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The San Francisco Sunday Call NOTE! * C> * A Young and True Poet ("The Star Treader, Etc.," by Clark Ashton Smith) THE emergence of a true poet usu ally fxcitee an Interest which is more general than genuine. Clark Ashton Smith, whose book, "The Star Treader an<s Other Poems," has just been brought out by A. M. Robert son, Is a true poet. Hβ is a truer poet than we had any right to infer from the examples of hie which have ap peared in the news columns of the daily press in advance of their publi cation. Let one of Mr. Smith's most charming- productions speak for itself: CLOUD ISLANDS What Wands marvelous are ibter That tern the ronMt't fides of light— Opals aglow in saffron was ? How beautiful they lit, and bright. Like some new found Heeperldes: What varied, changing magic hu*"•< Tint gorgeously each abort and hill! What biasing, rlrW. smids and Mues Tbeir steward winding »nUex« fill I What amethysts their peaks eaffvse' Close held by eurring arms of land That out within the ocean reach, ■ii mark a faery city Ftand, Set high upon a sloping beach That burns with fire of ahimmcriug eand. Of nnnaet-llght Is formed each wall; Kern dome a rain bow-bubble aecms; And erery spire that towers tall A ray of golden moonlight gleams; Of ©pel Seme is erery ball. Alas! how quickly dims their glow! What veils their dreamr splendors mar Like broken dreams the islands g< 1 . Aa down from strands of cloud and star The finking tides of daylight flow. Here It a poem of a rare and sym metrical beauty which does not falter unless one were to quarrel with the line, That out within the ocean reach. If, however, its beauty seem too frail, let u» turn to the splendid son net "Retrospect end Forecast," in which we meet the philosophic note. It is Oarif stsnion smith upon such a poem as this that Mr. Smith's reputation may rnoet securely rest. RETROSPECT AND FORECAST Turn round, O Life and know with eyes aghast The breast that red thee —Death, disguiseless, stern; Even now, within they mouth, from tomb and urn, Thp duet is sweet. All nurture that then haet Was once ts thou, and fed with lips made fast On Death, whoM sateless mouth It fed ia turn. Kingdoms debased, aad thrones that starward yern, Ail «re but ghouls that batten on the past. Monetrtwe and dread, it fore'er abide. This unescapable alternltr? Must lorelinese find root with!* decay. And migfct fJeroer its flaming hues alway? Sickening, will Life not torn eyentoatly, Or TUvtsMBS Death *t Ust be aacisfied? But theee poems are not typical of Mr. Smith's muse. They are merely his best. They are the poems that he himself is likely to prefer In a few years. Here ie another short poem of exquisite perfection. Two similar lyrics, "The Dream Bridge" and "A Live Oak Leaf" almost equal it: PINE KEEDL.ES O little lances, dipped in gray And set Iβ order straight and clean How delicately clear and k*en Your points against the sapphire day! Atteisting Nature's perfect art Ye fringe he limpid armament, O little lances ks»«nly sent To pierce with beauty to the heart! The following quatrain is a.peculiarly happy expression of a form seldom handled so well. THE PRICE Behind each thing a shadow lies; Beauty hath e'er its cost: Within the moonlight floo<J<*d skies How many stars are lost: A. careful examination of the con tents of this little volume is produc tive of certain definite Impressions. The first impression is drawn from the poemi—"Nero," "The Star Treader," e tc. —which have been placed at the beginning presumably because they are considered the poet's best. They are his most ambitious productions and in many ways they are remarkable. There Is" no denying their richness and power, but In the last analysis they fail to evoke the finer emotions which it is the function of poetry to excite. If one were to read th'-pe first poems only, the verdict could hardly be favor able. I.