Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-25
SEASONS NEW BOOKS
INTERESTING READING
BY REYNoLD Z. BLIGHT

corning Shakespeare's immortal drama
we are inclined to think that the last
word has been spoken. The critics OF
every nation for three centuries have
clashed over this play, the triumph or
| ShakeSpeare'S genius, running the
gamut of condemnation and praise,
from Voltaire's bitter disparagement
! to Rolfe's lofty commentator. Yet
| something remained to be said, and
| Mr.. Frank has well said it in his re-
Gently published book, THE Tragedy
| of Hamlet"
| The character of Hamlet has chal-
| lenged the profound study of master
patholoGists and alienists, as well as
| the philosophers, and the debate has
| been warm on such questions as Was
| Hamlet insane or was his insanity
| feigned?" Mr.. Frank contends that the
/ melancholy Dane was really insane,
and buttresses his contention with un-
answerable argument. In fact, he as
serts that in the delineation of Hamlet
| we have one of the most profound
/ studies of mental alteration to be
/ found in literature.
Perhaps the most interesting and
profitable feature of the volume is Mr..
/ Franks effort to explain Hamlets psy-
| Geological condition in the light of
modern scientific knowledge. He de-
clares that the genius of Shakespeare
anticipated the discoveries of modern
| psychology. The arguments and con-
| clusions are too lengthy to be even
! hinted at here, but no one interested in
this general subject can afford to leave
| this fascinating book unread.
The chapters on the analysis and in
! depreciation of the characters in Ham
let" the art and morale of the play,
and the study of Shakespeare as lib
eral education, are full of thought pro-
VNgl
| charm of Mr.. Franks English adds to
the fascination of the work.
The book is illustrated with twelve
photogravure portraits of famous ac-
tors who have successfully assumed the
role of Hamlet.
THE TRAGEDY OF. HAMLET, by
Henry Frank. Boston; Sherman,
French & Co.
OF all recent writer's on economic
| subjects perhaps the most popular was
I Henry DemareSt Lloyd. He brought
to his work not only ripe scholarship,
a keen analytical mind, and an incisive
logic, but brought broad sympathy
a democratic spirit and lofty ideal
ism. His books are not simply masses
of facts, marshaled in a mastery man
ner but his writings are perVaded with
an intense love of justice and a splen-
did optimism that make them read like
the utteTanCeS of a modern prophet
His books present valuable information
on vital public questions, and they
stimulate thought.
His posthumous works, Lords Of In
dustry' and "Mazzini and other Es-
says are well up to the standard OF
his former books. In the former he
treats of corporations, monopolies, rail-
road regulation, national ownership of
coal mines and allied subjects. In the
latter matters of more general import
are discussed. The life and work of
NIazzini, the wit and humOr of Emer-
son, the right of free speech and SIM
liar topics are discussed in the author S
trenchant style.
LORDS OF INDUSTRY, by Henry
Demarest Lloyd. New York; G. p
Putnam's Sons.
MAZZINI AND OTHER ESSAYS
by Henry Demarest Lloyd. New York:
G.. P. Putnam's Sons.
Dr. Erwin S. Chapman is known
throughout the nation as a stalWari
warrior in the temperance army. His
stainless flag" address has aroused
vast audiences to the highest pitch OF
enthusiasm. He has made another val
liable contribution to the literature OF
temperance reform in "Particeps Grim
inis." 1t is a graphic story of a Cali
I lOrQla IdDDll uTlNt, anu Il SNllhlllS
analogy is drawn between the rabbit
drive and the temptations that beset
boyish feet DR.. Chapman has poured
all the ferVor all the intense SYM
pathy, all the sincerity of his soul into
this story 1t is a picture that is hor-
rible in its tragedy and revolving IL
its brutality. 1t stirs the heart like
the roll of martial drums. DR.. Chap
man has rendered valiant service tC
J 81, Of Every HOY
and every parent should read it.
PARTICLES CRIMINIS, by ErVlr
S. Chapman. New York: Fleming II
Revell company.
TrIne's Land OF Living Men deals
with matters of fundamental democ-
racy. In the trenchant style Of Whicf
Mr.. Trine is the master he sets fortl
industrial and social conditions as
they now prevail in this country anc
a heartbreaking picture it is. But, de
spite the sordidness of the facts pre-
sented, spirit of optimism perVades
the book The author asserts that the
people can change these conditions
whenever they desire: the power IS ir
their hands \ great peoples move
ment" is now due he declares, and the
struggle to defend democratic institu-
tions against the onslaught of specla
privilege and monopoly is on. Tha'
the people viii win the ultimate vic
tory the author does not doubt. The
book is written in a popular style anC
me who runs may read and understand
The problems are vital. The treat
) ment is broad and sympathetic. The
SOLUTIONS are clearly and convincinglJ
presented 1t is a good book for every
citizen to read
THE LAND OF LIVING MEN. BS
Ralph Waldo Trine. New York
Thomas Y, CroWell & Co.
James Aliens little "new thought
booklets are read the world over anc
are the means of inspiration to multi
tudes. His latest brochure. entitled
From Passion to Peace, is an attemp
to trace the pathway of the saints
and sages, along which the saviors
have trod." BY the aspiring soul it viii
be found very helpful.
FROM PASSION TO PEACE. BY
James Allen. New York: Thomas Y
Crowell q Co.
In spiritual Housekeeping" Mrs
Militz has endeaVored to practicalizt
the spiritual teachings of the masters
Taking each day with its peculiar
work. she shows how the thoughtful
and deYout housewife may find joyfu
inspiration in the most commonplace
duties.
SPIRITUAL HOUSBK EEPING BN
Annie Rix Militz. Stapleton, N. j.,
Absolute Press.
Frank Lewis Dyer, president Of thu
National Photograph company anC
HIST PER FEET