The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-10
BOOK NOTICES.

Among the brilliant men who figure
in the pages of Lieutenant-GeneralS Sir
w. F. Buffers Auto biography, ("Sir
William Butler an Autobio graphy,''
Charles Scribner's sons, is Parnen.
The writer tells of visiting him on his
estate in Ireland during the shooting
season, and gives this summary of mis-
character:
Parneu was quite unlike any other
man that 1 had ever met Tall and
strikingly handsome, there was in him
something beyond definition or de-
scription. 1t was power utterly care
less of it's possession, seemingly I'M
conscious of its own strength, unag-
gressive in its mastery, unstudied, inn
passive, without one touch Of aaughti-
ness. He was usually silent. but say
ing what he wanted to say in the
straightest words; never offensive, al
absorbed in his thoughts; thoughtful
of others; alive to everything around
him; entirely without pose or pre-
tence; even in temper; showing breed
ing to his finger-tips. You say all these
things, and you might say fifty other
things about him, and yet you are con-
scious that you have said nothing; and
| the reason is this, that you might just
as wen attempt to describe the fight or
passage of a Marconi telegram through
space as to set down in words the sec
rets of this mans prominence"
The Hon. Samuel w. Mccall, Mem
Der of Congress from Massachusetts,
who introduced Presiden: Taft's Reel
procity bill in the extra session of Con-
gresS, has just completed a book on
THE Business of Congress" which will
be brought out within a few weeks by
the Columbia University Press. Con-
siderable interest has been aroused in
the methods of procedure of the House
and the Senate as a result of the
Cfrn QU1R between the REGULARS and the
insurgents over the powers of the
speaker, and Of the tactics used to de-
feat important measures in the last
hours of the SiXty-first Congress. Mr..
Mccall, who is lawyer, is especially
competent to deal with this subject
having represented the Eighth Massa-
chusetts district since 1898 and having
served on the important ways and
means committee which largely con-
trolls the procedure of the house.
Mary S. Watts The Legacy, which
was published May Sd, stands high in
the list of six best sellers in Boston for
the week ending May 18th. Last year
about this time Mrs. Watts Nathan
Burke held similar position.
So great was the demand for Mark
Lee Luther's The Sovereign Power
that the first large edition was nearly
all sold before the date CT publication.
A second edition is in preparation and
will come from the press Immediately.
Perhaps part of the demand for the
novel is due to Mr.. Luther's choice of
subject. Aeroplanes and aViators figure
largely in the story. But it is certain
that the popularity Of Mr.. Luther as an
author of stirring tales is accountable
for large share Of the enthusiasm.
Kate Douglas Wiggin is being show
cred with social attentions during her
present London visit. She has been
invited to be the guest at the annual
ladies' dinner of the ColQuhoun Club
in London on June 14th- Her latest
story Mother Carey's Chickens" will
be published by Houghton Miff1in Co.,
in the early fall. Following the sue