Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-03

though hopefully designed to appeal to
the generally intelligent reader falls
away from this plan and stands address
ed. in fact, to the scientist OF special
bent and training. 1t is in large part q
body of expert evidence submitted in
support Of the authors argument, and
in lesser part an extended explanation
Of the purpose of the book and the out
come of the investigation. The thesis.
which this volume seeks to establish. Is
that the actual environment of organic
life is the f1ttest possible abode of Life.
In effect 1t is, as the subtitle indicates, a
matter to discover If possible whether or
not these have a biological significance.
Physical and chemical data arc the in
struments of this investigation, coupled
with q rigid process Of reasoning. The
outcome Is. to this authors mind, in
dubitable evidence that peculiar and un-
suspected relationships exist between
properties of matter and the phenomena
Of life: that in some way. as yet obscure,
cosmic and biological evolution are one,
or in other words, that the properties Of
matter and the course OF cosmic evolu-
ton are intimately related to the struc-
ture of the living being and to Its activl-
ties. One at an ordinary reading may not
be able to follow critically the intricate
steps OF this argument. but he Is able to
seize the beautiful consistency Of the
universe which Is offered as the outcome
of the investigation.
ASHES AND SPARKS. BY Percy
White, New York: G. P. Putnam 6
Sons.
BY stopping at the very nick Of time
this story saves itself to the rank OF
romance Of good quality. If it had gone
on even one more chapter In the direc-
ton set by the last one. the whole would
have been cast SO far outside the pale of
possibility as to become pointless and
absurd. Shut off as it is, the reader
himself concludes it by supplying the in
evitable Nemesis Of the situation out OF
his knowledge of the worlds ways. Dull
Gle Ellice the heroine OF this tale. is a
fine and lovable girl, intelligent and in
dependent. an ardent advocate of the
whole budget of privileges and rights
sought by large class of modern wom-
en-. Her father is rich man, a member
of parliament. her own social rank ex-
allied. AS a matter of personal privilege
based on what the girl calls principles
and convictions. she takes another WON
ans husband and bears his child prior to
the marriage permitted by the death OF
the abjectly afflicted wife. Nothing par
ticular happens as the social sequence OF
this high-handed performance. This Is
the absurdity of the matter. The one who
saves this story by an Incompatible tell
ing of it is William Orr, poor relation.
friend. confidential adviser OF the gen
orally upset family of Ellice. Keen in
sight. quiet humor. gentle irony and
shrewd portraiture combine here in the
most artleSs manner imaginable to un-
cover a world of nonsense under the So
called serious aims of such people as are
to a degree represented in this novel.
NEW COMEDIES. BY Lady Gregory.
author Of Irish Folk History
Plays" etc. New York: G. P. Put
MANS Sons.
Lady Gregory's New Comedies are de-
licious. breathing the very spirit Of Irish
life and character. The five little plays
Of this volume are woven about the most
trifling Of themes-mere glimpses of Irish
tradition. superstition. custom, individual
or racial trait. They are Ireland, through
and through, out and out-an essence
caught and embodied in drama Written
largely for the Irish themselves, they