The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 18, 1900, Page 6

THE SUNDAY CALL. whi handling a nsportation has been her shows that even r and the trouble in record of the achie has been unvaried, ame time comple record of the | e of the British intere « i with the incidents b whe ught for- markable mobility rmies in the Civil W manner in which they handled sportation and supply itish pot w Mr. is decidedly a wet bla bold attack upon E fact, this point 1 the way of constantly remarks to the effect t nt to be noted in this con- the Britis brains.” st comes the immense, srance of the British of the principles and n and scientific warfare. ave not studied topography. It er of common report that ths r Office has been inadequatciy maps. This is merely a sin. shows the ignorance and British War Office, and ance of the fundamental con- odern warfare. Their meth- 1 medieval.” innumerable instances of this, tdea tkat here are a pi pic nce whien e o is tire is > book is idea rather dre- of the good patch examining nts red w nnesbur as one of ns we Para- e called GOLD refere become Transvaal Out- (The Dodd Mead & L New York; $1 5 Biography of Tbofifics Paine. ere has been issued by Small, May- r « nother volume of the Beacon Blograj Thomas Paine is the subject of book. e rtion ¢ e of Paine is par- ticuiarly appropriate coming at this time, there has arisen a renewed interest meaning of the principles of the lic. For although Paine t before the outbreak re were few Ameri- a more important part ing his adopted country- of tyranny and in than he in men 1 once entered upon the war. Paine was born in Thetford, England, in 1737. His father, who was a staymaker, took the boy at the age of 13 from school into his <hop. These few years of schooling formed the foundation lucation which I’aine supple- e reading. The trade sught him he practiced but he did not suc was hateful to him, he Then he tried several other employme in which he was equally unsucceseful. Finally he decided to go to America. Paine had met in London Ben- jamin Franklin and had been given a let- ter from Franklin to his son-in-law in Philadelphia. On Paine’s arrival in America in 1774 Franklin's letter procured for him em- ployment and opened for him the career in America which was successful for so many years. It was in 1775 that Paine began the publication of the political mphiets which brought him so quickly into renown and which were of such mo- ment in inspiring with hope and zeal those who were struggling for the liberty of the colonies. Paine threw himself heart and soul into the struggle for the new cause he was ch ioning. All through the war and for several years after its termination he lent his enthusiastic aid When he felt that services were no longer needed in he returned to England on a There his republican sympathies led him Into the attack upon the govern- ment of his native land which resulted in his publication of “The Rights of Man,” and later upon his banishment from England. Paine next went to France and there played almost as important a part in the Revolution as he had in America. As a member of the Convention he allied him- self with the Girondins, and when they to the new republic. his : "1 GQUESS wiID DI5 BAG ER DRIED APPLES AN'DE BUCKET ER WATER | CAN FET(CH M.’ RESULTS FROM THE PENS OF BOOKWRITERS And Some Literary Notes Worth Knowing or the ban of the Jacobins Paine tothe Lux bourg and sentenced uiliotine, from ‘which he escaped ‘ as while Paine commenced *“The was in Age of where he s Iif Age of Reason” h a storm of indignation that » good caused by Paine’s yre important work was forgotten. But as time es and makers of history in our cc come to be judged without the bias which comes from personal con- tact Thomas Paine will be held in in- creasing regard for the inestimable ser- vices which his love of liberty prompted him to perform for its sake. Sedgwick, to whom was assigned Cller: preparation of this biography, has 1 his_work with care and dis- From the mass of writing , much of it prejudiced either in his favor or against it, Mr. Sedgwick has chosen to sift the undisputed facts, which will give to the general reader a clear outline of Paine's career, leaving the student to supplement this by refer- ence to larger works. “By the Marshes of Minas.” To while away a pleasant summer after- noon get a copy of Charles G. D, Rob- erts’ short stories, “By the Marshes of Minas,” and take it in homeopathic doses. Do not read one story after the other until you have finished the book, but digest them slowly as you would poems. Mr. Roberts is a poet, historian and novel writer all rolled in one, and the poetical side of his nature is particularly in evidence in this collection of romantic tales of