Chapter 21

W 7–129.

Lying back of these essays is “a mass of information and of personal observation upon the nature, the features, the characteristics, and the movements of the sea.” “It is intended specifically for the British public, and the author’s constant aim is to hammer well into the minds of that public the conviction that the very existence of the British empire depends upon her sea supremacy, and that this can be maintained only by a general national interest in the ocean heritage and a widespread knowledge of all it means to the country.” (N. Y. Times.)

“Mr. Bullen has reached that point in the literary career at which the author begins to think it is necessary to take himself very seriously. Accordingly whenever he thinks about it he puts on an air of great profundity. But ordinarily Mr. Bullen forgets his pose as soon as he gets well warmed to his subject, and writes with almost the simplicity and clarity which made it possible for even a child to understand and enjoy his early works.”

“A peculiarly novel and fascinating volume in a book which is at once scientific without the burden of scientific nomenclature, and romantic without being at all a romance.”

“Is solid, competent, and most useful work, and forms an admirable companion to Mr. Conrad’s more esoteric studies.”

Bullock, Charles Jesse.Selected readings in economics. *$2.25. Ginn.

7–31981.

A volume which supplies collateral reading needed for a general course of study in economics. “It makes no effort to present selections upon all the topics treated in such a course, but endeavors merely to provide supplementary material, historical, descriptive and theoretical which will enrich the instruction offered.”

“The work is carefully, thoroughly, and serviceably done, and should respond to a real need, especially in institutions lacking adequate library facilities.”

Bullock, Charles Jesse, ed. Selected readings in public finance. *$2.25. Ginn.

6–6286.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“The studies are very carefully selected. The book is of great value alike to teachers and students of public finance.”

Bulpett, C. W. L.Picnic party in wildest Africa: being a sketch of a winter’s trip to some of the unknown waters of the upper Nile. *$3.50. Longmans.

7–19053.

“The chief object of the expedition was to explore and survey the Musha and Roma plateaux, which lay to the South of the Akobo, between that river and Lake Rudolph in Central Africa. That object seems to have been accomplished with some thoroughness, and in describing the journey the authors afford their readers a good deal of useful information.... Starting from Khartoum in January in a flotilla of launches and boats, they found it possible to navigate the Sobat and Baro rivers as far as Gambela, on the Abyssinian frontier, and then, bearing south towards Lake Rudolph, traversed a well-watered and interesting region of which little is known.”—Spec.

“In the latest account of the marvels of this fascinating country a great deal of new and suggestive information is offered. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the volume is the chapter which deals with Abyssinia.”

“The story of this unusual picnic is told in a very simple and straightforward way.”

“They are ... observant of their surroundings, and discourse agreeably upon their progress and adventures.”

Bumpus, T. Francis.Cathedrals and churches of northern Italy. *$5. Pott.

Mr. Bumpus introduces his subject with an instructive essay on Italian church architecture, after which he proceeds to his field—northern Italy. “The region Mr. Bumpus covered in his tour is roughly bounded by Trent on the north, Venice on the east, Ravenna on the south, and Turin on the west, and includes, besides those cities, Milan, Verona, Vincenza, Padua, Bologna, and others—some twenty or twenty-five in all. Each chapter is illustrated with photographs and colored reproductions of the cathedrals, churches, and basilicas described therein.” (N. Y. Times.)

“Full of information that he has evidently been at some trouble to collect, yet his work is unsatisfactory—an almost futile attempt to explain, to make allowances for, something he has failed altogether to understand.”

“Whatever one’s interest in churches, be it devotional, historical, or artistic, it will be quickened by a perusal of this entertaining and instructive book.”

“He is sympathetic, taking, it is evident, a keen delight in gorgeous ritual and ornamentation; and he is sufficiently well read, in ecclesiastical history. His detailed descriptions ... are always full of spirit and vigour.”

Burbank, Luther.Training of the human plant. **60c. Century.

7–15628.

Mr. Burbank’s investigation into plant life—“creating new forms, modifying old ones, adapting others to new conditions, and blending still others”—has impressed him with the points of similarity between the development of plant and human life. He shows that the human plant needs the environment of love, sunshine, air, and nourishing food; he discusses heredity, predestination, training, growth and character. It is a sane and earnest treatise on life and its possibilities.

“Speculations in regard to the training of the child sensible as to recommendations of fresh air, nourishing food, proper environment, differentiation in training, but illogical at times in the application of the principles of plant growing, and not important.”

