The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 5, 1901, Page 4

THE SUNDAY CALL. - ME and again we have had novels ramatized—in fact, the majority of K successful plays of the present day take thelr motif from some popular book. But it is something new for an author to write a play and then when his drama ‘becomes an assured suecess to turn about @nd bring it forth in novel form. George C. Hazleton Jr. has just done this with his play “Nell Gwyn,” and by oing has demonstrated that “noveliz- (if we may coin the term for ion) is just as successful an ope- dramatizing a novel. has given his book the alluring title Nell—A Merry Tale of a (Twixt Fact and Fancy’ it now stands conforms very ¥, but is vastly superior * that might have : for these “act- ing versions,” when before you in cold type without the aid of stage settings and accessories, are dry geading at the best. Mr. Hazleton has been wise in not at- tempting to pad his story with long de- seriptions, but confines himself to the dia- logue pure and simple. His work holds sou simply by its interest in the charac- ters and Phe direct motif of the book is the ggle between Nell and the Duchess of mouth for favor in the eyes of the Monarch, King Charles. Nell is actuated by pure love for the King, while the Duchess is endeavoring to put the i ection for herself to political He ovens with a bit of life be- scenes at the King's house in s when all London was again be- gin to enjoy the roval patronage of the playhouses and the first seasons of mirth and laughter after the iron rule of Cromwell his dark-browed adherents. It is Dry night with “The Conquest of Granada” on the boards—and a first night at that. Here we are introduced to and generosity to the iends of her early days, a struggle for herself. She and audience waiting he wares of a poor orange girl—for Nell had been an orange £irl in her day. And then later she gives away the King's zift of a costly ring that she mayv help the starving family of an oid violinist. Old Strings, the “fid- dler.” is a prime character, and it is said t the sympathetic words bestowed T the old man on his violin sprang from the author’s tender regard for his own sweet- toned Gas di Sale, which he loves so 1o piay xt we see Nell high in regard of the King but o of Duchess of Pc s Nelil It and her orange girl mald, whom she had be- friended, and old Strings pitted against the Duke of Buckingham and Portsmouth. The Duke and Duchess are both anxious to com se 1l in the eves of ihe Merry Monarch—the one that he may win her for himself and the other that may find favor sufficient to obtain his = mature to treaties ¢ red by lLoui France. The scene at the tavern of Ye Blue Be Inn with the discomfiture of the Duck and the triumph of Nell and later the trouble between the King and the land- lord—fer the King has kept his rendez- gnito and finds he cannot settlc for his purse has been for- nd humorously drawn. The strongest part of the book is in the x at the ball of the Duchess o Portsmouth, to which Nell has received ion, but appears nevertheless in ise’ of a young gallant—Beau Her ruse succeeds so perfecity she even ingratiates herself into the graces of the Duchess and receives the packet of signed papers which would mean the ruin of Charles II were they de- livered to the crafty Louis. Here it is that Nell decides to test the love of the King for Nell Gwyn and while she finds that his heart is true to her it almost costs her her life for the discovery. She has just received the packet from the hands of the Duchess and s about to depart, whe As she hastening by the arras her quick eve, however, recognized the King's long plume behind it and she halted in her course. She s alert with a thousand maddening thoughts ding her brain all in an instant. The King returned—an eavesdropper!” she refiected. “Jealous of Portsmouth; his eyes follow her. Where are his vows to Nell? I'l @efame Nell's name, drag her fair honor in the mire; so, Charles, we'll teét your manliness and love” She recrossed the room quickly to Ports- mouth. “Madame,” she exclalmed, in crisp, nervous tones, loud enough for the King's ear, *'I have been decelving, 1ying to you. I -stood here, praising, honoring Eleanor Gwyn—an apple rotten to the core!” “How now?" cjaculated Charles, in an un- dertone. His carelessness vanished upon the instant. Where he had walted for the single ear of Fortsmouth he became at once an earnest listener. Nell paused not. “I had a friend who told me he loved Nell I loved that friend. God kmows I loved him." ““Yes, yes!” urged Portsmouth, with eager- ness. “A man of noble Dame and princely mien,” contipued Nell, o standing that the words went like arrows ftraight to the King's ear @and heart, “a man of honor, who would have died fighting for Nell's honor—"" “‘Misled youth,” muttered Portsmouth. -~ Nel seemed not to hear the words. Who, had he heard a murmur of disap- proval, @ shadow cast upon her name, would have sealed In death the presumptuous Ups which uttered it.”* “She betrayed his confidence?’ asked Ports- mouth, breathlessly. ““Betraved—and worse!” gesticulated Nell. with the visage of a madman. ‘A woman base, without a spark of kindliness—an adven- turess! This is the picture of that Eleanor Gwyn! Where is a champion to take up the gauntlet for such a Nell?” As quick as light the King threw back the arres and came between them. The Duchess #aw him and cried out in surprise. Nell did not turn—only caught a chair top to save her- self from falling. “"Here, thou defamer!” he called, his volce husky with passion. ‘“Thou base purveyor of lies, answer me—me, for those words! I am Nell's champion! I'll force you to own your slander a lier” . The King was terribly in earnest. “The guard! The guard!” called Ports- mouth faintly, almost overcome by the scene. In her passion that the King so revealed his love for Nell, she quite forgot that Adair was the bearer of her packet. “1 want no guard,” commanded the King. “An insult to Nell Gwyn is my cause alone.” Nell was in an elysium of ecstasy. She realized nothing, =aw nothing. . “He loves me! He loves me? her trembling lips breathed only. “He'll fight for Nell.” “‘Come: draw and defend yourself,” angrily cried the Kinz. Portsmouth screamed and fell upon his arm. It is doubtful what the result would other- was have been. True, Nell ofttimes had fenced with the King and knew his wrist, but she ‘was no swordswoman now. Though she took um the King’s challenge with vi vy, ‘“Aye, draw and defend yourself;" she realized mothing but his confession of love for Nell. The scene was like a great blur before her eves. She rushed upon the King and by him, she arce knew how. - Their swords harmlessly clashed; that was all. cries had been taken up without. ““The guard! The guard; Treason! Treason!" The elr was elive with voice Nell ran up the steps leading to a French window, which opened upon a tiny railed bal- cony. Below, one story only, lay a soft car- pet of greensward, shimmering in the moon- light. With her sword she struck the fratl sash, which instantly yielded. Meantime the room had filled with courtiers, guards and gallants, who had rushed in, sword and spear in hand, to guard the King. As the glass shivered and flew wide, under the point of Nell's blade, all eyes turned toward ker and all blades quivered threaten- ingly in the air. Buckingham was firet to ascend the steps in pursuit. He was disarmed—more through the superiority of Nell's position than through the dexterity of her wrist. en for the first time she realized her dan- ger, Her eyes starting from their sockets, she drew back from her murderous pursuers, and in startled accents, she knew not why, ned in supplication, with hands uplifted: Gentlemen!” All peused to hear what the stranger-vouth would say. Would he apoiogize or would he surrender? The suspense was but for a second, though it seemed a vy to Nell. n window was behind. a parting glance at the tremblng she turned quickly and with reckless leaped the balcony. hell with ve!” was wafted back in a e defiantly by the night. A ment and consternation filled the room, but the bird had flown. Some said that he wicked farewell speech had been Adair's, some said not How it all happened, no one could tell, less it was a miracle. un- The denouement comes at Nell's own which she manages to reach in < thanks to Strings. She has barely time to slip on feminine attire over her masculine garb when the King and his party arrive, and then appear the Duke of Buckingham and the Duchess of Ports- mouth. Buckingham® and Portsmouth think that they have proof that Beau Adair is Nell's lover and hope to turn the King to a jealous revenge. As Nell is her- self the Beau Adair it is easy to under- stand the possibilities open to a clever writer in giving the book a dramatic and happy ending. Mr. Hazleton Is <qual to the occasion and the closing scene is all that the most romantic could destre. (Published bv Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Price $150.) B. G. LATHROP. The Shadow of a Man. E. W. Hornung has come to bé known as writer of stories on Australian bush life, hough his book last year, *“Peccavi,” is a remarkably &trong portraiture of an Enelish clergyman and his effort to win back public confidence, and “The Amateur Cracksman” has a character that would test the abilities of Sherlock Holmes to the uvtmost. Both of these books show that Mr. Hornung can write equally well cn subjects in no way related to life in the buszh, but the majority of his writings deal with thie phase of life, and so it has come to pass that the author's nzme immedi- ate some kind. His latest book is well up to the stand- of his usual excellence, and it, too, tells of bush life, or rather an incident on an Australlan sheep farm. The time cov- ered in the story is only a few days, but there is plenty of excitement for even this short period—enough, in fact, to last %in ordinary mortal a lifetime. Pelham Rigzden is being paid a visit by his Tetr brothe and ed, Moya Bethune, and her They are to be married soon, she has come to this great sheep , almost in the wilderness, to see how she will like her future home It seems that Rigden is not in a position to take particular pride in his ancestry, for his father has been and still is in He has not confided this secret to ., and “the shadow of a man” that comes between them is the sudden appear- ance of a convict who announces privately to Rigden that he is none other than