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Show pii : A SYMBOLIC FAIRY STORY. "Gu Id. the Cavern Kiim." By Mary L. Bramh. Published by Sherman, French - & Co., Boston. Price, net. Tins story is called a fairy tale because be-cause its scenes are laid In the dreary realm of the Kobolds, an imaginary people peo-ple supposed to inhabit the caverns of the earth. Beyond this it tells of nothing noth-ing inconsistent with human life. Kvery eent could take place in the work! of men. The characters are very natural and act like ordinary persons would in their environments. U tells of the rise of a young prince in Koboldland, who. alter a visit to the world outside, is distressed by the darkness dark-ness In which his people live. He proposes pro-poses to lead them forth, but the superstitions super-stitions of the anes prevail and only half of ids subjects dare follow. The others prefer to live In the dreary realm rather than face the imaginary dangers that are found In the light. Years afterward, however, they see the folly and, led by the queen, come forth. The story Is written in the simple language that children understand. It does not contain a trace of self-conscious effort to suggest other than the narrative. narra-tive. But If the writer intended only a fairy tale, she has writen better than i she desired. She has given a parable of the great masses of humanity who remain in ignorance and oppression because they dare not seek to know. Kings and prelates hold them in painful pain-ful bondage by credulous faith in erroneous errone-ous doctrines of. antiquity ; and when persons thrilled by understanding try to better their conditions, they fear the destruction of the old order of things and declare that too much knowledge will lead to harm. There are some, however, how-ever, who do advance, and in the end superstition must give way to the glorious glori-ous light of truth. POEMS OF UNFETTERED EMOTION "In Divers Tones." By Clarence Watt j Heazlttt. Published by -Sherman, Freneh & Co., Boston. Price, SI net. j Some poetH'' have the power of letting I their emotions speak so that the work they produce is a communication with j the inner soul. Such a writer is Mr. : Heazlltt. His lyrics express the thoughts ! of an imagination set free. They are j the unstudjed songs of passion and in- i tiniate personal moods. In them feeling is placed before both form and words. Not that they lack a literary finish, their beauty has been enhanced by a careful . srtistry; but art has not been suffered ; to kill the spirit they are true reflections reflec-tions of what the poet has actually felt. In them the reader will find an echo of his own heart's voice and a brighter orld will be his recompense. It is a worthy volume. A HELPFUL BOOK FOR PARENTS. "With the Children on Sundavs,' by Sylvanus Stall, D. D. Published by th V'ir Publishing company, Philadelphia. Price 1.60, net. To be successful with children one must consider child nature. Many devout par-puts par-puts are fa Ming to interest their little 4 ones in spiritual things because they do iiol remember that children must be taught in a manner quite different than adults. To help them. Dr. Stall has written writ-ten the present volume. it is based on the psychological truth that children would rather be active than passive and that they are fnost interested in the common things about them. The author explains in his preface that this child nature is the same on Sundays as at other times and to repress it makes tlie Sabbath dull and unwelcome, but it may be utilized to render Bible lessons interesting in-teresting and make Sunday a longed-for event. On this theory the book is compiled. It contains descriptions of many games which fire illustrative of Scriptural stories and fifty-two well -selected object sermons ser-mons in which things common to child experience are discussed and moral lessons les-sons and Bible analogies drawn there -from. Thus in the sermon, "The Worm in the Apple," the history of the insect in-sect in the fruit is carefully explained. , It is then shown that the worm may represent rep-resent huma n sin and the ugly hole the outward appearance nf inward wicked - f ik-sk, and finally the story of Eilen and I man's first transgression is propounded. The sermons are fully illustrated and j valuable suggestions for their present!! - lion are given. They are followed In1 each instance by a set of questions that; cover all the points in the lessun. The ; treatment Is in accord with the best edu- ' ratio nul methods and with this hook to help them, parents may make Sunday the happiest day in the week both for lUe ' children and themselves. A PARADOXICAL VIEW. "I'topia of Usurers." by G. K. ClTJESier-ton. ClTJESier-ton. Published by Boni & Li Wright company, New York. Price, SI. 25 net. Questions must be seen from many angles if one would form a valid judgment, judg-ment, and to students of social problems Mr. Chesterton's book will furnish interesting inter-esting material. He claims society Is becoming be-coming enslaved to a greater tyrant than history has ever known. A small, uncultured un-cultured class, which has the destinies of mankind under its control by reason of economic advantage and. who hold as their ideal the complete subjection of the human hu-man race, is rapidly realizing its vile desires, the writer says. He adds that' the employed are