davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

a book. = There are small books
which are great friends and great
books which remain remote strangers
or intolerable bores."
n X
I have quoted at length from Mr..
Mays preface because / believe that
this Is a matter that needs such plain
speaking. There are all too many
people in the world who are scared
away from good books because some
intolerant person has told them that
they must like Dante, must read
Shakespeare, must be familiar with
So-and-So.
Bunk" laughs John Macy, genially.
and then goes ahead writing his book
on all the authors who ever lived. His
Is fine salutary viewpoint, and one
that will do much to make people feel
at home with the worlds best litera-
ture.
The writer Of this column. for IN
stance, has never been able to see
thing in Dante's Divine Comedy"
To me ii Is an intolerable bore. Mr..
Millions Paradise Lost" too, Is some
thing I cannot intellectually stomach.
Yet in his 40 chapters Mr.. Macy
honors but three authors with a chap
ter apiece-Dante, Shakespeare, Mil
ton.
Thus he seems to single these three
men out of the greatest authors the
world has produced. With the choice
of Shakespeare no one of the English
speaking world will disagree, but with
the selection for special honor of the
| other two he may not be in entire
accord.
Are Shakespeare, Dante and Milton
the three greatest? Our author does
not say 50, and would disclaim hav-
ing made any such choice, yet his &C
cording them a chapter apiece would
seem to voice his real sentiments.
1t can be seen that THE Story of
| the Worlds Literature" Is a thought
provoking volume. AS stated, the
pleasure Of differing from the author
is one Of the charms of the book.
One of the features Of this history Is
Mr.. Macy's habit Of giving the names
of the best English translators of for
eign classics at the moment he tells
| about them.
Thus, discussing Chinese literature,
he instances Arthur Valleys 1.-THE
Temple" set Of TRANSACTIONS Of Chi
nese verse. Talking Of Japan, he
points out some Of Lafcadio Hearn's
books.
Brian Browns The Wisdom of the
Hindus" is given in the brief discus
sion Of the literature of that race.
Discussing the ancient Greek and Ro-
man literature, Mr.. Macy is at pains
TO give his. readers his ideas of the
best way for the average modern
reader to understand the ancients.
He tells OF the best translation of
Plutarch, and helps the n ader through
the difficult selection of i good trans
lation of Homer
Thus he ties up" as the interior
decorators say. all literature with our
literature. He Is perfectly free from
| that intellectual snobbery which would
require an English reader to study all
other literature in their originals.
To know a Latin classic through a
good English translation Is Infinitely
better than not knowing a classic at
all,
The Story of the Worlds Litera-
ture' IS sensible book. Some may
be inclined to feel, in the pride of in
| tellectuality. that Mr. Macy has mere
ly skinned the surface Of his theme
but heavens, with such a subject.
what would you?
! He has given us the cream.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

