Evening star., 1928-10-07

r ERE Is a textbook for the use OF
the amateur of old silver, OF OLD
Sheffield plate. Despite its dis
Il 4 tinction of makeup. despite its
impressive book personality. It,
by virtue Of its substance. meets f1rSt
of all the needs of the one who wants
to know" Clearly, such is the primary
ofice' of the textbook. It certainly is a
glorifed instrument of learning, how
ever. The paper, the print, the illustra-
tions, the binding-all declare this to
be of the very elite OF its class. A beau
tiful thing, just to look at, to leaf over.
70 handle.
Here is a history of the art of the
silversnith as it developed and perfected
itself in Great Britain and Ireland.
Reading, one is reminded OF the joyous
story OF Benvenuto Cellini as he pic
lures his own career in this art. One
is reminded also of the historic place
Of the guilds as they came into political
and economic prominence. Here the
record is confined to the British Islands
in q survey Of its old silver and Shelf
field plate Along with the record of
growth goes the reproduction of fac
SMILES Of $4,000 of the marks employed
among the silversmiths of Great Britain.
Again. here are tables of date letters
and other marks-American silver
smiths and their marks, Paris marks
and date letters with a description Of
the methods OF marking employed by
the Paris guild of silversniths. Repro
duced In facsimile are hallmarks and
date letters, when used, Of nearly all
the countries Of Continental Europe.
And, here is the history, the full history,
of old Shefflield plate, with a descrip-
ton OF its method of production, the
names and marks of every known maker
accompanying the history. Here are
II full-page Illustrations. The whole
gives evidence of the competency. and
the enthusiasm, of the author in provid-
Ing this completed field Of study for
others who. possessing the interest.
have hitherto not known where to go
for further information on what looks
(tke a most fascinating subject. Living
y Washington. one has the advantage
G being able to ohjectify the contents
" this book at the studio Of the author,
And, otherwhere, is one able also to
follow the expert guidance of the book
A novel exploration of field, new
% the conmonalty, but, nevertheless. a
Md that offers clear delight. The
authoritative quality of this study in
Old silver, with its complete inclusion
az the field under consideration, with
Us definite instruction and means of
vcrification-these. too, seems to me,
constitute the distinction of this major
Nork upon the subject of old Shef1ield
8aate.
*k*
NINETY-THREE. BY Victor Hugo.
Illustrated. Boston: Little, Brown
81 Co.
THIS is one of the books Of "The Bea-
- con Library Of Fiction Classics"
sponsored by Little. Brown 6 Co.
Ninety Three" was written when Vic
tor Hugo was 10 years old, and after
many years Of political exile from his
beloved Paris. Yet almost at once the
novel became that which today is ac-
claimed as best seller"
Here Is the story, you recall, of civil
war when. following the Revolution and
the Commune. the old and the new still
fought together in the remote Vendee.
On the one side was the old Vendean
marquis leading his forces. On the
other the Republican leader. The ac-
ton itself involved the siege of an
ancient feudAl tower, stronghold of
the Chouans. Despite its martial move
ments, its warlike theme, this is. after
all, a. lyric. tale wherein little children
are, as matter of fact, the really signifi-
can't characters. For the author is an
old man, tired of wars and political
rancors, an old man whose grandchil-
dren, so dear to him. give solace and
comfort, such as strife and patriotic
zeal can no longer bestow. Therefore.
IN this war In the Vendee, the fate of
three little children becomes paramount,
shaping the action and giving to the
whole the lyric note Of green fields.
or wooded depths, Of chivalrouS be-
havior on both sides Of the contest
Tor are not these Frenchmen, ell?
In sense, this novel stands for Hugo
In his own tempestuous life-the old
marquis representing the dreams of his
youth. the Republican leader embody-
ing his later ideals. At once the story
caught the public, increasing, If possible,
the popularity Of its author.
Clearly representative of France at an
important point in its national life, the
work Of genius whom age had not
served to stale. here is novel for whose
revival readers will be glad and grate-
1ul. Not the greatest of Hugo's novels.
but great novel, nevertheless.
X
YARNS OF A KENTUCKY ADMIRAL
BY Hugh Rodman, Rear Admiral,
dianapolis: The Bobbs- Merrill Co.
MO formal biography. save perhaps
the rare one created by clear
genius. could so completely deliver over
to readers the man himself as does this
book OF personal "reminiscences by its
author. Admiral Hugh Rodman Hav-
Ing read 1t. 1t is the gusto Of this life
the 1est with which 1t is met head-on
that constitutes its delight and its value
as well. The immediate effect on the
reader is to square his own shoulders, to
Lift his own courage for the next en-
counter. And this is the acid test.
From all over the world do these
stories come. From the South Seas,
from Alaska and the coast of Asia. from
the North Sea. Peace time and war
time source them. The line of active
duty covers them, since their background
IS. as a rule. that Of important and de-
voted service. But such serious busi-
ness is held as background and from
II emerge in Joy and laughter these
tnrplmerable yarns" which serve to
give life and color to a thousand ex-
periences that crowd the days and years
Of active duty. These stories go back
70 boyhood in Kentucky and advance TO
the years Of training at Annapolis, mov-
ing gradually out lnJo serious work ana
obligations and service. Many OF them
center upon Admiral Rodman's COM
r1and Of the American battle squadron
with the grand feet during the World
War. Many more of them have to do
with years Of peace, now here, now there
in the wide waters Of the world
He has had glorious time in all
parts of the world''-with Dewey in
Manila Bay; with Beatty in the North
Sea- representing the Navy at the Pan
anna Canal; honored hy King George
with K. G. B. The Navy is his Job
For playtime he takes to hunting and
fishing, to getting acquainted with the
nature that he so clearly loves. Many
of these stories have to do with natural
life-with fishes and seals and marine
birds. To the man l.. she service tbs
professional side Of this Dook CT recol-