at the mercy of their employer and he is arranging their affairs af-fairs to his sole advantage. The industry, indus-try, hope and manhood of those who are not wealthy, are being carefully replaced by efficiency, fear and submission, that the rich may gain more profits and make their control of humanity more secure. The great masses of mankind are passing into a sterfle, machine-like existence that a few may live without exertion, the writer alleges. The actual achievement of the enslaving enslav-ing is seen in modern Prussia, and for Germany to win in the present contest would mean the final victory for capitalism. capi-talism. But whichever wav the war may turn, lie says, the present commercial tendencies must be checked if the goal of humanity is to be different than the conditions con-ditions exhibited in central Europe. The historic and philosophical reasons why such an irrational course has been possible are thoroughly analyzed: and while the work is paradoxical to the general gen-eral opinion, if the premises are admitted. admit-ted. It has a logical conclusion. Throughout Through-out the book inferences are drawn from surveys of conditions in England, the native na-tive land of Mr. Chesterton. Perhaps, did the writer live in this countrv, he would not be so bitter. However, since the similarity in these matters between the two nations is considerable, sociologists sociolo-gists of the United States will gain much from the discussion. A GUIDE TO PROPER VOCATION. "The Man of Tomorrow," bv Claude Richards. Rich-ards. Published bv the T. M. M. I. A. Salt Lake City. Price $1 net. This book was prepared especially for the instruction of vocational counsellors of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement association of the Mormon church; but local points of view having been studiously studious-ly kept out of the work, it becomes a helpful volume for young people generally. After a brief statement of the reasons why chance seldom places a person in the right position, the author discusses the characteristics of a good vocation. Pie shows that, since the greater part of a man's waking hours are spent in earning a living, he must find pleasure In his work or be generally unhappy. Also his calling should be such that it will net him an e ri juate income and furnish him with opportunity to serve society. so-ciety. The value of specialization is discussed dis-cussed and it is pointed out that while the "jack of all trades" cannot succeed in the modern world, neither can the man who fails to get a broad social outlook. Expert ness in one's chosen profession is absolutely necessary, but a general foundation foun-dation is also required. Tn view of this discussion, eighteen of the leading vocations are carefully analyzed. an-alyzed. The natural ability and preparation prepara-tion required to succeed in them is described. de-scribed. The highest, lowest and average income derived therefrom is computed and the opportunities for advancement and service ere measured. The relative number num-ber of positions available and the best ways of getting started in the field are pointed out. The discussion Is not idealistic. ideal-istic. The- figures advanced are hased on actual surveys of existing conditions, and the drawbacks of each profession are as carefully examined as the merits. Those who have not a natural aptitude or to whom t lie work would not brins pleasure are advised to stay out of such profession. There is no endeavor to influence in-fluence the reader to choose this or that form of work ihe simple facts are Riven and the voun; man is left to determine for himself. Thus the book does not aim to dictate, but only to explain the nature of the various occupations. ('riven this f and the average person is able to success- fully judge for what he is best adapted. : IN THE DAYS OF KNIGHTHOOD. The White Ladies of Worchester." by Florence L. Barclay. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. New York. Price $l.o0 , net. , ! By the great mass for whom fiction is written, suspense is the quality most de- 1 sired. To furnish it without overstepping artistic propriety gives a story that must be both popular and good literature. Such a tale Is Miss Barclay's new novel. Like many of her stories, it has a highly religious relig-ious " atmosphere, and by the nobility of its characters readers are made to feel a more tender sympathy for the great historic church. Vet it abounds with a subtle something that holds one's interest to the end. The plot is laid in the days when , knighthood flourished. A beautiful lady. 1 betrothed to a crusader, is led by fraud to think her lover is false. She enters , a convent, becomes converted to its life and rises to the office of prioress. Then-her Then-her lover returns and claims his right to her by virture of their having been engaged before she took the sacred vows. Mora loves 'Hugh, but refuses to entertain enter-tain the thought that her covenant with Jesus can be broken. Even a special dispensation dis-pensation from the pope fails to convince the devout prioress. She declares that onlv bv a miracle from heaven can she know that God has released her from the holy work. Nothing unnatural happens, nor does the heroine change her convictions: convic-tions: and yet she becomes the happy wife of the crusader, and the readers love her for her lovaltv and womanhood. Onlv