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Show I DESCRIPTIVE OF PARIS. 1 Kuis. Tho ncautlful. By Milan Whit ing. Illustrated. Published by J.lttlo, Brown, and Company. Uosion. The mith-or of I his volume luis evidently evi-dently been- long enough' in Paris to absorb Hit' artistic atinosphcro ami como in toucli with and appreciation of thq glories and beauties of that greati center cen-ter of art and lenrninp TIio author's appreciation ap-preciation of Paris is shown in her prefatory note, where she says: "The French "capital is the most prismatic of citie.s. It is all agleani ami aglow with a radium-lilco brilliancy. When it is not mediaeval, it is most modern of ' all great eilies. Art and scicneo arc its handmaids. And always it is seen through this very atmosphere of fasci-, fasci-, ; nation under a' spell which eludes analysis or definition, but which holds for every visitor its dream of enchantment, enchant-ment, in'vost.ing Paris, rho lionutiful." The chuptor titles ave, "Paris, the Beautiful." ''The Champs Klysoo Ke-giou," Ke-giou," "The Louvro and tho Luxembourg," Luxem-bourg," "The Annual Spring Salons," "Tho Story of Sainto Gcnoviece," "Scientific "Progress in Paris," "The Imaginative Intensity of Parisian Life-," "Tho Parisian Panorama." and 1 "The Spirit of Paris." Tho illustra tions aro very many, and carry roprn-1 roprn-1 duotions of "numerous famous scenes and paintings. Tho frontispiece,, "Tower of St. Jacques, Paris," is in. color, and tho others in black. First we have a -general sketch of Paris, historical, descriptive, and ar- t.istie. Next we have the Champs Elysco region, describing Iho magnificent magnifi-cent thoroughfare, the commanding 'lighways, tho avenues, tho different btrects. tho parks, tho squares, statues, j bridges, etc. Then wo havo au appro- nation of the great gallorios of pictures, i with historical glimpses, with anecdotes, i with personal references, all of Iho most: Interesting character. Following this is an account of the. annual spring ox-' ox-' ''ibils in painting, and how all Paris I throngs to them, onjovs them, criticizes 'hem, appreciates them, and honors tho artists. In tho story of Sainto (iencvievc we have a beautiful tradition sympathetically and charmingly retold, j The chapter on the scientific progress ; of Paris does full justice to tho leadership leader-ship which Paris scientists have as- J Mimed and held, as well as to tho at- i rao tiveness of Paris as tho f-ceno of ' ' labor fur scientific investigation, all forming a proud trophy in the crown of , that great metropolis. The description ' ; of the intonsitv of Parisian life is well ' l done, ami the "Parisian Panorama" ' is described with abundant life and J color. The book altogether is one of high appreciation of the great French capital, and the final chapter, an interpret inter-pret ation of "The Spirit of Paris," is one that is au enthusiastic, resume and fitting finale to a work of high merit and great attractiveness. A GEEAT OARSMAN. The Stroke Oar. By Ralph P. Pm'tie. Illustrated Il-lustrated by Walter .1. KurlKht. Tho Outing Publishing Conipnny. Now York. This is a right lively college story, centering around the activities of Jim Stearns, the groat Valo stroke-oar of the year. Jim had a disposition which was lovable and made him many friend, but unfortunately it happened to run crosswise with that of Duncan Howe, Ihe captain of the team. There was considerable friction, and Jim was stis pended from the team by the captain until the appearance of the great coach, Mr. Steele, who was in immediate charge as sort of overlord or supervisor "of the whole business. There was a stalwart friends of Jim's, Hector Alon-zo Alon-zo Mcttrnth, who brought to tho Junior "Prom" a shinning girl from Pittsburgh Pitts-burgh who turns Jim s hend completely. But McGrath was not disturbed about that at all. Ho wanted to keep the girl away from Captain Howe, and gavo Jim a free rein. Tho roommate of Jim was a little South American, named Bolivar Martinez, who got word that a revolution was proceeding in ono of the little countries of tho South, and that his father was at tho head of it. IJe scuttled away, and Stearns after him. In the trouble about the e.