The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, August 16, 1896, Page 23

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL. SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 1896. 23 MAKERS OF FRENCH HISTORY Glimpses of the Men and Women| Who Have Shaped the Des- tinies of the PERSONAL _ CHARACTERISTICS = FROM FRENCH HISTORY. By Baron Ferdinand Rothschild. ~ For sale by Doxey, Palace Hotel: price $3 25. There are people to whom history is the rec- ord of the evolution of & race and the develop- ment of a nation, and there are others to whom it is the chronicle of the words and doings of great men. The former concéption clothes history with the greater dignity, but the latter makes it the more interesting. Forone person who cares to trace the slow degrees by which the people of the United States were trans- formed from the conditions of 1776 to those 0f 1896 there are a hundred who delight in every anecdote of Washington, Franklin, Jack- son, Lincoln, and even of such second-rate fa- vorites as Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. Anecdotical history is In’ fact one of the de- | partments of literature that is:most umiver- sally pleasing to the great mass of men end women, and in this respect Is perhaps second only to ~the bright domains of poetry and romance. It may be safely asserted, therefore, that cne of the most popular of new books of the season will be the recently published work of Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., “Personal ;Characteristics from French History,” illustrated with nu- merous portraits of the noted mén and women whose sayings and doings are recorded in the book. g The aim of the author has been not to write & history of France, nor even to give & series of blographies of famous personages, but simoly to record some of their more important words of wit or wisdom in order that the reader may obtain therefrom sp idea of the salient characteristics of the men and women whose personal influence had much todo in making the history of France and shaping the stinies of its people. Enough of history and biography is given to save the work from be- nga mere catalogue of famous people or a | book of anecdotes. The historical passages serve to give a continuity to tne work and make a good setting for the stories which con- e its chief charm and value: One of the first anecdotes of the baok is of Philippe 1I who, on the morning of the battle of Bouvines, ordered mass to be sail before his whole a and placing his crown on the altar said to his generals: *Here is my crown; if one of you deems himself worthier than I t over these good people let hin take it. 1f not let us march on the enemy.” 7The King fought in the battle like an ordinary knight and won a victory over the Emperar of Ger- ¥ which made him the foremost prince of me. Another of the brave Kings of the riy days was Louis IX, who, whennn assas- bed into his tent with a dragn sword cried, “Make me & knight or die,” calmly | ed, ome a Christian and I yill make e a kuig The man was awed ind fled. Philippe VI is given the credit of being the hor of the famous phrase, “Who bves me me,” whici has been ever since & sehold word France. Jean Il having n takeu prisoner at Poictiers regiined his v after some years on conditio? of send- son as a hostage to England. The , however, escaped, and the King tivity, saying: I good faith be banished from earth it mwt finda hc n the hearts of Kings.” It is:sserted, wever, by s that the teturn of the King to England was due-less i) & noble love of good faith and honor than t¢a desire to meet again a fair dame whom hehad met and admired during his captivity. Of Louis XII a really noble sayint is nar- rated. Beiore he came to the throne ad while his accession was uncertain he borethe title of Duc d'Urleans, and was at that tine griev- ously injured by the Sire de la Tremowlle. On becoming King he was advised by his ourtiers to revenge himself on his enemy, butrefused t0 do 50, saying: “It would be neitheidecent nor honorable for'a King of France toavenge an injury done to the Duke of Orleans 0t Henry IV a multitude of anecdops sur- vive, but although he was one of tie most heroic of the Kings of France few reallj great sayings are recorded of him. One of tht best as his remark to Pierre Mathieu, wiom he had employed to write his biography: “The whole truth must be told; were my defcts 10 be ignored other things would notbe beleved; write them down so that I may avoid them in future.”” Two of the best known sayiigs at- tributed to Henry: “Paris is well wath a mass,” and ““I wish every French peagnt to have & fowl in the pot,” are regarded byBaron Rothschild as apocryphal. After Henry IV the next King of Fralce in whom the world takes much interef was Louis XIV. This monarch, whose cout was the most brilliant the world has seel, was himself not noted in conversation eitier for wit or wisdom. One of his reparteesiis in- teresting because it shows for how longh time a phrase still popular has Leen current {n the | world. A certain young courtier said,in tne nce of the King, of