The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, May 19, 1907, Magazine Section, Page 11, Image 59

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THE SUNDAY OREGON IAN. PORTLAND, MAY 19. 1907.
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Ure or SMALL
The Major' Wif, by Anna Kslharlne
f!ren. Illustrated. The Bobb-Mrrlll
Co., Indianapolis. Ind.
Xo other American writer nowadays is
much at home in the domain of eerie,
shivery mystery, the chief components of
which are a mysterious murder, pursuit
of th Kiiilty nd a sensational arrest,
as Anna Katharine Green. This has been
noticeable in several of her most suc
cessful novels, especially In "The Woman
In the Alcove," where success was spelled
in jcory capitals. The criminologist's
crown has been for some time unhesitat
ingly awarded to this highly Imaginative
authoress.
In "The Mayor's 'Wife" Anna Katharine
Green has again pursued the vein of mys
tery, but without resulting In the taking
of a human life. Although the story pos
sesses a galloping Interest and drawing
power, the police element Is conspicu
ous by Its absence. The tale could as
well have been entitled "Miss Saunders.
Woman Detective and Spy." Miss Saun
ders tells the story. In the very first
chapter she relates that she U engaged
to act as companion to Mrs. Henry Pack
ard, wife of the Mayor of a Western
city.
Up to the time of th opening of the
tory Mrs. Packard had been the lightest-hearted
woman in town the happiest
wife, the merriest mother. Without any
appreciable cause, Mrs. Packard became
a mere wreck of her former self pallid,
almost speechless. She would not ac
knowledge to an ache or a pain or even
admit that any change had taken place
In her. What was the mj'stery?
Mayor Packard was as mystified as any
one. and engaged Miss Staunders to live
at his house and endac'ii'or to unravel the
tntangled skein. The Packard house bore
the reputation of being haunted so much
so that various tenaots .had difficulty in
Inducing domestic help to remain. Peo
ple In the house had been awakened in
the night season by screams coming from
below. Doors were afterward found open
which the men of the house were sure
had been shut on retiring. The tall clock
standing near the drawing-room door had
stopped exactly at midnight, and spectral
hands had been seen manipulating it.
Other phenomena sd dear to the heart of
a lady novelist are also mentioned. To
Ket the full effect of these and experience
the genuine thrill that starts at the back
of the neck and goes away down, the tale
nhould be read In a silent room, alone,
and with the wind sighing without.
The clever combination, well told. Is
like the power possessed by the celebrated
Lady Macbeth, who murdered sleep. How
Is the reader to know that the Packard
house contained hidden treasure, or that
Mrs. Packard -enjoyed the unwonted lux
ury of possessing two husbands, both of
these worthies living at the same time?
Even the hardened novel-reader might
be pardoned by suspecting that ultimately
Miss Saunders and Mr. Steele, the' May
or's secretary, might supply the missing
love element, but Miss Saunders seems
to "be a strong-minded young woman to
whom love is foreign. Or course it would
not be fair to explain the plot In detail.
It is sufficient to say that the tale is
rounded out to a most surprising con
clusion. The illustrations are by Alice
Barber Stephens. The latter's art is
hown in the picture on the book cover,
which consists of a well-dressed woman
attired In an up-to-date dress, the chief
attractions of which are Its "washer
woman" sleeves.
Romance of the Italian Villas, by Elizabeth
W. Champney. Illustrated. $3. G. V. Put
ram's Sons. New York City, and the J.
K. Gill Co.. rortland.
Dante, Boccaccio and all the romance
conjured by a mention of their names,
wedded to that exquisite charm of.
Italian atmosphere in legend and story
that never-failing well of literary
inspiration from which our own
Shakespeare gludly borrowed! The
vision Uvea over again In Elizabeth
W. Charnpney'a beautifully pictured,
well-told book of stories selected from
a mine of romantic lore found while
touring the cities and villus of
Northern Italy.
Are the stories true? "Yes," says
the authoress, "True as brain and heart
can make-them. Sometimes the story
cornea first, the plot made familiar by
an KUzabethian dramatist, but only
"'half believed, until the place Itself has
Illustrated and verified the almost in
credible scenario as when at Lante the
glorious youths of the central fountain
held l.tgh. before my dazzled vision,
the star-crowned mountains of the
Mintaltos, and I knew that this was
the villa purchased by Sixtus V. for
Vlttoria Accoramboni."
"Stern historical facts are invested
with an air of poetry, as one would
match a collection of brilliant pearls
until a living story is made that will
last. The most valuable chapter deals
with "Homeless Ghosts and Haunted
Habitations,'" with special reference to
Dant and Boccaccio. To Dante, the
opinion is expressed, we owe our
greatest debt.
Heart interest for literary Italy
grows in reading such a dainty volume,
with its wealth of illustration.
A Literary History of the English I'eople,
by J. J. Jusserand. Volums II, f: 50. O.
