The Sunday Oregonian., June 14, 1908, Magazine Section, Page 11, Image 57

THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, JUNE 14, 1908.
11
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Th! T.uro of (he Muk." by HaroM Mo
(irath. IlluHtrated. The Bobbi-Merrlll
Co., Jndianapolin, Ind.
(.'lever and remarkable for Its rapid
change of scene. Mr. McGrath is noth
ing If not audacious. He makes John
Hiliard, a rich hachelor of 33 years of
tee, fall in love with an unknown
woman in New York City, because. In
a fofr. she sans near htm an air from
"La Fille de Madame Angot." He
searches for her and she invites him
to dine with her. A mask covers her
face and so myfltery begins. It ap
pears that she is'La Signorine, the pos
sessor of "the most beautiful voice In
the world," and the prima donna of an
opera company.
The scene shifts to Venice, 'Monte
Carlo, Florence this picture being
piven of Monte Carlo's gambling at
tractions: The fascination of Mont Carlo Is not
to bo described: it must be seen. Vice
ehall be attractive, says the Mother of
Patan. At Monte Carlo it is more than
attractive: it is compelling. A subtle' hyp
notism prevails. One scarce realizes that
this lovely spot is at the same time the
barest. what passions have stormed this
cliff! what raae and despair have beaten
their hands against these bastions cf
pleasure! How few who plunge into this
maelstrom of chance ever rise again! The.
lure of gold, there is nothing stronger save
death. Fool and rogue, saint and sinner,
here they meet and mingle and change.
To those who give Monte Carlo but a trif
ling glance, toss a coin or two on the
tables, and leave by the morrow's train, it
haw no real significance: it is simply one
of the sights of Europe.
The fares one sees in the Hall of Rou
lette! Here and there one which will
haunt the onlooker through the rest of
his days. Parked shout the long tables
are young fares flushed with hope ot gray
with despair: middle-aged faces which ex
press excitement or indifference: old faces,
erarred and lined and seamed, where
avarice, selfishness, cruelty, dishonesty
crops and recrnss till human semblance
is literally blotted out. Light-o'-loves, gay
and careless: hideous old crones. who
w-fltch the unwary and steal the unwary's
bets; the old women In hlack. who figure
rnd nenre Imaginary winnings and never
risk anything but their nerves. And there
re beautiful women, beautifully gowned,
beautifully gemmed, some of them good,
some o" them indifferent, end some of
them bad. Invariably one finis oneself
pperinting on the history .of this woman,
or that; the more gems, the more his
tory. Here the half-world of Kurooe finds
it kinp-dom end rules it madly. The for
fne these women have poured Into this
whirligig of chance will never be com
rmted. And there is the gentlemacly
blarkleg. the ticket-of. leave man. and out
casts and thieves: but all of them are
well dressed and. for the tjme being, well
behaved.
This is not very elevating, but It
passes In a novel of this sort. Mil
liard is led on by a will-o'-the-wisp.
I,a SI(?norine turns out to he a married
woman, unhappily married, of course.
T immediately began to bet mentally
that the said husband would soon
come to a violent death. And It's so
In the next chapter. Wedding bells In
the distance.
The Servant In the House. By Charles Sam
Kennedy. Illustrated. Price, i.2.1. Har
per & Brothers, New Tork City,
T know a modern Industrial city
where, on Sundays, you see the trolley
cars, packed with humanity, tearing from
the congested boarding-house, furnished
room district, as if the very devil were
after them tearing aw-a-y to church?
No. Ball game.
And then again, as the gentle dusk
falls, these same trolley ears tear off
from the same congested district, and
Jiear papa, mama and the children,
to church? Eh?
No. Sunday theater. In the city re
ferred to are ornate houses of worship
with costly pipe organs: expensive
choirs: preachers selected for their
profound scholarship and eloquence;
devout deacons; dim religious light,
and yet the pews are occupied by Just a
sprinkling of people mostly well
dressed people. Near by are theaters
of the ten, twent' and thlrt' cent kind,
where three performances are given
of an evening, and they are jammed
with eager patrons who look toward
the stage as If they expected a heating
message to save their souls. A mob
waits, outside for the next perform
ance. 1
It Is a puzzling reality: Churches
where no admission Is asked almost
mipty, and Bunday theaters where you
Jay your' way at so much a head,
jammed to suffocation! What la It that
the churches don't give but which thea
ters seem to supply?
That's the question which Mr. Kennedy-answers
in this remarkable
miracle-play of his "The Servant in
the House." Mr. Kennedy is an
Kngllsh socialist who has drawn ins
piration from Ibsen, and for all that 1
know, Bernard Shaw himself. His
book Is daring to a degree, because In
the character of Manson. an Indian but
ler, is .thinly portrayed Jesus Christ.
"The Servant In the House" Is 3uch
a remarkable production that It awes.
It is better than "Everyman" and sug
gests the during originality of the
"Pilgrim's Progress". It should moke
as lasting a success as "Ben Hur" but
It has not the letter's attraction as an
indoor circus where maddened horses
race to victory before the eyes of a
howling audience. It Is rather pat
terned after the shrewd knowledge of
human nature and essence of lofty
sublimity shown by the writer of one
of the gospels St. John. It strangely
grips the heart strings, and leaves
the thoughtful reader as If he had just
been under the spell of a great orator.
' The man or woman who reads this
play for amusement Is warned, away.
