The Pacific Monthly/Volume 4/Number 3/Books
Books
CONDUCTED BY DAVIS PARKER LEACH.
- McLOUGHLIN AND OLD OREGON.
- By Eva Emery Dye.
- A. C. McClurg & Co., Chicago.
Old Oregon! What memories and ghosts arise at the sound of that name! Astor, Bonneville, Lewis, Clarke, McLoughlin, Whitman and Benton live again by the magic of these two words. Cities, mills and railroads disappear and in their places are once more the virgin forests and unbroken prairies, disturbed only by wild animals or an occasional hunter and trapper.
It is hard to realize that less than three-quarters of a century ago Oregon was the ground on which the Hudson's Bay Company (powerfully intrenched and with almost unlimited resources,) and the vanguard of the great army of immigrants from the East were fighting their first battles for supremacy. Sometimes the battles were bloodless—and sometimes not, but every inch of ground was contested and the question of possession finally became a serious one, threatening international complications.
The author terms her book a "chronicle," but she has made every page speak, and the narrative reads like a thrilling romance. Old Dr. McLoughlin, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, is the central figure, of course, and stands out from the others—commanding and collossal. Mrs. Dye here proves beyond question his goodness of heart and his generosity, even to those opposed to his company's interests. The old doctor reigned like a feudal baron at the company's headquarters, old Fort Vancouver, and dispensed his hospitality with a lavish hand. The description of the life here is particularly interesting — the departure and return of the trapping parties, the Christmas festivities, the Indians trading bales of furs for ammunition and supplies—all make pictures bright with color and fascinating in detail.
The "chronicle" begins with the year 1832 and is carried up through the intensely exciting period between that year and 1857, when the good doctor breathed his last at Oregon City. The Whitman mission and massacre, the Cayuse war, the settlement of French Prairie, the controversy over the boundary (which came so near causing bloodshed), are only a few of the dramatic incidents which Mrs. Dye relates with much force in this volume. Few there are who can make history seem a part of today, but she brings back the past and the scenes live before you.
In addition to its literary value, the volume is a fine specimen of the bookbinder's art and will appeal to the lover of the beautiful as well as the student.
The people of Oregon are under deep obligations to the author of this work, which must have required a vast amount of labor and research. From the first lines to the last her enthusiasm never flags, the narrative goes on with everincreasing interest—almost breathless at times—and it is safe to predict that when the future collector of history looks fondly over his treasures none will appeal to him more strongly than "McLoughlin and Old Oregon," by Eva Emery Dye.
- THE KLONDIKE STAMPEDE.
- By Tappan Adney.
- Harper & Bros., N. Y.
The Klondike excitement has now become a matter of history. The feverish rush is over and development is going on in a business-like way. The historian now has data and facts hitherto unattainable which will serve to guide the future investor or prospector.
Those conversant with affairs in Alaska had long known of rich deposits of gold at different points, but it was not until early in the summer of 1897 that news was telegraphed broadcast of the wonderful strikes on Bonanza and Eldorado creeks. Then the stampede began that has had no parallel since the memorable discovery in 1849. People in every walk of life seemed to lose all power of reason, let lucrative positions, mortgaged homes and joined the gold-crazed mob. This wave of humanity broke upon the shores of Alaska and the portion that reached the Klondike soon spread itself over the face of the country. Finding nearly all the creeks near Dawson taken up, the gold-seeekers tramped to new and untried regions and new strikes and reports of strikes brought eager stampedes from the older camps. This movement is constantly going on, and will probably continue until the greater part of that vast territory will have been explored.
The author was sent out as special correspondent of Harper's Weekly and he gives a very readable description of the country and his experience therein. Starting from Skagway he and his party went by the way of Chilcoot Pass down the lakes, shooting the dangerous White Horse Rapids, and eventually reaching Dawson. From here he visited the different creeks where the mining was in full operation, and we have illustrations from photographs showing the men actually washing out the gold. These illustrations are especially fine and with the author's thoroughness the reader will get a clear idea of life near the Arctic Circle. He describes in detail the routes, cost of outfits, mining laws and everything necessary for the "stampeder" to know, and all is set forth in a graphic manner that convinces one that Mr. Adney got his information at first hands.
