Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-03
nd humor in which the whole is bathed, as

Now" DR.. Hale first visited the capital in
1874 and the New Washington" will
prove of special interest to those who have
tarried at home in this city.
Nelson Page. Illustrated. New York:
Charles Scribners Sons Washington:
Woodward & Lothrop.
Mr.. Page would have 1t borne in mind
that ION Newfound River is not novel,
but on its face story a love story of
simple country life in old Virginia. 1t has
a sweet face, and as Mr.. Page had once
given to the world miniature of the child,
it is with satisfaction that the readers of
the previous sketch find him giving more
complete picture of its development. Inc
life that it mirrors is worthy this more de-
tailed presentation, and the charm OF the
early story is perhaps caught in surer ana
more enduring meshes in this amphheo
version
FAMOUS ACTOR FAMILIES IN AMER
ICA. By Montrose J. Moses. Illus
trated. New York: Thomas I. Cfo-
well & Co.
If this work contained nothing more than
the photography, it would be worth while;
for the author has blazed a broad, clear
trail in these thirty-flve final pages which
it will be a delight for future writers to
follow. This, however, is but an indication
of the scholarship and thoroughness found
in every page of the text proper. Not that
Mr.. Moses is pedantic; he is too seasoned
critic and too delightful an essayist to faii
into this rut. Instead, he has given I'VE
sketches and stories of the great actor
families which have left lasting impress on
the stage of today. The book naturally
begins with the Booths, about whom many
new facts are brought out. Then come IL
Eliminating chapters on the JeHerSonS, the
Drews, the Barrymores, the Sotherns, the
Hollands, the Hacketts, the Wallacks the
Bouccaults, the Davenports and the PoW-
erS Other noted names are dealt with IN
passing.
The book Is not alone of value to theafer-
goers playwrights and critics; 1t Is a gen
uine contribution to literature, historic and
critical, and as such is worthy the perusal
IF readers in general.
THE HOUSE OF ISLAM. By Marmadrks
Pickthall, author of Said, the FISH
erman" New York: D. Appleton " Co.
Mr. PickthaIls acquaintance with the Mo-
hammedan character Is so extensive that
whenever he undertakes to write on
theme of the east and it's people he is GER
tain to turn out product OF value. lie
knows the intricacies of the Moslem mind,
it's subtleties of reasoning, Its hexlplIlty OF
adjustment. In Said, the Fisherman, ne
gave a stirring account of life In the lana
of mosques. ''In The House Of Islam he
paints in full colors noble character,
saint Of the people, true even against ms
domestic love to his conception OF the
right, yet kindly, forgivinS, inspiring. The
venerable Shems-ud-dn is a fascinating
study in the true islamic faith anr hui
man personality as Well The anlmosltles
and feuds of the arid plains and the cities
are dramatically woven into a romance OF
compelling interest with many humorous
situations.
IN THE DAYS OF THE COMET. By H.
G. Wells, author of IA Modern Utopia
&c. New York: The Century COM
pany.
Lacking the wealth Of mechanical In
ventiveness which usually characterizes Mr.
Wells highly imaginative tales, this story
of a regeneration Of the human family pos
sesses a stronger psychological interest than
most of its predecessors. AS in others from
the same source, "In the Days of the Comet
enveloping the earth with a green gas which
asphyxiates all living creatures and holds
them In q thrall Of Inconsistencies for
several hours. When they awake they are
so different that all passion, hatred, sell
f1shness, suspicion and other evils OF the
human disposition have disappeared for
ever and the race IS capable OF recreatlng
social conditions and developing an ideal
state Mr.. Wells treatment Of present
conditions Is caustic and direct His de-
scription of the new era is interesting. A
love story furnishes the thread Oh the mar
rative.
THE PURCHASE OF FLORIDAy It's His
tory and Diplomacy. By Hubert Bruce
Fuller, AM, LIN. With Maps. CleTe-
land: The Burrows Brothers Com
pany.
No chapters in American history have
greater interest than those concerning the
early relations of the states with Spain,
The acquisition Of Florida was Of critical
significance to the new nation. The writer
49, pork To
through the courtesy of the late John Hay
and his Assistant Secretary Adee to have
had at his disposal the entire diplomatic
correspondence of the period in question
1776-1S1e-and has aimed to produce an en-
tirely unprejudiced and accurate account of
the acquisition of Florida and the early
Spanish entanglements. Letters now ex-
tant in tho State Department in French and
Spanish not heretofore translated, and pa
pers including instructions to ministers, do
nestle letters. notes to foreign legations,
personal letters, letters of various ministers
Of France, Spain, England and the United
States tell the inside story of the early ma
tional life. Endeavoring to present these
facts without effect of personal, political
and patriotic prejudice the author has not
hesitated to criticise government officials,
officers Of the army and their conduct OF
affairs when 1t has been necessary to SUBJ
serve the ENDS or historical accuracy. Inc
book Is rich in maps, valuable appendices
and an index. Not the. least interesting
map Is that showing the line suggested by
Spain as the western boundary of the
United States. which, starting from Toledo
on Lake Erie, ran southerly to the junction
Of the Ohio and Kanawa and thence direct
Iy to the Florida line near Tallahassee
TRUGATE OF MOGADOR3 and Otner
Cedarton Folks. By Sewel Ford, au-
thor of Horses Nine" &c. illustrated.
New York: Charles Scribners Sons.
Washington: Woodward & Lothrop.
The author Of the inimitable Shorty Nc
Cabe is by no means limited to one dia-
lect or one setting. His humor Ia the nat
ural outcome Of point Of view sane,
healthy and completely aware OF the nor
NAL springs Of action in man and beast. 1t
would be difficult to discover the animal
from the scrubbiest domestic brute through
the whole gamut Of higher beings to the
bluest aristocrat that he has not honored
with a humorous squirt Of observation.
The Cedarton folks are plain folks, with
no violent extremes. but their human ma
ture supplies all material necessary for q
cheerful optimist in search of fun. Trugate
OF MogadOr. which gives its name to the