Chapter 107

WILLSIE, HONORÉ MCCUE (MRS HENRY ELMER WILLSIE).Lydia of the pines. il*$1.50 (1½c) Stokes 17-7817

Lydia is an appealing little figure when we first meet her. Motherless, she plays the mother to her baby sister. The death of this baby leaves her still more lonely. She has her father, old Lizzie, her boy and girl friends, but there is a sad lack in her life. One of her tragedies, even then, was the matter of clothes! She had no mother to plan pretty things for her. Not till she was a senior in the university and could wear a cap and gown, did Lydia feel that she looked like other girls. All thru her childhood and girlhood, she has one true friend, John Levin, a politician, and it is a heartbreaking experience to learn later that he is a grafter of the worst type, one who has systematically robbed the Indian. This theme of the defrauding of the Indian is worked out thru the whole story. For the scene the author has given the capital city of Wisconsin a northern Minnesota setting.

“An excellent story of a human and lovable girl learning to be a woman. Its style, especially in the dialogue, is uncommonly sincere, the real vernacular, without exaggeration or codification.”

“A clean, well-told story.”

“A strong, unsparing portrayal of three or four welcomely human characters, several incidents entirely germane and not too thrilling, and a plot that is not marred, strangely, by a bit of pro-Indian propaganda about which Mrs Willsie seems to have been admirably in earnest.”

Reviewed by H. W. Boynton

“Somehow Mrs Willsie contrives to make an honestly American quality radiate from Lydia. All our embarrassed idealism and puzzled, inarticulate striving seem to find expression in her.”

“The novel might be called, indeed, the story of a personality, so strongly does Lydia dominate it and all the people by whom she is surrounded. Mrs Willsie has done a particularly fine piece of work in the way in which she has realized that personality, made it vital and convincing and, above all, thoroughly interesting for the reader. It marks a long step in advance of her previous books.”

“The book is far more real than ‘Still Jim,’ and the style less disjointed. Moreover, there is much greater emotional power and a surer grasp of the whole story. The enormous wonder is how Mrs Willsie has ever managed to write it and edit the Delineator at the same time. It is a powerful story, and more than promising as an indication of the author’s future.” E. P. Wyckoff

“It is a fresh and cheerful tale, and always holds the reader’s interest.”

“Somewhat overdrawn and unnatural, but interesting. The well drawn setting is Madison, the author’s girlhood home, and the University of Wisconsin.”

WILLSON, ROBERT NEWTON.Education of the young in sex hygiene. il*$2 (1c) Stewart & Kidd 612.6

This book was published by the author in 1913. The present edition is a reprint. It is intended as a book of instruction for parents and teachers, those who are responsible for the sex instruction of the young. Two of the chapters, A talk with boys, and A talk with girls, are addresses directly to young people, but are included here as a suggestion of a method of approach. Among the chapters are: Economic relations of the social diseases; The boy—his need; The girl—her need; A brief talk on the heredity of health and disease, and the selfishness of unhygiene; When are the boy and girl to be taught, by whom, and how? The training of the teacher; The eradication of the social diseases in large cities.

“It is thought by the author that boys and girls are taught to better advantage by word of mouth and largely by object demonstration than by the printed page. The book will undoubtedly prove a means of safeguarding hundreds, if not thousands, of boys and girls if parents, teachers and social workers give heed to its warnings.”

WILSON, SIR CHARLES RIVERS.Chapters from my official life; ed. by Everilda MacAlister.*$3.50 Longmans (Eng ed 17-3144)

“Sir C. Rivers Wilson did good work in many positions of trust, notably as one of the three English commissioners to the Monetary conference held at Brussels in 1892, as the representative of the English bondholders of the Central Pacific railway in 1894, and as president of the Grand trunk railway of Canada from 1895 to 1909; but his name will be best remembered in connection with Egyptian finance. ... His reminiscences do not belong to the same order of writings on Egypt as Lord Cromer’s and Lord Milner’s. ... Writing in a chatty style, he furnishes information on historic incidents by dwelling less on their logical sequence than on the undercurrents in the diplomatic life of the period to which they pertained.”—Nation

“This frankness, together with the flavor they derive from the anecdotes freely interspersed, constitutes the chief attraction of his memoirs.”

