Evening star., 1907-10-19
BOOK REVIEWS.
INQUIRIES AND OPINIONS. Bv

INQUIRIES AND OPINIONS BY Bran
der Matthews. New York. Charles
Scribners Sons Washington. Wood
ward Il LOthrop.
A volume Of Mr. Matthews admirable
literary criticism Is always somewhat of
an event The present publication IS no
exception to this rule. The collection is
broad in its scope, ranging from Maupas-
SAINT TO Mark Twain. and from the detec-
tive stories of Poe TO the plays of l5sen.
1T might be stated at the outset that all
but the spelling rrformer will find some
difficulty in remaining in an attitude of
complete sympathy with the author ow-
ing to the reformed spelling in the text.
The average reader, however much he
may he able TO convince himself that
thru IS an Improvement on through,
Will find his attention painfully distracted
by a sentiment of antagonism to thor
oily" However, the way of the reformer
IS always a thankless one. Mr.. Mat
thews Is gifted with an Illuminating sym
pathy In his analysis Of literary types
which aids him IN presenting his point of
view with Clearness. There may be an
occasional failure in the sense of proper
tion, as when lie dismi ssed Dickens with
IL CCntemptuOuS sentence in the effort
adequately to present the genius of Mark
Twain. That, however, is apt to be
natural consequence of enthusiasm over
the topic In hand. There is also an occa-
sional trace OF the suaVe and assured
repetition of the man who is convinced of
the attention of his audience. These,
however. are but light details. The es-
sentidl point is that Mr. Matthews is al
ways suggestive and usually stimulating.
He has definite point OF view, keen ap-
probation and SOnaity-something 10
say and skill In saying it. Poe and the
Detective Story" Mark Twain" 'Ibsen
the Playwright" The Art of the Stage
Manager will be found full of interest TO
the man who is intelligently abreast of
literary topics of the day. He may not
always agree with the author, but the
disagreement will suggest trains OF
thought that Will be full of interest.
THE FRANCE OF TO-DAY. By Barrett
Wendell. professor of English at
Harvard College New York: Charles
SCribuers Sons. Washington: Wood
ward & Lothrop.
1t Is in altogether admirable spirit that
Prof Barrett Wendell has recorded his
Impressions of modern French life in this
volume. There Is no assumption of exact
knowledge, nor is there either intolerance
or inOrdinate admiration of traits merely
because they are different from the traits
of his countrymen. There is, instead,
thoughtful unprejudlced commentary on
the phases Of life which came under the
authors observation during the year that
he was lecturer at French universities,
Prof Wendell found the modern French
man of the professional or artistic classes
with whom he came most frequently In
contact-a different man from the French
man as he has existed in current ltera-
ture.
The topics which he covers are as fol-
lows: The Universities, - The Structure
of Society The Family" THE French
Temperament" The Relation of Litera-
ture 10 Life. The Question of Religion,
The Revolution and Its Effects" The
Republic and Democracy
The opening analysis of the univer-
stiles, which. because of the compact
ness OF the French educational system,
really includes an analysis of the whole
school organization, IS from the nature
of the authors connection with the uni
versites. authoritative. The impression
of the intense seriousness of the younger
generation in France, in fact of the whole
body Of professional men, is the one fact
concerning French life which seems most
to have impressed Prof. Wendell. His
comments are made with entire fairness.
He is full of the most generous admira-
ton Of the excellencies of the system,
while he also notes the points in which
It fails to produce certain effects of the
university training in the United States.
Every one who is interested in education
al topics Will find this article full of sug
gestion of lines along which the school
and college system in this country can
be made more effective. The general spirit
OF economy of effort which makes the in
dustrial life of France In many respects
30 admirable Is seen in the closeness of
relationship between primary and second
ary, college and university training.
In recording his impressions of the
French temperament, the family life, the
relationship of social classes, Prof. Wen
dell presents many ideas which are an
upodal to the current conceptions among
Americans. His treatment OF the exalta-
ton Of the family over the individual. the
hold upon sentiment and life of the
"foyer," the solidarity OF thu family,
which enables ii to act as an individual
in all matters of moment, throws great
light upon social questions and helps to
explain the apparently sordid attitude of
the Latin in the matter of marriage set
Elements. Whether the impressions which
he received were due to the temperament
OF the man who received them, whether
they were because of the circumstances
under which he became for a time resi-
dent among an alien people - circum-
stances which brought the author into
contact with a different class from the
one usually encountered by foreigners,
whether the character OF the French peo-
pie Is changing, or whether-as has been
so often asserted-literature and drama,
being written by classes alien to those
who constitute the marrow OF the French
nation, have constantly misrepresented
tho nature Of the people-all these points
will remain for the individual reader to
utltIfllUt. w HdleNeT tlle OeClSlOn, CHeTe
can be no doubt that Prof. Wendell has
contributed his share TO a better interna-
tional understanding by his thoughtful.
sympathetic work.
LOVE OF LIFE. BY Jack London. au-
thor of The Call Of the Wild" New
York The Macmillan Company.
Washington: Woodward & Lothrop.
The present volume of Mr.. London's
short stories takes It's name from the
opening story, convincing and graphic
picture OF the incredible lengths to which
the mere clinging to existence can lead
helpless. solitary man. The tales are all
OF the klondike OF of the northern woods.
White men and Indians are the actors in
the various dramas Whether they be
white or red. they are all intensely alive,
and the motives that sway them are the
primitive ones. OF the stories, "A Days
Lodging is the most instinct with iron
teal keenness, and The Sun-Dog Trail"
with somber power.
THE LIONS SHARE. By Octave Thanet,
author of The Man of the Hour"
With Illustrations by Z. NJ. Ashe. In
dianapols: The Bobbs- Merrill Com