There are many books written on the Klondike, but none are so comprehensive and practical as this. It will be of value as a book of reference, for it gives the history of all the discoveries, including Cape Nome—that unique mining camp situated on the wind-swept beach.
The publishers have here a book, with its fine paper and binding, and wealth of illustrations, of which they may well be proud.
- MEN WITH THE BARK ON.
- By Frederic Remington.
- Harper & Bros., N. Y.
"Men with the Bark on die like the wild animals, unnaturally—unmourned, and even unthought of, mostly."
These sketches are of the type of man supposed to be indiginous to certain sections of America—fearless, generous to a fault, reckless of life and limb, rough as to exterior, but at heart as chivalrous as the knight-errant of old. Mr. Remington knows him well; has rode with, him, camped with him, has "summered" and "wintered" him, and his drawings are so intense and full of action that one at first sight might mistake them for photographs.
One chapter of the book is devoted to the personal experiences of the author in the Spanish-American war and is told in his own way, which, like his drawing, is inimitable. The other sketches are of the camps of the volunteers previous to their embarkation for Cuba, and the frontier life of the regular army.
The author shows his real literary ability in the "Story of the Dry Leaves," which is as poetic in its conception as the "famine," in Hiawatha. Authors are often like artists in this respect: They sometimes persistently follow lines of work which the public does not applaud. The Late Bernard Gillam was finally forced to give up work on serious lines and take up caricature, and Mark Twain, like his "virtuous man," finds himself lonesome if he is not humorous. We can forgive Mr. Remington, however, for the particular field he delights to work in would be barren without him. His sketches with both pen and pencil will be prized in the future as illustrating a type which, like the beaver and the buffalo, is becoming extinct.
- A TRIPLE FLIRTATION.
- By the Abbey Press, N. Y.
This book was no doubt designed for the summer-girl, that human butterfly who makes her appearance with the advent of hot weather and ice-cream sodas. The author does not take us into his confidence, but he may have meant this to be a manual for amateurs, who, after mastering the art of "triple" flirtations, can pass on to more ambitious efforts. This is only speculative, but the style of the stories, aided by the title of the book, seems to suggest this as the author's purpose. But then, what's in a name?
The illustrations, by the author, are very artistic, and help to make an attractive volume, such as the publishers are getting quite a reputation for. It will be just the book to put in the satchel when starting for the sea-shore or mountains, or to read in the hammock of a sultry afternoon.
- THE GREEN FLAG AND OTHER STORIES OF WAR AND SPORT.
- By Conan Doyle.
- McClure, Phillips & Co., N. Y.
In his preface to this exceedingly interesting collection of short stories, Mr. Doyle says: 'Tt is difficult to make a volume of short stories homogenous, but these have this in common: that they concern themselves with war and sport—a fact which may commend them to the temper of the times. Such as they are, I have chosen them as the fittest survivors out of the tales which I have written during the last six years.
Authors may be allowed to have a predilection in favor of their own writings, but this is a case where it is certainly justified. Two weeks before the publication day the entire first edition was exhausted, and a second edition ordered.. This speaks for itself, perhaps better than anything else. Some of the stories are familiar to the public, and some are not. They run the whole gamut of human emotions, and together form a volume of unusual interest. It is some time since Dr. Doyle has issued a book, and the warm reception accorded this one in advance is the best guarantee of its popularity. The war and sport referred to cover a large section of the globe, and will be interesting to all sorts and conditions of men and women. The title is taken from the first story, which deals with war in Africa. Some of the stories are tragic, some pathetic, and some highly humorous. They have all the art of the Sherlock Holmes stories, but have a great deal more variety in scene and theme. The work is gotten up in a way that does credit to the author and publishers.
- MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE.
- By Booth Tarkington.
- McClure, Phillips & Co., N. Y.
