Chapter 110

20–17408

In his introduction to this story for children Charles Wharton Stork regrets that its author should be known for one of her books only, altho that one is the justly popular “Heidi.” In the present story, he thinks “we find a deeper treatment of character, combined with equal spirit and humor of a different kind.” It is the story of a happy-hearted little Swiss girl who is changed into a sullen, morose and unattractive child through the misunderstanding of two women in whose care her father leaves her. A woman of different type, the mother of a family of four, finds the secret of Cornelli’s unhappiness and brings back the old sunny disposition.

“There is a breath of the mountain freshness which suggests ‘Heidi.’ The translation of the children’s speeches into formal English gives them sometimes a rather stilted effect.”

SPYRI, FRAU JOHANNA (HEUSSER).Toni, the little wood-carver; tr. by Helen B. Dole. il *$1 (9c) Crowell

20–15071

From earliest childhood Toni had carved animals out of wood and his dearest ambition is to be a wood-carver. But the cost of instruction is beyond his mother’s means and he is sent up into the mountains to herd the farmer’s cows. Here, overcome by the loneliness, he breaks down and falls into a lethargy from which nothing arouses him. He is taken to a great sanitarium where he finally recovers and finds a good friend who provides the money for the desired training.

SQUIRE, JOHN COLLINGS (SOLOMON EAGLE, pseud.).Birds, and other poems. *$1.25 Doran 821

(Eng ed A20–244)

Birds, the first poem of this collection is based on the thought that the birds are older than man and that in the days of his infancy they built their nests in the self-same way and with the same perfection they do today. The other poems are: Processes of thought, Airship over suburb, Harlequin, Winter nightfall, Two songs, and A far place.

“‘The birds’ is an interesting poem full of felicitous things. But it seems somehow to lack intensity. The three poems called ‘Processes of thought’ are naturally more personal, more intimately felt; for they are a record of introspection. In these we seem to be getting nearer our ideal of what the lyric inspired by science or philosophy should be like.” A. L. H.

“His nature minutæ, his tenderness, his color are Wordsworthian, with a drama, a music, a diamond-cut-diamond quality, as well as a quality of the noblest oratory, that the old bard never knew.”

“The poem after which the collection takes its name has a common idea but one which Mr Squire expresses with uncommon vigor and suggestion. The advantage of Mr Squire over the average American poet of similar gifts is his ability to express sentiment without sentimentalizing the mood.” W: S. Braithwaite

“The difficulty with his poetry, for there is a difficulty—lies in the unfortunate fact, that despite the obvious care he lavishes upon it, it is too lax, too impersonal. Like everyone else who has something new to say, Mr Squire has discovered that a new idea depends on a new form of utterance being found to fit it. It is only a pity that he has so few new ideas, and that he is content instead with writing poems in which neither the idea—nor the utterance—is of the slightest importance.” J: G. Fletcher

“His head is clearer than his poetry is fine; he is sober, and he has a vein of reflection not wholly resembling other men’s, but the strength that he has displayed rather than implied, and his metaphors, of which he apparently is proud, are painfully overdeveloped.”

“The writing of verse is only one of Mr Squire’s innumerable activities, and yet he is a poet of no small talent. Unlike most of his brother Georgians, he is at his best when he is most metaphysical. At his best he is fantastically powerful; at his worst he is florid and bombastic. The present volume shows him more in the latter mood.”

“Mr Squire in his present volume has lost none of that quiet controlled distinction which was always his; but he seems to have got rid of the rather hard, metallic note which was noticeable in some of his former work. The most remarkable poem of the book is called ‘A far place.’ To us it seems one of the most original and absolutely successful and complete poems that Mr Squire has ever written.”

“This little book is not merely a joy in itself and additional to what is now a considerable body of work, but extremely rich in promise.”

SQUIRE, JOHN COLLINGS (SOLOMON EAGLE, pseud.).Books in general. (2nd ser.) *$2.50 (3½c) Knopf 824

20–16289

This is the second series of short essays, reviews and squibs on books and writers, collected from weekly contributions to the New Statesman. They are brilliant, witty and full of originality. Some of the topics are: The descendants of Shakespeare; Scientific management for Pegasus; The inferior poems of Keats; One’s favourite author defined; Shelley’s letters; The essay in America; The humours of hymnology; Dialect in literature; Verhaeren; On submitting manuscripts; Rupert Brooke in retrospect.