Rig- den’s own father, just escaved. A sergeant of police and a black tracker appear almost immediately on the trail of this wretch, whom Ridgen has consented to save. All sorts of complications imme- diately arise. Moya at once becomes suspicious and takes her lover to task for not giving her his confldence. In the altercation that fol- lows they break their engagement, but still Moya is too proud to tell her brother at once of the trouble, for that young man from the first had by no means ap- proved of the match. Rigden, with his mind made up to save this man who “-<es as his father, goes out that night with the convict's shoes and makes tracks to mislead the sfrgeant, who has taken up his guarters at the ranch. While the police are following this false scent the convict makes his esca in another direction. 3 The black tracker finally suspects that the false tracks are wrong, for he finds that the indications in the soft ground are that the man they are now following fills the shoes out more than the one they traced to the station in the first place. Making a search of Rigden’s room, they find the shoes fhat had belonged to the convict and Rigden is arrested and taken to the distant police station. The convict has dirappeared and it is im- possible to follow him with trackers, for \ Rigden had all the sheep on the ranch rounded up and counted immediately after the escaped prisoner had left the house, and of course these sheep having been driven over the same ground, obliterated all traces of the convict's tracks. Moya, however, in helping the men round up the sheep, has noticed a man in a cabin on the edge of the desert. This man she at once spots as the escaped con- vice, because, by judicious inquiry, she finds that the cabin is supposed to be un- occupled. The description of the rounding up of the sheep is very well done, and Mr. Hornung Js undoubtedly quite familiar with the fas- cinating though hard life of the bush; not only that, but he has a vivid way of pic- turing that life. The strongest scene in the book is where Moya alone tracks the convict into the desert and finally, by swearing to help parative obscurity until he finally caught the popular taste with “Alice of Old Vin- cennes.” Now everybody is reading all of his werks that can be found. His death was a great loss to the literary world, but he at least had the pleasure of knowing that his last work had made a name for itself and for him. He left behind one manuscript for a novel which, it Is said, will be brought out by the Bowen-Merrill Company, In- dianapolis, some time this spring. The fact that Maurice Thompson was rather overlooked until the appearance of ““Alice of Old Vincennes™ does not indicate that ne did not write anything good be- fore that time; It simply means that he ‘was not known. Now that his name is in the reading public’'s mouth there is a chance that his other booss will be better appreclated. J. B. Lippincott Company of Philadelphia have just brought out in a charming - edition his pretty love story,. “Sweetheart Manette,” which was first copyrighted in i894. There is one of his storles that will be read with great inter- est by those who have now “discovered” him. Another is his story of that arch but fascinating outlaw, “The King of Honey Islaad,” who figures in a tale of the same name, published in 1883. Here again Thompson is at his best, for as a deserip- tive writer of outdoor life it is hard to find among t.ie later day authops one who can equal him. “The King of Honey Island” is published by G. W. Dillingham Com- pany, New York. Stories of the Railroad. McClure, Philiips & Co. of New York are issuing a serles of short stories from McClure's that are as clever and bright as any sketches it has' been our pleasure to read. The first little volume on ‘“Love” appeared some weeks ago and now the S «& New Wal Rround an O1d World.” Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D. this novel trip which appeal most io the general reader and convey the president of the United Society of Christian Endeavor, tells an interesting story of the first Ameri- can party that went around the world through Europs and over the Trans- Siberian Bailway. His book is pub- lished by Harper & Bros., New York. under the title of “A New Way Arofind en 0ld World.” Price $1.50. This volume is devoted to the last slx wnzeks of the journey, or that part of it which led the party over the novel Siberian rcute. The all-steam route from Vladivostok to St. Peters- turg had becn opened only a few days when the autoor and his party began their journey, so they were practical- ly pioneer travelers of the road. Mr. Clark had a camera with him and the result is sixty full-page illustrations which illuminate the text and add no small charm to the book. Mr. Clark has .an excellent de- scriptive pen and apparently an edi- terial training which enables him to THE Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D., v suggests an Australlan story of set forth concisely just the points of greatest information. In a work of this kind where there is naturally so 1auch material the untrained writer is apt to be prolix and prove a bore. There is not a dry page in “A New ‘Way Around the World.” The author not only