Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-16

manner, yet clearly, of the manuscript. the
methods of type composition and the part
played by the proofs, of the proof-reading,
the illustrations and finally OF the steps
taken to insure publicity. 1t is by no means
a compendium of information as to all the
ways and means employed by publishers,
but Is confined strictly to the work of the
author in preparing for the press. eschew-
ing all considerations of style, subject.
timeliness, ETC., and treating strictly of the
mechanical routine. which, however irk-
some to the writer, Is nevertheless neces-
airy to insure proper printing. The booklet
was originally prepared only for the APP
pleton authors, but has been in such de-
mand that a further edition has been
printed.
LIFE IN A GARRISON TOWN; the Military
Novel Suppressed by the German Government.
By Lieutenant Bise. With introduction by Ar
mold White a portrait and summary Of the
ceurt-martial. New York. John Lane
This is an historic document rather than
contribution to the fiction Of the period.
1t will be talked about for its political eff
feet long after its authors aspirations to
shine as literary light have faded For
it is distinctly not novel. when judged
from the conventional standards, being
series of pictures of German army life at a
small frontier post, and vigorous denun-
citation of the evils incident to the service
as Lieutenant Bilse saw it during his brief
thorities paid no attention to 1t the book
would have had brief notoriety, due in
some part to the extreme plainness with
which the intrigues between men and the
wives of brother officers are described. Its
suppression, followed by the trial of the
author by court-martial and his tmprison-
ment for six months. could have no other
effect than to give the book a much longer
life, which. indeed, is not to be imme-
diately measured For already 1t has
worked certain reforms. Bilse, with the
zeal of the young reformer and the poor
judgment of the amateur author, tran
scribed his characters with such literalness
that they were instantly recognized by
thousands and the originals, who later at
the court-martial were obliged to confess to
many of the cruelties. immoralities dis
honesties and peccadillos with which they
were charged in the book, were subjected
to severe public criticism and to official
retribution. 1t is easy to believe that the
picture Bilse has drawn of German army
life is realistic. He presents the service in
a light which shows it to be honeycombed
with immortality and brutality and bad dis
cipline. There is no occasion for wonder
ing at the intense agitation the book caused
in official circles. Not the least interesting
part is the appendix, giving the extracts
from the report of the cOurt-martial of
Bilse, serving as a parallel reading of the
story.
FAIRY-TALES UP TO NOW. By Wallace
1t is really impossible to make a formal
statement in plain type of the titles of
some of the bright books issued from the
Elder press. Here is one, whose title page
begins with the startling word, in big news
paper type: "Extra!!' Then follow these
phrases, true to the style of the Lark
school of dicton: Fairy Tales Up to Now!
Wallace Irwin, the Bandit, Again Breaks
Loose and Sand-bags Old Favorites: Slayer
Already Convicted of Love Sonnets of a
Hoodlum and Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam,
jr.; The Victims: Babes in the Wood, Gin
derella, Jack the Giant Killer, Sleeping
Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood; Paul
Elder. the San Francisco Publisher, Brings
to Light the Details of the Tragedy" The
''sand-bagged' fairy tales are told in verse,
each with it's appropriate scare head,
HE Hypnotized Herr Walking Delegates
Strange Control Over Sleeping Beauty; In
a Trance Forty Days-Marriage Follows"
The satires of these transmitted tales are
keen and enjoyable. The book is cleverly
bound between boards composed of the
stereotyping matrices of newspapers.
THE DAUGHTERS OF DESPERATION.
By Hildegard Brooks author of The Master
Of Caxton.' &C. Illustrated by Charlotte Hard
ing. New York Mcclure, Phillips & Co.
Washington: Woodward & Lothrop.
This charmingly impossible story of the
adventures of group of young amateur
anarchists who undertake to restore the
balance of wealth to slight degree by
stealing the wedding gifts of the friend as
whose bridesmaids they are serving proves
one of the most diverting bits of spring
fiction thus far published. The reader who
insists upon probability has no right to
open its pages. Nor he who wants his fun
mixed with seriousness. For in 1.-The
Daughters of Desperation there is not a
m oment of likelihood nor one in which the
reader can allow himself single earnest
thought. 1t Is all SO dellctously, outrage
ously fictitious that it acquires even a sort
of dignity in its absurdity.
thor of I'm the Midst of Life" &c. San Fran
cisco: W. E. Wood. Washington: Brentano's.
The admirers of Mr. Bierce's prose stories
will welcome this print of his verses, COM
prising a large volume with nearly two
hundred and fifty titles. Some of the items
of the index are mere quatrains, others are
poems of considerable length. Some are
grave, others gay, some frankly contribute
to the passing spirit of jocosity, others aim
sharply at evils and untruths. Mr. Bierce
is no timorous champion or challenger,
whatever the medium of his attack. He
swings widely and strongly and scores
breathe spirit of earnestness that at times
checks their most poetic development, but
no doubt can ever exist as to their meaning
or as to the pungency of their epigramma-
tic quality. With much ingenuity in rhym-
ing and rhythm, the author has utilized his
medium chiefly to the end of enforcing his
parallels upon his readers attention. There
is suggestive, refreshing reading through
out the book.
HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF
BOOKS. By Richard lie Gallienne. New
York: The Baker & Taylor Company. Wash
ington: VIM. Balantyne & Sons.
Mr.. LIE Gallienne has here presented, in a
spirit of infinite sympathy with all readers
and consideration for the limitations of
many. delightful essay designed to guide
them in their chooslngs and readings. His
advice Is plainly given. with few flights into
the empyrean in which the jealous book
lover often INDUCES. His suggestions are
practical and direct. and every one who
reads the pages must derive some comfort
and pleasure If not actual instruction from
Them
TOMASO'S FORTUNE; and Other Stories. BY
Henry Seton Merriman. New York: Charles
Scribner's Sons. Washington: WIN. BaIlantyne
& Sons.
This is a collection of short stories by
l,al afn H,.~h hiatt