They must bow the knee as-pilgrims,
or be cast into outer darkness.
' It is a pleasure to know that the
play is a big success in New Tork
City, where It ma.jr be stamped as one of
TJJET OXSZT &S STJZZ.
the big productions of the theatrical
year, as presented- by the Henry Miller
associate players. It Is a play of the
present day, in live acts, setting forth
the eventful happenings of one morn
ing In early Spring, the place being the
English country i vicarage of Rev.
William Smythe. The latter's wife Is
known as Auntie, whose besetting
passion It has been to make a social
success of her husband, a noted pulpit
orator. She worshipped him to the
point of idolatry, and the person who
won second place In her affections was
Mary, nieca of her husband. Mary's
father was a "common person, a work
ing man." Mary did not know who
her father was. The vicar's wife also
worshlpped-afar-off her brother, James
Ponsonby Makeshyfte, D. D.. the Most
Reverend the Lord Bishop of Lanca
shire, who is painted as commercially
wise, rich from the proceeds of a ques
tionable financial deal, and a hypocrite
and liar.
The vicar was expecting the arrival
of a new butler, an Indian named
Manson, who had been recommended
to him by a friend in Brindist. Mrs.
Smythe was expecting a visit from her
brother, that precious rascal the Lord
Bishop of Lancashire. Manson arrives
firt, dressed in his native Eastern
costume, and impresses nearly all who
come into contact with him ss a gentle
man of peace, one who really loves
his fellow men, and with eyes so pen
etrating that they seem to plew their
way into your oul. His face "is one of
awful swettness, dignity and strength.
There Is a calm of a great mastery
about him, suited to his habit as a
servant." H'.s employer, the vicar, sud
denly arrives In the breakfast room
where Manson is about to arrange the
morning meal, and as he breaks the
bread which he is to use in the celebra
tion of Holy Communion, he hints that
he would like to know Manson's re
ligion. "I can soon remedy that, sir" says
Manson. "My religion is very simple: I
love God and all my brothers."
"That is not always so easy, Manson,"
says the Vicar, "But it is my creed too."
Mary conies on the stage, a slim
young girl In her teens, the picture
of rosy sweetness and health, and from
her talk It appears that the family is
also waiting the arrival of Uncle
Joshua, the Bishop of Benares, brother
to the Ylcar. The Bishop of Benares
bears a reputation for sanctity; Man
son admits to Mary that he knows the
Bishop, but says that "some people,
chiefly his clergy, blackguard him
abominably. Wicked? On no. Only
blind; perhaps also a little deaf. Be
tween the two they manage to make his
work very difficult." Mary has heard of
this Bishop and that his followers are
reckoned by millions. The common peo
ple. Mary says that the parish church
building where her ITncle William
preaches requires restoration, that fairs
and bazaars have been held to raise
the necessary money but In vain, and
that in her opinion the strange smell
that seems to proceed from her uncle's
study is due to a bad drain. A strange
smell Is also in the church building,
and it gets . to be so offensive that
worshippers stay away.
The Vicar returns from his celebra
tion, moody because not one worshipper
had been present. He and his wife
have a troubled talk in which he says
that he Is a liar in God's sight, chiefly
because he has sent away his brother
Robert, Mary's father. Robert. In the
Interval, has sunk low, has become a
drunkard, blasphemer and Socialist. The
vicar speaks of the Bishop of Lancan
shlro as "A gaitered snob; a bishop of
stocks and shares, a bishop of the counting-house:
a bishop of Mammon; the dev
il's own bishop."
Just as Mrs. Smythe leaves the room.,
Rohert Smith arrives; Mary's father,
wearing a navvy's costume and the knees
tied with a string. To Manson Robert
remarks:
There's a lot o' brothers knoekln' abaht
as people don't know on, eh what? Bee
whatI mean? . . . Didn't me an iny
brother Joshua pinch an slave the skin orf
our bones to send that spotted swine to
school? Didn't we 'elp 'im out with 'Is
books an" 'is mortar-boards an' bite of
clothes to try an' mok im look respectable?
That's wot we did. till 'e rot 'is lousy
echolyshlpi, sn" run away to get spliced
with that pup of a blood'ound . . .
If I'm bitter, 'ooa made me bitter? You
cawn't be very sweet and perlite on eighteen
bob a week when yer gat It. I've eddl
rated myself since them I'm not the gory
fool I was and they know it. They cawn't
come playin' the 'anky with u. same as
they used to. It's 'Nice Mister working
man this: nice workingman that; mill yer
be so 'Ighly hobliging- as to 'and over your
dear little voting paper; you poor, sweet,
muddy-nosed Idiot, as cawn't spot your nat
ural enemy when yer see Mm. Fifteen years
ago an' my like 'adn't got a religion. By
Gawd, we 'ave one now. Like to 'ear wot
it is Socialism. Funny, ain't It?
"I don't thintf so," says Manson. "It's
mine,' too."
The Bishop of Lancashire arrives, gait
ers ear trumpet and all. The playwright
very kindly adds: "Throughout the play,
the audience will understand where the
bishop does, and where he does not, hear
by his use or non-use of the ear trumpet.
Perhaps the reader will be good enough
to Imagine these occasions for himself."
