Book Reviews [pp. 90-95]

Overland Monthly
Graphic characterizes him as merely one of
the cleverest technicians known, which is
true to the extent that some of his hasty
sketches fail to show any particular merit.
Mr. Gibson knows the art of being brief, and
his text accompanying his illustrations is
concise and interesting.
Victor Hugo
AN important work which has just made
its appearance is the Memoirs of Victor Hugo.
They date back to the Coronation of Charles
the Tenth at Rheims, and end with the siege
of Paris, and are rich with thrilling interest
and novelty. His life covered the most interesting epoch of French history; he was
an eye-witness of events that for us, "glow
with the hallowing light of romance." He.s
a reporter, as it were,-and what a reporter!
The incidents he relates,-in particular, those
connected with the revolution of 1848, and
the siege of Paris,-are of paramount interest.
Hawaiian America
THIS is the title of a plump, handsome
volume by Caspar Whitney, which, with numerous and splendid illustrations, and fine
type, describes "something of the history,
resources, and prospects" of our new possessions. These are, as Mr. Whitney says, facts
with which every American should now be
familiar. He also says that he had no idea
of making a tourist's guide to the islands,
and indeed, though the book is always pleasant reading, there is an admirable sort of
academic thoroughness about it, with its
details of the prominent industries, etc.,
which should make him an authority on Hawaiian matters. "A mine of information in
regard to the life and customs of the Hawaiians," the publishers call it. The history
part of the book is quite up to date, and
takes us through the annexation ceremonies
of a few months ago.
Stars of the Opera
THE primary mission of MAabel Wagnalls'
Stars of the Oper-a is set forth simply in the
dedication: " To those who love music but
have no opportunity to familiarize themselves with grand opera." But the book will
be a delight also to the many who have been
fortunate enough to hear any or all of the
twelve grand operas reviewed by Miss Wagrails. This gifted young author, with her
own rare musical talent and reputation, has
proved herself eminently fitted to undertake
such a work as the present one. In a
smooth but spirited manner she has
sketched the stories of the operas and described the music and scenery, while the interviews recorded bring the reader into close
sympathy and acquaintance with Melba,
Nordica, and half a dozen others of the great
singers. Miss Wagnalls has before her a
limitless field for the literary interpretation
of music, and it is to be hoped she will follow up earnestly the promising beginning
she has made in this line of work.
A Season's Sowing
CHARLES KEELER'S A Season's Sowing
contains many quatrains and couplets which
are not only pleasing and graceful, but rich
in thought and mellow with vital feeling.
The illustrations and decorative margins, by
Louise Keeler, bear witness to much painstaking work, though some of them seem too
somber for a holiday book.
The Nation's Foes
H. H. LUSK, in Our Foes at Home, sounds
notes that are not strictly in tune with optimistic expressions of faith in the assured
greatness and glory of our country. He considers the present hour a specially suitable
time for inquiry into the conditions and tendencies of the American people, inasmuch
as, "we stand at the close of the great climacteric century of human experience; and
if this is true of older nations it is doubly
true of America."
~Mr. Lusk apprehends that, while we may
not have much to fear from other nations,
we face great internal difficulties and dangers, and this notwithstanding the marvelous showing which we are now making in
all those things which are supposed to indicate national success.
Never before, it may be said, has the position of the country seemed more prosperous
than at present; never has its trade been
better at home, or its commerce more expansive abroad; at no time since it became
a nation has its credit stood so high in the
markets of the world. and at none have its
prospects looked so bright.... WVith an
assured position, a gigantic and increasing
trade, wealth which already exceeds that of
almost any other nation, and a population
even now exceeded by only one nation of
Europe; with no enemy to threaten her
abroad, and no crisis to affect her security at
home, America may be disposed to believe
that she stands on the threshold of the new
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