The booklover who finds John Macy's
The Story of the Worlds Literature
In his stocking tomorrow Will feel
that Santa Claus did a good Job.
AS paradoxical as it may seem. the
booky" man or woman is perhaps
the hardest person in the world 10
give Christmas present to.
He or she has read everything.
AS sure as one presents him with
the latest novel. 1t is found that the
fellow has read 1t. The same holds
true with history. drama or what not
He Is the very one we ought TO give
| book to, but the last one we usually
SO remember. Such is the hard fate
Generally--of the booklover. For the
joke Of the thing Is that there Is noth-
ing on earth he would rather get than
a book he likes.
Those who solve this intricate prob
lem with The Story Of the World g
Literature" published by Boni &
| Liveright, New York. achieve the I'M
possible,
Mr.. Macy has taken nothing less
than all the books that ever were witt
ten for his theme. Working on such
u tremendous canvas. with the major
ideas of all mankind for his Materials
he has written a really notable book.
This big work will appeal principal
ly to two classes-those who know or
think they know something about
literature and those who realize they
do not.
The former class will get the most
benefit from Mr.. Mays book, just as
that person really enjoys music the
most who hears again, In a new set
ting. a beloved familiar melody.
Aside from renewing acquaintance.
then, with the tremendous figures OF
| literature, from Plato to Conrad, the
| booklover will have a hne time OIL
fering with Mr.. Macy's judgments.
The more he reads in this volume,
however, with its bold black-and-
white illustrations, the more he VIII
be impressed with the fact that the
author has done a mighty good JOB
of 1t.
He will discover that Mr.. Macy has
a catholicity of taste that is eager 1or
every fine thing ever written AT
the same time he is in no sense a
"bo0kworm."
His outlook upon books Is the true
one common to all who love these
best friends Of mankind. Here is no
"highbrow," boasting Of his own Sc
cret companions. but friend telling.
in restrained, happy fashion, Of the
merits of his chosen book friends
I'm order TO be well read 1t is not
necessary to have labored through all
the acknowledged classics" he de-
clares in his preface.
1T is enough to have dug into a
few OF them and blandly to Ignore
the rest. One of the most sensitive
and literate men know does not hap
pen to have read Dante, and he has
no intention OF trying to read him.
why should he, If he does not feel
like 1t. or II the accidents OF reading
happen not to have turned his eyes
and fingers to the works OF the great
est poet? He knows other poets
and they are enough. Let US
read broadly or narrowly, according
to the needs of our individual ma
lures. and let literary authority go
hang itself on the lamp-post in front
of the Public Library.
That way of putting 1t may be
too strong. but 1t expresses a con.
viction which has been strengthened
by many months of study in prepar
ing this book. and by years OF read
ing before I thought of writing such
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

Said Thomas Fuller, writing some
three hundred years ago, Learning
hath gained most by those books by
which printers have lost Maybe
that Is equally true today, and the
question of why Is raised in the dis
cussion of Winston Churchill's recent
attack on high prices charged by pub
fishers for good books.
= winston Churchill, New Hamp-
shire author and politician, dropped a
high explosive on the book publishing
Industry the other day. says the
Huntington Advertiser, when he eX-
planned that he was no longer writ
ing the country's best sellers because
the publishers charged SO much for
the books that the public couldn't af-
ford to read" To this the publishers
answer, continues the Advertiser,
that the price Of books has not risen
in proportion to most necessarias anu
practically all luxuries."
Though as yet Mr.. Churchill stands
alone among authors in his crusade
against high-priced books as the
AsheyilIe Times sees 1t, his statement
"seems to he the beginning of a long
needed reform; that other countries
have always been known for the rea.
sonableness of the prices put on the
best literature"
X X X X
Such a statement as that made by
Churchill might be discounted if il
came from an unsuccessful and DIS
gruntled writer, but the Dallas Jour-
nal recalls that Churchill was at the
height of his success when he Tolun,
tarily stopped his output. He hasn't
given us a new novel in the last 10
years. He doesn't know that he Will
ever give us q new one. But he mas
been writing all along, for his own
amusement, and he hasn't offered any
thing to the publishers" The journal
finds that the kernel of the complaint
Is the fact that people are missing
the home association with good books
because they can't AFFORD to own them
at prevailing prices"
"The old yearning which elderly
neonle can remember for book-owner-
shin was wholesome; its disappearance
is regrettable," observes the Brooklyn
Daily Eagle, which has its own ex-
PLANTATION of the situation: Probably
modern education, as the masses are
affected by 1t, with it's tendency to-
ward imparting a smatter1ng OF many
subjects with no grasp OF any one OF
them, discourages close and careful
reading" Along similar lines Is the
comment Of the Utica Observer Dis
patch, which says: winston Churchill.
the novelist, thinks the high cost of
books in this country initiates against
good taste in reading, the ownership
of home libraries. once a Proud pos
session, and the finer writings Of
great novelists." Continuing, this
paper says: classifying Mr.. Churchill's
criticism are these facts: The Amer
lean people buy a hundred million
volumes a year on the average. That
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
The Miners Want to Work.