love and adventure. There is a certain sameness throughout the book. largely owing to'the fact that the scenes are all laid in Nova Scotia, in that pic- turesque period when it was passing from the hands of the French into those of the English; and also that the same charac- ters appear in several of the storifes. Mr. Roberts’ idea of the short love story evidently is: given, one man—one woman —both good looking and very impression- able; they meet under circumstances out of the ordinary and fall in love at first sight; throw in a hairbreadtlr esca two and the story is complete. It is Mr. Roberts' way of telling his storles his poetical powers of description th give them their charm. The mystical tale The Eye 67 C ap” Is especially de- iightful, as it gives the author full play for fantasiical fancies and briiliant im- agery. “The Bewitchment of Licutenant Hanworthy" is written in light vein and is charming, though slightly improbable. It is entirely dialogue under rather re- markable circumstances, and ends in a runaway match after an acquaintance on the part of the hero and heroine of half an hour. “La Mouche” is @he tale of an Acadian hunter of that name, who is most active in his hatred of the English, and considered one of the flercest men in the employ of the evil Black Abbe. He falls in love, but finding his passion un- requited makes a most heroic and unex- pected sacrifice to restore his rival to the adored one. The storles are all good, sound and refreshingly wholesome. (Sil- ver, Burdett & Co., Boston, New York and Chicago. $125. “A Rational Marringe " ‘“A Rational Marriage,” by Florence Marryat, is the story of a match entirely different from the accepted idea of a wedding. In it a young lady of rather bohemian ‘habits leaves her country home and goes to London to make her own liv: ing. She becomes the private secretary of an old nobleman, and incidentaily does typewriting for a young journalist. She has an old grandfather from whom she will one day receive an inheritance, but only under the condition that she remain single. Of course the young people fall in love and are married, but the lady gives her consent only upon the condition that the wedding be kept a close secret and that they have their own individual friends, spend thelr earnings to suit them- selves and never see each other unless by previous arrangement. All sorts of amus- ing and trying clrcumstances occur to make the story a very Interesting one. The situations arising from this novel un- derstanding are humorous and brightly told, and as the young people hdve both been hard hit by Cupid's arrow, all turns out well (F. M. Buckles & Co., York. $12.) On Corporation Law. “Corporation Accounting and Corpora- tion Law" is the title of a text just pub- lished by J. J. Rahill, cashier and head bookkeeper for the Fresno Publishing Company, Fresno, Cal. It should prove of great value to every one interested in a corporation, whether as stockholdet or official. The contents comprise all the necessary forms and data essential in the running of ‘a corporation, with especial regard to the laws of California regard- ing the same. - The laws of other States are also preserited in a brief way, hut the book fs distinctively of value and intend- €d for the use of the California business man. The classes of corporations treated e ofl. mining, mercantile, mechanical, manufacturing, railroad and printing and publishing: also an appendix on stock ex- changes. (J. J. Rahill. Fresno, Cal. $2.) New A Detective Story. “High Stakes,” by Lawrence L. Lynch, is the name of a detective story just pub- lished. For all who delight in complicated plots, murders, dark clews and the usual run of fmpossibilities made possible by the twist of a clever writer, Mr. Lynch's Look will be welcome. There are no lengthy description or attempted flights of genius, but the story Is told for the greater part in straight dialogue, with a clew on every page, to say nothing of screams, pisto! shots and murders. The tllustrations, in this day of great possi- biliiles in the way of half-tones and good iine work, are wretched and should much better have been omitted, bnt any one reading an up-to-date detective story has lit te time to waste upon studying plc tures, so beiny no gain, neither are they any lo: (Laird & Lee, Chicago. Cloth, .; paper, o ““A Mother Book." “A Mother Book,” by E. Francis Soule, 1s a suggestion on the newer method of child edueation as applied to religious subjects. Its object is to help the consei- entious mother who wishes to train her children to keep holy the Sdbbath day and yet to make it a pleasure to do so. and not a task. The book is unsectarian and undogmatic. At the end there is a collection of hymns and poems for the lit- tle ones. (Fords, Howard & Hulbert, New York. Cloth, 75 centst) Overheard by the Bookworm. Professor Harry Thurston Peck, in the Independent, has given an interesting list of the six best novels of the year 1899, ar- ranged in the order of their literary merit. “ Four of these have been great flnancial successes also, but the two others are lacking in the popular appreciation shown in enormous sales: 1. “The Greater Inclination,’ ‘Wharton. 