One of the particularly clever dialect poems in this book is called "Over Behind The Moon." The following is an extract.

"De ministers dere neffer take a vacation;

De business men hof no base-ball recreation,
Und lawyers ont dere all die of starvation-
It's Over Behind de Moon."

Another worthy of special attention because of its naturalness is entitled, "On the New York Elevated in August." It is certain to appeal to all New Yorkers.

"A Marrying Man" and "Bill," are very funny and replete with subtle wit.

"He Hadn't," is another gem. begins,

pathetic, are included in this charming book.

Many of the poems are uproariously funny, and display unusual shrewdness in lighting up the foibles of human nature. From first to last the book is thoroughly enjoyable. The reader who appreciates spontaneous, vivacious and original humor, fresh and sparkling, without the slightest taint of coarseness or vulgarity, and with just an appetizing dash of satire, will be delighted with The Cheery Book. The practical reader, too, will find some good, plain common sense embodied in Mr. Kerr's verses.

We have reprinted in this number two little poems from the Cheery Book with permission of the publishers.

"If Loitering Luke had had a rich dad, He'd 'a made a sure hit in this world not half bad

But he hadn't!"

66

'Angel Land, a Lullaby" and "In Babyville" are of a different order and in their daintiness show the wonderful versatility of the author.

"The Stream of Life," and "Perfection" are made up of beautiful and delicate touches, while "Dead -A Tramp," and "The Prayer of the Dying Girl," stir the innermost heart with their pathos.

Poems grave and gay, ridiculous. and thoughtful, humorous

and

"It is a bold stroke of romance from beginning to end, but there is no vagueness of aim or uncertainty of method in it. It touches the imagination from point to point like

(1) The Forest Lovers. By Maurice Hewlett. 12mo. cloth. Price $1.08. By mail $1.23.

(2) Earthwork out of Tuscany. By Maurice Hewlett. 12mo, cloth. Price $1.35. By mail $1.50.

torches blazing in the enchanted and. enchanting forest through which it moves in widening circles of interest and plot; but it has the concentration of energy and the well defined movement which gives stories of the realistic temper, reality and vividness. The plot is boldly conceived and strongly sustained; the characters are vigorously drawn and are thrown into striking contrast; the incidents are manifold and, in that remoter world of romantic chivalry, they are unhackneyed even if not wholly novel. The story The story moves forward with a swinging gait, like the riding of men-at-arms across the open country; there are adventures and escapes, there are strategems and encounters which stir the blood.

SO

move

"The Forest Lovers does not gain its deepest interest, however, from the obvious sources upon which the novel of adventure has drawn often of late; that interest resides in the insight into the finer qualities of the men and women who through the story in the tumult of passionate endeavor or in the quietness of clear integrity. The most careless reader, bent only upon being entertained, will hardly miss the spiritual beauty which illuminates the love of Isoult for Prosper. And no reader will miss the beauty of the landscape in which the story is set. The forest is not the background of the tale; it is as much a part of it as incident or character. It gives it breadth, freshness, beauty of every kind. Like the Forest of Arden in "As You Like It," it interprets the human drama and bright

ens it. So great is its charm that one who is still under its spell may well hesitate to characterize it lest he unwittingly exaggerate. The description of the charcoal-burners reminds one of George Sand, not because the note of imitation is in it, but because it shows the same deep intimacy with nature, the same passionate sympathy with the mysterious life of field and forest. If The Forest Lovers had no other charm, the escape which it offers into the wild woodland, with its cool recesses, its herds of mottled deer, its mystery and elusive beauty would compel attention. It leads the reader far from the dusty highway; it is touched with the penetrating power of the imagination; it has human interest and idyllic loveliness.”

are sympathetic in taste, become deeply attached. There is some unseen bar to their marriage; something in her which he cannot put aside or understand. One moonlight night she tells him her thrilling love story of the past, her long devotion to a memory, her inability to give it up. After she had gone, his despair drives him in reverie to go over his own experience in life and love and his many disappointments. Yet he cannot yield all hope; he must still try to win her.

A series of vivid scenes in his pursuit of her follow, where he uses his boasted knowledge of the art of love, and where the many sided passion is given in varying phases. At last she almost consents and would consent if she were sure her old lover were dead.

As an extreme sacrifice, and to show his devotion, he goes in search of that old lover, of whom he only knows the name. From all the evidence he can get, he is morally certain the man is dead. Instead, he finds him in a "bucket shop" gambling in stocks. A graphic picture A graphic picture of this modern gaming house is given, where disaster to health and fortune suddenly meet the old lover. He brings back this wreck of a man, takes him home to her, confident of his reward.

The sudden and strange change in the woman at the sight of this battered image, forms the dramatic climax of the story. Wherein was she faithful? To whom unfaithful? is the question. Did the body triumph over the soul? Or would her higher, purer nature shine in the end

Richard Le Gallienne holds to-day a fixed place in modern literature as a philosophical esthetic, an esthetical critic, an etherical poet and a poetical novelist, so that any new book of his will not require much recommendation to find many readers. Nay, even if critics would condemn it, ridicule it or tear it to pieces, we do not believe that would keep many from reading his book. Step by step Le Gallienne acquired his literary position, and this to no small degree he strengthened and widened by his recent visit and lecturing tour in this country. His last book "The Romance of Zion Chapel,”(*) is perhaps the best work he has done yet. It is extremely human in its character, delicate in tone and sentiment, full of passion and philosophy, and written in the fine nerved young author's most charming style. To give an outline of the story would not help our readers, it would even be apt to spoil the effect, or to prejudice our readers against it. The book itself must be read to be appreciated; the story's plot and the author's individual style, his clever epigrammatical remarks, his philosophical reflections, his keen analysis of human motives, and his flashing wit and wisdom belong inseparately together and make the book a most interesting and readable whole.

