Chapter 28

7–6416.

The posthumous work of a man “of acknowledged competence in matters, especially literary, pertaining to Spain, whose book is almost the only, and certainly the best, account in English of the unfortunate history of that country during the nineteenth century.... Its attitude is historical and, a special point for readers on this side of the Atlantic, its presentation of the Cuban question is temperate and convincing.” (Nation.)

“A few important points are somewhat slurred, as, for instance, the matter of the Hohenzollern candidacy; the index is poor, and there are more slips and misprints than is usual in this series, but on the whole the book may be warmly recommended.”

“The weakest part of the book appears to be the last pages, in which the author deals with the loss of the colonies in the war with the United States.”

“The present volume is a work of undoubted authority, and exhibits a complete mastery of the subject in all its details. It is a book written as it were from within, from a personal knowledge of the country and the people.”

Clarke, Maud W.Nature’s own garden. Il. **$6. Dutton.

“The author tells pleasantly, but with somewhat prolix sentiment, the story of her researches in English fields and woods for the flowers she has painted.” (Ind.) The volume is handsomely illustrated with numerous engravings and fifty colored plates of plants in their native haunts.

“Unfortunately for her book making, she has studied Richard Jefferies too much. We are grateful to her and to Messrs. Dent for providing us with another pretty gift book for our gentle, less critical friends.”

“Intelligence and thought and knowledge have worked hand in hand; and we appreciate these so much that we lament the more the lack of restraint with which the book is written.”

“Eyes hungering for beauty are again, as in Jefferies’s enchanting pages, persuaded to look at things that are near and common, and to find it there; and herein lies the value of this book.” Sara Andrew Shafer.

“It is interesting to a lover of American flowers to see how English flowers look, for there are very few of the flowers here figured which grow here, altho many of them are familiar enough in literature.”

“The manner of the book is personal in tone, colloquial, not always quite exact in the use of language, but fairly entertaining in the mass.”

“Essentially a book of the gift class, it is a worthy recruit to the ranks of the nature books, both in concept and execution.”

“Written by a nature-lover of unusual skill in description as well as in observing.”

“The evident pleasure in the subject and in the task of production is more than usually infectious, and the sermons in aestheticism tend to disappear as the book progresses.”

“The text is written in an involved and high-flown style, which may occasionally puzzle the understanding of many readers.”

Clausen, George.Aims and ideals in art. *$1.50. Dutton.

7–15912.

Eight lectures which treat of such subjects as quality in color, direct brush work, drawing, imagination and the ideal.

“We have much that is obvious and elementary, and see Mr. Clausen frequently retiring behind the sheltering authority of Reynolds or Millet or Leonardo.”

“Mr. Clausen is in fact an avowed disciple of Reynolds’s teaching. He finds in the famous ‘Discourses’ matter of pregnant interest and help for the student of to-day; and it is no small compliment to his own lectures that they recall, in their sanity and stimulating power, no less than in their clear and temperate style, their great example.”

“He has hardly mastered Reynolds’ critical position. His method is simply to juxtapose the old and new in happy oblivion of their mutual exclusions. He has the artist’s lucky knack of seeing only what he wants to see, and the practical man’s gift of holding contradictory opinions. If Mr. Clausen brings us but a little way towards the solution of the problems which he raises, he has at least produced a modest and charming little book.”

“The views expressed here are sound and the thought is clear. There seems to be little wanting that is possessed by the literary critic, while there is much that only the painter can know.”

Clausen, George.Six lectures on painting, delivered to the students of the Royal academy of arts in London. (London lib.) *$1.50. Dutton.

The six lectures include the following: Some early painters; On lighting and arrangement; On colour; Titian, Velasquez, and Rembrandt; On landscape and open-air painting; On realism and impressionism.

“Should be put into the hands of every young student.”

“We applaud Prof. Clausen for appealing straight to the unself-conscious common sense of his audience, and for not wasting time in pedantry.”

Clay, Albert Tobias.Light on the Old Testament from Babel. $2. S. S. times co.

7–4784.