“Even more interesting than technical success, in this sort of thing, is the quality of mind we see at work. Mr Squire has an admirable sanity.” K. F. Gerould

“Mr Squire’s style is distinctly conversational. The fluent grace of such table-talk, however, neatly disposes of the adage that all men talk in prose.”

“Somehow the sense of leisure in ‘Books in general’ is not richly filled; the notations are too fluent, the writing lacks spring, and more often than not it lacks the effect of enjoyment. Scarcely one of his papers can be read without expectancy. But the promise is seldom fulfilled.” C. M. R.

“The comments on books, politics and things in general are thoughtful, amusing and suggestive, worth reading and thinking about.”

“They are informative, witty, often merely playful. Critical acumen is shown at times, but more often the evident purpose of the papers is to amuse.”

“Mr Squire mentions books and publications from this country only for the purpose of jeering at them; it is gently done, but still a jeer. ‘Books in general,’ however, includes such pleasing essays ... that most of us will forgive ‘Solomon Eagle’ for tweaking a feather or two of the American eagle’s tail.” E. L. Pearson

Reviewed by P. U. Kellogg

STARLING, ERNEST HENRY.Feeding of nations. *$1.90 (*5s) Longmans 338.1

20–666

“This small book of one hundred forty-five pages contains a vast store of information concerning the principles of human nutrition and the application of these principles to the problem of feeding the community in times of peace and war.” (N Y Evening Post) “Dr Starling was chairman of the Food committee of the Royal society which took up the study of the problem of feeding the nation before the government realized that there was a problem, and afterwards scientific adviser to the ministry of food.” (Survey)

“An extremely able and attractive presentation of a difficult subject.”

STEARNS, HAROLD EDMUND.Liberalism in America: its origin, its temporary collapse, its future. *$1.75 (2½c) Boni & Liveright 321.8

20–1878

“The core of liberal philosophy” writes the author, “is respect for the individual and his freedom of conscience and opinion.” To trace the foundations of this philosophy in America and to account for its complete break-down during the war is the main purpose of this book. The ten chapter titles are: What liberalism is; The English heritage and the American development; American liberalism to the eve of the war; The emotional breakdown before warhysteria; Timidity and the seductions of office or career; President Wilson, the technique of liberal failure; Political symbolism and the mob; Débâcle of pragmatism; Leadership; The future. A bibliography of two pages follows. The author was formerly associate editor of the Dial.

“His plea for tolerance is marked by intolerance, for good-nature with ungenerosity in weighing the motives of others, for nonpartisanship and detachment with evident animus and one-sided advocacy rather than fairness and breadth of vision. Hence the value of the work as a critique of American liberalism is very seriously impaired for the general reader and the serious student.” C. E. Merriam

“While one cannot altogether agree with the conclusions of the author of this extremely readable exposition of liberalism, the arguments are in most cases clear, and fairly presented.”

“But for all the flat contradictions with which the book seems to abound, it is interesting for the variety of subjects of current interest it touches notwithstanding the author does not seem to have completely assimilated these—as, indeed, who has? One thing that can be said about the book in general is that it is liberal.” W. A. M.

“Herein lies the fundamental weakness of the discussion. One gathers no clearly defined impression of what liberalism is or expects to do, and who are the liberals. Mr Stearns writes impassionately and with a refreshing verve that carries the reader headlong with him.”

“One inclines to a wish that the writer had brought to his task a little more sympathy, a little more humility, and a great deal more information, and the wish becomes very strong when one reaches his discussion of Mr Wilson. In a considered estimate by a liberal thinker one looks for a fair and balanced examination of causes and results. Mr Stearns simplifies the president’s problems so that any departmental clerk might have overcome them. He imputes low motives without the least apparent justification.” Jacob Zeitlin

“The book is of great value. Its analysis of American tendencies is more balanced and inclusive than any contemporary work upon the subject.” C. W.