It seems that the bishop had called to
propose the starting of a financial flim
flam game by which funds could be se
cured to restore the "sick" church build
ing, but his eyesight is so wretched that
he mistakes Manson for the Bishop of
Benares. On being asked to tell of his
famous church In India, Manson, the
bishop, says:
fou must urxlnratjnd, alila ia no dead.
pile-of stones and unmeaning timber. It
Is a living thing. . . . The pillars ot
it go up like the brawny trunks of heroes;
the sweet human flesh of men and women
Is molded about Its bulwarks, strong, im
pregnable; the faces of little children
laugh out from every cornerstone: the ter
rible spans and arches of It are the Joined
hands of comrades; and up in the heights
and spaces there are inscribed the number
less musings of ail the dreamers of the
"world. It Is yet building building and
built upon. . . . Sometimes the work
goes forward In deep darkness; sometimes
In blinding light: now beneath the burden
of unutterable anguish; now to the tune
of a great laughter and heroic shoutings
like the cry of thunder. Sometimes, in the
silence of the night-time, one may hear the
tiny hammerings of the comrades at work
up In the dome the comrades that have
climbed ahead.
Left to themselves, the Bishop of Lan
cashire proposes to' Manson to raise
funds for the restoration of the church
through the channel of "The Society for
the Promotion and Preservation of Emol
uments for the Higher Clergy," and sug
gests that the subscription lists be start
ed with the name of the Bishop of Ben
ares. He of Lancashire also suggests
a private "divvy'1 by which they could
divide the "swag." Manson gets permis
sion from his employer to be master of
the house for one hour, and one of his
first official acts is to tell the Lord
Bishop of Lancashire to go.
"You are a scoundrel, sir." says ho of
Lancashire. "A cheat, an Imposter. And
If I could have my way with you I would
have you publicly whipped; I would, visit
you with the utmost rigor of the law; I
would nail you up. sir, for an example."
"I have encountered similar hostility
before, my lord, from gentlemen very like
your lordship." Manson reminds him.
Exit the Bishop of Lancashire.
Manson works a moral reformation in
the vicar's family. There is a pathetic
scene In which one of his new converts
Robert Smith has an interview with his
daughter Mary, but Robert is a practical
"drainman." and Instead of wasting his
time In sickly sentimentality, he follows
up the drain und"er the house, and church,
fights the rats that bar his progress, and
finds that the strange smell- under the
sacred edifice comes from a graveyard
located under It. Typhoid lurks under
that the cesspool but the two brothers,
William, the priest, and Robert, the drain
man, resolve to clean it out together.
As Manson lays the cloth for a meal.
It is noticed that the guests are in a
communal position, and Manson steps
forward as the Bishop of Benares, the
reincarnated Jesus Christ.
Vicar: "In God's name, who are you?"
Manson: "In God's name-r-your
brother."
"A little Land and a IJving." by Bolton
Hall SI- Arcadia Press, New York
City.
Bolton Hall is the famous author of
"Three Acres and Liberty." a book that
has created and is creating nearly as
much discussion and stirirng thought as
Henry George's "Progress and Poverty."
In the present book of 217 pages. Mr.
Hall further preaches his gospel of in
tensified farming and shows that the
one human cry of American people ought
to be "back to the land." He proves
that the crowded conditions of our large
cities and especially our "reeking tene
ment problem aggravated by the harass
ing conditions of industrialism are slow
ly but surely driving the people back to
Berfdom. He says, "do it now," . with a
few acres near some town where there
is a market.
Don't herd in a large city, to increase
land values for monopolists. Try first
In a garden where you can give it your
spare time, without losing your present
position. Then try your luck on a small
area with market gardening, and . live
off your land.
In a state like Oregon, where there is
still land a-plenty, the congested condi
tion pictured by Mr. Hall is not. of
course, present. But his book should
quicken public conscience, here. I hope
that all young people will try to read
what tie says and let his words sink
deeply Into their memories. ' They will
not always have strength to work as
hard In city life as they do now.
For the days that are to come: Get a
small ranch. Let it wait for you.
The Captain's vrtte." bv John I.loyd. 11.50.
Mitchell Kennerley, New York City.
An enjoyable story of military life
around Fort Cochise, In Arizona, at the
time when Geronimo and his Apaches
were on the warpath.
Nina Wentworth secretly marries
Captain Livingston, and just then the
.husband and wife are attacked and
wounded by Indians. The husband is
unconscious for weeks, and he ulti
mately finds his wife posing as the
bride of Lieutenant Hecker. It seems
that her illness had blotted out her
memory, up to the time of the attack
by the Indians.
What wan Captain Livingston to do?
Here Is the puzzle of the story, but
Mr. Lloyd Is not daring enough to work
it to a sane conclusion, especially "as
Mrs. Nina LIvingston-Hecker "doesn't
believe In divorce and considers mar
riage a sacrament." The reader will
naturally expect that Mr. Lloyd will
want to have his novel have a happy
ending. Besides, Lieutenant Hecker is
a brute. It Is then safe to assume that
Hecker will meet with a violent death.
Correct.
And Mrs. Wenoworth-Hecker Is
stricken with a new illness, in which
her memory Is so far restored to her
that she remembers marrying Went
worth. The Hecker episode is there
fore a blank a very convenient ar
rangement. Roosevelt and the Br public By John W.
Bennett. Price. $1.50. Broadwa'y Publish
ing Company, New York City.
Written In a spirit of fierce criticism
directed at President Roosevelt. Mr.
