The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-18


 American lately graduated from Har- yard and more lately married and of the other is a handsome young coquette of an Englishwoman lately married to a lordlet and his debts for the sake of social position. These two old men de- creed that the two heirs must marry within a year, half of which time they must spend getting acquainted with each other in the Island of Papat, "ob- ject matrimony." Otherwise all the mil lions shall go to the native islanders who are already share owners in the mines. So thither the two heirs go accompanied by their respective law yers and thither goes the all conquer ing American, the heretofore referred to "rhe Brass Tipped Goat From the Bowery," to represent the interests of the natives, sent by their counsel, Sir John Brodney. Then right away, the ravishing beeyootiful Princess of Rapp- Thorberg (there ought to be some law against these princeses in present day books), goes to the island to visit her friend the English heiress to the jewel fortune. Then (but what's the use) don't you see the answer between the Princess and the Man From Brodney's? Surel The Princess is the strawberry blonde whom MT. McCutcheon always, never fails, to place prominently in his effusions. She had red-gold hair and starry eyes (of course) with a pure Gibsonesque manner. What about that Gibsonesque manner? isn't 1t out of date? can we not at least fairly dis pense with it? This ravishingly beauti- full princess is the regular stock in trade of such writers as MT. McCutch- con; they have, always have, copper colored hair, it is never red, and high and naughty soul which love, or as It may be repeated, Is called '1uv'' out west, finally makes as limp as dish rag-dish rag Is good
 Just what should be done to stop the publication of such utterly worth Tess productions as this book discussed is question. Of course these books strength to harm a kitten, but why waste time upon them? It is a pity that the President of the United States does not get busy on such tommyrot as he did with the animal fakirs"-he could fix 'em; or the dog catcher or fool killer might be also well employed.
 This selection and reading of books is a personal matter. As far as this reviewer is concerned he would much rather pore over "The Mystery of xne Kitchen, or Who Sat In the Pie" or even "Deadwood Dick" or even go out and play in the sand than waste time, unless he is paid for 1t, as he is here over The Brass Tipped Goat From the Bowery"-beg pardon, The Man From Brodney' s-same thing!
 "A Holiday Touch; and Other Tales Of
 Undaunted Americans" by Charles Bat
 tell Loomis. (Henry Holt & Co.)
 "A Holiday Touch" Is collection of short stories by that inlmitable writer of such wit, Mr. Charles Battell Loom- is. Some of these stories are gently sati- rical, others mildly sentimental, and still others downright farcical-but they are all good
 MT. Loomis tells of the "hardup" one who does not whine or ask for help. There are some delightful burlesques, including stories of a western .'bad man. who was really very lovable excepting for an un- oontrollable weakness for shooting peo- pie; of bride determined to be married and a French bank clerk, faithful unto the day. There are also very timely tales Of high finance" introducing a promi- nent phflanthropist. a Boston money king, and a quaint old New York specu- lator who was always singing All of these stories are pleasing. "A Holiday Touch' will please the lover of the good short story
 "Pelleas and Melisande," <by Maurice
 Maeterlinck, translated by Frying Wins
 low, with an introduction by Montrose
 J. Moses. (Thomas Y. Crowell & Co.,,
 New York.)
 MT. Montrose J. Moses Ca former Mont gomery man, by the way, son of one of the Moses brothers), who has earned de- served success in literary work in New York, writes the introduction of this great work by. Maeterlinck, which was put on the stage not so very long ago in the metropolis with Miss Mary Garden in the leading role, music by Claude De- pussy. MT. Moses says that "Pelleas and Melisande' is part pf dramatic theory which was practiced before it was preached; it evolved scene satu- rated with the vapor of something al- ways impending the flesh melted in the essence of the presence felt, rather than of the presence seen. We find in this theatre of Maeterlinck a new wording. a new color. a new feeling, a new tdEal- ity of effect; we handle no longer sub stance, but the shadow. Maeterlinck and Ibsen stand at equal distances from life, but as opposite poles; Ibsen with the scalpel cutting in towards truth as he sees 1t, Maeterlinck working toward life from the essence of the abstract.
 This great work has been sent out by the firm of T. r. Crowell & Co.,, in n beautiful form, illustrated with photo- graphs of Miss Garden, of Maeterlinck. l1eDuSSey dnu SCeHeS IrOHl the opera. It is a very handsome production, well worth buying and keeping for one's self. "Jack, the Young Explorer" by George
 Bird Grinnell. (Fred A. Stokes Co)
 This book takes Jack. the young ex- p1orer, along with all of his readers into a section of northern Montana, full of in- terest. and strange to say until recent years almost unknown to man. In it's present state this region is so magnifi- cent that it is proposed by the terms of a bill now in the United States Senate to make 1t national preserve. Jack, his guide Hugh and an Indian boy climb the mountain, see the ice fields and glaciers and learn much about the geological na- ture of the country and the animals and birds They encounter whisky traders and Indians hostile and friendly and see much big game.
 MT. GrinnelIs books have been popu- lar with boys for many seasons, and justly so Every boy who has read one of the Jack books wishes to read them all. They are notably wholesome and re- markable for the fact that they interest the young reader without recourse to sen sational or extraordinary tales of ad- venture. MT. Grinnell is himself a sports man and explorer and knows how to re- late entertainingly the incidents of camp and trail most enjoyed by boys His knowledge of Indian character, the habits of animals and of life in the west Is in- timate, judging from his really superior boys books.
 Jack, the Young Explorer" would please the good healthy-minded boy, and his name is legion. He can learn how to pitch a tent, saddle or tether a pony or even skin a bear from Mir Grinnelrs