Reviewed by W. J. Ghent

“It is no engaging picture of our American war mind that Mr Stearns paints, and twenty months ago it would have been hotly resented by the great majority of our people. That the average man of intelligence is likely to find himself mainly in agreement with it now (although he may hesitate to admit the fact, even to himself) is the best evidence that the picture is essentially true.” F: A. Ogg

“As a volume of broad discussions, enriched by much reflection on books and events, and by brilliant insight into motives, this book is a success. Yet as an ordered analysis of the basic problem of liberty the book fails, and its chief value will be lost unless it becomes the starting point of a much needed discussion.” G: Soule

STEBBING, EDWARD PERCY.Diary of a sportsman naturalist in India. il *$5 Lane 799

20–22627

This diary is published with a purpose. The author says: “The sporting anecdotes and material selected from my note-books, which form the greater part of the book, are designed to lead up to and emphasize the necessity which exists of affording an adequate protection to the game and other animals of India.” (Preface) The book is in two parts: Sport in the big game jungles of India; and Game protection and the provision of sanctuaries for the preservation of the Indian fauna. There are illustrations from photographs and sketches by the author and others.

“He describes his experiences fairly graphically, although, after a few pages, we have too much confidence in his shooting to be seriously alarmed for him.”

“There is a chapter on ‘Jungle lore,’ and several real tiger stories that outdo most of those common to fiction. All the photographs are very good, and the little pen and ink drawings, which are the productions of five different persons, while not equal to Mr Seton’s, carry their own individuality, and give new life to the already entertaining text.”

“A most interesting collection of reminiscences. His tiger stories are capital.”

“As a faithful account of conditions as they have been during the last quarter of a century, Mr Stebbing’s book is likely to have a definite and permanent value; and he knows well how to entertain as well as to instruct.”

STEELE, DAVID MCCONNELL.Papers and essays for churchmen; being a series of studies on topics made timely by current events. *$1.50 (2½c) Jacobs 204

20–1134

The only unity that the author claims for this collection of papers is that “they were all written to be read either to or by churchmen.” (Foreword) The author’s mental tenor is conservative and his thinking along the lines of his convictions is vigorous. He holds that the war has dispelled the mist of immoral emotionalism that had begun to envelop the churches, a form of this emotionalism being the literal interpretation of “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” He repudiates woman’s suffrage as wholly bad, hurls anathema against labor organisations and socialism and advises that the poor, as the “economically sick,” are properly the charges, not of the church, but of the state. The contents are: Effect of the war on religion; Wanted, an American Sunday; Woman suffrage and religion; Men’s clubs and the churches; The poor, with you always; The church and labor agitation; Socialism—Christian and pagan; Revelation—final or progressive; The Episcopal church; Change of name of the church; Proportionate representation.

STEELE, HARWOOD ELMES ROBERT.[2]Canadians in France, 1915–1918: with 8 sketch maps. il *$8 Dutton 940.371

(Eng ed 20–10382)

“A detailed history of the operations of the Canadian Army corps, consisting of four divisions and ‘corps troops.’ In writing this account Captain Steele is describing in the main events that occurred under his own observation in 1915 to the close of the war in 1918.”—R of Rs

“Captain Steele has the gift of clear, straightforward description; and there is little to be desired in the succinctness and clarity with which he etches in a number of Homeric incidents.”

“Captain Steele’s book is admirably written and full of vivid detail.”

STEINER, RUDOLF.Four mystery plays. 2v *$3 Putnam 832

20–6848

H. Collison, one of the translators of these plays, describes them as representing “the psychic development of man up to the moment when he is able to pierce the veil and see into the beyond.” (Introd.) They embody the author’s occult philosophy and form one continuous series. The characters are represented on their physical as well as on their spiritual plane and include many types—the occult leader, the seeress, the artist, scientist, philosopher, historian, mystic, and man of the world, also the forces of evil in Lucifer and Ahriman. Collaborators with the translator are S. M. K. Gandell and R. T. Gladstone. The plays are: The portal of initiation; The soul’s probation; The guardian of the threshold; The soul’s awakening.

“‘Four mystery plays’ will doubtless command the attention of the author’s disciples, but they are too formidable to win the interest of the average outsider. The blank verse translation is adequate, but hardly inspired.”