Bennett does not mince words he strikes
straight from the shoulder. It seems that
he doesn't trust the President and in 424
pages he tells why. His book Is not a
biography, but a series of word pictures
showing evidences of Mr. Roosevelt's in
fluence upon this republic. It is stated
that America has an hysterical element,
that official hysterics appeal to us, that
Mr. Roosevelt touches a responsive
chord: and that he has put himself in
control of voiceless discontent. All Mr.
Roosevelt's adverse criticism of eminent
Americans Jefferson, Madison. Monroe,
Van Buren, Jackson, etc. Is paraded,
and no opportunity is lost to present him
In a most unfavorable light before the
people. But they know him too well to
change their good opinion at this late
day.
What the White Race May Learn From the
Indian. By George Wharton James, il
lustrated. Price, $1.50. Forbes & Co.
Chicago, 111.
Dr. James, of Santa Clara. Cal., has
bees- among the Indiana for 25 years and
as he is a recognized authority as to their
manners of living and customs, his con
clusions must be treated with respect and
his advice followed as far as practicable.
He recognizes that there are bad Indians
Just as there are bad white men, but he
has selected the good out of the heap and
holds It forth so that all may see and
hear. His remarks largely relate to
health, and he recommends the Indians'
habit of deep breathing, breathing
through the nose, living and sleeping out
of doors, habits of "early to bed early Jo
rise," exercise, mud baths, self restraint
and mental poise. The book is finely Il
lustrated, and will surely serve a good
mission.
stack Spurlock, Prodigal. Bv George Horace
Larimer. Illustrated. Price. $1.B0. Dou
bleday. Page A Co., New York City.
Mr. Lorlmer, editor of a prosperous
weekly, is coming to be more and more
esteemed as a gifted, up-to-date writer
of smart stories that really entertain
and have smiles in them. It is not possi
ble to evolve a grouch reading them, be
the patient in ever so dissatisfied a
mood.
Jack Spurlock is the son of Jonas Spur
lock, the president of Consolidated Gro
ceries, owner of a railroad and tons of
money, and also a member of the "sys
tem." New and old-rich folks are sprin
kled over the story. The one great Joke
in it Is that Mr. Spurlock, senior, thinks
that his son. Jack, la a joke and a fool.
Well, Jack fools him, and in the end
wins Anita. He thinks that she is "the"
loveliest girl in New York..
The Last Egyptian. Illustrations by Francis
P. Wightman. Edward Stern A Co., Phil
adelphia. The book cover of this really interest
ing novel of modsrn Egypt catches the
eye and favorably Impresses one to read
what 'the anonymous author has to say.
The picture referred to is a yellow desert
scene, palm trees in the distance, with a
camel and Arab driver in gaudy trap
Pings all in color. The other pictures
shown inside are also In color and much
better than usual. But the story? It
quivers with Intrigue, plot, counter-plot,
buried treasure, love and revenge. .
The Princess Hatatcha, now an old,
wrinkled woman and the descendant of
a long line of Egyptian Kings among
them Ahtka-Ra is dying, and to her
grandson. Prince Kara, she commits a
revenge-quest. Long ago. Lord Roane,
an Englishman had robbed her of her
good name, and she orders Kara to seek
revenge among this Lord's descendants.
She also tells Kara of the secret treasure-house
of Ahtka-Ra, located In a
certain tomb. Kara finds this treasure
and starts on a spendthrift, sensual ca
reer that causes all Egypt to talk. He
nearly enmeshes Aneth. granddaughter of
Lord Roane, but his tide of revenge fails
to reach flood tide, and after incident
heaped upon incident, he meets with a
strange death.
An out-of-the-ordinary adventure story.
Gleam o Iawn, by Arthur Goodrich. Illus
trated. Prlre. $1.50. D. Appleton & Co.,
New York City.
Remarkable for its fine nature pic
tures of life In the open. Mr. Goodrich
has evolved a human-interest story of
woodland life In which French-Canadian
patois, two Indians, a long-lost father
and Nlnl an unconscious poet make up
compelling interest.
J. M. QUENTIX.
IN LIBRARY AND WORKSHOP.
'Mrs. Kllnor Glyn. author of "Three
Weeks" was recently hob-nobbing in a min
ing camp in Nevada, looking for "color"
for a new novel. It was rumored that she
will call it "Four Weeks."
.,.
Edward Childs Carpenter Is at work upon
a new novel, - "The Gateway of Dreams,"
which, however, will not be completed In
time for issue this Fall," as be has FOt a
"rush order" to. write & production for a
New York theater magnate.
Two Important books on the way are
the first part of Dr. Fred Morrow Fling's
three-volume "Mlrabeau and the French
Revolution" and the eighth, and next to
the last volume of "The Writings of James
Madison." edited by Galliard Hunt.
-
Kate Sanborn's unique volume on "Old
Time Wall Papers' naa been included in
a list of books specially recommended for
libraries in Great Britain. As this recom
mendation comes from the Library Asso
ciation of London, and as few American
books fecelve this honor. Miss Sanborn
ehould feel repaid for the arduous labors
she expended on the volume.
Baltimore, Md., is taking on literary airs,
due to the fact that the names of so many
of her sons and daughters are appearing as
authors in current magazines. Among them
are: William Hervey Woods, Miss Ellen Du
vall, Leo Crane, Mrs. Harriet Lummls Smith,
Edward Lucas White. Miss Hzette Wood
worth Reese. Llttel McCluTg. Dr. Fabian
Franklin. Rev. Oliver Huckel, and Mrs. Lucy
Meacha.m Thurston.