“A résumé of the material in the Assyro-Babylonian inscriptions which bears upon the interpretation and understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures. There is much material included on Babylonian life and civilization not to be found in other works of this kind.”—Bib. World.

“This is a valuable addition from a conservative standpoint to the abundant literature on this subject.”

“The work is so treated that it scarcely at all duplicates the works previously published.”

“The text displays a vicious tendency to minimize the changes of opinion in the field of Hebrew history and religion made necessary by recent discoveries, and to gloss over the similarities and magnify the differences between Babylonian conceptions and those of the Biblical narrative.”

Clegg, Thomas Bailey.Wilderness. †$1.50. Lane.

“This is a story of a great wrong, a bitter hatred, and retribution complete and merciless enough to satisfy the most remorseless seeker after justice.... The scene is laid in Australia, a country which Mr. Clegg has evidently studied to some purpose; the characters are primitive men with primitive passions.”—Acad.

“Mr. Clegg writes well.”

“Its fault is that it is too rich in themes, with the result that no one of them is adequately worked out.”

“A thoroughly interesting and unconventional piece of work, vigorous with the spirit of a land still in its youth, so far as the over refinements of civilization go; and depicting persons and scenes far enough out of the ordinary to prove uncommonly attractive to the jaded reader of stories.”

Cleghorn, Sarah N.Turnpike lady: a tale of Beartown, Vermont, 1768–1796. †$1.25. Holt.

7–30831.

A story literally steeped in the atmosphere of “little nothingnesses” that make up the life of a family in a Vermont hamlet at the beginning of the revolution. It’s “an old-time American idyl with the spirit of locality strong upon it.”

“One recognizes an uncommonly successful writing-down of many of its present-day idiosyncrasies. For the rest, the story is quite inoffensive, told in a rambling, artless, unpracticed fashion, that almost makes one question whether it were not intended as a juvenile.”

“A pretty story.”

“One feels that the author has real sympathy with her subject and characters, and that, despite her abrupt and disjointed manner of telling the tale, it is really worth having.”

Clemens, Samuel Langhorne (Mark Twain, pseud.).Christian science.$1.75. Harper.

7–6631.

Mark Twain’s viewpoint is an objective one, humorously critical and one which characterizes the Christian science faith in the light of a reversal of the very things which to its followers are possible. He counts Christian science among the religions of the insane, and considers Mrs. Eddy in the light of a self-deified mental despot, which picture is drawn from the author’s interpretation of her acts and words.

“He does his work coolly and impartially. ‘Christian science’ in the United States and elsewhere will find the present work offensive, and regard some portions of the humor which pervades it as little short of blasphemy.”

“Adds nothing to the fame of the author.”

“It certainly is extremely funny—in spots.”

“Mark Twain does not attempt a serious examination of the doctrines of Christian science; probably he thinks it would be useless.”

“The book is without beginning, middle, or end; it is extremely repetitious. It cannot be regarded as either a serious or a humorous contribution to the discussion.”

“From beginning to end Mr. Twain misunderstands where he does not misstate the beliefs of Christian scientists.” Charles Klein.

“His book is much more than a garland of humor. In reality it is much more. It is a sober, compassionate and very earnest study of a remarkable system, the achievement of a very gifted woman.” Charles Johnston.

“Altogether, this book is unfortunate. Uproarious passages in it which have all Mark Twain’s old drollery and delightful extravagance tell us that his great comic powers are unimpaired. They wait to be reapplied successfully.”

Clemens, Samuel Langhorne (Mark Twain, pseud.).Horse’s tale.†$1. Harper.

7–34780.

Our much loved humorist has done another kindly service to his dumb brothers in this story of the cavalry horse, Soldier Boy, and the sunny little girl who loved him and all the world. There is much amusing satire in the story, but beneath it there throbs a great hearted kin-feeling for the animals who serve us, and there is a plea for true recognition of this service in the tragic death of little Cathy who lays down her life for the horse who has once saved it.

“We feel the throb of the kindest heart in the world beating for the helpless, whether brute or human, in this book, as in its long line of predecessors.”

“The tale will interest both children and grown-ups.”