“The only advantage gained by the play form is, perhaps, a little simplicity in the treatment of very abstract subjects.”

STEPHENS, JAMES.[2]Irish fairy tales. il *$5 (6½) Macmillan

20–21207

The first of these ancient folk-tales tells of the subduing of Tuan mac Cairill, the powerful heathen, by Finnian, the Abbott of Moville. Finnian lays siege to Tuan’s stronghold by seating himself before its gates and fasting. Heathen etiquette forbade the attack of a defenceless man and heathen hospitality a man’s starving before the gates. So Finnian is admitted and at once proceeds to convert Tuan. Thereupon Tuan, the grandson of Noah, tells his story which dates back to the beginning of time in Ireland and is wonderful indeed. The other tales are: The boyhood of Fionn; The birth of Bran; Oisin’s mother; The wooing of Becfola; The little brawl at Allen; The Carl of the drab coat; The enchanted cave of Cesh Corran; Becuma of the white skin; Mongan’s frenzy. The full page illustrations in color and the chapter vignettes are by Arthur Rackham.

“This book is written by a man who has a touch a little beyond talent.” R. E. Roberts

“It is unfortunate that in the arrangement of his book he does not give greater heed to the various cycles in which nearly all Irish stories belong. But lack of unity is almost the only adverse criticism that can be brought against the book. Mr Stephens has re-told Irish legends in a volume that should take a permanent place in literature.” N. J. O’Conor

“James Stephens’ writing has the gift of everlasting youth. Arthur Rackham’s drawings have inherent magic. Wherefore the two are fortunately met in a new book, primarily for children, but also full of appeal to grown-ups with a sense of humor.”

“Though some of the stories as told by Mr Stephens appear to be more in the nature of historic legends rather than fairy tales, the collection provides good reading in which humour of a subtle kind abounds.”

“There is enough of the hard line of beauty in his work to make one rejoice in its amplitude.” F. H.

“Humor shines, here, riots in wild fancy, extravagance rides by the side of beauty.” Hildegarde Hawthorne

“Stephens has put a lot of himself into the telling of these tales; they are moulded by his story-telling instinct, given finish by his English and burnished by his humor.” D. W. Webster

“Children may enjoy it, but, like Arthur Rackham’s exquisite illustrations, it will be fully appreciated only by more sophisticated readers.” E. L. Pearson

“There is much good narrative, much humour, and, usually, unstrained simplicity in the book, but above all there are passages of enchanting beauty.”

STERRETT, FRANCES ROBERTA.Nancy goes to town. *$2 (5c) Appleton

20–18766

Nancy goes to town to take nurses’ training, telling all her friends in Mifflin that she intends to marry a rich patient. She meets two rich patients, one an old woman, the other an old man. The two are business rivals and they become rivals also for Nancy’s favor. One has a nephew, the other a grandson, both put forward as candidates for Nancy’s hand. So the rich husband is within her reach, but Nancy chooses, after some faltering, to marry Dr Rolf Jensen, the poor young doctor.

“The description of hospital life from the point of view of a lively girl, with quick wit and a keen sense of humor, is capital.”

STEVENS, WILLIAM OLIVER, and WESTCOTT, ALLAN FERGUSON.History of sea power. il *$6 Doran 359

20–18945

This volume covers the evolution and influence of sea power from the beginnings to the present time and treats naval history not from the point of view of a sequence of battles but as a vital force in the rise and fall of nations and in the evolution of civilization. It traces its beginnings from the Island of Crete in the Mediterranean long before the dawn of history to its present significance. The book is indexed, has a list of references at the end of each chapter and ninety-six maps, diagrams and illustrations. Contents: The beginnings of navies; Athens as a sea power; The sea power of Rome; The navies of the middle ages (two chapters); Opening the ocean routes; Sea power in the North; England and the Armada; Rise of English sea power (two chapters); Napoleonic wars (three chapters); Revolution in naval warfare; Rivalry for world power; The world war (three chapters); Conclusion.

“Though surprisingly condensed, an informative and authoritative work.”

“It is a more objective and less theoretical study [than Mahan’s ‘Influence of sea power on history,’] with more interest for the general reader; in addition to which it is a convenient reference book.”

