The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-21
BOOKS AND

The "Almanach de Gotha, 30 frequently
quoted but of which so little is really known'
forms the subject of an article by Francis
Gribble in the current Scribner's. Thu
"Almanach" began TO appear in 1853 and is
political and social history Of the world
for the last one hundred and fifty years.
Nowhere, except in the little Thuringian
capital whence the 141st issue was recently
issued, can a complete set of its numbers be
seen.
The Knutsford edition of Mrs. Gaskell's
works is completed appropriately with
wives and Daughters" the story which
was left unfinished at the time of her sudden
death. Much of the story was written at
Pontresina, where Mrs. Gaskell was making
holiday with her daughters. The writing
was continued at the home of Mime.
Mohl at Paris and in a quiet hotel at Dieppe.
In the house which is reproduced as the
frontispiece of the concluding volume and
which she had purchased as a surprise
gift to her husband the last senten oes were
written. On Sunday, November IL, she
died without a moments warning.
A history Of that part Of the civil war
which ended with Vicksburg and Gettys-
burg will be published in January. 1t is
written by James Kendall Hosmer, LII. D.;
and belongs 10 the American Nation series.
There is always trouble in the Balkans,
and when Justus Miles ForInan went to see
what it was all about he found a sort Of
holy war in progress and that he was ex-
pected TO take part in it. He was promptly
made a first lieutenant, MOUNTED on a shaggy
mountain pony with a rife and a huge
pistol, and for some weeks took part in
active guerrilla campaigning, roughing it
with the troops and fighting, marching and
camping with them. He isn't quite clear
as to what it was all about or which side he
was on, but he no doubt treasured up much
novel and valuable experience before he
resigned his commission and returned to
civilization.
The play of THE Spoilers dramatized
by Rex Beach and James Macarthur from
Mr.. Beach's novel OF the same name, will
make its appearance in Eastern cities in
January-first in Baltimore, then in WASH
ington, Philadelphia and New York.
The Italian Ambassador to the United
states recently wrote Mrs. Tryphosa Bates
Batcheller that in her -Glimpses Of Italian
Court Life" she had interpreted Italian life
better than any other American writer.
The book is dedicated by special permission
TO Her Majesty Queen Elena of Italy
The author will sail for Italy soon, where she
will spend part Of the winter.
Henry James, pursuing his theme. The
Speech Of American Women. in Hdrper's
Bazaar, speaks of a group of Boston young
women. all articulating as from sore
mouths, all %mumbling and whining and
vocally limping and shutting as it we're
together" He compares, also TO its great
disadvantage, a school where parents pay
so much not to have their boys taught to
speak as gentlemen, with one beyond
the sea, in which the proviso that the school
master shall speak as a gentleman is 80
absolutely vital" He concludes that the
fact OF the boys being SO neglected has its
bearing on the state of the girls, and that
the explanation OF so many American
social appearances lies In hat universal
non-existence of any criticism worthy of
the name, at which / AVE already glanced,
and to which we mainly owe Though with
democracy aiding) the %unlighted chaos OF
our manners. That criticism in nowhere,
in proportion TO the need OF il, is the visiting
observers first and last impression" All
these are kindly and pleasant sentiments
which no one wonders that Mr.. James re-
served until well protected behind the
garden walls. which we lave not, of his
secluded English residence.