The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 13, 1900, Page 4

THE SUNDAY CALL “The Touchstone” Mrs. Edith Whar- ton gives us a charming bit of charao- 1| ter study. The book is not & long one— barely two hours' reading—but it is Jong enough to make the reader feel that he would like to know the people better. There sre but four persons who enter the plot, if the story can be said e a plot. Of course others are men- but they appear merely as inci- names 1o make a point or two in f the principals and then These four are & man, his the woman who in the first few s becomes his wife, and a most tal- authoress who has been a great nd correspondent of the man, but he events recorded in the osed to take place. It is her however, that is felt most ghout the book. She was a “dress never seemed a part her clothes had an impersonal they had belonged to some eilse and had been borrowed in an ey that had somehow become " Nevertheless, she possessed a ind that had at first attracted the man in question, but then, f a man is at flattered by the moral man her mental ascend- ted by no h oblique his powers. The attitude up is a strain on his muscles. “Glennard was ashy pals. ‘It's & weapon ltke another S 'A scoundrel “He smiled wretchedly. ‘T showld have used it in his place.’ “‘Stephen! Stephen! she oried, as though to drown the blasphemy on his lips. She swept to him with a rescuing gesture. ‘Don't say such things. I for- bid you! It degrades us both!' “He put her back with trembling hands. ‘Nothing that I say of myself can degrade 5. We're on different levels.’ ‘I'm on yours, wherever it is." “He lifted his head and thelr gase flowed together.” Mrs. Wharton brings her story to a forceful and satisfactory ending and while Glennard is not a particularly pleasing character, considered from a popular point of view, still we must remember the suthor's own description of him and make proper allowance. “Glennard’s God was a god of the living, of the immediate, the actual, the tangible. All his days he had lived In the presence of that god, heedless of the divinities who below the surface of our deeds and pas- sions silently forge the fatal weapons of the dead.” Mrs. Wharton possesses to & remark- able degree an easy, fluent style that car- ries the interest of the reader without labored effort. She is a close student of human nature and her writing is filled eally 1blishe York; right ribner’s remarkable wom: authoress, realizing t reciprocated, de- live. Glennard sees to tell her goc ough he w 1 wE for the wom of her al- rea w & ‘I may pever see you again,’ he sald, &s gh . confider appealing to her K B v foundation nard falls in love der to do so he Is correspondence of Mrs. ne has become famous, Y receives a goodly ture royalties. He rough the mediation for to his marriage, tell- for the ma eived an inheritance from his time on he is haunted by s0ld the private corre- woman His thoughts of devoted to narkably ded woman, comes jealous, entirel nd thinks that the his secret apd w b ngratiate him- od graces of the wife. y that brings matters to too big a coward to and directly his con- he Aubyn letters, but finally, » & jealous fury, e accuses her tinely meeting the friend kably Strong scene cieverly drawn. The stroke is boldly ex and 'ws the master hand, for th rillingly Interesting and al or forced. Glennard receives worse of the controversy his wife's great and good na- sized. Mrs. Whar- s men are not the kind to admire. nnerd's friend is not a bad type and re is an undercurrent of strength about a suspicion that he really cares Mrs. Glennard, but possesses force of and honor sufficient to prevent his king a fool of himseif, but we are told ttle about him in the author's words and ad between the lines. Glennard, r. is most exasperatingly weak, from the writer's standpoint makes lent foll to play agkinst his noble Here is the climacteric period just es, ax is strongly emph “He red for you—he cared for you? ‘and he never told you of spracg to her she flamed. feet. ‘How can ‘How dare you? That-" For One Hund red Years. neteentt > has T A valu- 1 prove con- reference. thie facully cf compiling ts and dates with Jue regard tc idividual value and present'ng story form so that the matter absorbing and often dramatic. The es pleasant reading and yet is structive. The {llustrations are well chosen; some of them are s page. It is just the thing our memory and give you a proper classification of all the happenings and the advancement of progress during past hundred years. (Published by the Lothrop Publishing Company, Boston. Pricegl #.) @ Text Book of Religion. “Text-Books of Religion for Parochial ard SBunday Schools.” By Rev. P. C. Yorke. Third grade. Second edition. The appearance of a second edition of the “Third Grade” shows that the “Text- Books of Religion for Parochial and Sun- Schools” are making thelr way. ther Yorke has been engaged for the * last fi rs in this work. Three of the grad have been completed and the fourth is announced as in the press. The plan of the books was devised after con- n with experienced teachers, and iccess whieh they have met with in ols is a proof that the plan was The Third Grade consists of 128 ded into forty-two lessons. The isist of a Picture, Reading Mat- techism and Hymn. The pictures -tone reproductions of famous ¥ » dealing with the subject ex- plained in the reading matter, The read- ing matter consists of an explanation of the subjects treated in the catechism or of the Bible story of events alluded to in the questions. The book is printed on fine paper, is well bound in cloth and retalls for the sum of 2% cents. The publishers are the Text-book Com- pany, Sherman bullding, 606 Montgomery street, San Francisco. > " “Reform." Such has been the demand for Colonel Ralph de Clairmont’s highly interesting book, “Reform.” that the H. 8. Crocker Company has just issued a second edi- tion, “Reform” is an interesting discus- sion of the political, financial and social conditions of the United States, in which dangers and defects are frankly pointed lessons cc ter, Cs out and remedies, valuable coming from & man of the author's wide experience, sug- gested. The book is wide in its scope, and some of the author's suggestions for the rem- edy of present defects are decidedly novel. His chapter on the United States army is particularly interesting and recommended to all connected with or in any way in- terested in this branch of our Govern- ment. The author volces & strong protest against the existence of private detective agencies, of which he writes: “Thelr ex- istence is a symptom of weakness on the part of regularly established, lawful in- stitutions of public safety.” He also recommends a reduction in the number of lawyers and a higher standard In the qualifications necessary for admission to the bar. The author's chapter on woman's place picture of Wayback Collegs, a fresh water institution, is so delightfully drawn that one can forgive any slight exaggeration. The style is. decidedly good and a more cleverly written collection hes not ap- peared for a long time. Bome of the stories are charming and all appeal to one, whether through their pathos, humor or freshness. (Dodge Pub- lishing Company, New York.) The Story of the Boers. Under the above caption is published & compllation prepared by C. W. Van der Hoogt, upon the authority of the South African republics, which tells the story of the Transvaal in the words of its own leaders. Among its contents are *An Earnest Representation and Historical Reminder,” by General P. J. Joubert, which sums up (5.} rop- might at a favorable opportunity success- fully intervene. American friendship is just now a political necessity in England. But Englishmen have been woefully mis- led as to the trend of American opinion on the South African war. It would seem, says Mr. White, that English newspapers have issued ‘‘sealed orders” to their cor- respondents abroad to furnish only such news as will harmonize with the views and wishes of the editors, varied by occa- sional abuse of distinguished English poli- ticlans in the opposite camp. It is neces- sary, he thinks, for the English publie to know, not the irreproachable sentiments of the exclusive “‘society’” man who lays stress upon the English kinship, not the views of the Wall street broker who volces the financial interests, but the gen- uine American feeling as to the great fundamentals of right, freedom and inde- pendence which are involved in this strug- c ABRAHAM | INCOLN FRomM arapys oRIGINAL PAGTOGRAPH o = + £ o TYPES OF THE ¢ AGE OF EDISO PASTEUR. “-EDISON N % WILLIAM OF GERMANY. NICHOLAS OF RUSSIA KIPLING WHISTLER in the world should make him an object of interest, but not of worship, In the ranks of the fair. The book is written in an entertaining vein and most of the illustrations are drawn from the author's own extensive fund of experience. His pen pictures of the little republic of Switzerland and his comparison of the American and Swiss constitutions commend themselves to all students of constitutional history. Pub- lished by H. 8, Crocker & Co., San Fran- cisco. o Short Storles. A neéw collection of short storles by