Sixteen Catholic clergymen, repre-
senting in pastoral capacity eighty
five per cent of the anthracite miners,
sentat!ves of the operators and the
union, declaring that the great ma
jority of the mine workers are tired
of the present suspension and want to
return to work"
1t is doubtless true that the miners
are anxious to quit striking and begin
working and earning money to sup.
port their families. Through organi-
cation loyalty they are themselves not
manifesting displeasure at the obsti-
nate leadership which prevents them
from securing arbitration and adjust
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

VINO became unable to pay his debts
was liable to arrest and was consigned
10 slavery to his creditor. Thrice
within the first 80 days of that slaverv
the debtor was exposed in the public
market to see il he had q friend who
would redeem him; at the end Of the
month he was sold into permanent
slavery, perhaps to foreign nation,
OF ms creditor might put him to death
al wars resulted in capture and
slavery of the enemy; the male can.
tives often were put to deatb Will.
their wives and daughters were held
IN miserable serfdom Rulers who
zen were dragged through the shout
ing crowds acclaiming the victors.
An eye for an eye, tooth for a
tooth, was the Jewish law.
Love or sympathy for the down
trodden were signs Of mawkish weak.
ness. 1t had been so, from the dawn
or history. Sayce, in his "Babylonians
ana Assyrians, tells of Babylonian
agreements for the teaching of trades
to slaves and exploiting slave nrod,
ucts. Only slaves in Rome did any
sort OF manual labor, skilled or un.
skilled Parents sold their children
INTO slaVery-or sold themselves
Kings exploited great enterprises with
gangs of slaves.
AS the centuries developed Christian
IDEALS OF society, slavery became nodi.
ned into feudal peasantry, and, finally.
within the memory of men still living,
the whole Christian world abolished
1nvolutary servitude" in all its forms,
POOR or rich recognized the Rights
of Man" and declared that "a mans a
man for a that"
Such humaneness has not developed
In the Moslem world: it is found only
in Chrlstendom. 1t does not exist in
savagery, nor in the lands Of Buddhism
or Confucianism. The coolie still bows
low under his slaYe.yoke in China and
India. The Turk despises those who,
until the World War. were but Chris.
tan dogs" whom he crushed at will
and massacred according to his cruel
lusts OF power and oppression.
1t took many centuries for the de-
velopment of the ideal expressed In
that second commandment, Love thy
neighbor as myself" but there wa
its principle. Under it's influence, men
became free-some to cultivate the
soil for their own sustenance, instead
OF that OF their masters; some to ply
industries under the light Of independ.
ence. Love made men free! Labor
became honorable, where it had been
but abject servitude Love became
the ideal. and civilization thought less
of conquest and more of mutual help
and amelioration of conditions for all
mankind, for the answer had also been
heard to the other query, "Who is my
neighbour
Copyright. 1925. by Paul v. Collins)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
Why Good Books Stay Dusty
On the Shelves of Dealers

means less than one book per year,
per inhabitant, surely not consump-
ton of books In proportion to our
standard of literacy. The popularity
of the loan library Is another argu-
ment in favor of Mr.. Churchill's con
tention that books cost too much.
The immense output of paper-backed
magazines containing fiction IS d
third"
The magazine popularity brings TO
mind the European custom OF printing
books bound in paper. America once
had that custom, but It fell into
disuse," recalls the Ithaca Journal
News, which further refers TO modern
demands: Books, like breakfast foods,
must now come in costly containers.
no matter what the value OF the
product may be-" This paper thinks
the situation might be met by pub
fishers bringing out their literary
current binding for those who will
spend the money, and another In
paper covers. at half the price or less,
Cor those who are now buying. on the
average, less than one book per year.
On the other hand, the BUFFALO,
Evening News thinks the trouble does
not lie in the price list. Its exposition
of the subject is as follows: Amer
leans do not refrain from buying be-
cause Of high prices. Bookbuying Is
a habit that needs cultivation, espe-
cially in a land having newspapers
and popular magazines containing
fiction. essays. accounts of explora-
ton and travel, and popular science.
The way to increase the sale Of
books" contends the News. is to mul-
tiply attractive book stores. utilize In
telligent reviews with method and I'M
derstanding and Systematically bring
ton OF the right sorts Of potential
buyers"
Agreeing that "our good books con-
tinue to accumulate dust on the book
sellers Shelves" the Tampa Times
asks: Suppose that the best books.
the works of the greatest minds from
Aristotle to Whitman, were selling
for % cents each. Would the sales
rise appreciably?" Answering its own
question, in the laconic expression,
ues, because these books still would
have to compete with the corner NOV
ing picture show, the Sunday supple
ment, the confession magazine and
the musical comedy. And. as in the
past, these competitors would get 80
per cent Of the trade. You don't have
to think, you know, when you see
movie, read a lurid magazine or drop
in at musical comedy"
The Morgantown New Dominion is
thankful for the Libraries. "Fortu.
nately," says the West Virginia pa,
per, there are libraries to furnish,
books for those who can't buy them.
In this respect America Is far better
provided for than foreign countrf So
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