T. Putnam's Sons, New York City, and
the J. K. Gill Co., Portland.
"A'hcn It recently became known to the
literary world that M. Jusserand, the
French ambassador to this country, was
about to write his views relating to the
literary history of the English people
there arose widespread interest, which
deepened on the appearance of the first
volume.
"Now. Judgment is about to be passed
on the second volume of the series deal-
ing with the time spanned from the Ren
aissance to the Civil War in Kngland. A
new. vivid, and almost delightfully gos
flpy word-picture is given and so potent
ia the charm that one scans page after
urn X : '
T ISiiillll?r J
page with the conviction that the time
has been agreeably and profitably spent.
A strong light is shed on Sir Thomas
More, the opinion being given that In
"Utopia," More speaks as a communist
and a socialist "he is for the people
hgainst the great, for the poor against
the rich. Neither La Bruyere, Rousseau,
nor Adam Smith ever spoke with more
warmth."
The Reformation period is treated In
liberal-spirit, but the gem of all is the
treat unfolded In "The Age of Elizabeth."
Over 70 pages are devoted to an estimate
of Edmund Spenser. The reference notes
are many and are the fruit of cultivated,
critical research. A service to literature
marks the appearance of this scholarly
series.
Of Such Is The Kingdom, by Richard L..
Motcalfe. $1. The Wooilrufl-Collins Press,
Lincoln, Neb.
Thirty-eight poems in prose, noticeable
for beauty, simplicity of style and ex
quisite puthos. Mr. Metcalfe writes touch
ingly about children, with a tenderness
and warm appreciation that is a lasting
delight. The author is associate editor
of the Commoner and was a member oj
the National Democratic Convention fr.om
Nebraska In I90O, when he was Mr.
Bryan's personal representative in the
fight for a 16 to 1 plank, and is also
known as a former editor of the World
Herald newspaper.
Now Mr. Metcalfe appears as the friend
of Innocent childhood, far away from
the worry of statecraft and politics. He
not only tells of childhood, but explains
parenthood and the Joys of friendship
with an almost gentle melancholy that
lingers long in the memory. Here and
there appear favorite quotations, among
them being the beautiful thought uttered
by Robert G. Ingersoll at the grave of
his brother: "If every one to whom lie
did some loving service were to lay a
blossom on his grave, he would sleep
tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers."
If you know a man who hates a child,
Just put in his hands "Of Such Is the
Kingdom." It will be like a drop of
water in the desert, or a sudden gleam
of sunshine into a dark room.
America:. A Litany of Nations, edited by
George S. Vlereck. DO cents. The New Im
migrants' Protective League, New York
City.
Nine poets unite in this little book
to give optimistic lyric expression to
the welding of so many herctogeneous
elements into this Nation. Mr. Viereuk
quotes the Jewish playwright who
once wittingly remarked: "The Amer
icans arc a happy people? Why? They
came here before immigration restric
tion laws were In force." The opinion
Is expressed that America could at this
moment digest the whole population of
Kurope and still have breathing room,
"as we stiil need alien blood to swell
the life-arteries of our land." As to
this assertion, intelligent thinkers are
by no means agreed, and probably the
majority would decide in the negative.
The poems as to the English, German,
Irish, Jews. Hollanders, French, Slavs,
Italians and other nationalities have a
patriotic ring and possess high liter
ary merit.
A Vacation on the Mediterranean, by Pro
fdaor Horn 2? cents. Allen & Wood
ard, Corvallis, Or.
Professor Horner is esteemed as the
accomplished professor of history at the
Oregon Agricultural College. When he
recently gave before the agrlcutural coi-
ege history classes these six lectures deal
ing with his Mediterranean travels, the
college chapel was taxed for space, and
the interest displayed . was so warm and
genuine that an appeal was made that
the lectures be printed in book form, so
that the larger world outside college life
might also enjoy them. The lectures are
unusually attractive. Although they de
scribe scenes made familiar to us by
hundreds of writers, there is an origin
ality of style and gift of expression
noticeable in these pages. The little book
will be treasured as a pleasing memento.
Frlnceosea snd Court Ladies, by Arvede
Barlne. Illustrated. IX G- P. Putnam's
Sons. New York City, and the J. K. Gill
Co., Portland.
An authorized Kngllsh edition lift
ing the curtain of mystery from the
life and times of these five women who
have all made history in the Old World
Marie Manclni, Christina of Sweden,
Princess Salme of Zanzibar, Anne
Louise Benedict do Bourbon of Maine,
and the Margravine of Bayrenth. A
dry historical styl has been avoided,
the literary treatment rather being
easy and., vivacious. In grasp of es
sentials ' and critical discernment, this
exquisitely bound book is to be es
pecially commended to women. The il
lustrations, several of them consisting
of reproductions of rare painflngs. add
to the general attraction of the volume.
An Experiment In Perfection, by Marlon T.