Sara B. Rogers has just been published by the Dodge Publishing Company, New York, and one which will be well re- ceived. “Ezra Hardman, M. A.,” is the longest one of the number, and is most artistic. Perhaps the crudeness of Professor Hardman is & trifle overdrawn, but the the Boer side of the controversy in an able and trenchant manner; “A Century of Injustice,” a message sent by the Gov- ernment of the South African republic to its citizens; “The Struggle of the Boers to Maintain Their Independence,” a com- munication to the American people by Mr. Van der Hoogt, and “The Policy of Mediation,” by Montagu White. The rest of the volume is made up of the official dispatches, proclamations and other state papers which preceded the outbreak of the war. Mr. White belleves that the war can only be stopped by the friendly represen- tation and mediation of a third power, whose good offices would not be misun- derstood by or unacceptable to each bel- ligerent. Now, no Continental power can be expected to mediate with success, be- cause each has interesis which would make the offer suspicious to one or the other belligerents. In fact, there is no country save the United States which o gle. (Published by Harper & Bros., New York. Price $1.) ‘“A Golden Autumn.” “A Golden Autumn,” by Mrs. Alexander, is an emotioral romance, not clearly writ- ten and dealing with people and places of little interest. Derek Rivers has married a parvenu, who is blindly in love with him from first to last. He is the embodi- ment of selfishness and is not worth all the good things he falls heir to. His wife Celia he married entirely for money, but he¢ becomes grossly insulted if she hints at such a thing. On one occasion he insists upon inviting to their home an old flame of his, a woman of most questionable positicn, and upon his wife’s refusal to welcome the person Be declares it is his home and he will be master. This arouses her indepned- ence and she reminds him that it does not belong to him.. This second declaration of her wealth to the aristocratic husbana ®o enrages him that he leaves without even a good-by. The story then deals with the little wite’s ups and downs, her divorce and loss of fortune. The denouement is long in coming, but is as one expects. An accident occurs, In which Celia is injured. When she be- comes conscious she discovers It s the truant Derek who has saved her life, and, although she at first refuses to accept fur- ther favors from him, one can easily see that it is but a question of pages when she welcomes him back to heart and home and most fortunately he has suddenly developed an alarming passion for her, so {hat the closing of the romance is all that the reader of cheap literature can desire. Mrs. Alexander’s books are generally better than “A Golden Autumn” and it does not do her eredit. (J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.) Literary Notes. The current number of “Personal Im- pressions’ contains the Introductory num- ber of an interesting review of the poet- jcal works of Stephen Phillips, by Horace G. Platt—the conclusion® will appear in the June number. In addition are given some valuable criticisms and art suggestions and a charming page for the children. Truth for May is not only accompanied by @ beautiful supplement Lut contains several color pages of more than usual m- terest. The supplement 18 a reproduction of Paul de Longpre’s fine ' painting, éntitled “Spring's Message.” The color pages Inciude fac-simile reproductions from two of E. A. Burbank's famous In- dian pictures; a view of the city of Pitts- burg; the home of General Miles at Wash- ington; an exquisite reproduction from the painting “The Hero,” by Helmick, and a full-page portrait of Maxine Elliott. The Overland Monthly for May con- tains a most interesting and well fl- lustrated article upon golf in California from the pen of Arthur Inkersley, and also a paper upon Jack London, who has written the remarkable short stories ap- pearing under the caption, “The Son of the Wolf.” To the Overland Monthly is due the credit of introducing Mr. London to the reading public as his first storles of this collection appeared in that periodi- cal prior to his being taken up by Eastern editors. Mr. London is a Californfa boy and a writer of whom the Goider State may be justly proud. The account of his life and work given in the current Over- land should be read The most notable article in the May “Gunton's” s the extremely able contri- button of Dr. David Starr Jordan dent of Leland Stanford Jr. “The Control dan puts imper: the e cate are to