Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-03
BOOK NEWS

Children cannot too soon begin to know
the wild flowers, and in Fifty Flower
Friends" by Edith Dunham, they are
told in charming way where and when
to look for each of the fifty widely dis
tributed common Towering plants; also
how they got their names and how to
know them from the remarkably accu-
rate drawings of Mr.. Beecroft a skilled
botaniSt and superior artist. These are
far superior to photographs for purposes
of identification from nature, and COM
bine decorative effect with accuracy to
an extent never before found in a book
of this kind. This is very strong state
ment but one that can be proved by
even the most hasty examination. Each
of the fifty flowers has a page of ac-
curate botanical description in addition
to its story, and in many cases there Is
added some we'll known appropriate
poem. Thus the book is suited for vary
ing ages, and every member OF the fam
lily can obtain profit in a very enjoyable
way. The colored plates are of unusual
merit and every element OF desirab1llty
Fifty Flower Friends. By Edith Dun
ham. Boston: Lothrop, Lee S5 Shepard
company.
| Ainslees for June embodies all that its
publishers claim for it in the matter OF
, human interest and variety 1t comprises
essays and poetry reviews of plays and
news of the latest books, surely broad
enough in scope to attract all sorts OF
readers. This material is of quality,
also to make the magazine notable
The novelette, is entitled. 'The Far,
seeker" by Francis Metcaife. It is full
of dramatic action, most or which takes
place on a private yacht and is full of
an intense climax. Horace A Vachell
the conclusion which has been looked
forward to with eager anticipation by
thousands Of Ainslee's readers 1t has
ally successful serial. Among the short
stories, one of the most striking is 1.-THE
Choice" by H. F. Prevost-Battersby, q
story of profound pathetic interest, which
will stir the reader as short stories rare
ly do.
tains as an opening number a complete
novel by Helen Tompkins, entitled The
Guarded Room This is essentially tni5 {ho
there is a keen dramatic suspense unit
the very end. The. story deals with {
mysterious room which is guarded day
and night, but behind the doors of which
there is supposed to be imprisoned some
thing, beast or human, which contrive!
to exist without food or communication
story worms the central thread, and th
| characters are drawn with clevernes
of touch that marks the author as on
er sci school of writer's. "The Guarde,
| Room makes a satisfactory successo
to "The Mysterious Mission" which il
the preceding number of the People
proved so popular a novel.
The Theatre magazine for May is
special number, a feature being made o
| the Actors fund fair at the Metropoli
tan opera house. The issue has severa
| added pages of reading matter and man,
more pictures, The leading feature, o
! course, is a detailed description of tn
| fair, illustrated with scenes of the fai
itself and pictures of those who hav
contributed to make it a success. ANON
other literary contributions Is an articl
| by Virginia Frame on theatrical bi
posters, this being illustrated with fin
| examples of decorative billpoards. Their
is an interview with George Broadhurst
| the successful author of Tine Man of tn
| Hour" in which he describes the evolu
ton of the dramatist. Another interest
ing article describes the rehearsal of
play with the great Rachel, this bein
| illustrated with rare portraits of tn
great French tragedienne.
A popular and seasonable article in tn
June Century is Charles d. Stewards ac
count of 1.-The United States of Base
Rall," a semi-humorous but careful an
| detSiled narrative of the status of tn
national game in America; how the ma
| jor and minor leagues are made up, an
much other information sure to interes
intensely all boys and most men, Tn
writer is that man with quaint touch, tn