Chapter 66

7–25498.

The author says that this volume is a self-prescribed penance for his former injustice toward the most beautiful country and the most unspoiled and courteous peasantry in Southern Europe. So he makes amends for hitherto rating the Portuguese as a Spaniard without any good qualities. His greatest interest centers in such places as “Bussaco, Thomar and Leiria, of which he gives a vivid series of impressions, picturesque, alert, and eminently good-humoured.” (Ath.)

“His vivid description of the scenery and the people, and his observations on art, history and archaeology make up a book of more than usual interest and charm.”

“The easy, flowing style of the book takes one from one scene to another without effort, and the vivid descriptions enable the reader to ‘see without traveling.’”

“The book is charmingly illustrated, and abounds in engaging, sincere enthusiasm.”

“Whatever Mr. Hume describes in and about Oporto, Bussaco, Coimbra, Alcoboca, Cintra, Lisbon, or places of lesser note, is done with a well-considered and creditable enthusiasm, and in an unusually graceful style.”

“It ought to be a revelation to those who know Portugal only from a guide book, or who think of it only as an unimportant strip of seashore to be neglected for royal Spain.”

“The fault we have to find with the clever sketches in colour is that they are somewhat faint in tint and rather too much en vignette.”

Hunt, Thomas Forsyth.How to choose a farm. **$1.75. Macmillan.

6–26525.

“The chief elements considered are: First, character and topography of the soil; second, climatic conditions, including healthfulness and water supply; third, location; fourth, improvements. A complete and somewhat technical classification of the soils of the United States is given, along with the crops best adapted to them.... The subject is treated from an economic point of view, abundant statistical data being given in support of statements.”—Ann. Am. Acad.

“The book suffers through an attempt to cover too wide a field. The style is ordinary. Though at times involved, it is generally lucid. The subject is treated practically and dispassionately. The book is valuable to persons considering the possibility of owning or living on a farm.”

“A remarkable volume for the amount of information that has been compressed without loss of enthusiasm and dryness of style.”

Hunt, Rev. William, ed. Irish parliament, 1775; from an official and contemporary manuscript. *$1.20. Longmans.

7–26445.

An interesting addition to the literature of Parliament. It is a reprint of a manuscript, supposedly a confidential document, prepared probably with the object of guiding the Irish government in its course of bribing the Parliament. Dr. Hunt has prefixed an introduction describing the regime of the time.

“The volume adds less than might be expected from a document introduced by Dr. Hunt.” C. Litton Falkiner.

“As a collection of character-portraits by a keen, if prejudiced critic, the black list of Sir John Blaquiere presents a very curious study.”

“Had the manuscripts been put forward quite alone it would have told its own sordid story, and more graphically than any monograph on the Irish parliament that now exists it would have exemplified the character of the institution that disappeared at the Union of 1800.”

“The book adds nothing of the substance to what is already known of the state of politics or of political morality in the period immediately preceding Grattan’s. Though Mr. Hunt’sessay exhibits the acumen and judgment which are characteristic of all his work, it supplies nothing of importance which cannot be as readily found in familiar authorities.”

Hunt, Rev. William, and Poole, Reginald Lane, eds.Political history of England.12v. ea. *$2.60. Longmans.

Descriptive note in December, 1905.

“We must confess that Mr. Fisher’s portrait of Henry VII. is not satisfactory.”

“We leave his book convinced of its very great historical, and we might add literary value.”

“He writes, not as an advocate pleads, but as a judge sums up. And the outcome is real history.”

“In some respects, in a freshness and newness of viewpoint, the volume has an advantage over its predecessors. For this, however, the author must share the credit with the peculiar opportunity offered by the field assigned him. This part of English history has been somewhat neglected by English historians of the last generation.” Benjamin Terry.

“One error of real importance is the ascription of arbitrary power to the ‘Warden’ of London, who was appointed by the king when the citizens were deprived of the right to elect a mayor.”

“Marked both by great merits and considerable defects. Professor Oman’s faults do not much matter; but the accumulated weight of scores of small errors becomes serious. To these limitations must also be added a too rigid adherence to mere chronological order, some want of perspective, a judgment that is not always mature, or even consistent, and occasional weakness of insight into constitutional and economic problems. The result is to diminish the value of an interesting work.”

