Evening Star Newspaper, January 28, 1923, Page 56

ReVigWs of New Books A HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR. By John Buchan. Intraduction by Maj. Gen. J. G. Harbord, U. & A. Boston: HougHton Mifiin Company. HALL a history be written while the events are hot er after they get cold? Both, of course. 1f thers were not soms one to salse 1pon the matter while it is in the doing. 10 set it clear to its general purpose, to Gefing cach of §ts parts with referancé 1o thft purpose, to sift fabts for their truth and significance, to collect, to co-ordinate, to summarize; ¢ there were not some one to do.this immediate service, the ¥cold” historian would be buried under a mountain of unrelated detalls of which he could make nelther head nor tail. John Buchan {s that immediate historian of the great war. And what got him ready for this work? In the firat place, he is a scltolar of the live type. He is a lawyer, tried In the weighing of evidence. He'ls'a writer— both u historian and a novelist. He fought in the Boer war. He was news- paper corrcspondent on the western front In the early part of the war. He served s lieutenant colonel in the in- telligence department, and, finally, be- came director of information for the Engiish government. And what about the work f{tself? First, it {s intensely interesting throughout. Next, {t is as- ionishingly clear where one might leok for some slight obscurity in eo emor- mous a_ complex. Now, whether M Buchan is looking at a battle, or & cam- puign, or feeling Into the solidarity snd morale of a body of troops—whatever ke is looking at, ho sees it organized. No, he does not organize it. He sees it organized—which is different. Thiw mo- counts for both the clarity of the work and for the quality of drama that in- heres here throughout. The reader will read it with absorp! . J. G. Harbord, A’ has given a fine introduction book—fine from the standpoint of the military technician, from that of an appreciative soldler, and from that of the man who is himself able to express noble sentiments in words of rare dis- tinction and sincerit; GEORGE_ WASHINGTON. By Wil liam Roscoe Thayer, author of “Theodore Roosevelt,” etc. Boston: Houghton Mifin Company. And the bothered small boy said, “Why couldn't George Washington teM a lie? Couldn’t he talk?” A flippant little story to use in respect to this very serious stud But, Mr. Thayer gave it to us himself and it does cover the whole difficulty of George Washington in the hands of storians. He has been made In- credible by the smother of human rtues piled upon him. Now M “Thayer. trained and widely acceptabl h rtakes altogether 3 n redimenta impossible goodne in him by a literary fashion that hid frailties in its heroes an exulted them to heights of rectitud, i1t popular belief and interest quite failed tc peach And out of this study nne zets the great service of Wash- ington tn his country and to the worid. and it is. inorenver—and this i« the point of the whole matter—it « the ‘service of a man—not the s of & demi-god. nor, en and, the functioning of & ¢ inhuman machine, A fine study of most useful purpose and effect. JOSEPH BONAPARTE: ife and Public Services. By inseph Bucklin Bishop, author of ‘Theodore Rooxcvelt and His Time.” etc. New York: Charles Seribner’'s Sons. 1 convincing detail and inspiring Bizhiop here gives the life oseph Bonaparte, Service noriinod. to state, to nation— the kevnote of that life, Natu- ) sent both of mind and character, rigerous training and high 1dinz in the profession of the law ed a combination that raised < service to the highest efficiency. ublic ofice of increasing honor and widened the scope of surably. Mr. Bona- was, by naturc, a_reformer of vhutever, under his hand, needed re- ping. ‘And his day coincided with of “the spectacular and perfer- 1 reforms inaugurated and carried t with so much gusto by Theodore itoosevelt, with whom he was 8o closely associated. One is interested here to remind Rimself that reforms # still goine on quietly, and, large- rough the medium of better un- ndings, through wiser regula- tory measurés, through less of decla- mation and more of adjustment and the right co-operation. In those days. however, trust-busting was a modified hroncho-busting, become the greatest of indoor sports. Mr. Bonaparte was lie one quiet figure in this turmofl of making a perfect world. And even he looks a bit excited in the better reform methods.of the present. How- ever, this was a nccessary stage in the work, and this book présents with fidelity and appreciation one of the stanchest and most distinguished figures of that important period. The haok gives alfo a history, in sketch, of the whole movement of Which Mr. Bonaparte was so significant a part. OUR SOUTHERN HIGHLANDERS. By Horace Kephart, author of “The Book of Camping and Wooderaft,” ote. New York: The Macmillan Company. 