“The main portion of his book is naturally devoted to his Egyptian experiences, and though by no means new, supplements in certain particulars the standard works of Lord Cromer, Lord Milner, and Sir Auckland Colvin.”

WILSON, ERNEST HENRY.Aristocrats of the garden. il*$5 (7½c) Doubleday 715 17-9126

This book is brought out in an edition limited to 1,200 copies. Among its chapters are: The story of the modern rose, Midseason flowering trees and shrubs, The best of the hardy climbing shrubs, Ornamental fruited trees and shrubs, The best hardy conifers, Broad-leaved evergreens for northern gardens, Japanese cherries and Asiatic crabapples. New herbaceous plants from China. There are eighteen illustrations. The author is a member of the staff of the Arnold arboretum and author of “A naturalist in western China.”

“For many years, Mr Wilson explored the secluded portions of eastern Asia—especially in China and Japan—searching for new plants and trees and shrubs suited to the climate of western gardens. The story of his journey through China in search of the fabled ‘Davidia’ makes one of the most delightful portions of a book of delight. It will send more than one reader to the Arnold Arboretum on a new errand.” F. B.

“A very beautiful book.”

WILSON, WOODROW.Why we are at war.*50c (3½c) Harper 353 17-13747

A small volume containing President Wilson’s messages to Congress and to the American people, delivered between January and April, 1917. Contents: A world league for peace; The severance of diplomatic relations with Germany; Request for a grant of power; We must accept war; A state of war; “Speak, act, and serve together.”

“The title is unfortunate in so far as it does not properly describe the contents of the book. The second inaugural speech, delivered on March 5 last, should, in our opinion, have found a place in the collection.”

“The addresses in the great little volume are all instinct with the purpose of leadership.”

WINDLE, SIR BERTRAM COGHILL ALAN.Church and science.*$3 Herder 215

The author is a well-known anatomist and archaeologist and is president of University college, Cork. “The book’s message is that the advance of science brings with it constantly increasing testimony to the impossibility of antagonism between the church and any form of truth; that the fancied enmity originated in premature acceptance and proclamation as facts of what were in reality only theories, and that wisdom decrees for the scientist an attitude of humility and patience, and for the Catholic a happy security in the knowledge that any theory that may seem to conflict with Catholic dogma will assuredly, in the course of time, be either proved false and cast aside, or found, when more closely viewed, to be in accordance with the faith.” (Cath World)

“It is a layman’s manual, of intense interest and written with the author’s accustomed force and charm. ... The reader is made acquainted with an imposing array of achievements of the highest order that must be credited to Catholic scientists from the ranks of both the clergy and the laity. ... The book should be upon the shelves of every Catholic library, public and private. ... Above all it should, by every means possible, be circulated among young men, at this time when thousands of every faith and of none are going forth to share the life of camp and trench.”

“His object is not so much to undertake the reconciliation of science and religious belief as to set out the attitude of science on all these problems and to determine how far it actually conflicts with dogmatic religion.”

WINSLOW, CARROLL DANA.With the French flying corps.il*$1.25 Scribner 940.91 17-1909

“The author, a young American who enlisted in the French flying corps soon after the beginning of the war, went through the various exacting grades of flying-school preparation for the French army, and after seven months of training was passed on into regular army aviation work. ... It is specialized without being too technical. Its exposition and narrative of French army aviation training give us fully, simply, and interestingly information on a little-understood phase of the war.”—N Y Times

“In terms easily understood by a layman he conveys much interesting information on the art and science of aviation in war. His pictures, especially those from photographs taken at various heights, form a welcome accompaniment to the reading matter.” P. F. Bicknell

“A book which anyone interested in war aviation should read. ... Especially valuable is the account of his seven months’ training in the various branches of military aviation, which should do much to impress upon Americans the important fact that competent military aviators cannot be made in a few weeks, but that it requires a thorough course lasting from six to nine months.”

