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Scattered through the book are fragmentary verses that are gems in the way of style and thought. The following, entitled "On San Francisco Bay," is one of them:

Poems

By Will Skaling.

Merchants' Printing Co., Seattle.

This collection of short poems em- braces a wide range of subjects and in many instances are marked by a true poetic instinct and grace. The author seems at his best in his descriptive verse of Puget Sound and mountain scenery, and in inscriptions to friends and acquaintances. Some of his work is marred by a despairing, irreverent tone, and his yearnings for happiness will probably be fruitless until he takes a sane view of life and a more respectful attitude toward the universe and the Creator.

There is an evidence of talent in his work, and when he can write with self- forgetfulness and realize that the "King- dom of God is within him" we look for some very meritous productions from his pen.

A Pair of Knaves and a Few Trumps By M. Douglas Flattery.

The Abbey Press, N. Y.

This is one of the class of books which should be labeled "positively bad." In the beginning, .one is not favorably im- pressed with the title, and before the end of the first chapter the tone of the work is unpleasantly indicated. It is coarse, unnecessarily so, and a generation ago would have been eagerly caught up by

the publishers of that class of Hterature called "yellow backed." The book is a delight as to binding and paper, but why the publishers will print a book of this kind when there is so much good material going begging, is a question that can only be answered by themselves. Literary Notes.

Dr. and Mrs. Eastman are now living in South Dakota. Dr. Eastman, who has been appointed Government Ph3/s- ician for the Sioux Indians, is himself a Sioux, and his wife is the talented writer of prose and verse, Elaine Goodale. She was the first supervisor of schools in the Dakotas. This interesting couple, for whom all manner of troubles were pre- dicted at the time of their marriage, seem to be very happily mated. They have two handsome children, Virginia, and her baby brother of three years whose Indian name is Ohyssa. Dr. and Mrs. Eastman have recently been at Carlisle.

Madge Morris, whose Easter poem, written for the Call, of San Francisco, is reprinted in the current niimber of the Pacific Monthly, is a most interesting woman as well as a clever writer. In this "Peace Conference," she gives evi- dence of unsuspected strength, hitherto her poems have been remarkable for beauty and grace and richness of color, rather than for the rugged virility which characterizes this, her latest production.

It is said that Miss Braddon's new novel, "The Infidel," is on more ambi- tious lines than her former works, the scenes of which belong to the time of George II. Since the days of Haggard. Kipling, Hope and Zangwill, Miss Braddon has lost much of her former popularity, but with her ingenuity of plot and natural gift of story-telling, it- is predicted that she will in new lines be successful.

Messrs. Calderwood and Aefifron. of Minneapolis, have issued a convenient pocket manual of "Politics and Finance" which they term "Pan-Partisan" or rath- er non-partisan. It is brimfull of useful statistics covering every line of trade, development, finance, population, etc.. and should be in every voter's pocket to refute wild and reckless statements, if for nothing more. It is entirely free from advertising matter, and is sold for the low price of 15 cents.