truly expressed the great middle class, he belongs in that best class of English statesmen who neither have attempted Quixotic schemes nor have grovelled in opportunism, but have led the best sentiment of the best portion of their countrymen to an embodiment in wise legislation. This latest sketch of his life sets him before us most favorably as a man and as a politician, and is itself a work of literary merit and of critical value. 99 99 THE fashion set in bookmaking by the illustrated editions of Daudet's "Tartarin seems to have found favor-as well it might-among readers ; as the past three or four years have witnessed the appearance of quite a number of volumes in France, England, and America, adorned with delicate "process engravings of the sort which add so much to the pleasure of the readers of Daudet's Provençal epic. We have now, for example, Mr. F. Hopkinson Smith's story of the adventures of "A White Umbrella in Mexico" (Houghton), in which the illustrations are by the writer himself, although his being a painter by profession does not prevent him from being a very graceful writer as well. We hardly know which to admire the more, the drawings or the text, in this exceptionally attractive volume. The latter is certainly of much interest on its own account, but the drawings enhance that interest in a marked degree. The book comes to a climax which may fairly be called exciting, in its account of the author-artist's pilgrimage to the Titian of Tzintzuntzan-for there is, in this little Indian village with the big name, a great painting which tradition claims to be a Titian, and which, in any event, is a masterpiece. Mr. Smith is one of the most delightful of travelling companions, and, unlike most writers about Mexico, is not constantly forcing upon us useful but uninteresting facts about politics, and education, and the extension of railway enterprise. His theory is that a country may be better known by means of the eye than the ear, and his practice is in strict accordance with his theory. ANOTHER book, similar in plan but inferior in execution to Mr. Smith's, is Guy de Maupassant's "Sur l'Eau," translated by Laura Ensor, and published under the title of "Afloat" (Routledge). The illustrations, by "Rion," are tasteful, and reproduced with a fair degree of delicacy; but the translation is a slovenly piece of work, and even typographical errors are not wanting. The trouble with this book is that it does not readily lend itself to illustration; for, instead of being the account of a Mediterranean yachting excursion that it pretends to be, it is mainly occupied with the sentimental and rather morbid reflections of the writer upon society, life, death, and the general worthlessness of human existence. The artist is thus hard put to it for subjects and sometimes has recourse to desperate devices. THE excellent 66 Universal Library," edited by Mr. Henry Morley, now complete in sixty-three volumes, is to be followed by "The Carisbrooke Library," also edited by Mr. Morley, which will consist, like its predecessor, of reprints of standard literature. In The Carisbrooke Library" the volumes will be larger-each will contain about four hundred and fifty pages.-the increased size allowing of the presentation, in clear type, of works for which the volumes of the former series did not afford sufficient room. The first number in the new series presents a selection, liberally annotated, from the writings of Jonathan Swift, supplemented by the first seven letters to Stella. The book is divided into two periods, the first from 1667 to 1713, the second from 1713 to 1745, each period suitably introduced by the editor, who relates the leading events in Swift's checkered career, interspersing his narrative with helpful comment and criticism. In view of the moderate price of this preliminary volume, its make-up is exceedingly good; and its modest excellence will doubtless ensure the attention of judicious book-buyers to its successors. The efforts of the publishers (Routledge & Co.), as well as of the indefatigable Mr. Morley, to render generally accessible "the best that has been thought and written in the world," cannot be too highly commended. THE success of Mr. W. P. Frith's " Autobiography and Reminiscences" (Harper), published last year, was very marked, and seems to have quite taken the writer's breath away. One result of this success, and certainly a pleasing one, has been the