. .
Wlnslow Homer has the place of honor
in the June Issue of the International
Studio. An appreciative artlce la contrib
uted by Leila Mechin, who agrees with
the contention that Mr. Homer is the
"greatest living distinctly American paint
er." and declares that the artist, "indif
ferent to sales.- to praise and blame alike"
still goes on his way "with fixed purpose."
The paper Is copiously Illustrated.
The new short story by Dr. S. Weir
Mitchell, which will be brought out this
Fall, is being illustrated by Guernsey Moore
and J. J. Gould, the former doing the
decorative work and the latter the full
page illustrations. It la a story of colonial
times, bearing the name "A Venture in
1777." and the aim of the artists in their
work is to carry out the Revolutionary
atmosphere and general setting of the tale.
.
Next Fall will be issued a volume of fic
tion by Elizabeth Freemantle. under the
title ot "The One and I." It is described
an a story of the Canadian Northwest, writ
ten in Bprightly, diary style, with a vein
of quiet humor running throughout. One
of the readers, who read the story In manu
script form, soys there is a smile upon al
most every page, and declares that not
since the appearance of "The Lady of the
Decoration'' has anything quite so clever
seen the light.
In "The Golden Ladder" Margaret Hor
ton Potter has. written a story remarkable
for Its sustained Interest, subtle analysis,
and vivid picture of a man. who primarily
thought gold the all In all, but afterward
was made to see his error. A brighter side
of life is shown In a portraiture of French
exiles who live for each other and high
ideals, content when they earn a modest
"nest egg," making them independent of
all the financial ills Wall atreet gamblers
might deign to send them per any sudden
telegraph flash.
e
Fierce discussion Is being aroused among
literary folk by the appearance of Dr.
George M. Gould's book on Lafcadio Hearn.
It has brought bitter letters from those
representing the Hearn cult In New York,
several of which letters have appeared in
various dally papers. To some of these
Dr. Gould has replied, always in a dignified
manner, etatlnghis position and his point
of view, yet newspaper articles denouncing
the book and the author continue to appear.
A threat has been made to bring suit for
libel In the name of Heame' widow, and
final developments are awaited with Inter
est. .
Neil Munro, the Scottish novelist, who Is
also a Glasgow editor, has been accorded the
degree of LL.D. by Glasgow University. Mr
Munro Is best known In this country as the
author of the novel "Bud." the story of a
modern and lively American child suddenly
descending upon a staid Scotch village. A
rather uncommon experience has befallen
"Bud." which was a Harper publication of
several months ago that of becoming mors
popular each month than it was the month
before. On the other side of the water this
same book Is known as "The Daft Days."
"The most distinguished Scottish represen
tative of the Celtic revival." the university
authorities called Mr. Munro in making the
presentation.
An opportunity for a controversy over
the life and public services, of Jefferson
Davis was afforded by a resolution recently
introduced in the House of Representatives
by Mr. Carlin, of Virginia. The resolution
directed the Secretary of War. If not in
compatible with the public" interests, to In
form the House by what authority the
name of Jefferson was erased from the
stone tabrrt on Cabin John Bridge; also
that the House be informed as to what
steps". If any, have been taken toward re
storing to the stone the name of Davis as
Secretary of War. The Cabin John Bridge
is said to be the largest single span masonry
bridge in the world. It was built during
Jefferson Davis administration as Secretary
of War. His name was removed from the
bridge soon after the opening of hostilities
between the North and the South. Professor
W. E. Dodd considers the incident of suf
ficient importance to discuss in his life of
Davis, recently issued In the "American
Crisis Series of Biographies."
A dispatch from St. Cloud, Minn., says
that Professor William H. Sheran. head of
the English department In St. Paul Sem
inary, paid a brief visit to St, Jchn's Uni
versity, CoUegevtlle. where he discovered a
copy of the Latin diary kept by Columbus.
Only two other copies of the original are
extant; one in the British Museum, the other
In the archives of Madrid. The copy in the
library of -8t John's University was secured
by Rev. Alexius Hoffmann. O. 6. B., while
searching tor rare manuscripts some years
ago in Spain. Professor Sheran has re
ceived a check for $25,000 from a wealthy
Knight of Columbus on condition that be
complete the life of Columbus In heroia
verse within eight years. A part of this
task is already accomplished, and the Latin
manuscript, together with other valuable
material in St John's library, will furnish
the historical basts for the completion of the
epic poem. Professor Sheran and a member
of the Benedictine order will spend sever!
Summer vacations In Southern Europe, gath
ering all available matter relating to the
hero, the expense- of this trip to be defrayed
from the magnificent gift. The name of the
donor, tor the present, is withheld.
PMKGIS MCltimS IBOIER
1 m cmpoMwKn
sswr,i"'.-jsv-Pi VS? A
Herr PnorESSOR
rUMSTJUT QLtLTSTD 5!NCD
CHILDHOOD, 4JvtD HIS
BY ALMA A, ROGERS.