-eape of the vessel on which Bolivar ami the revolutionary supplies aro shipped,. Jim Stearns is run into tho stoke hole of tho outlaw vessel, and is made to do his stunt as a stoker. However, How-ever, ht- is soou rescued from that, and they got on very well until a Dutch ship dips her bowsprit on to this little revolutionary vessel and lifts Jim off from it, and ho finds himself bound for Hamburg. There is a fine old Dutch captain. Oscar Sturm, who takes a great fancy to Jim, and he lels him train a rowing crew of eight of the ship's company, faptnin Sturm beats with this crew a crack rowing team of his brother's, who was boasting of tho prizes he had won with his crow, and Sturm is wild with delight. Jim is seen bv the Pittsburgh girl while ho is stroking for that crew race in tho port of Hamburg, and again she pees him in the hdld uherr he is Mukrr on 1 1 - ship in which he goes back to America. Circumstances have been against Jim up to this lime, but from henceforth all comes out to his triumph and advantage; advan-tage; It is a right lively story, told in excellent style, with tho interest kept up nt high pressure. A STORY ON A STATUE. The Mallet's Materpiece. By Jidward Poplo. IlliiRtrallons by C. M. IJuru. Published by .Moffat, Vard and Company. Com-pany. New York. This is an artistic book, with columned col-umned embellishments for each pngo and, with full-page illustrations well made and shown in lint. It tells a fanciful story of the Venus of Milo, which is hern represented as tho work j of Philotias and the prize victor in the competition ordered by King Memmi-ades Memmi-ades at Melon. Yasta, a rival artist, who loves the king's daughter. Adonia, who has shown her preference for Philotias Philo-tias over Yasta, catches sight of tho great work of Philotias. and in a fit of angorcd jealousy, attackod it with a mallet, disfiguring the sculpturo and reducing re-ducing it to tho condition in which it was found" and in which condition it is world-famous. So mutilated, the slatuo was still tho prize winucr in Iho contest, con-test, uh it has been the model of nrtistn in all the ages since. Tho story, is a pleasant one. building a charming narrative nar-rative upon this great work of art. THROUGH ENGLISH DELIGHTS. An English Honeymoon. By Anno Hol-HuKswoith Hol-HuKswoith Wharton. With Illustrations. Published by J. B. Llpplucott Company, Philadelphia. This is a very handsome, book, giving illustrations in tint of many famous and pleasant scenes in England. Tho story is told bv a new-made brido in her loiters loi-ters as she goes from ono pleasant spot in Fngland to anther. Tho first series of letters is from Canterbury, telling of "Wedding Bells and Canterbury Bells." Tho second is from ("Jod Bego'l House. Winchester, telling of the famous fa-mous sights, legends, and stories of that ancient and pleasant town. The next" is from Keighley, telling of "Zelphino's Wedding Journey.'' Then thero is a letter from Warwick, narrating tho noted events and sights in that historic, place. Then then, is "A Quaker Pilgrimage" Pil-grimage" in a letter dated from London, Lon-don, and another from Bowncss, "Where Poets Lived and Loved." Then there is a letter from Chester, which is railed "Koman Kngland." Then we have letters from Cavendish Square, telling of six pleasant, days in London, then a letter from Oxford, treating the "Storied Windows Kiehly Dighl. ' Then we havn Glastonbury with its shrines enthusiastically described, de-scribed, followed by a letter dated at Hfracombc. "The Land of Lorna Doonu. " Then one from Bideford, which tells of "Dundagel by Ihe Cornish Cor-nish Sea," And finally a letter from Kxeter, "A Highway of Kings." The letters aro delightful descriptions of historic and charming TJnglund. The book is a very fine one; in overy respect, and tho publishers have made it a joy lo the eye and the taste. MORE OARLETON RHYMES. Drifted In. By Will Caileton. Published i by ..Moffat, Yard and Company, Now 1 uric. This fs a compilation of a considerate considera-te number of Iho recent poems of-this Rioted