Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-21

original the memoirs I'LL ten volumes, out
Miss wormeley, in the present transla-
ton. has selected with great skill the
most interesting episodes in which Claude
was involved. from the years Immediately
before the famous coup detat and the acs
cession of Louis Napoleon to the imperial
throne down to the dramatic finale of
Sedan and the commune. The book Is
tellingly illustrated with interesting por-
traits.
ITALY, THE MAGIC LAND. By Lillian
Whiting. author of THE Florence of
Landor," etc. Illustrated. Boston:
Little. Brown & Co.
Lillian Writings new book aims to pre-
sent living panorama of the compare
lively modern past of Rome-that.. opening
with the period of Canova and Thorwaldsen,
proceeds to the contemporary Rome Of
Vedder and Franklin Simmons, in which
the writer depicts the Rome of the Haw-
thornes and the Brownings, and of that
intense artistic life attracted by the stu
pendous works of Michael Angelo and the
galleries of the Vatican.
The design of Italy. the Magic Land"
Is unique in its pictdring of the prismatic
life of the Eternal City-the mingled So
cial and artistic-and its portrayal of the
long procession of brilliant visitors from
the time of Goethe and Nine. de Stael to
that of Henry James.
THE MAID OF HONOR. BY Richard S.
Holmes. New York: Fleming H.
Revell Company.
A careful reading of current fiction will
hardly reveal a more interesting charac-
ter than David Henderson, Scotchman,
theologian, fisherman and matchmaker.
He is not only vera releegious"-he is
''unco guild"
He is a wizard with the fly, rod, and can
tempt from his lair in the deep pool with
darning needle and humble bee the
mightiest trout in the river and land him
boat in the struggle. He appears almost
uncanny, as with head uncovered he
stands in the rushing river and reverently
pours a libation to Izaak Walton.
quirks and sallies of a kindly sort as
sparkling and mellow as wine Of an old
vintage.
piled by Henry Edwin Tremain. New
York: Bonnell, Silver & Co.
Gen. Tremain was an active participant
in the stirring happenings of the civil
war, and has been an observant and
painstaking critic of the political events
and trend since the great war. Observa-
lions and experience have led him to con-
clude that there is more actual discrimi-
nation and class and caste distinctions In
this country today than in ante-bellum
days. Most people will be disposed to re-
pinch of salt, but if they will follow the
pages of "Sectionalism Unmasked'' they
cannot but grow attentive, because the
compiler does not give his ipse dixit. but
he quotes from speeches. editorials, let
tiers, pamphlets and other human docu-
ments, and makes the story consecutive
by his weaving the whole into a book
dealing with sectionalism in its various
and manifold forms and manifestations.
THE WAY OF A MAN. BY Emerson
Hough, author of The Story Of the
Outlaw etc. illustrated. New
York: The Outing Publishing Com
pany.
Emerson Hough responds to query for
reasons why for his new novel, 1.-THE
Way of a Man." in a characteristic letter,
OF which part follows:
"As to the philosophy of this book. I
don't know that it has any beyond my
personal fondness for early western his
tory, and my resentment at what I call
Wild West Taxing My opinion Of the
west is that it was big, dignified, strong
country. I have located my book at
that period Of our history because that
seemed to be big, strong and dignified
period. have wished to show the enects
OF a broad, strong environment on hui
man beings. / have not wished to APP
peal to any prurient curiosity, although
my purpose was frankly to show two hui
man beings for time, at least. stripped
of the, conventionalities Of civilized life.
My leanings have always been for the
out-of-doors; for the strong and simple
things: for the west and early western
history. 1t is out of this sort Of parentage
that the book came, and I don't know
that I can better cover its philosophy"
Mr., Hough may be credited with a
strike in this book. 1t is a story full OF
interesting alike to those who read a
story for the story's sake and to those
who appreciate good literature.
CULTURE AND CONVERSATION. By
Robert Waters, author of "Intellec-
tual Pursuits" etc. New York:
Dodd, Mead &, Co. Washington:
Ballantyne & Sons.
1t is the aim of this book to show by
precept and example what a mighty fac
tor in education and culture the practice
of conversation may be made; and to
point out what golden opportunities for
culture. for knowledge and wisdom, for
successful and beneficial career. lie
within the grasp of all, and to indicate
what crowning advantages may be gained
by this little-thought-of and little-cared-
for practice of sincere and frank OUT
pouring of the mind in familiar converse
ton, not only with well-educated people,
but with men and women of all ranks
and classes. The plea for artistic and
real conversationalists is timely. The fine
old French art is almost forgotten in these
days. Mr.. Waters book is full of sug-
gestion.
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN ILL.FATED
EXPEDITION to the Headwaters Of
the Madeira River in Brazil. By
Neville B. Craig. Philadelphia: ]. B.
Lippincott Company.
: This volume tells the remarkable story
Of South American enterprise which ex-
the United States, England, Brazil and
Bolivia thirty years ago. 1t gives the au-
thentic and, hitherto, unwritten history
of gigantic project, which contemplated
the construction of railway around the
falls and rapids of the Madeira and Ma
more rivers in BriZal, the establishment
of steamboat lines upon navigable waters
above and below the distractions, and the
maintenance of great system of inter-
national transportation between New
York city and the heart of Bolivia, a dis
lance of nearly $500 miles.
The scheme was far from being i'm
practible. visionary or chimerical Origi-
mating in a suggestion made by Lieut.
Lardner Gibbon, U. S. N, more than half a
century ago, 1t was advocated by many
eminent South American statesmen, was
Endorsed by able engineers Of Germany
England and America, was clearly FEAST
BILE, absolutely essential to the develop
ment of the country. and, though all at
temptS to execute Ii have hitherto proyad