expand i do it on the basis tion,” but ho of Industrial permeation method by which th and perman: advance of tropical countries will ever come, and not by mere by northern r: s, Th of Our Public Officials” with ample data by Adelbe The interesting work of the Club of New York i3 Burr Todd, author of of the metropolis. The editor, Professor ton, contributes an article on “Expansion the Doom of Protection,” and shorter ar- ticles on “Admiral Dewey” and “Why the Sherman Law V sed.” The story of everyday life, of a pros- perous people and of great warriors of 5000 years ago. bas been brought to light by the University of Pennsylvania exca- vations at ancient Nippur. Dr. Hilprecht, the famous Ass¥rian scholar, is the leader of the expedition, and his wonderful dis- coveries are the subject of the principal article in Ainsiee’s for May. Lieun Commander Calkins, Admiral Dewey's navigating officer at Manila, contributes much interesting first-hand information in “The Filipino Leaders.” A most re- freshing article is “James Hamilton Le a Polisical Paradox,” by E. D. Cowen. Harvey Sutherland's “The Aris- tocrat of the Kitchen™ brims with the de- lightful humor that characterizes all his work. “The Biitmore Estate” and “The Genesis of the American Horse”” are good reading, as is also Oscar King Davis’ ae- count of Uncle Sam’s taking the Sultan ot Sulu under the flag. The fiction is by Stephen Crane, Brigadier General Charles King, Eugene Wood, C. M. Willlams and Howard Fielding. McClure's Magazine for May gives an intimate, vivid presentment of General Lawton in an article by his close asso- clate in the Philippines, Professor Dean C. Worcester. The article is illustrated with a series of portralts of Lawton, showing him at different ages from 17 to 55, and with other pictures. An article by Professor Simon Newcomb tells all about the time and course of the total eclipse of the sun which is to occur on May 23, and also what astronomers have pre- viously learned by such eclipses and what they hope to learn by this one. A pro- fusely Illustrated article by Earl Mayo describes the great Atlantic liner Oceanio in her unequaled magnitude of 10,000 tons welght and a seventh of a mile of length, telling how she was built and how she is now manned and operated. An article by Ray Stannard Baker relates the story of “The New Prosperity.” Dr. (“Ian Maclaren™) writes of of Jesus to the Sam and of the social feud betwee classes. The paper fully 1 C. K. Linson, four of ing in color. In a pe in Battle,” the Son of Battle,” that his fine literary the line of prose story writl gift is n The May number zine opens Wwith an a article on ely iMustrai Cemeteries,” National where sleep ma of the notable dead of the era of 1 Wa The political articles e beside e usual Washington rotes, and among the edito- ? ! \ \ riels & pointed comment om ‘“Admirat Dewey's Political Aspirations™ a summary of recent happenings in the war in South Africa, an instructive paper on “The Clayton-Bulwer and Hay-Paunce- fote Treaties” and a reminiscent articl by a member of the Confederate Con- gress, on “The Hampton ence.” Of kindred interest is the con bution entitied “The Larger Patriotis Other subjects of current moment g those that deal with “The Present Cri in the Established Church of Engla “The Literary Palate of the American People,” ‘““American and Englis! 1 boys” and the seasonable papers the May Pole,” Friends,” “Banana Lore" and “The May A cluding p: nell Universi A series on “Some Modern Hi Makers of Sean- dinavia" and terary and Po- litical Phases tc Festival are strong additions. The May number of the New Lippineott contains the complete novel, “April Show- ers,” by Al w r of the @ s lghtful Pennell Robi desc See the Paris bicycle to the b and she believes t a wheel should not without taking it along reommodatio’ eir Mitchell, has Excuse’”; and other contributlc are by Theodosia G Urmy, Florence Earle Vorst and Tom M Books Received MENTAL INDEX OF THE BIBLE. by Rev. S. C. Thompson. Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York. $1 5. DISCOVERY OF A LOST TRAIL, by Charles B. Newcomb. Lee & Shepard, rison, pates, Marle Van Boston. $1 50, THE PURSUIT O CAMILLA, by Clementina Black. J. B. Lippineott Com- pany, Philadelphia. 50 cénts. SENATOL NORTH. by Gertrude Ather- ton, John Lane, New York. $1 50. MISS PULLMAN, by Mrs. Ross For- ward. J. 8. Ogllvie, New York. 25 cents. DIANA TEMPEST, by Mary Cholmon- ;ilex'n D. Appleton & Co., New York. THE THIRD GRADE, text-book of re- ligion for parochial and Sunday schools. The Text-book Publishing Company, San Ftancisco.