\deed, it is probable tljat some critics, basins their judgments on these :ag in them distinct lim itations, will say things that are hasty and unkind. It Is unfortunate that in this first collection of Mr. Smith's poems the dates of production should not have given. It would then be possible (and interesting) to mark the steps of ■what is pa I growing talent. It Is perhaps unnecessary to add that all true talent must be in a fluid state of growth. The moment It set It ceases to have constructive value. The more nearly it k**eps apace with the forward movement of the art of xvhlch it i the greater its slgnlfV more enduring will it Kegrardinu these more ambitious l>of>ms of Mr. Smith's, the reader will find the poet's declaration of principles (from which in tie poem- already ! he hapi D Ms "Ode on Imagination," which begins thus: Imaginations ' O-itreHCh aad di vision of the gwatewi -tar incHSur«'B Instantaneously— -!ert th»-rei:t n« ■ Its cincture of tlip systnn l.id<n skies. AtysM-s clo*«vl about with uisUt A tribute yield To B«'r retnrdlesvs sigh): And Mattel's itntf- rilnt'loee tli»> candent ores Koct-lield In furnaces of planet-cores. As has already been shown, all of Mr. Smith's poetry is not erected upon the conception of imagination ex pressed in these lines and emphasized in the remainder of the poeJa. Much nf it is. In many of hie poems he projects his mind beyond the Immediate > f human. His thoughts fly on the winffs of Imagination to Where BOOK REVIEWS She stnnrts endued With ttuperninndane crown and Testltures, of empirics that include All underworlds aud orerworlds of drenm. In some of these poems he takee an external view of the material universe, looking In from spi.ee like a "curious god." In others he looks out upon space like an astronomer at the eye piece of his telescope which lures his vision beyond the stars, yet does not permit him to see the forested hills about him nor the cottage nearby, where a child is being born. Now the poet whose imagination takes him in such wide courses addresses him self to our emotions in two ways only —either by an impelling and powerful diction which armors his thought, or by the creation through lmagry of a high visual beauty. To those who do not renct to powerful diction or who, considering It only a email part of art to be used sparingly, crave an other evocation, he will have little to say. By the same token, he will have lit tle to say to those who do not concelvr beauty in terms of supermundane things. The fundamental difficulty with all poetry written in contempla tion of infinitude is that the exalted nature of the object contemplated exalts language in the effort to ex press it; the truest poetry, however, is cast in language so passionate or p<. beautiful that it infuses passion or beauty into the things of which it treats and which becomes thereby transfigured. The poet should be able to say, "1 speak and my words make beautiful and vital whatsoever they touch." He should not say. "That is sublime, let me find adequate words to describe it." But as we have endeavored to show in the poems quoted above, Mr. Smith does not always soar in spaces whither one may not follow hjm without becom ing dizzy. "The Clcfud Islands" has to do with the sky, it is true, but it is of the earth. The poot deals with a sim ple subject and beautifies and makes it memorable by means of his art. Tt will be seen, therefore, that Mr. Smith's poetry falls into two major categories. In one his imagination transcends the limits cf life and mat ter; in the other he clothes the things of earth with lyric beauty. There ia, however, a third category in which faM such poems as "The butterfly." . In this h* applies the method of the first cat egory to the material of the second. The poem is as aloof as "The Star Treader." < Of the poems in the spatial and stel lar vein "The Song , of a Comet" if in many ways the best. It shows a freer rhythm and the pentasyllables and words of disturbing unusualness are comparatively infrequent. It would be Idle to allude to the in fluences detectable in Mr. Smith's work. They are sufficiently obvious. The really important thing Is that, in aplte of the derivative character of'eome of the poems—bo inevitable in the work of a young poet as to call for no com ment —there Is abundant evidence that the poet has the independence of mod ernity in hie blood. He shows It In the free rhythm 3of some of his poems, and it is easy to fancy his being? picked up by the, great wave which has been sweeping poetry away from tradition with greater swiftness than it has ever moved since the beginning of English literature. It Is the wave upon which Whitman the pioneer rode so mightily. It Is the wave that bore Browning and Merideth and Henley. It is on the crest of this wave that Masefleld rides today like one of his great and beautiful ships Whose tests are tempests and the tea that drowns Others too—singers of the new voice —Davidson, Housman, Doweon, Sy mons, Bridges, Middleton. Bynner— have ridden on this wave that sweeps Irresistibly onward. f - Poets may escape the wave by scrambling up en the ancient peak* of song or by soaring Into thVempyrean, but both places are