SHELF.
THE BOOK
[Conducted by ALBERT LEE, ’91.]
If Mr. E. W. Townsend had never
given us “Chimmie Fadden”, i368
probable that Mr. George Ade would
not have written for a Chicago news-
paper the sketches which have been
published in book form under the title
of ‘Artie,’ (Chicago: H. S. Stone &
Co.) As newspaper stories, set off
among reports of murders, riots, high-
way robberies and other incidents of
Chicago life, these details of the pri-
vate life of a Chicago clerk who can-
not speak English might have passed;
but twenty such sketches, fired forth
all together under one cover, con-
stitute somewhat of an overdose.
I would not have any one under-
stand from the mention of ‘‘Chimmie
Fadden” that ‘Artie’ is anything like
Mr. Townsend’s Bowery boy.. The
latter, while perhaps not elegant and
refined, had some strong characteris-
tics, and his dialect was individual
and, in many respects, striking. Ar-
tie speaks no dialect; he merely
mouths bad grammar. Mr. Ade has
sought for his effects in an accumula-
tion of slang, and not infrequently of
vulgarity; and while there is no doubt
that one must occasionally smile at
some of Artie’s expressions, it is also
true that one. tires of this constant
harping on the same note. It is amuS-
ing sometimes to hear two hackmen
cursing one another on the street, but
who, for that reason, would care to
dwell for a day with the hackmen?
There is no art in a description of
common people and vulgar incidents
for their own sake. I cannot get my-
self interested in the feelings of this
Chicago clerk, Artie, after he has been
intoxicated the night before, nor in
his recital of his drinking bout with
a music hall woman. : It verily makes
a book-lover heave a sigh of regret
to see such poor material set forth in
so very graceful a cover.
YALE ALUMNI
But, to paraphrase a comedy senti-
ment,
the shelf’; and not the least interest-
ing is Mr. Coulson Kernahan’s. story
of ‘Captain Shannon” (New York:
Dodd, Mead & Co.). One of the high-
est compliments that a reader can pay —
to an author is to feel that he would
like to sit right down at his desk and
write a story like the one he has just
finished reading. I confess to an in-
cipient itch of that kind when I laid
aside “Captain Shannon.” It is a de-
tective story, and grown up boys, l
think, are always attracted to a well-
told detective story where men fight
one another with their wits, just aS a
healthy boy is always eager for a
tale of adventure in which the char-
acters are constantly opposed in phy-
sical strife. ‘‘Captain Shannon” in-
cludes somewhat of both of these ele-
ments, and ought therefore to be pop-
ular with both classes of readers. The
one weakness in the yarn is Mr. Ker-
nahan’s failure to explain how the
agent, Green, got on the track of
Captain Shannon; but I dare say this
was a very hard nut. to crack. Dr.
Conan Doyle could have cracked it;
but then Dr. Doyle Knows all about
cigar ashes and thumb nails. fPer-
haps, after all, this is hypercriticism.
We should be grateful for so breezy a
narrative.. Mr. Kernahan makes no
attempt at literary style, but he car-
ries his readers right along through
the pages without any halts for sun-
sets.
Turning now from. fiction to fait, i
must admit that if there is one thing
above all others that the average
bookman knows less about than any
other (unless it be his own faults), it
is finance. For that reason I. con-
scientiously refrain from attempting
to hic any kind of judgment upon
Mr. \|Horace White’s ‘“Monev and
Banking’ (Boston: Ginn & Co.) The
new edition we have received, in pa-
per covers, is weli printed on good
paper, and is well supplied with mar-
ginal references—which are always a
joy to the soul. Furthermore’ the
frontispiece represents a small fort-
une, showing many more’ kinds of
gold coins than I-ever saw in my life,
KING NOANETT.
A Story of Old Virginia and the Massachusetts Bay
A NEW HISTORICAL NOVEL.
Sey. ES aos
STIMSON,
(J. S. of Dale.)
‘‘ We are not afraid to predict that ‘King Noanett’ will take its place in the hearts
“there are other books upon
MY Ta dio Ph ts
or ever hope to own; but it is pleas-
ing to know that they exist, even if
the other fellows have them. In spite,
however, of my regretable inability to
advance an. opinion concerning the
excellence of .this volume,—especially
now that we have given up caring
anything at all about 16 to 1,—I can
nevertheless steal a little thunder
from a very good man, whom we all
know, who says in so many words
that he has read Mr. White’s book.
This makes it unnecessary for me to
do so, as I can unhesitatingly depend
upon his sound judgment. Prof. Sum-
Tighe. Lau, “Wheeler & Farnbanl,
a adinsee at Law,
109-112 Manhattan Building,
St. Paul, Minn.
_AMBROSE TIGHE. JOHN W. LANE
‘HOWARD WHEELER. CHARLES W. FARNHAM.