HEN you stand in the presence
of a truly noble man or woman
the subconscious wires of tele
pathy at once set to work to inform
you of that fact. The person may not
necessarily be world-renowned, for the
soul-processes of intelligence are un
erring as the magnetic needle to its
pole, and fame unfortunately is not
always inseparable from, lofty char
acter. But when botli greatness and
nobility are found united in one per
son it becomes a privilege to enter the
circle of acquaintance. If such person
chance to be an educator, blessed are
the young people who come within the
range of his influence.
Such a man is Josef Labor. Francis
Rlchter's teacher in harmony. - He
bears the various titles with which the
world honors those who achieve great
ness, but after all the plain name is
best- I have often thought that of all
the many influences which are here
molding Francis Rlchter's destiny there
is no one so important or so far
reaching as the'work that Herr Labor
is doing. And it is done so quietly
and unobtrusively that It might be
underestimated 'did one not remember
that the forces of real growth are al
ways silent.
Herr Labor is himself as simple and
unassuming as a child and the out
flowing sympathy of his nature makes
him instantly approachable. He Is not
given to those violent and irrational
outbreaks that sometimes mar the
character of artists and leaves one
to wish to remember o.nly their art.
There Is a spiritual power In this man
that makes such weakness impossible.
His is a- soul poised in a high key. a
soul that has suffered much, overcome
much, and risen to still higher alti
tudes, to whom life has a purpose and
opportunity is sacred.
e
I Delleve it was Horace Mann who
said that association with a great man
Is the highest education. Those, there
fore, who believe in the finer Issues
of life can readily understand why I
rate so high the Influence of Herr
Labor upon his pupils.
In the case of Francis Blchter the
relation between teacher and pupil is
particularly sympathetic, for the Herr
Professor is also blind, having lose his
sight at an early age through illness.
Certainly it must be an inspiration to
the boy, to have constantly before him
the example and encouragement of the
man who has done his work in spite of
handicap. Herr Labor will leave a
name behind him, just how great It
would be foolish for me to attempt to
say, but great enough to live to pos
terity, certainly. When we first cama
to Vienna we heard him spoken of as
the successor of Brahms, and the same
remark has been heard at other times
The Viennese honor him. His appear
ance before an' audience Is the occa
sion of an ovation. I was witness to
one of these scenes last Winter when
he played the new organ in the grand
music saal of the Conservatorium he
fore a great audience, representative
of the) best in Vienna. There Is no ques
tion but Professor Labor Is the lead
ing organist of this city.
Besides the organ, Herr Labor
teaches piano, and composition in all
its branches. Francis Richter began
harmony last Fall, and rejoiced to put
the period to this course ust a few
days since. He rejoiced because the
period helped him to realize that he
was making progress. He Is a very
anxious youth for results. Sometimes
I tell him the story of the child who
planted a seed in the garden, and a
few days therafter pulled It tip to see
how much it had grown. The desire
for visible results is a healthy sign, I
take It. when as in Mr. Rlchter's case
it is an incentive to effort.
After harmony come counterpoint,
canon and fugue. When the study of
these branches shall have been com
pleted, the young composer will be
fully equipped for his life work. Much
of the work In composition is already
familiar to Mr. Richter from his early
studies. Herr Labor's course in com
position ordinarily embraces three
years, but If the signs for a third year
look too ominious, we shall try to
double the work and make It in two.
When we called on Professor Labor
last Summer to make arrangements, he
Immediately said that Mr. Richter must
learn the Braille. This is the system
for the blind, and includes both reading
and musical notation. Eo the lessons
In Braille have gone hand In hand with
the harmony, a portion of each hour
being devoted to the teacher reading
and correcting the exercises previously
prepared in Braille by the pupil, and
giving him others to work out for the
next lesson. While this has delayed the
harmony course a little. It has literal
ly opened up a hew world to the blind
boy. To have a language. In which he
can write down his ideas, and having
written, can reread them this - last
most of all is almost like the gift of
sight. It Is certainly next to sight.
Herr Labor's birth date is recorded
In the music books as June 29, 1842,
which makes him 66 years of age. He
doesn't look it by at least It years.
Indeed, the statement was so Incred
ible that I had to ,ask him to verify
it. Then I recalled the ancient truth
that It Is the soul that keeps people
young.. Even In the body the soul la
not entirely bound by the limitations
of matter. The inner light in Herr La
bor is as a flame that has transfused
the body. His face is marked by many
nervous lines, but they are not the
lines of gloom or despondency. On the
contrary, he is a decided wit. His hu
mor is so abundant and sparkling that
it makes him a delightful conversa
tionalist. It goes without saying that Herr La
bor is a cultured man, learned in the
languages and sciences besides muslo.
He speaks excellent English. and
knows our literature very well. He has
great facility In the Braille. In which
he has read much, as well ss having
had literature read to him. His music
room Is lined with bookcases contain
ing the bulky volumes of the Braille
system, so placed and numbered that
he can find them in a moment. He still
studies muslo In the Braille, and at
Francis Rlchter's last lesson was en
gaged In learning Chopin's Fantasie
in F minor.
In person Herr Labor Is below me
dium height, with delicate hands and
feet and a fine head. His movements
are very quick and nervous, and he
has a way of rubbing the fingers of
his right hand against the palm of
his left, he held close to his face when
he is pleased, that all of his pupils
will remember. In dress he is Immac
ulately neat. During lessons he invari
ably stands, his body moving in a
sort of rhythm, or leaning for a mo
ment on the piano at which his pupil
is seated. But the most characteristic
thing about Herr Labor is the way in
which he holds his head. His face is
always uplifted, as If he were listen-1
jo5e:f labor,.