Detroit society may succeed in in
Producing the old-fashioned dances,
INT it is doubtful whether the respon-
sibIe leaders will care to remain awake
long enough to prevent the Charles
ton from resuming sway as the wee.
sma' hours" approach.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

that this country has a sufficient sup
ply of labor problems without import
ing any, however picturesque the Eu.
ropean methods of dealing with them
may appear from distance.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

Congress is entitled to credit at least
for making Teapot Dome a more In
teresting topic than the courts have
succeeded in doing. One Of the ad
vantages of court procedure Is the op-
portunity 1t gives the emotional ele-
ment of popular impression an oppor-
tunity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
Member Of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled
TO the use for ~eDuhication Of all news ms
patches crnditnd TO IL or not otherwise cred
tied in this paper and also the local news Few,
published herein All RIGHTS of puhlicat'on
Of specia] dispatches herein arc also reserved
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

A peace conference is always an en-
terprise involving at least the possi-
bility of desirable results. There must
necessarily be great hesitation about
declining an invitation to attend one.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
SHOOTING STARS.
BY pHILANDER JOHNSON.

The Years Journey.
Old world swingin'
On it's way.
Same old music,
Sweet and gay.
Same old laughter,
Same old cheers,
Same old memories
Touched with tears.
Through the starlight,
Takin' heart,
Same old journey
Soon we'll start.
Bein' thankful,
Mid unrest,
For old treasures
We love best.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

France has dazzled the world with
all kinds of genius. Perhaps she can
produce a financier able to transform
the franc into ready money at par.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

Mussolini has assumed prominence
close to the status of the kings who
figured in the covert satire Of ancient
comic opera.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
Complication.

In Congress mood unseraphic
Is trying to find a detector
Of means, when directing the trafilc,
OF directing the traffic director.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

According to Senator Borah there is
an important difference to be noted be-
tween "a" World Court and this"
World Court.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

A coal strike is in it's nature Sc
we're and determined affair that re-
mains untouched by Christmas senti-
ment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

The many friends of Bill Mitchell
are now casting about to find whether
the extraordinary publicity he has at
tanned can be utilized in any practical
political way.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

Young Mr.. La Toilette is a Repub-
lican in a hereditary sense. but not
entirely so as n matter Of environ
ment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

In mentioning World Court" Sena-
tor Borah makes a close grammatical
distinction in using the article the"
or "a"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

with the plain American twenty-five
cent piece as a tip to the waiter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

The Evening Star. with the Sunday morn morn,
ing edition. Is delivered by carriers Wltn,h
the city at so cents per month: daiiS orr
% cents per month Sunday only, 20 GEMS
per month Orders may be sent by mai or
telephone Main 5000 Collection Is maze os
carrier at the end of each month
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
Games of Deception.

Would you be in favor Of forbid.
ding prohibition agents from deceiv-
ing a trusting bootlegger?"
WELL" rejoined Senator Sorghum,
"retribution Is retribution. The quail
ity of liquor In circulation shows the
bootleggers have done some deceivin
on their own account"
Jud Tunkins says the big advan-
that you can act foolish If you hap
pen to feel like it and nobody will
dare laugh.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
Rate by MaiI-Payable in Advance
Maryland and Virginia.
All other States and Canada.

