Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-19

atmosphere from the Canadian coun-
try. presumably in the vicinity of the
authors church. A pleasant glimpse
into his personality. as the minister OF
Presbyterian parish. is given in his
own words to a friend: MY ministry
has had no special celebrity or sue
cess. its only outward distinction be-
ing that I am not a doctor of divinity
which / may humbly claim to be a
somewhat original achievement
Lincoln the Man. BY Margarita
Spalding Gerry. Illustrated. New
York: Harper & Bros.
1t is appropriate. on the eve OF the cele-
bration of the centenary of Lincoln s
birth. that this short story of the wal
President. which originally appeared in
Harpers Magazine. should be put into
book form for wider reading. For in this
little tale is disclosed the real Lincoln.
the man of deep sympathy and of infinite
love for his fellow creatures, the man of
faith in the purpose of the powers which
rule the destinies of nations and indi-
viduals. The toy shop was real The
story has foundation in fact. Mrs.
Gerry has told it. however. in terms which
need no facts for foundations. for she has
presented Lincoln who was always q
commanding figure, in one of those sim
pie, natural relations IN which his native
nobility shone. The sad man goes forth
for walk while he cogitates the distress
ing question of executing a deserter, and
is intercepted by his little son with a
request for more toy soldiers. The recol-
lection of a shop seen on previous stroll
leads him to the place where a crippled
soldier of Napoleon sits at work with his
carving tools. There the President gains
his inspiration which leads to victory for
the Union arms. There he finds his own
strength, and there he finds. too, true
hero. And when the end of war comes he
words showed him the way. Finally the
bedridden toymaker learns Of the shot
that has taken the great life so nobly
dedicated to humanity.
1t is but sketch. this story Of Lincoln
a glimpse of the statesman, the leader
the man. But it suffices to show him in
the glory of his spirit. and Mrs. Gerry
has wrought well in thus presenting him
in an aspect which is perhaps unfamiliar
to many readers of history. The publish
ers have given it an attractive printing
and binding.
ALASKA: THE GREAT COUNTRY. BY
Ella Higginson, author of "Mariella
of Out west" New York: The Mac
milan Company. Washington: Bren-
tano's.
1t is not generally known that the name
Alaska means 1.-The great country" but
those who have undertaken its exploration
and who have sought there for gold have
had occasion to realize it's vastness. In
deed, Alaska's size is only now being APP
preciated. just as for many years after its
purchase it was regarded as bad invest
ment In this volume the author seeks
to set forth a broader conception of the
northwestern corner Of the United States
than generally obtained. and this she does
effectively, crowding her book with in
formation regarding the territory, but
conveying 1t In an interesting manner
with many anecdotes derived from her
personal experiences and more than half
a hundred excellent illustrations. The
work covers a history of Alaska from its
discovery by the Russians down to the
present day of gold mining and CONNER
cial development. The tragic experiences
of the early gold seekers of the Klondike
rush are wildly set forth, some of the
illustrations showing the almost incredi-
bic scenes enacted on the trail from the
coast to the gold fields.
THE ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL. BY
Baroness OrcZy. author Of The
Scarlet Pimpernel' Frontispiece by
John Rae. New York Dodd. Mead
& Co. Washington: Brentano's.
This sequel to '"The Scarlet Pimperner'
tells how Sir Percy Blakeney, after a Sc
ries of successful adventures In rescuing
French people from the clutches of the
Terror was lured by a crafty agent of
Robespierre back to France to fight a
duel. His wife followed him and both are
Immediately imprisoned Baroness Orczy
presents the Scarlet Pimpernel' with the
same sure strokes of Characterization
that marked her first story He has
many thrilling adventures, but he is
shrewder than his opponents and wins
every trick played. In this story the ell
max is reached in prison in Boulogne,
where his mortal enemy, Chauvelin, is
trying to trap him into signing letter
which WILL forever dishonor him with his
countrymen. The moment of highest
dramatic interest comes with a rush and
when it passes the Scarlet Pimpernef'
is back on his way to England with his
wife. There might possibly be fewer ref
erences in this second story to the first,
for the benefit of readers who have not
encountered the former volume.
IN THE WOODS AND ON THE SHORE.
BY Richard D. Ware Boston: l.. c.
Page G. Co.
preparation to the primal instinct of all
game seeking creatures to exult over
their achievements. He believes that the
hunter who writes a book about his ad-
ventures In forest and field is inspired by
IL no less IMAM the rOOSter WHO, fidN III :
just dug his spurs into an enemy. is moved
to crow Whatever the motive this is an
interesting account of trips into the woods
and up the rivers. 1t tells of experiences
with the Newfoundland stays and the
black moose. il describes bird shooting
and tells Of the decoying Of wild fowl: it
treats of bear hunting and trout fishing,
and In fact runs the gamut OF sport with
the gun and rod. There are photographs
of participants in these various expedi-
tons. and IAN attractive frontispiece by
Charles Livingston Bull. 1t is distinctly
a sportsman's book.
r.. Fly SONGS OF SUMNER. BY James
Wbitcomh Riley. Pictures by VIII
Nawter. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-
Merrill Company.
Practically all of these verses by In
diana's folklore poet have been published
previously. but they have never been given
the distinctive setting which they have In
this volume with Mr.. Vawter's sympa-
thetic illustrations. Many of the old ia
vorites are included. such as Knee Deep
I'm June" 1.-The Old Swimmin' Hole" The
Tree-Toad' and 1.-The Old Hay-Mow."
THE FRIENDLY CRAFT; a Collection
OF American Letters. Edited by
Elizabeth Deering Hanscom. Ph.D.,
professor of English in Smith Col
lege New York: The Macmillan
Company. Washington: Brentanos.
1.-The Friendly Craft" is the art of letter
writing and this volume Is an interesting