“It is beyond question an admirable example of history treated from the ethical point of view. Probably it is the ablest instance which has been produced in modern days, and some of its descriptions—such as that of Bamburgh and its neighborhood—rival in their own fashion those of Froude or of Macaulay. Here, if any where, history is human and attractive. The emotional interpretation of events has excluded much that is proper matter for the historian.”

“One most important aspect of the times is too scantily, or at least too allusively, treated. We get no adequate impression of the economic problems which loomed large at this period.”

“There is a something wanting.... It is pulsation, life.”

Reviewed by Ch.-V. Langlois.

“If, however, we are hardly prepared to endorse all the opinions which are scattered through Mr. Brodrick’s pages we gladly acknowledge the clearness and accuracy of his narrative. We do not know where it is possible to find a better summary of English history during the first third of the nineteenth century.” Spencer Walpole.

“The book is written from a large and almost exhaustive study of all available sources.” James Gairdner.

“Mr. Oman’s clear and forcible narrative presents a review of the period which is in all its main aspects substantially sound.” C. L. Kingsford.

“The [fifth] volume ... contains what is probably the best account of Henry VIII yet written.”

“Able and exhaustive book. It will be an unfailing resource of the student, while it proves the despair of the captious critic; for its author can never be found nodding, and he puts forward no plausible theories to serve as a target for the enemy’s bullets.”

“The best history that has yet been written of the reigns of the first two Tudor princes. Whether he looks for instruction or for amusement, the reader who takes up Mr. Fisher’s book will not be disappointed.”

“Within the limits thus prescribed for him, Mr. Montague has produced a model book, and if sometimes these limits seem irksome to the reader, they must have been more so to the writer.”

“Although the high praise bestowed on this series in earlier notices must be continued yet as the volumes accumulate certain deep seated weaknesses begin to show more conspicuously.”

“His present work is authoritative, and based upon the results of the most recent scholarship. It is a valuable contribution to the literature of one of the most significant periods of English history.”

“A little of Macaulay’s art would make his reliable history more entertaining.”

“Perhaps an over-zealousness for detail is manifest, here and there, as, for example, in the discussion of foreign relations, but even where detail is most abundant the sense of continuity and unity and interest is preserved. And, on occasion, Mr. Fisher shows himself capable of rising to heights of superb eloquence.”

“It is regrettable to find economic conditions practically unnoticed.”

“Professor Tout has done his work well; his volume is essentially military and narrative history, accurate enough and full enough, it may be hoped, to satisfy students and general readers for many a decade.” Charles A. Beard.

“A clear, scholarly and adequate account which will find a serviceable place in the literature of the period.”

“Unhappily the volume is marred in many places by vehement expressions and loose characterizations which seem unworthy of so dignified a work.” Charles A. Beard.

“As a narrator ... he is admirable; his style is clear and, without striving after epigram, epigrammatic.”

“We must say, however, that Professor Montague’s flag is hoisted at once, and that there is scarcely an attempt to be fair to the side he does not like. We are not imputing to Mr. Montague any deliberate ‘suppressio veri.’ But his history has a particular focus. It proceeds on the assumption that one man may steal a horse while another may not look over the hedge.”

“In style, judgment, and exhaustive knowledge of sources it leaves little to be desired.”

“A broad, accurate, restrained and scholarly book. Admirable in its reliance on this authority and objectivity of the records, it is, however, a book which will appeal to the scholar rather than to the general reader.” Chalfant Robinson.

Huntington, Arria Sargent.Memoir and letters of Frederic Dan Huntington, first bishop of Central New York. **$2. Houghton.

6–39740.

“In a career so varied as that of Dr. Huntington’s there is much of general interest. Nourished in what might be termed evangelized Unitarianism, and educated by orthodox Congregationalists, he became pastor of a Unitarian church, and subsequently preacher to Harvard University and Plummer professor of Christian morals. On change of view he was made rector of an Episcopal church in Boston, and later, for thirty-five years bishop of central New York.”—Nation.

“The biographer has produced a pleasing picture of one of the most conscientious and useful men of the American church.”

“This book is for the few—for those who find a delight in simplicity and clarity and stability.”

*Huntington, Ellsworth.Pulse of Asia. il. **$3.50. Houghton.

7–36725.