Enroliment in the Various
Departments.
The appended table gives a com-
parison of the number of students
in the various departments of the_
University for this year and, last:
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT.
ner asserts that there is much his- 1896-"97 1895-'96
tory and theory in this compact pres- Seniorsi:.. ss. 3s eer ue 279
Guipuon, - and adds that the podk Jumierbsseivias nee cecses 298 278
meets in a most admirable manner the Sophomores.... ..++ se. 317 305
greatest literary need of the time. I Freshmen.... ...... 357 322
am tempted to dispute with him about ay RE ose
the ‘literary need’; but I won’t risk otal cis ios 1,252 1,184
it, because in any argument with SCLENTIFIC ‘DEPARTMENT.
Prof. Sumner I know very well who GeO GUstes.<.4 sc. sess ve 2B 49
would come out ahead. SEnions 2,665 sesces 183 162
The literary monthlies are, as might Juniors... ...... see 131 201
be expected, full of Du Maurier ar- PRORATED «505 ode ie teng 2 138
ticles this month. Take them all to- Special Students... .... 12 14
gether they offer a good deal of in- ITT Sick
formation about the brilliant author POtAL, .wcol? (beat oe is Se: DOM 564
of “Trilby,’ and those who care to THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT
collect material relating to various Res’t licentiates... .... 3 1
men and subjects as such material ap-. Grad. students.... .... 10 x a!
pear will do well to look into the Senior: Class. ic... ses 33 27
“Book Buyer,’ ‘“Book News” and the Middle class..... on 30
“Review of Reviews.” Junior class..... be wh afte 32
We have also received: “‘The Fatal SES =
Gift gf Beauty, and Other Stories,” MOEA < So so Sec ds seve 02 107
a . SH. “Raimond, Chicage: HH:  S: LAW SCHOOL.
Stone & Co.; “The Hnd of the Be- GubAviotes sae iinss, seed 24
ginning,’’ Boston: Little, Brown & SeMIOTS sss Seiwa oo we vd 5 Be 17
Co.; ‘““Gold and Silver as Cufrency,”’ Juniors... ou rot 115
by James G. Batterson, Hartford: Special suudertax Pree «!) 14
The Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co. Sony beISESS
aWe och Beer on © Pee ye ; . 210 230
+ 44 MEDICAL, SCHOOL.
Semiorsvcc 5 ii agi sks . oie ae 28
-A new building called the ‘“‘Arm- PETAOTS, 5 opin ees > "eas ee 31
strong and Slater Trade School Build- Second Weak: sake oe
ing’ will be opened at Hampton In- First oaks 3 bas (ei tee 63
stitute, Hampton, Va., on Wednesday Special students.... ... Il 14
and Thursday, November 18 and 19. —- —-
Addresses will be made by President TOTAL in eG es 3. es 1B 124
Gilman of Johns Hopkins University; Grad: students.... °....5 220 169
Booker T. Washington, Principal of Att; Scno0ek ss 6c Ses 47 48
Tuskegee Institute; Bishop Henry C. ee ——
Potter and Hamilton W. Mabie. Grand Totals.... .. 2,516 2,383
Vera Vorontzoff, by Sonya Kovalevsky :
rendered into English by Anna von
of the people with such books as ‘Lorna Doone’ and ‘The Little Minister.’—A most
noble book.”—James MacArthur, in the September Bookman.
“Tt is marked in conception and execution alike by a trait which, without reserve,
we may name beauty. The quality of charm which pervades the romantic tales of the
Old World is just what distinguishes ‘King Noanett.’ The real spirit of the book, the
temper which gives it inevitable romantic charm, comes from no documents at all, but
straight from nature. The beauty of this book in its conception is like the beauty of
our woods and our fields, of our fields and our streams. Itis native. That is why we
love it. Subtly rhythmical cadences which belong to the essence of lyric prose. In sub-
stance and in style alike, then, we. may welcome ‘ King Noanett’ as a thing of beauty.”
—Prof. Barrett Wendell, of Harvard University, in The Boston Transcript.
‘*So far as American fiction is concerned ‘King Noanett’ is far and away the book
of the year. Certainly nothing fresher or more original has found its way into our
literature for many a year. The volume possesses a distinct historical value.”—Literary
Editor, The Boston Transcript.
‘* A book which it is hard to put down until the end is reached. The climax is a
triumph of clever manipulation, It is a credit to American letters to have produced such
a book. We trust that no one will miss the opportunity of making the acquaintance of
‘King Noanett.’ "—N. Y. Examiner.
‘“We have read few fictions whose interest was so steady, so continuous and so
absorbing. ‘King Noanett’ must, however, be read in full to be justly appreciated.
We sincerely commend the story to our readers,”—N, Y. Independent.
‘‘It is interesting. It is spirited. It has movement and life. The young Irish
cavalier is a delightful acquaintance. ‘King Noanett’ possesses positive merits.”—
Literary World.