author. Tho work Js in throe divisions. "The Thread of tho Story." "Incidental J'oofns," and "After-Words." "After-Words." Mr. Oarlcton has an expert knack of turning eommonplnco prose into poetical form. A fair instance of this is comprised in tho introductory lines of the book, which are as follows: fol-lows: All day on tho Blcel-clad road wo sped. Tho chill i-all8 qulvorlng 'neath our tread. And snowflakea ever and yet again Ausatllng our cars and coaches ton. Tho bright-clad forests of weeks ago Wore waist deopshlverlng In tho snow: Barc-armcd, bare-headed, burc-ahould-erod stood These sinless vagabonds of the wood. Whom Nature each winter must condemn And bring their bleak white prisons to tliem. Again .(pago 61) wo note: Hoar them sing of trade and battle; hear the gold coin chink and rattle! Hoar Iho feverish stammering tlckor: stocks are up! .nnd slocks aro down! There's rejoicing, there Is walling, thoro 18 ruin In tho town. He who was piineo at morning is a bog-gar bog-gar of tho night: Shv who held the world in scorning now may wither J it its sight. Mr. Cnrlcton enjoys considerable voguo as a pool, and doubtless tho admirers of his "verse" will enjoy this book as well as those hu has published pub-lished heretofore. PUMPKIN WONDERLAND. Peter Pumpkin in Wonderland. Bv Ida M. Huntington. Illustrated by "lUary Isabel Hum. Published by Band, IIc-Nnlly IIc-Nnlly nnd Company, Chicago. In this handsome holiday book wo have different groups which tell of the triumphs of the hero who is followed in his adventures. The first group tells of tho frolics of ''Tho Jaek-o '-Lanterns' Halloween"; then comes "Thanksgiving at Turkey pen Inn." Then we lum the Halloween tricks. l-ho jubilant hope of Christmas and of Faster, tho patriotism of Washington's birthday, and tho hurrah of tho celebration cele-bration of Independence, day. Tho book closes with "Tho Mermaid's Midsummer Mid-summer Holidny." ft is till a wondor-land wondor-land indeed for Peter Pumpkin, and tho reader is made to sharo his surprises and triumphs in excellent style. LITERARY NOTES. The Living Ago for December 12 prints a second article on the "Problem of Aerial Navigation."' Jt takes iho form of a ro-ply ro-ply to Iho recent article on the .same subJoc.L by Professor Simon Nowcomb, and Ik written by Major P.. Bodon-Powcll. It Is reprinted from tho latest number of tho Nineteenth Century. Maud Howe, author of "Sun and Shadow In Spain." which Little, Brown it Co. havo Just brought out, had ninny Interesting experiences while, collecting her material. She went over to Tnnglors with her husband, .John Klllott. and some friends, and while they busied themselves in a hunt for Morocco sllppcrc, Mrs. Klllott strolled leisurely down tho street. Through an open doorway anno the drouo of children's voices, conning a loBson. She Htopped a moment to look in, and one tiny boy of smiled up nL her In .'inch friendly fashion that alio kissed her hand lo him. Instantly the master'n rattan camo down whack on the child's head. All tho other little children j bit their thumbs and srowlcd at her. Tho teacher toro Uio pago from the book. In which ho had been writing, and crushed ! it and threw It at Mrs. KHIott, pouring out a stream of curses. Fortunately, at that moment, her guide camo up and drew her hastily away, telling her It was not sjnfo to linger alone in tho streets. And all because tho shadow of a "Christian "Chris-tian Dog" had fallen on a page of tho lConin. A recent bon mot by Miss Oraco Don-worth, Don-worth, author of tho inimitable, "Lottcrs of .Tcnnio Allen." which Small, Mavnnrd & Co, havo Just published, Is at tho expense ex-pense of a press clipping bureau. Tho publishers had sunt Miss Donworth a copy, of a rovlew of her book, observing that sho very likely had received the same article from her clipping bureau. Her acknowledgement stated thnt "My clipping bureau doesn't clip. I've written writ-ten and told thorn so. I guess it's a very good 'bureau otherwise, though." Camille Flammarlon is always In good form on tho subject of scientific bigotry. In ono of his recent hooks on psychlcnl research ho tolls tho following story: "I oneu attended a session of the Aead-crnlo Aead-crnlo des Sciences. If. was on the memorable memo-rable day when tho physicist, Du Moncel, Introduced to tho assembled savants Edison's Edi-son's phonograph. When tho apparatus, after having been explained, begun to talk, ono of tho academicians, an elderly gentleman, arose; Impregnated with classical clas-sical culture, overflowing with noblo wrath at Iho innovator, he rushed upon ICdlaon's representative, seized him by tho throat, and exclaimed- 'You scoundrel! scoun-drel! Do you think wo will permit a ventriloquist ven-triloquist lo Jest with u.'