A journey in central Asia illustrating the geographic relation between physical environment and man, and between changes of climate and history. Mr. Huntington gathers up the various hypotheses relating to geography, meteorology. archeology, folk-lore and history and combines them into a consistent geographic theory of history. The book is the outcome of personal adventure from which an analytical mind has deduced material which is a worthy contribution to science.

Huntington, Helen.Days that pass. **$1.25. Lane.

7–9785.

Some fifty little verses, slight and pleasing.

“All thoughtfully fashioned and delicate in expression.” Wm. M. Payne.

“A volume of slight but graceful verse.”

Hurll, Estelle May.Portraits and portrait painting, being a brief survey of portrait painting from the middle ages to the present day. il. $2.50. Page.

7–30411.

In this survey the aim has been to show what has been contributed to the art of each age and by each nationality as well as by the several most notable portrait painters. The work sketches history, temperament and types, throwing sidelights on subjects as well as painters. Some famous portraits are included among the illustrations.

“The ability ... to hold the reader’s interest by a crisp style, and by a skilful presentation of salient points and large issues, is evident throughout the book, which is an unusually satisfactory example of its class.”

“She has the valuable gift of awakening promptly the desire to examine at first hand the subject of her description.” Elisabeth Luther Cary.

Huston, Paul Griswold.Around an old homestead; a book of memories. *$1.50. Meth. bk.

6–39445.

“This ‘book of memories,’ though it celebrates a particular house, will serve to stir home memories in the heart of anyone who has lived in the country. It has much to say of the house itself, the open fire, the orchards, the woods, the squirrels, the dogs, and the activities of farm life.”—Dial.

“A finely-made book, whose open print and abundant pictures will especially delight old people.” May Estelle Cook.

“It is a sympathetic book to handle as well as to read.”

Hutchinson, Alfred L.Limit of wealth. **$1.25. Macmillan.

7–22404.

A narrative based upon a report made in 1944 by a committee appointed by the Eurasian conference, which represented the allied powers of Europe and Asia to investigate the system of government in the United States, by which that nation had so quickly outclassed the old nations of the world. The narrative presents the findings of this committee and shows us a United States based upon Utopian laws, the most significant being that which allows the accumulation of wealth by any individual but which limits his ultimate sale of it.

“Mr. Hutchinson’s book is at least written by one who understands present conditions. From these conditions he draws logical conclusions.”

“On the whole, we think these publications are more useful in giving the student of the present economic conditions a historical background than in giving to the reformer any clear light on methods for their improvement.”

*Hutchinson, Frances Kinsley.Our country home. **$2. McClurg.

7–36734.

A delightful account of how two people—a man who had always wanted a farm, and a woman who had never wanted a country house—were captivated by a bit of Wisconsin woodland bordering upon a lake. They immediately become the owners of seventy-two acres of this wilderness and in a few year bring about a wonderful transformation, each step of whichcombining the artistic with the practical, is recorded in this fully illustrated volume.

“Mrs. Hutchinson tells her story most entertainingly, giving many suggestions to readers who are interested in having country homes of their own.”

Hutchinson, Jonathan, jr.Leprosy and fish eating: a statement of facts and explanations. *$3.25. Keener.

The object of this work is stated in the preface to be “to carry conviction to the reader that the fundamental cause of the malady known as true leprosy is the eating of fish in a state of commencing decomposition.”

“In criticising Mr. Hutchinson’s theory we do not in the least desire to belittle his work, which is of the greatest interest, and his book is a valuable contribution to the epidemiology of leprosy.”

“We can lay down Mr. Hutchinson’s book with a feeling of greater respect for his perseverance than for his judicial capacity.”

Hutchinson, Rollin William, jr.Long distance electric power transmission; being a treatise on the hydro-electric generation of energy; its transformation, transmission and distribution. *$3. Van Nostrand.

7–10589.

“One-third of the book is devoted to the principles and practice of hydraulics.... The electrical section of the book opens with a brief study of the electric generator and its accessories.... Following this is a long chapter on the transmission line.... Transformers, motors and rotary converters have each a separate chapter.... The book closes with a few illustrations from actual practice of transmission-plant construction.”—Engin. N.

“As an epitome of the subject indicated in the title, the book is excellent. It is well-balanced in several parts and leaves the reader with an impression that the problem of power transmission is a large one.” Henry W. Norris.

