An Intinerant House1 MISS DAWSON's work is familiar to the readers of West Coast literature. The stories that make up An Itinerant House, have all but two or three been printed in Californian periodicals, Somers's Californian, precursor of the present series of the OVERLAND, the Argonaut, and the Wasp. To those not familiar, but little idea can be given of them in the short space possible to the present review. The gloomy power, the weird fascination, which calls up Poe's grim stories and the later ghastly tales of Ambrose Bierce, the bits of verse, singing, as in Tennyson's "Princess," "like linnets in the pauses of the wind," these must come as a personal experience before they can be understood. No wonder that Miss Dawson's friends have felt that her fame is not so great as her merits demand, and occasionally, as in the case of Professor Anderson of Stanford University, have given expression to the indignation caused by this neglect. And yet it would seem that the reward of being the center of a coterie of such kindred souls as Miss Dawson has drawn around her, and of herself knowing the depth and intensity of her own work, must be very sweet and quite prepare her to meet the lack of honor a prophet gets in his own country. Even that honor should grow as a result of this book. The stories have been well clad in type at the Murdock Press, and bound in pleasing style. The pictures by Peixotto have the merit of entering deeply into the spirit of the text. Stories from the Arabian Nights 2 THOUGH the oldest stories in existence the Arabian Nights are as fresh and charming today as when they were first told. The reason they are not generally read by the young people of the present is that they have hitherto been published in rare editions, too expensive and inconvenient for general readers. The best of the stories from the Arabian Nights are now retold with such skill as to preserve all their original charm and attractiveness, while adapting them in form and expression for school use or for home reading. The book itself is well printed and attractively bound and illustrated. Uncle Sam At Home3 HAROLD BRYDGES is the pen name of James Howard Bridge, the author of the charming romance "A Fortnight in Heaven." The book under review is the most 1 An Itinerant House By Emma Frances Dawson. William Doxey: San Francisco: 1897. Stories from the Arabian Nights. Edited by M. Clarke. American Book Company: New York: 1897. Uncle Sam at Home. By Harold Brydges. New York: Henry Holt & Co.: 1897. careful, kindliest, and most comprehensive criticism of American manners and customs that has so far appeared. It is just without being sarcastic, helpful without a touch of the usual British condescension. The writer is no globe-trotter and the work shows his perfect familiarity with all phases of our varied life. In fact he deals rather sharply with our ignorant transatlantic critics and exposes their superficiality. The book is amusing, every page carries with it a laugh. It is worth something to see ourselves as others see us, especially if that other is as good natured as Mr. Bridge. The book will be read with pleasure and profit by all. A Mining Bureau Bulletin Bulletin No. 12, issued by the California State Mining Bureau, is statistical, showing by counties the mineral production of the State for the year 1896, compiled by Charles G. Yale from direct returns by producers. The utmost care has been exercised in obtaining returns from the various sources and the results may be accepted as correct. They are especially valuable as the best authority on the production of the precious metals. The following table, compiled by the same authority, shows the production of gold in California for the past four years: The total value of the mineral productions of the State for 1896 is placed at $24,291,398, against $22,844.66 in 1895, an increase of $1,446,733. The detailed report is exceedingly interesting and instructive, reflecting great credit on the compilers and should be read by all who have the productive interests of the State at heart. The Bulletin can be obtained free on application to Mr. A. S. Cooper, State Mineralogist, Mining Bureau, San Francisco. 4Bulletin No. 12, State Mining Bureau, A. S. Cooper, State Mineralogist. Mineral Productions of California for the year 1896. Free on application to State Mining Bureau, San Francisco. Educational Books In REALIZING that his former books upon the subject covered too much ground for the upper grades of the grammar schools, beyond which the great majority of students never go, Professor Tarr has very carefully prepared a First Book of Physical Geography. doing so he has avoided an intricate and exhaustive discussion of the subject, and yet he has given to the student a work so charming as to enlist the most careful attention, and lead to further investigation. The teacher will find it most convenient for class and laboratory work, and while teachers, as do authors, may differ as to the order of presentation, each may easily follow his own plan. The illustrations, while rather too small, are clear-cut and many of them are studies in themselves. Neither rhetoric, nor grammar, nor word-analysis, nor spelling, nor reading, constitutes the theme of A First Book in Writing English. The effort of