Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-27


he sacrificed his life for Minnie's sake and
greatest sacrifice of all-that of her
wort HESS husband. For Violet was a
grca, soul, tried by suffering and proved in
the tests. Constantly through his brief
life i temptation knocked at the door of
iis heart, in the form of the money for
tune for the sake of which his father had
slain his poor idiot cousin. and which was
now his TO claim. 1t would have given him
his hearts desire, first piano to satisfy
his great yearning for musical expression,
md then Minnie. But he reSolutely turned
his back on the blood money. He could not
yield while the song of the sea rang in his
ears
the colors OF the musical notes and he
feels the color of the sea. He has what
musicians style the natural ear and, there
fore the rare fundament of a great COM
poser and eIformer. His musical educa-
ton progresses spasmodically. noted
pianist takes a melody Violet has COM
p)SAd and makes II the central theme of a
composition which becomes famous. Out
of his grow complications which add to
the complexity of the latter portion of the
story.
In the course of the development of the
taIe the author, whose style, as in "Our
Lady OF the Beeches,' is simple and SYM
pathetic, with rare power of vivid descrip-
ton, introduces scenes of Bohemian Lon
don, brief glimpses of the cheaper stage
where Violet appears for a single perform
world an interior view of the home Of
decent poverty. Contrasted with these pic
lures is the great broad canvas of the
Sea, which Violet so dearly loves and
which he understands and which eventually
claims him in death The climax of the
story Is not convincing It is the weak
spot in the construction. But apart from
that, there is no lack of direct persua sive
force in the chronicle" Violet is made
real and human. and all the interesting
characters around him are breathing enti-
ties. The story is assured of success for
Its delicacy and power, it's suggestiveness
and Its keen sympathetic note of human
interest.
THE MAN ROOSEVELT; Portrait Sketch
Ivy Francis e. Leupp Illustrated. New York.
ID. Appleton & Co.
There Is probably no other man who could
write just such a sketch of Mr. Roosevelt.
There are many who know him as inti-
mately as does Mr.. Leupp, and who have
peen as closely associated with him. But
'hose men have not enjoyed the wide ac-
quaintance here in Washington with other
men OF first degree or prominence in the
nation. and therefore lack the peculiarly
suitable standards of measurement to an
ply 10 their subject. Mr. Ieupp. in the
course of his long service here az corra-
spondent of the New York Evening Post
has had this chance to see men in the
large as well as In detail. and thus he an
plies to his intimate friend, Mr.. Roosevelt
not only the scale of his personal view.
but that of his national outlook The ra-
suit is verdict of hearty approval as
might be expected from one underta king
such a task as that assigned by the nuh-
fishers. But II is not all honeyed approval.
not indiscrimnate praise Mr. Leupn finds
naws In Mr.. Roosevelts methods but ne
hscribeS those flaws to tempera mental
causes which are In themselves creditable.
re peheves that the President acts from
honest conviction even when he see,ns 70
act fmpulsively and without reflection On
this point Mr.. Leupp brings his powers OF
az, 10 pear and reaches the conclu-
sion that the Presidents decisions are the
result or intuftive Judgment Sometimes
ne - wrong, more often right
Inc whole theme of this sketch of fbe
r t,r IS conferred in the single PROPOSE
tlon: Here IS an earnest, conscientious
fearless. aggressive man Variations or
these qualities. tempered with great ktndIi-
ness charity. love of his friends and admit
Faton OF sterling worth in others make nm
the man Roosevelt of whom Mr. Ieunn
writes. The author does not treat his sub
Ject historically or geographically He dis
Grams any purpose of presenting other
than sketch, and he distinctly announces
that Mr.. Roosevelt did not see a mage OF
MS book before 1t was printed so that IL
ooeS not IN the ieast reflect the President,
save as he has reflected himself on the mir
roo or the authors mind during the growth
OF their friendship. which had survived so
many years OF storm and Stress such dir-
ferences OF opinion and so much plain
speech on both Sides" Thus Incidents in
MI Roosevelt's life are repeated in various
connections to illustrate now this and now
that tralt OF his character. Explanations
are given OF many matters which have be-
come subjects of public comment, but when
are not FULLY understood. Light Is thrown
on phases of the Presidents character
which have been perhaps misjudged by
many people. The whole stands as fair.
we'll balanced. wildly interesting rendering
OF the man who is now at the head of the
republic. 1t is a book well worth the writ
Ing and publishing, and well worth the
reading by any citizen, whatever his polit-
fcal views.
PRIVATE LIVES OF WILLIAM III AND
HIS CONSOiSEy and Secret History OF the
Court of BeEi!a. From the papers and diaries
OF Ursula, Countess Eppinghoven. Dame DIN
Palais to Her Majesty, the Empress Queen Nv
Henry w. Fischer Two volumes New York:
Fischer's Foreign Letters. Inc.
1t is quite evident that Countess Won
Eppinghoven. If now alive-the book fails
TO give evidence this score or other