5 new and enlarged edition of Mr. Kephart's book about the moun iaineers of the southern Appalachians. IFor eighteen years the author ha heen in closs touch with the sequestered people. He finds them picturesque and highly interesting, paople of substantial character and of & curious origin that has been menerally misunderstood and, there- fore, misrepresented. Realizing that his story -must read like something m up, in spots at least, Mr. Kephart takes pains to remind us that there is not a line of fiction nor one of exaggeration in this record of most plctur et a hundred stories of the d peremptory challenge’ not only bring out the ic traits of these moun- taineers, but that show, as wall, the inevitable work of environment upen human material. Swiss, Palatine Germans, Scotch-Irish. these moun- 1ain folks are a drift from the north, from western Pennsylvania, and not poor southern whites, as the legend has so long run. Hidden among the mountsins, the mountains and the isalation have made them as they are todey. And they are the most homogeneous people of the United States, This is palachia—*one of the great landlocked areas of the xlobe, more English In speech than Britain herself, more American by parte blood than any other part of America, encompassed by a high-tensioned civilization, yet less affected today hy modern ideas, less cognizant of modern progress, than any other part of the English-speaking world.” Mr. Kephart is deeply interested in this themse and he has made {t deeply in- teresting to others, out of the facts that he has discovered, out of the agsoclations that he has made, out of the picturesque and often humorous portrayals that he has given of these southern mountaineers: FORTY YEARS ON. By Lord Ernest Hamilton. New York: George H. Doran Company. Lord Frederic would stand for Lord Ernest If the ll;(::tnlefilfl backing. He teresting Hamilton on a tour iscence. He sets out with the sixties, when, as “an adoring boy of eight and a half,” he first saw Queen Alexandra, then Princess of Wales, His memory I8 keen on those sixties, though he were but & little boy. ing back. he declares that a “stro vein of humbug, both of self and ot ers,” ran right through the top layer of ‘the people. Affectation was t rule of those Victorian days—a r + bound, is suggested, coarseness of the Georgian period. Lord Ernest plays, for & little whil with the Victorlan fop, the Dundrear: 1vpe of fool, and then moves onm, in equally enjoyable mood, to oth of the English life of {hoss days The memories, erowded with incident and TALES oF Zane G the Purp! New York: LONELY- TRAILS. B: author of o iders :‘! Sage, ustrated. Harper & Bros. Zane Grey write: he writes romance. ually outside the experiences of the average man. the factare which the m west. The book in hand is fact—but{ it might. equally well. ha: h sheerest creation conjuring u of-the-way places, difficult to reach, dangerous to get into, impossibi get out of—and all the tim tifyl, or terrible, or otherwise bedevil- ing to a mere human as to prove irre sistible. The table of contents reads like another—the letters of the words stay hitched all right—one wonders how they do {t—and they give out| such miid information as “Colorada Trai “Tonto Basin,” “Death Val- | ley” and something élse. Once inside ; these innocuous-sounding phrases. though, they venture, to shimmer with every ge laug) dom of the thing. And yet Mr. Grey tells it as plainly and unemotionally @ can. The effect is in the thing tself—in the secret spirit of these lonely trails. THE MAN OF GOLD. By Rufino Blan- co Fombona. Translated by Isaac Goldberg. New York: Brentano's. A belated little book that comes as another evidence of the zeal and scholarship of Isaac Goldberg as these are applied to the business of promoting among us a better &o- quaintance ~with Spanish-American writers and their works. At the be- ginping of this book Mr. Goldberg Eives & sketch of the life of Rufino Blanco Fombona. This emphasizes his gift as novelist, poet, historian, literary critic. It, 'in a few words, indicates his general motive, the deep origin of his writing power, and sets out the qualities that glve him iiter- ary Individuality and distinction. Then Tollows the story itself, & complete m, Which serves as the ehicle of & deep spiritual truth. Thiz s the study of & man who In & world of many ailurements, many beauties, many fine and .desirable things to , chooses, instead, to keep his mind wnd heart and eyes steadfast to the n of gathering money, A humble | man, of a small occupation, but this | is no hindrance