gives excel- lent descriptions of the country through which the party passed, the customs of- the peopls and their pecu- liarities, hut he presents many facts of real value to travelers who may be tempted to take th: same route. The journey from Vladivostok to Moscow by rail and river took thirty- cight days and Mr. Clark thinks that this is the minimum time in which the trip can be made. In fact, he says that it might easily be prolonged to three or four months instead of as many weeks. He says that the cos: cf this trip at the present time iz about one hundr:d and fifty dollars. which is certainly not very expensive for a six-thousand-mile excursion. . z2 him to a pardon through the influence of her family if he will return to the police station, starts to go back with the man walking at the head of her horse. The rascal proves treacherous and, after leading her into the middle of this desert, “Blind Mar's Block,” which is notorious as a death trap, he takes the horse away from her and leaves her to dle of thirst. The horse proves the downfall of the wretch, for before the man has succeeded in getting out of hearing distance he is thrown heavily to earth and lies there disabled by his fall. Then it Is that Moya has the upper hand and forces a confes- sion from him that is as startling as (‘ is satisfactory to the reader. Mr. Hornung has a direct, stmple and strong way of teiling a story that is most enjoyable. He gets his plot well in mind and never wanders from it for an instant. His descriptions are interesting and al- ways well chosen so that the reader finds even the most trivial matter is there for a “purpose; if not seen at once it will develop at some later point in the story. The au- thor drops a hint here and then another there, but it is only when the last page has been turned that the last link is found. Altogether Mr. Hornung's book makes most delightful reading for any one who likes a weil-sustained plot and wishes to meet characters full of life, spirit and mental vigor. (Published by Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. $1 2.) Stories by Maurice Thompson. Last vear Maurice Thompson came sud- denly to the front through his novel, “Alice of O'¢ Vincennes.” It is not to be said that “Alice of Old Vincennes” is not a splendid novel, for in every way it de- serves that title, from the beginning to the end: still it is to be regretted that, after years of writing Thompson should ‘spring suddenly into fame through a his- torical novel and not through his essays. His rezlly best work has been done in that line, kvt then it must be remembered that for une person who delights in the perusal of a well-written essay there are ten who will prefer a popular novel. In this way it came to pass that Maurice Thompson had to write for years in com- second volume, ‘4he Railroad,” is ready for distribution. “The Rallroad"” is made up of six-storfes all devoted to happenings on. the rail. Each story is by a different author, but all bear the stamp of clever short story writers. “The Night Run on the Overland” by Elmore Ellfott Peake tells of the wild ride of a railroad president’s daughter. She has married, against her father's will, a poor young <ngineer, and, with her hus- band, a freight engine driver on a Western road, they are having a hard struggle. At the time of the story the husband is seri- ously ill. The engineer of the overland flyer falls dead and they come to this sick man to run the great time-beater through to the next divivion on schedule, It seems to him the opportunity of his life. He tries to move, but cannot get up from his sick-bed. The wife volunteers to run the engine in place of her husband. The de- scription of this wild drive of fron and steam through the stormy night, over the worst part of the road, is splendidly told. The denouement is particularly pleasing, for, after the reader has held his breath all during the last frightful dash down grade, he enjovs the felicity of knowing that “Papa” {s on the train in a special car. of seeing father and daughter in each oth- er's arms and knows that all trouble has ended with the story. “The Farmer's Railroad,” by F. B. Tracy, has not the same cheerful ending, but it is a story of labor, hardships and gelf-sacrifice that will stick in your brain for some time to come. ‘A Million Dollar Freight Train,” by Frank H. Spearman, is a good account of a strike and a plucky boy engineer—all told with a charming drollness that will serve to lighten the gloom of the second Y. \"The Winning of the Transeontinental,” by Willlam McLeod Raine, 1s a rattling good account of a ‘“boom” town and a “boom" promoter—a promoter with real grit and plenty of Yankee artifice to win or himself the girl of his choice and for his town the terminal station of a trans- ‘continental road. 7 ‘“‘Conductor Pat Francls,” by Frank H, He {8 further accorded the pleasura - e — Spearman, is' the best story of the greup. —keep it for the last—you will not be dis- appointed. “An Engineer's Christmas Story,” by James A. Hill, tells of a jealous engineer of middle age—it is a bit improbabie but makes good reading. (Published by Mc- Clure, Phillips & Company, New York. Price 50 cents.) \ A Sack of Shakings. Frank T. Bullen's