Book Notes

HERMITISLAND. By Katherlne Lee Bates. Prioe 1.25. D. Lothrop Company, Boston. A little girl, Doctor Faustus, presiding at a midnight holocaust of all the good things associiited with her former life.and solemnly dedicatlng herself to the Powers of E vil, is a bold and somewhat novel figure for a story. Loying delicacy of touch, however, and an unerring Instinct for literary and moral proportion render what might have been revolting In less skillful hands gcnuinely healthful and powerfully dramatic. For this weird incident, be It understood, marks the crisis in a desperate child struggle between selflshness and unselflskness. It serves a very real end of lts own, and at the same time renders all the brighter the bright partsof an enchanting narrative of life upon a desert island oír the coast of Maine. Where characterizatlon has so large a part to play and plays it withal so wel!, it would be easy for the author to err by depending for succesaon that alone. Miss Bates kiiou-8 better tliau to run any such hazard. She spices her work with fun and excitement and danger and casualty enough to clniin the interest ol any boy or girl. The story was intended for young peoiile ; but older readers will rqually enjoy It and find in it much food lor refiection. Parent8and teachers eRpecially will discern helpsand suggestions In the novel methods of the "Go-As-You-Pleaee" Academy, though lts teacher U a little unpractical and somewhat over liberal of holidays.