“A short story in a rare vein of the author. Tenderness and swift, unexpected pathos make it notable.”

“Combining some of the best flavor of Mark Twain’s peculiar humor with sentiment borrowed partly from standard nursery literature and partly from the tracts of the Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.”

Clemens, Samuel Langhorne (Mark Twain, pseud.).King Leopold’s soliloquy: a defense of his Congo rule. 25c. P. R. Warren co., Boston.

5–32801.

With the intention of aiding Congo reform, Mark Twain arraigns humorously, but none the less scathingly, the shortcomings of King Leopold in his dominion over the Congo State.

“The great humorist never wielded his pen more pointedly in behalf of honesty and humanity.”

“While we are wholly in sympathy with Mark Twain’s purpose, we cannot approve of his method. The man so soliloquising would not say the things which the king is made to say, would not quote long passages which are, in fact, evidence against himself of the mostdamnatory kind. It is not a case, we think, in which fiction can be legitimately used, and as a matter of fact, it is not used with any great subtlety or art.”

Clements, Frederic Edward.Plant physiology and ecology. *$2. Holt.

7–25525.

A book intended for use with classes in second-year botany in college and university. In fifteen chapters the author treats of stimulus and response, the water of the habitat, adjustment to water, to light, to temperature, and to gravity, adaptation to water and to light, the origin of new forms, methods of studying vegetation; the plant formation, aggregation and migration, competition and ecesis, invasion and succession, alteration and zanation. The illustrations, consisting of photographs and line cuts, are many and good.

“Dr. Clements set himself a very difficult task, perhaps an impossible one, if we do not mistake the trend of recent study. That must be allowed for. Our main criticism, however, is not upon the choice of material for a brief treatise; it is against the attitude of mind that can tolerate vague explanations and invalid reasoning, and against a treatment of fundamental topics which is ineffective and not in accord with present knowledge.” C. R. B.

“The author writes in a peculiarly lucid and interesting way.”

“Constitutes a notable addition to the literature of botany in America.” Charles E. Bessey.

Clerici, Graziano Paolo.Queen of indiscretions: tragedy of Caroline of Brunswick, queen of England; tr. by Frederic Chapman. *$7. Lane.

7–19766.

The unpleasant story of Queen Caroline, the much disliked wife of George IV. is given in detail in this volume. “To speak of her in the words of the romantic and attractive title of this book as ‘a queen of indiscretions’ is to put her case very leniently indeed. Knowing that scandalmongers were constantly busy with her name, she deliberately did whatever a mind remarkably fertile in expedients could devise to make herself talked about the more. Finally she left England and spent six years trailing her little court ... all over Europe and even into Asia. Much of this time she spent in Italy. And it is to the records of her stay in that country that Signor Clerici has especially devoted himself in the preparation of this book.... The illustrations are numerous and interesting.” (N. Y. Times.)

“Caroline’s life was an astounding romance, and though it is a little clouded in the sumptuous volume before us by sentiment and pathos which are not needed, the account is ably given. The numerous illustrations, which are admirably reproduced from contemporary portraits and prints, would alone make the book of interest and value.”

“It cannot be said that any addition of importance has been made to history. The book will doubtless have its public, and is laudably free from errors, unless we count as such the statement that Brougham was ever the ‘leader’ of the Whig party.”

“The index, by the way, is evidently not the work of an expert. There is a lack, too, throughout the narrative, of definite acknowledgment of sources.”

“It has two great merits—really new material and a seriously historical mind. He himself has brought to his task immense pains, lucidity, and an impartiality of mind which does not prevent a definite view from emerging.”

“The book has for its chief attractions a series of illustrations, of which several are of interest, and some new, if not very important evidence as to Caroline’s doings in Italy.”

“Mr. Chapman has produced a very readable version of the original, but he ought not to have allowed ‘Huskisson’ to have been spelt ‘Hutchinson.’ Nor can we speak in warm terms of his introduction, which is largely made up of copious extracts from the Malmesbury diaries and Lady Charlotte Bury, together with much gossip that had better have been omitted. Some of the illustrations are exceedingly curious, and the book altogether is worthy of a better subject.”

