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THE LITERARY WORLD

Kipling's "From "There was

wealth -unSea to Sea >>>> limited wealth-in the streets, but not an accent that would not have been dear at fifty cents." This, one of Rudyard Kipling's audacious judgments on San Francisco and Young California, is taken from the author's Letters of Travel, which have just been collected and published by the Doubleday & McClure Co., of New York, under the title of "From Sea to Sea." The remark occurs as a sort of soliloquy suggested by a walk, amid a concourse of people, on one of the principal streets of San Francisco on the evening of the day when the author first landed in the New World. The dictum touching the American accent was uttered now some ten years ago, when Mr. Kipling first came to visit us and to pen for an East Indian newspaper, with which he was then connected, his impressions of the United States and its people. The criticism, with many others from the same free and daring source, we have since learned to tolerate, and in part to condone, in deference to the cleverness-why should we not at once say the genius? - of their author. What we then were disposed to resent, we now palliate as youthful smartness in one whom we to-day know better, as he has learned better to know us and to receive for a while at our hands, not only a home and hospitality, but the tribute our people are ever fain to pay to great intellectual gifts and literary eminence.

When these Kiplingesque judgments first appeared, their vividness impressed us and we admitted their half-truth, as well as the indication they presented of a keenly observant mind highly susceptible to new impressions. We also recognized the mental alertness of the young writer and the sure though hasty strokes of his characterization, together with his remarkable power in the use of epithets and phrases and his familiarity with the technics of various occupations and trades. His later work, alike in prose and verse, has given emphasis to these gifts and qualities, while vastly extending the range of his topics and deepening the interest of his myriad readers.

But what Mr. Kipling's power and range are needs hardly now to be told. Here, in these enchaining volumes, the reader will find much to interest as well as to instruct and amuse. To the untravelled American the most attractive reading will no doubt be found in the first of the two volumes, which deals with India, Burma, China, and Japan. India our author knows, not superficially as the globe-trotter knows it, but thoroughly, familiarly, and with

the instinct of one born in it, and loving it as all Anglo-Indians get to love it and speak of it. Even Burma, half-kin to India, he succumbed to and wished to die in it. But at this time he had not seen Japan, though he had visited the Straits Settlements, touched at Hong Kong, and even sailed up to Canton. The Chinese Mr. Kipling did not care for, though he deems them industrious, but charges them with "having stomachs to eat anything and with ears to enjoy the most horrible dins for music." Japan, however, attracted him, as a land of flowers and children, whose only drawback, in his eyes, is in having so solemn a thing as a political constitution, which he deems most incongruous for a toy-people like the Japs, possessed of the artistic temperament.

The American section of Mr. Kipling's letters, though not complimentary to Our people, should not be skipped by the reader. It is not only clever and amusing, but, if we take it in good part, contains some profitable chastisement. Here, for instance, are some jibes at our besetting sin of "tall-talking," and our want of sensible restraint when descanting upon our country or upon the deeds of any of our countrymen who, by an act of heroism, may have merited distinction. The comment so aptly hits off the weaknesses of our club diningroom and platform oratory, that violates good taste and forgets the power and force of the under-statement, that we give space to the whole passage.

"They bore me to a banquet [writes Mr. Kipling from San Francisco] in honor of a brave Lieutenant — Carlin, of the 'Vandalia — who stuck by his ship in the great cyclone at Apia [Samoa] and comported himself as an officer should. On that occasion -'twas at the Bohemian Club - I heard oratory with the roundest of o's; and devoured a dinner the memory of which will descend with me into the hungry grave. There were about forty speeches delivered; and not one of them was average or ordinary. It was my first introduction to the American Eagle screaming for all it was worth. The Lieutenant's heroism served as a peg from which those silver-tongued ones turned themselves loose and kicked. They ransacked the clouds of sunset, the thunderbolts of Heaven, the deeps of Hell, and the splendors of the Resurrection, for tropes and metaphors, and hurled the result at the head of the guest of the evening. Never, since the morning stars sang together for joy, I learned, had an amazed creation witnessed such superhuman bravery as that displayed by the American navy in the Samoan cyclone. Till earth rotted in the phosphorescent star-and-stripe slime of a decayed universe that God-like gallantry would not be forgotten. I grieve that I cannot give the exact words. My attempt at reproducing their spirit is pale and inadequate. I sat bewildered on a coruscating Niagara of blatherumskite. It was magnificent-it was stupendous; and I was conscious of a wicked desire to hide my face in a napkin and grin. Then, according

