Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-09

HONORE DE BALLAD. By Ferdinand
Brunetiere OF the French Academy,
author Of "A Manual Of the History Of
French Literature" Philadelphia: J. B.
Lippfncott & Co.
The project Of a series Of French Men
Of Letters" which shall do for France
what the English Men Of Letters" is
doing for England, is one that will be well
coined by all lovers Of literature. The vol
ume Of Balzac is the second Of the series;
the first was on Montague It will be
acknowledged that no one could be better
fitted for the task Of an authoritative work
on Balzac that M. Brunetiere The trans
lation into English was made by Robert
Louis Sanderson. MA, assistant professor
of French at Yale University.
M. Brunetiere has made the purpose Of
his work critical analysis, not biography.
only when, and in so far as, they infiu-
enced his genius. Although the book is
comparatively short, it Is peculiarly salts
flying with regard to all the things that
dent, who wishes merely to be informed,
would most wish to know. In the first
chapter the author gives an account of
the modern novel before Balzac and shows
from what direct sources he profited, as
well as his own influence upon the novel.
The treatment is most clear and convinc-
ing, even though necessarily brief. Years
Of Apprenticeship" THE Human Comedy"
Significance Of Baizac,s Novels. Value
Novels Morality of Balzacs Works."
''The Influence Of Balzac" and "Balzac's
Place in Literature" are the succeeding
chapters.
One of the most illuminating topics dis
cussed by M. Brunetiere is that of Balzac's
conception of the great idea of the human
comedy" 1t is taken up early in the book
because, as is explained, it is necessary to
take it into consideration in estimating any
single product of Balzac's marvellous fer
tility. No one novel is complete in itself
or can be considered, alone, as character
istic Of the master. 1t is only in its place
as part Of the great drama Of human life
that it can be judged. M. Brunetiere's
defense of Balzac against the charges of
immortality in many Of his books Is able
and will probably prove, to the majority
Of readers, convincing. In the final discus
sion Of the great novelists place in litera-
ture the author compares him, naturally,
with the greatest French men of letters
Of the century. It is Of great interest to
have this verdict given by one of the most
finely critical of Balzac's countrymen. M.
Brunetiere's Balzac is a notable book.
FOUR CENTURIES OF THE PANAMA
AM, Lid, author of "A Century of
Expansion" &c. With Maps and IL
Illustrations. New York: Henry Holt
q co. washington: woodward q
Lothrop.
Mr.. johnson aims to tell the whole story
of Panama in order that the canal history
may be properly related. Four centuries
long, extending from Columbus to Roosevelt,
and. as the author says. duplicating man
kind from China to Peru, the vastness of
the topic puts large burdens of selection
upon the writer. He has done his work by
clos RI 6iSffn or do
scriptive treatise, and has not been tempted
into erudite details Of the isthmian coun-
try, the condition of its resources soil, CHI
mate, people or the technical features Of
the canal and it's auxiliary works. The
really salient and essential features, making
clear the devious train Of events, the rela-
tionships of cause and effect among them,
by virtue Of which the United States at Pan
anna has become the heir of all the ages"
he unfolds in mastery manner Since the
time of De Lesseps the author has been
student Of isthmian affairs, and was on
the spot with Secretary Taft, to whom the
book is dedicated. With the historical data,
political and social conditions, as well as
the various problems Of the canal enter
PRISE the author is thoroughly acquainted,
having learned them under the most init
mate and confidential circumstances; and to
that close at hand information he has added
the results Of investigations at the four other
cities, Washington, New York, Paris and b.
gotta, where, as well as at the city OF Panama
Itself, the modern history Of the land and the
canal has been made. With this wealth OF
information and q keen sense Of the i'm
measurable results to the American nation
and for the promotion OF general welfare
to be derived from an undertaking, which
he considers the greatest OF It's KIND IN the
history of the world the author has pro-
duced book at once authoritative and IN
spring.
TIE LONELY LADY OF GROSVENOR
SQUARE. By Mrs. Henry De La Pas
ture author of Peters Mother" &c.
New York: E. P. Dutton & Co.
Here is delightful story-a really COM
fortine, satisfying tale that leaves good
taste in the mouth. 1t is all about gentle
folk, to the manner born, and carries the
reader Practically along in an easy-going.
rubber tired kind Of way. without jolts
or rude upsettings. There is no poverty,
nor crime, nor unhappiness as the world
goes. There Is one real sorrow, to be
sure, but it Is such a natural and to-be-
expected sorrow that 1t but serves as
foil to the surfeit of good things The
love story that runs through it, is de-
licious and would warm the cookies of
the heart of even the most confirmed old
bachelor. 1t Is a book whose reading Is
likely to cause one to forget the seamy
edges of everyday life and live for
while in an enchanted atmosphere.
HOW MONEY IS MADE IN SECURITY
INVESTMENTS, or, a Fortune at
Fifty Five. By Henry Hall. New
York: Henry Hall.
The purpose and object of this work.
which is from the pen of a financial writer
of long experience, is to open the eyes of
investors, not only to the manipulation of
prices in Wall street, but to the one sound
and sane manner in which they may pro-
tect the money put into securities and add
to the original capital year after year. The
amazing fortune, which have been amassed
in stocks by so many persons who began
life without a dollar are mystery to
thousands Of people. While not denying
that sharp practice has had something to
do with the accumulation of great riches
by some Of the leaders Of finance, Mr..
Hall sets out to explain how the thing
can be done legitimately and how the
everyday investor can take advantage of
the great movements in prices, to pluck
a few feathers for the comfort of his own
nest.
A great variety OF entertaining and in
structive features are part of the contents
of the work. One OF them Is collection
Of the maxims of Wall street, all of them
wise, some Of them witty or cynical. A
code of rules IL elaborated for buying and
another for selling. On the whole, 1t would
seem as though both the novices in secur-
ity investments and many old hands would
learn something from the work.