STEVENSON, GEORGE.Benjy. *$1.75 (*7s) (2c) Lane

20–5234

The book recounts the fortunes of the Ainsworth family from the time when young Dr Ainsworth drives his bride Priscilla home in the gig, to the coming of the children—up to the number of thirteen—with its resultant poverty; and the varied careers and fortunes of all these in turn. Benjy, the youngest, his mother’s favorite, follows his father into the medical profession. Outwardly his life is drab, all its important happenings being of the nature of disappointments. The more brilliantly endowed brother, Basil, wins and weds Benjy’s own beloved Clara who dies in childbirth through Basil’s light-hearted want of foresight. When Uncle Benjy adopts little Clara to save her from a bad step-mother, death robs him of her also. Then comes the war and offers him a welcome escape from himself.

“It is only when the children grow older and come into touch with the world that Mr Stevenson fails lamentably. The quaint, old-fashioned children are replaced by plain, strange young men and women, and the author in his effort to convince us of Benjy’s purity of heart pours over him such a great pale flood of sentimentality that he is drowned before our eyes.” K. M.

Reviewed by R. M. Underhill

“An almost masterly understanding of human (and English) limitations pervades the story. It is told always with a sure judgment and reticence.”

“A calm tale; interesting incident and fairly interesting characters, but no particular point.”

“Such is the charm of Mr Stevenson’s insouciant style that we lose consciousness of the fact that we are listening to an ‘author.’ The author’s powers of characterization are, in fact, responsible for a minor fault in ‘Benjy’—the diffusing of interest in too many characters.”

“It is well conceived and full of appreciation of individual character.”

“Though the reader may become rather bewildered in trying to follow each particular thread, the book is illuminated with many of the author’s quiet touches of humour and is written with his usual distinction of style.”

STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS BALFOUR.Learning to write; ed. by J: W: Rogers, jr. *$1.35 Scribner 808

20–6692

“This book is a compilation of everything R. L. S. has said on writing, both in his essays on literary art and in the casual observations made in his letters.”—Booklist

“You cannot learn much about electricity by watching the lightning in the thunder cloud. Even if Stevenson did teach himself to write as he says he did, which is nothing more than an improbable hypothesis, reading his extremely characteristic and technically complex descriptions of his methods will not help a single youngster out of the toils and troubles of the early days of his probation.” W: McFee

“It is to be feared that Stevenson’s confidences in regard to his own literary processes have done all too much to foster hope in the bosom of ‘would-be’ authors.... One is inclined to take it with several grains of salt.” R: Le Gallienne

“Likely to prove a gold mine of interesting information not only to aspiring writers, but to people who are interested in books as well.”

STEWART, BASIL.Japanese color prints and the subjects they illustrate. il *$20 Dodd 761

“Mr Stewart knows just what collectors of Japanese prints want and do not want. But they want a handbook of 300–odd pages, with reproductions of signatures, lists of important sets, chronological tables, brief biographical information; of handy format and popular style. And such is the book before us. There are a glossary, a chapter on ‘Forgeries and imitations,’ another on ‘Actor prints’ in general, and an excursus on the ‘Forty-seven rōnins’ in history and on the stage.”—The Times [London] Lit Sup

“It is no serious condemnation to say that ‘Japanese colour prints’ is not the book on Japanese colour prints for which we are all looking.”

“The ground covered is so vast that the treatment in certain cases inevitably seems somewhat cursory. One or two inaccuracies may be noted.”

STEWART, WENTWORTH.Making of a nation. $1.50 (3c) Stratford co. 325.7

20–3491

In this discussion of Americanism and Americanization the author holds that we cannot make American citizens of aliens by formal educational programs, that we must take into consideration the psychology of Americanization and treat Americanism as a thing of the spirit rather than of naturalization papers. Certain undesirable features in our alien population—such as foreign language newspapers, religious worship in a foreign tongue—should be treated by a process of elimination rather than coercion, while “all anarchistic agitators,” and unamerican labor agitators should be summarily dealt with. As one of the educational factors for Americanization a modified form of the open forum is recommended. Contents: The nation’s awakening; The nation’s task of unification; Eliminating the handicaps to Americanism; Constructive government and nation building; Providing conditions for Americanism—or the application of constructive government; The neighborhood and the nation; International sentiment and nationalism.