“The volume is to be commended to those in charge of old-fashioned Sunday school libraries.”

“It opens new vistas of thought to parents and teachers. Its every page is pregnant with suggestions of the gravest importance. It would be difficult to overestimate its value, and we heartily recommend it to our readers.”

“The book appeals to parents just as strongly as to teachers and it should be very widely read, for it exposes clearly the dangers and fallacies both of false education and of over-education.”

“Originally issued in magazine form, the matter in this volume well deserved separate publication.”

Burgess, Gelett.Heart line.†$1.50. Bobbs.

7–32840.

If it were not for the prologue the reader might be mystified over certain psychic revelations which the hero as palmist and clairvoyant makes to the heroine concerning her past life and her future. As it is, the trick of the clear seeing is bared, and one is prepared to enjoy the human side of this tale of the Golden Gate which deals as much with the froth of a San Francisco smart set as with the longings of a so-called charlatan bent upon learning his origin and winning the girl he loves.

“Is a good love story and something more—a really clever exposition of the methods of charlatanry among clairvoyants, spiritualistic mediums, ‘healers,’ and other deceivers of the credulous.”

Burgess, Gelett.White cat.†$1.50. Bobbs.

7–10048.

A tale which suggests “Double trouble.” The possessor of the dual personality is a young girl, charming and womanly one day, and hoidenish and cruel the next. She is under the spell of a hypnotist who makes use of his power over her to the end of extorting money from her. A prince in the form of a broad-shouldered young architect is thrust upon the mercies of the “white cat” as the result of a motor car accident. His mission, as in the fairy tale of old, is that of destroying the fatal work of the fairies and annihilating the lower personality.

“An exciting and rather well written story.” Amy C. Rich.

“The story is a fascinating one, tho not so interesting as Dr. Prince’s ‘Dissociation of a personality.’”

“His imagination runs wild at the last. The book is certainly entertaining, nevertheless.”

Burkett, Charles William, and Poe, Clarence Hamilton.Cotton; its cultivation, marketing, manufacture, and the problems of the cotton world. (Farm lib.) **$2. Doubleday.

6–26066.

The complete story of cotton culture. “The value of the book lies in section II, which contains a description of how the cotton-plant grows and is grown. To cotton farmers this section alone is worth the price of the book. It treats of the botanical structure of the plant, seed selection, environment, climatic conditions, fertilizers, farm tools required, injurious insects, planting, cultivating, picking, and the cost of making cotton.” (Nature.)

“Much valuable information is conveyed in an interesting way.”

“The book would be more correctly described by the title of ‘American cotton,’ for India, Egypt and other cotton fields, and the efforts of England to widen the source of supply by producing cotton within the British empire, are little more than subjects for the authors’ derision.”

“The volume is recommended to the attention of those who raise the staple, or trade in it, or manufacture it.”

“Although the style is of the cheap-magazine variety, the book contains so much exact and interesting information on every phase of the cultivation and marketing of cotton that it will be found useful by the special student. The chapters on cotton manufacture are less full and satisfactory.”

“It is intended mainly for the expert, but is written in a popular—occasionally too popular—style, and may be skimmed with interest by the reader who desires to know the history of cotton.”

Burkitt, Francis Crawford.Gospel history and its transmission. *$2.25. Scribner.

7–31392.

“Ten lectures on the origin, mutual relations, and historical value of the four gospels and the history of their adoption into the canon, delivered in the spring of 1906.”—Nation.

“It is a book to put into the hands of the nonspecialist who desires to know something of what scholars are thinking about the gospels; yet it is not without its measure of service to one who already has done much reading and reflection on the subject.” Henry Burton Sharman.

“Not one of Mr. Burkitt’s arguments is frivolous, though his conclusions may sometimes be startling: and his book deserves high praise as the work of a fearless, competent and reverent critic.”

“The volume is one of the best in English on the sources of information concerning the life of Christ.”

“The volume evinces ripe scholarship and good critical judgment.”

“He is always interesting, original, and so ingenious that slower minds grow alarmed as to what he may not undertake to prove next; but in this book he is on the whole conservative.”

Burland, J. B. Harris.Gold worshippers. †$1.50. Dillingham.

6–42432.