Cleveland, (Stephen) Grover.Fishing and shooting sketches; il. by H: S. Watson. *$1.25. Outing pub.

6–35962.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“The sentences are sometimes long and involved and do not make what is called ‘easy reading.’”

“Short and unpretentious chapters, written as they are in a humane and enlightened spirit, with an occasional touch of humor in its specific sense, and a delightful prevalence of good humor throughout.”

“This is perhaps the nearest approach the public will ever make toward seeing an autobiography by Mr. Cleveland.”

“His little book is full of sound, homely philosophy and quaint humor.”

Clouston, Thomas Smith.Hygiene of mind. *$2.50. Dutton.

7–29074.

“A convenient and sensible handbook, setting forth the doctrines of sound health of mind.... The nature of brain action, its dependence upon the muscular, nutritive, and supporting systems, the changes of state in the several ages of man, the momentous doctrines of heredity, the special liabilities of the periods of life, the questions of diet and exercise, the reflex influences of good cheer and healthy-mindedness—all these are plainly handled.”—Dial.

“The book is a readable and practical contribution to its topic. It reflects a clinical interest in the workings of the mind, but lacks the insight into the underlying psychological relations that might well sharpen the contours and add interest to the details of theensemble.”

“His treatment of the management of instincts is particularly good, and is supremely sane.”

“The greater portion of the volume escapes from the difficulties incidental to conflict between physics and metaphysics, and is devoted to giving good advice concerning the physical, moral, and intellectual training of the young. In this part of his task Dr. Clouston, although seldom original, is always sensible and instructive.”

“A book that parents and others will find helpful in its suggestiveness rather than in definite directions or explicit advice.”

“It is sensibly written and backed by a wide experience of the matters in hand. A good deal of the author’s advice is stated somewhat too generally to be easily convertible into terms of practice, but the burden of his theme is clear enough.”

“His materials are ample, betray wide experience, and on the whole are thoughtfully and wisely utilised.”

Cody, Sherwin.Success in letter-writing, business and social. **75c. McClurg.

6–24040.

Colby, June Rose.Literature and life in school. *$1.25. Houghton.

6–41522.

Concerned with the needs of elementary schools this book “aims to show that literature should be made a vital part of school life—not merely in the formal instruction, but in many incidental ways and in a spontaneous rather than a conventional fashion.... An appendix gives in condensed form suggestions for class and outside reading.” (Outlook.)

“The book is well worth reading, not merely by teachers, but by all who have an interest in the development of the child mind and in the advance of good taste and right standards in literary study.”

“The style confuses one as to the usefulness of the book. It is a literary style, whereas it ought to be a scientific style. This gives it a vague and indirect air, where one has a right to expect directness and authority.” Porter Lander MacClintock.

*Cole, Timothy.Old Spanish masters engraved by Timothy Cole, with historical notes by Charles H. Caffin and comments by the engraver. **$6. Century.

7–32152.

This work continues the series of reproductions of paintings by old masters including Old Italian masters, Old Dutch and Flemish masters, and Old English masters. The enduring value of Mr. Cole’s engravings has been faithfully imparted to these reproductions while the text furnishes an interesting story of Spanish art. “Starting at the moment when Italian art was entering upon the superb achievements of the high renaissance, it survived the latter’s decay, reached its own independent climax in the seventeenth century, and received a supplementary chapter at the end of the eighteenth. As a connected narrative it may be said to have begun with the birth of a United States in 1492.”

“The thirty-one examples of his work contained add fresh lustre to his fame. Though not all of equal excellence, they are as beautiful artistically as anything he has previously done, and some of them are quite unsurpassed. Mr. Cole’s skill with the graver shows no sign of diminution. His line is still as marvellously varied, as virile and sympathetically expressive, as ever.” Frederick W. Gookin.

“Mr. Cole’s illustrations of [Velasquez, Ribera, and Zurburan] ... are too suave, but he has certainly done the world of art a service in his other reproductions.”

Coleridge, Mary E.Lady on the drawingroom floor. $1.50. Longmans.

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