deserted and lonely and filled with death and the coldness of death. Even hell Is cold in poetry, as ft Iβ in slang. Only life Iβ hot. Na ture la warm. • Regarding Mr. Smith's adherence or nonadherence to the traditions of prosody, it Is only necesstfry to quote Edwin Bjorkman's words, "Rules are made for those who do not think." There Is much that might be said about the mechanics of Mr. Smith's poetry, but let It suffice to call attention again to his rhythm. In many cases his sen tence structure militates against rhythmical flow, and frequent lables Impair the music of bis meas- Their absence from "The Song of a Comet" results in a superior rhyth mical unity. How welcome, too, the two lines that emerge in agreeable monosyllabic rhythm from «Ode to the Abyss." 0 th6u wnow? hands pluck out the lljrht of stars, Are worlds grown but as frtut for thee? •€aye for the consonantal plexus in "worlds grown." the rhythm here shows a successful handling of a succession of monosyllables which is one of tfce ultimate tests of technique." A greater sutfvity of rhythm is achieved also in the beautifully wrought octave of a sonnet entitled "A Dream of Beauty." Let our young and true poet epeak once more and exquisitely: 1 dreamed that each most lorely, perfect 4hlng That Nature hath, vt sound, and form, aud hue — The winds, tl;e grass, the light-concentering flew. The gleam and swiftness of the sea-birds wing: Blueeen* of *en r id t-k», aud gold of storai Transmuted b« the sunset, and the flame Of autumn-adored leaves, before m<* came. And. meeting, merged to one diTlner form. SHORTER REVIEWS A New Interpretation There is no denying the interest of this little .volume by Dr. leador H. Corlat, entitled 'The Hysteria of Lady Macbeth" (Moffatt, Yard & Co.; 75 cents). In it the author attempts to apply conclusions drawn from re .ffls in abnormal psychology to the interpretation o< Lady Macbeth's char acter. Not content with presenting an lypothesis upon which certain analo gies between scientifically observed phenomena and the actions of Shake speare's woman may be erected. Doctor Cor Vat declares that Lady Macbeth was affected with a "typical" hysteria. Al though there will be many to say that the author claims too much for #his theory, he has essayed a new form of literary criticism which is filled with suggestion and interest. * # * For the Sleepless "Sleep and the Sleepless" (Sturgis & Walton company) is a treatise by Dr. Joseph Collins which should prove a boon to those who suffer from insom nia. It deals scientifically, but non technieaUy, with thY phenomenon of sleep and presents the results of the PORTER GARNETT Delightful Finnish Myths {' Auie Sampo, by James Ualdwin; tAMEJS BALDWIN has produced in I "The Sampo" (grribner's) a book fnat will give pjeaaure to every one into whoge hands It may fa'l, whether they be old or 'j&ung. The story of the Sampo is a, series of related legends drawn from the ancient lore of. Finn larfd—a series of <jnyths new to English readers and interesting not alone on that «eeol*nt tfat by reason of their inhere,ns charm. > Mr. Baldwin's woric is base* largely upon the, so called "Kalevala" .a long poem by Dr. Ellas Lonnrot wljp under took the task—occupying many years —of coHectlng and putting into this permanent form all that was best in the legendary literature of his coun trymen. The present version has been admirably adjusted to the requirements of modern readers who will enter through it a new field of mythology unknown up to- the present time to ail except the professional folk-lorlst. There are a great many episodes in "The Sampo," each interesting in itself and touched with the delightful fan tasy of ancient romance. The story tells of the wonderful adventures of Wainamolnen, the wizard minstrel, and of Umarinen, the smith, in the Frozen Land or Pohyola which is now Lapland and In the Land of Heroes or Walnola which today is known ajj the country of the Finns. Wainamolnen promises Dame Louhi, the Wise Woman of the North, that he will induce his friend the smith, who first tempered iron and forged the sky, to make for her the sampo, the magic mill which grinds out all sorts of treasures and gives wealth and power to its possessor. This he does and the sampo produces cease lessly, flour, salt, and gold. The sampo Is locked in the earth and the Frozen author's thorough study of the causes and cures of i-leeplessnrss. Doctor Collins is particular to point out that the requisite quantity of sleep is much less than popularly supposed, and he educes abundant