“What profit hath a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” fittingly furnishes the text for a sermon, preached, be it said, in no orthodox way. A band of Chinamen lose thru theft, a little metal ball, which when touching gold reveals a formula for converting cheap metals into gold. It comes into the possession of a young Englishman who is seized with a mania for gold, which, he learns to his later sorrow, is the curse of the god, Kiao Lung upon the possessor of the metal globe. His thrilling experiences make a full chapter of horrors. The book is a travesty on the greed for money and material power.

Burne, Sir Owen Tudor.Memories. *$4.20. Longmans.

7–28493.

Recollections of an old soldier who was in Crimea and was present at the capture of Lucknow of which he gives a spirited description. “The reader of Sir Owen Hume’s ‘Memories’ will find ample evidence as to the large part he took in shaping the external policy of India during a long period of years.” (Ath.)

“He has written a delightful volume of reminiscences which every one who has the good sense to skip the tedious parts will feel the better for reading.”

“From first to last there is not a disparaging remark or unkind word about anyone. The author in looking back on his eventful life has managed to remember only the pleasant incidents, and the consequence of this general good feeling is that his ‘Memories’ will be read with unqualified pleasure by those who do not share his political views, as well as by those who do. The book is certain to secure a wide public.”

“In some respects it is difficult to avoid the feeling that the writer has missed a great opportunity of producing a really valuable book, the great authority of which could not have been denied.”

“A welcome addition to the numerous works of the same nature which form so important a part of our modern literature.”

“We wish that he had been content to avoid a fashion too common in published diaries, and had not scattered so many ancient jokes and so much indifferent poetry about his pages. The whole tone and spirit of the book, in its optimism and kindliness, is instinct with charm, and there can be no lack of interest in the details of a life so full and distinguished.”

Burnett, Frances Hodgson.Cozy lion.†60c. Century.

7–29094.

A continuation of the magic of Queen Silverbell which in this instance reforms a lion and makes him a fit companion for the village youngsters.

“By far the most delightfully spirited story for young folks.”

“A nice little children’s story.”

“A jolly invention.”

Burnett, Frances Hodgson.The shuttle.†$1.50. Stokes.

7–29574.

There is much that is food for thought in this tale of the socially elect of the England and America of today. Reuben Vanderpoel of New York has added greatly to the millions his father wrested from the new world, and his two daughters carry that wealth to the old world to re-build two fine old English estates. The elder daughter, Rosie, is the victim of a dissipated fortune-hunter who abuses her and neglects his property. It is left for her sister, Bettina, the best product of American birth and European schools, to come to her rescue twelve years later with a clear head and a large bank account. While at work upon this task she finds that all poor noblemen are not mercenary and that one is both a man and noble.

“The present author has quite frankly adopted the method of the chromo-lithograph, with its violent contrasts and over-colored brightness. But, in spite of the method used, Mrs. Hodgson Burnett has succeeded in at least endowing her work with some semblance to life.”

“The last chapters fall off deplorably, being both sentimental and sensational.”

“Here and there we notice discrepancies chronological and otherwise. The story, though rather long drawn out, maintains its interest well.”

“Fundamentally ‘The shuttle’ is ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy’ over again. And be it understood that this is said in a spirit, not of disparagement, but of candid admiration. For as ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy’ was good, this book is good, and added to the ‘Fauntleroy’ idea there is a great deal more.” Beverly Stark.

“The story is a long one, and might be shortened to its advantage.” Wm. M. Payne.

“The force of Mrs. Burnett’s book lies in its detail. There is detailed pathos, detailed joy and grief, detailed melodrama even; but it is all frankly discussed and accounted for, and the writer’s knowledge of various kinds of life serves her in good stead.”

“It is a story which would have a mild interest for most people and about which nobody could conceivably have much to say. Exception might be taken to the villain as a shade more diabolical then even the code of melodrama permits. He is an extravagant caricature of the sufficiently absurd wicked baronet of legend.”

“Mrs. Burnett’s plot is stark nonsense, her American father a wierd exaggeration, her villain a Jack-in-the-box goggling on a coil of wire—but what of that? She is so kind, so honest, so free and splendid with her fairy gold, she loves her heroine, she admires her hero with such thoroughgoing ardor, that we want with all our hearts to make believe with her.”

“Mrs. Burnett is a born story-teller, and her best is very good indeed; it is a pity that her judgment as to what is true art in fiction is sometimes seriously at fault.”

“The book indeed is over-loaded with the sociology of two countries, and we hear far too much about the power of the everlasting dollar.”

