The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-31

The Mississippi Bubble. etc. The scene
of this new story is Kaludiak Bay, one
of the widest spots in Alaska. and
there are three heroes.
Mr.. Howells has added And Others
to the title of his new volume of es-
says-Roman Holidays. The mani
fold impressions and warmth of mood
in the new book are said to reflect
the authors previous essays, Venetian
Life and Italian Journeys, with a
spirit even more ardent. 1t is to be
remembered that in the eyes of many
of Mr.. Howells's readers he is at his
best in the essay. and therefore one
of the very few writers of the pres
ent day whose achievements in fiction
do not obscure all other forms in
prose.
The first review of Ouida's "Hel-
ianthuS" appears in the scholarly and
conservative columns of The New
York Tribune and offers a striking IL
lustration of the change in the criti-
cal attitude towards Ouida since the
days of her early popularity. Twenty.
or even ten years ago, there were few
critics of standing who dared to avow
liking for her books. But the Trib-
une writer gives her the highest
praise, not only for the characteristics
that everyone comedies. but also for
some rare personal virtues. THE
book" he says, lis fairly suffused
with that humanitarian enthusiasm
which was part of her character from
the very beginning. The book
is cry from the heart. 1t is written
with a burning Indignation against
selhshness, materialism and cruelty,
and as though the writer had not the
patience to look to mere questions of
local color. to waste any time on the
mere machinery of fiction. She gath
ers up the emotions of a lifetime and
ffn hot
dwell In luxury, waxing fat on oppres-
sion. Vehement and even
overwrought though the book may be.
| 1t touches the Imagination with a
sense OF Ouida's true nobility of feel
ing, her tender sympathy and her
complete good faith. 'Helianthus'
! will take a place apart in the list of
her works as a poignant souvenir of
lovable personality"
Howard Pyle has written and illus
| trated with his paintings a book
which the Harpers will publish this
month entitled The Ruby of Kish-
moor The ruby is a pillaged jewel
which suggests pirates as a matter
OF course. In the course of the pic
| lures one blood-curdling outlaw of
the ships is said to bear a satisfactory
resemblance to the ideal pirate in
Barrie's Peter Pan.
! Inc Red Book Magazine for No
Vem Der is virtually an edition de luxe
II Is doubted If any of the more pop
ular magazines have ever put forth
more attractive number. Especially
splendid is the half-tone printing
Whlch IN every particular is worthy
OF the matter it illustrates. The is
sue is opened with tWenty-eight nor
trait studies. followed by the last ar
ticle in the striking series Charles Ed
| ward Russell has been writing on our
international marriages.
BY far the most important book
which Stokes will issue soon is a new
novel by Beatrice Harraden. the author
or Ships That Pass In the Night" In
| terplay' 1t is called, and in a style
which shows Miss Harraden at a rich
er and more mature stage of develop
ment. it tells a charming love story,
| infused with the ideas that are. moving
modern women. or especial interest to
women will be the three new books,
/ -ChatS on Oriental China" by J. F.
Blacker, Chats on Miniatures" by J.
J: Foster. and Chats on Old Lace and
Needlework," by Mrs. Loves. They are
profusely illustrated, and are triumphs
or delicate book-making. Some Old
English Abbeys," in the Old England
Series, is an inexpensive and at the
same time delightful little volume. we'll
Illustrated. For children Stokes will
PucHSh dnlIIar Nursey JlngleS,' IL
| lustrated by Ethel Franklin Belts with
many line drawings, and five splendid
color pictures. 1t is a companion book
TO "F'avorite Nursey Rhymes" by the
same artist. which proved so popular
last year, Animals of the World for
Young People," by Tudor jerks an
Charles R. Knight, is simple, well-writ-
ten and comprehensive, illustrated with
colored plates of nearly two hundred
animals.
NO disciple of the simple life is bet
Ter known than John Burroughs and
ms world-famous summer home
Slapsldes A brisk walk of three miles
through winding paths. into the heart
OF the mountains from the diminutive
station at West Park brings us to
what at first seems a mere hunters
'shanty. In the midst OF the woods