Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-17
UNDEn TIE SIN.

U.5n tItlGS. W 18th a chapter I'etIlnS
with the Later Life of Mana Sahib. BY
Fcrccval Landon. author OF 'Lhasa.'
New York: Doubleday. PAGE & Co.
Washington: Woodward Lothlop.
To "p'3~,; the heart out Of the mystery"
OF the cities Of the land OF mystery, India,
has been Mr. Iandons aim in the remark
able book which he has just published.
There has been, of course, no lack Of guild
book Information on the subject, bat the
guide book. however. Indispensable. cannot
convey To the Untravelod man living rep
resentation Of alien life; nor can it give To
the prospective traveller definite idea of
those things which he is come to feel he
cannot live without seeing. And these two
things "tuder the sun may fairly lay
claim to having accomplished.
To cities like Bombay anil Calcutta,
which have become commercial and indus
trial CcutCrs. Mr.. Landou does ampa jus
tiCc when he conveys the impression of the
clash of ndtioaNitics. the inconCrUities of
western activities in an eastern setting.
But Il IS when he recOnStruCts for his read
ers the lonely capital of Idaipur. the en-
chantmcut Of Mandaiay, the story of the
tigers Of JaWmu with their dauutl9ss
keeper, the religious eXaltatio1 center u in
tn" strange and unwhOlcsom"" town of
Bcuarcs, the tragedies and the meanings
Of tn" hurnngEhats, that he is most char
aCteristic.
For the impression of almost unbelcva-
able beauty, the description of Udaipur IS
y
viCerOy.' so NJ. Landon tells his readers,
has come to Idaipur revolving in his mind
schemes for bringing this lonely capita to
date and deyising methods for the utiliza-
ton of GGaipur'S natural advantages of
wood and water. But vicaroy after vice
roy has gone back from Udaipur well cen
tent to leave her where she is, unspoiled
and unimproved recognizing that dynOno
and driving band are poor substitutes for
the splendid pattern of old world chivalry
and courteous tradition which this lovely
lakeside palace sets. To those who are
fortunate to have seen it, and its island
summer palaces. Tdaipur must stand as
realization Of the most magical of the en-
chanted palaces in the Arabian Nights"
Nothing else can. approach its opulence of
charm.
The final chapter. dealing with the
later life of Mana Sahib." Is one of the
most interesting of the book. Besides giving
the history of the connection of Mana with
the Indian mutiny of 1857. 1t reveals. what
has hitherto not been known, the secret of
the last days OF the arch scoundrel who
brought about one of the blooiiest massa-
ores of history. 1t has been generally I'M
derstood that Mana died the following year
of jungle fever. From time TO time IL has
been reported that he was still alive. Mr..
Landon asserts that 1t is now known that
he lived many years and tells the story of
his soTdld end.
The trained observer of India and its
problems has not always been able to give
his knowledge to the world in Illuminating
literary form. Possibly the best inteTprc-
tatOrs hitherto have been the fiction
writer's. But Mr.. Ieandon seems well fttel,
by reason OF his understanding of the COM
pick life OF this most battling of peoples. to
reveal as much of its personality it is
possible to make comprehensive to Euro
peans,
.'I-uder the sun" IS profusely and beauti-
fully Illustrated. Some Of the pictures are
Photographs some are photographers.
while there are a few color washes, They
all give tartdlizing suggestions of the
scenes which the author describes.
WHAT HAVE DONE WITH BIRDS. BY
Gene StrattOn-Porter. author Of The
Song Of tine Cardinal" Indianapolis:
The Bobhs Merrill Company.
Mrs Stratton- Porter herself defines her
work as Character studies of native
American birds, which. through Friendly
advances, ! induced to pose for me, or sue
ce,ded In photographing by good fortune,
with the stories OF my experiences in OBJ
tanning their pictures
While this characterization gives adj
m!Tab,e idea Of the scope of the work 1t
can convey no impression of the charm
with which the author has invested it. The
story Of the counting of Queen Ran in
order that she would consent to remain on
her nest 10 be photographed is shy wood
land romance. the wood thrush family en-
acts an idyl. the Catbirds furnish the COM
edy element, Willie the pursuit of the black
VGltures-whiCh the author regards as one
OF the greatest Of her achIevements-fur
nishes an admirable Substitute for a story
OF piracy upon the high seas with treasure
hunting thrown in. II must not be mag
ined, however, that Mrs. Strattun-fUrter
has joined the rank Of the mature takers
The conscientious quality Of her work is
too well known for that idea to gain cred
enCe. Tie interest is supplied by the in
fusion OF her own natura!lstiC-artistic en-
thusiasm, her tenderness for feathered
things, and 10y Justhsble Interpretation
Of bird characteristics along scientific lines.
+H.4F E., Ft 4FN 2 tf.4 In fFIlI n no
Convinced that the author Is within her
rights Is 20 look at the wonderful series of
photographs which furnish the art element
IN her book. They are not only interesting
as marking the high-water mark of bird
photography, they prove the authors con-
tent!un that. in order to obtain character
!s;ic photographs of the feathered tribe. II
Is necessary 10 win their confidence, accus-
tom them TO the alien presence until they
Will allow their pictures to be taken at
their most characteristic moments. The au-
thor 8 assertion: Every picture repro
GuCed is Of a living bird perChing as IL
alighted In a characteristics environment
IS not needed. The photographs. in some
eases reproduced In color, show the emo
lions t.at their interpreter asCrIbes to
them-anger greed. jealousy, fear and love.
AS art studies and nature studies alike
they are marvellous.
The opening chapter, in which Mrs. STRAIT
comforter explains her method OF work
should prove invaluable to those who wish
to follow IN the footsteps Of this past
mistress OF an AFt. Inc discussion OF the
way TO approach the birds. the comments
OF the use Of haud-books OF anthology
the questions of camera and screens and
backgrounds make II Invaluable Mrs
Stratton-POrter's literary style is sympa-
thetic and delightful. In fact What l
Have Done With Birds is a triumph in the
line Of nature publications
A NIGHT IN AVIGNON. By Gale Young
Rice author OF Charles hi Tocca."
New York. Mcclure. Phillips & Co.
Washington: Woodward q Lo;hrop.
Mr.. Rice is one of the leading members
OF the new movement toward the develop
ment OF the drama in this country This
play, together with another and longer one
by the same author, Will be produced next
season at the new endowed Players Thea
ter. which Will be opened in Chicago. The
author has founded his play upon the his
torlc love OF the poet Petrarch for Laura.
But he has read into the romance a new
meaning. Francesca PetrarCh is introduced
at the moment when. heart-brOken that his
two years OF worship have brought for
ward no sign from his lady that she even
p.tics. and angered by the jeering of the
C!sso'ute multitude, he has revolted His
brother the monk. finds him on the eve
of fiesta TO which Lello has been hidden
10 fetch Sanchia and Filppa-to whom. as
Sanc9Iia procla!ms In her iippant little
song. An the gallants GO for pleasure"
Fast upon Petrarch's determination to