The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-03
BY PAUL PRY.

The Lions Skin" by John S. WISE
Published by Doubleday, Page & Co.
Just from the press is "rne Lions
Skin" a new novel of Virginia during
the trying days of the reconstruction pc
Rod. 1t is the logical successor to THE
End of an Era" and is by the same au-
thor-breaking silence of some years
Capt. John S. Wise, one of the best
known figures in American political and
literary life. A member Of one OF the
Oldest and proudest Virginia families, he
was born in Brazil while his father,
Hon. Henry A. Wise. was United States
minister to that country. Subsequently
his father became governor of Virginia,
and practically left the governors chair
to lead division of the Confederate
army. Captain Wise was a cadet at the
Virginia Military Institute when the war
broke out, and fought with the cadets at
the historic battle of Newmarket. This
new volume is in a large measure auto
biographical, and is distinctive in that
1t may be most accurately described as
novel history rather than a historical
novel.
When the facts are known in the polit-
zeal career of Captain Wlse-after the war
he became a republican and was elected
to Congress-the raison dfetre of the book
is easily understood He was also United
States district attorney, and 1t Is said
that his campaign for governor In 1889
was one of the most stirring in the his
tory of Virginia politics The prominence
of his family as well as himself In Vir-
ginia, coupled with his own individual
views on the negro question, have made
him a unique character III politics, and
his experiences must be as interesting as
those of any man of his generation. Since
1880 he has resided in New York, where
he practices law. A brilliant wit, popular
after dinner speaker and successful In
his profession, he has found time in
busy life to write books. and THE Lions
Skin" has an individuality and worth
that make it distinctive.
Captain Wise writes In an easy, remin-
iscent style of people and events in Vir-
gnia just after the war and in the char
acter of Powhatan Darlington the reader
feels convinced that the author is plac-
ing unequivocally the opinions and con-
vclions of his own youth. That they do
not evoke any pronounced criticism or
comment from the reader today is but
proof of the fact that the author in his
youth was full generation in advance
of his time; and that opinions on the
negro question and upon politics that are
today but considered broad-minded and
liberal were simply not to be tolerated
in the bosom of Vrgnian of the sixties.
Hence the persecution which he received.
The book gives a just and truthful pic
ture of the time, including in Its scope
in the most natural way the Introduction
of many of the great men of the period.
A touching love story gives 1t the nee
essary central human interest, and 1t
may indeed be described as "a really
dramatic picture of gerat events with a
romantic background
Captain Wise portrays in wonderfully
1ife-like manner the old-time negro char
ecter. Many of his scenes depicted pos
sess marked picturesqueness and dra-
matte strength. which give them vital
interest.
The life of Powhatan Darlington at
the University of Virginia Is sure to be
of deep interest to every reader; while
the humor of every situation in those
troublous times gives the needed light
ness of touch. There are many quota
tlons that might be given to prove va
ried excellent characteristics of the book,
but 1t is so good as a whole that in this
way 1t must be commended to the reader.
'The Blue Ribbon Cook Book" by Jen-
ME C. Benedict Published by John p.
Morton & Co., Louisville.
This volume, entitled THE Blue Ribbon
Cook Book is one of the most daintily
edited books of the kind ever published
1t is also most conveniently arranged
having thumb index along the margin.
which enables one to turn at once to the
desired recipe. In the place of preface
the author quotes a little story of her
work which appeared in one of the mag
azines 'as an inspiration to other women
watching for place to fit In the business
world" She writes:
Feeling a desire to prove what a wo-
man can do In the business world with
out capital and being confronted with
the necessity of falling into rank in the
marts of trade. / began eleven years ago
to examine myself for the purpose of as
pertaining whether or not ] possessed
God-given talent; and IL so. what 1t was.
| very soon developed a very decided
taste for cooking and now / know that
my real knowledge of the art (for cook
ing is an arD was very limited. u
confined my work to making fruit cakes
(by my own recipe, found in this book,
and to my surprise. | had more orders
than / could fill. i then decided to make
my work general and sent out my first
circular soliciting orders, from cup of
chocolate to furnishing and serving a
large reception; and the rest explains
cOnclSely out most interestingly the splen-
did success achieved.
In conclusion Miss Benedict writes:
~ will say ii is not by any means
smooth sailing that there are many
'snags which might be emphasized. First
of all, we must make sacrifices at every
point, and social duties must be wholly
abandoned No business requires more
tact, patience. or originality and surely
none requires closer attention or more
constant study One has to fully realize
that she must think, plan and entertain.
The quotation given is so beautiful and
appropriate to all work that 1t must be
quoted:
1T is not the branch of work alone that
lifts to higher sphere,
For many may choose the bumblest part
to find the great is near.
God gives us all our part to do, and with
our life the right
To leave our path unidentified, or mighty
in His sight"
The present cook book is the revised
and enlarged edition of former one,
entitled Zone Hundred Tested Receipts
which was immensely popular and en-
joyed large sales The author. Miss Ben
edict is a member of the firm of Jennie
C. Benedict g. Co., high grade caterers,
of Louisville Ky.
"At Close Range" by F. Hopkinson
Smith Published by Charles Scribner's
Sons.
The name of F. HoplSinson Smith upon
the title page of volume is sure to
bring a thrill Of pleasure to the reader;