Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05

enthusiasm, his pride In democracy ana
his reverence for the beautiful and heroic
in the history of Hellas In fiction that is
as compelling as one of their own legends
The tale Of Glaucon, the beautiful winner
of the pentathlon at the Isthmfan games,
who wins the approval of his Alcmaeonid
father to his marriage with Hermione Dy
his successful overthrow of the Spartan
Lyon, is full of Odyssean episode and
pathos. And the tale of the Mediztng
Democrates, the friend of Glaucon and
lover of Hermione, by whose fntriGues
with Persia the victories at Salalnis and
Platae are imperiled, is a cross-thread that
entangles the fates of heroes and lovers In
an absorbing story. Mr.. Davis finds time
to give his story graphic setting. The rocky
hills of Greece and the blue and tickle
Aegean. the streets; groves and festivals
Of Athens including the dignified Panathe-
~naeai the turmoil Of Peiraeus-all are given
with perfection of scholarly realization,
personal acquaintaneeship with its immor-
tai features and a closeness to humanity
that make classic history an absorbing
drama. Not the least attractive features are
the characterizations Of the Persian leader,
Mardonius. and his bride, Artazostra. the
sister of Xerxes.
THE PICKWICK LADLE and Other Col
lector's Stories. By Winfield Scott
Moody. Illustrated. New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons. Washington:
Woodward Lothrop
combination for the creation of COL
lector's romancers cannot be surpassed
than the discriminating ardor of true
lover of the beautiful In antiques and
the trained judgment of a newspaper re-
porter. That is the spirit that makes
Mr.. Peter Wyekon and his sympa-
thetic little wife. Edith. such Accordingly
interesting personages for the half dozen
stories that are gathered into this book
There Is no mustfness of antiquity about
these people and with them the obtaining
of a Pickwick ladle or Roseback plate
becomes the climax of plots as attractive
as the unearthing of treasure troye. Mr..
Moody has known how to link the am
billions of his collectors with events of
International interest and with subtle
necromancy and without pedantry to NIL
an antiquarian quest with human as well
as artistic interest. His stories ought to
make even the most philistine users of the
commercial modern article suddenly SYM
pathetic and comprehending.
THE BRASS BOWL, A Tale of Amateur
and Professional Burglary. By Louis
| Joseph Vance. author of Terence
O'Rourke" etc. Indianapolis: Bobbs-
Merrill Company.
A stirring story. in which motor ears.
jimmies. misplaced names, mistaken
identities. love. dark lanterns and pro-
fessional and amateur burglary have
their allotted place. Much better than
demi-tasse as a sleep banisher. and
equal to nitro-glycerin as strengthened
of cardiac action.
Mr.. Vance tells good story. and the
action of his tale is always of the cap
ital letter variety. In Handsome Dan
Anisty he has drawn a perfectly lovely
burglar person; Maitland Is just as he
just too sweet for anything even IL she
I is a pretty clever second-story worker
for novice with no experience. Every
thing turns out pleasant and sunshiny
IT,, loo fnyy n or q
system is saved from permanent injury
A book to read and to enjoy in the
reading.
OUTDOORS. Book of the Woods Fields
and Marshlands. By Ernest Mc(saffey
New York: Charles ScribnerS Sons
Washington: Woodward & Lothrop.
This is volume of papers revealing
love Of nature, keenness of observation and
power and beauty of description altogether
unusual and perhaps surpassed by only one
or two nature-loving authors. Mr.. McGaf-
fey's poems have placed him In the front
rank of those whose insight into natures
secrets and whose gift of telling the reader
| what they saw have given Importance and
distinction to their work. In these init
mate studies he shows wide range of
sympathies. from the contemplation of ma
ture in some of her most impressive aspects
to a whimsically humorous picture OF the
delights OF fishing for crappie. Fishing and
shooting in all the varieties in which they
are practiced in the middle west form a
considerable portion of the volume while
such titles as Walking as a Fine Art"
Down the St. 10 River" and I'm Prairie
Lands indicate the unhackneyed nature
of the subjects. There are thirtytwo pa
pers in all.
GOOD FORM FOR WOMEN; A Guide to
Conduct and Dress on All Occasions.
By Mrs. Charles Harcourt Philadel-
phia: The John c. Winston Company.
Etiquette at It's best means consideration
and fair treatment of every one. and every
womanly woman should have an under
standing of its rules to help her over diff
cult places. This book contains chapters
on intrCductions, invitations, cards and call
Ing. dress. correspondence and reading,
conversation, dinners. balls. table etiquette
receptions, luncheons, suppers, engage
ments. weddings, the young wife. etc I'm
like SO many books of the same character.
Good Form for Women Is not dry and
tiresome. but bright and entertaining from
cover to cover. The personal tone adopted
by the author cannot fail to attract and
charm the reader. 1t is a book written by
a sensible woman for sensible readers, and
is a helpful guide.
HEROES OF THE NAVY IN AMERICA.
By Charles Morris. author of His
torical Tales" etc. Philadelphia: j.
B. Lippincott Company.
ME-. Morris is well equipped for the work
he is doing. His previous stories have
been entertaining, and his knowledge Of
American history and literature gives his
books more than passing interest. Here
he offers for choice. for he begins with
story of old jeremiah O'Brien and the
bold Maine Haymakers and Nicholas Bid
die commander of the first American
frigate. and ends only with Dewey and
Hobson. In the list are John Paul Jones'
Richard Dale. John Barry. Benedict
Arnold of evil fame. Samuel Tucker,
Joshua Barney. Thomas Truxton Edward
Preble William cambridge, Stephen Deca-
tur. Johnston Blakeley. Isaac Hull, Jacob
Jones. James Lawrence David Porter
oliver Hazard Perry. Thomas Macdonough.
Samuel Chester Reid. Charles Stewart
Matthew Calbraith Perry. David Glasgow
Farragut David Dixon Porter and Will
lam Barker Gushing. names to conjure
with and prove that in all her history
America has had her naval heroes. Per-
haps Mr. Morris has note of personal
pride In the story Of Charles Morris and
the cruise Of the Adams, and the story is
worthy of pride. While considered
sketches OF special exploits, the fact is the
book provides very fair conception of
American naval history.