the skill of an artist could handle this plot. When things aprear impossible the author unravels them in a most human-like manner. She does not need the melodramatic to create her suspense this novel is true literature. Compared with Miss Barclay's other works, the present story will rank among the best. Even "The Rosary." which is held in such high favor, will be relegated to second place by many readers. HISTOEY OF THE FLAN TO ENFORCE EN-FORCE PEACE. "League of Nations,' bv Theodore Marburg.' Mar-burg.' Published by the MacMillan company, New York. Price 50 cents, net. This little book, written by a student of international law who has spent much time on diplomatic questions, gives the history of the movement in the United States to form a league of the nations to enforce peace. U points out the fallacies of The Hague tribunal and proposes an organization of the powers similar to that of the federal government, which would include both legislative and judicial branches and would have the power to enforce its mandates. The league would not endeavor to take from the states their right to wage war. Tt would only have authority to compel a submitting of the questions to the tribunal before commencing hostilities and to make and enforce laws that should govern all nations in time of conflict. Tts executive power would be derived from an international standing army to which each nation would furnish a quota of men. The expenses of the tribunal would be met by assessment on the various states. The questions of backward nations and different forms of government are discussed dis-cussed and it is pointed out tdiat aggressive ag-gressive militarism, such as is maintained in Germany, must go before the league is possible. The volume contains a foreword fore-word written by William Howard Taft which indorses the subject matter and recommends the author as one well qualified quali-fied to treat the problems involved. A STORY FOR BOYS. "The Treasure of Mushroom Rock,'' bv Sidford F. Hamp. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. New York. Price $1.25, net. This book will be of interest to boys from 16 to IS years of age. It is the adventures ad-ventures of Tom Swayne and bis American Amer-ican chum, Percy Goodall, students at Mosley's school in south England. By the treachery of a senior classmate, they are accused of poaching and, to avoid arrest, ar-rest, leave for France.. Tn mistake they board a ship bound for1 New Orleans and airive penniless in the United States. They decide to go to Philadelphia, where Percy has many relatives, but learn that the police of that city have been notified to watch for them, so they start out to walk to Ogden. L'tah. Their experiences on the journey include in-clude such exciting incidents as frustrating frustrat-ing the plans of a gang of train robbers, being captured by outlaws and held for ransom, spending the winter in the mountains moun-tains of Wyoming and many other thrilling thrill-ing adventures that will delight young readers. They finally discover a rich goid mine and return to their parents. While the story is laid in the wilds of America, its heroes are good, honest boys, who fall victims of peculiar circumstances. circum-stances. There is nothing of tha t spirit so common to "wild -west" stories that renders them unfit for youthful literature. The book is recommended as one having a wholesome atmosphere. A QUESTION OF VITAL INTEREST. "The Food Problem." By Vernon Kellogg Kel-logg and Alonzo E. Taylor, with n. preface pref-ace by Herbert Hoover. Published by t h e M ac m i 1 1 a n com pa n y , N e w York. Price, $1.25, net. This volume, written hy members of the national food administration, who have had wide experience in the Belgian relief commission and elsewnere, deals with the vital question of maintnnance now confronting the American government. govern-ment. U discusses in detail what the problem is. the general conditions of its solution and the immediate particulars which concern us and which are within our power to effect. It points out what the na i inn is doing to meet the problem and shows how it is Vicing handled by other belligerent countries. coun-tries. It also gives a valuable discourse on the technology of food use. which sets forth the th siology ami sociology of nutrition nu-trition and include-! discussion of the relationship re-lationship of aleohol to grain. j A NEW AMERICAN HISTORY. I "A History nf the I"h;Tm Srntes Sim e the rivil War." By Ellis Pnson Ober-holtzer. Ober-holtzer. Published by the Mncmiil.m company. New York. Price, $..," M. net.. Pr. Oberholt zer's history of Die United Slates, of which this is the first boon, will comprise, when finished, five volumes. vol-umes. It will cover the period that has el.ipsed lnce i he civil wh r. Being practically prac-tically a record of our own time, liv work i is expected to fill a want that previous 1 authors have failed to supply. It is written writ-ten from the social and economic, rather I than the political, point of view: but the . .sources pre co t h ro"" ,. 1 v r:h: Msfd that no important detail wll be nursing. Ma-t-riM has been drawn from pvny place i"h-re awihrlic i n:-irin.i t Ion can b , f.i'ird. Pn.-unv-nis of ihr, I'l-rury of con-; con-; offiripl re ords. noth printed and nnser.p! . and the news'v nt-rs "f lime have bon caret ully reviewed in an fiort to get an accurate account of the events. i The present volume begins with the as- I sassmation of Lincoln in IN''."