Evening star., 1918-02-03

could not be devised. To be sure. it is
plain that back of this riot of expert
ence there is a mind that works def
nite1y instead of floundering all over
the place. There is the sense of pic
lures. each a definite something. out
lined and framed. <There is the gift of
words and the feeling for the poetic
things along the way. There is the
conception Of facts that are rredomi-
nant and these take their places of
precedence. making an orderly and
balanced view Of the large aspects of
the country that sets this grand ad-
venture. The book was written, in
part, says Mrs. Tisdale. to entice the
potential vagabond away from his
office and his desk. But. this done,
there is no mention of a partner who
ing-so. with this essential lacking.
one stays at home after all, with this
vicarious adventure as his good COM
pensation.
INSECT ADVENTURES. BY ]. Henri
Fabre. Translated by Alexander
Teixeira de Mattos. Retold by Louise
Seymour Hasbrouck. illustrations
by Elias Goldberg. New York: Dodd,
Mead & Co.
The book is intended for children. but
many grown-up will miss a chance if he
pays literal respect to this intention. For
here are couple of dozen of Fabre's sur
passing adventures into the insect world
Of his own garden and roadside. And
what fellowship that inimitablv sincere
and chiIdlike Frenchman did set up with
the bees and bugs of his own limited do
main. And with what skill and grace did
he translate their lives into terms of
human activity and human comprehension!
So communicable is the man that one
literally goes along with him into this
new world. Questioning patiently among
its deniZens for the marvels of their do
mestic and social arrangements. If chill
dran were led to An acquaintance with the
insect world with Fabre their guide
what world of fascinating wonders he
would open up to them, and how this ex-
perience with the great French naturalist
would tend to regulate and set right their
notions about their own place in the
scheme of things! Moreover. how it would
people every square yard of earth with
objects Of absorbing interest for them.
These retold stories hold to the original
simplicity OF Fabre himself. to the same
happy turns Of thought. to the same Zest
in the pursuit of these absorbing adven-
lures And this is an unexpected delight.
controverting ones prejudice against
translations and interpretations. Children
ought to have this book. in place of all
ject of that formidable subject-biology.
THE WORLDS DEBATE. An His
torical Defence Of the Allies. BY
1
Papacy and Modern Times etc.
New York: George il. Doran Com
pany.
The world at present has but a single
theme around which the fors and
againsts Of debate circle. This theme
embraces the causes and origin of the
war. From the various approaches to
this discussion that may be made and
have already been made. this writer Sc
lects the historical point of view, tic
which he brings a thorough knowledge
of history in both its evolutionary and
philosophical aspects. Added to this
intellectual outlook is the special spir-
itual attitude OF the Roman Catholic
and the priest. From such stand
point of investigation the present con-
flict between the forces Of freedom and
those OF absolute power goes back In
it's origin to the religious revolt of Lu-
ther. to the rise Of the state as a power