the electron apparent. But he has mastered this and the even greater difficulty of explaining them so clearly that such people as we, who are possessed of a stubbornly non-scientific mind, can understand them.

Many followers of sport take the writings of Lawrence Perry as their Bible. It was back in 1919 when he Pugilists in predicted a Harvard victory Society that we in an iconoclastic mood took especial delight in calling attention after the game to the fact that he had just published a book entitled "The Romantic Liar." We suggested that it should be changed to "The Crimson Tide." As we look at it in impartial retrospect we realize that he was not alone in his predictions, and that in fact he really did the college a service. It is only when Grantland Rice predicts victory for our alma mater in the big games that she is certain to lose. Mr. Perry is now sports writer for the Consolidated Press Association. His novel presentation of fights and fighters in this issue is a striking commentary on the changed status of the sport.

It was not until after Edward Bok had paid his visit to the Fifth Avenue Section to which we made passing refMr. Bok erence above that we learned Pays Us a Visit that his contribution, "The President," was to appear in the magazine. However, we don't recommend that as a way to break into the

contributor's class in this magazine, for we have a notion that Mr. Bok spent considerably more than he received for the article. Mr. Bok's contribution happens to have the merit. If there is a person who needs no introduction to the American public it is he, but it is a little-known fact that he was once connected with SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE. He came to Scribners in 1884. Shortly after the new Magazine was started, in 1887, he was placed in charge of the advertising department. An interesting account of his relations with the house is contained in "The Americanization of Edward Bok."

The following about two of our honored contributors is priceless: The subscription book depart- The ment sent over a request for Professors information which ran like Wax Slangy this:

One of our customers, who is greatly interested in our Memorial Edition of George Meredith,

writes:

"Was it William L. Phelps or Brander Matthews who said the eighteen months given by him to study of Meredith's works was the most profitable eighteen months of literary work he had ever spent?"

Will you kindly advise us on this point? And it came back endorsed by these learned gentry as follows:

'Taint me!

W. L. P.

Not on your life.

B. M.

We should say that settled it.

An increasing number of requests from clubs and societies engaged in the study of American life, culture, and literature has led us to devote this space to suggestions for topics of discussion for women's clubs, church forums and societies, current events classes, and other organizations.

We are always glad to answer any questions concerning articles in the Magazine and their adaptability for club study. and to give readers other sources where they can find the information they are seeking, and to be of assistance in any way we can.

SUGGESTED SUBJECTS

1. Joseph Conrad. The reminiscences of John Galsworthy in this number are indispensable for any paper on this great writer.

2. Politics. Senator Borah's "The Repub

4. The Advantage of Community Trust Funds. Dr. Henry S. Pritchett's "A Tale of Two Cities" (November), Walter Greenough's "The Dead Hand Harnessed" (December, 1923). 5. Current Literature. William Lyon Phelps's "As I Like It" every month, Edith Wharton's "The Writing of Fiction" (Christmas number).

6. Modern Music and Musicians. William J. Henderson's "The Emancipation of Music" (Christmas number).

7. Painting and the Allied Arts. Royal Cortissoz's "The Field of Art" every month.

Έ

in these columns that we feared not old age because there were so many books to read. Perhaps some day soon an octogenarian will dodder into the observatory and remind us that we aren't exactly bothered by the problem of where to stow our whiskers just yet. Well, these may be brash theorizings, but what we actually meant, we have decided, is that there is something in what Stevenson said about the world being so full of a number of things.

Of course, the phrase "happy as kings" has a deal of ironical significance in this democratic era, and we doubt if royalty ever had such a hilarious time of it. Still, it isn't happiness necessarily that is our object; it is the pursuit of it-thereby justifying the fathers of the Constitution. As long as life remains a pursuit there is nothing to fear. And when we become entangled in our whiskers we shall cease bodily activity and pursue happiness in a comfortable chair under a kindly lamp and in company with a faithful pipe.