*

to rule, they produced their dead, and across the snowy tablecloths dragged the corpse of every man slain in the Civil War, and hurled defiance at our natural enemy' (England, so please you!) with her chain of fortresses across the world.' Thereafter they glorified their nation afresh, from the beginning, in case any detail should have been overlooked, and that made me uncomfortable for their sakes. How in the world can a white man, a Sahib of our blood, stand up and plaster praise so on his country? He can think as highly as he likes, but his open-mouthed vehemence of adoration struck me almost as indelicate. . . . When we had chanted The StarSpangled Banner' not more than eight times, we adjourned. America is a very great country, but it is not yet Heaven with electric lights and plush fittings, as the speakers professed to believe."

But if Mr. Kipling could be severe on the subject of American oratory and effervescent patriotism he shows that he could also appreciate the hearty spirit which lies at the back of its sometimes flamboyant flattery. The following extract narrates an incident which happened on the Queen's birthday on board a steamer of the Pacific Mail Line, on which Mr. Kipling travelled from Japan to 'Frisco. Our author writes:

If ever you meet an American, be good to him. This day (the 24th of May) the ship was dressed with flags from stem to stern, and chiefest of the bunting was the Union Jack. They had given no warning to the English, who were proportionately pleased. At dinner up rose an ex-Commissioner of the Lucknow Division (on my honor, Anglo-India extends to the ends of the earth) and gave us the health of Her Majesty and the President. It was afterwards that the trouble began. An American penned half a dozen English into a corner and lectured them soundly on-their want of patriotism!

"What sort of Queen's Birthday do you call this?' he thundered. 'What did you drink our President's health for? What's the President to you on this day of all others? Well, suppose you are in the minority, all the more reason for standing by your country. Don't talk to me. You Britishers made a mess of it - a mighty bungle of the whole thing. I'm an American of the Americans; but if no one can propose Her Majesty's health better than by just throwing it at your heads, I'm going to try.'

"Then and there he delivered a remarkably neat little oration pat, well put together, and clearly delivered. So it came to pass that the Queen's health was best honored by an American. We English were dazed. I wondered how many Englishmen not trained to addressing their fellows would have spoken half so fluently as the gentleman from 'Frisco.

"Well, you see,' said one of us feebly, 'she's our Queen, anyhow, and -and-she's been ours for fifty years, and not one of us here has seen England for seven years, and we can't enthuse over the matter. We've lived to be hauled over the coals for want of patriotism by an American! We'll be more careful next time.'»

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Those who do, look for them in the Old World. Where there are any on this side the Atlantic, the rapidity of our life seems to rush over them, dooming them to oblivion; or the materialistic Moloch of improvement and utilization devours them or threatens them with speedy destruction. The chance visitor to New York finds little to remind him of the past, unless he makes a thorough search and has a competent guide; the majority of New Yorkers, even, hardly have a knowledge of the many interesting spots which still remain as silent witnesses of olden times. The book before us will therefore be a surprise, and even a revelation; and the reader will follow the author, Mr. Charles Hemstreet, with lively interest to many out-ofthe-way places, listening with pleasure to the memories awakened by an indefatigable guide. Facing Bowling Green Park, at Number 7 State Street, there stands a humble home for Irish immigrant girls, on the walls of which a little

tablet records the fact that here stood the first church of the old Fort Amsterdam, afterward rebuilt as the government house. This gives the author occasion to outline the early history of the Dutch settlement. At 11 Reade Street is a dingy little house, now covered with signs and given over to half a dozen small business concerns, about which hover memories of Aaron Burr. It was here he had a law office in 1832, and here, when he was seventy-eight years old, he first met Mme. Jumel, whom he afterward married. Number 41 Broadway has a tablet which informs the curious that this was the site of the first habitation of white men on the island of Manhattan,-four houses erected by Adrian Block, commander of the «Tiger,” in 1613. At 122 William Street still stands the old "Golden Hill Inn," on the open ground in the rear of which occurred the fight between the Liberty Boys and the British soldiers in January, 1770, when the first blood of the Revolution was shed. Many interesting spots are discovered in the slum district, formerly the quarters of fashionable New York. The book is a fascinating one for the antiquarian or the curio-seeker; a note-book filled with interesting paragraphs, and most attractively illustrated with marginal pen-and-ink sketches by E. C. Peixotto.

