The San Francisco call., 1910-01-02
New Books Briefly Noted

New Books Briefly Noted
'In Lockerbie Street" by Mabel Pot
ter Daggett, is a little appreciation Of
James Whitcomb Riley reprinted from
the Delineator. IT is sure to find an
appreciative public at this holiday sea-
son, for the genial Hoosier poet is dear
to the heart of the American people.
Incidents in his life which suggested
some of his tenderest poems and bits
of information about his personality
little known are made into a little
story of this shy man who likes to
live the simple, quiet life. The author
is a hero worshiper quite frankly, but
1t does not detract In the least from
what she has to say OF Riley. All that
and more he deserves. The monograph
is illustrated with photographs of
Riley's home in Lockerbie street and
several good portraits. (B. W. Dodge.
New York. so cents.)
The full series of The Mysteries of
the People; or History OF a Proleta-
rian Family Across the Ages" by Eu-
Casque's Lark; or Victoria, the
Mother of the Camps comes fifth
chronologically and is said to be one
of the strongest. 1t is a tale of the
Frankish invasion of Gaul. but in the
great allegory 1t represents the first
meeting between the oppressor and op-
pressed. The translation from the
original French is made by Daniel de
Leon and his worg has been done we'll
The book, however, has not the literary
merit OF the better known works by
Sue and is likely to live only for the
readers of socialistio literature. The
book is attractively printed and bound.
(New York Labor News company)
"A Mission to HE'LL by Edward EeIls,
is fantastic tale OF a missionary and
his friends and acquaintances In
heaven. who are dissatisfied even with
their happiness because certain souls
who on earth were well loved are not
to be found. He goes to hell to save
souls and finds many friends there.
which gives the author the opportunity
he Is waiting for to let of steam
about all the things OF which ne dis
approves. Christian Science receives
a hard rap and many religions not his
own. The author Is evidently in SYM
in some particular Protestant church
and thinks everybody who does not
agree with him is damned eternally.
The work is poorly written and de-
serves little serious consideration.
(Sherman, French & Co., Boston. 50
cents.)
The Handy Mans Workshop and
Laboratory" compiled and edited by A.
Russell Bond. is a book which fills a
long felt want. Every practical me-
chanic, whether amateur or profess
sionaI. has been confronted many times
with unexpected situations calling for
the exercise OF considerable ingenuity.
Some time ago 1t was decided to open
a department in the Scientific American
devoted to the interests of the handy
man" From thousands of suggestions
the best have been selected and some
are published for the first time here. 1t
may be regarded as the best collection
of ideas by electricians, physicists.
chemists and other resourceful men.
Not only amateur mechanics, but profess
sional men as we'll. will find in this
book hundreds of ingenious ideas Beau
tifully printed and fully illustrated.
(Munn & Co.. New York. SD
with Pickpole and Peavey is the
second volume of the Norman Carver
Series" by c. B. Burleigh. an author
who knows all about numbering in
practical way and is also keen nature
lover. Norman Carver, having had a
winter as clerk in lumber camp. is
given similar position with crew Of
river drivers, and with him is his faith
full friend, Fred Warner. The athletic.
well educated city boy and the earnest
rural youth. "a born swoodsman," share
in some very exciting adventures that
tax their strength. courage and ferti,
ity of resource severely. Along with It
runs a fine description of river driv-
er's life, with its constant perils. its
heroism and it's jollities. Qothrop, Lee
& Shepard. Boston. s1.50.)
Under the title THE Star OF Love"
Mrs. Florence Morse Kingsley tells
again the story of Esther. The story
literally follows the scriptural record.
but intensifies every detail Esther is
more beautiful, xerxes. another name
for Ahasuerus. is more human. and Ha-
man is as despicable as language can
make him. The book gives throughout
many fine pictures OF Persian life and
luxury and shows the court intrigues
to have been as common as in any
other time and court The author gave
US many years ago "Titus--a Soldier
of the Cross" and though this book
has not the nobility of that one the
difference is in the subject, for the
style of writing has improved and is
more finished in every way The illus
trations in color. by Arthur E. Becher.
are remarkable not only for their beauty
but in their unusual idelity to the text
and their sympathy with the spirit of
the period. Cd. Appleton & Co.. New
York. So