The danger lies in catching up with our object and finding it not worth the quest. And we are inclined to wonThe Danger der if Messrs. Duke and EastLies in Winning man haven't done just that. Of course, we never expect to overtake that much money, so we shall never know.

To-night we have been in quest of adventure and our base has been the aforementioned chair and our supply a tin bearing the picture of a gallant hunter spearing a blue boar. And we have sat before the cathedral of Chartres with Sherwood Anderson and heard him murmur: "Always wood for carvers to carve, always little flashing things to stir the souls of painters, always the tangle of

over, dream over."

And we have conversed with the shade of Joseph Conrad and heard him express again that attitude toward Adventuring life which always remains in with a Pipe our memory: "The sight of human affairs deserves admiration and pity. They are worthy of respect, too. And he is not insensible who pays them the undemonstrative tribute of a sigh which is not a sob, and of a smile which is not a grin."

The contrasts of life, the commingling of the admirable and the pitiable, and the thoughts evoked by the spectacle, make life a continual adventure no matter where we happen to be. We find beauty and courage in many strange places, and the memory retains from all the chance impressions a few which gather meaning and significance as the years pass.

He Walks

with Rulers

And we have such a spectacle before us now. We cannot imagine that John Hays Hammond, for instance, is ever bored. The well-groomed man who walked briskly into the office the other day, whom we see on the next page in company with the former Premier of England, is the same who was in the midst of the bloody Cour d'Alene strike, who knew the remarkable Siringo of whom he tells an amazing tale in this first part of "Strong Men of the Wild West," and he it was who after the Jameson raid (with which he was not in sympathy) was condemned to death in South Africa and obtained release only after the payment of a fine of $125,000. He is the same and yet different. These events which he describes have become a part of his life. They affect his outlook upon the world and, as he presents them here, we, too, feel their vicarious influence.

An

Discovers

In a radically different way, and yet manifesting the same willingness to depart from the beaten path, Stanisław Gutowski came to Immigrant America. His adventures, America too, he records. Both are vital parts of American life. This mining engineer who was the adviser of Cecil Rhodes in Africa and walks with premiers, and this lad who, finding America at her worst, nevertheless became a captain in the United States army and did work of inestimable value during the late war, and is now studying for admission to the bar, are citizens of the same land. Now, answer in ten words, what is America?

Then go on to Stella Ruddock's story of an entirely different phase of the American scene, a picture of its floating population, in more than one sense, and see if your definition holds.

One might wish that our floweryphrased orators could have experiences such as these. Or even that they might read of them. For, as we have said, one may encounter adventures in reading as well as in doing.

Where Heroes are

We add to the list, also, Albert Guérard's scintillating dissertation on the French presidency. For he asks us, as a sister democUseless racy, whether the French method of seeking a comfortable president rather than a picturesque one may not be better. There is much to be said for a government that lets one alone, particularly in these United States which are in danger of becoming so united as to achieve uniformity. Doctor Guérard is not much of a hero-worshipper, and not so long ago he was noted sniping at Elie Faure's Napoleon in Books, Doctor Sherman's territory of the Herald Tribune. He does not see in the little giant the lyric artist that M. Faure does. Politics and war seem to him not the place for giants. The motto "Live Dangerously" will not work in railroad schedules or practical politics, says he.

But, if Doctor Guérard is an adherent of things as they are, and the policy of smiling at them, we have a real revolutionist in our midst. This violent person is a member of that very staid faculty

which instructs the flower of our youth at New Haven, and the revolution he proposes is a biological one. Ellsworth Huntington hopes that A Chance some time in the not too dis- for an Enterprising tant future nations will take Emperor a hand in their own biological development rather than leave it to chance. Doctor Huntington has been awarded a number of medals and is termed by one reviewer as "the most conspicuous authority on the influence of climate upon civilization." In this number Doctor Huntington discusses the future of Russia in view of the practical destruction of the intellectual class. And it is a record of a disillusioning as to the all-healing might of democracy. If any one wants to try the stunt that Aaron Burr and the Emperor Jones weren't so good at, there is a fertile field among the Moujiks.