the author has been to aid the pupil in all these, to think logically, continuously, connectedly; and to express himself clearly, properly, and pleasantly; in short, to think rightly and to tell what he thinks. The book is adapted to the highest class in the grammar school as well as to the first year's work in the high school. Boiled down into the smallest possible compass, yet in phrase sufficient to be easily understood, the book will be found of great value to the student for every feature, not the least important of which are the chapters upon punctuation and choice of words. The exercises and copies in Semi-Vertical Copy Books are arranged so as to present one new feature at a time and to make each lesson a preparation for the succeeding one; each lesson constitutes a review of the preceding one, thus insuring the acquisition of a simple, plain, and automatic handwriting; a systematic and progressive series of movement exercises upon letters and their various combinations are arranged to be practised in the writing books, thus saving to the pupil the expense and annoyance of a separate book, and insuring that training of the hand and arm essential to rapid and legible business writing. MISS HALLOWELL has done well in her allotted task of writing a book on drawing that a reasonably intelligent and earnest beginner may take as his only guide First Book of Physical Geography. By Ralph S. Tarr. The Macmillan Company: New York: 1897. 2 A First Book in Writing English. By Edwin Herbert Lewis. The Macmillan Company: New York: 1897. 3Semi-Vertical Copy Books. By C. C. Curtiss. American Book Company: New York: 1897. *Elementary Drawing. By Elizabeth Moore Hallowell. New York: The Macmillan Company: 1897. in the elements of graphic art. The style is simple, direct, and lucid. It does not minimize difficulties or forget that there are things discouraging to the student without the personal stimulus of a teacher. Such a student has two parts to learn, he must learn to draw, and at the same time must learn to criticise his work, often the second is the harder task of the two. Nevertheless, if he has the grit to overcome, the book in hand will be a help to him in the struggle. The author accompanies her text by her own drawings, which are carefully graded to the supposed pupil's ad vance. Recent Verse THOSE who found comfort in the first volume of Lizette Woodworth Reese's poems, which was published some two or three years ago, will turn with equal pleasure to the new book of verse which has just been issued under her name. There is the same delicacy of thought, the same keen feeling for nature, and the same wonderful felicity of expression, in this later book that characterized the former; and in addition, there is an intellectual quality not found in her earlier work. The advance is in workmanship rather than in point of view; the moods are calmer and the outbursts of feeling less spontaneous. Not that the feeling is less deep, but the expression of it is more reserved. It is easily the best book of verse published during the year. The sonnet on Keats is so good that one has a real regret that it is not entirely regular in form. An English lad, who, reading in a book, A ponderous, leathern thing set on his knee, Saw the broad violet of the Egean Sea Lap at his feet as it were village brook. Wide was the east; the gusts of morning shook: Immortal laughter beat along that shore: Pan, crouching in the reeds, piped as of yore: The gods came down and thundered from that book. He lifted his sad eyes; his London street Swarmed in the sun and strove to make him heed; Boys spun their tops, shouting and fair of cheek. But still, that violet lapping at his feet, An English lad had he sat down to read; Examples could be multiplied of the old manner. the presentation of phases of nature with no thought of giving more than the vague sensations they suggest: The plum-tree is a straitened thing; the cherry is but vain; 5A Quiet Road. By Lizette Woodworth Reese. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.: 1896. The thorn but black and empty at the turning of the lane; Yet mile by mile out in the wind the peach trees blow and blow, And which is stem, and which is bloom, not any maid can know. Drips and drips the last June rain, but toward the evenfall Copper gleam the little pools behind the pear-trees tall; One quotation will serve to show the second manner - that in which the human thought and feeling are read into and made a part of the nature represented: Then shall you be, O Spring, like unto him In an old house, with many memories dim, And knows not why his tears begin to fall. He hears without the delicate winds go by, Over vague tales of the dear, vanished lord. In reading the third volume made up from the unpublished poems of Emily Dickinson, room will be found for speculation as to what the principle of selection was which governed the choice of the poems published in the other two books. There is no falling away in the originality and strength of the selections in this later book, and at the same time there is a lyric quality, a carefulness of finish, and completeness of poetic quality, not found in the earlier volumes. It would seem that the editors were so struck by the startling directness of her thought, the vivid