is a practical encyclopedia
of all that the electrical engineer, ar
uSan. apprentice or student may de-
sire to know regarding electricity and
its applications. Without sacrificing
clearness or accuracy, the information
has been simplified SO that even the
beginner can acquire a complete
knowledge of the fundamental prin-
ciples and uses of this mysterious
force.
Stewart Edward White has not yet
heard that his latest book, 1.-The ST.
lent Places" is the best selling novel
in the United States, for he is now
enjoying three months honeymoon
camping trip. alone with his bride, in
the Santa Clara Mountains, California
Mrs White, who was Miss Eliza beth
Grant, of Newport. is tenderfoot
compared to her experienced outdoor
husband 1t follows that bookish af-
fairs are just now of less interest to
Mr.. White than the dramatic possi-
bilities of burnt fiapjacks and the art
of expression while tightening a ''dia-
mond hitch"
The work of Henry Harland has not
always had that brightness and sun
shine which permeates every page of
his recent books. 1t is not generally
known that Mr. Harland studied for
the bar and something over fifteen
years ago occupied a post in the office
of the Surrogate of New York City and
lived in Beekman place. Under the
name of Sidney Luska. during this
period he wrote some very grim stories
The Yoke of the Thorah." Mrs.
Pexada." and made, a few years later,
mis- contributions to that queer quar-
terly which he edited, THE Yellow
Book" Mr.. Harland's last book My
Friend Prospero." is as far away as