Among the Books
Among the Books
ASTORYof the rough life of the ranch in the Far West, clad, so to speak, in “purple and fine linen,” appears at first sight to be somewhat of an anomaly. In this case, however, the contents are worthy of the binding, and the story is not thrown into a shadowy background by its luxurious and sumptuous equipment. “Ranch Life and the Hunting-Trail,” by Theodore Roosevelt, has already made its bow to the public in a series of papers issued in theThe Centurymagazine, and the verdict has been given in its favor. Now it is published in a veritableédition de luxebyThe CenturyCompany. The story loses nothing of its merits in the process, while Mr. Frederic Remington’s spirited and characteristic illustrations, so familiar to the readers of OUTING, are shown to the greatest possible advantage.
WITHthe advance of popular education has arisen a demand for standard historical works, which, avoiding diffusiveness and elaboration of details, give the reader broad inductions and concise results. The student of the present day requires a book which may be regarded as absolutely authentic, and which will present to him, not elaborate historical dissertations on knotty historical periods, but able summaries and careful generalizations of the whole subject. Such a work is the “Cyclopædia of Universal History,” by John Clark Ridpath, LL.D. (The Jones Brothers Publishing Co., Cincinnati, and Phillips & Hunt, New York), and it is by far the most successful effort which has been hitherto made to supply this want of the modern student and the average American citizen. The handsome appearance of the three volumes, and the copious wealth of excellent illustrations, numbering twelve hundred, vastly enhance the effect and merits of the text.
THESouth, at the present time, would appear to be the coming nursery of our light literature. The novels which have, of late, created the greatest stir—whether by their genuine merits or their sensationalism we do not propose to decide—have sprung from Southern brains. Yet another work—and this, we believe, is a maiden effort—by an author who hails from Tennessee, lies before us. But in “A Seaside Romance,” by William Perry Brown (New York: John B. Alden, 1888), there is nothing of the morbidly sensational. Though hardly to be classed as a notable novel, or likely to create a great stir, it is a pleasant, healthful story of Southern life. The characters are well drawn, though some are rather thinly delineated, and a certain lack of vigor is discernible in the action in places. It is, however, essentially a book to afford a reader a pleasant hour or two.
ASLIGHTinfusion of medical science into a novel often proves both instructive and interesting. But experiments of this character require to be conducted with great care and judgment. Such can hardly be said to be the case in “From the Beaten Path,” by Edward R. Roe (Chicago: Laird Lee, 1888). Medical horrors are crowded into the volume, and the reader is confronted withcholera infantum(symptoms fully described), a most unpleasant affection of the eyes, and blindness resulting from rheumatism, within the first two chapters, while dislocations, sprains, fevers, consumption, and drunkenness—culminating inmania a potu—with a slight spice of body-snatching, are negligently scattered through the pages. Thrilling incidents are pitchforked into odd corners, and the thread of the story is quite disconnected. The motive of the book would appear to be the disparagement of allopathy, and commendation of faith-healing allied to magnetic influences. The extreme ease with which the cures are performed will, however, prove a somewhat hard pill for most people to swallow.
SPORTSMENowe a debt of gratitude to any one who facilitates their quest of sport. This object should be vastly furthered by a little volume entitled “The Sportsman’s Guide,” compiled and edited by William C. Harris, editor ofThe American Angler(New York: The Anglers’ Publishing Company, Chas. T. Dillingham). The enormous number of hunting-grounds from which the sportsman has to choose are tabulated, and all necessary information regarding them given. The reports appear to be very accurate, the material being, for the most part, derived from personal letters from individuals acquainted with the localities. The condition of the shooting, whether good, bad, or indifferent, is plainly stated.
THEfascination of that charming amusement, amateur photography, year by year enlists a vast number of recruits for the already great army of amateur photographers. To such recruits, good textbooks are an indispensable feature, and for this purpose we can heartily recommend “The Photographic Instructor” (New York: Scovill Manufacturing Co., 1888). The volume consists of “the comprehensive series of practical lessons issued to the students of the Chautauqua School of Photography,” edited by W. I. Lincoln Adams, editor ofThe Photographic Times, with an appendix by Prof. Charles Ehrmann. It forms one of Scovill’s Complete Photographic Series.
ALITTLEhandbook is issued by the Red Star Line of steamers entitled “Facts for Travelers.” In the mixture of useful and amusing matter contained in it, travelers are sure to find something worth noticing.
ASOUVENIRof the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association’s Fair has reached us, entitled “Athletic Leaves.” The editors are Samuel L. Baylis and William H. Whyte, and they have produced a very bright, readable little volume, with notably good illustrations.