Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-26

EsS19 to date, will find in "By
Laws Of Might a story
which fulfils in large measure these es-
sential demands. 1t has, besides, a
distinctive STYLE and though at inter-
walls a trife prolix, abounds in dramatic
situations and terse epigrams. 1t is a
book in which probably very few read
ers will be disappointed, as, unfortu-
nately, with so much fiction nowadays.
The vigorous motif, treating as 1t
does certain phases of the sex ques-
ton under present conditions, and
handling that problem without gloves,
though with yelled satire for the mod
ern free-love theories, raises it at once
from the realms of the commonplace
novel, of which the public is so in-
effably weary At the same time the
true story teler's Instinct, surround
ing a plot, has sufficed to warn the
author from the pitfall of over-empha-
sizing the problem and minimizing the
story.
The dollar mark and the scarlet let
ter are inseparably linked in its daring
expose of Wall street and high life's
marital infelicities, yet the story Is
told with due regard for decency and
without the filth which cllngs to books
of a certain stamp. Though full OF
action wherein interest never flags, 1t
is novel that makes one think.
BY Law of Might. Newton Ridge
way. New York: II. A. Simmons q Co.
Many world-famous poems, some
light, bright and witty, such as w. 5.
Gilbert's "Bab Ballads" others seri-
Gus, dignified and sad, such as Tom
Taylors magnificent tribute to the
memory of Abraham Lincoln, and
Hoods "Song of the Shirt" first saw
the light in punch or the London
Charivari." A collection of Poems
caIaptp1 hV Rev Albert
u. Sims. forms fitting addition this
year to the Remarque Series of Lit
erary Masterpieces, to be published
by II. M. caldwell company, New
York and Boston. 1t will be reVela-
ton to many to find how many OF
the foremost writer's of the last CEN
tury, and how many poems that have
lived, have figured in its pages from
1S41 until today. Its Satlrical, hu-
morous and serious comment on cur
rent events have formed a microcosm
of the worlds history and this vol
ume will be welcomed by all lovers
of good litrature. The get-up of their
books, their good type, fine paper and
artistic bindings have already made
the Remarque Series a favorite with
book lovers the world over Poems
From Punch" New York; II. M. Cald-
well company.
II is scarcely IlhSlS that WI AlNh iAASeiA
Lee NIeader'S new work on Operations
ON the Heart" will become a standard
textbook in our medical schools. In
deed, the fat Cupid on the cover sew
ing up d broken heart doesn't in the
least resemble the drawings TO be
found in orthodox works on surgery. A
look between the covers only confrms
ones suspicious; and a single glance
betrays the fact that Mr.. Meader (au-
thor of "Thro' the Rye'D is again at
his old tricks of laugh-making. he
SAYS that in all the world the only
thing worth winning is woman ana
he goes laughingly on to coach MS
readers in the Ancient Art of Love-
making.
It seems absurd to Mr.. Meader that
an angler will stand in a brook all
day, trying every fly in his book IN
the hope of Turing trout out of the
water and then fish for a Woman-the
prize of a lifetime-with the crudest
baits and the clumsiest nets. Love
making he thinks is fine art-some-
thing to be studied, practiced and ex-
ercised until, with infinite patience,
perfection has been attained.
One suspects that Mr.. Meader mas
spent a good deal of time practiclng
what he breaches; for, if one scratches
off the varnish of humor, one finds a
great deal of shewd sense underneath.
Mr.. Meaders wit is as pungent as
Whiff of ammonia, Dul IL never lawns
the bubbling good nature of the pro-
verbal fat man.
Every page of the book has picture
in color by "Pap' and the whole get
up is as original Is Adam and as up
to date as an airship.
Cupid, the Surgeon. BY Herman Lee
Meader philadelphia: Henry Altemus
company.
r. 1,a- baa,, II, wars GONE nv a COM
mon remark that the rich have appen-
dicitis: the poor the stomachache. Dr.
Charles G. Miller has written book
to refute the slander of surgeons as far
as remarks upon the fashionable dis
ease are concerned. The learned sur
geon says it is not his intention to fos-
ter self treatment, but to educate peo-
ple to a better knowledge of the science
of surgery; to bring about better
understanding between the surgeon and
his patient. The little book is one OF
a series of semi-scientific character and
will prove valuable handbook for
patient and an aid to the practitioner.
The Truth About Appendicitis and
Bloodposoning. BY Charles G. Miller,
M. d. Chicago: Oak Publishing COM
pany
"Interludes," by Alice Henderson. are
poems of faith and songs of Sweetness
ascetic muse who inspires the verses,
and although there are poems OF storm
and stress, it is a distinctly spiritual
surge and not the deep soul-storm OF
passion. The coloring is that of SOFT
iy shaded pastel, the fragrance Is OF
lavender. There is love and longing
and mystery, always aspiring, and
quite a considerable mastery OF poet
jcal technique The book is attractive
ly bound in leather, and with the sepald
print and artistic initial letters makes
a beautiful little volume.
Interludes. BY Alice Henderson.
Westwood. Mass: Ariel Press.
Every one who loves adventure will
spend a pleasant hour with the little
book written about the most pictur-
esdue character who ever went down
in a diving suit, Captain Thomas A.
Scott master diver. f.. Hopkinson
Smith has written a book which a
Boston publishing house has given to
the public without a single Hopkinson
Smith illustration. 1t was Captain
Scott who aided the famous artist, au-
thor, explorer and engineer when he
built his famous lighthouse on a turtle
island off New London harbor which
now is known to the world as the
"Raoe rock light. The author gives
great credit to the rugged deep-sea
diver who rendered him such valuable
service when thew erected the struc-
tule which was calculated to with
stand the terrific storms in the full
wake of the Atlantic. The little book
is a tribute to the hardy man of the