‘‘ A stirring and delightful romance.”—Oongregationalist.
‘*And who but an Irishman could have said Heigho | "Tis the women who make
the trouble of this life—and life worth the trouble.’ Mr. Stimson has done his best
work in ‘ King Noanett,’ and in Miles Courtenay he has added an immortal figure to the
characters of fiction.”—James J effrey Roche, in The Pilot.
‘Tt is difficult to describe the daspiantion of its style, the enchantment which it
wields, and the spiritual beauty which illumines the whole work.”—James MacArthur,
in The Bookman.
‘“* King Noanett’ is a book designed for all ages..—N. Y. Tribune.
‘Mr, Stimson writes as good a story as DuMaurier.”—Brooklyn Eagle.
SOME OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
A Bad Penny, by John T. Wheelwright.
fF’, G. Atwood,
Fairy Tales, by Mabel Fuller r Blodgett,
Kthel Reed,
With ten full-page illustrations by
$1.25
With twelve full- “page } illustrations by
2.00
Rydingsvard (Baroness von Proshwitz), . (net) 1.29
Earth’s Enigmas. A volume of stories, by Charles G. D. Roberts, a E20
Low Tide on Grand Pré. A Book of ‘Lyrics, by Bliss Carman, . . '(net) 1.00
Behind the Arras. A Book of the Unseen, by Bliss Carman. With drawings
by T. B. Meteyard, ee amety 1.50
Two Unpublished Essays, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. With an introduction
by Dr. Edward Everett Hale, ‘ : ‘ ‘ «21300
The Gold Fish of Gran Chima, by Charles F. Lumis. With seven full-page
illustrations by Henry Sandham, BU.A., 1.50
Magda, by Hermann Sudermann. Translated by Charles-Edward Amory Winslow.
With a cover-design and title-page by Louis J. Rhead, 1.00
The Love Story of Ursula Wolcott. Being a Tale of the Time of the Great
Revival in New England, by Charles Knowles Bolton. “With illustrations by
Ethel Reed, ; : ‘ ‘ «800
‘96 Charades, by Norman D. Gray, ; f 1.00
Dr. Vermont’s Fantasy, and Other Stories, by Hannah ‘Lynch. Published in :
connection with Messrs. J. M. Dent of London, . (net) 1.25
Miss Traumerei, a Weimar Idyl, by Albert Morris Bagby. With a portrait of
the author, 1.50
Is Polite Society Polite? and Other Essays, by Mrs, Julia Ward Howe.
With a new portrait of the author taken especially for this book, . 1.50
The Great Galeoto, and Folly of Saintliness, by Jose Echegaray. Two plays
done from the Spanish verse into English prose by Hannah Lynch, Brought
out in connection with John Lane of London, ..« (met) T.d0
The Viol of Love, by Charles Newton- Robinson. Published in connection with
John Lane of London, ; . (net) 1.50
The White Wampum: "A Book of Indian Verse, by E. Pauline Johnson, Pub-
lished in connection with John Lane of London, . (net) 1.50
The House of the Trees, and Other Poems, by Ethelwyn Wetherald. With
a portrait of the author, . : (net) 1.00
An Opal, and other Verses, by Ednah Proctor Clarke, ; ; (net) 1.00
A Book of the Native, by Charles G. D. Roberts, ; fle
A Virginia Cousin, and Bar Harbor Tales, by ’Mrs. Burton Harrison. With
a portrait of the author, . (oh 25
Trilby, the Fairy of Argyle, by Charles Nodier. Translated from the French
by Minna Caroline Smith. Scotch plaid cover. ‘‘ The little volume, in its
plaided covers, has achieved the distinction of being the most rapidly printed
and lightning speeded book issued by the press.”—The Boston Herald, .00
Uncle Sam’s Church; His Creed, Bible and Hymn-Book. By John Bell
Bouton. Cover in red, white, and blue; or buff and blue, : s .00
If Jesus came to Boston, by Edward Everett Hale, ; ; .50
My Double, and How He-Undid Me, by Edward Everett Hale. Republished
with a new preface and portrait of the author, £75
In Friendship’s Name. What makes a Friend? Two gift books compiled
by Volney Streamer. Beautifully bound in Japanese vellum, and enclosed
separately in pasteboard boxes, each, ; 1:35
A Man without a Country, by Edward Everett Hale. A new edition of this
famous story, ; ‘ 15
Ex Libris: Essays of a Collector, by Charles Dexter Allen. Illustrated by
copper plate prints direct from coppers. Edition limited to 800 copies, 750 of
which will be sold at $3.00; and 50 of whch, bound in vellum and signed and
numbered by the author, will be sold at $15. 00.
LAMSON, WOLFFE & COMPANY.
Boston. London. New York.