In "Dreamers of the Ghetto, "(*) Mr. I. Zangwill has presented us with a book full of human interest and philosophy. Zangwill is the exponent par excellence of Jewish life. A Jew himself, he loves Judaism with all his heart and soul; yet in picturing sympathetically all the greatness of Judaism he is not blind to their faults and follies, and fearlessly exposes all the shadowy sides of the Jewish character. With this he combines a good natured humor which to no small extent has made his books so popular among Jews and Gentiles. In his last book he

gives us a number of charming

stories or sketches of Jews who have been dreamers, of idealistic strugglers against ceremony and bonds which isolate them from the world in their jargon, their obstinate adhesion to customs and habits, and to dark, irreconcilable orthodoxy. Heine, Spinoza, Ferdinand Lasalle, Moses Mendelssohn, Lord Beaconfield and other interesting and representative characters are introduced in clever and charming imaginary conversations. The book will not fail to attract wide attention, and will be read with pleasure and profit.

After having read philosophical and psychological novels, novels with a purpose, and novels where the charm lies in their style alone,

(*) Dreamers of the Ghetto. By I. Zangwill. 12mo. cloth. Price $1.08. By mail $1.23.

it is a relief to take in hand a book with no other purpose than to while away the time in a pleasant way, to set one's mind at rest after the day's hard work, or after heavy literary or scientific study. Such a book certainly is William Le Queux's last one, entitled . Whoso Findeth a Wife."(1) It is a stirring novel of intrigue, crime, secrets, love and Nihilism, somewhat improbable perhaps, but undeniably entertaining and written in that dashy style which has made this author's books as popular in England as in America. Besides, like in Le Queux's other stories Zoraida,(2) Devil's Dice,(3) The Temptress,(1) In Guilty Bonds, (5) etc., the reader after having been kept wondering and guessing, but always intensely interested, and after having been constantly kept in suspense by new complications, new secrets, new stirring incidents, will find to his relief that all ends well. It is one of those books which one reads through at one sitting, enjoying it while reading, and finding no time nor inclination to criticise its improbabilities. This is due to the author's cleverness as a bright story teller.

(1) Whoso Findeth a Wife. By William Le Queux. 12mo. cloth. Price 75 cents. By mail 85 cents. (2) Zoraida. By William Le Queux. 12mo. cloth Price 90 cents. By mail $1.02.

(3) Devil's Dice. By William Le Queux. 12mo. cloth. 90 cents. By mail $1.02.

(4) The Temptress. By William Le Queux. 12mo. cloth. Price 90 cents. By mail $1.02.

(5) In Guilty Bonds. By William Le Queux. 12mo cloth. Price 90 cents. By mail $1.02.

Mrs. Craigie (John Oilver Hobbes) has written a play, entitled The Ambassador which has recently been produced at the St. James Theatre, London, and scored a great success. The brilliant author had originally intended it for a story but changed her plans at the instigation of Mr. Alexander, the theatrical manager and critic.

Mary E. Wilkins' novel Madelon(1) has recently been dramatized by the Hon. Stephen Coleridge.

Another novel which is to be dramatized and put on the stage is The Pride of Jennico, (2) by Agnes and Egerton Castle. It certainly ought to make a good play. It is a novel full of dramatic motives and with a scenic background which affords the actors, as well as the manager, great opportunity for picturesqueness and originality. The book has run through four editions within a few months and the demand is growing.

Still another dramatization of a

famous novel, The Christian,(3) by Hall Caine, is promised for production early this fall with Viola Allen

as star.

(1) Madelon. By Mary E. Wilkins. 12mo. cloth. Price 90 cents. By mail $1.02.

(2) The Pride of Jennico. By Agnes and Egerton Castle. 12mo. cloth. Price $1.08. By mail $1.23. (3) The Christian. By Hall Caine. 12mo. cloth. Price $1.08. By mail $1.23.

Victorien Sardou is at present engaged in writing a new play Robespierre, which he has promised to Sir Henry Irving.

Mark Twain is entering the ranks of playwrights. He is reported to be at work adapting three German plays, among them a new comedy by Blumenthal and Kadelburg, for the American stage.

The great French dramatist Molière, who like Shakespeare was an actor himself and whose real name was Poquelin, received as his share as author and leading player, for the premiére of his play L'Ecole des Femmes the royal sum of 75 francs. The second performance netted him 13 francs; for Le Prince Jaloux and L'Impromptu he received 60 francs each for the first performances and for Marianne and L'Ecole des Maris 19 francs each. What do our "poor" playwrights of to-day have to say to this?

George Bernard Shaw, the wellknown author of The Devil's Disciple, Arms and the Man and some other successful plays as well as of some unproducible plays, has withdrawn from the London Saturday Review. His place as dramatic critic on that paper has been filled by Max Beerbohm, brother of the famous actor Beerbohm Tree. Shaw's plays, by the