evidence In support of this contention. There are interesting chapters dealing with dreams, opiates, narcotics and hypnotism, and a final chapter on "Reading as a Soporific," in which various authors arc recommended as sleep producers. Among- these are Amiel, A. C. Benson and Sir Thomas Browse. The palm, however. Is given unreservedly to the "Familiar Letters" of James Howcll. * # # Drunkenness "Studies in the Psychology of In temptraneeT (Sturgis & Walton com pany), bj# G. E. Partridge, author of "The Nervous Life," Is a comprehensive study of the problem of intemperance nnd the care and cure of persons ad dicted to drink or drugs. Under tb«* head of "The Intoxication Impulse" the of drunkenness is ex amined historically and pathologically. Experiments upon animals are con sidered as well as the study of human subjects under intoxication, and the Land becomes the land of plenty. There are many wonderful and strange quests to the Land of Shades and to ,the home of Wipunen, the Wisdom Keeper, and llmarlnen submits to strange tests in order that he may win the hand of the Maid of Beauty; such testa as plowing a field of serpents 'itnd battling with the Great Pike of ■T'uoneia. The legends tell of how he pursues the maid, how he wins her and .how she is finally lost to him. It tells of the Golden Maiden that he would put in her place; of the famine in the Land of Heroes und the ex pedition to the Frozen Land to obtain some of'the magical products of the sampo. Dame Louhi refuses to share the prosperity that the magic engijje has brought to her country and so the minstrel and the smith take posses sion of the sampo and make off with it. They are pursued and In the fight that ensues the sampo is shattered to many pieces. These are carried by the sea to many parts of the earth and to all of these places they bring , abundance. One tiny fragment only is retained by Dame Louhi, and so, tb , the present day, the Frozen Land is* meagerly supplied with the grain and fruits that flourish elsewhere. The phenomena of nature are va riously interpreted in "The Sampo," and many of Its incidents are in th« form of fables in which animals, birds and insects play their parts. There is a freshness about this unusual r>o<*k which gives it distinction and which will cause it to be remembered. The admirable illustrations are "by N. C. Wyeth whose work njay be observed here in a phrase differing widely from the western life in the depiction of which the artist mztde his reputation. conclusions are set forth with inform ing detail. The author then takes up what he calls "the practical problem" and discusses the saloon, preventive and educational measures, and the care, cure and control of the drunkard. While the book will have a scientific interest to neurologists and the medical profes sion generally, it will find many inter ested readers among laymen. •¥ •*- -X- A Timely Book "Panama, a Textbook on the Canal Zone and Republic. With a Gr.ide to the Pacific Coast From Panama to San Francisco," is the title or a handy vol ume written and published by Charles Walker Burris of Kansas City. Mr. Burris' book contains 144 pages, which arc tilled with informat'on under so many different heads that the reader will doubtless find in it all th" facts relative to the country, the canal and particularly to traveling:, that a book may be expected to contain. * * * There are some notable names title pajjes of a series of little leather bound gift books published by the Funk & Wagnails company. i" n the collection are "The Misfortune of a World Without Pain," by Dwight Hillis; "The Signs of the Times," by William Jennings Bryan; "The Call of Jesus to Joy," by William Elliot Griffls; "The Latent Energies of Life," by Charles Reynolds Brown, and "The Conserva tion of Womanhood and Childhood," by Theodore Roosevelt. BRIEF NOTICES "Pruyefß for Mttle Men and "Women, ,, by John Martin. ■•'Royal Auction Bridge." by R. F. Foster. "The Humane Idee," by Francis H. "Fdwley. "Onr Country I.ltfr," by Frances Kinsley Hutchlnson. "A Valiant-Woman," by M. F, "The Mother Hook," by Margaret E. gangster. "Illineelf, ,, by E. B-.