“Makes thrilling reading for boys.”

WINSLOW, KENELM.Prevention of disease. il*$1.75 (2c) Saunders 613 16-23537

This is a popular treatise for the layman. It opens with three chapters on personal hygiene, devoted to habits of right living. These are followed by discussions of special diseases and disorders, germ diseases, cancer, sexual diseases, rheumatism, diseases of children, nervous and mental diseases, etc. Dr Winslow was formerly assistant professor of comparative anatomy in Harvard medical school and is now practicing physician in Seattle, connected with the Seattle city hospital and King county hospital. Dr Charles H. Mayo of St Mary’s hospital, Rochester, Minn., contributes an introduction to the volume.

“Contains chapters on food poisoning, the prevention of some deformities, and a full chapter on sexual diseases and hygiene, which will debar it from the open shelves.”

“A popular book that might well find a place on the teacher’s desk and in the school library.”

“The author is fortunate in the method he adopts. He does not attempt to lay a preliminary foundation of anatomical knowledge, an effort that is almost always futile because it seeks to furnish by diagram and description the kind of knowledge that can only be obtained by first-hand acquaintance with the things themselves. He uses the more effective mode of stating fundamental results simply and clearly and in terms comprehensible to any intelligent reader.”

“The volume is clear and interesting in its presentation of many facts of hygiene, germ diseases, mental and nervous diseases, troubles of digestion, etc., facts that should be part of the general knowledge. Its danger is that of the type it belongs to—lest in some particular case the printed page be relied upon in place of personal examination and the verdict of a physician.” G. S.

WISCONSIN UNIVERSITY. LIBRARY SCHOOL.Apprentice course for small libraries. il 75c A.L.A. 020.2

These “outlines of lessons, with suggestions for practice work, study and required reading” by the faculty of the Library school of the University of Wisconsin—(Mary Emogene Hazeltine, Helen Turvill, Mary F. Carpenter and Marion Humble)—first appeared in the Wisconsin Library Bulletin, October, 1914 to July, 1915, v. 10-11. “The matter contained in the original series has been revised and is offered herewith in the hope that it may continue to prove useful in this more convenient form. The subject matter is presented for the most part in outline, but it has seemed desirable to vary the style in the different chapters according to the nature of each subject. Methods given are naturally those advocated by the Wisconsin library school, and references to the Wisconsin Library Bulletin are frequent. Amendment and change to suit local practice will be needed. In this revision heed has been taken of the helpful criticisms which have been made upon the series by librarians who have used it.” (Introd.)

WISE, JENNINGS CROPPER.Call of the Republic.*$1 (4c) Dutton 355.7 17-12273

A plea for universal military service. “It has been attempted to show that such a system is not only highly democratic in conception and in its practical working, but that the cherished volunteer mercenary system is undemocratic both in origin and effect.” (Introd.) Contents: The ancient medieval military systems; Origin and development of the modern national army; Military service in its most democratic form; The English ideal of voluntary service; The inherited American ideal; The American military system; The ideal military institution; The fear of militarism unreasonable. There is a short bibliography at the close.

“A clear, well-argued case against the military system that has prevailed for so many years in this country.”

“There is practically nothing on the Swiss and Australian systems, in which our people are mainly interested.”

“Most Socialists are familiar with the assertion that universal military service means the highest type of democracy. Col. Wise simply enlarges on that and brings his work to a conclusion with a highly poetical, metaphysical, mystical and prophetic peroration. The work, however, is well written, and the author has undoubtedly made a good presentation of his case. The real value of the work, in our opinion, consists, however, in the historical matter given. And its cleverness consists in not pushing property considerations of ancient times into the present.”

