The republication of W. S. Mayo's "Kaloolah" (Putnams) in a handsome illustrated edition has no doubt been prompted by the success of "Allan Quatermain," which in the general outlines of its plot bears a strong likeness to the earlier book. "Kaloolah" is, on the whole, better than "Allan Quatermain,"—more plausible, more direct and manly and simple,—but both are ephemeral, and "Kaloolah" is now a little antiquated, while "Allan Quatermain" has the advantage of being in the latest fashion. The illustrations which Mr. Frederick has added to this edition are in the main very good, and they serve to stimulate the curiosity of the prospective purchaser.
Sir John Lubbock, in the preface to his little book on "The Pleasures of Life" (Appleton), tells us that the thoughts and quotations which he has gathered here have been a solace to himself when suffering under low spirits, and he trusts they may prove of similar use to others. It is to be feared he is mistaken. The most that can be said for the book is that it is no perceptible addition to the sum of human misery. Like a homœopathic remedy, it is so diluted as to be utterly harmless. Perhaps one exception might be made,—the chapter on "The Choice of Books," which started the controversy on the hundred best books that for a time added a new horror to life.
"Underwoods" (Scribners) is the second volume of verse which Robert Louis Stevenson has issued. So consummate a literary artist could not fail to give us liquid numbers, delicate fancy, dainty epithets, clever rhymes, and brilliant thoughts. All these excellent things, in fact, are to be found in "Underwood," yet somehow, somewhere,—how, you could not explain, where, you could not indicate,—these verses lack the authentic sign-manual of the poet.
Paul Heyse writes the most delightful short stories of any European author now living, but his hand loses most of its cunning when he attempts a novel. "The Romance of a Canoness" (Appletons) is a fairly good novel of the cumbrous German order, but is entirely unworthy of the author of "L'Arrabbiata," "The Maiden of Treppi," and so many other exquisite little tales.
A really excellent book of its sort is "The American Girl's Handy Book: How to Amuse Yourself and Others," by Lena Beard and Adelia B. Board (Scribners). The title sufficiently explains its purpose. Many books of a similar kind have already appeared, suggesting ways and means by which the average girl might spend her leisure hours in a way that would be pleasant, instructive, or otherwise profitable to herself or others, but this is far superior to the ordinary catchpenny publication, and can be placed with safety in the hands of the little people for whom it is designed.
A very entertaining book is the "Life Notes, or Fifty Years' Outlook," by William Hague, D.D., entertaining in spite of the ponderous style natural in a theologian of the old school. A pathetic interest attaches to the volume from the fact that Dr. Hague died just after reading the final page of proof (July 1887), in the eightieth year of his age. in the course of his long, useful, and honorable career he was thrown into personal contact with many important characters,—Aaron Burr, who was his schoolmate, Dr. Lyman Beecher, William