to the puruit of get ting money. It makes the effort hard- er, and this goes into the singlen of purpose that domingtes and finally consumes the man himself. An unusual plece of reslistic literature. THE ALTAR STEPS. By Compton Mackenzie, author of “Carnival” etc. New York: Geovge H. Dogan ! Company. This s the story of Mark Lidderdale from little boy to bov and then on to young man. It closes with that stage of his career that is indicated by the title of the book. It sums to a study of the effects of religlous con- troversy upon the mind and soul of one born into this atmosphere apd nourished upon it. An interesting ! fact, and perhaps a natural seque of events, that more than one’ Eng lish novelist is turning to the stydy of youth in its various phases under the stimuius of English national life. These studies cover the public school | in its effect upon the ideals and out- look of the typical English boy. They resch out to include, further, the quality of English life as a whole fn its educative influence. Mr. { Mackenzie's story, however, deals wholly with the church—divided and | controversial and bitter—in its effect ( upon & sensitive nature of religious leanings. No one will read this as a story. ather will a few appreciate | it as a sympathetic and knowing| study of youth in its'reactions to an environment of special character and appeal. —_— A midget watch made by a Geneva watchmaker measures only one-six- teenth of an inch across the dial. Tt forms the top of a gold penholder and; though so tiny, Keeps excellent time, to Grow Kunderd Gladioli bulb will thrill nt the Kunderd plain-petal and varieties the world Gladioli Handbook, ly 400 varieti. ains my personal cultural instruc: tions. Don't be without this catalog. A. E. KUNDERD, Box 77. Goshes, Ind., U. The Originator of The Rasted Gladiolns . A Li%t Off with Fingers Doesn't hurt a bit! Drep a lit- tle “Freesone” on an aching corn, instantly that-torn stops hurting, then shortly yg‘_u l‘ll't it right of cents. sufficient to remove every hard corn, soft cern, or corn betwes: the _toes, the calluses, witl out soreness or irritation. THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. Liberal - Credit Terms Use your’ credit privi- leges during the February Sale, Buy now at savings, and pay later as’conven- dent.. 4-Hece Full Vanity Bedroom Suite Of American walnut or mahogany ve- neer, Queen Anna period. ELxtra large Vanity, large Dresser with mirror, Chif- forette and Bow-foot Bed, (Chairs extra.) A charming sutte in generous proportions. genuine Buy now at this low February Sale Price. - Wardrobe With double doors linen Special Artistic Seven-Piece Dining Suite * Expertly constructed and fimished in American walnut. The new oblong extension table, 42 inches wide, 48 5 L inches long (6-ft. cxtension); five side and onc —_— armchasr, with seats of genuine lcather. offered Your Choice of Walnut in the February sale at the low price of inish Chifforette or Dresser Two choice odd picces, as shown, designed in good taste and strongly constructed. The dresser has cxtra size plate mirror and roomy and 63 drawers. \ e — Davenport-Bed Suile For the Living Room Solid oak construction, durably made, and upholstered in_ imitation leather. The suite consists of a Table, Davenport Bed (a davenport and bed eombined), Armchair and Rocker to match. A prac- tical outfit that will prove the most satisfactory 359 75 purchase you ever made. O, JANUARY 28, - 1923—PART . 3. White Enamel - Metal Crib Full G tinuons post, adjustable side. Fumed Odk Telephon Stand and Steol. made. . drawer. tom. match U phioks Morris Chair Sturdy frame, finished in mahogany : the comfortable cushion seat and back are covered in brown imitation leather. A Hilb special.. dependable. cast irart ~coal raiige with five-hole top and roonty oven. Smoke pipe with elbow included. The warming shelf is extra. ¢ .$2Q.75 Strongly TARTING ¥ The Furniture S T0 ture Store inaugi ruary Iurniture Sal of fine furnishings, includii -for this gzent. I this big sa finest to ithe lowest priced. things from thi or apartments ery requir ale g L find 1ent The Easiest Credit Terms in Prices and Save—FHuve ¥ as You Derive Enjoyme FEumed Oak, Strongly Made | <A most artistic suite, finished in mahogany—with cane panel backs, loosc cushion spring scats and spring bol- d in veleur, with two square pillows to - * - . el . 3-Piece Cane Panel Living Room Suite 119+ .rllahogar'zj' Finish Indian Stool 1 fotes il T i Four—Piece Walnut Finish o “star” attraction n the sale. This superior suilc consists of scmi-vanity, stylish chifforette, semi-boze-foot bed and generous sise dresser, with plate mirror. In the February sale e we priced it at the cxtremely logw price_of 109