new book, “A Sack of Shakings,” has been published by Me- Clure, Phillins & Co. of New York. In this volume the author of “The Cruise of the Cachalot” has included a varied col- lection of sketches of the ocean life and nature. “Shakings,” the explanation may be made for the enlightenment off the landsman, are the waste rope and canvas which accumulate during the voy- age of a ship, and, as the perquisites usu- ally of the chief mate, are sold to the Junk men. Mr. Bullen has recently earned recognition as a brilliant writer of the ea. His grasp of Its spirit, his ability to reproduce its flavor and ro- mance place him in the forefront. Asean example of Mr. Bullea's descrip- lve power, an extract from the chapter on “Among the Enchanted Isles” will ex- cellently serve: “Enchained by the innumerable com- plexities of modern city existence, how strangely, how sweetly, do the dreams of roaming amid isles of perpetual summer come to the pale slave of clvilization. * * * On the wings of fancy, switter and more easeful than those of the alba- tross, he is wafted to those falry shores Where nature smiles in changeless youth and winterless glow. * * * Oh! the fierce delight of that swift upward rush, the culminating ecstasy as he bounds into the palpitating air above and lies, 80 softly cradled, upon the limpid wave! There for a season he floats, drinking deep - of the brine-laden air, every touch of the sea a caress, every heart-beat a well-spring of pleasure. Then with a shout he hurls himself forward as if he too were a free citizen of the ocean, emu- lating with almost equal grace the sinu- ous spring of the porpoise and the mar- velous succession of curves presented by the overwhelming whale. He claims kin- dred .with them all, embraces them all; clinging lovingly to their smooth sides he frelics with them, rejoicing in the pleni- tude of their untainted strength. “Before him rise the islands. mounds of emerald cresting bases of silver sand. Willowy palm trees dip their roots In the warm wavelets and rear their tufted coronets on high. Darker-leaved, the or- ange trees droop their branches shot with golden gleams where the fruit hangs heavily, filling the gentle air with frag- rance. Bright plumaged birds flash among the verdure; along the glittéring shores rest placidly the sea fowl returned from their harvesting and comforting their fluffy broods. With huge steps he strides shoreward, and springing lightly from the sand, he reaches in a dozen bounds the crown of the loftiest paim, whose thickly clustering fruit bids him drink and drink agaig. “The island folk dread him not; fear has not visited those sunny shores. And as he was with the sea-people, so is he with their compeers on the land, a trust- ed playfeliow, a creature perfect in glory and beauty, able to vie with them in their superb activities, their amazing play of vigor, their abounding joy In the plen- tiful gifts of nature. After those sunny gambols how sweet the rest on ylelding couch of leaves, fanned by soft zephyrs laden with the subtle scents of luxuriant flowers and lulled by the slumber-gong of the friendly sea. Around him, with drooping wing, nestle the birds; the be- jeweled insects hush their busy songs into tenderest murmurs, the green leaves hang in unrustling shade, noiselessly. waving over him a cool breath. There is peace and sleen.” These who love the sea and have that vearning for the breath of far-away parts of the earth which is felt in so many breasts will read Mr. Bullen's book with delight. (Price $1 50.) A Treitor in London. The Boer war, with its political features and its picturesque incidents and charac- ters, presents.a wealtii of material for ro- mancers. From it Fergus Hume takes the material for his latest book, “A Traitor in London.” The “traitor” is a Boer spy and he is an admirably drawn villain, with a depth of cunning und a wealth of ef- frontery and resource that ranks him among the striking characters of fiction, whom we do not easily forget. His vil- lainy, however, is tot shown so much in his service of the Boers as in the pursuit of his own personal schemes. He is in- fatuated with a young lady who detests him, but he pursues her with persistent assurance of success, and in spite of ob- stacles that would appear to other ‘men quite insurmountable, he several times comes dangerously near to succeeding. She loves and marries an English captain who is called at once to South Africa. Soon after the ha‘ed spy, being neatly cornered by another woman's wit, also goes to the scene cf the war, and here we have some stirring incidents of the veldt and some fine portrayals of Boer character. By a cunning scheme the spy has succeeded in inducing the young lady to go to South Africa, but by a neat coun- ter plot she falls into her husband's hands instead of his own as he had planned. Being high in authority with the Boers he is able to abduct her while she is at the front. but a sturdy old Boer com- mander frustrates him again. The mystery of the story is a murder committed in England, and it is a mys- tery which puzzles the reader to the end, ingeniously leading the reader from one guess to another and finally affording a real surprise. (Publisied by F. M. Buckles & Co., New York. Price $125.) 