The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-07

munistIc of s0cialiEtie systems are not
suited to the needs OF human nature. Il
aims also TO demonstrate that communis-
tic and sociaiistie ideals have been, de-
spite setbaeks and reactions, approaching
nearer TO practical realization. After this,
the book proceeds to the exposition Of the
communism for which its author stands
a communism embodying a strain of an
archy and, OF course, many of the ten
cts of orthodox socialism.
A new novel by Arthur Thomas CUTLER
Couch, B. A, better known as %" called
Poison Island, has Just been published.
This is a story Of treasure hunting carried
on by a band of whimsical and highly
amusing characters. one of whom. of a
poeticaI turn. Miss Aurelia Plinlimmon,
describes the approach Of the expedition
to the tropics thus.
Our hearts with poetic afiatus
Took wing and impulsiyely scared
AS the lead-line ia quaint apparatUs)
Reported the depth overheard.
Oft. oft had I dream'd Of the tropics.
But never 70 see them in person.
So full Of remarkable topics,
To speculate. sing and converse on
The humor of the story forms a com
plete contrast to the scenes of mystery
and horror which cross the paths of the
Adventures.
'Indiscreet Letters from Pel<in," by 3.
L. Putnam Weale, IS announced for early
publication by Dodd. Mead & Co, As its
title suggests. the book relates 10 the
siege of the legations at Pekin. and It
takes the form Of an eye witness nara
tive.
Betram Dobeu announces the discovery
Of a manuscript OF Sir Philip Sidney
Arcadia" which may prove to be either
the original draft or the authors recast
Of his first writing. 1t contains five
poems not in the usual text. and also
much additional prose. Perhaps this dis
cOvery may lead eventually to a popular
reprint of one Of the most delightful
works of Elizabethan literature. Il is as
tonishing that no publisher has undertake
en- such an enterprise before.
It Is small wonder that they are raising
disturbance in England over the mutt
lated. cheap editions Of Ruskin that are
being issued, now that the copyright has
run out. in London it is said that Rus
kin's influence in art matters is prae
tically nil. but his power In other fields
has immeasurabIy increased. The Lon
don Saturday Review tells US.
'Ruskin to-day is read by millions of
English people. He is not read, in the
main, for his criticisms Of art. He is
read rather for his criticism Of life, for
his ethics his precepts. He is iucreas-
lngly read by poor people the absolute
working folk. Here Is an Illustration.
The Independent Labor party have been
buying his works by five hundred copies
ct time from Alr. George Allen, who
alone has the right by law TO issue the
finally revised editions of his books. Rus
kin to-day Is an immense educating in-
fuence among q host Of people Of all
classes at home and in the colonies We
need not here consider whether this In
1ueuce IS good or bad for English people.
II exists; and everything points 10 the
conclusion that Il Will grow more and
more powerful"
The books Of Ruslzn which are appear
ing in mutilated editions are Seven
Lamps of Architecture % 1.-THE Stones Of
Venice" and Modern Painters" The
real Importance OF these books lies IN
their ethics; in what Ruskin says Of
truth Of right and wrong. In some of
these are 20 be found the faults Of youth.
ana Ruskin was careful TO revise and
correct them, knowing that he had often
blundered, as he says, in ignorance and
pride"