*Lowry arid Rich ard J. Lambert. •"Prayers for Little Men and Women" is the title of a well printed and in terestingly de<*orated and illustrated book by "John Martin," which is the name under which Morgan Shepard, formerly of San Fruncisco, writes. The prayers, of which there are 80, are in verse, and beside containing new In terest for the child contain simple and sound moral lessons. Published by Harper & Brothers; * # # The rules and methods of expert play in the newly developed game of Royal Auction has been written by R. F. Fos-' ijter, well known as an authority on Bridge. Published by the Fretfericfc A. Stokes company. * ♦ # FrancSs H. Rowley, president of the Massachusetts Society for the Preven« tion of Cruelty to Animals, has put his knowledge of man's attitude through the ages toward other animals into a little volume entitled "The Hu mane Idea." The author draws his in formation from many sources, among? which classic literature figures largely. The book is published by the American Humane Education ao'ciety. * * * In J * Our Country Life" (McClurg), the author. Frances Kinsley Hutchin- Bon, tells how she and her husband devoted 10 years to the perfection of the methods aim materials of ,a suc cessful and happy country life. There is much in the book about gardening and more about natural history in a variety of phases. Persons owning country houses will derive both pleas ure and profit from this relation of ex p< riences. » * * Under the title of "A Valiant Woman" (Crowell) "M. F.," the author of those striking book#> "The Journal of a Recluse" and "Klrstie" writes authoritatively and suggestively upon vital phases of the problem of educa tion. It criticises effectively the mod ern practices in the teaching of Eng lish and discusses frankly the ques tions of socialism, suffrage and mar riage. Margaret E. Sangster has produced In "The Mother Book" (McClurg) a work that should have a v/ide appeal. As the dominant figure in home life the mother of the family stands in a relation to society which warrants the care and thought which Mrs. Sangster has devoted to her congenial subject. A handy volume entitled "Himself." by Dr. E. B. Lowry and Dr. Richard J. Lambert (Forbes) deals with sexual hygiene for men. It gives clearly and completely the knowledge essential to every man's health end success. The authors are recognized authorities on the subject. Best Seller in Disguise ("The Bride's Hero," by M. P. Revete) np HE Frederick A. Stokes company, I publishers of "Th« Bride's Here," by M. P. Revere, announces that the author in in reality a well known producer of beet sellers who is trying the experiment of pseudonymlty In order to find out how much a mere name counts with the fiction reading public. The story ought to capture the pop ular taste because its interest and read ability are apparent at the outset, and well sustained to the end. Persons looking for a story with which to pass th* tUne agreeably will find it in "The Bride's Hero." The author has chosen a method of presentation which makes for movement an* intimacy In the telling: of his (or her) tale. It is cast in the form of a young; woman's diary and begins with an entry made in San Franeiso. We catch here a glimpse of the city and learn that the heroine has formed a girlish and ro mantic attachment for an English nobleman whom she has never seen, but to whom she has been attracted by his brilliant reputation as a soldi >r. Sandra—such is *ie heroine's name- goes to Englam and as fate woult , have it she meets Sir Miles Culver, hei hero, on the day before his engage ment to a famous opera s'nger la announced. The marriage does not take place, however. Sir Miles brother also loves the singer and she him with a love that proves stronger The Salary Question ("How to Get Your Pay Raised,"byNathanielC.Fowler) <|* tOW to Get Your Pay Raised," T~\ by Nathaniel C. Fowler Jr. (McClurg), Iβ An extremely Judicious and full setting forth of factors of material success. The author haa dealt with practical questions in his other works, "How to Save Money," "Starting in Life, ,, "Prac tical Salesmanship" and "Gumption," and brings to his present treatise ?>o fruit of his wide experience and s. re markable faculty for presenting hi* eubject In a variety of minor aspects as well as in those of more general sig nificance. Thue we find a well ordered discussion of the many influences that tend to increase or decrease the wage earning ability of the Individual, which in their sum may be regarded an the underlying principles which lead to promotion. After discussing fully the question of equipment for service. Mr. Fowler en ters into a consideration of the rela tions between employer and employe and the attitude of the irage earner toward his work. It is in this section that the practioal question of advance ment is treated in a practical manner. Novels and Short Stories A CRY IN THE WILDERNESS, by Mary E. Waller—A dramatio story of a girl's life in the