“A well-thought-out, carefully stated argument for universal compulsory military service and training in the United States. ... But when the author exalts the social and moral advantage of ‘a powerful army’ the reader becomes more and more dubious. To hear that we must cast aside the fatuous doctrines of misguided, over-zealous humanitarians sounds like an echo of Von Bissing. And finally, he strikes the full Prussian note when he asks: ‘Shall we deny the wisdom of God who imposes upon His people the ordeal of battle?’” W. E. K.

WITHERS, HARTLEY.Meaning of money. new ed*$1.25 Dutton 332 (Eng ed 17-13479)

“The first edition came from the press in 1909, and now the fourth edition makes its appearance. ... This last edition has been made necessary by the war. The author says in his preface to this edition: ‘It may be added that the chief thesis worked out in the book needs a slight extension in the light of the war’s experience. ... Owing to the great extent of the investments made by the banks, in their patriotic readiness to finance the war by buying government securities, we now have to recognize that investments made by banks have the same effect on their deposits as loans advanced by them.’”—Boston Transcript

“The book has established itself as a standard of its class, and in this latest edition will prove more valuable than ever.”

“Some sections of the book—such as the account of England’s ‘invisible exports’—are so ably written as to be of value to the student as well as to the general reader. The work can be recommended from any relevant point of view.”

WITHERS, HARTLEY.Our money and the state.*$1.25 Button 336 17-31785

This book is based on lectures delivered by the author at the London School of economics in February and March, 1917. “After discussing the limitations of state action, and consequently of state expenditure and taxation, and contrasting the laisser faire with the alternative socialistic school of general interference with our individual activities, the author arrives at a compromise between the two extreme views. The argument is accepted that logically the state is entitled to take all our goods and services in promoting the public good; but Mr Withers observes that the exercise of this right is circumscribed by the ability of the taxpayer to ‘strike.’ ... Mr Withers then proceeds to discuss the two methods by which the government can acquire such goods and services as are needed by it—taxation or loan. The author’s predilection is in favour of the first alternative, taxation pure and simple. ... The keynote of the argument is that ‘posterity never pays.’” (Sat R) “Mr Withers further pleads for direct taxation, and criticizes the schemes of the Fabians and of the Empire resources committee for paying off the war debt by means of state enterprise.” (Ath)

“This work is one to make the voter and taxpayer think.”

“Written with that lucidity which is characteristic of Mr Withers’ many contributions to economic literature. ... On the subject of taxation generally, Mr Withers confounds ethics with financial policy.”

“Compactness and lucidity of treatment combined with a vitally important subjectmatter.”

“It will be useful to the average man. ... The first chapter on ‘The objects of governmental spending,’ is, in view of the overwhelming importance at the moment of the financial needs of the war, of more general interest than the others; for it gives a lucid and terse description of the general principles on which the collection of money from the people by the government is justified. ... Mr Withers is prepared to go some way in company with the enthusiasts who wish to establish a collectivist state; but he does so with great caution and some misgiving.”

WODEHOUSE, PELHAM GRENVILLE.Piccadilly Jim.il*$1.40 (2c) Dodd 17-6534

Jimmy Crocker was a young American who had worked on a New York newspaper up to the time when his father married a wealthy widow. Then he went to London with his family, and with too much money and too much leisure at his command got into mischief. His escapades, written up at length in the New York press, brought his step-mother’s sister to London with the worthy intention of taking him back to New York and putting him to work. It is Ann Chester, however, who succeeds in saving him from himself. Ann is the niece of the man who is married to his step-mother’s sister. The relationships in the story really are complicated! So is the plot. The step-mother’s sister’s young son plays a part in it. So does a nephew who is inventing a new explosive. So does Jimmy’s baseball-loving father, exiled in London, far from his native diamond.

“The complications and characters give occasion for many laughs in particular, Ogden, the spoiled rich boy.”

“Lightly handled and full of farcical surprises, but not quite up to the mark of ‘Something new.’”