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E. A.

American historical fiction is fast Historical coming into its own. The success Novel * is remarkable which is crowning the work of such writers as Dr. Weir Mitchell, Paul Leicester Ford, and Winston Churchillto name but a few of the authors of the New World continent who are achieving fame in the field of historical story-telling. What the youngest of these writers has accomplished with his strong story of "Richard Carvel" is

**Richard Carvel." By Winston Churchill, author of The Celebrity," etc. Illustrated. 538 pages. New York: The Macmillan Co.

delighting and amazing the novel-readers of both England and America. The success of the work was instant, and having within five months reached a sale of 160,000 copies there can hardly now be a limit placed on its circulation. The story, which is cleverly and spiritedly written, gives some fascinating pictures of Maryland life during the War of the Revolution, the hero, Richard Carvel, being the grandson and heir of Lionel Carvel, of Carvel Hall, a loyal subject of George III, and the richest and most influential landowner in the province. Our limited space in the present issue will not allow of our outlining the story; nor is there need, since it is admittedly too clever and entertaining a novel to be passed by or neglected by readers of fiction, and particularly by those interested in the political and social life of the stirring time depicted. The student of history will especially be charmed with the intimate study the author has made of the era of which he writes, whether it be among the courtly dames and worthy gentlemen-landowners of the colonies of Virginia and Maryland, or among English statesmen of the days of Fox, Walpole, and Lord North, and the brawling gallants of the London clubs. The book in its historical aspect is no less interesting than it is entrancing as a love romance and story of adventure. a transcript of the times it is realistic and striking, while in dialogue it is full of good things as well as rich in episode and adventure. The passages are many which will arrest the reader's attention and cause him to linger lovingly over them. Among the best of those passages and the most vivid bits of writing in the book is the scene at Brooks's, when the hero spiritedly defends his aspersed countrymen before Charles James Fox and a group of Lord North's followers. Another admirable passage is the scene in the Maryland coffee-house, and that which describes the duel between the hero and Lord Comyn, in which Washington figures. But perhaps best of all is the narrative account of the battle between the "Serapis" and the "Bonhomme Richard, and the happy portrayal of the relations existing between Richard Carvel and the renowned Paul Jones. The novel, in truth, is delightful throughout, and is captivatingly as well as spiritedly written. In short, it is a tale that everyone should read for its picturesque chronicle of an eventful era, as well as for a delightful story which possesses many of the highest qualities of romance. G. M. A.

As

"Oom Paul's At the moment when the eyes of People» the world are riveted upon the daring little Dutch republic of the Transvaal, now braving the might of Britain in its struggle for independence and absolute selfgovernment, there comes opportunely from the press of D. Appleton & Co., of New York,

a book on "Oom Paul's People," by Howard C. Hillegas. The author is an American, who gives his personal observations and experiences, fortified by a study of historical and statistical facts and official records. Many readers of the book will doubtless obtain from it a different impression from what they have been getting from the majority of the AngloAmerican press, for the picture Mr. Hillegas places before us is favorable to the Boers and lets the motives and measures of the British government appear in a rather unfavorable light. This is a point which makes the volume all the more interesting, while the tone of the book must convince the reader that the author makes his statements disinterestedly and from the standpoint of a manifestly truthful and impartial observer. The realistic chapter is the ninth, which contains an intelligent and instructive statement of the origin and facts of the present conflict, clearly setting forth the claims for independence on the one side, and those for political control on the other, and equally clearly pointing out the respective rights and wrongs of the Boers and Uitlanders. Three separate chapters deal with Paul Kruger and Cecil Rhodes, and the other chapters are devoted to a general survey of South Africa at the present time; to a historical sketch of the Transvaal; to sketches of life among the Boers, with an account of their social customs and political institutions; and to an outline of their civil and military govern

ment.

Kipling's

E. A.

In "Stalky and Co. »* we have, Story of his manifestly, a transcript, from the School-Days life, of Mr. Kipling's school-days at an English proprietary academy in North Devon, where youth are trained for the pass examinations in entering the army. The story sets forth the doings and sayings of three young English scapegraces-Stalky, Beetle, and McTurk- henceforth to be numbered with the immortals, among those at least who are not puritanical in their ideas as to how boys should be trained, or what should be their conduct and manner of life in acquiring their education at a formative age. The work, it will be inferred, is not to be put on the moral plane of "Tom Brown's School-days," or Dean Farrar's "Eric; or, Little by Little.»