D. Barton. Doubleday, Pais tc
Co., New York City, and the J. K. Gill
Co., Portland.
With a New England setting, this Is
a novel of temperament dealing with a
young woman's devotion to a love, which
was expected to lead to a "perfect" mar
riage. The chapters have a placid ring
and quiet charm, somewhat recalling the
early style of Henry James. A story that
will appeal to sympathetic women desir
ing ideas as to the never-old possibilities
of wedding bells.
My Life ma an Indian, by J. TV. Schultx.
1.M. Illustrated. tKuble"da Page ft Co
New York City, and The J. K. Gill Co.,
Portland.
Recalls the odor of sage and smoke of
campftre. .buffalos and the Piegan Black
feet Indians, whose stamping ground was
at the head of the Missouri River. The
author as a young man left the civiliza
tion of the white folks long ago. and
amongst the Indians lived their wild life
and won the hand of an Indian girl and.
115
T
made her his wife. The nook may well be
called a study of human nature in rfd.
It is an intimate revelation of the do
mestic life of the Indians as they were.
More than this it is an eminently read
able story. Just the thing for a boy or
youth liking the life of the open.
The Chancellorsvllle Campaign, by Colonel
Charles Richardson. $1.00. The Ncale
Publishing Co.. New York City.
From Fredericksburg to Salem Church,
this well-written though brief account of
Civil War conflict makes not only a valu
able record, but an intelligent story. Col
onel Richardson was on the ground all the
time of the fighting and writes fairly be
tween -friend and foe.
Madonna Laura, by Francesco Petrarch.
William Hetnemann, London.
An exquisite translation, by Miss
Agnes Tobin, of a masterpiece of the
great Italian poet, Petrarch. There
are 90 sonnets, each being marked by
refinement of expression and .serious
simplicity.
J. M. Q.
IX LIBRARY AND WORKSHOP.
Permission has been granted for a. trans
lation of "The Clansman." Mr. Dixon's great
reconstruction novel of the South, Into
Arabic.
An English translation of another novel
by Antonio KOKazxaro is announced for ap
proaching publication. "Malombra" in Ital
ian, it will be called ."The Woman" in its
English version.
The Issue of Charles G. r. Roberts new
book of animal !:fe, "The Haunters of the
Silences." has been "postponed until later.
Llko Mr. Roberts' other volumes. It will, bo
illustrated with a series of Charles IJvVng
bton Bull's vitally characteristic drawings.
Strikingly In contrast with the unbusiness
like methods of most authors, those of Is
rael Zangwlll and George Bernard Shaw
are said to be vigorous and calculating. It
Is common talk among publishers that they
drive hard bargains and demand every cent
of their rights.
Elizabeth Robins, actress and author. Is
best known, perhaps, for her novel "The
Magnetic North;" but she has written, be
sides. "Fatal Gift of Beauty." "George Mnn
deville's Husband." "New Moon." "The
Open Question," and "A Zark Lantern."
Her new novel. "Com" and Find Me." also
a story of the Great North and lis compell
ing power, la meeting with commendation.
In Ms new book, "Under the Sun." Per
clval T.andon gives an Interesting picture of
the home and palace of the man who would,
if India were to become an Independent
nation, rule her as the native sovereign. It
Is the Maharana of t'dipiir. Although In
habiting a lonely and seemingly unimportant
provlm-e of the great Indlau empire, -the
Maharana Is. nevertheless, the most power
ful man, politically. In the country.
The People's Magazine for June contains
a little story by Henry Alford. entitled "The
Dago," which, at this time of agitation
against a certain class of Italian immi
grants, seems especially significant. "The
Dago" shows how a naturalised Italian be
friends a native-born American. The hero
of the story Is a character that might be
met with In almost any large town in the
United States, for he is an Italian barber.
Three bulky volumes extending to nearly
4000 pages bring to light, according to the
most Improved methods of the modern cata
logues, the literary treasures of the Carne
gie Library at Pittsburg. Classified In divi
sion and subdivision to the full extent of
the enthusiastic, and what seems at times
to be the misdirected, Ingenuity of the libra
rians art a careful study of the "synopsis
of classification" will enable the book-seeker'
In time to reach his goal.
A folio edition of Shakespeare, bearing
the date 1GS5 and said to be(slmilar to the
one for which J. Plerpont Morgan paid $10.
000. has been unearthed by Ben La Bree,
Jr.. of New York City. The owner is Mrs.
Bona Burwell Todd of Owensboro. grand
daughter of William A. Burwell; In ISO4 and
IPO.", secretary to Thomas Jefferson, and
once a member of Congress. The book has
been In Mrs. Todd's Yamily for more than
200 years, and until a year ago lay on the
shelf of the old home place at Bedford City,
Va.
The following Interesting coincidence was
brought about by the recent simultaneous1
performance or m dramatization of "The
jungle," by L'pton Sinclair, at Keith A- Proc
ter's, and "The Undertow," by Eugene
Walter, under the same management at the
Harlem theater.