wilde of Canada, told with the skill which won recognition for the author's "The Wood Carver of Lympuß," (kittle, Brown; $1.30.) THE WIND'S WILL, by Albert Britt. A novel to command interest in plot and characterization. The farm boy, Christopher Dunham, meets the respon sibilities of a life for which he is un prepared. Three interesting women play their parts in his career, which is skillfully c'eveloped along unusual lines. The story has ingenuity and presents a vivid picture of American life. (Mof fßt, Yard; $1.30.) HELL'S PLAYGROUND, by Ida Vera Simonton— A stutty of the conditions of society o» the' French Congo coast, which reveals in the career of a young English aristocrat the demoralizing in fluences of life amojig the African na tives. The story is o-ne of large pur- Bose told with uncompromising frank ness. Moffat, Yard; $1.35.) ADRIAN SCROOP, by Rowland A. Wood-Seys—A tale of extravagant but diverting adventures in the lives cf a millionaire and his daughter. Unusual and highly entertaining. (Dodd, Mead; $1.25.) THE HONEY POT, fey Norval Rich ardson—The scenes of this cleverly conceived story are laid in Mexico, where an attractive senorita nlays with" the affections of three Americans. The spirit of comedy prevails throughout the lively narrative, (Pago; $1.) OLD TIMF. AND YOUNG TOM, by Robert J. Burdette —A collection of genial and humorous discourses deal ing with age and youth and many other things. The personal note enters pleas antly. (Bobbs-Merrill; $1.25.) HOFFMAN'S CHANCE, by William Caine —A story of artistic life with a Bohemian atmosphere. The hero is a musician and playwright, whose diffi culties in the pursuit of his ambition are related in an interesting narrative l>f the London art world. (John Lane; $1.25.) THE STREET OF TWO FBIENDS, by F. Berkde'y Smith —The author, who has lived for 20 'years in the artist quarter of Paris, teirs true stories of the picturesque life which he knows so weH. His point olT: view, is intimate and sympathetic and his style captivat ing- (Doubleday, Page; $1.50.) {BROKEN ARCS, by Darell Figgis— This author, well and favorably known in England, has written a psychological novel of onusual strength and signifi cance. It reflects modern life and is distinguished by ke*n observation and character study. (Kennerley; $1.35.) THE LOCUSTS' YEARS, by Mary Helen —Life in ;he Philippines is de scribed in this story with detail and in terest. The plot has to do with the career and complicated .love affairs of a trained nurse. (McClurg.) THE ISLAM! OF BEAUTIFUL THIXGS, by Will Allen Dromgoole—A southern romance of imaginative charm and literary address. The story deals with the influence of a child upon the life of a man. It is a book to be read and recommended by lovers of fiction. In it poetry is -mingled with power character delineation and narrative. (Page; $1.25.) MEADOWSWEET, by Baroness Orrzy. This refreshing story appeals by rea son of the interesting character por traits it contains and on account of the well managed plot in which a charm ing woman wins the reader by the way she influences the characters of those about her, especially a sister whose jealousy and disloyalty complicate the lives of both. THE TIME LOCK, by Charles E. Walk—A mystery story or rather a story of many mysteries in which the reader's interest will be aroused by a «trange disappearance and kept alive COM*! MENFSi than discretion. They attempt an elopement and the singer is killed in an accident to the automobile. The brother is smashed up and it become" necessary if his life is to be saved that an enormous sum be expended for the services of specialists. Sir Miles, who is devoted to his brother and knows nothing of bis duplicity, is in no position to meet this expense nrvl contemplates disposing of the family estates. This is Sandra's opportunity. She is rich and her friend. Lady Meldon. suggests to her that she save the situ ation by marrying Sir Miles. Although Sandra loves him her motive in con senting to the arrangement Is an un selfish one—she wishes to make It possible foi Sir Miles to save his brother's life The barone* submits to the "arrange rosat," and Sandra becomes Lady Cul ver. Her husband treats her with formal indifference and h!e brother hates her cordially. How in the end the indifference of one and the hati.l of the other dre overcome, constitutes the better part of the story, rising nt times to an intt-nse but restrained dramaism. The fact that restraint is at times thrown asidt in a manner which ma!