an old siatesma that | then ret | tioned in history. quite a large book could be written on sjbjects | of which the statesman was ignorant. {Anda | ve ouid be written on those of whid you | know anything.” Itis related that wh still | & young man Louis appeared efore his farlia- | small one,” said the King, gfickly, | me Gallic Race ment in hunting dress, and when the Presi- dent began to harangue him on the interests of the State he interrupted with the exclama- tion, “I am the State!” This is his most famous saying, the next in rank being the declaration made at the time of the departure of the Duke of Anjou to be King of Spain, “There are no longer any Pyrenees!” The kindest speech recorded from him was that made to the veteran Marechal de Villeroy on the occasion when he brought to the King the news of the defeat at Ramillies: “At our age, Marechal, fortune no longer favors us.” The generals and the ministers of Louis were much better at repartee than the King himself. Some one having told the Ducde Luxembourg that William III of England had been heard to exclaim, ‘Shall I never beat this cursed hunchback?” replied, “Hunchback, sayshe? Whatdoes he know of it. Henever saw my back.”” Marechal Turenne, who was noted for his careless dress and unfailing good humor, was walking once through a dark pas- sage when & servant taking him for another servant, hit him & hard slap on the back. Turenne turned round and the man recogniz- ing the Marechal, cried out “Monseigneur, I though you were George.” To which Turenne replied with a 1augh: “Even had I been George, you need not have hit so hard.” Of Colbert, the ablest Minister of Louis XIV, there is told s story very similar that told of Wolsey in English history. On his death bed there was brought to him a missive from the King. Without opening it he said to the messenger: “Let me die in peace. It is 10 the king of kings I now have to answer. Had I done for God whatI have done for that man I snould have found selvation ten times over, and now 1know not what will become of me.” Louis XV is regarded by Baron Rothschild as one of the worst rulers and worst men men- It is said of him, “He lived like & satrap and died like s coward.’”® Not a single thing said by him has been found worth repeating, even by his courtiers. His reign was made illustrious in history by the exceea- ing brillianey of his court, which shone by the very excess of its voluptuous corruption. It was & period markeG by the supremacy of such women as Mme.de Pompadour and Mme. de Barri. There was no longer & sense of honor of any kind, hardly even that of per- sonal courage among the nobles. On one oc- casion & young officer of the Royal Guard went to the Ducde Richelieu with the com- plaint that a brother officer had spat in his iace. “Fie,” replied the Due; “go and wash it.”” Monetary honesty was aimost unknown among the courtiers, even in regard to their debts to one snother, and rich men had power everywhere. The King once sent to the mil- lionaire, Samuel Bernard, to ask the loan of a few million francs, but Bernard sent back word: “When one wishes a favor, the least he can do is to ask for it in person.” The “grand monarque” had so little real pride that he made the application in person and received money. Oneday the Marquis de Faviere called on Bernard and said: “I am going to astonish you greatly. I am not acquainted with you, and yet I am going to ask you to lend me 500 louis.” To this Bernard replied: «I shall astonish you more than you have as tonished me. Iam acquainted with yqu, and yet Ishall lend you the mone: Louis XVI, whose sad destiny it was to pay with his head for the faults o1 Others, was in many respects & really good, warm-hearted man who sincerely loved his people, but wao aid not understand them and had not the strength of character to govern them. Once when hunting he met a peasant, of whom he inquired why he was not making hay. «:Sire,” replied the rustic, “the keepers have forbidden haymaking before the autumn to save the partridges.” “And 1,” replied the King, “order you to make the hay atonce if you wish it. It is not right youshould lose your hay to save my game.” When in 1789 some deputies irom the provinces received an sudience with the King and knelt as was the custom, Louis raised them up saying, “Rise, 1 am your father; the place o1 my children is notatmy feet.” This kindness of heart, how- ever, did not make up for the lack of brains, and he precipitated the revolution by the ver; means he took to avoidit. Heseems, low- ever, to have had a premonition of what was coming. He said to Lafayette: “I knew a young man who, having visited a country where liberty, equality and fraternity reigned, imagined he could establish the same condi- tion of things in his own land. Do you know what happened to him?’ “No, sire,” an- swered Lafayette. “He was hanged,” replied the King. Lafayette was not hanged, but he made & narrow escape from the guillotine and passed five years of his life in imprisonment. The book ends with the Revolution and many characteristic anecdotes are told of the leaders of the various factions of those stormy times. Enough has been written, however, to show the general nature of the work. It isa volume which one can open at any page and read with interest. It gives glimpses of the en and women who have made the history of France, and while bardly deserving to be called history, will do much to enable the general reader to understand the characteris, The Century Poster Took Firsti Prize Seven Hundred Designs Were Submitted. in a Recent Competition When About Mr. Leyendecker, Who Designed It, Is a Young Chiago Artist Now Studying in Paris, France. e | i 3 % } 2 i ! & & AUGUST MIDSUMMER ' tics of the different periods from St. Louis to the Revolution, JORN MCNAUGHT. THE SOUL’S FUTURE EDEN. A STORY OF THE HEAVENLY CAMPFIRES. By One With a New Name. New York: Herper & Bros. For sale by A. M. Robertson, 126 Post street; price $1 25 Almost since time immemorial philosophers and students have devoted much thought to speculation regarding the future world. The possibilities and probabilities of the unknown seem to have attracted their attention and to have held itas did no other subject. From the day of Gamaliel and his contemporaries to the present it has been the subjct of discussion. It would appear that even in this day, when nostic opinions are advanced and are deemed worthy of credence in certain directions, the matter of “the world to come” has lost none of its power to attract thought. These observations we consider timely in view of the publication by Messrs. Harper & Bros. of ““A Story of the Heavenly Campfires.” This is & religious speculation concerning the exigtence of heaven. In its general plan of action it reminds us of Marion Crawford’s “With the Immortals.”” The speaking charac- ters are chosen from the well-known names of history, such as Dante, Milton, Cromwell, King Alfred of England, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, and Bunyan. The spirits of these men gather around the ‘heavenly campfires” and discuss the religious, moral and ethical questions that interested them during their existence on this earth. The author might have used more discretion in choosing the men who are to discuss the matters put forward. It is difficult to see, for instance, why he should put into the mouth of William of Orange words of wisdom on war. the handling of mechanical tools, There are two women in the book, one an ambitious lady of rank who is .in love with the young lord, and. the other a modest, humble girl, who is betrothed tothe ambitious boat-builder. The story narrates the way in which the lord shifts himself into the boat-builder’s trade and mar- ries the humble girl, while the toat-builder gains entrance to Parliament, achieves emi- nence there, and by the discovery of the lost gems acquires wealth and marries the aristo- cratic dame. A story of this kind challenges no criticism as a picture of reallife. Itis merely a pleas- ant tale for amusement, and is one of the best of its kind that has been published in along time. THE STUDY OF THE STARS. THE PITH OF ASTRONOMY. By Samuel G. Bayne of New York. Harper & Bros. For sale by A. M. Robertson; price $1. The lay reader of books on sstronomy is us- ually confused and discouraged by the vast mass of figures, Greek letters, signs and the copious use of Latin names; but the greatest stumbling block is abstruse mathematical cal- culations which the average reader does not understand and does not care to investigate. These objections have caused many readers, who would otherwise take a deep interest in this delightful and absorbing science, to aban- don it with the feeling that they could not un- derstand any of its principles or master its simplest details. The object of this little book is to put the main astronomical figures and facts in the most simple and direct Way, so that they may be easily grasped and remembered by a be- ginner, and so that one Who has some knowl- THE BRAVE AND Love's Tasks. When all the flowers are sleepin’ An’ dreamin’ io the dew, Then Love—he goes a-reapin’, An’ binds the sheaves for you! ‘When night falls on the meadows A’ dims the skies o’ blue, Then Love—he weaves the shadows To rays o' light for you'! No thorn spears make him falter, For all o' heaven's in view, AR’ every rose an’ altar Where Love kneels down to you! FRANK STANTON. On the bank of a lake is a little green cot, Where the ivy creeps over the eaves— Where a dream in the dusk lends a balm to my lot, While the wind whispers 10w in the trees. There the whip-poor-will calls, in a penitent way, For a punishment none could advise, And the katy-did solemnly psuses to lay All her wickedness bare to my eyes. There I dreamed on an evening of nations and And the burden of care in each hear— Of the troubles perplexing humanity when 1 was roused from my chair with a start. Oh, the vouth that is past 1 GENTLE CAVALIER. [From the Cosmopolitan.] PRETTY BITS OF SENTIMENT. The Silence of Love. Ob, inexpressible as sweet, Love takes my voice away; I cannot tell thee, when we meet, What most I long to say. But hadst thou hearing in thy heart To know