Both of these treat of the labor problemj
and at a moment of Intense excitement In
"The Undertow" Mr. Sinclair's book Is re
ferred to as a remedy for the evils around
which the plot of "The Undertow" Is woven.
It was only after the arrangements for pro
ducing both plays were completed that this
fact was noticed. A copy of "The Jungle"
is used In '."The Undertow." While Mr. Sin
clair's powerful expose of the beef trust
evils was one of the most surcessful books
of the year. "The Lndertow" Is R significant
attraction at Proctor's Harlem theater.
t
press Is contributed by Charles Whibley to
the May number of the Bookman: "If all
countries may boast the press which they
deserve," says Mr. Whibley. "America's
desert Is small Indeed. No civilized country
In the world has been content with news
papers so grossly contemptible as those
which are read from New York to the Pa
cific. Coast. The Journals which ara known
as "yellow" would be a disgrace to the black
republic, and It la difficult to understand
the state or mlna wnicn can tolerate mem.
Divorced completely from the world of truth
and Intelligence, they present nothing which
an educated man would desire to read. They
are said to be excluded from olubs and
from respectable bouses. "But if even this
prohibition were a fact, their proprietors
need feel no regret. We are Informed by
the 'yellowest or editors that his burning
words are read every day by 5,000.000 men
and women." What had Mr. Whibley to
eat for dinner that day 7
Sidney Boyse Lysaght's new novel "Her
Majesty's Keneis- has its root In an Irish
statute maae in me reign or uueen Anne.
bv which a younger son on becoming a
Protestant could disinherit the elder who
remained a Catholic. One Henrv Desmond
took advantage of tnis law. turned Protes
tant and Inherited the estates.- Michael
Desmond, the hero or the tale, was the de
scendant of the disinherited elder brother,
and Sir Henry Desmond was the descendant
of the younger, who had robbed his brother
of his birthright. When It is added that
this preternatural antagonism is carried Into
the rivalry of two racwt complicated and
Interwoven romances, and the troublous
political scenes of the early 'Si's, It will bo
seen that material Is at hand for a suffi
clentljr stirring taie. Tha story tn only
have a tragic end. but like rifts of light in
a dark, and stormy sky happiness comes at
last for Kathleen as well as tor Connor.
With the publication of "Carmichael," a
new woman makes her debut. Anlson Norths
is the nom de plume of Miss May Wilson,
a native of Gray County. Ontario.- Although
"Carmichael" is her first novel. Miss Wil
son has done magazine and editorial work
and Is at present in charge of the home de
partment of a large Canadian magazine.
Her childhood was spent upon the delight
ful old Wilson homstead In Gray County.
Miss Wilson graduated with high honors
from her college and was editor of the col
lege paper. In "Carmichael" she shows un
doubted talent and It is to be hoped that
we mav have a second book from her pen
which will be as charming and readable as
her Tlrt. Miss Cora Parker, who Illus
trated "Carmichael." has Just sold a paint
ing. "Blue Waters of Gloucester." to the
Kansas Cllv Art Club for Its permanent col
lection. Miss Parker, who is a student of
the Academy Julian, has been Identified
with the art movement In the West f"r the
past IO years having charge of the art de
partment of the Kansas State University and
the Nebraska State University for four and
six years respectively. Within the last few
years she has made her home in the East,
adding book Illustration to her work In oil
and water colors. Thia coming Summer
Miss Parker will devote to the execution or
a large canvas painting of Boston and the
harbor, as seen from Arlington Heights.
The advance orders for Grace Thompson
Seton's book "Nlmrod s Wife" were so large
that the publishers have been obliged to
double the first edition- They have also
received a cable from England ordering a
first edition of 5000 copies. Mrs. Scton
has a great many friends In England and is
well known there as a writer.
An unusual feature of publishing Is at
tracting the attention of people who are
about to build country or suburban homes.
Many of the magazines have been in the
habit of publishing photographs, plans and
perspectives of houses that have already
been built or of designs that are suggested.
It has remained for the Homebulldcr's Sup
plement to "Country Life in America." how
ever, to publish a series of house designs of
which the actual working drawings and
specifications are readily obtainable. Borne
of the country's most popular architects
have lolned hands with the publishers of
"Country Life In America" In this effort to
heln people secure, at a low cost, houses
that are both beautiful and livable. The
series of designs has a widespread appeal,
for all the houses shown are to cost less
tnan $10,000 and are along the lines of
th best adaptations of recognised architec
tural styles.
Dr. Luther Gullek, author of "The Kffl
clent Life" believes the mental, as well as
the physical life receives Its growth In sleep.
