The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-16
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 REALN OF BOOKS


 cisms pro and con from which one might, if so inclined, point useful moral and adorn a tale for the edifcation of present. day critics The latest addition to the correspondence is from the pen of Nil. Richard Charles Jackson who rambles, grumblirg the while, through a long screed published in The Academy of May Mir. Jackson, who complacently owns to the soft impeachment of being the original of Marius the Epicurean, refers to Pater as that sweet and adorable personality which 1 loved far better than my own soul," and complains that certain expressions in MT. Wrights book have caused him untold pain and anguish MT. Jackson has made his bed, and now he lies in it. He will perhaps receive no more sympathy than those critics of eX- qusite sensibllty and fawless taste who, in speaking of the biography in question, find articulate words inadequate to the occasioi, and make sounds indicative of profound dissatisfaction. After all what does all this bother over the book amount to? It amounts to this: In the opinoln of some critics it is wanting in taste and in literary appreciation. Even if this be true the book which tells no lies, can do Pater no harm. It contains important biogra phical matter nowhere else to be found, and that this is the case Is proved by the fact that these rather expensive volumes with no adyentitious help, and likely to be of interest onl yto those who have special interest in Pater, have had for a work of the kind, a very exceptional sale.
 Studies in German Literature" by Bayard Taylor, published in 1879, is still in demand, and seems, in a critical way, substantially level with the scholarship of our own generation. G. P. Putnam's baU iIiSt the work referred to, and Mrs. Bayard Taylor has revised it in accordance with certain notes left by the author. It will perhaps surprise some to learn that Bay nard Taylor's books of travel and novels are still, like the Studies in German Literature" active books.
 The first important and adequately H. lustrated book on the picturesque aspects of Canada, is a volume written by Dr.. Wilfred Campbell, with illustrations by T. Mower Martin, which has just been published. Dr. Campbell, who has ire quently been called the poet laureate of Canada, writes of hsi native country with knowledge as we'll as enthusiasm, and the pictures of MT. Martin, reproduced in colors, make this beautiful as well as readable book.
 A companion volume to the book on Oxford" in the Macmillan series of Color Books, is Cambridge" which has just been issued. Miss M. A. R. Tucker who knows the past as well as the pres ent of the English university has sup piled the text. She has described the col legiate life admirably and has given the first adequate account of the founda- tion of the colleges for women and of the life lead at them The many colorec illustrations by MT. Matthison are well suited to their purpose.
 The new American Social Progress Series, which the Macmillan company is bringing out under the edtorship of Pro- lessor Samuel McCune Lindsay, has been admirably launched with Professor Pat tens book, "The New Basis of Civilian tion.' The second volume Is to be Standards of Public Morality by PresI- dent Hadley of Yale. In, the multitude of works on social and sociological sub jects. Professor Patten's book seems to have found a distinctive place. we'll known writer on economies has character ized it as "the book We have been wait ing for to put social work on the basis of a well reasoned philosophy" sa sel
 Percy MacKaye's "Sappho and Phaon," which has just been published and in which Madame Kalch is to appear next season, is his fourth published dramatic  portant work of this young poet, who IS now recognized as standing in the first rank of living dramatic poets. MT. Mac Kayes rise has been rapid. It Is only four years since he came before the pub lie with "The Canterbury Pilgrims" That admirable comedy was accepted by Mir. Sothern, but was not produced. It was followed shortly by "Fenris, the Wolf" which deepened the impression made by ''The Canterbury Pilgrims Last year came Jeanne d'Arc, which was published simultaneously with It's first performance by Edward Sothern and Julia Marlowe. It Is safe to say that no dramatic poen by an American author in recent years has had so great a suc- cess. It remained in the repertoire of the Sothern- Marlowe company throughout the year. and was produced in London early in their present English season. "Sappho and Phaon' will be produced in New York in September, under the direction of MT. Harrison Grey Fiske.
 The publication of Thomas Dixon's book ''The Traitor" which has been de- layed on account of the illness of MT. Dixon's daughter, will take place within few weeks. Doubleday, Page & Co. are the publishers.