what beass in mine, Then shoulds: thou walk, where’er thou art, in melodies divine. S0 warbling birds lift higher notes Than to our ears belong: The music fills their throbbing throats, Bu silence steais the Song. GEORGE E. WOODBERRY, in Century. A Dream in the Dusk. Youthful voices in musical unison joined Wafted sweetly acrose the dim lake— Swelling tones Into meilowest melody coined Told of love that should never forsake. And T listened, and somehow the spirit of gloom That had ~addened my soul passed away— Passed away, and there rose, like a lily In 10om, Fragrant hope of the ultimate day— Of the day when all mankind, eternally young, By the grace of the Father above, Shall rejoice in the harp of existence foll strung With the quivering fivers of love. ike the breath of the wind! Oh, the love that steals into the heart Ere the crosses of Iite leave their shadows behind— Why, why must their glory depart ? FRANK PUTNAM. This privilege might with more appropriate- ness have been accorded to Alexander, to Julius Cesar or to Napoleon 1. But his ob- servations are none the less interesting. “War,” he said, “is at times a purifier. It is like a thunderstorm, which drives off the pestilence. Its bolt kills one family; the pestilence would kill a thousand men. I stand for war when it is a conflict for law, for order, for the obligation of solemn con- tracts, for the sanctity of oaths, for religion, for morality, for social quiet, for all that secures the transmission of healthy political institutions from age to age, for all that is venerable in history, for all that is loyely, pure, peaceable and of good report among men, for all that truly makes government a power ordained of God.” This extract will give the reader a fair idea of the quality of the book, which, we may add, is a very creditable work. The author has modestly kept his neme from the reader. ONE OF THE BEST OF ITS KIND. THE MASTER CRAFTSMAN. By Sir Walter Siokes Company. FOF saie by Dowey Sretans Hotel: price 8160, o 07 Doxey ibalace The Master Crafisman is a fairy tale brought within the limits not only of human possi- Dbility, but of the possibilities of the London of our time. In writing it 8ir Walter Besant has made a charming story in which the.course of true love runs smoothly, ambition moves un- fretted on its way, all the characters mutually favor and aid one another and the only per- plexing problem in their iives is happily solved by the discovery of a long-lost treasure whose existence throws over the whole story something of glamour of genuine romance. The prologue tells of a certain old satlor, John Burnikel, reputed to be the possessor of marvelous weaith. Not even his'cronies know the origin or the extent of his fortune, and the tales he tells concerning it are too evidently lles to receive credit from any one. He has two nephews, boat-builders, to whom he re- veals the fact that he owns a bagful of gems, the gift, as he says, of an Indian nabob. On his death the nephews search the home for the gems, but cannot find them, and esch sus- pects the other of having stolen them. The result is & quarrel, and they separate. The one remains in Wapping to carry on the boat- building trade and the other goes to West London and establishes himself in business there. The Wapping branch of the family continued at the trade of boat-building for three genera- tions while the other branch rose in wealth and power and acquired a title. The story con- cerns the fortunes of a son of the boat-build- ing branch, who becomes ambitious to enter edge of mstronomy can refresh his memory and find what he needs in & moent, without searching voluminous works on the subject. The facts are drawn from the latest ob- servations, calculations and discoveries made through the use of our large modern tele- scopes, thus bringing all the information up to date. Facts are given in as few words as can be used in clearly stating them. Figures are mentioned in round numbers, so that they can be easily remembered and understood. Latin, Greek and signs are left for those who propose to go into comprehensive details necessary for a full study of the subject. In fact, the average reader is here furnished with a fair knowledge of astronomy, so that he can, without much trouble, understand its first principles and be able to converse on this popular topic with intelligence, and to put himself on the way, if he so desires, to become proficient in the science. These conditions have never been covered by any previously written book. The chapiers on the sun, moon, earth, fixed stars and constellations are the most interesting and instructive. NOT UP TO HIS STANDARD. MAGGIE: A GIRL OF THE STREETS—By Stephen Crane; published by D. Appleton & Co., New York: for sale by William Doxey; 150 Ppages; 76 cents. The author of “The Red Buodge of Courage” has not increased his literary reputation by the little yolume entitled “Maggie: A Girl of the Streets.” In behalf of this book it is New York life.” Thiscannot be doubted, yet the records of metropolitan police courts would yield materials for hundreds of such