He savs: "Sleep Is not only the time for
ph-,ici growth, but I am Inclined to think
that It. Is equally the time for mental
growth the time when the personality is
formed: that impressions which have been
gained during the day are worked now, and
are made Into a part of the sum total: that
new resolutions, which we have taken be
come rooted and strengthened then, new
Ideas that we have hit upon are digested
and given their place In the memory. It
seems to be a time when the mind sorts
over Its experiences and casts up accounts.
This Is true In a special sense of the im
pressions and Impulse, that come to us Just
as we are on the verge of sleep. This Is
the moment of all moments when we are
most susceptible to psychic suggestion. ft
is almost like the .state of the hypnotic
subject, when every command ts put into
execution. A man who Is ambitious for
himself will take advantage of the opportu
nity this offers: and when he goes to sleep
he will make sure that the thoughts admit
ted Into his mind are strong and healthy
thoughts thoughts of joy. of success and
accomplishment."
e .
The centennial edition of "The Hanging
of the Crane" (Houghton-Mifflin), is a vol
ume whose circulation is limited to 1000
numbered copies. Illustrated In photograv
ure from drawings by Arthur I. 'Keller, who
made studies of the Interior and exterior
of the Cragle House for this purpose, it
forms as handsome a decorative volume as
has ever come from the Riverside Press.
Each page of the text is embellished with
head and foot-hand designs by Florence W.
Swan, and the binding is of blue boards. Mr.
Keller's drawings being printed on Japan
paper. A quarter of the edition presents tl.e
drawings In color on India paper. The
origin of the poem has thus been described
by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, and Is worth
telling again: "One morning in the Spring
of ISM, Mr. Longfellow came to the little
home in Pinekney street where we had set
up housekeeping In the light of our hoivey
moon. As we lingered a moment at the
dining-room door. Mr. Longfellow turning to
ine said. 'Ah. Mr. Aldrich, your small, round
table will r.vt alw?-ya be closed. By and by
von will firm new young faces clustering
about It: as vears go on, leaf after leaf will
be added, until the time comes when the
Young guests will take flight, one by one.
to build nests of their own elsewhere. Grad
ually the long table will shrink to a circle
again, leaving two old people sitting there
alone together. This is the story of life, the
sweet and pathexlc story of the fireside.
Make an Idyl of It. I give the Idea to you.'
Several months afterward I received a not
from Mr. Longfellow In which he expressed
a desire to use this motif In case I had
done nothing In the matter. The theme was
cne peculiarly naay-ieu to mo Bjinioiiiruv
handling, and out of it grew The Hanging
of the Crane.' "
' NEW BOOKS RECEIVED.
"Successful Authorship," by Frederic Ked
dale. 23 cents (Ogtlvle).
"How te Preserve) the Local Self-Government
of States," by Ellhu Root; and "At
the Actors' Boardlng-House and Other
Stories." by Helen Green Bretano's.
"Tales of a Warrior," by Charles Richard
son. $1.25 tNeale).
"The Travelers' Handbook for Transatlantic
Tonrists," by Josephine Toiler, $1. tFunk
Wagnals). "The Great Harry Thaw Case; or, A Wom
an's Sacrifice," by B. H. AtweH. 50 cents.
(Laird-Lee, Chicago).
DRe FURNIVALL
Continued From Page 5
they were, helped the negro to the
seat and bade him proceed with his
story.
So thankful was the man, as It ap
peared, for human company and relief
from the superstitious fears which
were driving him insane, that he
scarcely needed the assistance which
Dr. Furnivall's peculiar powers could
afford him, and he readily confessed as
follows:
"Ah knowed dat Joe Weathersby In
de city, mister, an' he say some- sarven'
gal dat uster wurk en de fam'bly done
tol' deem or Mis. bnowmun ancrz Keep
fi" t'ousan' dollars en de tin box on de
bureau en de baldroom. He say he
glvlne gl' men half dat money cef Ah
he'p heem git de box. We done bruk
en de house an' gl' de man chlo'form.
b't wo bungle dat Job an' tie man wake
tip, an' we done hit heem wld de club.
Den oI' Mis' she bergin' t' scream, an
Ah run en tuh her room for tuh stop
her noise. Den Ah Ah see de.ghos'
come a-flittin" right up tuh dig nigger
an' Ah drop on de baid, for den Ah
knows de man In de odder room am
dald an' Ah In a murderer, an' Ah caln'
do anodder fing. Joe he come en an'
git de box an' we run fo' de woods, b't
dar wan' no money In de box, on'y or
paper. Den Ah gibs up. - oe burn da
paper for git hit out de way, an' Ah
hide ma hald en de leates an' grass,
but de ghos' is dar all de talme an'
nebber leabe meh. Joe he ay hit de
sarven" gal b't Ah knows bettern's dat,
Ah see hit off in sence. Ah see hit Jes'
'fore yo' corned, mister, right yere en
dls plaice. Ah dors t'ink yo' vui hit
w'en yo' .'-5': on de do'. tek meh
f de Jail, yo' tek me anyw'ere. ..h
dean' keer. ef on'y yo' tek meh Were
dat caln' come!"
