Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-21
REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS

with all the imperfections of the cleo
toral system, though the constitutional
aim of independent electors has been
evaded, though congress has meddled
unpardonably, first through its nomlh-
ating caucus and later in other ways
that have been indicated: notwith-
standing all this and all that has been
alleged against the party machine
never vet has their election system
placed a really bad man in the presl-
dents seat Scrutinize the long roll OF
chief magistrates as we may, though
some have been stronger and better OF
ficials and men than others, and some
were nominated for supposed 'availa-
bility' over stronger men than them
selves, not one has been the type which
among rulers of nations could fairly
be set down as a vicious man, not one
who can even be classed as a weak
man, while some, who it was feared
might prove weak, have greatly risen
to great occasions when confronted by
them"
The book is a monograph of more
than usual interest and will be found
of value to students of political devel-
Presidential Campaigns. By George
Murray Mcconnell. New York: Rand,
Mentally & Co.
"a Woman at Bay" is a translation
Of Sibilla Aleramo's Una Donna" The
novel has been translated into almost
every modern language. The Itailan
law has condemned young woman to
live with a man whom she abhors, and
the novel is in the form of the auto
biography of the woman in her at
tempts to escape.
1.-THE work of this new Diotima will
not only be prolific of good, but will
remain a psychologist monument of the
Italian life of our day." says Maria
Pastore Mucchi, in "Putnam's and the
Reader" "This woman has before her
something fixed and precise, which is
the distinguishing mark of her char
acter and is seen in her acts and slight
est notions She puts the imprint of
her personality on all that she touches,
and even in her least important writ
ings does not fail to show the fertile
seriousness of her life. A manner at
once candid, thoughtful and grave har-
monies perfectly with q face that
strikes one Immediately by it's COM
polling and gentle sincerity"
A Woman at Bay. By Sibilla Aler-
amo. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.
"The Angel and the Star" is a beauti-
full little Christmas story by Ralph
Connor Mr.. Connor's appealing little
narrative of the birth of Christianity is
told with an adherence to truth in local
coloring and historical setting almost
as striking as that of 1.-THE Prince of
the House Of David" or of ben Hur,"
although it belongs more properly in
the class of the works of Henry Van
Dyke.
There is deep generation, much poet
ical imagery and exalted religious
fervor in this little book.
- H. DIV a
Connor. Chicago: Fleming H. Revell
company.
"The Yellow God" by H. Rider Hag-
gard, is one Of those readable romances
of love, adventure and fortune seeking
which we have learned to expect from
Mr. Haggard at regular intervals. The
stage setting is, as usual, the mysterl,-
Gus depths of the African hinterland,
and the hero is, of course, a well born
Englishman, Drawing it's dagers for the
sake of fabulous wealth to be gained
after great perils. A well bred English
woman, waiting at home, and mys-
terious African priestess, ruling a tribe
of African savages, are the two mann
oratas between whom the adVenturer is
called to choose.
After exciting adventures the Eng
lishman reaches the country of the
mysterious high priestess, who falls
desperately in love with him. Before
escaping from the prison, to which she
sends him as result OF her PASSION ION
being unrequited, he ships out of the
country enough gold to make him
very wealthy man. HardShips and per-
lis attend is return trip, in the course
of which he encounters his English
sweetheart, in the power of a wealthy
English lord. The girl is rescued and
the villain dies a terrible death at the
hands of the incensed African queen.
The hero and his bride, presumably, live
happily and luxuriously ever after.
The Yellow God. BY H. Rider Hag-
gard.
In his latest book, 1.-THE Guest of
Ouesnay." Booth Harrington has given
his readers a psychological novel,
where interest in the plot completely
covers the fact that one is studying
at .he same time a treatise on mental
equilibrium. Harrington has surround
ed his characters with an unusual at
mosphere, given them that most pic
turesque ackground-summerti in
the land of lovely French chateaus-and
introduced plenty of dialogue along
artistic and metaphysical lines.
The result is delightful The book
is light enough to please the casual or
mentally lazy reader, who will find
amusement in the unique situations,
the frothy society conversations of the
members of the house party and the
mystery surrounding the Apollo-ltl1e
young man and his evident attachment
for the beautiful but reserved widow.
The reader who really likes to think
a bit over his books will on the con-
trary find the restoration of mind to
a SOUL" under the tutelage of the err
ratio old Prof. Keredic, a most en-
crossing study. The daily tasks in
which the teacher strives to revive the
original beauty of mind and heart in
his pupil almost convinces the reader
in the infinite capacities of all men.
One can fairly see as Keredic contend
ed that Socrates is Silemus dignified"
and that the same possibilities exist in
all souls and that they require only
proper development to become equally
noble.
BY his previous books Mr.. Harrington
has made too many friends in the lit
erary world to need any personal in
PRODUCTION to his readers, and this story
when 1t appeared serially in McClure's
during the past autumn attracted seri-
Gus and admiring consideration from
many.
The Guest of Quesnay. BY Booth
Harrington. New York: The Mcclure
company
"The True Way of Life by DIR.
Nanny Randolph Hall Raughman, is
an extended sermon on matrimony. DIR.
Baughman urges high ideal for the
marriage state. Although the author
is a physician there is much more of
the religious than of the scientific in
the book. She says in her preface