Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-10
CHARLES DICKENS. A Critical study.

CHARLES DICKENS; A Critical Study.
BY c. X. Chesterton. author of varied
Types" New York: Dodd, Mead d
Co. WIshington: Brentanos.
1t is a pleasant thing to have the idols of
ones youth from whom time ami mundane
friction have taken some of the reverence
rehabilitated by keener and more loyal de-
voices. Dickens has suffered much at the
hands of the disloyal. After irradiating
their youth and providing for them con-
slant reservoir of humor and fund of al
fusion. he becomes the butt of their literary
canons and their modern methods. There
are few writer's today whose position in
English literature is more fiercely disputed
than Charles Dickens. and 1t Is pleasant
to have from Mr.. Chesterton a confirmation
of that conviction as to his genius with
which the world hailed his advent. While
the author of this study comedies much II
not everything that is today urged against
the creator of Pickwick, he makes so
little of these conceded points in the race
of the gigantesque humor. practical optf-
mism and enormous productiveness of Dick
ems that the true estimates are restored.
Mr.. Chesterton very happily characterlZes
Dickens as a great mythologist. the maker
of prodigious types and interpreter through
symbols of the elementary democracy of
life.
keen appreciation of Dickens. the study is
peculiarly entertaining by reason of Mr..
Chesterton's own style. He sparkles and
scintillates. and his periods foaow an
ttheses and paradoxes until the whole mat
ter is seen in sharp brillancy. The detona-
ton of his epigrams makes a perfect cele-
bration of clamor and light until the ear Is
almost oppressed with cleverness, and it is
necessary to pause to remember that the
fireworks are in honor of an international
and immortal fact.
THE CRUISE OF THE VIOLETTA. by
Arthur Cotton. author of The Belted
Seas" New York: Henry Holt & Co.
Washington: Ballantyne.
The oks of Arthur Cotton in structure
purpose and style are not subject to easy
and concise definition. If the genus to
which his work belongs is apprehended with
an aslant eye of humor, its differentiating
features elude capture When by the light
of his inimitable phrases. characterizations
and verses, some idea of the species is per-
ceived. 2 J5sibility of classification and COM
parison becomes hopeless. This is not
novel, and certainly not an epic; 1t is not
an anthology of salt sea and love lyrics,
nor even dissertation on the perfectibility
of the human race by missionary en-
dcavors, but in part 1t savors of all these
and other things. Mr.. Cotton does some
thing more than observe, he penetrates;
and what he divines he presents with a
drollness and literary flavor that is I'M
impeachable. He revels in the relationship
of the unexpected and interweaves digres-
Ulswater he has a parsonage. Sitting in
her rocking chair, caring nothing Tor
bronze statues little known in newspaper
paragraphs. knitting the welfare of her
fellow men. sewing, embroidering their
destinies, mending their misfortunes, she
has "forecasting insight and prophetic
craftsmanship" And the members OF the
crew of the Vio!etta, over which she domi-
Mates are entertaining comedians and their
story may not be read without audible
laughter.
rOCAHONTAS. BY Ella Lorraine Dorsey.
Illustrated. Washington: George f.
Howard.
A short cut to the history of the early
settlers and their gentle guardian at James
town seems timely in view of the approach
ing exposition. This is essentially the busy
mans book, for it's narrative is present.
ed in thirty pages and it's appendix in
twenty EIGHT. The story of the discovery
and naming of Virginia, the first colony, the
driving at Roanoke and the lost colony is
told with decision, and the chapters on
John Smiths Virginia and Pocahontas are
absorbing. Not less interesting are the
notes of the appendices on the Rolfe family
and the American Indians.
A three-color photograph is presented on
the cover and eight Illustrations reproduce
the real, the mooted and the ideal por-
traits of the Algonquin princess, the por,
trait of Capt. John Smith, the rock and
grave of Powhatan on the James river,
and the portrait of Lord Delaware, whose
lady presented Pocahontas at the court OF
James in 1876
THE UPSTART. BY Henry NJ. hyde.
New York: The Century Company.
This is a story of one of those spectacular
rises into prominence from squalor which
are distinctively American. Pat, later Pat
rick Mccormick, in childhood q denizen of
"shanty-town." comes, through his own
pluck and determination. to represent his
county in Congress. He is fought at every
stage by King Anders. The vanquishing of
the fierce Dutchman happens to be coinci-
dent with Pats success in love.
Mr.. Hyde's book is particularly strong in
It's presentation of the middle west-the
field which Hamlin Garland worked in
when he wrote Rose of butchers Coolly."
In the presentation of the process of ANAL
gamation by which the sons of a Dutch or
Irish emigrant may be changed, by the
alchemy of Americanism. into the social
and political leaders of their community.
THE Upstart Is a success. The picture of
King Anders. with his six huge loutish sons
and one spirited daughter with ambit ons
and possibilities far beyond the imagininGs
of the rest OF the tribe, is admirable.
ING. BY Gilmore Elliott Peake. aGthor
of The House of Hawley." New York.
ID. Appleton * Co
That large and influential part of the
population which loves TO nave Its sympa-
thies aroused and its eyes dampened by the
pathos of Juvenile lives will be delighted
with The Little King of Angels Landing"
For little Abe is not only child, but he is
crippled hopeiessly. He shows the large
soul which swelis within his small twisted
body In various ways, by being game" to
the last degree and by sacrificing precious
horde of hard-earned pennies to insure the
success of the teacher of his heart In a
great popularity contest in which a piano
is the prize. Everybody Is glad when his
tender and wealthy parents are discovered
Mr. P.ake has achieved successfully some
what calculated-pathos.
IAIREST GIRLHOOD. BY MARGARET F.
Sangster. With Drawings by Gr.selda
Marshall Mcclure New York: Elem.
ing H. Revell Company.
The book is beautifully made up in
manner appropriate TO its title. 1t was
matter OF chivalry to give 1t SO fair an APP
pearance. That our daughters may be as
cornerstones polished after the similitude Of
ic he