"Goshamltey!" muttered the bewil
dered chief as he slipped on the hand
cuffs, painfully relinquishing the
theory which seemed so simple for the
simpler truth of which he had not
dreamed, "I never'll believe northln
agin as long 's I live onlc.ss I see it or
hear It myself, 'j-hlngs Is dretful queer
in this world: that's whatthey Is, dret
ful queer."
Dr. Furnivall Jotted down in his
notebook the following:
THE TIN BOX CASK.
Memo Hallucinations: Classify ths
negro's. Mento-objectlve: notify psy
chical research.
Memo Coincidences: The (probably
vain-glorious) lie of the former servant
that there was $5000 in the box leads
to destruction of the will, whereby the
strongest presumptions of guilt are di
rected toward the Innocent; circum
stantial evidence; classify.
Xext Week Mrs. Wortley's Secret.
Taft on Nation's Call to Young Men
"Wealth Can Give No Felicity Like That Which Comforts the Man
Who Has Identified Himself With Something Bigger Than Himself
----- ;- H "S
i ' i
is
vov.:'.'
WILLIAM
W. H. B., in New York Times.
NLtESS it is recognized by its
young men tltat there are ca
reers other than those of mon
ey-making and the pursuit of pleas
ure: unless the spur of lofty, unselfish,
and patriotic motives is strong enough
to turn them to the service of their
country, a republic is in a bad way
indeed." .
The man who is styled the Secre
tary of War, but whose diversified and
Immense responsibilities are covered
by no official style yet devised, arose
to express himself the more emphat
ically. It was a subject which he is
known by his friends to have much at
heart. Mr. Taft had Just returned from
a week's visit to Ohio; arrears of work
must have been awaiting him. He had
no time to "talk politics," and could
not be tempted to a word regarding
the movement which gives every prom
itfe of making him the next President,
but the question of the young men and
political duty is far too Important to
be turned aside from, no matter when
It is called up-
If there is a man living who has
the right to talk about the duty of
serving- one's country,' that man U
William Howard Taft. The whole Na
tion thoroughly understands that he
has given the best years of his life)1 to
the most arduous, toilsome, and even
dangerous work, which he, did not
choose, from which nevertheless he
would not shrink, from which Indeed
he could not be tempted away by re
peated offers of what he did want and
probably still above all things desires
place on tha Supreme bench. The
whole Nation honors him as the great
est exemplar of the patriot who serves
his country in the exigencies of peace
in the sume iincalculating spirit and
full devotion that the soldier is ex
pected to show in time of war; a man
who stands for the Interpretation of
public office as a solemn call to pub
lic duty. Within the past week even
the publication of correspondence be
tween the White House and the Pnllip
pines has proved anow how slight a
regard Mr. Taft has for his personal
fortunes when a question of public
duty is involved.
Interests Higher Than Material.
So that the Secretary had a right to
pace the room and deliver himself with
gestures as he discussed the country's
call to the young man.
"I acknowledge," said Mr. Taft, "the
necessity of the material pursuits.
None of them is in danger of being
neglected by Americans. The greater
part by far of the energy of a people
will always be absorbed by manufac
turing, production, business, transpor
tation the development of the coun
try's resources and the Increase of its
material prosperity. That is natural
enough and right enough.
"But there are Interests whJch are
not material, and there is work to be
done which is not that of business.
The material interests indeed depend
upon others which are not material.
The very possibility of conducting
business depends upon conditions es
tablished by government and govern
ment itself Is a sort of business, or a
profession, or. at all events, a duty
which ha3 to be undertaken by some
one. Isn't it apparent, on this aspect
of it alone, that the work of admin
istering the. Oovernment Is one which
r.-ills for the best brain, the best
blood, the best conscience of the
Nation? And Isn't it beyond all
things clear that in the position
in which our , Nation finds
Itself today, with the glorious history
of the past inspiring it. with the seri
ous problems of the present pressing
upon it, and with a future, boundless
and inconceivable in its possibilities.
Inviting it. isn't It clear that there Is
nothing In the world that calls so loud
ly for the devotion of tseir best talents
by our best young men as does the
Nation and its Government?
All Aided In Prosjierlty.
"We pride ourselves on our National
prosperity, and we have reason to do
so. And that did' not come of itself nor
without the tireless labor of thousands
of keen American minds and strong
American arms. But neither did It com
without the work of the American
statesmen who established and main
tained the Nation and made Its laws
and determined its place in the family
of nations, nor of the soldiers who
fought for it, nor of all the various
grades of men in its service, conspicu
ous and inconspicuous, who carried on
Its work and fulfilled Its duties as a
nation, perpetuating It. and strengthen
ing It newly each year, and with it all
the institutions of society which depend
upon it all those relations in . which
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.iM.vvN .'jfMsi'iK&iMgi'- afci!:fc:i,::5c-:j
M. TAFT.
men live in comfort and security, all
that confidence In which they sleep
and rise again and carry on their la
bors and provide for t.ie unquestioned
future.