volumes every year, but with no good result except 1o furnish material for the students of sociology. Such students, with good judg- ment, prefer to take their observations at first hand: but thus far have not been able to sup- ply any practicable solution of the vital prob- lem. The story is strongly told and isso true to nature that there is not a gleam of light to re- lieve the grewsome shadows that encompass the children of the aileys and rookeries that so often disgrace modern civilization in the larger cities of our land. HOW TO DEVELOP ARID REGIONS IRRIGATION FARMIN A handbook for the practical lxpllculon of water in the production f crops. By Lute Wilcox. New York: Orange Judd €ompany, publishers. Cloth. Price $2. The author of this work is a practical man who has spent the greater portion of his life in irrigation work and is a recognized author- ity on the subject of irrigation from a prac- tical standpoinf. The manual at hand con- Parlinment, and & son of the ennobled branch, who finds himself reduced to poverty and has no talent of any kind except a certain skill in tains twenty echapters and mninety-five iilustrations. The text is clear and concise and there is not & line of usecless verbiage. It claimed that it is “A real and strenuous tale of | is in fact a marvel of completeness and treats upon agriculture by irrigation, supplemented with scientific investigation. The book is primarily written for and adapted to Western farmers and farms. The concluding portions of the book give an admirable review of the common law of irrigation and a glossary of irrigation terms. The other chapters, each based on experience, practice and sclence, are on the following topics: Advantages of irri- gation, relation of soils to irrigation, treat- ment of alkali, water supply, canal construc- tion, reservoirs and ponds, pipas for irrigation purposes, flumes and their structure, duty and measurement of water, methods of applying water, irrigation of the garden, irrigation for the orchard, the vineyard and small fruits, all about alfalfa, windmills and pumps, devices, appiiances and contrivances, subirrigation and subsoiling. In paper, presswork and binding it is an admirable specimen of the art preservative. It is profusely, handsomely and practically itlustrated. OF A MYSTIC CHARACTER. BLACK DIAMOND. By Maurus Jokal, trans lated by Frances A. Gerard. New York: Pub- lished by Harper & Bros. For sale by A. M. Robertson; price $1 50. This novel, issued in Harpers’ *“Odd Number Ser.es,” is a translation from Maurus Jokai. The hero of the story, Ivan Behrend, is the owner of a coal mine in Hungary. He becomes interested in Evila, one of the girls employed in the mines. Circumstances take both out into the world. Behrend becomes popular in society, fights a duel, makes the Princess An- gela love him and returns to his mine. Here he is nearly the victim of & eigantic stock- jobbing deal, managed by Felix Karlman, but eseapes. He discovers how to put outfire in the coal mines and restores prosperity to the workers. In the meantime Evila hasbecome an actress and the wife, in name only, of Felix. When the latter commits suicide she returns to the mine and Ivan marrie¢ her. The tale is a strange one and is marked by all the mysticism characteristic of the author. A SUPERB EDITION. THE TEMPLE SHAKESPEARE. MACBETH- ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. Published by Macmilian & Co., New York. For sale by Wil- liam Doxey; price 45 cents. \ The two Iatest of Shakespeare's works issued in this edition—Macbeth” and “Antony and Cleopatra”—have just reached us., We took occasion in a recent issue to comment on the tasty character of these Jittle books. They are real gems of typography, and each one con- tains a dainty etching of one of S8hakespeare’s characters, introduced as a frontispiece. Messrs. Macmillan are to be congratulated on having put forth the 1mmortal bard’s works in aform handy for the pocket, and at the same time worthy to find a place upon the sheives of any library. The prefatory and supple- mentary notes by Israel Gollancz afford con- siderable assistance to the student and are not the least valuable portions of the edition. LITERARY NOTES. Admondo de Amicis’ “Constantinople” has been translated from the Italian by Caroline Tipton and will be published shortly by Messrs. Putnem. Austin Dobson is now correcting the proofs of his third series of “Eighteenth Century Vignettes.” The volume will not, however, be published for some time yet. Sir Walter Besant’s novel, “The City of Refuge,” which is now appearing serially in | the Pall Mall Magazine, will be published in volume form in the autumn by Messrs. Chatto of London. M. Paul Bourget has gone to Ireland, where he intends making astay of some duration, and whence he hopes to return to Paris with his forthcoming novel in & fair way toward | completion. Charles Dickens the younger died in Lon- don on July 21 from paralysis. His last work was & new, uniform edition of his father's novels, now in course of publication by the sacmillan Company. Asea story of American