preparation of a second volume, which quite sustains the interest of the first. The distinguished painter who here figures as author seems to have an inexhaustible fund of interesting anecdote to draw upon, as well as a pleasant manner of relating his many amusing experiences. The present volume has no apparent arrangement, the writer seeming to have put down whatever came into his head, and to have stopped only when the requisite amount of "copy" was prepared. He tells us new stories of such old friends as Landseer, Dickens, Cruikshank, Leech, and Shirley Brooks, gives us further illustrations of popular ignorance in art matters, illustrates anew the ways of the model, and provides fresh evidence of his own amiable self-appreciation. He is as artless, in a high sense, in his books as in his pictures; but he is certainly interesting both in the one and in the other. "HOME Gymnastics for the Well and the Sick," edited by E. Angerstein, M.D., and by Prof. G. Eckler, is a translation from the German of a work that seems to be superior to others of its class, in that it proceeds upon a strictly scientific plan and is not subsidiary to pushing the sale of some newlyinvented athletic apparatus. The exercises are carefully arranged and graduated with reference to the age, sex, and bodily condition of the pupil, the directions are full and explicit, and the illustrations above the average. It is to be regretted that the learned authors could not supply also the one thing needful to render their work a complete successpatience on the part of the pupil to follow out faithfully their excellent system. Those who have attempted, in the solitude of office or study, to pursue a pre-arranged plan of "home gymnastics" know how irksome the task becomes after the first enthu siasm is over. But one must not require miracles of Professors Angerstein and Eckler, whose book is a good one-the best of its kind we have seen,and is faultlessly gotten up by its publishers, Houghton, Mifflin & Co. In his "Brief History of Greek Philosophy' (Ginn & Co.), Mr. Burt has attempted to present the leading features of his subject, from Thales to Proclus, within the compass of three hundred pages. His facts he has apparently obtained second-hand, mainly from the works of Zeller, Ueberweg, and Lewes, and from translations of the Greek philosophers. His presentation of facts, generally following the chronological order, is lacking in system as well as breadth of view. The inaccuracies of the book are comparatively few, and it may perhaps be found useful by young students who have not the time for a thorough study of the subject. The author's use of English is awkward and at times obscure. try. In a State library the position of librarian is regarded as a political office, and usually is a sinecure. The incumbent is often a political "striker," and is changed with every new administration. A series of healthy resolutions was adopted concerning the management of State libraries, the distribution of documents, etc.; and it is proposed, with the endorsement of the American Association, and by concerted action, to petition the legislatures of the several States where the evils complained of exist, to appoint trained librarians as permanent officers, and bring about other needed reforms. THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION held its tenth annual meeting at the Southern Hotel in St. Louis, May 8-11. About a hundred librarians from different portions of the country were present; and the four days' serious work of listening to and discussing papers on library architecture, cataloging, classification, charging systems, Sunday opening, reading for the young, and similar topics, was varied and enlivened by the courteous hospitalities of the citizens of St. Louis. Among the librarians present were Justin Winsor, of Harvard University; C. A. Cutter, of Boston Athenæum; S. S. Green, of Worcester Public Library; W. E. Foster, of Providence Public Library; W. I. Fletcher, of Amherst College; M. Dewey, of New York State Library; G. W. Harris, of Cornell University; W. F. Poole, of the Newberry Library, and F. H. Hild of the Public Library, Chicago; K. A. Linderfelt, of Milwaukee Public Library; C. A. Nelson, of Howard Library, New Orleans; C. N. Dudley, of Denver Mercantile Library; L. H. Steiner, of Pratt Library, Baltimore; Herbert Putnam, of Minneapolis Public Library; and A. W. Whelpley, of Cincinnati