“The treatment is concise, the language clear, and the mathematics elementary. A work in which theory and reliable every-day experience are well and judiciously combined.”

*Hutten, Baroness Bettina von.The halo. il. †$1.50. Dodd.

7–36982.

An unusual situation is handled by the author here. To free herself from drudgery and poverty as well as the retinue of ineligibles which her mother has forced upon her, an impulsive girl engages herself to a mere boy and later finds out that it is his father, the wizard of the violin, whom she loves, notwithstanding the fact that there is a wife. “The book is really a study of the artistic temperament.”

“There is about some of the people an air of verisimilitude and actuality; but one looks in vain for that fineness of perception, nicety of phrase, and sense of true contrast which would have added greatly to the whole.”

“Gives us in ‘The halo’ much the same wide range of life and variety of type that contributed to the popularity of ‘Pam’ and its sequel.” Frederic Taber Cooper.

“Is disappointing, owing to the improbability of the main situation. The situation is intense enough, and novel enough; but it lacks, somehow, that touch of reality, of sympathetic interest, which is ever needed to bring the reader completely en rapport with the joys or tribulations of the dwellers in romance.”

“The portrait of the violinist is an admirable sketch in the florid style, and it is a pity that the extreme depravity of mind which taints the atmosphere of the story like an unpleasant odour should prevent readers from enjoying the pictures of Anglo-French life in London, which are both amusingly and picturesquely drawn.”

Hutten, Baroness Bettina von.One way out. **$2.50. Dodd.

6–38553.

The hero, who is something of a cad, proposes to three girls in one evening and is refused by each in turn. A fourth proposal, one which promises an acceptance, he does not make. The explanation of all this forms the story.

“The book is a slight rollicking comedy of English life, told with much vivacity and considerable skill in the invention of incident.”

“Apart from its holiday make-up, the novelette has little to commend it.”

Hutton, Edward.Cities of Spain. *$2. Macmillan.

W 7–52.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“An enthusiastic and well sustained treatment of Spanish life and scenes. At times sentimental and pseudo-philosophic.”

“After reading the book, the reviewer suggests, as a more fitting title, ‘Spanish phantasies’ or, ‘Sobs of the desert.’ George G. Brownell.”

“A piece of the true literature, in which the very spirit of the scenes described has been caught and reproduced.”

Hutton, Edward.Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini: a study of a fifteenth century Italian despot. *$4. Dutton.

7–11548.

A record of fact retold as fiction. “The volume, which is a study of the ‘Quattrocento’ in Italy, with the principal figure an Italian despot, is supposed to be a translation of ‘the memoirs of the most material transactions’ in the life of Malatesta, ‘written in Tuscan by Pietro Sanseverino, with a sketch of his own life and account of his meeting with Leon Battista Albert.’... The book is fully illustrated with photogravures of portraits, documents, etc.” (N. Y. Times)

“As a means of arriving at this result he has invented a contemporary of his hero who shall tell the tale for him. The idea is ingenious and gives rise to some pages of interesting reflection and comment by the old humanist in the course of his narrative. Yet in this very scheme lies also the initial weakness of the book.”

“Although the memoir is a fiction the author has held loyally to historic fact and shows remarkable familiarity with the authorities as is evidenced by notes and references.”

“Alternately we are tantalized by our author’s refusal, as historian, to go one step beyond his documents, and annoyed by his airy readiness, as novelist, to brush aside a difficulty, without making the slightest effort to clear it up.”

“A product that is neither history nor romance something that historians will not read because they must regard it as fiction, while novel readers will avoid it because it advertises itself as history. In his attempt to be too clever Mr. Hutton has overreached himself.”

“This is an excellent book, worthy to be read by every lover of good English, and unquestionably the finest piece of work Mr. Hutton has as yet done.”

“Might perhaps have been as well expressed with slightly less evident straining after effect.”

“There is but one real blot in Mr. Hutton’s fine work of art, and that should be instantly painted out or painted over; Sanseverino describes as an eye-witness a supposed brutal murder by Sigismund of an Ultramontane lady.”

“It is an artistic piece of work, with a few flaws indeed, for only a consummate artist could have kept it quite on the same level throughout.”

Hyde, A. G.George Herbert and his times. **$2.75. Putnam.

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