“The tale is swift-moving, highly ingenious, and very funny—not quite so funny, nor quite so ingenious as ‘Something new,’ perhaps, but very entertaining all the same.”

“A breezy farcical tale.”

WOLFE, ALBERT BENEDICT, ed. Readings in social problems. (Selections and documents in economics) $2.80 Ginn 304 16-22272

“The social problems discussed in this book of readings are five-fold: immigration, marriage and divorce, the woman problem, the negro problem, and an interrelated group of population problems. The latter includes such subjects as the Malthusian theory of population, the declining birth rate, socialism and population, eugenics, infant mortality, and the ethics of population policies. The editor’s comments introduce the discussion of each problem.”—Ann Am Acad

“Professor Wolfe gives evidence of wide knowledge of the literature and of careful discrimination in his choice of the selections which he has brought together. ... He displays an admirable impartiality in his selections, concealing very successfully any predilections he may have in one direction or another. ... The book will be found to be a valuable reference work for those already somewhat familiar with the topics treated, and undoubtedly an excellent educational medium for the student who approaches the subject for the first time.” H: P. Fairchild

“This admirable volume of readings provides abundant materials for the study of certain bio-sociological problems of the greatest importance. It brings together for the first time in convenient form data and balanced discussion by competent and often classic authors bearing upon the great problems of population, sex and race.” E. B. Woods

“References are given at the close of the discussion of each specific topic. These bibliographical references are well chosen and usable.” J. G. S.

“The book is well made, like the rest of the series, and should have a considerable utility for classes in social science.”

“What Manly, Newcomer and Gayley have done for students in English literature, Professor Wolfe has done for his classes in economics and sociology in the University of Texas. ... The book has an evident value in its professed field, but its value extends beyond this specific limit. Many a teacher of English composition, who has grappled with the task of finding a subject which shall stimulate clear thinking and vigorous expression, may turn with relief to some of the important matters suggested in this book.” G. S.

WOLFE, OLIVER HOWARD.Practical banking. il $2 LaSalle extension univ. 332 17-22550

“The purpose of this book is to explain the fundamental principles which underlie practical banking work in such a manner that they may be helpful to both students and bankers. ... It is possible for a person fortified with such basic knowledge to acquire worth-while experience in the higher branches of banking much faster and to perform his own work better than without such well-organized knowledge. ... No attempt has been made to describe those phases of practical banking which, as a rule, can be mastered only by actual experience.” (Preface) The book has chapters on: Organization and administration; Bank accounting; The receiving teller; The note teller; The transit department; Loans and discounts; Individual ledgers; The general ledger; Audits and examinations, etc. The author is assistant cashier of the Philadelphia national bank.

“The author speaks from actual experience and with authority, on matters of vital importance to those about to enter the banking business or already engaged in it.”

“The value of the treatise lies in Mr Wolfe’s clear explanation of the ordinary functions of banks and the routine of their work.”

WOLFF, HENRY WILLIAM.Co-operative credit for the United States.*$1.50 (1½c) Sturgis & Walton 332.7 17-18066

This volume is by the late president of the International cooperative alliance and the author of “People’s banks”; “Cooperative credit banks”; “Cooperation in agriculture,” etc. The same ground has, up to the dates of publication of the several works, been covered by Mr Wolff in earlier books written specifically for British readers. In this book he tries to “present the same picture in a manner suited to the ideas and habits of an American public.” The opening chapter tells us Why cooperative credit is wanted. The author then discusses the principles of cooperative credit, how they are worked out in various countries, and how they may be adapted to American conditions.

“Will be of great value to those who want to learn the practical workings of the system abroad and the adaptability of these plans to American conditions.”

“A welcome volume by the well-known author of ‘People’s banks.’ ... The conclusion is distinctly optimistic as to the future of co-operative credit in the United States.”

“Clear and concise.”

