his life, and he had vast knowledge on this subject. Early periods of American history with all their conflicts were to him as interesting as the World War of the twentieth century would be to the writer of to-day.

"The Discovery of America" is his best book. He began it with the fables of a Western Continent, leading thence to the discovery of Columbus.

His "Beginnings of New England" is most artistic in workmanship; it contains a real portrait gallery of the founders. His style is vivid and perspective good.

John Fiske was also a profound but noted university lecturer.

Woodrow Wilson (1856- ). Coloney Harvey, in 1911, described Woodrow Wilson as "a highly Americanized Scotch-Irishman, descended from Ohio, born in Virginia, developed in Maryland, married in Georgia, and now delivering from bondage that old Democratic commonwealth, the State of New Jersey."

Son of a Southern gentleman, one of his earliest impressions as a boy, was hearing on the street the shouting that Abraham Lincoln had been elected and that there would be war. As a youth he had a passion for the study of history and politics. He went through Princeton College and later was its renowned president-then Governor of New Jersey -and for two terms President of the United States.

But it is as a writer-not a statesman-that he is named here. His state papers, diplomatic messages and proclamations, have been noted for their clear, forceful, and flexible style, always maintaining the traditions of the best English culture.

He has had a habit of jotting down anywhere a note or two in shorthand, from time to time, and then with the inspiration seized him, of seating himself at his typewriter and shaping his thoughts, sentence by sentence.

Among Mr. Wilson's books are "The Theory and Practice of Government"; "Division and Reunion"; and greatest of all, his five-volume "History of the American People." Loving Democracy, he holds up fine ideals. It is a typical history for a true American to read.

CHAPTER XXXIV

NOVELISTS

In this hurrying age the novel and short story are leading forms of literature, and publishers are constantly alert for good plots. The names of novelists are legion, each one striving to interpret life in some form. A few write the sort of thing that the world but little notes or long remembers. Others make clear and direct appeal to the reader's sentiment. We select illustrations from among novelists most honoured.

Henry James (1843-1916) may easily be called "The Father of the Modern American Novel," because of his original methods of thought. He was born in New York City and educated abroad and lived in England most of his life.

He wrote many novels, short stories, and essays. They are full of minute analysis, in which, with much imagination and grace of style, are contrasted the characteristics of people in the Old and the New World. He was truly an "Apostle of Realism," and his novels are international.

He had very distinct individuality and wrote with such psychological instinct that his works do not generally appeal to the young; but we add his name

because he is so distinguished and has impressed so many thinkers in both England and America.

Among his best known books are "The American"; "The Lesson of the Master"; "The Madonna of the Future"; and "The Wings of the Dove." Mrs. Atherton-Gertrude Franklin Horn(1857-) is the g. g. niece of Benjamin Franklin, and a native of California. She is an extensive traveller and has had a broad and fearless outlook upon life. She writes with firm grasp upon her subject and independently of literary rules.

Her novels and short stories, with California for a background, relating to its early history, are valuable as records, especially the attractive volume, "The Splendid Idle Forties," describing picturesquely the vanishing life of the "Golden States," while in another-quite as realistic-is depicted the earthquake tragedy of a later day.

Mrs. Atherton emphasises her political views in "Senator North,' in which a whole scheme of national problems in Washington is ably discussed.

Her most lasting monument, however, must be "The Conqueror." In this, with strength and passion and illuminating glimpses of his contemporaries, is narrated the life of Alexander Hamilton.

More recently, Mrs. Atherton has spent much time abroad, and one of her contributions to War literature is "A Book of Essays" dedicated to "Eternal France."

Alice Brown (1857- ) is a favourite New England writer of novels, short stories, and plays. As a child she lived on a New Hampshire farm, and after graduating at Exeter Academy she taught, and while teaching studied her pupils, and later some of them became her story people.

After one of her trips abroad she wrote a book entitled "English Impressions"; and in connection with another trip, in collaboration with a friend, she published a booklet on Robert Louis Stevenson.

She possesses rare knowledge of the characteristics of New England women and the customs of the country and has remarkable mastery of dialogue. These she embodies skilfully and realistically in her plots, which, in later years, seem to show the influence of Henry James.

Among her attractive novels and convincing short stories are "The Prisoner"; "The Story of Thyrza"; "Tiverton Tales"; "Meadow Grass"; and "Vanishing Points."

Besides prose works she has with poetic vision traced "The Road to Castaly," fountain of the gods, and this has received nation-wide attention; and when sixteen hundred and forty-six plays were submitted anonymously for a prize, Miss Brown gained it-and ten thousand dollars it was for her "Children of the Earth." Her home is now in Boston.

Mrs. Deland-Margaret Campbell (1857- )