Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-16

lass, yenturing into her uncle,s demesne and
hiding with a poacher for the sake of few
stolen meetings But 1t was worth while,
even though the gallant lover had to fight
and dodge and contriye to extricate himself
from the dilemma that ensued. A glance
at the titles of the chapters suggests how
brisk Is the action: Enemies, Friends
knaves, Fugitives, Risks Thanks, Kisses
Threats, Swords, Wagers, Proposals, Tears,
Surprises. Roads, Pistols, Horses. What
more could the lover of romance wish than
that array of interesting suggestions? There
is an amusing country squire who manages
to mix things up pretty effectually as re-
suit OF his unreasoning hatred Of gentle
man of decayed fortune who assumes high
and mighty airs with the lesser gentry OF
the neighborhood. This squire obtains pos
session of a bit of paper which gives him
a power over the other man. and the plot
grows thick and complicated. The readers
heart gives a leap at the finish when the
fleeing lovers are assured of escape to
France. where the followers of Bonny
Prince Charlie are not bounded from pillar
to post.
TWO IN ITALY. By Maude Howe, author
of Roma Beata," &c. Illustrated from
drawings by John Elliott. Boston:
Little, Brown Co.
These two In Italy," the author and her
husband the artist. journeyed with the true
tourists intention to get In touch with the
people OF the regions they visited. They
were no rushing sightseers, no breathless
ground-coverers, but leisurely sojourners
in the quiet, picturesque hooks, past which
the tide of travel is likely to sweep In
these little eddies are to be found the most
entertaining characters. Here are to be
heard sometimes the most dramatic, pa
thetic and diverting tales of real life. Mr.
and Mrs Elliott, for instance, happened
upon bit OF comedy with a vague sugges-
ton of tragedy on the island of Anacarp
and incidentally caught a glimpse of an old
romance involving the unnamed American
and the mother OF Semiramide. If Olympia
was as attractive in her girlhood as Semi
ramide at the same age, the unnamed
American was indeed to be honored for his
unselfish conduct. But the gem of the col
lection of brief tales and sketches is that
which relates the adventures OF Savona-
rola Finnerty in Venice This is what the
author heard of Finnerty. not what she
knew Of him. For 1t happened in the days
past when cholera came to Italy and Fin
nerty, he OF the striking Christian name,
fed TO the Adriatic city to escape the pos
sibility of infection. There a series of
mint juleps, mixed for the benefit of the
octing consul. led the effervescent Irishman
into trouble landed him IN the hospital and
later in jail. 1t was Ffnnerty who wore a
green suit, the trousers cut to a special
order with the lower legs laced to the
calf, a.-A whose head bore aloft sombrerO
with a peacock feather. Perhaps some
others than these two in Italy have met
him He is, may II be understood sculp-
tor. The other sketches are delightful, but
It is not Altogether clear why the author
has chosen to include the bit about Poland
In her volume. II Is entertaining. but 1t
Jars against the harmony Of the italian
notes. Mr.. Elliott's drawings furnish the
illustrations, dainty and expressive of the
Italian atmosphere.
THE PARDoNER'S WALLET. BY Sam
.uel McChord Crothers. Boston: Hough-
ton, Miffiin & Co. Washington: Wood
ward & Lothrop.
Steadily the fact is dawning upon tho
american reading public that the plant of
those who declare that there is no living
essayist worthy the name Is wholly unwar-
ranted. Now serving as pastor of the First
Unitarian Parish, Cambridge. Mass, and as
preacher to Harvard University, is a man
whose works meet the requirements of this
role DIR. Crothers has been chiefly known
heretofore In the literary world as con-
tributor to the magazines Few of his writ
ings have been given book form. 1t is to be
hoped that he Will overcome what would
seem from them TO be native modesty and
appear more frequently IN public as the pro-
Queer OF volumes that will go into all the
corners OF the land and carry the conyic-
tlon that there is still health in US as a
reading people. Here, for instance. is such
volume. IL Is not uncommon experience
FOR reader to take up book and on look
ing within The covers TO exciaim, Only es-
says" and then throw 1t aside. DR.. Croth-