and original way of looking at things, that they determined to publish only those verses which illustrated these qualities. The impression of the author given by the first books was that she was not so much a writer of poetry as one who had poetic thoughts, but without the power of giving them full expression. This third volume will go far toward removing the impression. The poems are much more sane and comprehensible, and many of them have the swing and go of real melody. They do this, however, without losing strength. What could be more terse and to the point than these: It dropped so low in my regard I heard it hit the ground, And go to pieces on the stones He fumbles at your spirit As players at the keys Before they drop full music on; He stuns you by degrees. Poems by Emily Dickinson. Third Series. Boston: Roberts Brothers: 1896. 66 High from the earth I heard a bird; As he esteemed them trifles, Nature had left behind. I gathered from his talk, Clarence Urmy's verse' is of the sort that will always find ready acceptance by the magazines. It is of the kind technically known as "available"; that is, it is always up to a standard sufficient to carry it by the 'readers." It never voices sentimentalism, and never verges toward the intense. It is the calm and gentle expression of pleasant thoughts about nature and life, has a good local color, and is gracefully artistic in technical workmanship. OVERLAND readers have seen examples of it in these pages. Briefer Notice IN PLEASANT style and with a sympathetic touch Laura Bride Powers has told again the more than twice told tale of the rise and decay of the California Missions. She believes in her theme, is enthusiastic in her praises of the padres and their zealous labors, and earnestly exhorts Californians of today to preserve from further loss the relics of this Alpha of white civilization in the State. The shape and plan of 2A Vintage of Verse. By Clarence Urmy. William Doxey: San Francisco: 1897. The Missions of California. By Laura Bride Powers. William Doxey: San Francisco: 1897. the little volume makes it perhaps the most convenient yet printed to use as a reference book of mission annals; for though little is told of each mission, yet that little is easily accessible. There are good halftone reproductions of photographs of the well known and venerable facades. It will prove a pleasant souvenir for mission visitors, and is a favorable specimen of local bookmaking. MR. WILLIAM DOXEY is the chief reliance of the West Coast in the matter of publishing books of general literature, and his imprint "At the Sign of the Lark" is coming to have a value in the eyes of discriminating readers. It is pleasing to see therefore on his latest publication the words "The Doxey Press," indicating that he has established his own printing plant, and no longer depends as formerly on the Murdock, Taylor, and other presses. The book is a Guide to San Francisco and the Pleasure Resorts of California,1 got out presumably for the Christian Endeavor crowds. The work is well done, everything is told fairly, and with a legitimately chastened enthusiasm far from the blare of the "boomer." Practical points are there in abundance and nothing seems to be lacking to a perfectly satisfactory guide book. It has permanent value. THE latest Temple Classic to hand is Carlyle's French Revolution, surely a keeping up of the high tone of the series. Lovers of Carlyle, and lovers of the dainty in book making will be glad of this newest addition. Perhaps it may not be amiss for men of affairs in these days to read again the story of the French Revolution; Doxey's Guide to San Francisco and the Pleasure Reso: ts of California. William Doxey: San Francisco: 1897. The French Revolution. By Thomas Carlyle. The Temple Classics. London: J. M. Dent: 1897. For sale in San Francisco by Doxey. for there are not lacking prophets of evil that croak of insurrections to come in America which will repeat the terrors of the earlier day. A study, therefore, of the conditions which led to that revolution and of the aspects of it will enable the reader to argue intelligently with these ravens, and to point out the manifest absurdity of comparing the conditions in a free republic with those of "before the Deluge." The Old Gentleman of the Black Stock is a nice little story. It is not stupid; for one cannot accuse Thomas Nelson Page of ever writing anything exactly stupid. Yet if we did not know that Mr. Page had married rich it is to be feared that The Old Gentleman would be styled a pot-boiler. However, it can be read in an hour and forgotten nearly as soon after. That Affair Next Door is a harrowing detective story about a woman that was stabbed with a hat-pin. Anna Katharine Green's books sell well, however, and if taken in homeopathic doses will hurt no one. E. W. HORNUNG has not covered himself with glory by presenting to the public his last novel - My Lord Duke. It is the tale of an Australian bushranger who is imported into London as the heir of a noble dukedom. He makes the usual mistakes, horrifies society, and fascinates the ladies. The story is poorly written, feebly carried out, and totally uninteresting. Mr. Hornung may be a patriotic Australian but he is far from doing that marvelous country honor. 