war times is being published by Messrs. Putnam, under the title “Will o’ the Wasp.” The author is Robert Cameron Roagers, who has already written a novel, ““The Wind in the Clearing.” F. Tennyson Neely has just brought out under separate covers “MeKinley and Hobart,” by Byron Andrews, and “Gold or Silver?” by M. A. Miller. The latter is a volume in de- fense of sound money. Campaign literature was never more abundant. In the Philistine for August the best article perhaps is “An Hour With Mecenas,” showing the futility of mixing tuppence worth of lit- erature with an intolerable deal of finance. A prose poem by Ouida is a very choice bitof composition. ‘Let There Be Gall Enough in Thy Ink,” by Adeline Knapp, is not & plea for mote gall, but a protest against any. Notable features of Outing:for August are: A Bout With the Bluefish,” by Ed W. Sandys; | “The Half-Raters,” by R. B. Burchard: “Two Handicaps,” by Caroline Shelley; “The Naval Militia,” by Lieutenant W.H. Stayton, and “Piain John Miller,” by C. P. Burton. Other seasonable sketches and many illustrations complete an excelient number. The editorial and record departments are very interesting. Memorials to Matthew Arnold, Cardinal New- man, Thomas Hughes, Cardinal Manning and a joint one to Heminge and Condell, Shakespeare’s publishers; were unveiled re- cently in London on a single day. Arnold’s bust is in the baptistry of Westminster Abbey and Newman’s statne in Brompton Oratory. The coincidence of the ceremonies in honor of these two leaders of rival religious movements on the same day was entirely due to an acei- dent. The leading story of The New Bohemian for Angust is calied “Two in a Garden,” and is from the pen of Leonora Beck. It is a striking story of the weakness of human nature and the strength of human love. “Along the Dunes at Scheveningen,” by Mercia Abbott Keith, i8 & wsll written and handsomely illustrated article on this famous Dutch watering place. R. G. Robinson telis, in semi-humorous vein, of “The Backsliding of & Backwoods Christian,” and incidentally gives some clever portrayals of Cracker life and character in South Florida. There are numerous other features of exceptional merit. The Review of Reviews for August, while largely given over to the issues of the Presi- dential campaign, finds space for the treat- ment of other important topics. Besides the character sketch of Mr. Bryan, the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, tne Review has illustrated articles on Harriet Beecher Stowe and Dr. Barnardo, the father of ‘“Nobody’'s Children. There is the usual elaborate re- sume of the curr ent magazines, and the de- partments of ““The Progress of the World,” “Record of Current Events” and ‘“Current History in Caricature” answer the typical American demand for what is ‘up to date and “liva.” The Macmillan Company has already pub- lished a considerable number of books bear- ing more or less directly on the history of Eng- land, including narratives of its political his- tory. its constitutional and industrial develop- ment, ete., and will very shortly add to these “An Introduction to the History of the Church of England From the Earliest Times to the Present Day,” by Henry O. Wakeman, author of a volume in the “Periods of European History Series” on “Period V: The Ascend- ency of Frauce, A. D. 1598—1715.” The book is not & manual or textbook, but is rather an answer, in a short and convenient form, to the question, “How i it that the Church of Eng- land has come to be what it is?” The ninth edition (just issued) of Copp’s Mining Code, published by Henry N. Copp, & lawyer of Washington, D. C., isathand. Itis abook of more than 200 pages and will be found of great interest to mine-owners and prospectors, as it gives the United States mineral land laws and the offi- cial instructions thereunder, the vari- ous State and Territorial mining laws, miners’ liens, rights of way, etc., numerous forms for use from the location to the patent- ing, lease and sale of a mine, and also a large collection of abstracts of court and land office decisions and rulings. The San Francisco News Company handles Mr. Copp’s publica- tions on the Pacific Coast. The book is for sale by the principal bookstores. Price 50 cents. As an addition to campaign literature comes a “Prohibition Handbook,” by George B. TREATISE ON PROTECTION Pble, Exhaustive, Accurate and Highly Instructive Is the Tariff History by George B. Curtiss Waldron, A,M., statistical editor of the Voice. It contains numerous tables and diagrams. 