.grar -T- S
i "A i A
- k i v A
4 ' ' ' A
ti J : V y's L$r Iav
fjfU ? - V " - V x f ill
M f- - "Mi
bsa fi
lng to celestial voices. The contrast
with the usual attitude of sightless
people, which droops as if earthbound,
is most striking. It is so when he
teaches or talks, and to see him at a
concert is really beautiful. You feel
that he is hearing much that Is sealed
to ordinary ears, f shall never forget
the first time he heard Fruncis Rlch
ter's friend. Marcel de Bouzon, sing.
Knowing Ills generous disposition, we
had asked him to hear tha young man's
voice. At the first rich, vibrating tones
he left his usual place by the piano,
walked swiftly to the window and
stood there with face uplifted, while
tears dropped unnoticed down his
cheek. m
Because I have thought that the
friends of Fruncis Richter would be
interested in the personality of his
teacher, I have given this little Inti
mate sketch of a great man as he ap
pears to us. The, chief events of his
public life are recorded in the biog
raphies of the musical encyclopedias.
Here it is stated that he made his
public appearance in Vienna in 1S63 as
a pianist, having been educated at the
Conservatorium. He is not. however,
a Viennese, though this city has been
his home for many years. His native
place is Horowitz, Bohemia.
Conversation with Herr Labor on lit
erary topics discloses his preference
for Longfellow among the American
poets, and his acquaintance with Ten
nyson, Keats and Shelley among the
English. Shakespeare, of course he
is too universal to require inclusion.
His criticism of Tennyson as lacking
in humor led Herr Labor to enunciate
what he considers the highest prin
ciple in art: contrast He calls it also
humor, which does not necessarily
mean to laugh, but the flow of light
and shade rather. "In Memorlam" Is
too uniformly ead and thereby violates
the essential artistic principle of con
trast. Dante he characterizes as the man
who concentrated within himself all
the wisdom of his time. Of the Divine
Comedy, he considers the Jiell the most
wonderful, though as he remarked. It is
not to be taken literally Qod would
not be God were there such a place. It
Is the sweep of the Imagination of
Dante, Joined to the depth of his un
derstanding, that make it colossal art.
In running commentaries such as I
have Indicated, Herr Labor showed
such familiarity with the great names
of the world's literature that I knew
not which to marvel at most the gifts,
the patience, or the industry ot the
man. He seems to be a person who is
never Idle. Often in Francia Rlchter's
lessons he has Impressed upon his pupil
the need of perseverance. "At first
there Is the bitterness," he said to him
recently, referring to the onerous task
of deciphering music in the Braille, "but
with a little labor, that to soon over.
My whole effort Is to make you as inde
pendent as though you had sight."
Then came that hearty slap on the
shoulder that is a tonic to nerves and
has many times sent the young man
Books Added to Library
The library has added to Its circu
lating books a department of musical
scores, songs, oratorios, piano music,
etc., etc. The first installment Is now
ready for the use of the public. Another
list will be published shortly and the
department will be added to from time
to time,- until it is representative of
all the best music that we have. This
will be of particular Interest to music
teachers and music students.
CANTATAS.
Dvorak. The specter's bride, a dramatic
cantata written by K. J. Erben: the piano
forte accompaniment arranged by Helnrlch
von Kaan; the English version by J. Trout
beck, n. d.
Mendelssohn. Bartholdy. First Walpurgls
night: German poem by Goethe, the English
version by George Allman. n. d.
OPERAS.
Balfe. Bohemian slrl; an opera In three
acts; the libretto by Alfred Bunn. ISK'2.
Bizet. Carmen, an opera in four acts;
words by H. Meilhao and L. Halevy; English
version by T. Baker. lSfr.
Chalkovski. Eugene Onegin: lyric scenes
In three acts; after the Russian of Pushkin;
English version by H. G. Chapman. 1807.
Donlsetti. L'Ellslr d'amore, comic opera
In two acts; with Italian and English words,
the latter by C. L. Kennedy, n. d.
Donizetti. La flgila del regglmento, opera
in two acts; wllh Italian and English words,
n. d.
Donizetti. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera In
three acts; Italian libretto and English ver
sion by Natalia Macfarren. 180H.
Flotow. Martha; or, the fair at Richmond:
a comic romantic opera in four acts; liber
etto by W. Friedrlch, the English version
by Natalia Macfarren. 1002.
Gounod. Faust, a lyric drama in five acts;
libretto by J. Barbler and M.. Carre; vocal
score by Leo Dellbes; English version by H.
T. Chorley. 180.
Gounod. Romeo and Juliet; aa opera in
five acts; words by J. Barbler and M. Carre;
the English version by Theo, Baker. 160T.
Humpeidlnck. Hansel and Gretel. a fairy
opera In three acts by Adelheld Wette: tr. by
Constance Bache. 1895.
Mascagnl. Cavallerla ruetlcana. melodrama
in one act; English version by Nathan Hale;
vocal and piano score by L. Mugnoae. 1S91.
Sullivan. lolanthe; or. the peer and the
perl: written by W. S. Gilbert. 1882.
Sullivan. The Mikado; or. the town of
Titlpu; arrangement for pianoforte by G. L.
Tracy: words by W. S. Gilbert. 18X5.
Sullivan. The pirates of Penzance; or, the
slave of duty: written by W. K. Gilbert. 1880.