STILL, JOHN.Poems in captivity. *$2 Lane 821

20–5612

The author discovered the poet in himself during his three years of captivity in Turkey, “where each one of us was driven to seek inside himself some alleviation of the daily dullness, many of us there found things we had not suspected to exist.... I found these verses, all of which were written there, and their discovery made more happy many of the eleven hundred and seventy-nine days I spent as a prisoner of war.” (Foreword) The poems are in five groups: Prison verses; Woodcraft and forest lore; Tales from the Mahawansa; Various songs and sketches. The frontispiece is a facsimile of a part of the ms. which was concealed in a hollow walking-stick, and some explanatory notes are appended.

“Mr Still’s work is undeniably interesting, and his chosen vehicle seems to be the right one.”

“He writes fluently and the Ceylonese legends that he relates are interesting in themselves, but his medium hardly ever touches the authentic heights of poetry.”

“The merit of Mr Still’s work is that it gives aptly and agreeably a full, warm picture of scenes picturesque and historic.”

STOCKBRIDGE, MRS BERTHA EDSON (LAY).What to drink; the blue book of beverages. il *$1.50 Appleton 641.8

20–2272

In these days of prohibition this book solves the hostess’ problem of what to serve to drink. All she needs is a stock of syrups, shrubs and vinegars, says the author. “If, however, she is inclined to think it an arduous task, let her turn to these recipes, and she will be convinced that the labor and the time expended bring their own reward in ... a delicious drink delightfully made.” (Foreword) The contents present an exhaustive array of recipes for fruitades and punches and drinks hot and cold—non-alcoholic cocktails, syrups, grape juice, root beer and cider, hot drinks such as coffee, chocolate, etc., drinks for invalids and children, sundaes and sauces, ice-creams, sherbets, etc. There is an index.

STOCKBRIDGE, FRANK PARKER.Yankee ingenuity in the war. il *$2.50 Harper 623

20–8261

It was as a reaction of the author’s patriotic pride to the slanderous disparagements of America’s participation in the war that the book was written and for that reason it is limited to the consideration of distinctly American enterprise. It has, however, not been written for the scientist or the technologist, but for the average American, neither skilled nor interested in technical details. A partial list of the contents is: The mobilization of science and industry; The Liberty motor; American military airplanes; The chemical conquest of the air; Potash, sulphuric acid, and dyestuffs; Poison gas; Some extraordinary ship-building feats; Some Yankee tricks in undersea warfare; The wonders of war wireless; Medical and surgical achievements. The book is profusely illustrated from official photographs.

“Interesting and informative.”

STOCKLEY, CYNTHIA.Pink gods and blue demons. *$1.50 (9c) Doran

20–10303

A story of South Africa. The pink gods and blue demons are the lightning flashes of temptation from the facets of diamonds. Loree Temple, a young and much indulged wife, falls under their spell. Her husband has gone north on business leaving her alone in Kimberley. She falls under the spell of the diamonds and so into the power of the man who can give them to her. She is extricated through the loyalty and generosity of another woman, and, her lesson learned, goes to join her husband.

“The tale is interesting and moves swiftly forward to a sufficiently dramatic climax.”

“The story holds one’s attention closely.”

STOCKTON, JAMES LEROY.Project work in education. *$1.20 (3c) Houghton 371.3

20–14397

The book is one of the “Riverside educational monographs” edited by Henry Suzzallo. Its object is to show what can be done to replace the traditional teaching by isolated subjects by a more vital method built on a practical psychological basis. The project method in brief implies “learning to do by doing,” or “self-education through activities,” and is the result of the working-out of the most fundamental of modern educational principles. The book falls into two parts, considering project work both as a method and as a subject. Part I contains: The evolution of the principles underlying the project method; The transfer of the principles to America; Modern American principles of education; The project method in the modern public school; Project work in trade education. Part II contains: The evolution of the project subject; The broader conception of the content of the project subject; The necessity of more direct teaching of the project subject; Summary; Outline.

STODDARD, THEODORE LOTHROP.Rising tide of color against white world-supremacy; with an introd. by Madison Grant. *$3 Scribner 327

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