Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-26
IDA GILBERT MYERS.

] Evans. Washington: Pioneer
Book Co.
n rs the soil. AS Delaware and
Georgia run to peaches, as the
filth of California and Florida
II turns naturally to oranges, just
so do the chemical affinities OF In
diana soil react in lusty crops of all'
thors. No other single Commonwealth
nears this one in its output Of writer's.
It's the soil. Moreover, the product
is of a general likeness that points to
q common rootage and Identical inti'i-
ences Of growth. A clear kinshlp
marks the writer's of this Midwest
prairie State. no matter how widely
they may differ in the externals of the
art. Certainly, it's the soil. Here is
a beloved poet. bucolic in brand. There
Is a sage who by way Of fable and
kindred classic forms dispenses the
wisdom of life in homely adage and
maxim. Yonder a group of novelists,
kindly and sympathetic observers. all
OF whom, save one, choose to present
the world and life in its finest and
fairest aspects. Even the journalists,
those writing rough riders, partake
of the unfailing geniality. of the kind.
" wit, of the smiling humor that, save
for the one exception. stamp the lit
erary people Of Hoosierdom as of one
tribe, one family.
Here is case In point. A journalist.
sprouted and grown in the mellowing
soil OF Indiana, has consistently held
to his birthright of sympathy and un-
Outstanding. though more than few
professional years have parted him
from the good starting point of his
career. Washington has latterly
sourced his literary work. At hand,
in proof thereof, is Senator Solomon
Spiffiedink. In this laughable story
of political Washington. Louis Lud-
low, despite the touches of extrava-
gance that mark Senator Solomon,
proves himself to be not only a good
story-teller, but a political expert as
well, bringing out fact and critical APP
praisal, all in the way of good-hu-
mored drama of official life at the
Capital. In a big gesture, from the
advantage point of the press gallery,
Ludlow, for purposes of identification
and expression, came to separate sthe
Senate into two men--John Law on
the one hand, Solomon SpifHedink on
the other. The entire Senate was Ell
Their the one or the other. of these.
And this is the inspired drama tization
OF the Spiffledink side of the cham
. Der. Laughable at every step ~ but
never acidly laughable. Here we have
wit and wisdom, humor and tolerant
honesty of view. gathered up in a
story OF sheer entertainment.
A GRIFFIN IN CHINA. BY Gene
We've Wimsatt. Illustrated. New
York: Funk & Wagnalls Co.
A ND what is a "Grifin?" And
how did this author become one?
The Griffin" is the newcomer, so
named by the ''China-side folks as
they point to the men and women
come into the East to see the sights
of the Orient. So much by way Of
Introduction. And now let us get
out into the streets and shops and
temples with this particular Griffin,
because here is manner and a meth
cd that prove altogether satisfying
to one who desires to see the actual
daily life Of China Filled with good
intentions of passing on her own in
terest in this country, Genevieve
Wimsatt began the study of many
volumes of Chinese history and re-
ligion and philosophy, all Of the
honorable stuff of learning. OF
course, that must be the way to ap-
proach such disinterested sharing of
China with the folks back home,
Then, she, set all this aside and be.
took herself to the outside where the
Chinese were actually living the
daily life in the clear open. The book
In hand is the cleaning from such
adventures in the midst of the street
life OF Peking. The first incident of
record here is a charming and anus.
ing account Of going to the theater.
You viii not come upon q more inter.
esting closeup than this In many an
hour Of reading. Then the author
deals In quite complete and scholarly
fashion with the Chinese drama in
It's purposes and ways so different
from our own. Other incidents of the
day press around here. Eating in.
China would hardly seem to offer
ANYTHING greatly new in the way Of
eettlng the human In touch with his
1ood-but 1t does. And so does every
other common interest Of life offer
d strange and interesting approach
and consideration. Since Chinese
art Ia all over the place the author
talks easily on this subject and with
excellent Information to back the
TAX. Just the common things. just
the matters about which people are
Keen In respect to strange peoples
everywhere--such provide the topics
OF this unusual and delightful book
OF observations on a life alien to our
own. Thorough enjoyment awaits
readers in this book, so intelligently
projected.
THE LINGERING FAUN. Bv Mabel
WOOD Martin. author Of The
Green Gods Pavilion" New York:
Frederick A. Stokes Co.
a DIFFICULT task this author set
herself in an attempt to construct
o coherent drama out Of many odds
ana ends OF human personality and
human interest at a most critical pe.
ROO or world events. The story is set
IN Paris, against a background of
postwar conditions, such as changed
the essential character of this historic
city through it's overcrowding by
ruined and despairing aliens The
story itself has to do with a group of
Russian exiles, reduced to utter hope.
lessfless by the adverse fate that over.
took them in the overthrow of the
Tsar and his government. At tho
center or this group Is a Russian
prince and his American wife. The
action depends upon the efforts Of this
group to rehabilitate themselves to
the extent, at least, of daily food.
Specifically the central thread covers
the efforts of the American wife to sell
pearls in her possession to meet such
demands. The real matter. however,
hinges upon the contrasted tsmpera.
ments OF the Oriental. the Russian
prince and the woman of the West,
his wife. The whole brilliant drama
and 1t is undeniably brilliant, spends
the best of itself in this contrast be.
tween the two forces. On tn one hand,
an ancient, pagan, ceremonial civil.
zation, lingering past its time, languid
and ineffective. On the other hand,
the new life of the West, efficient,
active. shrewd. capable. And these two
are united here in a story of compe.
tent conception, one that delights with
its flashing and swift-changing scenes,
y 4 y