3The Old Gentleman of the Black Stock. By Thomas Nelson Page. New York: Charles Scribner's Sens. 1897. 75C. That Affair Next Door. By Anna Katharine Green: New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. 1897. $1. 5My Lord Duke. By E. W. Hornung. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons: 1897. of the globe having been quite extensive, and of his plans for the future. Said he: "I am going over to China with the intention of building up our trade with that country, There is a splendid market there for goods which we could furnish just as well, and more cheaply, than England, which country has a monopoly at the present time. The only trouble with America and the Oriental market in the past has been that that market has not been studied. People have wondered that American products are not used there to as great an extent as English, and those of other foreign countries, but there is nothing wonderful about it to me. Those people want certain things, and they will buy nothing else. The climatic conditions of the country require certain kinds of goods and only these kinds can be readily dosposed of. Now take for instance, cotton goods, which are used extensively in China and other Eastern countries. The people can not make them there as cheaply as they can import them, and consequently they import. But they do not touch cotton goods of American manufacture, and for the simple reason that the goods sent are not suitable to the natural conditions. "The weather is so warm and sultry that cotton goods of the thinnest possible texture are in demand and nothing else is worn. American cotton is all made heavy, with the result that it cannot be sold there. "At present almost our entire trade with China, at least all of our export trade, is in petroleum and flour. Russia is trying to break into our commerce as regards petroleum, but with care she can be kept from interfering with us. The American shippers have been in the habit of sending the oil over there in large cans, necessitating the purchase of these cans and thus making the selling price a trifle greater than would be the case were these cans not used. Russia has started in with the use of tank ships, into which the oil is pumped into tanks when it is unloaded. By the use of these ships the cost of the petroleum to the consumers is less. But I do not believe that even this will affect our market to any great extent. The Russian oil smokes and makes a poorer light than ours. It is only recently that petroleum has been generally used in those countries, but since its introduction it has completely supplemented the use of cocoanut oil. "Considerable pains have been taken with the flour market in China, with the result that our trade in that article of commerce is on the increase. Mr. Wildman was appointed United States consul to Hong Kong by President McKinley, June 29th last. Hong Kong is recognized as by far the most important shipping point in China, and it was on this account that the President selected Mr. Wildman for the place, knowing of his experience. Under President Harrison he was consul general to Singapore, Malay peninsula. during the early part of the President's administration, and later was sent to Barmen, Germany, in the intrests of this government. He returned home previous to the opening of the World's Fair at Chicago, and was made United States commissioner. Mr. Wildman was instrumental in securing for the fair the finest exhibit displayed, that from Singapore, and belonging to Abbu Baker, at that time sultan of Johore. Mr. Wildman is a newpaper man by profession, being at the present time the editor of the OVERLAND MONTHLY of San Francisco, and formerly editor and proprietor of the Idaho Statesman. MR. T. A. PERKINS, President of the Alumni Association of the Hastings College of the Law, has compiled a catalogue of the graduates of that institution. This work was suggested by the recent federation of the departmental associations of the University of California, of which the Hastings College is one. Previous catalogues were found so defective that Mr. Perkins was moved to do the work afresh. The number catalogued in the classes from 1881 to 1897 inclusive is 482, of whom 22 have the "fatal asterisk" prefixed, - 162 of the list had a previous college degree, 81 of them from the University of California. Many of them are names known as among the most successful of the younger practitioners of the California bar. Mr. Perkins expresses the hope in his preface that this catalogue may lead to the compiling of a general catalogue of all the University departments. This surely would be a good thing. A decennial official catalogue, with annual and biennial supplements, sold for a sum sufficient to cover cost of presswork and paper, ought to be issued as in the older colleges. A movement in this direction would be a good thing for the new federation to undertake. HON. W. W. FOOTE, a director of the OVERLAND MONTHLY Publishing Company, has been appointed by Governor Budd a member of the Yosemite Commission. ON JUNE 9th the University of Idaho conferred the degree of Master of Arts on Rounsevelle Wildman, editor of this magazine. OWING to Mr. Wildman's absence in New York, the Sanctum talk has been omitted this month for the first time in four years. |