.?' It was Monsieur Mon-sieur Uoulllaud. So done, on Iho 11th of March. 1ST. Six months later, on Sop-Irinb. Sop-Irinb. r :tn, at a simitar session. Mnnslftn- Boulllaud. after having made a searching cxainliuitlon of tho apparatus, felt It to be his duty to declaro his conviction that tho wholo thing was mere clever ventriloquism, ventril-oquism, 'for It is Impossible to siHRiime that a piece of shabby metal cm reproduce repro-duce tho noble sound of tho human voice,' " That keen observer of international affairs, af-fairs, who conceals his Identity under tho signature "Calchns," Is tho author of an article entitled "Tho Problom of tlie Neur Hast," which iho Living Age for December Decem-ber ii reprints from tho Fortnightly Review. Re-view. It is ono of tho most Illuminating ; discussions of the Balkans sttuutlon that has yet appeared. Speaking of the strangeness of coincidences coinci-dences in tho literary world, thero aro few more unusual than that which caused James Oliver Curwood. author of "The Courage of Captain Plum." ono of the strongest nnvclK of tho year, to change ! tho title of one. or his stories recently. Thu story had been accepted by his publishers, pub-lishers, and had already gone, lo the printers under the title of "His Eleventh Commandment," when, by a happy accident, acci-dent, 11 was discovered that another publisher pub-lisher had it book manuscript on tho press under exactly tho sumo caption, and both stories were scheduled to appear In tho same mouth. Without arguing the pros and cons as to which writer should possess pos-sess tho title, Mr. Curwood Immediately wired another title to his publishers. It is an Interesting matter of conjeeturo as to Just what would havo happened, and Just what would havo boon said, and Just how much hair would havo been pulled and character ruined, If both stories hod appeared under their original and Identical Identi-cal titles. Tho Living Age Is printing, in nearly cvory Issue, somo humorous "Dlscur-sIoiik" "Dlscur-sIoiik" from Punch. Tho authorship Is not Indicated, but It would bo a safo guess that thoy aro written by E. V. Lucas, whose series of "Life's Llttlo Difficulties." appearing also In tho Living Age, were so keenly enjoyed several years ago. Rev. J. Macgowan, of tho London Missionary Mis-sionary Society, previously known by his "Tho Imperial History of China," and other books dealing with that country, has written a new volume entitled "Sidelights "Side-lights on Chinese Life." which Is issued by tho J. B. Llpplncott Company. Tho author, long a resident of China, has undertaken un-dertaken to give an account of tho various social and moral phases of Chinese lifo and character, rather than an account of the country itself or its history, and his volume will be found quite dlfforcnt from tho various other works on China. Tho book Is filled with anecdotes of cvery-day practical dealings with natives of all classes, which afford an excellent commentary upon tho Chinaman's mind, that profound and Inexplicable puzxlo that many havo vainly endeavored to solve. While tho author Is a clergyman, ho has given but a. small section of tho book to describing tho religious forces In China, but deals with family life, child life, servants, ser-vants, amusements, tho farmer, schools and schoolmasters, peddlers, the mandarin, man-darin, and many other subjects. The work is illustrated with about thirty halftones half-tones from new photographs, and twelve exceedingly attractive illustrations in i-nlnr frnm rvilriHttfu 1v Afnntu tnr Smvlli |