The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-01

Thoroughly delightful is Mr.. Stephen
Gwynn's eulogy of his native land, The
Fair Hills Of Ireland (Macmillans) 1t has
the charm of all books where the author
likes the subject he is writing about and is
fully informed on il. There are incidents
In a journey that was actually taken, but
inteTmingled with description, bits of his
tory, legend and antiquarian lore that give
q vivid picture of the place or thing de-
scribed. Nowher re is MIR. Gwynn pedantic;
bs makes his point clearly and then passes
on. To those who know the parts of Ireland
he dwells on his book will give great pleas
ure; to those who do not it will be the best
of introductions and guides. Mr.. Hugh
Thompson's sketches are int resting; the
few in color are not very successful.
II looks as though Charleston, s. c., were
coming into its own at last in. literature.
Not 30 long ago Mr.. Wister described the
city in a novel and now Mrs. st. Julien
RaveneI fills a large volume with Charles
ton, the Place and the People" (Macmil-
lans), and by no me ans eXhausts the sub
ject. II is no formal history. but rather a
succession OF pictures of social life and
exciting episodes that range from the
settlement to the Mexican war. The
Southern reticence about speaking Of the
living or those related to them perhaps has
something to do with the ending of the
book as it does; but even IL there are stronger
reasons for only touching on the civil war,
the good judgment Of stopping with the
Charleston of the past must be approved.
Mrs. Ravenel clings pretty closely to the
story Of the city itself, for whichthe reader
will be grateful. How full Of romance and
interest il is her book demonstrates. 1t
may nave the evil effect of turning the
writers OF historical romance to South Caro-
lima again, for there is material enough to
equip dozens Of them.
The real Germany, the Germany that is
worth knowing, IN be seen through
students eyes. 1t is only in that way
that Americans can learn what the Father
land means, and every description of stu
dent days is welcome. II may be amusing
10 find these young men discovering
anew what Bancroft and Motley and the
other pioneers wrote about, but it is
good 20 find that the old spirit holds out
and that the twentieth century's en-
thusiasm Is the same as the nineteenth's.
The scene of Mr.. Frank Roy Fraprie's
experiences in "Bavarian Inns" IL. c. Page
a Co.; Boston, Is Munich. He gives a
pleasant picture OF student life, though
he does not seem to have lived up to
his opportunities as regards beer. He
lspeaks OF it with fairness, but az one holding
himself aloof. He visited many places in
the neighborhood, which is the excuse
for his title. He weaves In a love story.
Altogether a pleasant and unpretentious
Qtttle book, that will revive memories in
many messy heads. The photographs
IRE very good.
Travelling in a motor car Mr.. Michael
Myers Shoemaker was able to visit a great
many places of interest that are not wholly
On the beaten track. He seems to have
Uncovered also a firm OF photographers
who have taken ~unhackneyed pictures.
kThis makes his volume; Winged Wheels
Ia France g. p. Putnam's Sons), very
,aetrsctive. The trip began at Monte Carlo
ran across the south OF France 10 the
bay Of Biscay, then turned north through
'Auvergne to Mont st. Michel, zigzagged
about back to Paris and finally proceeded
cast into Germany. The author saw many
places usually passed over by visitors,
Iand In the better known towns discovered
cut Of the way things.
An Interesting French view OF Egypt,
In which much keennes of observation is
mingled with queer boulevard prejudices,
M. A. B. de Guerville's New Egypt is
published in a revised and cheaper edition.
william Heinemann; T.. p. Dutton and Com
pany.) The book is entertaining and the new
edition presents an the remarkable illus
t~rations distinctly.