Evening star., 1924-03-16

thor OF "TWenty-nv6 ears OF
Massachusetts Politics" Illustrat-
cd. New York: G. p. Putnam'S
Sons.
twenty-ninth President of the
United States, stands revealed
in a biography written by NJ.
e. Hennessy and just published by
G.. p. Putnam's Sons. More and more,
the longer President Coolidge Is In
the public eye, the people are coming
to look upon him as the personifica-
tion of all that New England stands
for-steadinesS, responsibility, thrift,
just dealing and devotion to the re-
public. Mr.. Hennessy in his delight
fully written and delightfully."- inter-
esting book tells how and why this
Characterization, this estimate of CAL
vim Coolidge has dcveloped-and why
1t is just.
Mr.. Hennessy is eminentiy qualified
to write a biography of the Presi-
dent. Veteran correspondent of the
Boston Globe, he has been an OBJ
server of public men and public
events for many years. He knows
New England, producer of Calvin
Coolidge, and he knows the President
through long association with him,
particularly during the last decade,
during which Mr.. Coolidge has been
power in Massachusetts ,.and more
lately a power in national affairs.
In foreword to his book, Mr.. Hen
messy says that the story Of Calvin
Coolidge lis the latest romance of
American politics." referring to his
farm to the White House. 1t is such
romances that keep the peoples faith
In America-in the great republic
alive. 1t is such romances that war
rant the telling many times over.
His taciturnity and self-repression
are characteristic of the stock from
which he spranG-a people noted for
self-reliance. Independence, simplicity
and plain living" says Mt. Hennessy.
Men born and bred. as he, on noun
tain top are likely to be reserved and
slow to speak. The stiffness of the
hills is reflected in their manners"
And, predicting the future of Presi-
dent Coolidge, the author continues:
Men do not change their ideals at
President Coolidge'S time of life.
They are likely to adhere to them
more tenaciously. Hence, it is reason
able to assume that the country is
OF unaffected Jeffersonian simplicity,
rugged New England honesty and in
dependent thinking"
Mr.. Coolidge has been referred to
as an enigma as kind of mysteri-
Gus and unknown quantity. But if
such conception of the President
exists today a perusal of this latest
biography Of the President must dissi-
pate it. From his early boyhood on
the family farm at Plymouth Notch,
Tar in the hills of Vermont miles
from railroad, to Amherst College,
his early law practice in Northamp-
ton, Mass. his entrance into politics
as common councilman, his service
as mayor of Northampton, in the
house and senate of the state legis-
lature, in the office of lieutenant gov
ernor. of governor, Vice President
and finally President of the United
States, Mr.. Hennessy traces his ad-
vance.
The story is told with a wealth of
humor and incident and anecdote.
me ilttle things in life are revealed.
real character of Calvin Coolidge
The big. dramatic incident in the life
OF MI. Coolidge up to the time he
entered the White House was the
police strike in Boston, which, as Gov
ernor of Massachusetts, he was called
npon to quell His handling of the
strike. which brought him to the fore
as the exponent of law and order.
MIR Hennessy pictures with the sure
hdnd of one who was on the spot at
The time and who was in close touch
with events as they transpired.
Rellabillty. as a public servant,
IN the many offices he has been chosen
by his people to fill. is the burden of
the story of Mr. Coolidge told by Mr.
Hennessy. Lacking the spectacular.
safe. sound, determined, strong in the
crisis, is the picture left by the tale
of the present head of the America II
government. Mr.. Hennessy, however,
makes mention frequently of the dry
wit. the kindliness that has endeared
Calvin Coolidge 10 many men in
ff h.
dance, nor play cards, nor golf. and
never has gone in for games and
sport.
Mr.. Hennessy tells d story Of Mr..
Coolidge while presiding over the
Massachusetts senate. one of the SEN
ators was making a long speech
against bill. He was approached
by another who advised him to cut
ed to the other and savagely told him
ITO go to the hot place, and resumed
his assault upon the bill Mr.. Hen
messy says. THE rebuffed senator
mentary language OF his associate,
and he went up to the presidents
desk.
"'Cal,' said the offended senator,
did you hear what so-aHd-so said to
me moment ago.!
Yes replied the President with
out the sembiance Of a smile, but I've
looked up the law and you don't have
to go.'"
THE HEIR; A Love Story. By V.
Sackville-WeSt, author or "Herl-
tage." etc. New York: George H.
Doran Company.
Not often does story or any
other work of art leave one satisfied
deep down within himself, where
there is, indubitably. some sense Of
perfection, some feeling for beauty,
that rises joyously to meet that which
feeds this deep-lying sense. Here is
a story that does produce this kind
Of satisfaction. One is curious about
it's potency. 1t is very simple story.
Phillida Chase is dead. Her viii
devises the Manor of Blackboys and
the whole of the Blackboys estate to
her nephew, a stranger. Peregrine
Chase. In obedience to u summons
Chase is at Blackboys. A nervous.
unimpressive little man, perplexed
dened estate. which. clearly. he can
not keep. Peregrine Chase stays at
BIackboys while it is being rounded
up for sale. That is the situation.
That is all there is to the story
save its dramatic and unavoidable
climax. 1t is in this period of wait
ting, however, that Miss Sackville-
West works the miracle and sets the
story upon the heights of dramatic
art. An unimpressionable man is
the old Manor of Blackboys dips
down into his being. Some aspects of
the ancient place-at sunset, maybe;
with the sweep Of rain upon it, pos
sibly; with the harvest spread of its
fields before him, perhaps-slips him
back into the identity of some old
possessing. ancestor. That the ten
ants and the households and the dogs
accept him comes to him with a
thrill of pleasure and also with a
sense of right. The soil of Black
hoYs is his own ancient demesne. He