“Along the lines pointed out by Mr Wolff is the hope for the new agriculture, and for securing for small tradesmen and workers that economic emancipation which credit alone can give.” H. F. Grady

Woman suffrage year book, 1917; ed. by Martha Gause Stapler; articles upon special subjects contributed by Mary Sumner Boyd. pa $1.05 National woman suffrage pub. 324.3 17-7468

“In compiling the ‘Woman suffrage year book’ the aim has been to collect, from different sources, facts chiefly of current and statistical nature, and to arrange them for easy reference under one cover. The first part of the book deals with the progress, extent and results of woman suffrage; the second part deals with the action which various states have taken upon certain questions affecting women and children; the third part deals with miscellaneous information for the general use of suffrage workers and others.” (Preface) It is planned to issue the year book in January of each year with a calendar of events and with statistical information brought up to date.

“Contains excellent tables and bibliographies.”

WOOD, CLARENCE ASHTON.School and college credit for outside Bible study; a survey of a nonsectarian movement to encourage Bible study. $1.50 (2c) World bk. 377 17-13268

Vernon P. Squires, of the University of North Dakota, says in his introduction to the book, “Test after test given to the brightest young people of our country in schools and colleges has shown a most lamentable ignorance of the greatest of English classics, the English Bible, and of the fundamental and historical facts lying back of religious faith.” With a view to remedying this condition, movements for cooperation between church and state in the matter of Bible study, seem to have sprung up simultaneously in many parts of the country. The purpose of the author of this work has been to trace the development of these various movements, and to bring all the facts about their methods and aims together. There is a bibliography at the close and an appendix gives the syllabus adopted for high schools in North Dakota.

“Should be in the hands of all teachers.”

“A body of material of great practical value. Since the author discusses the plan of giving credit for outside Bible study as it is now applied in higher, secondary, and elementary education, his book should be of interest to a rather large audience.”

WOOD, CLEMENT.Glad of earth. $1 Gomme 811 17-13412

“This first book by Clement Wood contains ‘polyrhythmic poems,’ unrhymed verse of the variety commonly known as vers libre. ... There are three groups: ‘Glad of earth,’ portraits of individuals and types; ‘Comrades,’ ardent love poems, and ‘New roads,’ socialistic poems that protest against conditions that hamper individual development. ... Mr Wood won the prize offered in the 250th anniversary of the city of Newark poetry competition with ‘The smithy of God.’”—R of Rs

“Both Mr Untermeyer and Mr Wood make the mistake of dragging their ethics about with them. Both have their moments of vividness and beauty, but uncertainly, and in conjunction with much that is muddily perceived, scarcely felt, and vaguely phrased.” Conrad Aiken

“A distinctly valuable contribution, not only to the literature of revolt, but to literature in itself.” D: P. Berenberg

“As a whole, they are intensely human and inspiring.”

“Mr Wood has a vigor of expression that holds the attention whatever one may think of the polyrhythmic lines in which it is cast. His fault is the universal shortcoming of the vers librist—a deftness with words that frame an admirable bit of description, but are none the less void of the emotion and fire which is the prerequisite of poetry.”

WOOD, ERIC.Thrilling deeds of British airmen. il*$1.65 (3c) Crowell 940.91 A17-1632

“This little book is not a serious study of aircraft in war, but, as its title indicates, a compilation of thrilling deeds of British airmen chosen from a very large number to illustrate varioustypes and phases of aerial operations. Sometimes the telling has been in the nature of making bricks without straw, because of the absence of details in so many official reports. I trust, however, that in expanding such terse accounts of what obviously were heroic incidents I have not done violence to truth. My aim has been to present what were probably the facts, and I have carefully followed the suggestions contained in the brief originals with that object in view.” (Preface) The book has eight full-page illustrations.

“Valor and skill can go no further than in some of the deeds recorded here.”

“The stories are straight-forwardly told, with no parade of technicalities, and should appeal to boys.”

“The writer is handicapped by the parcimony with which our war office, for reasons which we do not presume to criticize, publishes the names of the authors of sensational achievements; but he does his best with such material as is at his disposition, and his best is good.”

