The San Francisco call., 1909-02-14

James T. Du Bois. is not worth the
paper it is printed on. The book repre-
sents some of the events in the life
of the author. who calls himself Jack
Stanley in the story. AS the expert
ences were not in any way unusual
and the style of telling them is ex-
tremely mediocre it is safe to say that
the book will be laid aside unfinished.
1t is a dreary piece of work. (Neale
company. SD
Many world famous poems, some
light, bright and witty, such as w. S.
Gilbert's Bah Ballads" others serious,
dignified and sad. such as Tom Tay-
lor's 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 From Punch"
selected by Rev. Albert E. Lines and
edited by Sir Francis c. Burnand,
forms a fitting addition this year to the
Remarque series of literary master
pieces. 1t will be revelation to many
to find how many of the foremost
writer's of the last century and how
many poems that have lived have fig
ured in the pages of Punch from 1871
until today. CH. n. Caldwell company,
New York;
John wheelwright.s story. War
Children. is the story of two small
boys. Tom and Charlie, who. at the
time of the civil war. are full of valor
but TOO young to go TO the front. They
are left in charge of home and family
and hear the news of each battle as
it is fought. 1t is an entertaining
volume and unusual in that IL gives
child's impression of the great events
which made history. tDodd, Mead &
Co, New York $l.50l
Last year Carolyn Wells inaugurated
a nev- series of chnarens books, the
first which was "Alarjerie's Vaea
tion.' Now comes the second. Mar
Jorie's Busy Days" and it is quite as
,ood as he first. These books wiil
rival in popularity the authors earlier
n; tty Books for girls a little older
than Marjorie. (Dodd Mead & Co..
New York. 81 ~
The Strawberry handkerchief will
arrest anybody by it's title, but un-
fortunately that is the best thing about
1t. Amelia E. Barr is the author, and
in this novel she goes back to the
style of The Bow of Orange Ribbon"
but the tale is much longer 1t is a
sentimental little story of New York
in the early days Of the stamp act.
ne strawberry handkerchief has been
made popular as Il love token in Eng
land by the fact that gallant King
George III had stamped it with his
approval The little Dutch heroine in
this novel gives hers to ner lover The
historical part of the novel is dragged
in by the heels and is heavy and the
love part of it is soft that it is
tiresome- tDodd. Mead & Co., New
York. $1.50.)
If one has already been converted to
socialism then this book by John Spar
go. The Spiritual Significance of Mod
ern Socialism" win prove convincing
and appealing. Not being converted
his logic will create discussion and
disagreement and the boldness of some
of his declarations will shock the SEN
sitive reader. One can see, however,
that the author has tried to be fair.
but he is aggressively fair, If one may
use that term. The author says, among
other things, that socialism requires no
defense on its spiritual side. THE torch
which all the prophets from Moses to
Jesus bore aloft is today being borne
onward by socialist agitators." The
church may have to take up the gaunt-
let which Spargo flings (B. W.
Huebsch. New York. 5oc.)
Cupid the Surgeon is treatise on
heart affections and operations for
their relief and cure. 1t is whimsical
little essay not likely to be adopted
by the medical fraternity. but contain
ing some real philosophy under it's
humorous nonsense. Herman Lee
Meader is the author and the illustra-
tions on every page by Pal add much
to the general attractiveness of the
volume. (Henry Altemus & Co., Phil
adelphia. SD
Little Stings' is a whole book of
cynical, up to date. madeover prov
erbs and fables of which the follow
ing is a sample. 1t is entitled THE
Dream, "A starvelfng poet dreamed
in his sleep that /. was decreed that
he might never put pen to paper again.
And he felt rather sorry. And then
he awoke and felt sorrier still" The
book is by T. w. II. Grassland and is
gotten up in dainty gift book style.
(John w. Luce & Co. Boston.)
When it is known that Prof Kelly
Miller. the author of Race Adjust
ment." is one of the three negroes of
America who rank highest as authority
on race conditions, people who are In
terested in the future of the negro and
his effect on the people of America
will read this collection of essays with
interest. The author has no new So
luton of this vexed problem to offer.
but he makes many keen suggestions
and proves himself well poised and
sane. The book is broad minded, fear
less. candid study OF facts and condi-
tions. a search for truth. the result
of good sense and good judgment.
(Neale publishing company. New
York. s2.)
The works OF Anatole France. being
brought out by John Lane, will soon
be increased by the addition OF THE
Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard." The
highest presentation of Frances many
qualities and gifts is probably to be
found in this exquisite novel; which
was crowned by the French academy
in 1881 The author was received into
membership Of the academy in 1896.