Monsieur Beaucaire is a book that is destined to be very widely read. In many respects it is a model short story. Certainly there is not a superfluous word or sentence in it, and the plot is marked out in a masterly way. Those that enjoy a short love story well told should not fail to get it. Monsieur Beaucaire is a light, elegant piece of romance, wherein swords and love-knots "compare" as in a Watteau picture, but Mr. Tarkington, in writing it, took his historical responsibilities as much at heart as if he labored on a dry document of information. He read forty-seven books in getting up small details, and he went on a long, laborious still hunt to get the names of men in power at the French and English courts at the time of Monsieur Beaucaire's little masquerade. The author has had a great many applications for the privilege of dramatizing Monsieur Beaucaire. From a typographical standpoint the book is a very decided success. There are six full-page illustrations in two colors, besides decorative title page, head and tail pieces.
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Literary Notes.
An important book will be issued by the Abbey Press, of New York. It is entitled "What Is the Matter With the Church?" and is by Rev. Frederick Stanley Root. Dr. Root deals with the pessimistic facts in an optimistic spirit, and while strongly urging the traditional church, shows that faithful are the wounds of a friend. There is promise of very considerable discussion arising from the contents of this book, the facts of which have been marshalled with considerable skill and cleverness.
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The publishers of Robert Neilson Stephens' new story, "Philip Winwood" announce that it went into its thirty-fifth thousand within nine days from its first issue, A writer in The Book Buyer advises all writers on historical novels to make haste before the reaction comes, as it is bound to do.
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Miss Wilkins' novel, "The Heart's Highway," will be published in June by Doubleday, Page & Co. It is of the Colonial period. McClure, Phillips & Co. announce for immediate publication "Dwight L. Moody's Impressions and Facts," by Henry Drummond, with an introduction by George Adam Smith. Professor Drummond's intimate association with Mr. Moody for more than twenty years, both as a friend and co-worker, yielded him a knowledge of the man and his aims and methods, such as no one else could possibly have had; and this book gives, along with a connected account of Mr. Moody's life, Professor Drummond's personal recollections and is embellished with a new portrait of Mr. Moody.
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Books Received.
McLOUGHLIN AND OLD OREGON, by Eva Emery Dye. Chicago, A. C. McClurg & Co.
THE KLONDIKE STAMPEDE. By Tappan Adney. New York: Harper & Bros.
MEN WITH THE BARK ON. By Frederick Remington. New York: Harper & Bros.
THE GREEN FLAG, and Other Stories of War and Sport. By Conan Doyle. 12mo. Price $1 50. McClure, Phillips & Co., 141-155 E. 25th St., New York.
MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE. By Booth Tarkington. 12mo. Price, $1.25. McClure, Phillips & Co., 141-155 E. 25th St. New York
THE MAGNA CHARTA OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. By George F. Genung D.D. 12mo, 164 pages. Price 60 cents. American Baptist Publication Society, 1420 Chestnut St. Philadelphia.
PRACTICAL HANDBOOK ON SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK. By Rev. L. E. Peters. 12mo, 128 pages. Price 60 cents. American Baptist Publication Society, 1420 Chestnut St. Philadelphia.
A RISE IN THE WORLD. By Adeline Sargeant. 12mo, pp. 377. Cloth, $1.25. F. M. Buckles & Co., 9 & 11 E. 16th., New York.
WILL B, MORE LETTERS. By Honor L. Wilhelm. pp 304. $1.50. The Mail Pub. Co., Seattle. Wash.
THE "NUGGETS" SERIES.
"DON'T WORRY" NUGGETS. From Epictetus, Emerson, George Eliot, Robert Browning. Gathered by Jeanne G. Pennington Portrait of Emerson.
PATRIOTIC NUGGETS. From Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, Webster, Lincoln, Beecher. Gathered by John R. Howard. Portrait of Washington.
EDUCATIONAL NUGGETS. From Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau, Herbart, Harris, Butler, Eliot. Gathered by John R. Howard. Portrait of Plato.
PHILOSOPHIC NUGGETS. From Carlyle, Ruskin, Charles Kingsley, Amiel. Gathered by Jeanne G. Pennington. Portrait of Carlyle.
HISTORICAL NUGGETS. From Macaulay, Stanley, Froude, Fiske, Armstrong, Emerson. Gathered by John R. Howard. Portrait of Macaulay.
Uniform size and style, 3⅝ by 5⅜; flexible cloth; gilt top; 45 cents per volume.
Ford, Howard & Hulbert, 47 E. Tenth St., New York.
Lick Observatory.