Nevertheless the book is uncommonly lively reading; and if its author has allowed himself great latitude lest he should give the reader a flabby and mawkish chronicle, we are not sure but that the unregenerate part of our nature rejoices, and we jeer with the three graceless scamps at the witless muffs put over them as masters. The robustious vigor of the trio of savages, and the zest they throw into the pranks they play in the course of their school

*New York: Doubleday & McClure Co.

career, are obviously not a little overdrawn; but this does not spoil one's delight in reading, or rather we should say in devouring, the book. It will no doubt be most enjoyed by the fun-loving, manly youth who is not over-sensitive about his good-conduct record, and is, at times of promiscuous jollity, not afraid of doing things for which constituted authority prescribes "caning" as a corrective. And yet there is much that is wholesome in subject-matter and tone in the book, even though the patriotism be that of the British schoolboy and the type rather insular of the youth in training. The chief difficulty among American readers will be that of understanding the English school jargon; but they will at least learn from the book that though their young cousins across the water have a good deal that is unregenerate about them, they do nothing mean or cowardly, and, when punished, they take their "lickings" like men.

The unwritten constitution of the school, founded on the customs and methods of centuries of boy-education in the old foundation schools of England, will prove an additional puzzle to American readers whose notions of school discipline extend no further than the red-tape regulations of school-boards.

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Selected Poems A daintier volume for lovers of by Keats and Shelley

poetry could hardly be met with than the selection from the «Poems of Keats and Shelley," illustrated by Edmund H. Garrett for Messrs. Little, Brown, & Co., of Boston. The examples given of the work of these highly gifted and imaginative writers include, in the main, the almost perfect lyrics, such as "The Cloud," "The Skylark," and "The West Wind" of Shelley, together with "The Sensitive Plant," and "The Witch of Atlas," with its exquisite pictures "of scenes and beings of superhuman and unearthly splendor." The selection from Keats embraces "Isabella; or, The Pot of Basil," "Lamia," "The Eve of St. Agnes," and "La Belle Dame sans Merci.» The volume will be precious in the eyes of the devotees of verse, and is specially suitable as a birthday souvenir or a seasonable present for the approaching Christmas. G. M. A.

the Little Ones

A Few Pretty Among the numerous books for Books For children which make their appearance at this Christmas season some recent publications are noteworthy as regards both their contents and their artistic make-up. Prominent among these are three classics of the nursery which appear in new festival garb. Lewis Carroll's inimitable "Alice in Wonderland” and "Through the Looking-Glass » are published by M. F. Mansfield and A. Wessels, of New York, and are illustrated with new pictures in colors by Miss Blanche McManus, whose bold originality, combined with an inexpressible charm,

will cause the little ones who find these books on their Christmas table to wonder whether they delight more in the curious stories or in the quaint pictures.

The same firm has also presented us with another book illustrated by Miss McManus, -a new edition of the venerable "Mother Goose.» To this excellent collection of 161 rhymes, which are given in their original form without alterations or additions, Miss McManus has added a very interesting historical introduction which will doubtless be greatly appreciated by those interested in folk-lore.

Mother Goose's rhymes were apparently insufficient for Mr. Frank Baum, of Chicago, or they made such a lasting impression upon him that he felt compelled to write some new rhymes which the George M. Hill Co., of Chicago, has published under the title "Father Goose: His Book." The illustrations are by Mr. William W. Denslow, the clever cartoonist, and it seems as if old "Mother Goose" will find in "Father Goose" a dangerous rival for the little ones' favor. The rhymes are funny and amusing, and the pictures are fit companions of irresistible drollery.

The

The last book in this batch, "Indian Child Life," is a novelty throughout. It is an oblong folio with beautiful colored plates representing scenes from child life among the American Indians, after aquarelles by Edwin Willard Deming, and accompanied with charming stories by Therese O. Deming. book presents many curious and amusing stories of Indian children, their squaw-mothers, and their pets. To parents in search of something for their children which is at once new and at the same time of genuine artistic and ethical value, we can heartily recommend this charming and quaint book. E. A.