0ld Bowen’s Legacy. Edwin Asa Dix made a success with his first novel last year, “Deacon Bradbury. This year he again appears in the liter- ary world with a new work of fiction. which is already in its eighth edition. His latest book is called “Old Bowen's Leg- acy.” Tike “Deacon Bradbury,” the new story 1s a study of New England character and conditions, ‘ the scene being laid in the pame fletitfous village—Felton, Vermont. It 1s a serious work, though by no means without its lighter touches; and the pict- ure it presents of the typical folk of a rural community, while imaginative in conception, is photographic in detail. “0ld Bowen's Legacy’ 1s the dying be- quest of a miser who, till death stood at his elbow, believed in the innate depravity of mankind, but was persuaded by the village lawyer to reconsider his harsh judgment. the result being that his entire fortune (35000) was willed .with his last breath to threé trustees, to be disposed of unconditionally, in a lump sum, for “an unmistakably worthy object.” Fortunately for the trustees, “they were each blessed with a tolerably large and appreciative sense of humor.” The un- folding of the plot occuples the year al- lowed them for the making of a chofce; and their decision is calculated to sur- prise the superficlal reader. Several of the people first met in Mr. Dix's earlier novel, including Deacon Bradbury him- self, reappear in the present story. (Pub- lished by The Century Company, New York. Price $150.) The Indian of the Northwest. A distinct history of the Indian in the Northwest proper has never been written until the present time. The Northwest proper consists of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Towa and Nebraska. Michigan was once “included under the titie, but many fea- tures of the Indian history of that State are quite distinet from the Indian occur- rences in the Northwest between 1600 and the opening of the twentieth century. A volume has appeared entitied “The In- dian, The Northwest.” It is a compilation of the essential facts In Indian history taken from Andreas, the Tesearches of the Ethnological Bureau, Larned, Schoolcraft, the Jesuit relations, Bancroft and other authorities. It treats of the three great epochs between 1600 and 1900 in the Northwest. These epochs are: First epoch, The Red Man; second epoch, The War Man; third epoch, The ‘White Man. For the student of aboriginal history and the investigator into the commercial development of the Northwest the volume is & most valuable index of its kind. The story is tersely yet graphleally written, and an immense fund of informa- tion has been gathered into an exceed- ingly convenient book form. The book is well illustrated. (Issued by the Traffic Department of the Chicago and North- ‘Wwestern Rallway Company, Chicago, IIL Price 5 cents.) 4 New Educational Readers. Volume III of “New Education Read- ers,” by A. J.'Demarest and Willlam H. Van Sickle, is one of the series designed to present a new system of reading, em- bodying all the ideas of the new educa- tion. In the presentation of the work nothing is forced upon the pupil, but everything s brought to him naturally and easily, and with a clearness and vividness of perception secured by the aid of lllustrations. Book III is intended for the work of the second year and Is de- voted to the development of obscure vow- els and the more important fnitials and terminals. The work is so divided that the subject matter conforms to the months of the year, and the stories not only have an adaptability for nature work but also possess the higher purpose of cultivating in the child a desire to read the best and choicest - selections found Wwithin the realm of child literature. Pub- lished 'by the American Book Company, New York. Price, 40 cents. 3 Nazareth or Tarsusf he author of “Not on Calvary,” “Th First Millennial Faith," ete.. now gl‘lv.r; Us 2 sermon under the gulse of a novel. In his broad catholicity he is so ready to recognize sincerity wherever he may find it that even the Mohammedan can read with satisfaction the tribute to the first high purpose of the founder of his religion, Through all the intensity with which the author attacks so much that devout minds have regarded with reverence anl affection, there is an evident intent to be just. And it is this desire to be judicial'y fair—perhaps, too, a wish to be charit- able—that may underlie the impuise of the author to take the extreme position that St. Paul was mentally irresponsible. The argument is#woven into the story of the lives of those who are prominent in the regard and interest of the leading character. Hence it is not a dry thesis, but is relleved by a personal interest in those who are associated with the devel- opment of the line of thought which the book presents. (Published bv J, 8. Ogll- vie Company, New York. Price L) The Indian the Northwe: Bab Ballads. King Borria Bungalee Boo Was a man-eating African swell; His sigh was a hullaballoo, His whisper a horrible yell— A horrible, horrible yell! Four subjects, and all of them male, To Borria doubled the knee, They were once on a far larger scale, But he'd eaten the balance, you see. (“Scale’” and “‘balance’” is punning, you see.) And those