WOOD, ERIC FISHER.[2]Note-book of an intelligence officer. il*$1.75 Century 940.91 17-30602

“By the author of ‘The notebook of an attaché’ and ‘The handwriting on the wall.’ The book is based on letters written to the author’s mother and contains chapters on: New York to Liverpool; American publicity; The British postal censorship; Lloyd George; Raemaekers; Northcliffe; To France; British insignia, equipment and decorations; Second-lieutenant John Masefield; The will to use the bayonet; The German retreat from the Somme, etc.”

“Holds the same keen interest as ‘The notebook of an attaché.’”

“There is no mistaking the inspirer of the book. To Lord Northcliffe, the author is indebted for these favors, and he offers praisead nauseam.”

“He does not write with any special distinction. But the actual information that he has to give us from the war is interesting and valuable.”

“These notes are fragmentary and give no real picture of the war.”

WOOD, HAROLD BACON.Sanitation practically applied. il*$3 (2c) Wiley 614 17-13582

This work, by the assistant commissioner of the West Virginia state department of health, has chapters devoted to: The need for public health work; Statistics; The control of communicable disease; Child welfare; School hygiene; Pure foods; Clean milk; Water supplies; Sewage disposal; Hygiene of the home and factory; The destruction of insects which transmit disease; The educational movement. “The book is offered as a corollary to the numerous excellent treatises on the theory of hygiene and the laboratory manuals, since the man in the field desires to know how sanitation of the home, of the school, of the factory and of the community can actually be obtained.” (Preface)

“The discussion of even the most technical subjects is made simple and the practical side of every problem receives primary emphasis. In point of clearness and interest the style is much superior to that which readers encounter in most books of its kind.”

“The chapter on water-supplies includes a confusing discussion on whether a city should build water-works or sewers first. Under sewage disposal there are a number of statements which are likely to mislead the uninformed. A little revision here and there would clarify and correct these questionable passages in the new edition which a book so good in the main deserves at an early date.”

“Although intended primarily for health officers and students of public health topics, it forms a very readable general treatise.”

“His audience is primarily the man in the field. But the employer, too, and the employe, business manager and public official will find practical direction in the well printed pages. Here, too, is enlightenment for the student of affairs.” G. S.

WOOD, MICHAEL.Mystery of Gabriel. il*$1.40 (4c) Longmans 17-29539

At twenty-nine, Honor Forranner is set free from the responsibilities to which she has devoted her years since girlhood. But her freedom is not of long duration, for she willingly accepts the new responsibility that is offered her in the person of an orphan child found by the roadside. It is this boy, Gabriel, who becomes the central point of interest in this serious and deeply analytical novel. With the years of adolescence, the boy grows away from his adoptive mother. He is subject to strange moods which are the result either of hereditary traits, or of fear of heredity. For, unknown to those interested in his welfare, he has as a child overheard conversations in which the possibility of evil tendencies developing in children of unknown parentage has been discussed. Father Anthony Standish, an Anglican priest, has a strong hold on the boy, and there is a touch of the mystical, even the supernatural, in the scenes in which Gabriel is set free from his obsession.

“Though the greater part of it may seem too mystical for the majority of readers, there is much that should appeal as common sense to all.”

“Very interesting and unusual book.”

“This is a story of unusual quality. ... As a psychological study it is both subtle and powerful, though it leaves the reader somewhat disappointed when the heart of the mystery is plucked out. ... Readers of Mr Wood’s former volumes know how thoroughly they are penetrated with the beauty and mysticism of the Catholic element in the Church of England. The same atmosphere pervades the closing chapters of ‘The mystery of Gabriel.’”

“There is for some tastes a little too much of the confessional in this development of the story, and others may feel that such a plot lies too far off the track of ordinary human experience to move them much; but there is a delicacy in the handling that goes some way to compensate these defects, if they are such.”

