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

turtcsy OF Doubleday Page Coz
lay down their arms to the north. 1t so
happened that Din" Driscou met up with
as the phrase runs IN our American Ian
guage-a young woman who herself
the bearer of messages for Macmillan from
Napoleon III, then his CHIEF and virtually
his sole supporter upon the shaking Mexican
throne Mile. JacQuelne is an ntriguante
of the most subtle methods She is all for
France. She contrives for the failure Of
Macmillan and the succession of Napoleon
TO his power. She does not want the ILL
fated Austrian to be supported by others
than French troops, and so prevents the
success of DriscolIs mission. These two
work at cross purposes and, of course, fail
mutually IN love. The romance thus de-
Teloped contends throughout the tale with
the treatment of the historic theme for
first place in the readers interest. The re-
suit is j stirring, absorbing novel well writ
ten in every chapter, dramatic in It's eli
makes and-a novelty in historic fiction
actually stimuative of a desire to delve in
the records of the Mexican empire Mr.
Lyle presents MACMILLAN as a weak and
Vacillating monarch, swayed by plotters and
traitors, but animated throughout by lofty
ideals He goes to his dea-h nobly an ar
tractlve figure. really heroic, considerable or
others, compassionate and self-sacrtticing-
truly. greater far in his hour of death than
In all the rest of his life The story ia
worth while. if only for this discriminating
portrait of the poor puppet of Louis Napo-
leon. But 1t has other qualities which at
tract, host of entertaining characters a.
picturesque color scheme an excantionaI
power Of description of hard fighting and
adroit strategy. and a dverting display of
humor. 1t IS notable book. deserving OF
warm reception.
sHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY; Lectures
on Hamlet. Othello King Lear and
Macbeth By a. G. Bradley, LID.
LlttD., professor of poetry in the Uni
Eersity of oxford Second edition. New
York: The Macmillan COMPANY Wash
ington: Brentano's
Choosing the four tragedies named as the
best examples of Shakespeare's work in this
field of dramatic writing, and seeking
through an analysis of them in minute de-
tail to expound his theme, Dr. Bradley's
purpose is to attain to what as he saws
may in restricted sense be called dra-
matte appreciation; to increase the under
standing and enjoyment of these works as
dramas; ITO learn TO apprehend the action
and some of the personages of each with a
somewhat greater truth and intensity, so
that they may assume In our imaginations
shape a little less unlike the shape they
wore in the Imagination Of their creator"
The work Is a treatise upon Shakespea rean
tragedy in general, and upon these four
examples of the masters art the writer
builds up his structure. 1t viii be most
keenly appreciated by Shakespearean stu
N'ltiS nut WHO Is not potentially a STU
dent Of Shakespeare? The term is virtually
all inclusive. Some there are TO be sure
who will not patiently follow Dr. Bradley
through all the intricacies of argument
whereby he seeks To demonstrate, for an
instance, Hamlet,s motive in DELAYING his
stroke OF vengeance for his fathers murder.
But all VIII derive delight from some parts
of the work. which analyzes at length The
psychological elements of the tragedies
The discourses upon these plays in par
tcular are preceded by chapters on the
substance OF Shakespearean tragedy. con-
structton in Shakespcare's tragedies, and
ShakeSpeares tragic period. Profuse notes
follow the main body of the work and a
comprehensive index opens all parts TO the
reader in search of specific details or dis
cussions.
THE BOSS OF LITTLE Already. By
Harry Leon Wilson, author of The
Spenders." &c. illustrated by Rose
Cecil ONeill. Boston: Lothrop, Lee &
Shepard Company.
Without any doubt whatever on the sub
feet in the beginning and for perhaps one
third OF the way through this charming
book the reader is likely to wonder during
the greater part OF the remainder why Mr..
Wilson has chosen thus to name his novel.
Scion Denny doubtless establishes himself
as Little Arcady's boss by reason OF his
-naster-stroke. which, after a signal fall
ure. has rid that peaceful community of an
intolerable nuisance in the person of J..
Rodney Potts But when this Is done,
through the Importation of Mrs. j. Rod
ney Potts. that doughty reformer becomes
herself somewhat more of burden than
Little Already can patiently endure. and
there are grumblings. and the boss falls
not only from his high estate, but out of
the picture. There is a long lapse, during
which Mr.. Wilson's hero who modestly
tells the tale with a quaint, subtle, gentle
humor that scores at every turn. has d
series of experiences on his own account
involving the advent of Miss Cahline" and
eventually OF Little Miss" These are ac-
! ceptable substitutes for Scion Denny, who
Is not especially vivid factor in the