are the two first verses of “King Borria Bungalee Boo,” one of the jolly, ringing, jingling ‘“Bab Ballads” which came from the pen of W. S. Gilbert some time ago and immediately made a hit. R. H. Russell, the New York pub- lisher, is now bringing these merry bal- lads of “much sound and little sense™ out in a new and very attractive form, with all the illustrations by the author. The pictures are as quaint as the verses. The published price is $1 2. Malcolm the Waterboy. G. T. Henty has the knack of writing stories of adventure to please boys. His latest is an account of the exciting ex- periences of Malcolm Arundel, the water- boy of the Thames. The incidents are supposed to be those of the seventeenth century—a period replete in romance. Malcolm goes through all sorts of pertl- ous escapes, but through the efforts of his friend, the Ghostly Horseman, and his services for the king, he comes out all right in the end. A second story is given in this same volume, “On to Cuba,” which details the experiences of Nellie and Nat. It is a story of the present day and will interest young readers. (Published by The Mer- shon Company, New York. 50 cents. Literary Note: Little, Brown & Co. have just new, edition of Mrs. Fawcett's Queen Victoria.” ued a ‘Life of The intense interest among Kentucky people n “Juletty,” the new story soon to be published by Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., New York, Is shown by a letter which the author has recefved from the Hon. J, Proctor Knott, ex-Governor of the State, requesting the first covy of the book that comes from the pres: Little, Brown & Co.’s list includes three books by the Swedish novelist, Selma Lag- erlof: “The Story of Gosta Berling,” which is possibly the greatest of her writ- irgs; ‘“The Miracles of Antichrist,” an Italian romance: and “Invisible Links,” a collection of stories and legends. 3 The leading feature of the June number of the Woman’s Home Companion will be a magnificent drawing by Howard Chand- ler Christy, to illustrate an article on diplomatic life abroad. The article is one which gives Mr. Christy an opportunity to show both sides of his genius, that of a limner of beautiful and stately women, and of accuraic and dashing military fig- ures. Brigadier General Charles King, equally famous as a fighter and a novelist, is very enthusiastic over Mr. Frederick Palmer's storfes in ‘“The Ways of the Ser- ist published by the Seribners. He allows us to-quote the following from a personal letter he has written to Mr. Paimer: * Almost am I persuaded you, too, must be a regular, so accurate is every detail. I have read and reread ft, and sent it to others who read—and the verdict is the same. It is the best yet.” A Cuban view of the American ad- ministratien's view of the Cuban view of independence. signed by Juan Gual- berto Gomez, president of the convention's committee on relations, and indorsed by Domingo Mendez Capote, president of the Cuban Constitutional Convention, and Jose ‘B. Aleman, delegate and editor of La Tribuna, appears in the current fs- sue of Collier's Weekly, and will un-, doubtedly cause as much national com- ment as the publication last week in Collier's of Josiah Flynt's expose of the Police Department did locall: York City. ity English critics can be spontaneously appreciative of American writers when they choose; but they must discover Am- erican genius unaided by American guld- ance. A hint would be fatal. The latest American writer to “arrive” in England is Miss Gwendolen Overton, whose novel, “The Heritage of Unrest,” says the Spec— tator, == one of the ablest books that - has come to us during the year from America.” The Spectator finds Miss Overton’s work both “striking and bril- liant.” Americans seem to have their own views about this book, too. Besides its edition in England it has run through three here, 7 If all sick persons and convalescents may enjoy some or all of those dishes which Helen V. Sachse describes in her acceptable and distinctively Dractical book, “How to Cook for the Sick and Con- valescent,” which the J. B. Lippincott Company are bringing out, the robust person might with good reason be con- tent to be called an invalid when the hour of eating has arrived. The criticism of dishes for the sick that they are taste- less, weak ‘and unsatisfying things fails to touch the appetizing preparations of a substantial character and the delica- cles which an experienced nurse and writer has told about In these pages. From the cooking and serving of meats and their essential juices. and of breads, through vi - dishes™ of a more or less nourishing ki to the tempting trifles of dessert and n foods, there is not a recive given which lacks its ap- peal to the appetite. The Laurel Press of 156 Fifth avenue, New York, announces an edition de-luxa of the “Amoretti or Love Sonnets of Ed- mund Spenser.” It is a surprising fact that heretofore there has been apparently no good separate edition of these famous poems, that néxt to the sonnets of Shake- epeare are beyond doubt the most beauti- €11 love poems In the English language. Only 450 coples will be printed from type on the finest of handmade paper. Each sonnet will be embellished with an initial drawn especislly