The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13
Literary Lights and Shadohs
BY s. MAYS BALL.


 Jesuits as to their responsibility for the Long Meadow massacre November 15 and Is, 1852. The novel is really based upon the historical document said to have been left by Father Fitzsimon.
 Another great pleasure to be gained from reading "Weeping Cross" is that of viewing the New England con- science," which sickens so many of us in this part of the country to read about, as it is usually discussed. MT. Stuart has written plainly, he has called a spade a spade and from other well-known histor- ical facts we can be sure that the au- thor has been more than fair. It is not difficult to appear fair to us in treat ing that New England conscience" which found biblical justification for do- ing anything it pleased, and the same biblical condemnation for anything done by others that didn't please New England. A "New England conscience" which traded rum for negroes in Africa and be- tween ships burnt witches and later made wooden nutmegs and artificial codfish: then when the slave trade through weather conditions alone, proved unprofit- able in the north, sold all of their human holdings to the south, making war later to take from the rightful purchasers what they had bought and paid the aforesaid New England conscience" cash for, and finding biblical justification for all that hypocrisy We'll MT. Stuart or any other writer would have to be much harsher than he has been in "Weeping Cross to anger those who "are in the know" or seem to the latter as unjust to his sub ject.
 The style and composition of weeping Cross" is excellent As before stated, the book is delight. No book of it's kind appearing within the past two years can excel it in any way, manner, shape or form. We read books these days, throw them away, and two or three days after ward we hardly know the names of a character in the book, certainly not much of the plot or theme. But "Weeping Cross'-well, it's different-simply try it and see, that's all.
 Talks to the Kings Children" by Syl-
 vanus Stall, D. D., (Vir Publishing Co.)
 The thousands of readers of Dr. Stall s former books, such as the What a Young Man Ought to Know" What a Young Woman Ought to Know" and particularly "Five Minute Object Les sons" will welcome this new book by the same author, the second book to children. This is a volume of short religious talks to children and for those who desire to speak to and with them helpfully and suggestively, it is plain, well-illustrated, quite pleasing and practical. These talks on the common objects of life are bright and crispy models of point and brevity. The truths presented are after the man. ner of parables-presenting important truths of the Bible to the comprehension of even the smallest child. No doubt par ents and teachers will welcome this lit tie book as a help in the religious train ing of the children; ministers and Sun day school superintendents will find 1t also helpful and boys and girls would be glad to read it with interest to them- selves. It is a pleasing volume for use in the home and will tighten the labors of any mother, teacher or nurse who Is at loss how to interest child in a profitable manner as 1t has in it's teach ings, that grit and sustance which go in the making of a sturdy moral manhood and womanhood. The book Is quite tastily bound by the Vir Publishing Co.,, Philadelphia
 lover Against Green Peak" by zephine
 Humphrey, (Ienry Holt & Co)
 This volume is a collection of essays all good, some excellent. The writing of the book is based upon the decision of three women who tired of city life, 20 out into the country, buy home renting it first-and find peace and hap piness among the trees, lover against Green Peak" The book describes how the fascination of the country life grew upon these "citified' women; how ob- stacles, inconveniences and trials far far from electric light and cars were met with and overcame, ending of course with these three women simply crazy over the country" and wouldn't live any where else These women took an old house. rebuilt, changed, and re-furnish- ed it. The chapter or essay number three on "The Library will alone repay one for the trouble if any, in securing and reading this book. All of the book is high class; it will please the reader who cares for proper dress upon his literary purchases.
 "Iife and Speeches of Thomas E. Wat
 son. By Thomas D. Watson. lPuo-
 lished by the author at Thomson, Ga.)
 This volume gives story or MT. wat son's life up to the present time ana that life has been busy one, as all know. Tn addition to the life-story and many speeches from MT Watson there are ed- ttorials in the book regarding Mr. Wat son and Sam Jones; and an appreciation of Mir Watson by Walter Wellman, which appeared in Review of Reviews. The speeches reproduced, as made py MT. Watson, number 22, on subjects in- cluding child labor, true brotherhood or man. how the law controls the distribu- ton of wealth, on the tariff, Labor Day address at Augusta, Ga., the creed or Jefferson, at the cotton convention at New Orleans, and so on. If only to read of what man may accomplish by mere brain power and energy this book is well worth while and as far as the quality
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