The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
LITERARY LIGHTS
 AND SHADOWS
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15.) | ---->>--->-->--~-----~---- artistically bound, but it has six full page color plates beautifully tinted and 75 half tone illustrations by Arthur Dixon. "The Palace of Danger" by Mabel Wag- nails. (Funk & Wagnalls Co)
 The scene of this book is laid in France | in the days when radiant Marquise de Pompadour swayed government by win l ming and holding the heart and some times the hand and head of Louis XV; when the Jesuts felt her hatred like keen knife blade and when the great and little, like Voltaire, felt each in duty bound as a good citizen of France to | pay deference to Madame De Pompadour. It was a period like many another in French annals, full of love and beauty and intrigue, yet probably woman held greater fascination for all men than this Beauty of Belleview. She has been brought into this story by Miss | Wagnalls in all her splendor.
 The book is taken up at first with the escapades of a count, at the court of Louis XV, who thought he was in love with the Pompadour. He was ordered to disappear. Instead of carrying out the orders of King Louis, he sent to do the disappearing act a henchman of his who 
 count who thought he loved the King mistress.
 The Pompadour takes an interest in a lovely girl; the Pompadour brings her into the formers home to give her few opportunities for advancement As the count was now supposed to be dead, his henchman having died of fright on the tourney out of France for his master there are a number of complications. The story moves very rapidly and Is quite in- teresting from the beginning to the end. All who read "The Palace of Dan- ger'' will be entertained and feel an awakened interest in the Pompadour and Miss Wagnalls. The reader will recall Miss Wagnalls' very charming book, stars of the Opera" published some time ago.
 "The Blue Peter" by Morley Roberts
 G. c. Page & Co.)
 If you have read anything at all from MT. Roberts gifted pen, you do not need any advice whatsoever as to new book from him. MT. Roberts may tell us all about the sea and the men who-go-down in ships, or he may take up London so- ciety as he did in "The Idlers'- 1t Is all the same. MT. Roberts is a winner.
 Last year MT. Roberts sent forth book called "The Idlers'' that in Its portrayal of what the book should, namely society as human DelnSSi ldr tXctieu any part or all of "The House of Mrith."
 This book "The Blue Peter" Is a col lection of only five tales; every one of them excellent.
 Whenever you see an announcement of new book, or even old one you haven't read by MT. Morley Roberts, go and get 1t, you can't lose following that advice There's no charge for 1t, either like there Is usually for most everything that Is worth taking.
 ''The Country Band" by Henry A. Shute,
 Richard c. Badger)
 You remember the hit that Judge Shute made few years ago with his 'The Real Diary of Real Boy,' of course.
 Now the good judge sends forth an account of his struggles as youth to be a musician, join the country band and blow all kinds of horns and things.
 This is very amusing book The judge tells us all about his early recollection of that country band he wished to join and how he was refused for many years admittance to the sacred membership, simply because he couldn't play well enough. as he was told upon the par .seular wind instrument through which he happened at that special time to be expectorating. That there were such re- oulrements in the old days even now for membership in the average band namely the ability to play properly upon an instrument, will be startling informa- | ton to most readers.
 But the judge did get in to the coun- try band after a while.
 | He tells us all about his experiences ] as a member how he did and also how the other members didn't but should have done
 There is many a laugh in "The Coun- try Band"
 It is well worth the reading.
 "Henry of Navarro Romance of Au-
 gust, 1572 published anonymously. e.
 P Putnam's Sons)