Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-01
BOOK REVIEWS.

UUUn MIIlIvO,
DIAZ MASTER OF MEXICO. BY James
Creelman. Illustrated. New York: D.
Appleton & Co.
ORFIRIO DIAZ and Mexico. to-
day the slightest man and coun-
try in the western half OF the
world, if not the whole of 1t. are
gathered up together as one, IN
separable, in this splendid story OF the
career of Diaz The author visions this
amazing figure, "in whose veins leaps the
tide-rir of two races and two clvlilza-
tions.- as the focal point of many rays
converging from far distances. as the
body of many ideas, some akin ana some
Mt war. the essence of far-fung secret
influences, the bodily human expression
OF his native land. So, to read the man
Alright in his nature and outlook, In his
motive and method, Mr.. Creelman studies
Mexico along with Diaz Here Is youth
time Of astounding adventure wherein a
boy is hammered to soldierly and patrl-
otto leadership on the anvil OF his coun-
try. Then the authors vision changes,
for, in full career. Diaz is not so truly an
expression OF Mexico as is Mexico an ex-
preston Of Diaz. the country ob1ectfylns
the man in his notions OF government
with peace. industrialism. progress, sta
bflity as the measure of value. Mr.. Creel-
man makes a marvellous story out OF
these mutual actions and reactions-a
vivid, swift, dramatic story. He sets out,
moreover, a significant study in states
manship, revealing incidentally some or
the fine effects Of a good tyranny and
some Of it's dangers as well. The study
comes to an end with clean analysis
of Mexico's present problem and a plaus-
ible tentative forecast of its national des-
tiny. This book does more than draw
an orderly series of clear and brilliant
pictures 1t carries the reader over and
puts him within sight and sound of the
events within the current Of influence
that go into the making of this amazing
career.
THE SINS OF THE CHILDREN: A
study In Social Values. By Horace
W. C. Newte, author of "Sparrows."
etc. New York: John Lane CON-
pany.
The authors own preface explains the
mood in which this book was written and
accounts for it's character. Mr.. Newte
says: 1.-The library censorship committee
having entered the lists to do or die in
defense OF the shibboleths, it behooves
the obscure author who essays to de-
scribe life in terms of the truth that is
In him to walk warily In order to wr- te
conscientiousy, and at the same time not
offend powers that can hinder or speed his
progress, the present writer has elected
TO describe a phase of life in which any
violation of sexual morality is so unusual
that even to mention it would b. in the
nature of a brutal incongruity. He VEN
lures to hope the following story will be
appreciated by chance readers" 1t is
difficult to believe. however. that it will
be appreciated" by chance readers or
any others, save as a work of consum-
mate art. Forbidden in effect to write
''conscientiously'' about what he clearly
conceives to be the supreme interest
among humans and by all odds the most
important and significant concern of life.
Mr.. Newte uses his splendid powers of
observation, analysis, divinatiOn and por-
traya1 to draw a long and racking story
OF parents sorrowed by their children
This unhappy theme Of well-nigh univer-
sal truth is so masterfully developed that
The pity of it goes haunting one for days
Now In the case of 'Sparrows" there was
something to get at, something to do,
the stir Of moral resolve to the reader
But this slips away. hopeless throughout
These are good children. Wickedness is
not the trouble. Here Is simply the re-
lentless demon Of youth bent upon it's
destination, unconscious and self-ab-
eorbed. treading with garlands and laugh
ter and grace upon the shriveling parent
II. THESE
young things achieve parenthood. and
the dreary round begins again. Shame,
Mr.. Newtei We are not the library CEN
sorship committee" Why take it out on
us, like a resentful child bound to make
had to do this particular thing, why did
you do il so painfully we'll?
A FAIR HOUSE. By Hugh de selin-
court, author Of The Way Things
Happen etc. New York: John
Lane Company.
Long ago 1t was demonstrated that the
combination of human qualities projected
under the opprobrious name Of "old maid
has nothing to do with sex, but settles it
self almost as frequently and quite as
comfortably with the male human as with
the female. And now 1t turns out that
even maternity occasionally exercises its
right to step across and occupy the body
of man The case In point is that of
John Camden and his daughter. No bet
ter mother ever walked than John was to
Bridget Camden. To be sure, at the very
first. when he was bleeding at the un-
timely going out Of her young mother.
John rather took it out on the tiny thing
that she left behind. But that was not
John. That was anguish. Righted up
and himself, John took hold OF mother
hood in a way to make women pause and
reflect on what they have hitherto counted
as their sole exclusive privilege and power.
This book tells all about John and Bird
get II Is the story of a big busy man,
who counts the fair growth and happy life
OF his daughter as part Of his man S
work, a thing not to be delegated. His
ways OF being father. mother, friend
comrade. confdant, weave a beautiful and
touching story. And Bridget is a dear
from babyhood to marriage. The story
is a poem, young, fair. blooming thing
Just one regret goes along with the read
ing OF it-that, that the sheaf of leaves
TO the reading right hand lessons SO
swiftly. that there are not more OF them
THE MAKING OF A FORTUNE: A Ro-
nance. By Harriet Prescott Spof-
ford. illustrated by Alice Barber
Stephens. New York: Harper &
Bros.
a pleasant well written half-hour story
on the order of King Cophetua and tn,
Beggar Maid" The maid is very beau
tiful. very lovable, very much adored ant
very much adorned by the somewhat ad
vanced but altogether fine and mani,
Cophetua. The story turns upon a bust
ness strain of such danger that the hus
band takes upon himself the temporar,
theft of his wife's jewels-a kings ran
som, as il were. This device stems tn.
tda IF inc I