Wild Flowers From Palestine

Among gifts for Christmastide few can be more appropriate than a little volume just issued by Messrs. Dumas & Co., of Lowell, Mass., entitled "Wild Flowers from Palestine.» The collection, which is strikingly well-preserved in the natural state, has been gathered in the Holy Land, pressed, and mounted under the direction of the Rev. Harvey B. Greene, B.D. It embraces some seventeen varieties of the floral wealth of Palestine, found by the highways, in the valleys, and on the hill-tops of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. The chief interest centres in the fact that the flowers are all of Bible interest, culled from the haunts of the Christ when upon earth, and used by Him to illustrate some parable and enforce eternal truth. They include the Rose of Sharon (Crocus Gaillardotti), the Lily of the Field (Anemone Coronaria), Judean Clover, Cyclamen, the Carmel Daisy, Hemlock, Lentil, Flax, Anise, and Mustard. G. M. A.

*New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company.

" Ione March » In his last book, "Ione March,»*

By

S. R. Crockett

or "A Woman of Fortune» as it was called when it ran serially through an American magazine, Mr. S. R. Crockett enters upon a new field. While his other books were mostly stories of olden times, with their scenes laid in Scotland, this last one from his pen is a story of to-day and has for its heroine a highly educated, spirited, and beautiful American girl. The author has succeeded happily in portraying the characteristics of American travellers abroad, and the result is on the whole not unfavorable to our countrymen. The book is charmingly written and will no doubt find a host of pleased and appreciative readers. The characters are well drawn; the scenes of the story, Switzerland in the first part, and the city of London in the latter part, are both attractively and interestingly pictured; and the plot is well handled. A few improbabilities occur; the motive of the story- the sudden decision of the heroine, a high-minded American girl, daughter of a charming old American millionaire, to start out and earn her own living—is very insufficiently presented and is most improbable. All this, however, is scarcely noticed or is soon forgotten by the reader, who finds himself captivated by the fascinating style, and by the author's ability to enlist our interest and sympathies. The characters are mostly lovable, whom everyone would delight to meet and become acquainted with. The villain in the story is Kearney Judd, the son of an American millionaire, who belongs to that class of men of wealth "who never refer to their grandfathers." It is a clever character study of a selfish, purse-proud, unprincipled cad. The story contains not a few exciting incidents, it does not lack the humorous element, and is altogether a pleasing and entertaining book.

Words of

Christian
Counsel and
Cheer

*

E. A.

The

Under the title of "Strength and Beauty," Dr. J. R. Miller, of Philadelphia, has added another volume to the series we owe to his pen of good counsel to the young, written with the inspiring idea of making them brave and strong for the battle of life. author's message is very helpful, as well as attractive and full of good cheer. The following are among the subjects on which he wisely and optimistically discourses: "The Sacredness of Opportunity," » «The Beauty of the Imperfect," "Things to Leave Undone,» «Shallow Lives," "How to Meet Temptation," "The Duty of Laughter," and "The Cure of Weariness." They all illustrate the lesson, to quote the author's words, that "we are in this world, not merely to get on, but to get upward."

*New York: Dodd, Mead, & Co.

G. M. A.

† New York and Boston: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.

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Tilton, Howard W.: Lay Sermons."

From Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., New York and Boston: Powers, George W. "Important Events: A Book of Dates."

"What is Worth While Series."

Dougherty, J. M. "Opportunities for Self Culture."
Thwing, C. F., LL.D. "The Choice of a College."
Low, Seth, LL.D. "The Trend of a Century."
Murdock, Mrs. E. H. "Rational Education for Girls."

From Carter and Brother, New York:
Carter, John Henton.

Novel."

The Impression Club: A

From The Editor Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O.: Ferguson, Emma Henry. "Courage and Loyalty: A Novel."

From The Acme Publishing Co., Morgantown, W. Va.: "Mark Ellis; or, Unsolved Problems: A Story of the Day."

From Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Alleghany, Pa.:
Russell, Chas. T. "Millennial Dawn, Vol. V.: The
At-one-Ment between God and Man."

From William Briggs, Toronto, Canada:
O'Hagan, Thomas. "Songs of the Settlement and

Other Poems."

From Eaton & Mains, New York:

Waters, Robert. "John Selden and His Table Talk."

From the Dominion of Canada (Statistical Branch), Department of Agriculture, Ottawa:

"The Statistical Year Book of Canada for 1898." From Longmans, Green, & Co., London, Bombay, and New York: Lecky, W. E. H. Character."

"The Map of Life: Conduct and

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