The Washington herald., 1909-10-17

terest.
NACHETTE. By Ned Nye and Robert A. wason.
Detroit and New York: Jercus Il. Remick *
Co
II Ned Nye and Robert A. Wason had
thrust the heart-history Of 'Nachette"
upon the public but a few years previous
to 1909 It would have appeared In paper
covers IN the leaning tower Of literature
carried by the train boy; now It is
dressed up in pretty red cloth binding,
with white trimmings. and will undoubt-
edly be found on the shelves with the
best sellers" So much has the charac-
ter of the literary mart changed.
Nachette is a phenomenal young wom-
All violinist. who, In spite Of her French
name is said to be from America, where
her surprising talents have been con-
ceaIed.
TWO men. a young American and
mysterious Russian duke, clothed with
all the devilish and INSCRIPTIONS cunning
Of a melodramahc villain, attempt to
press their suit. OF course. the young
American, Jack Bgaxton by name, is sue
cessful as far as love is concerned. but
the duke. true 10 the principles OF his
craft, sets Braxton's victory az naught
by kidnapping his hearts desire. Then
for half Of the book the tale assumes the
nature OF a detective story in the frantic
efforts OF Nachettes wellwishers to res
cue NaChette from the Russian. But it
is finally accomplished, though prolonged
insufferably by the persistent refusal of
tho authors to endow the heroine with
the least grain OF American common
sense.
A marriage sub rosa would seem to end
the book for all intents and purposes, but
not so. Nachette's nurse comes forward
soon after the ceremony, declaring her
self 20 be the mother of Nachette, the
Legitimate daughter OF Braxton's own
father. This frightful situation is re-
lleved by the appearance Of Nachette's
parent who calmly explains that he had
assumed the name of BraXton's father in
his intrigue with Nachette's mother. Thus
the unnatural relationship disappears and
the Bless you, my children" is said at
last
'Nachette" IS an intricately woven fab
ric Of startling adventures, but II falls
short Of being a novel. Many things
happen. but there IS no particular reason
apparent as 20 why any Of the events
should come 70 pass. Characters are
logged IN by the ears-witness the duke
merely to provide figures upon which to
hang more incident There is little which
follows naturally from the interaction Of
human beings upon one another
The minor persOnages OF the story are
fantastic creatures. automatOns who per-
form strange gyTatlons at the behest OF
the two collaborators. A German profess
sor. who talks like Dutch" monOlo-
gist, provides the low comedy until he is
killed off. when his place is taken by two
lusty scoundrels. who hold the center OF
the stage much as do the Two Vaga-
bonds"
The pleesantest recOllections after read
ing "Nachette'' arc found in the descrip-
lions Of her marvellous work with the
violin. We should all be willing to travel
far to hear such music as Is told Of in
the book, and hence there is a certain
degree Of pleasure found IN the word
pictures sketched by Ned Nye and Robert
A. Wason-
HOME LETTERS OF GEN. SHERMAN. Edited
By NJ. A Wolfe Howe. New York: Charles
Scrihners sons Washington: Woodward q
Lothrop-
A compilation Of letters written by Cen
Sherman, covering q period from his
cadet days at West Point in 1896 until the
year 1891. The compiler. Mr. Howe, ac-
knowledges his obligation 70 Gen. Sher-
mans daughter, Mrs. Paul Thorndlke.
and the son, Mr.. p. T. Sherman. A valu-
able addition to United States history.
FOR Gen. Sherman's figure will always re
main a prominent one. OF course. the in
terest Is strong for those connected with
military affairs, and the letters written
I
ing with information which throws de-
cided lights on many important episodes.
| The Scribners have gotten the book up In
excellent style. and It is among the most
attractive Of the holiday books.
THE STRUGGLE FOR MISSOURI By John
McEroy. Published by the National Tribune.
Washington. u. c.
The contest as to which side the great
border State OF Missouri should take was
of momentous Importance at the begin
ming Of the civil war.
| The weight OF that great Common
wealth in men. money, resources,
and commanding geographical situation
/ thrown to one side or the other might de-
( termine the result The struggle was a
/ grand wOvld-drama, with rapidly shifting
scenes Of startling vicissitude, and the
/ leading actors being Gen. Nathaniel Lyon
and Col. Frank p. Blair on the Union
! side and Gov Claiborne T. Jackson and
/ Gen. Sterling Price on that OF secession.
/ Later Gems. John c. Fremont. h w.
HalIeck. Franz Sigel, s. r. Curtis. John
M. Schoheld, J. II. Lane, John Pope, and
! q. S. Grant entered the stage from the
| Union side. and Gems. Ben McCulloch.
/ Earl Van Dorm, Daniel S. Frost, NJ JEFF
Thompson. J. o. Shelby. J. S. Marmaduke
and Albert Pike from the Confederate
/ These men played with the highest skill
and courage a mighty game for stupen-
dous stakes.
! The story is told with the swiftness of
/ narrative OF a novel, with events big with
! the keenest human interest on every
page John McElroy, the author, has a
very high reputation all over the country
! for accuracy and impartality in his spe-
cialty as a historian of the civil war, and
this work has received the strongest com
mendations from those who participated
in the great struggle.
/ THE Struggle for Missouri IS a hand
somely printed volume Of $50 pages, en-
bellished with reproductions OF painting:
! IN original colors Of the momentous meet
! ing between Blair and Lyon and Gov
Jackson and Gen. Sterling Price. and OF
| the st. Louis levee IN the flush times
also fine du-colored portraits of all the
leading generals on both sides and three
color maps Of the battlehelds.
| YALE READINGS IN INSURANCE. By Les
| ter W. hartman Phi ID. Yale University Press
New Haven. Conn: Henry Frowde London; Ok
] ford University Press.
| a most valuable contribution in the
constantly expanding field Of insurance
appears In the work OF Mr.. hartman, who
Is assistant professor Of political economy
at Yale. The book. issued in two volur 81
is a collation. from work which a.
peared five years ago. made up of e1.
| a-oeA. f-o.,, lo.t.,~o. ~;.-e.. - VI -