Evening star., 1916-12-31

lase groups is it. OF course. no viii
laise will do this. Instead. it will hold
the book UP as an exact reflection OF
some neighboring settlement. And in
insight, the robust fun. the touches Of
satire. the disillusioning sweep OF
hard sense. the genuine goodness OF
heart under the breezy and careless
front. will delight it as these dis
close the foib1es OF It's neighbors to the
world. This is a good companion. the
logical sequence, to the earlier book
that describes the joys and sorrows or
a ministers wife in the country corners
of the south.
EARLY LIFE AND LETTERS OF GEN.
THOMAS J. JACKSON. By Thomas
jackson Arnold. Illustrated. New
York: Fleming II. Revell Company.
The writer Of this geographic study is
a nephew of its subject. "stonewall'
Jackson Already much has been written
about this famous soldier Of the con-
federacy. But. in possession OF facts
not hitherto brought to light. informed
also Of certain inaccuracies that have
gained a circulation concerning Gen.
jackson, and, above all, conscious that a
considerable period OF his history has re-
ceived inadequate attention. this writer
here presents a study that is definitely
aimed to correct these flaws, and at the
same time to extend and complete the
biography Of this distinguished southern
leader The special usefulness Of this
study lies in the fact that it deals with
the part of Gen. Jackson's life about
which the least is known-that Is. it gives
a full and vivid account OF his life up to
the time OF the civil war. Past that point
there are literally dozens Of historic doc
uments dealing with the subject. There
fore II Is with his ancestry and youth.
with his training at West Point his SOL
diering in Mexico in 1916. his life at Gov
ernors Island. Fort Hamilton and Fort
Meade. his military professorship in Vir-
ginia Military Institute, his home life
and his travels. that this volume has to
do. Many Of the personal letters OF Gen.
Jackson lend an added vitality to this al
ready animated story. clear idea of
the basic character of the man comes out
here in strong light. Indeed. the book
forms an admirable background for the
military career Of Jackson during the
civil war. In this respect 1t stands as
an essential part Of any adequate rep
resentation OF this picturesque and cele-
brated figure of the civil war.
UNCLE SANS SECRETS. BY oscar
Phelps Austin. New York: -. APP
pleton & Co.
Written in response to the inquiries
of a child, this book is simple and
conversational in tone, and story e
in form. Dan and his uncle are the
means by which the secrets of Uncle
Sam are here brought out in manner
to interest boy or girl reader in some
of the important branches of the bust
ness OF the government. Sometimes
these two are in the Capital city itself,
sometimes they study the government
operating its business at longer range.
The United States Treasury is a point
of special interest. The sources of
its existence the part that it plays in
the general role of the government. the
origin of it's supplies. the relation of
paper money to gold. the simplest
ideas underlying credit the redemp-
ton of old bank notes. and others OF
the most obvious uses of this part of
the government machinery are here
brought out in way to interest one
and to inform him. And so the two
go the rounds of Washington. getting a
grasp of law-making through visits to
the Congress with an outline of his
tory thrown in at this point. The
interesting work of the secret service
comes a little too close to Dan to be
altogether comfortable. but he emerges
all right and with a better understand
ing OF this subject than he could other
wise have had. The judiciary, the
executive. and. as has been already
noticed. the Legislative branches of
the government. with their most OBJ
out here by way of this series of per-
sona1 experiences and observations.
The scheme of the book meets it's pur-
pose admirably. 1t is calculated to be
as useful as 1t is certain to be inter-
estfng to young readers.
RECOLLECTIONs OF A HAPPY LIFE.
By Elizabeth Christopher Hobson.
New York: q. p. Putnam's Sons
A widely diversified experience and
the gift of animated anecdote combine
here to form a refreshing and delight