The San Francisco call., 1904-02-07

events move 30 faSt In these days
that 1t is as much as the daily press
can do to keep up with the procession
For a monthly to do so is much more
difficult. And yet the Booklovers' Mag
azine for February has contrived to
keep itself we'll abreast of current
events. Its leading articles are not only
timely, but are OF more than passing
Importance. Such especially are Tall
colt Williams article on Mr.. Chamber
lain's fiscal policy as 1t will affect Eu-
rope and America, Frank II. Tayfor's
account Of the Panama canal purchase
and Gustav Kobbe's story OF Wagner
and his art. These last two articles are
fully illustrated. The art features for
February are in themselves unique;
they also touch on some newer phases
of artistic work hitherto but little ex-
plotted in modern magazines. c. Var
nall Abbott explains IN an apprecia-
tive way and with the aid Of a dozen
striking pictures the aims and methods
of the new school Of Photographic por-
traiture that is revolutionizing a hith-
erto somewhat discredited art.
Country Life In. America for
February is large and superb number
of this beautiful magazine. The lead
ing articles and ample illustrations
having to do with such subjects az
The First Principles of Horseback
Riding" showing the delights OF
places and pleasures Of correct rid
ing; Country Homes of Famous
Americans" the fourth article, story
of David Henry Thoreau's home
building at Walden; Making a Living
from the Land by growing roses un-
der glass, a vitality interesting article
by L. H. Bailey; and The 1ndomi-
table Automobile" a remarkably IL
Illustrated account Of q stormy endur-
ance run through New York State
where trains and horses failed. Many
practical subjects and suggestions
touch upon all sides OF work and
pleasure out-of-doors. How I Be-
came a Ranchman in California" Is
the story of great estate OF two
thousand acres that grows twenty
different fruits the year round; venti-
lating, heating in cheap. movaois
houses are dealt with in several Illus
trated articles under the head OF New
Ideas in Poultry-House Construction;
while HOMEGROWN Grapes In Win
teri Is to show how anybody can have
the large varieties with very small ex-
pense.
The February number OF the Bur-
lington Magazine appears bearing
the imprint of the Macmillan Compa-
ny, and henceforth the periodical will
be published in America by that firm.
special notice intimates that since
the recent change of ownership there
has not been time to make the minor
alterations which have been promised.
but these may be expected before very
long, and in the meantime a couple
of pages of editorial comment indi-
cate the more progressive course
which the management Is going to
pursue Scholarly essays on the old
masters will not be abandoned; in fact
all the familiar features will be con-
tinued; but while detailed criticism
of exhibitions of work by living artists
is not TO be looked for in the Bur-
lington Magazine, abundant attention
will be given to the broad tendencies
Of modern art. and to all such artistic
questions of our own time as concern
a really wide public.
Scribner's Magazine for February be-
gins one Of those series which from the
days of the Thackeray Letters to the
Waddington Letters have been charac-
teristic of this magazine. Mrs. George
Bancroft's Letters from England are a
worthy SUCCESSOR to these notable liter
ary achievements. Mrs. Bancroft was
a brilliant woman, born in Plymouth,
Mass, and all her life associated with
people of distinction. AS a young girl
she was a great friend Of Emerson and
his wife. and Of many of the Brook
Farm people. She married George
Bancroft, the historian. in 1888 and
when he was sent to England as Min
lister in 1s4s she wrote these letters.
principally in diary form. to her chill
dren. The Bancrofts knew all the emil
nent people in politics, society and lit
erature. It was the age Of Samuel
Rogers. Macaulay, Lord and Lady Hol-
land, and Palmerston.
Robert Grants serial. The Under
current" rapidly reaches the crisis In