--a it impossible for one to take certain episodes seriously, does not prevent the story from being-, on the whole, both vital and enter taining. Every aspect of the problem is dealt with successively and the author's con cluslonn—frequently in the form of ad vice—are set forth. A few of the chapter headings will give an Idea of the way the problem is approached. Here are some of them: "Pay Raising Luck," "Asking for In crease," 'On Time and Ahead of It," 'Watching for the Prospects," "Asking for More Work," "Making It Easier for Your Employer," "Knocking,'• "Do ing -the Unrequired," "Concentration." etc. In Mr. Fowler's opinion the way to get an increase of salary is to deserve it, and his book is designed to show how this may be done. Not the least valuable and interest ing part of the book consists of 100 pages in which 69 "Americans of dis tinct mark and se'f acquired success' state in letters to he iuthor what con tributed to their first raise in salary and to subsequent promotions. Advice is cheap and usually futile, but 'How to Get Your Pay Raised" is much more than a book of advice; it is a book from which any one—particularly young men—will derive benefit. by 'a succession of incidents which make for suspense and entertainment. (McClurg; $1.35.) THE MINOR CHORD, by Joe Mitchell Chappie—-A errand opera prima donna of international fame writes her biog raphy, which begins with her child hood in the west and takes her through the wide ranging experiences of her professional career and her inner life. (Chappie Publishing company.) MISS WEALTHY, by Elizabeth Neff— A suspected bank robber has the good fortune to fall into the hands of the Unsuspecting and good hearted Miss Wealthy, who, in her zeal as deputy sheriff, makes a curious mistake and <i number of firm friends. The pursuit of the culprit leads to amusing com plications which are satisfactorily ex plained«at the end of an entertaining narrative. (Stokes.) A ■WALL OF ME\, by Margare\ Hill McCartep—The story deals with the stirring incidents connected with the fight in Kansas against the slave hold ing policy. John Brown is one of the characters in the roujance,. and the massacre at Lawrence is among the histftrical episodes Incorporated in the narrative. (McClurg; f1.35.) STEPHEN MILHEW, by Howard B. Seltz—A biographical novel in which the evolnticn of a boy is minutely etudied. He emerges a striking char acter under influences and experiences which reflect interesting phases of Amerioan life. (Cosmopolitan Press; 11.50.) A BUILDER OF SHIPS, by Charles M. Jheldon—A story of how a- man rises i. ?ra the wreck caused by his own weakness. It deals with the ca reer of a ship builder whose ambition leads him into difficulties from which with the aid of religion, he emerges. (Doran; $1.20.) A LIVING LEGACY, by Ruth Under wood—The characters are American types Conducted through an interesting narrative of Philadelphia life. The plot is erected upon a young man's guardianship of the charming daughter of a dead friend and presents interest ing problems. (Winston; $1.35.) THE SIEGE, by John S. Williams—A love story of the civil war written from the southern point of view ana dealing with historical events through which a thread of romance is woven. (Cos mopolitan Press; $1.20.) THE CAVERNS OF CRAIL, by Thomas Sawyer Spivey—The author has made ancient Persia the scene of this story of adventure and intrigue. (Cosmopolitan Press.) THE LADY OF THE SXOWS, by Edith Ogden Harrison—An English hero becomes fi member of the Cana dian mounted police. After many ad ventures he v, ins the hand of the girl who had rei'used to marry him, al though charged to do so by the will of her wealthy uncle. (McClurg:; $1.2"..) THE CRADLE OF THE DEEP, by Jacob Fisher--The hero, the heroine and a Frenchman escape from a ship wreck only to be thrown upon their resourc es on a"desert island. How the Frenchman dies and how the others are rescued after adventures sucn as can occur only when the facilities and restrictions of civilization are removed make a story that will be followed with interest. (Page.) THE ENCHANTED BURRO, by Charles F. Lummis —Tales of romance, adventure and mystery, two of which deal with California and others with Mexico, Pei v and other parts of the two America.' (MeCTurg; $1.) JUST BOY, by Paul West—The au thor has collected into a book the let ters of Samuel Torrey Jr.. which in their misspelt accounts of that young ster's escapades have amused thou sands who read them when published in the magazines. Mr. West admits in his preface tliat ho. is the original Sam uel. (DoranJ