12mo, flexille cloih, 158 pp., 50 cents. New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, publishers, Throughout the work the author seeks merely to give facts, generously leaving the reader to draw his own conclusions. Care has been given to inaicate the sources of these facts, many of which come from official publications of the Goyernment. Messrs. Harper & Bros. have in press “Liter- ary Landmarks of Venice,” by Laurence Hut- ton, which is written for the “foreigners, for the men of letters, for the lovers of art. Itis the Venice I know in the real life of the pres- ent and in the literature of the past; and to me it is Venice from its best and most interest- ing side.” There are illustrations from draw- ings by F. V. Du Mond and Guy Rose. The North American Review for August has a masterly paper by Sir Walter Besant on “The Future of the Anglo-Saxon Race,”” in which he traces the rise and progress of the Anglo- Baxon race, points out the characteristics which have made itso successful, and discusses the means by which its position of commanding influence and power in the werld may be maintained and strengthened. In the same issue the Hon. Robert P. Porter gravely asks “Is Japanese Competition a Myth?”’ Mr. Porter’s recent extended tour of Japan afforded him the opportunity of observing on the spot the growth of Japanese industries, and he arrived at the opinion that Japan will soon be a formidable competitor of Europe and America in the markets of the world. The midsummer fiction number of the Critic July 25) opens with an essay on “The Treat- ment of the Plot,” by Miss Louise Stockton of the Round Robin Reading Club, a sister of the noted story-writer. This is followed by eight pages reviewing sixty recent novels and col- lections of short stories. There is an account of the recent dinner of the Omar Khayyam Club at Marlow on the Thames, with Grant Allen’s vigorous poem written for the occa- sion. Thenumberis illustrated. Volume xxv of the new serles of the Critic (January-June, 1896) has just been issued in the well-known ‘maroon-colored cloth covers with gilt stamp. Like its predecessors, it contains the complete record of the course of American literature during the period covered—not only the record of books published and their literary value, but of movements in letters and of happenings in all fields of the craft. Quite a novelty in the newspaper line has been issued by the managersof the Emporium. Itis a small 12x9 publication entitled The | Twentieth Century, and its reason for being, | as outiined in an introductory, is ‘'to give the people of the City, the State and the Coasta clearer and better knowledge of the most beau- tiful store in the world; to tell more than can be told in advertisements in the daily papers of its aims, its method of conducting busi- ness, its ability to save its patrons money, and to give an insight into its plans for the public welfare, and to give forecasts of the coming styles.” A musical and literary page wilt be features of the new publication. It will doubt- less meet with success, judging by its initial number. Ada Cambridge has a novel of that title in Appleton’s Town and Country Library. It is a story where the rich hero looks for true worth in the life companionship matter, rather than a brilliant match. The heroine is an orphan girl, who is winning her own way in the world. The hero's parents had an idea of marrying him to & lady of title and making a great swell of him; but the herois differently disposed, believing that “a good wife is above rubies.” The heroine runs a tea-room, and the enterprise ends up with her rich marriage. The author explains that she “regards a rich marriage as & vulgar sort of thing, and by no means the proper goal of a good girl's ambitions”; but this particular heroine’s union is considered about the nearest ap- proach to happiness discovered up to date. {New York: D. Appleton & Co., publishers. For sale by William Doxey; paper, price 50 cents.] Among technical articles covering nearly every phase of the graphic arts the Inland Printer for August contains special articles of much merit. The full text of the oration by H. D. Estabrook at the unveiling of the Franklin statue, in Lincoln Park, June 6, 1896, revised by the author, is given in this issue. A fully illustrated account of Chicago monu- ‘ments, scmi-historical in charactet, is & feature that will be appreciated by Chicagoansand the American public generally. The work of the students of the Art Institute in the illustration classes has a large representation among the reproductions by the hali-tone process. An elaborate cover design by O. Ginannini, in rich colors, makes the exterior of the magazine very attractive. Among the articles are: “Chicago Art Institute Class Work,” “Remin- iscences of a Salesman,” “Display Composi- tion,” “Make-up of Cuts and Illustrations,” «“Electrotypers’ Battery Connectionsand Rapid Batteries,” ¢‘British Classes in Printing,” “The Typothet of Buffalo,” “Punctultion,” “Process Engraving,” “Simple Suggestions Regarding Colors,” “Etching on Steel,” “The Danger in Fads,” “Patents of Interest to Print- ers,” “The Right Line in Ornament,” “Benja- min Franklin,” ‘“Artistic Everyday Jobbing,» “Some of Chicago’s Monuments.” | Again, the business activity and PROTECTION AND' PROSPERITY: An Ac- count of Tarift Legislation and Its Effect in Europe and America. By Hon. George B. Cur- tiss. Royal octavo, 896 pages: Pan-American Publishing Company. 