Among the Books
Among the Books
“THEHarvard Index” for 1888–89 is a very complete directory of the students and the various literary and sporting organizations in college. A valuable feature is the list of best-on-record performances, both collegiate and other, for America and England.
ONEof the best and most artistic college annuals is the Princeton, 90, “Bric-à-Brac.” Some of the drawings are quite elaborate, and very much to the point. The records of the doings of the different associations, and the list of students, are as complete as it was possible to make them.
ASERIESof interesting books is issued by the well-known house of Lee & Shepard, under the general title of “Good Company.” The name is well bestowed, and the thoughtful reader will find, as he becomes acquainted with the various members of the company, that there is much which he can note with profit. Not only is the company good, but the dress is neat and inviting. The books before us are: “The Lover,” by Steele; “The Wishing-Cap Papers,” by Leigh Hunt; “Fireside Saints,” by Douglas Jerrold; “Dream Thorpe,” by Alexander Smith; “A Physician’s Problems,” by Charles Elam; “Broken Lights,” by Frances Power Cobbe, and “Religious Duties,” by the same author.
The same publishing house has issued a new edition of Rev. P. C. Headley’s biography of “Fighting Phil.” This book, intended for young readers, well describes the life of the dashing general, and at this time, when his personal memoirs are receiving such marked attention, the simpler story of Rev. Mr. Headley will be widely read by boys.
ANexcellent library of sports and pastimes, the Badminton, is being issued by Longmans, Green & Co. Those who are seeking for knowledge on any of the subjects dealt with will find the results of many years’ experience written by men who are in every case adepts at the sport of which they write. There have already appeared, “Hunting,” “Fishing,” “Racing and Steeple-chasing,” “Cycling,” “Athletics and Football.” The latest additions to the library are “Boating” and “Cricket.” The former volume is by W. B. Woodgate, a veteran oarsman; the latter by A. G. Steel and the Hon. R. H. Lyttelton. The text is handsomely illustrated, and in every respect are the volumes to be recommended. Every sportsman should have a complete set of this series of books; they are an ornament to any library, and the information contained in them such as can not readily be obtained in other books on sports.
“CRUISINGSin the Cascades,” by the well-known author G. O. Shields, is in the press of Rand, McNally & Co., of Chicago. It is a record of an extended hunting tour, made by the author in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Washington Territory, and British Columbia. The work is handsomely illustrated from drawings and from instantaneous photographs taken by Mr. Shields.
ANentertaining work, not only for grown people, but also for boys, is John Augustus O’Shea’s “Military Mosaics.” The author has tried to be faithful to truth, and the language used is as close an approach to that which men would speak under the circumstances as can well be given in print. This effort on the part of the author is to be heartily commended, since boys are naturally anxious to know if things are what they seem. In the author’s words, “There is not an event set down which did not happen, or might not have happened, and to the soldier’s life, as to all others, there is a seamy side.” Thus we are told of hardships, fatiguing marches, exposure to all sorts of weather, and are impressed with the fact that the chief pleasures of warfare are those of memory. Messrs. W. H. Allen & Co., London, are the publishers.
The same firm has brought out “Orient and Occident,” a journey east from Lahore to Liverpool, by Major-General R. C. W. Reveley Mitford. It is a description of a home-coming by routes little traveled. China, Japan and the United States are successively visited, and as the author drifts from place to place he rather pleasantly gives us his impressions. The text is embellished with illustrations from sketches by the author.
A useful book for the yachtsmen who wish to spend some time cruising in the Mediterranean is “Shooting and Yachting in the Mediterranean,” by A. G. Bagot. Of course the yachtsman always provides himself with guns, and is ever ready to “pepper away.” However, it is rather the rule that he fails to bag his game. In “Shooting and Yachting” he will find much useful information on this point, as well as learn of localities to be visited, dangers to be avoided, etc. Not the least valuable part of Mr. Bagot’s work are the practical hints to yachtsmen, and the list of yacht-clubs with which the book closes. Allen & Co., London, are the publishers.
THEauthor of the “Book of the Black Bass” has issued through the press of Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati, a supplement, which he calls very happily “More About the Black Bass.” In it he presents the latest developments in the scientific and life history of this best of American game fishes, and describes the most recent improvements in tools, tackle and implements. The little work appears at a most opportune time.
INhis “Hunting Notes” “Borderer” gives a valuable resumé of the season’s work. While of no direct interest to the American reader, these notes present an admirable picture of the way hunting is done in Old England, and to those who follow the hounds in this country, and their number is increasing from year to year, a perusal of “Hunting Notes” will be profitable and entertaining. The publishers are A. H. Baily & Co., London.