2. “David Harum,” by E. N. Westcott. 3. “The Maternity of Harriott Wicken,” by Mrs. Dudeney. 4. “Richard = Carvel,” by Churchill. 5. “The Market Place,” by Harold Fred- eric. 6. “When Knighthood Was in Flower,"” by E. Caskoden. The valuable ‘“Beacon Biographies™ published by Messrs. Small, Maynard & Co. have proved so acceptable that the publishers are about to issue a series of “brief memoirs of eminent Englishmen,” by Edith ‘Winston to be called the “Westminster Biogra phies.” It is the intention to model this series on the plan of the “Beacon Biog- raphies,” which have been reviewed at length in former columns of this paper. The type and paper will be the same with the exception that the cover will be red instead of blue. It was the old fashion to turn a success- ful drama Into fiction, as for instance Victor Sardou did with his ° Gene,” Dumas with his *“Cor: ers,” Charles Reade with his fington. It ie the new fashion to successful fiction into drama. as for in- but why give instances where the so well known? From “Trilby” to pho” we have had succession of dramatized novels. Wilson Barrett merges the two plans. He and Elwyn Barron have been collaborating on the sim taneous production of a play entitled “In Old New York. is just out. The play will shortly. The plot te! man who, after a life of noble fice, is slain in a duel by the young man he has done most to befriend. There are indeed, three duels in the bgok, besides a \orse race, where the faverite is shot dead a few yards from the win t novel book ed The proc be s of a young Dutc if-sacri- ning post. It is rumored that Bret Harte contem- plates the publication of a second series of “Condensed Novels” which will do for present-day fiction what the first series did for that popular novelist in bis youth —that turn it into good-natured ridi- cule. Will he find it possible to burlesq Sarah Grand or Marie Corelli? one asks with bated breath. And wiil the burlesque really be funnier than the original? What a change a happy marriage, a ed estate, a seat in Parliament and an increase of rs and waistband will make in a ma Here is Rider Hagsard, who a few years ago was writing of war, dventure and romance in South Africa, ves now, at the very time when the land of which he wrote Is filled with war and ex- citement, and King Solomon’s mines have ed, publishing a book about Think of the magnifi- been discoves his year's farming. cent cn of the battle in “King Solomo: when the impis clashed their is and spears and shouted “Koc d then read this: “Most peo- ple unaccustomed to the routine of a farm have a notion that his (the farmer’s) duties are of the simplest deseription. To these 1 would say, let them try, any one of them, even the easfest, such as ‘draw- ing’ a ditch, and I think that they will change their views. In truth, there Is no single operation on the land that does not require a very considerable amo of skill to perform it properly, and this skfll, acquired by years of practice, the agricultural laborer puts at the service of any one who will pay him 13 shiilings a week. Moreover, there Is no nonsense about eight hours a day with him. With brief intervals for food, he labors from 6 to 6, or more, and in winter from daylight to dar People in England just now are interest- ed more in carnage than cabbages, and Haggard's earlier books are selling well, while “A Farmer's Year” is not in great demand. - The London Athenaeum is given to learned discussions of American litera- ture. Of David Harum it has spoken heretofore much in a solemn and critical manner, but it has not yet discovered that its author is dead. The other day it pub- lished an article in which it said: “Mr. Westcott has the makings of a good no Lelist. * * * In the art of narration he has a good deal to learn. * * * * It re. quires a patient reader to find out the good parts of his work, and he should bear in mind that there are not too many pa- tient readers By a curious coincidence John Kendrick Bangs’' “The Houseboat on the Styx" has been made the subject of iliustration by two of the carnival societies of New Or- leans. It is the first time in the history of the carnival that an author has been so honored. His book was chosen by the Co- mus Society and by that of the High Priests of Mithras. Much bitterness be- tween