111 Fifth avenue, New York: For sale by J. J. Newbegin, room 43, Klood building; price $5. A book for which three Presidential aspire ants have written an introduction on the verge of a political contest and which each has com- mended in unqualified terms certainly de- serves notice. Messrs. McKinley, Morton and Reed have, in their introduction, not merely expressed their approval of the work ss in thorough accord with their own well-known views on protection, but they have stated their belief that it is the ablest, the most cxhaustive and the most acenrate treatise on the subject that has ever been written. This is strong praise, and coming from such prominent men challenges the attention of every one whois in the least interested in the subject. The commercial history of England is treated in 350 compactly written pages, comprising first the early free-trade period, during which the Epglish depended upon foreigners for their clothing, implements and all manufac- tured articles, and allowed these foreigners the monopoly of their wholasale and retail trade; then the gradual rise of a protective policy from the small beginnings under Ede ward III through the great industrial epoch of Elizabeth’s reign down to the early part of this century, when England had driven the merchant vessels of every Continental nation from the seas. By 1850 she stood foremost among all the nations of the world, unques- tionably the greatest commercial power that had ever existed. During this entire period vrotection had been her consistent and un- wavering policy. The contrast between it and the earlier period, when an opposite policy was followed, is vividly set forth. Following the tariff question in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and other European countries, a history of the tariff question in the United States is then taken up in its order, and all the tariff laws which have been enacted from 1789 to the MecKinley bill in 1892 are explained. The de- pression in trade following the low tariffs of 1837, 1846 and 1857 is snown to have result ed from an attempt to estabiish free trade. industrial growth resulting from the protective tariffs of 1824, 1828 and 1842 are contrasted with the opposite results of low duties. The pro tective-tariff period of 1862 to 1892 1s then taken up in considerable detail, and the flourishing condition of the country is described. The causes which made the Mce Kinley bill a necessity, its various features and. the magnificent results which followed its en- actment are presented. Chapters are also des voted to the growth of agriculture, the cotton, woolen, iron and steel and various industries of the country. After tracing the industriel development of the Nation through the past +hird of a century under protection, a chapter is devoted to the recent revival of the free trade movement since 1880, the election of Grover Cleveland, passage of the Gorman- Wilson bill and its effeets on the commercial and industrial interests of the country. The work can be recommended as an authoritative and exhaustive treatise on pro« tection in all its phases. AN ASTOR WRITES A BOOK. A _JOURNEY IN OTHER WORLDS. By John Jucob Astor. New Vork: D. Appleton & Co. For sale by William Doxey: price 50c. The present is an age when rich mén appear to be burning with ambition to shine as liter« ary lights. The average whole-souled pluto- crat, desirous of making himself immortal with much ease and little expense, generally essays biography as a means to this end. It i§ & simple matter with a good library and an efficient stenographer to compound something in the nature of a pot-au-feu relating to some half-forgotten personage, which will revive an interest in the useful life and beautiful traits of character of the late lamented. But John Jacob Astor has scorned this means of handing himself down to posterity. He has written what he calls *“A Romance of the Future,” dealing with the possibilities, in & scientific sense, of the year 2000. True, this field has already been entered by Jules Verne and Edward Bellamy; but what of that? Surely it cannot he said that any one depart. ment of literature can be pre-empted by any one man. Besides, Mr. Astor furnishes an original reason for the being of his work. He remarks in his introductory speech: ‘‘There can be no question that there are many forces and mfluences in nature, whose existence we as yet little more than suspect.” We imagine we have heard this theory advanced before. However, he proceeds to describe the actions of members of a scientific party of men who have taken upon themselves the contract of straightening the terrestrial axis. After skimming over the history of past centuries in a couple of chapters, Mr. Astor’s scientists de- cide to take a trip to Jupiter, using a sort of projectile as a yehicle. How they fared and what they did we leave the reader to see for himself. The book is well printed and illus« trated, and has attained the dignity of a sixth edition. 8. Harrison Smith, civil engineer of Los Angeles, contributed an able and usefularticle on the subject of “Good Roads and Highways” to last Sunday’s Los Angeies Herald. Suggestion for a Poster for the San Francisco ‘“ Call,” by J. Kahler, Chief of “The Call” Art Department. %