WOODBERRY, GEORGE EDWARD.Ideal passion. $1.50 Woodberry soc., c.o. W. B. Symmes, jr., 55 Liberty st., N.Y. 811 17-11925

A sequence of forty-two sonnets “that reconcile the love of sensuous beauty with the high consecration of spirit to the pure love of the ideal.” (R of Rs) “By a curious paradox, these poems are revealing—and uncommunicative. Never did a reality so distinct find embodimentin a frame so impalpable. The reader has a double sense of intimacy and estrangement.” (Nation)

“A few double rhymes and some elisions would relieve the impeccable uniformity of rhythm. Though the love he sings is ideal, there is true passion in his verse, if a passion bloodless and ethereal.”

“It is even at its best, however, a cold and remote sort of beauty; one soon gets tired of so chill a sanctity, and Mr Woodberry is not so perfect an artist but that often, even in the most quiet precincts, the reader suddenly and with a start remembers how long a journey he has come from reality.” Conrad Aiken

“These are sonnets of love so sublimated that it retains little of its warm humanity; so detached from the usual personal and racial meanings as to be mystical and austere. Mr Woodberry’s readers will of necessity, be kindred spirits to whom this type of idealism makes an appeal.”

“They give—what American verse so rarely gives—a sense of depth and riches in the antecedent experience. Of that report on the universe which we call literature, they are a part. ... Mr Woodberry has his inadvertencies. ... He should not rhyme ‘trance’ with ‘haunts,’ ... nor should he abase himself to the dissolute syntax of the sextet in sonnet thirteen. These are plain blemishes, and my rigor—the rigor of homage—is not to be placated. Pardon is for the mob; to the elect nothing is forgivable.” O. W. Firkins

WOODBRIDGE, ELISABETH (MRS CHARLES GOULD MORRIS).Days out, and other papers.*$1.25 (3c) Houghton 814 17-30261

Readers of the Contributor’s club of the Atlantic Monthly will be pleased, altho perhaps not surprised, to learn that one of the authors who publish delightful papers anonymously is Elisabeth Woodbridge. Some of these contributions are included among the essays collected in this book. One of these is fittingly entitled The wine of anonymity. Among the other papers are: Days out; A brief for the hat; Cult of the second-best; The embarrassment of finality; Humor and the heroine; Manners and the Puritan.

“Slight, friendly, entertaining essays. Will not be as popular as ‘The Jonathan papers.’”

“We always feel that we are listening to talk which is cultured but not pretentious, kindly but not forcedly humorous, and, in the fullest sense, human.”

“The essays are all delightful, crisp, original. Each one stops before the reader is ready to let go, and the reading of the next as a solace produces the same desire to keep on.”

WOODBURY, ROBERT MORSE.Social insurance; an economic analysis. (Cornell studies in history and political science)*$1.25 Holt 331.25 17-11011

“This book is a critical study submitted in 1915 to the faculty of the graduate school of Cornell university. The author is now a professor of economics in the University of Kansas.” (St Louis) “The book presents an attempt ‘to study the question of the burden of insurance critically.’ ... Not only does the author endeavor to solve this complex problem as to the ‘incidence of social insurance charges,’ but also ‘to reach a reasoned conclusion with respect to the wisdom of a policy of social insurance.’ ... He finds that instead of destroying thrift, social insurance will rather encourage and stimulate it; that compulsory insurance against sickness and accident and superannuation is a definite step towards elimination of poverty.” (Survey)

“The volume will be especially helpful to those whom it is intended to serve; namely, persons who desire in brief form specific information and critical discussion on the problem of social-insurance costs. It presents facts in place of fears, hopes, and assumptions.” J: A. Ryan

“Professor Woodbury’s study may safely be recommended as the first serious effort to analyze the problem of cost.” I. M. Rubinow

WOODHOUSE, HENRY.Textbook of naval aeronautics; introd. by Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske. il*$6 Century 623.7 17-18983

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