the two socleties has naturally re- sulted. The question as to which has the prior right to the selection is now agita:- ing New Orleans society. Both preser tions of “The Houseboat" were so elab- orate and unusua!l in their character that the curious coincidence is regarded by outsiders as most happy. The editors of the Bookman have hiza hopes for the success of thelr serial =tory for the year 1900, beginning in the March number. It is entitled “‘Stringtown on the Pike.” While it is not the first book of the writer, yet it is his first venture in fiction. It is a thoroughly American story in spirit and in execution. The writer, John Ui Lloyd. was born in Western New York and removed to Cincinnati, where he be- came a clerk in a retall drugstore. In his spare time rescued from the long hours, then and now Inseparable from that occu:. pation, he taught himself to be so gooc a chemist that he is now a member of the principal pharmaceutical societies mnot only in this country but abroad as well. A few years ago he wrote a book cailed “Etidorhpa,” which was published at his own expense in Cincinnati and has pas<ed through ten or twelve editions of as manv thousand copies each. This book embod- fes the author’s speculations in various di- rections, and may be considered a scien- ngtown on the author for with no expectation cf It was believed. h‘r\; tific romanc was written Dby satistaction, and i being published. T e those who had the opportunit reading 2 ossessed interesi reading it that it possessec Therit so great as to forbid its being w held from the general public, and the ed- itors of The Book believe that in it they have made a discovery and found 2 prize 4 man bhle series of the wo hen C sketches of the great battles begins in March Lippinco ing timeline His chosen Dbeen war, In spite of exct fields, and sir b wor March con- le by George Overla tains a most Wharton Jam Beauty Amc west." 1 graphs of cussi he the Ou ne ow Outing pure Publishin ased by \d the editorship Caspar Whitne Mr. Worman. th earn with regret tha 2 nvalid It magazine, an future polic: known writers s as contrib- utors. The March nts nu- merous up-to-da amons them are several be d with interest by Francis A paper on “Rowir that is most time eral feeling that more paid to this spiendid letes, and ¢ tles of th matter of interc algo given a w “Golfiing Arnold, that she golf enthusias The March number of Harper's Maga- h in t and interesting fea- h th writer e life time aki the br artie powers rd ins also appea publ four 8. Mr. Henry Guy tized “W n Kr and, it is re g both the copies were must be ren ed, Tom's C: W and that the period o years—was long k . however on had reache events of the season contested rodu novel, reading. In rep “I don’t write believe my book in the process of perfectly right to direct t reading, who owe to you obedi on, when their life is more free, they wi read what they want. This opinion may guide other parents who are perplexed & similar problems."” new The fourth volunte of the new Hawo edition of the works of the Br will contain “The Professor,” fragment by Charlotte Bronte and by the three sisters, and will be p: on March 6. “The Professor” w; in the author’s thirtieth year, as Mrs. Ward says in her | troduction, ‘a method of e« most mature, a pronou the same power of analys rower limits, as the other book It was the author's wish to p “The Professor’” immediately after first great success. Her publishers, hc ever, dissuaded her, and to these d sions we, in all probability, owe lette.” ‘The Profess lished after the author’s des Gaskell's “Memoir"” had cre: written shows, in- ted a demand for all of Miss Bronte's works. Mark Twain will probably return to America in April, but it is not likely that he will go back to his Hartford home. The place has been unoccupied for a number of years, and it aid is sorely in need of repairs. There rumor that Mr. Clemens will it seems to lack foun ter of fact, Mr. Clemens has not decided exactly what he will do. F}e may remain here or he may return to England. Books Received. “London Guide,” published by Charles Alvin Gillig, 2 Cockspur street, Trafalgar square, London S. W. “A Kipling Note Book, F. Mansfield and A. We Eight numbers, 15 cen “A Maker of Nations, D. Appleton & Co., New York. f1, As a mat- ch. ' by Guy Booth Municipal Gevernment.” by Bird Coler. D. Appleton & Co., New Yook “Thro’ Fire to Fortune,* hy Mr ander. R. F. Fenno & Co., New Yor “Who Ought to Win: Oom Paul or Qucen Victoria?" by Spencer Randolph. Laird & Lee, Chicago. 75 cents. “The Transvaal Outlook.” by Albert gfl;’kney. Dodd, Mead & Co., New York. “Honore de Balzac's Letters to Madama Hanska,” translated by Katherine Pres- cott Wormeley. Hardy, Pratt & Co., Bos- ton. §150.