Evening star., 1914-01-10

erSon JouIHdlst coNSis tHe sc"-
en- years from 1856 to 1S6S-a
period of national chaos. At
this time Stephen Douglas
"squatter sovereignty" bill was working
war in Kansas the John Brown raid fol-
lowed. Sumner was attacked in the Sen
ate and feelings reached climax in the
election of Lincoln. The journals close
with the civil war at high tide. Emer-
son was profoundly and actively interest
ed in public affairs. These Journals with
great freedom give his personal views and
intimate opinions upon these urgent
events Across their pages glimpses of
public men are seen-Lincoln. Sumner.
Seward, Chase and host of others. Here.
the other hand, are unforgettable
walks with Thoreau, and equally remem-
berable talks with Alcott and Holmes and
many another of equal quality. Philoso-
piers from Confucius to Emerson himself
have things to say in these Journals
Poets, artists. thinkers, readers, writers.
the best not only of America, but of the
world, meet in this remarkable record
Emerson's vast reading shines out here.
does his astonishing originality of
thought and statement The whole is an
amazing self-revelaton of this unique
American. II is besides. an invaluab e
comment upon the body of Emerson's
formal writings, an inestimable compile
fnent to this formal work.
EUROPEAN DRAMATIsTs. BY Archi-
bald Henderson. author of Inter
prefers of Life" etc. Cincinnati
Stewart & Kidd Company.
Here are six essays in critical review of
those whom Mr.. Henderson designates as
1.-The newest thinkers''-August Strind-
berg. Henrik Ibsen. Maurice Maeterlinck,
Oscar Wilde George Bernard Shaw and
quite the newest of the group-Grau-
vile Barker. In general dramatic out
look and to a certain extent, also in aim
and method. the first three of these are
blood kim though 1t may not, at a glance.
be easy to reconcile the suave optimism
of Maurice Naeterlin"k with the fiery in
vective of Strindberg's pessimism. THE
Blue Bird Of the one. and 'Swanwhite''
of the other. read side by side, however,
reveal subtle and fundamental l'kenesses
between the two dramatists. Among the
last three of this group the resemblances
are open and obvious. The tie that binds
them all Is, likewise. valid and unas-
sailable one. literary biographer and
critic Of the quality of Mr. Henderson Is
inestimablv he'rfu1 to less hiohlv trained
readers and students. These are not al
ways able to abstract themselves suf-
fciently from the outer al'urements of
writer's thought to appraise his aims
with certitude. to estimate his values cor
rectly. Mr. Hendersons work clears the
trees. so to say. in order to give one
sense OF the forest; ohscures the individ-
ual buildings for full grasp of the
town itself. serious. scholarly. DIS
terminating writer. one to be depended
upon. and abundantly worth the first
little necessary effort on the readers part
to come into personal touch with him.
THE RED ROOM. Rv August Strind-
berg. author of "The Son of Ser
want etc. Translated from the
Swedish by Ellie Schleussner. New
York: G. p. Putnams Sons
The Red Room was written at about
the year 1s7s-a time when anything like
general recognition of Strindberg's genius
by his own country had already been so
long deferred as to lash the man to
fury of resentment. and to throw him
into frenzy of reprisal This novel is
a tremendous satire, fierce sardonic
exposure Of what appeared to Strind-
berg to be the well-nigh hopeless situa-
tion Of Sweden a situation of impene-
trable lethargy in respect to the intel
iectual and artistic life. The land was
stepped in laziness, insinderity. artificial
ity and plain lying, as Strindberg believ-
ed. Therefore, by way of a company Of
unrecognized administrations. artists.
writers. a mutinous and reckless crew
he makes this prodgious protest AGAINST
Individual and social degeneracy. 1t Is.
needless to say. brilliant and biting ar
ra'gnment of world inhospitable to
this perverted and chaotic soul. to this
king of anarchs and iconoclasts.
THREE FARMS. BY John Matter. au-
thor of Once" New York: Henry
Holt & Co.
An adventure in contentment that gives
delightful and most profitable reading.
IT is a quest. this adventure. the quest
Of farm 1t begins in Provence, and
fTt1e, cpf tiny Of oil
amazing possibilities in the search for
anything in Provence. But. however
pquant and appealing ones own rictures
may be. they do not comoare with the
aughing grace of this holiday in Provence
with Antoine. aged nine, to help IN sieur'
In his hunt for farm. There are grave
discussions all along the way as to what
farm should be and have. Antoine says
Rabbits. in tone of finality. But
M sieur leans toward horses and dogs.
and the face of the farm itself; 1T should
be mixture of pine and beech woods,
mountains. streams the sea and a bit of
prairie There are hungry trout In the
streams, and deer in the woods. and bears
n the mountains. and grouse on the
prairie, and pirates on the sea" And then
The house: LIT should have a red roof and
many windows. and fine turf growing to
the vines and a few music-making trees
nearby.' There must be other things,
too. but these you must read for the fine
pleasure of a first-hand grip upon this
splendid adventure. Suffice it to say that
the farm is not discovered in Provence
happily not discovered there. For out of
this half playful and poetic pursuit
springs the wholly serious. robust home
steading venture in the Saskatchewan
country. and. later. the goal of quiet con-
fentment on the old home farm in In
iiana A book of sage philosophy and
certainly one OF exquisite charm.
GOLD. BY Stewart Edward White, au-
thor of THE Blazed Trail" etc.
rat cd ny Thomas arfy New
York: Doubleday. Page & Co.
Washington: Woodward & Lothrop.
OF the score of novels of adventure
written by Stewart Edward White 1t is
not conceivable that any other one of
them fills the measure of its intent with
quite the rounded and ripened mastery
that marks this latest of his books. vi
rflity and vividness are the stamp Of
Gold" Mr.. White has chosen stirring
theme dramatic and romantic chapter
Of American history-the California gold
Fever of 40. Choosing four young for
tune hunters from the east. Mr.. White
sets them out by way of Panama for
california. A happy choice of routes at
his particular juncture of events. and one
of which the most is made by way of its
contrasts with the present. Each of the
foung fellows is a reality. a person OF
Our dimensions at east-young. ardent.
adventurous. hopeful All are bound to-