Daily and sunday. VI. 81 90: ! 70. $50 ~
Daily only ... VI. $500; mo- a2t
Sunday only 49,. l yr.. 81 90: mo. 9o'
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
Struggle for the Spotlight,

us the Christmas spirit strong in
Crimson Gulch?"
"Too strong for comfort" answered
Cactus Joe. THE boys are out in the
public square havin' a terrible battle
to decide which shall have the honor
of playin' Santa Claus"'
Zone o. de happiest things about
holidays" said Uncle Eben, lis de fact
dat nobody amt yit invented q jazz
Christmas carol"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

Business OfiCe:
18th St and Pennsylv mia Ave
New York Office: 10 East 42nd ST
Chicago Office Tower Building.
European Office IA Regent St. LONDON
England.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

@. What IS the weight Of the iargest
tooth ever found?-E. i. NJ.
a. The Smithsonian Institution says
the largest tooth of any animal that
has been found so far is that of the
mammoth. Teeth found in fairly good
condition, or in other words those thai
have not decomposed to any great eX-
tent, weigh approximately - pounds
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

O. Where was FL Dorador-T. o.
A. FL Dorado is Spanish and means
the gilded." This was a fabulous city
OF great wealth which, during the six
teenth, seventeenth and part Of the
eighteenth centuries. was supposed to
exist somewhere in the northern part
of South America. Beginning With
1892, numbers of expeditions were sent
out in search of this city. The con I
quest of New Granada resulted from
the quest.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

Q. What kind of wood is rosewood
r. II J.
A. Rosewood is the common name
of the wood of several trees valued
for beauty and used for ornamental
furniture. The principal species Is
thought to be a Brazilian Mimosa
When being sawed or cut. il yields an
agreeable smell Of roses, hence It's
name.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

@. Who oversees national banks
L. T
A The national banks are under
the supervision of the controller Of the
currency and are examined periodical
ly by national bank examiners who
are appointed by the controller OF the
currency.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

rine Corps, and 81 bands In the Navy.
In June. 1925, there were 98 Regular
Army bands.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

Q. When were friction matches
rst made?--H. o. w.
A. They were first made in March,
900
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

In the spirit of frank inquiry stu
dents of history point to the ire
mendous stride upward and forward
that civilization has taken since the
day when those two great command
ments were quoted.
In the days of Christ any man
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-24

@. Is il more work 20 pump W u
tire when it is not lacked up -
". 3.
A It is harder work, for the weight
of the car has TO be lifted with each
stroke of the pump.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-18

tOOntlnued from rage L, fart -
certs composed of musical numbers By
the best known artists.
The newspapers that have installed
radio broadcasting stations are Excel
sior and Ell Universal. of Mexico City
and Ell Mundo of Tampico.
1t is interesting, Mr.. Hodges said
to observe the enthusiasm of Mexi.
can people over the radio.
Some time ago, Mr.. Hodges said,
the Mexican people would buy parts
and build their own sets, but now they
prefer complete sets, and the demand
is larger every day.
American music and songs are very
popular among Mexican radio fans.
The atmospheric conditions of Mex
leo permit even the smallest set to
receive the concerts from stations in
San Antonio and other parts of the
United States.
This is because in Mexico during
the summer time there is little heat
static, and during the winter the alti-
tude of Mexico allows perfect recep-
ton.
During the stay of Mr.. Hodges in
Mexico, he heard programs given by
VICAR, the San Antonio Light broad
casting station. and according to his
statement that concert fulfilled the
ambitions of the Mexican fans.
To conclude. Mr.. Hodges stated, al
though the German competition in the
radio business in Mexico is very keen,
the people there prefer the American
receiving sets.
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-18
MISSIONARY SPEAKS
AT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

DR.. J. II. Boyd, who has been en-
gagged in missionary work in Egypt
for more than a quarter of century.
will speak at the Government Hill
Christian church Wednesday night.
His address will be in connection
with a program under the auspices of
the woman's Missionary society. of
which Mrs. /. C. Query is president.
DR.. Boyd is in the United States on
furlough.