., and concludes con-cludes just before the impeachment of Andrew Johnson in W. While the political po-litical history is not neglected, the chief interest in the work lies in its accounts of sucli incidents as the discovery of petroleum in Pennsylvania and the subse- , quent "oil fever"; the attempts to reach ; Europe by telegraph through Bchring strait and Siberia; the settlement of the west under the homestead act, and the development of mining in Colorado and Montana: also such semi-foreign topics as the Fenian excitement and the Irish in- vasinn of Canada, and the expulsion of j the French from Mexico and the downfall of the empire of Maximilian. THE SPIRIT OF THE DARKIES. j "Christmas Nipht Among the Quarters." By Irwin Russell. Published by the ; Century company, New York. Price, , '-. 50, net. Mr. Russell was the first American ' writer to recognize the literary possi- ; bilities of the southern negroes "before i the war. These simple people, afflicted , by civilization only because of their contact con-tact with the whitA man and with no historic prejudice to control their convictions, convic-tions, were capable ol an originality and a true human folklo.'o that a cultured race could never attai.'i. Gratitude, hospitality hos-pitality and good feelinv were their dominant domi-nant characteristics, while courage, industry in-dustry and self-denial were abundantly manifest. When, during the brief intervals inter-vals that slaves could call their own, the darkies gathered about the cabin door to listen to the old banjo or met at some quaint ballroom to enjoy a real celebra- : tion, the scraps of song, the stories and the jokes, had charm in their very sim- piicity. The author made a careful study of the black man's nature, and in the brief career he was spared to writing gave it to literature in a form as pleasing as the ripple of the banjo strings. The spirit of the plantation is reflected in every verse. The descriptions are true to the slave life and the dialect is that of the actual . negro. ! The present volume has been compiled j from scattered sources as a memorial to ! Mr. Russell. It contains, besides the author's poems, an introduction by Joel 1 Chandler Harris and a sketch of the poet's life by Maurice Garland Fulton. It is i Illustrated by E. W. Kemble. CALVARY ALLEY. By Alice Megan Rice, j Published by the Century company. New : York City. j Although lying under the very wing of j the great cathedral. Calvary alley had but i little knowledge a fact tiiat disturbed it i i not at all of things spiritual. Later in its history It would become known as j "Cathedral court," and its character j would undergo a material change, but for the period of tins story it was a squalid, evil-odored place of ramshackle tenements and cheap saloons, filled with the flotsam and jetsam of the great tide of city life. In spite of its moral and physical deficiencies, defi-ciencies, however, the alley was not with- j out its redeeming feature. It was the i home of little Nance Molloy, and Nance was leaven for the whole loaf of the alley's shortcomings. Of all the numerous family of quaint and lovable folks created by the author of "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," none is more attractive or interesting than this new member. At No. 1 Calvary alley, Nance lived, with Mrs. Snawdor and the third of her trio of husbands, of which Nance's father had been the first. Mrs. Snawdor, in spite of her p'di lection for matrimony, was not domestically inclined; therefore, the household duties fell on Nance's shoulders. shoul-ders. If these were performed in very haphazard fashion, at least Nance did no worse than her neighbors. When, as the result of a lively battle between the "Calvary "Cal-vary Micks" and the choir boys from the cathedral, in which Nance figures as a heroine, she and Dan Lewis, leader of the alley's forces, are brought before the juvenile court authorities, it is a turning point in their lives. Under probation to large hearted, motherly Mrs. Purdy, they learn of something better than the alley's way of living. Later Nance is sent for four years to the Forest Home for Girls, from which she emerges with new ideals and new standards. Thenceforward Nance's career is marked by many changes. She hates the ugliness and sordidness of the alley and longs to escape from it. Often she achieves her freedom but as often some untoward happening brings her back, for Nance's strong sense of duty and loyalty will not allow her to desert her friends in their hours of misfortune. Her energetic en-ergetic nature and love of gayety sometimes some-times lead her into indiscretions as her Uncle Jed said of her, "she jes' gits the signals mixed sometimes," but when once convinced of the right course, she follows it faithfully. There are many other characters of interest in-terest in the book. Mrs. Rice is a keen observer of human nature and has the knack o making her people show the best that is in them. We can even recognize the charm of the gay, good-natured Mac Clarke, spoiled and only child of the wealthy bottle manufacturer, and feel inclined in-clined to leniency for his weakness and selfishness, because of the faults of his upbringing. The story is rich in that quaint humor for which this, author is so well known. |