Sullivan. Princess la: or. Castle adanuat;
words by W. S. Gilbert. 188.
Sullivan. Trial by Jury; a dramatlo can
tata bjr W. 6. Gilbert, n. d.
away with Joy In his heart. Francis
Rlchter's friends may well give thanks
that he has found euch a teacher as
Herr .Labor.
The versatility of Francis Rlchter's
mind is something to wonder at. If
he had not been great In music, he
would have distinguished himself in
some other line. He is one of the clev
erest wits I ever heard; on another
side he is philosophical far beyond hie
20 years, and every sentiment Is trans
fused with poetic feeling. In looking
over old papers the other day, I found
these lines, which It seems he wrote
befoVe coming to Europe In honor of a
family of friends whom he symbolizes
in the verses. The parents are the
flowers, the children the buds. While
the poem shows the modeling of a boy
ish hand, it has a touch that makes it
of Interest:
Veritas.
One sunny day as out I went.
To seek for pleasure. Joy and merriment.
With gentle step and heart so light and
gay.
Amidst the foliage I found my way.
The road was solid for 4t was quite new.
The sun was hot, the sky was clear and
blue.
The meadow iarks and various other birds.
Sang Joyously their song.
And for a moment I could scarce find
words.
To tell what my thoughts were
Amidst this musical throng.
Then gently as the gentlest eould demand,
I felt along the leaves with my right hand.
When euddenly among the brushy bowers.
My hand fell softly upon three small
flowers.
No daintier petals had I felt than these,
A more substantial center never known,
No calyx with such fine and tender leaves
Has met my bands or ere to me was shown.
And thus I felt along the flowery way
Discovering synonyms of this same type:
A second branch had flowers only two.
And one small bud was coming, 'twas quits
new.
The third was quite the same, only between
Two flowers yet a smaller bud was seen.
And now 1 paused a moment to admire,
The flowers which may one inspire,
And as 'I stood there they brought forth to
me,
A picture of truth and benignity.
I knew not what their name might be and
thus.
I gave to them their name of Veritas
So unlike the foliage last mentioned.
Is our own foliage in the path of life,
A flower blooms with almost perfect calm
ness. While we must bloom through sorrow, work
and strife.
Who comforts us as we are thus progress
ing, And helps us with things so hard to mend.
Who is It that deserves our God's great
blessing?
It la a faithful, true and honest friend.
I'm proud to say I have not only one.
But three and more Just like these flowers
sprung.
And like the flower I named Veritas,
They'll be to me for "amo amicus."
Vienna, May 19.
Verdi. Aid a, opera In four acts; libretto
by A. Ghisisnsonl; the English version by
Mrs. O. G. Laurence. I81f.
Verdi. Ernani, a tragic opera In four
acts: tr. into English by Natalia Macfarren.
n. d.
Verdi. Rigolett'o, opera in three aet; lib
retto by F. M. Piave; the English version by
Natalia Macfarren. 1002.
Verdi. 11 trovatore. opera in four acts:
libretto by S. Csmmarano: English version
by Natalia Macfarren. 1188.
Wagner. The Flying Dutchman; a roman
tic pera in three acts: the English version
by J. Troutbeek and Theo. Baker. 18S7.
Wagner. Tannhaueer: and the tournament
of song at Wartburg; romantio opera in thre
acts: tr. into Engiish by Natalia Macfarren.
n. d.
ORATORIOS.
Bach. Passion of our Lord, according to ft.
Vatthcw English translation by Troutbeek;
vocal score by II. W. Ntcholl. ISM.
Beethoven. Mount of Olives; oratorio; the
words from the German by John Oxenford.
p. d.
Brahms. Retiulem-; vocal score. n. d.
Handel. Israel In Egypt, a sacred oratorio-:
vocal score and pianoforte accompaniment ar
ranged by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. 19V
Handel. Jud4 Maccabaeus. an oratorio;
the pianoforte accompaniment arranged by J.
E. "vewt. n. d.
Handel. Samson; an oratorio In vocal
score, n. d.
Haydn. Creation; ed. by Vincent Novelle.
n. d.
Haydn. The seasons, an oratorio; after the
poem by James Thompson, n. d.
Mendelseohn-Parlholdy. Elijah: an orato
rio In vocal score; the English version by W.
Bartholomew, n. d.
MendelsB'.nn-Bartholdy. St. 'aul, in voca!
score, n. d.
Rossini. -Moses in Egypt; tr. and adapted
by O. S. Parker, n. d.
Stalner. The crucifixion; words written by
J. Sparrow-Stmpson. n. d.
PIANO COMPOSITIONS.
Chamlnede. Album ot IT pieces for piano
forte. 1899.
Grieg. Forty-five pieces for pianoforte.
1902.
Rublnetein. Kamennoi-ostrow: op. 10. JS82
Rubinstein. Selected plecea for pianoforte.
lSUt).
BONOS.
Brahms Eighteen songs; English transla
tion by Theo. Baker. Hu2.
Chamlnade. Song-albums. 2 v. n. d.
Foster. Twenty songs: ed. by N. C. Page.
ioa.
Krehblel, ed. Songs from the operas for
Soprano. IJtO".
. ltubinetein. Sorg album. 2 v. n. d
Waito. comp. College songs; a collection
of the most popular songs of the ooliegea of
America. 1906.