Public Library. Fully one half of the librarians present were ladies. Their papers were excellent, and they took part in the discussions with freedom and ability. Among the exercises was a public meeting at Memorial Hall, for the purpose of awakening an interest in the erection of a new building for the St. Louis Public Library. The speakers were Messrs. Poole, Green, Dewey, Winsor, and Mr. Judson, the President of the St. Louis Board of Education. The librarians of State libraries held a meeting at the same time and place, as a section of the American Association. Their purpose was to bring about a reform in this class of libraries, which, with few exceptions, are perhaps worse managed than any in the coun TOPICS IN LEADING PERIODICALS. June, 1889. Africa, Slavery in. H. Drummond. Scribner. Dial. Building and Loan Associations. W. A. Linn. Scribner. Glaciers on the Pacific Coast. G. F. Wright. Popular Science. Highest Structure in the World. W. A. Eddy. Atlantic. Montreal. C. H. Farnham. Harper. Nations, Mental Life of. F. A. Beecher. Mag. Am. History. State, Church, and School. H. E. Scudder. Atlantic. Striped Bass Fishing. A. F. Higgins. Scribner. Sumner, Wm. G. Popular Science. Temperance Legislation. Prof. Gulliver. Andover. BOOKS OF THE MONTH. [The following list includes all books received by THE DIAL during the month of May, 1889.] HISTORY-BIOGRAPHY. .. History of the People of Israel. From the Reign of David up to the Capture of Samaria. By Ernest Renan, author of Life of Jesus." Svo, pp. 455. Gilt top. Roberts Bros. $2.50. New Materials for the History of the American Revolution. Translated from Documents in the French Archives and Edited by John Durand. 12mo, pp. 311. Henry Holt & Co. $1.75. English Culture in Virginia. A Study of the Gilmer Letters, and an Account of the English Professors Obtained by Jefferson for the University of Virginia. By William P. Trent, M.A. 8vo, pp. 141. Paper. Johns Hopkins University Studies." N. Murray. $1.00. Hygiene of the Nursery. Including the General Regimen and Feeding of Infants and Children, and the Domestic Management of the Ordinary Emergencies of Early Life. By Louis Starr, M.D. Second Edition. Illustrated. 16mo, pp. 280. P. Blakiston, Son & Co. $1.00. How to Study Geography. By Francis W. Parker. 16mo, pp. 400. Appleton's "International Education." $1.50. Handbook of Rhetorical Analysis. Studies in Style and Invention, Designed to Accompany the author's Practical Elements of Rhetoric. By John F. Genung, Ph. D. 16mo, pp. 306. Ginn & Co. $1.25. Primer of Scientific Knowledge. Reading Lessons, Summaries, Questions, Subjects for Composition. By Paul Bert. Translated and adapted for American Schools. 18mo, pp. 186. J. B. Lippincott Co. 36 cents. REFERENCE. An Explanatory and Pronouncing Dictionary of the Noted Names of Fiction. Including also Familiar Pseudonyms, Surnames Bestowed on Eminent Men. and Analogous Popular Appellations often Referred to in Literature and Conversation. By William A. Wheeler. Nineteenth Edition. With Appendix by Charles G. Wheeler. 12mo, pp. 440. Gilt top. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $2.00. Key to Handy Lists of Technical Literature. Part I. Svo, pp. 12. Paper. National Publishing and Printing Co. 25 cents. Handy Lists of Technical Literature. Reference Catalogue of Books Printed in English from 1880 to 1888 inclusive. Compiled by H. E. Haferkorn and Paul Heise. Part I., Useful Arts in General, Products and Processes Used in Manufacture, Technology, and Trades. Svo, pp. 99. Paper. National Publishing Co. $1.00. A Postal Dictionary. Being an Alphabetical Handbook of Postal Rates, Laws and Regulations, for All Who Use the Mails. Compiled from Official Sources, by Edward St. John, Publisher of the "Evening Post." 24mo, pp. 94. Paper. The Evening Post. 15 cents. TRAVELS. Incidents of a Collector's Ramble in Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea. By Sherman F. Denton, artist to the U. S. Fish Commission, Washington, D. C. Illustrated. Svo, pp. 272. Lee & Shepard. $2.50. Picturesque Alaska. By Abby Johnson Woodman. With Maps. 16mo, pp. 212. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.00. An Alien from the Commonwealth. The Romance of By Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen, author of 66 JUVENILE. The Little Red Shop. By Margaret Sidney, author of "Five Little Peppers, and How They Grew." Illustrated. 