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Kansas University Weekly.
Library Notes.
There are so many delightful new books in the Library that it is difficult to know which to mention first. Those in American literature are perhaps of greatest general interest. Among the recent acquisitions in this department are the following:
The Story of a Bad Boy, by Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
Five volumes in the new Mohawk edition of James Fenimore Cooper, comprising the "Leather Stocking Tales." They are The Deerslayer, Last of the Mohicans, The Pathfinder, The Pioneers and The Prairie.
Three little volumes of essays by Miss Agnes Repplier, entitled Points of View, Books and Men, and Essays in Miniature. Magazine readers are familiar with this author's bright style and comfortable philosophy of life. Two collections of her essays, In the Dozy Hours and Essays in Idleness, are already in the Library.
In the American Men. of Letters Series, Benjamin Franklin as a Man of Letters, by John Bach McMaster, William Cullen Bryant, by John Bigelow, George William Curtis, by Edward Cary, and Margaret Fuller Ossoli, by Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Also another life of Margaret Fuller by Julia Ward Howe in the Famous Women series.
Two volumes which a subtitle tells us are "the chronicles of a stroller in New England from January to June." These are Land of the Lingering Snow, and At the North of Bearcamp Water, by Frank Bolles, late Secretary of Harvard College. This author had the knowledge of the naturalist and the skill of the man of letters, and the result is some very charming out-door sketches. Before his death he was described by some one as a "promising successor of Thoreau." His From Blomidon to Smoky was received last year.
The new Life and Letters of Holmes, by John T. Morse, Jr., 2 vols. This is a carefully prepared and valuable biography. It is embellished by many pictures of Dr. Holmes, by pictures of members of the Saturday Club, and by a fac-simile of copy for the "Last Leaf." It will no doubt be of great benefit to the student in gaining a better knowledge of the "genial Autocrat."
Three books by William Winter, dramatic reviewer for the New York Tribune. These are Brown Heath and Blue Bells, being Sketches of Scotland With Other Papers and a life each of our greatest tragedian and our most representative comedian—Life and Art of Edwin Booth, and Life and Art of Joseph Jefferson, together with some Account of his Ancestry and the Jefferson Family of Actors. An intimate personal acquaintance with the men, a keen critical ability, and a fine prose style, has enabled Mr. Winter to give us excellent biographies of these two great actors.
A complete set of Eugene Field's works in ten volumes. This will rejoice the hearts of many students who have heretofore called in vain for anything by this popular author. This is the beautiful Sabine edition published by Charles Scribner's Sons and printed by the De Vinne press. There is a memoir of the author by his brother, Roswell M. Field, and introductions by R. H. Stoddard, Edward Everett Hale, Francis Wilson, J. Whitcomb Riley and others. Broad margins, deckled edges, and frontispiece iliustrations in photogravure, add to the beauty of the books. The taste of the "bibliomaniac" would have been gratified by so charming a setting of his works.
School of Fine Arts
Prof. Farrell has returned from a most successful season of study in Florence, Italy and London. There is in Florence, the greatest living Italian vocal teacher, Signor Francesco Cortesi, and it was Mr. Farrell's good fortune to receive daily lessons from this great maestro, who became so enthusiastic over the rapid progress of Mr. Farrell, that he insisted upon the latter staying in Florence and making himself famous. After leaving Florence, Mr. Farrell went to London where he studied "Oratorio," with two of the best English teachers. Mr. Francis Walker, the baritone, who accompanied him to Italy, is also, a pupil of Signor Cortesi, and will give one of his delightful recitals at Music Hall in the near future. Mr. Walker's sister was one of the party. Miss Berdina Crandall of Topeka, is also studying voice under Cortesi. Her voice showed remakable development this summer.
We take pleasure in announcing that Prof. Farrell will sing at the students' recital, Wednesday Oct. 7, at Music Hall, at 4:30 o'clock. All students are invited.
Profs. Preyer and Farrell will make a concert tour during the holidays, visiting only the largest cities of Kansas. This will give Kansas an opportunity to hear and appreciate the extraordinary advantages of the School of Music.