Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-27

but is far from lacking intense powers
of appeal 1t is the story Of wonderful
love of a man and his wife, beginning
with the wedding between great sclen
fist and a young artist Life holds In
finite possibilities for happiness for these
two when in a moment of carelessness 1T
his laboratory the husband becomes In
fected with a virus which destroys his
sight The problem of how tQ-continue
the research the man has prosefuted to
the threshold of great discovery 1oi
the benefit of mankind furnishes asSstrone
impulse. The wife's attempt to carry or
her blind husbands work i'm his labOra-
tory without his knowledge is seconded
10y their devoted friend. physician oi
emnence and great skill, whose character
stands as one of the most perfect strokes
of literary art lately achieved. The two
phases of medicinal science are clearly
presented in this narrative. the investiga-
ton into the cause of disease ana the ap-
plication of cure discovered thereby. The
story will be of interest to readers who
are attracted by scientific subjects, but Its
chief appeal Is sentimental and psyche
logical The author has produced a
romance of great power.
NEGLECTED NEIGHBOURS; Stories of
Life in the Alleys. Tenements and
Shanties of the National Capital BY
Charles Frederick Weller. Phiiadel-
Mr. Weller's appointment as the ex-
ecutive secretary of the homes commits
sion named by President Roosevelt to
Investigate housing conditions In this city
insured the application to the study of
this problem of a thorough technical
understanding of the sociological condi-
tionS involved. In attractive book form
now is presented a treatise on the SUBJ
ject which should be carefully read by
every public spirited citizen of the Dis
trict and by the legislators charged with
the task of enacting laws for the capital
municipality. If Washington is to
progress to become a clean. healthful,
attractive city in all respects. the condi-
tiOns set forth in this volume must De
cured. They cannot be studied at long
range. They must be investigated In de-
tail. and by such people as the author
of this book. who did so much for the
betterment of the circumstances Of the
poor in the District during his incumbency
as secretary of the Associated Charities.
Herein are set forth without exaggera-
ton or palliation the evils OF alley life
in Washington. Numerous photographs
illustrate the pages in a maner to shock
those who see only the fair streets and
clean houses. The magnitude of the prob
lem is plainly presented by this means
and a wide circulation of the impressive
document would materially hasten the
tday CT emancipation from the abominable
, evils which affect the under world Of
Washington.
IDOLATRY. BY Alice Perrin. author
of East of Suez." etc. New York:
Duffield & Co.
There is enough of good story material
in this narrative to hold readers in
terest unflaggingly until the end without
the interjection Of religious dissertations.
The title indicates that the author has
thought to attack the evils of idOlatrous
worship in India. but the average reader
will find in the theological elements only
IN means of diversion. The story OF
! young English woman who goes to India
to set her cap for rich officer whom
she had previously rejected Is adeptiy
, told Her experiences develop her and
change her from a crafty, scheming. self
seeking plOtter into a conscientious wom-
an. Mrs. Perrin writes from a personal
knowledge of the conditions In India. and
gives her story a strong atmospheric set
ting The social relations between the
English military and civil officials and
missionaries are entertainingly outlined.
LETTERS OF A JAPANESE SCHOOL,
BOY. BY Wallace Irwin. author of
The Love Sonnets of Hoodlum,"
f. etc. New York: Doubleday. Page 4
Co. Washington: Woodward & 10th
rop.
These letters were read with keen In
terest when they were printed in Col
entation in book form will carry them to
numerous readers who did not encounter
them upon their first appearance. The
concept of commentaries upon American
affairs in the quaint pigeon English of
an intelligent japanese was not strikingly
novel. but Mr.. Irwin proved himself a
humoFist of the first rank in his handling
of the theme. The quaint syntaX of
Hashimura Togo is itself sufficient to
convuise even staid reader. but there
Is more besides twisting of the English
language in these letters. A shrewd crit
teal philosophy pervades them.
THE CHURCHES AND THE WAGE
FARMERS; a Study of the Cause
and Cure of their Separation. By c.
Bertrand Thompson. New York ::
Charles Scribners Sons.
A marked tendency has been shown
for some time past to cause a more in
innate study of sociological problems
by churchmen. Recently in a church in
Brooklyn an effort was made to at
tract attention to the needs OF the un-
employed by onering masked men for
sale to the highest bidder. This sensa-
tional exploit stands as an emphatic
expression Of the belief prevalent In
many minds that the church is po-
tential factor of great importance i'm
assisting in the. betterment Of industrial
conditions. In this volume the subject
of relations between the church and
wage earnerS is carefully discussed.
Mr. Thompson regards the matter
largely with reference to the question
of church membership on the part Of
the working classes. He holds that the
church has great opportunity to en-
list the sympathy and understanding OF
the working people. and to guide their
efforts and thoughts in wholesome and
constructive directions. He says the
paramount question is. "Will the
churches of today see their present op-
portunity and grasp it, or will they
struggle on ftfully until humanity
comes to their rescue, but with a new
religion of its Own?"
THE RAVEN; the Love Story of Edgar
Allen Poe. BY George Hazelton, au-
thor of Mistress Nell" etc. New
York: ID. Appleton 4 Co.
Mr.. HaZeltons rendering of Poe's ro-
mantle life is a vivid treatment of an
interesting theme. He presents the
character of Poe as the man Of genius
whose moral nature is defective. the
Inconsistency of mind of Poe both in
his juvenile and adult life appearing
clearly. Mr., HaZeltOn has embellished
the biographical records with imagin-
ines suitable for the making OF d. story.
his plan. indeed. being the rendering Of
Poe's life as n play The dramatic con-
strucjion at times interferes with the
sequential progression of the narrative
and lessons the appeal to the reader 8
credence. The work forms. however. an
interesting if not especially valuable