Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-20

whiskered playwright whose name. James
Fabian Rose. is automatically suggestive
OF George Bernard Shaw. The novel pre-
sents virtually the problem that il under
consideration in England today. that Of
the unemployed and of the more equita-
BILE distribution of the tax burden. Tn
fortunately Mr.. Thorne yielded somewhat
to tho temptation to write q romance
rather than a treatise on sociology in
novel form, else his work might be more
valuable. As II is. IL indicates the in
tensity of the tension now experienced in
England.
THE LORDS OF HIGH DECISION. Ey
Meredith Nicholson. Illustrated by
Arthur 7. Keller. New York: Dou-
bleday, Page & Co.
Nothing that Mr. Nicholson has done
heretofore approaches his present work
in psychological significance and nothing
surpasses il in dramatic interest. He has
written a story OF Pittsburg financial
and social life which is incidentally in
teresting as rejecting the conditions
which have brought reproach upon that
community through the escapades Of its
wealthy Young men. The career OF
Wayne Craighill is developed subtly in
accordance with the doctrine that no
man can ruin his own career. but that
he is at times at the mercy OF the fatcs.
those lords of high decision who have
control OF human destinies- The redemp-
ton of Craighill from the utter abandon
OF a reckless course of life to Sobriety.
industry and high ideals is n marvel
which Mr.. Nicholson renders altogether
credible in the course of his exceptionally
well conceived and attractively written
novel 4 diverting bit of characterization
occurs in Col. Craighill. an admirable
type of the patronizng high priest of So
cial reform whose own life is sorely in
need IF publication.
illustrated by VIII Owen. New York ::
Charles Scribner's Sons. Washing
ton: Woodward & Lothrop.
Mr.. Jacobs inimitable narratives of
London waterside life are always defect
able, whether appearing in the periodicals
or assembled later In volumes. In this
book are given twelve of his most delight
full fancies, most Of them dealing with the
characters that he has made famous as a
class. the sailors. wharfngers. lighterm an
and stevedores. Others touch upon phases
of English life that are susceptible of eff
fective delineation by this master OF the
pen. In only one, THE Toll House" is a
tragic note struck. The volume Is profuse-
ly illustrated from Mr.. Owens sketches.
MEXICO; the Wonderland of the South.
BY W. L. Carson. illustrated. New
York: The Macmillan Company.
Washington: Brentanos.
Much has been written about Mexico of
late, owing to the keen interest which has
been aroused in that country, Immediately
by the interchange Of presidential visits
and generally by the prospect of the re-
linquishment of Office by President Diaz.
American enterprise in Mexico has ad-
vanced to such a point that ii is important
that the people north OF the line should
become better acquainted with the coun-
try south of the Rio Grande. Mr.. Car
sons volume serves admirably for the
purpose of presenting Mexico as it is TO
be seen by the tourist and as il is to be
studied by the prospective investor in that
country. He undertakes no political dis
cusSion of conditions save casually In the
course of his chapters. devoting himself
chiefly to the presentation of the land and
its people observed by an intelligent
tourist. He speaks significantly. however.
of the increasing antagonism between the
Mexican and American residents in that
country. warning tourists from the north
and permanent jewellers in the southern
republic arainst indiscreet speech and
actions Indicative of a disregard of Mex
lean pride. The volume is exceptionally
rich in illustrations, showing views of cit
les. ruins, groups. buildings and indus
trial pursuits. together with portraits of
leaders Of the republic.
A GENTLE KNIGHT OF OLD BRAN
DENBURG. BY Charles Major. au-
thor of when Knighthood Was in
Flower" etc. Illustrated. New York ::
The Macmillan Company.
The gentle knight was not the King
Of Prussia, the irascible Frederick Will
liam: nor his son. Prince Fritz. who later
became known as Frederick the Great;
nor Prince Henry of Bayreuth, but the
short, stout, hard-drinking and not par