Evening star., 1907-08-24


history.
While the actual building dates only from
the eighteenth century, when II was begun
as an academy of natural history, the pic
lures that 1t contains had been accumu-
lattng for over two hundred years in the
palaces of the king of Spain. To Ferdinand
VII was due the honor of having modified
the original building to act as a gallery of
pictures. The great art collection was be-
gun in the sixteenth century, under the in
fuence of the stimulus of the Italian re-
naissance. Charles was the earliest and
one of the most enthusiastic of the royal
collectors. where all were enthusiastic. In
fact. the Catholic sovereigns had a passion
ate taste for art rrand abundant means
wherewith to crafty 1t.
The Prado is rich, not only in the less
known masterpieces of the Spanish school,
but in the best work of Titan and Rubens.
There are examples Of Rafael Durer, Hol-
bein and Vandyke. Murllo, of course, is
represented by some effective pictures, but
he Is not at his best at the Prado as at Sc
Vile. Velasquez, on the contrary, can be
studied at the Prado as nowhere else. >, The
whole course of his artistic development can
be traced from the pictures hung upon Its
walls. The works OF such characteristic
native artists as Ell Greco and GOya are
fully represented.
The work of Mr.. Calvert and Mr.. Hartley
is admirable guide for the student. 1t is
both interesting and finely critical.
A RUSSIAN ROMANCE. A Drama in
Three Acts. By Helen Kane, author of
"A Point of Honor" Boston: Walter
H. Baker & Co.
A POINT OF HONOR. A Comedy in Two
Acts. BY Helen Kane, author of The
Best Laid Plans Boston: Walter H.
Baker & Co.
In both these dramas Mrs. Kane has
solved admirably the problem of producing
a play. to be performed exclusively by
uyhir Shon ha
sary element of romance. There is always
a demand for such dramas, for school per-
formances and the like. In "A Russian
Romance the author has been peculiarly
successful. The story of noble Russian
v man, who driven from her home and
rink by the treachery of a rival, comes to
Washington, and there, at the moment of
apparent ruin, is restored to happiness, Of
fers abundant field for emotional effect.
Olga Petrovna's love romance is developed,
as well her sufferings, and her search
fer her brother, and all without the pres
ence of man on the stage. The lighter
comedy element is supplied by the family
of Senator Wilmer Inc personnel includes
members of the diplomatic corps as well
as other familiar Washington types. The
situations are extremely dramatic and the
lines both clever and sympathetic.
RACES AND IMMIGRANTS IN AMER
ICA. BY John r. Commons, professor
of political economy. University of
Wisconsin. New York: The Macmillan
Company. Washington: Woodward &
Lothrop.
With the immigration problem becoming
a greater one year by year, Mr.. Commons
book is of great value. While the compass
of the book is a moderate one, in point Of
bulk, in point of material used in it's pre-
paration the scope is large. Mr. Commons
gives, as foundation for his investigations,
a general discussion of the relation be-
tween the theories of democracy and the
races which the United States has been
to assimilate. He then considers
in more detail the immigrant races. The
elements that composed the colonial popula-
ton, the negro and the various nineteenth
century additions. Teutonic. Slavic. Latin,
Asiatic, are treated in order. In each case
Mr.. Commons analyzes the previous record
of the race together with its capacity for
future development. He shows for what oc-
cupations each nationality has aptitude, and
tells what he considers Is the promise for
the future. The Importance of these inves-
legations in their bearing upon labor ques-