"There will never be, I say, any dan
gerous denial of the need that most
men work at the productive and ma
terial duties. The danger is that ma
terial things may become all-absorbing.
Prosperity may be so great that to
share im it may come to seem the one
end of living. .The rewards of the com
mercial life are tangible and they are
alluring. In times when these rewards
are large and their attainment easily
probable within a very short time, it
would be strange If a people were not
tempted to forget other and higher
things and to devote themselves entire
ly to the less noble.
"But I say to you that if the young
men of this country, enchanted by ths
glittering prizes of commercial life,
close their eyes to the lofty duties' of
patriotism, forget that their country
calls no Inconsiderable number of
tnem to her own definite, professional
service, alas for the country!
"If the instructed, disinterested, and
patriotic abilities, especially of Its ed
ucated youth, are not at the 'call of the
country, alas for it, and alas for them!
To little avail have they read their
Plato, and been told that they who
do not take their share in the Govern
ment shall be slaves of a government
by the more ignoble.
Cannot Rest on Wealth.
"Our National wealth Is ths result
of efforts such as perhaps no people
ever put forth before, coupled with
natural resources, good fortune, and
divine favor. But we cannot rest in
this. We cannot abandon ourselves to
merely material superiority. We must
not yield to the fascination of its ready
rewards. There is danger of a people
becoming at first intoxicated and then
besotted by its own prosperity. We
need above everything else now a real
izing consciousness that our country's
material prosperity is nothing unless It
enables us tha better to fulfill those
high duties to which we as a people
are called to carry on here the most
enlightened Government, under which
free men are progressing toward ths
loftiest Ideals, and to extend the bless
ings of that Government, with the same
beneficent ends, for their sake and for
no advantage of our own, to those who
have been providentially brought under
It.
"Our wealth will enable us to do
this better in various ways. It has
been necesary to the possibility of
culture and the existence of art. But
it Is on my mind that perhaps in no
way is the country's wealth a mors
profitable asset than in the fact that
It may now support young men who
are willing to devote attention to pub
lic matters, to study the work and as
sume the responsibilities of public ad
ministrators. "The service of young men of wealth
is likely to be especially efficient, be
cause their income makes them in
dependent. The Indifference they would
feel with regard to the emoluments of
office would tend to mske .them faith
ful. Independent, conscientious office
holders. Duty of Young Men.
,"If there is any one . thing upon
which I feel strongly It is this subject
of the duty of the wealthy and edu
cated young man to his country. It
has many times been remarked that
much of England's administrative suc
cess, in municipal and in imperial af
fairs, has been due- to the existence in
Kngland of a class free by birth from
the need to labor and Indeed forbidden
to do so, but expected to enter the
country's service. Now, we do not want
and could never possibly have a 'gov
erning class, here. But if It is a fact
that a considerable number of young
Americans are nowadays annually
leaving college of whom necessity does
not require that they should give their
time to bread-winning. Is it not also
a fact that the loud voice of public
opinion should require of those young
men that they consider whether their
country does not need them? Oh; we
may talk of culture and books and of
serving the country by being a good
citizen. That Is very well. But good
citizens need to know where their poll
ing place is, and need to feel the ob
ligation to do jury duty, and need to
be acquainted with the affairs of the
municipality and the country, and need
to offer themselves for definite work
in the municipalities or the stats or
In the dependencies. If they believs
that they couid do that work well.
"I am disposec to insist very posi
tively upon this point: that tha young
man who la wealthy enough to be frea
from anxiety as to his own comfort
and his family's, owes it to society,
and should be made by public senti
ment to feel that he owes it to society,
to devote himself to public affairs. Ha
ls failing in his duty if he does not.
"Seek office? Why ' should he not
seek office? What is there wrong or
objectionable In a good man's seeking
office, when he feels himself compe
tent to discharge Its duties, is con
scious of having a high idea of Its re
sponsibilities, and finds his heart warm
w(th ambition to be of those, to whom
his country's honor is confided? Ho
may be sure that men less well quali
fied and with lower ideals than him
self will be sure to seek it.
"Assuredly there Is a career In the
public service. One may not prophecy
for every man commendably ambitious
to enter it that he will end an ambas
sador, but there is abundant oppor
tunity for useful work. A good head
and good health are necessary, with
the disposition to work and work hard.
There are opportunities on every hand
for men to distinguish themselves by
services of eminent value.
"As tp rewards. I do not talk of re
wards. For the class of men to whom
I would have the Idea of public serv
ice appeal, the matter of rewards
would be Irrelevant. There are no for
tunes to be gained. In many Instances
there might be few great honors to be
won. But Is there no satisfaction In
being of the number of those who are
living their lives peculiarly In their
country's life? Is there no Inspiration
In the sense that one is helping to do
the Big Thing the things that count,
that last, that go Into history? Or '
rather is there anything in the world
that compares with the 'Joy that rises
in the heart of him who knows he has
a part in those things?"