for this edition. Miss Ellen Glasgow, the author of “The Voice of the People,” had the misfortune to lose a part of the manuscript of her next novel in the fire that burned the Jet- ferson Hotel in Richmond, Va. It was re- ported that the whole manuscript was lost, but, fortunately, only a few chapters were destroyed, which Miss Glasgow had in the hotel at the time for the purpose of having copied. This new story, prog- ress on which was not materially de'ayed by the five, is a tale of the civil war, and Miss Glasgow’s readers logk forward to it with very great expectation. It will be published by Doubleday, Page & Co., New York. Among the announcements for the spring we find a new publishing firm in the flelé with a hook by & new writer. Messrs. H. W. Fisher & Co., 1835-37 Chest- nut street, Philadelphia, will publish a vol- ume on the mountain lakes of Maine, e titied “And the Wilderness Blossomed,” by Almon Dexter. The work is largely devoted to the growth and development of a flower garden in the woods of North- ern Maine, and the author's experiences with various plants and seeds are sald to be recounted with refreshing frankness. There is a chapter on building under dif- culties, another on the natives of the re- glon, one on birds, and the writer has also much to say on the selection of a library for a summer home. Mr. H. W. Fisher, the head of the new firm, served his novitiate with Messrs. Porter & Coates, and thelr succesors, Messrs. Henry T. Coates & Co. of Philadelphia. He has the reputation of being a successful booksel- ler, and he will have the good wishes of the fraternity in this his first venture in the publishing fleld. Mr. Charles M. Taylor, Jr., author of “Vacation Days in Hawall and Japan,” “The British Isles Through an Opera Glass,” “Odd Bits of Travel,” etc., is en- gaged upon another book of travel de- scriptive of Alaika and the Yellowstone (George W. Jacuks & Co., Philadelphia). Mr. Taylor made an extended tour through these interesting regions last summer; and from his well-filled note books and ever-ready camera we may ex- pect a delightful and Interesting publica- tion—one also which not only entertains, but instructs as well. The book will un- doubtedly be of great value to those who purpose taking the same trip during the coming summer months, for Mr. Taylor glves others the benefit of his experience in these remarkable regions, dropping many a hint as to the best modes of trav- el and most desirable stopping places along the route. Aside from this, the vol- ume gives promise of affording much en- tertainment and proving of peculiar inter- ést to the léss fortunate “stay-at-hames.” A powerful chapter from one of the most remarkable of recorded human ex- periences appears in McClure's Magazine for May—Captain Alfred Dreyfus's own story of his arrest, degradation and trans- portation to Devils Isle. To this story is added a portion of the diary kept by Drey- fus on the island, for his wife, and refer- red to so often and so mysteriously In the Rennes trial, but never made public. A more Intense and convineing expres- sion of human agony than that found in these fragments is inconceivable. From first to last it is evident that the sufferer is bewildered and maddened by what has befallen him, and that all which keeps him from insanity of death is his deter- mination to prove that his persecutors are powerless to overthrow what he calls the “sovereignty of the soul.” These dra- matic passages make It clear, too, that Dreyfus was compelled to undergo on Devils Isle every ignominy and hardship his jailers could devise, even to close con- finement in a hut, inclosed by palisades and shut out from air and light, with double {rons upon his legs throughout the night. The book from which this remarkable document is taken, containing the story =af Dreyfus’ entire five years of suffer- ing and imprisonment, is to be published by McClure, Phillips & Co. in May. Books Received. THE SPANISH PEOPLE—By Martin A. S. Hume. D. Appleton & Co., New York. $150. IN LOVE AND TRUTH—By Anita Clay Munoz. The Abbey Press, New York. $I. THROUGH LUZON ON HIGHWAYSY AND BYWAYS—By Willis Bliss Wilcox. Franklin Book Company, Philadelphia. $1 %5, WHAT IS A KINDERGARTEN?-By George Hansen. D. P. Elder and Mor- gan Shepard, San Francisco. 75 cents. THE CHANGING VIEW-POINT IN RELIGIOUS THOUGHT — By Henry Thomas Colestock, A.M., B.D. E. B. Treat & Co., New York. THE TOWER OF WYE-By William Henry Babcock. Henry T. Coates & Co. $1 50. GENERAL MEADE—By Isaac R. Pen- nypacker. D. Appleton & Co., New York. $150. THE CLAIM JUMPERS-By Stewart Edward White. D. Appleton & Co., New York. 31 < PLEASURES OF THE TELESCOPE— By Garrett P. ferviss. D. Appleton & Co., New York. $150. BUGLE CALLS—By Benjamin Wood. Brentano's, New York. 3L PHILBRICK HOWELL—By Albert Kinross. *Frederick A. Stokes Company, New York. THE HELMET OF NAVARRE-By Bertha Runkle. The Century Company, New York, §150, A TEXT BOOK OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS—By David Daniel Putnam, LL.D, American Book Company, New York. $l. The Books Reviewed " ON THIS PAGE Can Be Obtained at ROBERTSON’S, 126 POST STREET, SAN FRANCISCO. Prices are always in the Reading Notices. Postage is free, : A. M. ROBERTSON.