The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-04
BY WALTER d. HICKMAN.

II
BY WALTER d. HICKMAN.
TT remained last night at English!
Il for Rafael Sabatini, great Eng
fish author, to expose the fiction
that exists in history while talking
on tn subject as a lecture in the
Town Alall series.
Sabatini branded as fairy story
or a myth the life of William Tell
the Swiss idol. He not only showed
as pure fiction the story of Tel
shooting the apple off the head Of
his child with a bow and arrow, but
declared that the facts show that
William Tell never actually lived
although three chapels and many
statues commemorate his virtues.
He went into detail in a most in
teresting fashion to show how his
tory is poisoned at its very sources
In proving that he indicated the
case of Napoleon.
Extremely interesting we're his
revelations concerning Richard III
although Shakespeare painted hin
as a hunchback. This English king
was not the brute in appearance
that fiction has injected into his
tory, according to Sabatini.
Sabatini also cleared Richard OF
being the murderer of the two prin-
cesses in the tower by giving facts
and their dates.
One Of the largest audiences
have seen attending a lecture for
many months was present to hear
this great writer.
+
Been asked to recommend one
book that will be a most appropriate
Christmas gift for adult reader
either male or female. My recon-
mendation is this case is 1.-THE Story
of San Michele" by Axel Munthe
a doctor, who is as frank with him.
self as his patients were with him
To me this book published by Dut-
ton is the most enjoyable have
read in the last two years.
=
This department has been asked
to be of service to those who desire
to buy books for children of all
ages for Christmas. If you write
this department and send a self
addressed envelope, I will be glad
to give my recommendations and
you can take them for what they
are worth.
The part that women is supposed
to have played in the life of the
father of our country is said to be
contained in Norwood Young's
George Washington; Soul of Revo-
luton" to be, published in Febru-
airy by Robert M. Mcbride & Co
His keen sentimental interest in
women, especially toward an at
tractive young married woman is
revealed in this promised book.
When look at the catalog list
ing the books for boys and girls
published by Frederick A. Stokes
Company, 1 wish that I was a
youngster again. I recommend this
catalog for the home that has chill
dren. 1t really makes a splendid
reference book as it contains some
interesting accounts of the men and
women who write for youngsters to-
day.
n
TINE winner of this weeks book
Il review is G. E. Diehm, S14
North Gray street, who reviewed
Thomas Hardys The Mayor OF
Casterbridge."
His review is as follows:
In The Mayor of Casterbridge." BY
Thomas Hardy. frequent references to the
classics. both ancient and modern. spark.
ling French phrases. and faultless die.
ton. keep the reader pleasurably occu,
pied. Excepting the misanthropiSt. few
of us would be expected to accept Hardy,
fatalistio philosophy.
You will pity Michael Henehard, tht
Mayor Of casterbridge. as he sinks slowl,
in the mire of his pride. until finally h,
returns a miserable Supplant to his step
daughter. Elizabeth-Jane. whom he ha
wronged so selnshly.
You stand aghaSt when she sends hin
away broken hearted. and when she come!
to understand. YOU lend wings TO her com
miserative search which finds him dead
The fataliStic cloud even casts its sha
dow over the happy marriage of Far
and Elizabeth-Jane as she realizes L..
she was one of few to find peace in a lii,
of which Happiness was but the occa
sional episode in a general drama o
pain"
Diehm can choose one of severa
books as soon as he gets in con.
tact with this department. Anybody
is eligible from now on to submit
reviews, not to be more than Isl
words or in that neighborhood, ex.
cept those employed by The Indian
apolis Times in any capacity.
Walter Mills, author of "ThC
Marital Spirit: A Study of Our Wa
With Spain" is the author of al
article on William Randolph Hears
in the December issue of the At
lantic Monthly. The Marta
Spirit" published by Houghtol
Mifflin Company. was a recen
selection Of the Literary Guild o
America.