The Reward.
"The man who for the last decade has
had an authoritative part In mors chap.
ter of his country's niil-jry than any
other man has had: the man who went
Into the glare of the tropics and estab
lished the government under which $,00.
000 souls are living contentedly: the man
who negotiated with the Pope and with
Moro Dattos; the msn who has thrice
declined the supreme ambition of his life
In order to fulfill a duty not yet fully
done: the pacificator of Cuba, the head
of the Army, the man who is building
the Panama Canal and administering all
the dependencies the man who has had
his share in the trig things betrayed by
eye and mouth a kindllnr of the heart.
"I say to you that there are rewards
which are unknown to him who seeks
only what he regards as the substantial
ones. The best of all Is the pure Joy
of service. To do things that are worth
doing, to be In the thick ot it, ah! that
is to live.
"The poor man who chooses this way
will have to live plainly, as things rn
nowadays. At least, he won't pile up
a surplus of wealth. Why should he
want to? We used to be told In a homely
adage that a millionaire had no ad
vantage over a poor man In his capacity
for food and drink. Wealth provides
small satisfactions, but not deep ones.
It can give no felicity like that which
comforts the man who has identified
himself with something bigger than him
self which thrills tho heart of the pat
riot, of the public servant.
Xo Cause for Despair.
"There is net, however, the least cause
for despair, nor is there perhaps (he
least occasion for this exhortation which
you have artfully drawn out of me.
There is evidence that the country's
young manhood does appreciate snd is
ready to respond splendidly to the call
to Its service. There has never been a
time when the young men of the country
were so interested in public questions,
or when the problems and the work be
fore us so rested upon their minds and
consciences.
"I have means of knowing this.' For
Illustration, I have remarked lately an
Increasing number of Inquiries about
Government matters, especially about
affairs In the dependencies, as to which
I am supposed to know something. . I
have cause to know that the interest
In public affairs Is keen at Yale. I be
lieve it Is so at many colleges and tint- ,
versifies. The fine, vigorous, eager new i
manhood ot our country will give us
all lessons In this matter of civic duty,
depend upon it,
"Do not let It be for a moment under
stood that there la or has been any diffi
culty in filling the public posts for the
most part with competent, high-class
men. Certainly this Is not so In the case
of the administration of the dependencies.
There may have been some such difficulty
st first, when the whole auestion of our
attitude towards the Islands lately re
leased by Spain was undecided. Men
could not be blamed for unwillingness
to commit themselves to an enterprise
neither the direction nor the end of which
could be foreseen. But when it appeared
the general agreement of the country
that we had a work to do In the tropical
Islands which had so unexpectedly come
to us, there was no longer any trouble
In finding men to do that work. I rejoice
to say there Is plentiful evidence that
In neither this nor in any other work
which may fall to us to undertake will
there be a dearth of men of high Ideals
and enthusiasm to carry it forward.
Tropics the Future Field.
"It is In the tropics apparently that
there Is most of the world's material,
intellectual and moral work to be done
at this moment. Medical science has de
veloped to the point where It is now
possible for people of the temperate zone
to live In the tropics for an extended
period. The great progress of the next
century will be indubitably in the tropic
lands. Is there anything, more vital to
civilization than that it should be demon
strated that a nation like the United
States can be trusted not to exploit, but
to educate and lift up from savagery,
cruelty and idleness races which up to
now have slept under the equatorial sun?
"The newspapers of the past fortnight
have been filled with eulogiuma upon thw
work done In Egypt by Lord Cromer,
who Is now retiring. All that1 Is belnrc
said Is fully' Justified by the brilliant
record of that great administrator.
"But do the young men of America
appreciate It that Ideals which we have
set for ourselves in the administration
of the Philippines are advanced far be
yond those entertained by Lord Cromer
in Egypt or avowed by Great Britain
anywhere? When they do appreciate it.
can there be any doubt that in their
enthusiasm they will rally to devote
themselves to the realization of those
Ideals?
"There can be no doubt. Our ideals
are said to be too high. All the more
do we require the help of our best blood
to realize them, and all the more surely
shall we have it. It Is a glorious sight
to see young men awaken to the vision
of the Nation in her beauty and her
ceaseless need of their devotion: to ob
serve some among them grow suddenly
indifferent to the sordid allurements of
wealth or pleasure, as their, hearts are
smitten by the compelling charm of net
call."
Sonl-Sailsfyla;.
Washington, D. C, Herald.
fleurstte!
You bet
That nam was made fer rhyming.
It starts
Our hearts
Like silver bells, to chiming.
Fleuretta!
Oti. let
Us feast upon thy manna.
We a
At "Mar."
Axid care not much tor "Hannah."