16mo, pp. 225. D. Lothrop Co. $1.00. The Story of Patsy. By Kate Douglas Wiggin, author of 68. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 60 cents. The Isle of Palms: Adventures while Wrecking for Gold, EAGLE No. 2 GOLD PENCILS Encounter with a Mad Whale, Battle with a Devil-fish. MISCELLANEOUS. The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine. November, 1888, to April, 1889. Illustrated. 8vo, pp. 960. The Century Co. $3.00. Ethical Religion. By William Mackintire Salter. 16mo, pp. 332. Roberts Bros. $1.50. The Light of Egypt; or, The Science of the Soul and the Stars. In Two Parts. 8vo. Religio-Philosophical Publishing House. $3.00. The Home Acre. By Edward P. Roe, author of " Barriers Burned Away." 16mo, pp. 252. Dodd, Mead & Co. $1.50. Cakes and Confections á la Mode. By Mrs. de Salis, author of "Puddings and Pastry á la Mode." 18mo, pp. 61. Boards. Longmans, Green, & Co. 60 cents. [Any book in this list will be mailed to any address, post-paid, on receipt of price by Messrs. A. C. MCCLURG & Co., Chicago.] EDUCATIONAL. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY. EVANSTON, ILL. REV. JOSEPH CUMMINGS, D.D., LL.D., President. LAKE ERIE SEMINARY, PAINESVILLE, 0. Location pleasant and healthful. Course of study liberal and thorough. Fourteen resident teachers. Thirty-first year begins Sept. 11, 1889. MISS MARY EVANS, Principal. LAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY. LAKE FOREST, ILL. Comprises Lake Forest College, Ferry College for Young Ladies, Ferry Hall Seminary, Lake Forest Academy, Rush Medical College, College of Dental Surgery, Post-Graduate Courses. For Catalogue, address, W. C. ROBERTS, President. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. URBANA, ILL. Courses in Agriculture; Engineering, Civil, Mechanical, and Mining; Architecture; Chemistry; Natural History; Languages, Ancient and Modern. Women Admitted. Preparatory Class. SELIM H. PEABODY, LL.D., President. In Confidence. We When you make a change, settle an estate, or for any cause, desire to sell your Library, we can help you quietly, expeditiously, and for a large sum. know our business completely, having been "Book Auctioneers" for 64 years, we are adept and prompt. Why not correspond with M. Thomas & Sons, Phila., Pa., at once-why not? Why not? Why Not? TO AUTHORS.-The New York BUREAU OF REVISION gives critical opinions on manuscripts of all kinds, edits them for publication, and offers them to publishers. George William Curtis says in Harper's Magazine: "Reading manuscripts with a view to publication is done, as it should be, professionally, by the Easy Chair's friend and fellow-laborer in letters, Dr. Titus Munson Coan." Send stamp to Dr. COAN for prospectus at 20 West 14th St., New York City. EAGLE PENCILS ALL STYLES. ALL GRADES. ROUND AND HEXAGON. PATENTED. The Best Pencil for Free-Hand Drawing, School, Mercantile, and General Uses. WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY THE STANDARD AND THE BEST. "AN INVALUABLE COMPANION IN EVERY SCHOOL, AND AT EVERY FIRESIDÉ." The latest edition has 118,000 Words in its vocabulary, about 3,000 more than any other American Dictionary. It contains 3,000 Illustrations in the body of the work (nearly three times the number found in any other American Dictionary), and these are repeated and classified at the end of the work. WEBSTER IS STANDARD AUTHORITY In the GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, and with the U. S. SUPREME COURT. It is recommended by the State Sup'ts of Schools in 36 States, and by the leading College Presidents of the U.S. and Canada. It is the only Dictionary that has been selected in making State Purchases. SPECIMEN TESTIMONIALS. CHIEF JUSTICE WAITE, of the U. S. Supreme Court, says: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary is recognized as Standard HON. GEORGE BANCROFT, the Historian says: Webster is superior to all others as a household Dictionary. Nearly all the School Books published in this country are avowedly based on Wesbter. Four leading firms state that they publish annually 17,000,000 copies, and to this number may be added the publications of nearly all the other School Book Publishers. It is well within bounds to say that 25,000,000 School Books, based on Webster, are published annually. The children of the country are thus educated by Webster. PUBLISHED BY G. & C. MERRIAM & CO., SPRINGFIELD, MASS. FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. |
