The San Francisco call., 1910-01-30
Brief Reviews of New Books

Tales of Travel is the title of a
very unusual book by Horace A. Taylor.
Unusual because he has not been in
1uenced, apparently, by what other
travellers have said and done before
He tells an interesting tale of his trav-
els for two years and a half all around
the world, and he saw much that others
before him have either missed or for
gotten. The honesty OF the book is
appealing; for instance, if hotels are
uncomfortable he says so; If the food
is bad. the beds worse, the drinking
water worst, he says so. He tells OF
the dirt and filth, but also of the beau
ties of the places he sees. He is able
to appreciate the beauties and writes
enthusiastically of them. too. The book
is interesting and we'll worth the read
ing by any who enjoy tales OF travel
(The NeaIe publishing company, New
York. S1.50.)
Lincoln. Lee, Grant and other Bio
graphical Addresses is the title of g
collection of orations and lectures by
Judge Emory Speer, who for several
years has been the United States judge
for the southern district OF Georgia.
The author served in the confederate
army before studying law. then began
his political career as an independent
democrat. He was sent to congress and
later became an Independent repubIi-
can, devoting his energies to the tariff
and gold standard issues He looks upon
Lincoln as a sincere friend of the south
upon Lee as one of the greatest gem
erals of the century, and upon Grant as
one of the most Intelligent manfpu-
lators of unlimited war resources. (The
Neale publishing company New York.
SD
Your Character" is the title of a
book compiled by Elizabeth Towne.
publisher of Nautilus" and Catherine
Struble living. The book is filed with
information, and much amusement will
follow the study of characters of your
selr and your friends. The book gives
the character delineation of persons
born at certain times OF the year under
the various signs, also the gems to be
worn, the flower, the astral color and
the composer who will have the most
uplifting influence upon the person.
The book is printed on deckle edge pa
per, bound in Chippendale limp with
artistic cover design printed in two
colors. elizabeth Town, Holyoke.
Mass. rs cents.)
A second edition, revised and en-
larged, has appeared of "a Song Of
Life, the thoughts on various subjects
of Albert j. Atkins of San Francisco.
Hc QdAAty little OOOhlSl CONTAINS pFOS6
and verse which show the love and
appreciation of the author for flowers.
birds, trees. for all of nature. The lit
tie booklet is bound in dainty and
tasteful holiday fashion and viii take
the place of the ordinary gift card
The authors work has received praise
from poets all over the country. Or. ].
orozco, San Francisco. 50 cehts.)
The Airship Almanac" is a little
light literature on high life. telling how
to get off the earth and how to get on
again. including much excellent advice
on how and when to fall, when to
alight. completes list of official hospitals
of the Aero club, etc. BY Lewis Alien
fellow of the royal skyograph society
etc. The book is quite able to live up
to it's alluring advertisement and con-
tains wit and humor ofthe eCynic's Cal
endar" sort, not imitation. but quite as
good. 1t is printed in two coIors and is
decorated and illustrated by d. c. Bar
tholomew on every page. (John w.
Luce & Co.. Boston and London)
RIP Van winkle'' is always one of
the favorite stories TO be put into fancy
little booklets for the holiday season.
This year Washington Irving's little
masterpiece has been most artistically
bound in imitation birch bark and the
paper upon which it is printed seems
also birch bark. The decorations Of
unusual excellence are done by r. w.
Sawyer and have been well reproduced
in color. The real book lover has