Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19

the white ribbons they wear so proudly.
For Miss Cahline' Is an exotic alien to
the airs and limitations of Little Already
and greatly shocked when she learns that
strong drink Is regarded in that vale OF
pliss as demon of the deepest dye. 1t
may be remarked that Miss Cahline came
to town after ]. Rodney Potts had de-
parted forever, and so she missed the ef-
fect upon the community of that bibulous
persons thirst and its qualification.
AS for Scion Denny, he does finally prove
10 be the god in the machine, and his boss
ship Is somewhat justified by the influence
ne exerts In bringing the majors romance
10 an idyllic conclusion. Mr.. Wilson mas
departed from the dramatic field which he
occupied with his story of the Mormon
EXODUS, and the theological psychological
heid In which was produced THE Seeker. +"
and ne returns to the style which gave
Inc Spenders' its delightful quality and
which Is evidently in the authors best vein.
Inc Illustrations, by Rose Cecil ONeiIl
tMrs. WILSON,, have only the fault Of being
too few.
CHINA IN LAW AND COMMERCE.. By
T. X. Jern!gan. New York: The Mac
milan Company. Washington: Bren-
tanos.
Or especially timely interest is this vol
ume, In view Of the discussion throughout
the United States Of the so-called Chinese
boycott OF American-made goods in retalia-
ton for the refusal Of this government to
admit coolies to these shores 1t has been
explained more than once on high authority
that the boycott is the work Of the guilds
OF China, those powerful trade organza-
lions which correspond in a measure to the
American trusts on the one hand and the
great national labor organizations on the
other. Mr.. Jernigan carefully explains the
peculiar conditions which prevail in China
and which permit the guilds virtually to
dominate the governments policy in all
particulars affecting industry and trade and
foreign relations involving those matters.
He cites instances to prove the power of
the guilds and the total lack of central au-
thorfty over them. Everything In China
he shows Is at SKIES and SevenS when the
whole is viewed by the occidental accus-
toned to system and authority. China is
merely vast aggregation of practically
independent units. he explains and this
the empire is considered. His chapters are
devoted to a detailed description of the pc
Culiar methods pursued by the Chinese in
their legal and commercial relations and
throw much light upon what without eX
PLANTATION, Is likely TO strike the western
mind as altogether absurd or mysterious
The courts, the banks. business customs
the means of land, water and railway
transit, the systems of taxation. the tenure
and transfer of property are all treated in
instructive and entertaining manner. In
view of the prominence which Chinese af-
fairs will surely assume in the course of
the next few years of readjustment in east
ern Asia such volume IS likely to be of
benefit to all students and men Of affairs.
IF; a Guide to Bad Manners Text and
illustrations by James Montgomery
Flagg. New York; Life Publishing
Company.
Mr.. Flagg. the rhymster. is fortunate in
his illustrator. Seldom is SO thorough a
harmony of spirit displayed by writer and
artist. What the lines may lack in vivid
statement the cuts supply. and what the
cuts may lack in explicitness the verses
furnish. The whole constitutes guide to
modern manners-the manners of the mob,
1t may be said-which carries conviction in
every page. Nonsense? Assuredly It's non
sense. IT'S nothing else, and yet it's all
else. For there is truth hidden in many a
quip, but, best of all, there is a laugh in
every page, and the laughter is the great
desideratum in the days of solemn money
making. Here Is Mr.. F'lagg's philosophy,
stated as preface
The art of Msbehavior
Is thing that's being lost,
That's why this Guide Is printed
Quite regardless of the cost.
Regardless, too of Other Things
For what is Gospel Truth to
Is Hot Air to another.
There rise Occasions every day
When 1T is up to you;
Well, somewhere in this Work you'll find
Just what you shouldn't dol
AN AMERICAN IN NEW YORK; a Novel
OF Today. By Opie Read, author of
The Jucklins," &c Illustrated. Chi
cago: Thompson Thomas.
Opie Reads stories have the merit of be-
ing not only entertaining narratives relat-
ing sprightly tales, but also intelligent and
informing comments upon social conditions.
In this story he presents an amusing per-
sonage in the Colonel. who from his van
tage point at one of the highly fashion
able and expensive New York hostelries,
sees the pageant Of the world as 1t passes
and discourses eloquently and cleverly
upon 1t. For a considerable distance the
tale progresses by means of series or
disconnected episodes and anecdotes, but
1t finally develops a sufficient plot to hold
the readers interest and eventually 1t be-
comes somewhat romantic and even dra-
matte in it's style. But these factors do
not wholly conceal Mr.. Reads evident pur-
pose to satirize the social conditions in the
metropolis, which he does with an arts
tic finish that leaves no bleeding wounds.
ENGLISH MEN OF LETTERS SERIES;
Edited by John Morley WILLIAM
Thurston Peck. New York: The Mac
milan Company. Washington: Bren-
tanos.
PreScotts life has attracted few biogra-
piers because of the painstakingly thor
ough work done In that direction by his
chief chronicler, Tichnor, but Professor
Peck proves that there are facets from
which new reflections may be obtained,
even in the case of simple a character
as that of the great historian. His contri-
button to the series has the merit OF pre-
senting Prescott at full length in small
compass. 1t Is possible through the medium
of this volume to him as he grew into
manhood. blighted by accident and disease,
one of his eyes useless, the other weak
ened and his system undermined, and
withal with an intense craving for occu-
patton. The development of his bent for
historical research and writing, despite the
seemingly forbidding obstacles. is interest
ingly described. The methods he employed
to make use Of his materials and to pre-
pare his manuscripts are wildly set forth,
and in many detailed particulars the man
Prescott becomes living personality. In
brief compass, though sufficiently, Profess
sor Peck traverses the field Of the histories
themselves from the viewpoint of the critic
of style. illustrating by extracts both Pres
colts fondness for the old-fashoned stilted
method and his genuine spontaneity in mo-
,f raol inc ,i~.t An, int ff1Rey