Burnham, Clara Louise.Opened shutters.†$1.50. Houghton.

Mrs. Burnham has chosen her favorite summer haunts, the islands of Casco Bay, for the setting of this story. Silvia Lacey, orphaned and bitter against her relatives, finally accepts the hospitality of her mother’s cousin “Thinkright” Johnson, so called because of his faith in a happy solution of all life’s problems if only one’s thoughts are right and harmonious. Under the influence of Thinkright’s fine example of brotherhood love, Silvia scripturally finds herself, thru losing her rebellious vanity and self-love. An old disused tide-mill with its closed shutters is symbolic of Silvia’s discordant outlook on life, but with her transformation even the shutters open and let the sunlight in.

“It can no more be called a novel than a plate of bread and butter can be called a meal—even though the bread and butter be good of its kind.”

“The heroine of the novel, Sylvia, is one of Mrs. Burnham’s best-drawn figures. There are some amusing situations in the book, and the humor is plentiful and genuine.”

“Is surpassed by none which she has produced in her twenty-five years of work.”

“It Is written in her own pleasant style, with a strain of symbolism which reminds one of Mrs. Whitney.”

Burr, Anna Robeson.Jessop bequest. †$1.50. Houghton.

This story intense as it is from the human interest standpoint has a more vital significance in the warfare between a clergyman who permits the cloth to shield dishonesty and a frank youth who knows no religion other than that of high thinking and right living. Bennet Sherrington conniving with the intimidated Reverend Wynchell tampers with death records to throw a fortune into the hands of Wynchell’s granddaughter, Diana Jessop. Anthony Brayne, Sherrington’s secretary, unable to endure his employer’s trickery leaves him and becomes the champion of justice through whom the girl’s dignity and honor are spared, the grandfather’s weakness revealed and Sherrington’s villainy punished.

Burrage, Champlin.True story of Robert Browne, father of Congregationalism, including various points hitherto unknown or misunderstood, with some account of the development of his religious views. *85c. Oxford.

7–6783.

Some lately discovered manuscripts throw new light upon the history and views of the founder of Congregationalism which the author offers as corrective and supplementary to the work of older biographers, especially Dr. Henry M. Dexter.

“The whole monograph is painstaking and workmanlike.” Williston Walker.

Reviewed by Eri B. Hulbert.

“Has the merit of modesty in tone and of brevity and clearness in method.”

Burrage, Henry Sweetser.Gettysburg and Lincoln: the battle, the cemetery, and the National park. **$1.50. Putnam.

6–34848.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“The book is clearly written, and should be of much interest to those who have taken part in the preservation of our most famous battlefield.”

Burrill, Katharine.Loose heads. *$1.25. Dutton.

In these chatty essays “every-day matters, and some others, are treated with good sense, cheerful philosophy, and literary skill.” (Dial.) “Rusty needles, Chloe in the kitchen, Joys forever, People who have nothing to do, are among the titles.”

“Fresh and bright and eminently readable are most of the little essays.”

“The style is agreeable, but it might be wished that there were fewer split infinitives.”

Burroughs, Dwight.Jack, the giant killer, jr.; being the thrilling adventures, authentically told, of a worthy son of the celebrated Jack, the giant killer. il. †$1. Jacobs.

7–31422.

The mantle of the traditional Jack falls to a worthy successor whose adventures are no whit less thrilling, only more wholesome. The adventure entitled “The automobile race” suggests the modern note in Jack, junior’s experiences.

Burroughs, John.Bird and bough. **$1. Houghton.

6–10676.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

Burroughs, John.Camping and tramping with Roosevelt.**$1. Houghton.

7–31186.

A two-part sketch, the first of which being an account of the camping trip in the Yellowstone which the President and Mr. Burroughs made together in the spring of 1903, the second being an account of a visit to Oyster Bay in which the author gives his impressions of the President as a nature-lover and observer. He shows how Mr. Roosevelt can stand calm and unflinching in the path of a charging grizzly, with the same quality of coolness and determination with which he confronts predaceous corporations and money powers of the country; he claims for the President the power of observation “to see minutely and to see whole;” above all, shows how his interest in wild life is at once scientific and thoroughly human—making of him the rarest kind of sportsman.

“The book is as sincere as it is frankly the work of an admirer, but it is such a tribute as any man might be proud of.”

Burrows, Ronald M.Discoveries in Crete, and their bearing on the history of ancient civilisation. *$2. Dutton.

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