F

Fairbanks, Arthur.Mythology of Greece and Rome, presented with special reference to its influence on literature. *$1.50. Appleton.

7–6167.

The purpose of this book is “to illustrate the wide-reaching influence of Greek myths first on the Latin poets, and, mainly through the Latin poets, on later writers.” There are numerous illustrations taken from ancient works of art.

“The author is progressive, yet conservative and judicious, and has produced a useful book.”

“A scholarly and complete presentation for school and college use.”

“The distinct merit of the book is not that which is emphasized on the title-page; it is, rather, the fact that the ancient stories are told by a professional student of mythology who is familiar with the results of recent investigation.”

Fairlie, John Archibald.Local government in counties, towns and villages. *$1.25. Century.

6–23708.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“A handy and valuable compendium. The volume is, however, subject to serious criticism because of the mode or style of presentation.” F. I. Herriott.

“He has compacted into comparatively few pages a wealth of information on his subject. Teachers and students of civil government in all parts of the country should find considerable use for the volume.” James A. Woodburn.

Fallow, Lance.Silverleaf and oak. $1.25. Macmillan.

The poems inspired by South Africa, the poems of the imperialistic voyager, are perhaps the best in this volume, which includes among others; The Southern cross; Spirit of hidden places, Day and night up-country, A Cape homestead, and a poem on the churchyard at Durban.

Reviewed by Wm. M. Payne.

“He is apt to fall into banal cadences, and he is much under the influence of Mr. Kipling. The last verse of the poem on the churchyard at Durban seems to us to be the highest point reached by Mr. Fallow’s muse, and is no mean elevation.”

Fanning, Clara E., comp. Selected articles on the enlargement of the United States navy. *$1. Wilson, H. W.

7–29552.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

*Fanshawe, Anne, lady.Memoirs of Ann Lady Fanshawe, wife of the Right Hon. Sir Richard Fanshawe, Bart., 1600–’72; reprinted from the original manuscript in the possession of Mr. Evelyn J. Fanshawe of Parsloes. il. *$5. Lane.

Of special interest as a family history rather than of value as a side light on social or political history of the time. “The most noteworthy part of the present edition is the elaborate notes, occupying far the larger part of the volume and giving full information about every thing and every person in any way alluded to by Lady Fanshawe.” (Nation.)

“The editing of memoirs is a difficult task at best, but we have no hesitation in saying that these ‘Memoirs’ have been edited as they deserve. and they deserve well.”

“These small blemishes count for nothing in comparison with the sterling merits of the book, which we feel confident will long maintain its place as the standard edition of the ‘Memoirs.’”

“The book remains curious, delightful as far as Lady Fanshawe is concerned, elaborate and admirable so far as we can absorb her editor.”

“The book must remain a standard work of reference for students of the period.”

“We are bound to say that most of Lady Fanshawe’s matter is dry stuff. But to all connected with the family this book, admirably printed, and illustrated ought to appeal.”

“The ‘Memoirs’ can make no claim to be a work of great literary merit, but though Lady Fanshawe was not a stylist, there is a directness about her writing that saves it from being wearisome.”

Farnol, Jeffery.My lady Caprice.il. †$1.50. Dodd.

7–31282.

“A love idyl of the summertime. A healthy and active young boy plays a very important part in bringing together a couple of lovers in spite of a very worldly peeress.”—N. Y. Times.

“The Imp is decidedly the most ingenious and interesting person in the book.”

“Should anyone read the book they will find it like rock candy—a thread to which sugar adheres.”

“Gay romance.”

Farnsworth, Charles Hubert, comp. Songs for schools; with accompaniments written by Harvey Worthington Loomis and B. D. Allen. *60c. Macmillan.

“Mr. Farnsworth has performed a much-needed service to public school music by collecting in one volume, well printed and bound and sold at a moderate price, the best of the traditional songs suitable for children’s voices. One finds here the more important national tunes, beautiful melodies of Stephen C. Foster ... fine old English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh folk songs, a few college songs, and a good selection of hymn tunes.”—Outlook.

“One of the best books of school music ever issued, and occupies a place of its own.”

“Mr. Loomis’s accompaniments show imagination and much technical skill, though in some instances one might question whether he has not elaborated his treatment more than is in keeping with the ruggedly simple nature of the melodies. On the whole, this book is a long step in advance in the literature of school music.”

Farrer, James Anson.Literary forgeries; with an introd. by Andrew Lang. $2.25. Longmans.

7–26421.

With the avowed purpose of giving some idea of the large space which literary forgery occupies in the history and development of the race the author discusses forgeries of ancient books like the “Letters of Phalaris” and the “Consolatio” of Cicero, the works of C. J. Bertram, Psalmanazar, the Eikon Basiliké, Chatterton’s Rowley poems, Launder’s attempts to discredit the originality of Milton, the Shakespeareana of Ireland, and other forgeries.

“Mr. Farrer has written an excellent book on a most interesting subject. It is Mr. Farrer’s worst fault that he has included some ingenious persons in his book, who are grievously out of place. Forgery is far too strong a word, for instance, to apply to Chatterton.”

“Mr. J. A. Farrer has given us a curious and entertaining book, distinguished generally for the lucidity of its reasoning. It clearly is not intended to be a contribution to learning, since it lacks an index.”

“If we are to judge the book by this grandiose purpose, it cannot be called a complete success. The reader who will decline to gauge the book by its author’s professed purpose will find it a very enjoyable ramble through an attractive by-way of literature.”

“A quaint, lively, discursive book, a sort of Newgate calendar in the sphere of letters. Mr. Lang’s artistic introduction is full of himself, and therefore delightful.”

“Mr. Farrer, whom Mr. Lang introduces to the public in his best style, has written a very readable book.”

Faversham, Mrs. Julie (Opp).Squaw man; a novel adapted from the play by Edward Milton Royle.†$1.50. Harper.

6–45695.

The characters in this story, adapted from the play, are a degenerate head of the house of Kerhill, the mother whose whole aim in life is to preserve intact the honor and dignity of her house, Jim Wynnegate, cousin to the Earl of Kerhill, and Diana, the latter’s wife. The scenes shift from London to the plains of western America, whither Jim goes to serve out a term of self-imposed exile, having assumed his cousin’s guilt of theft to save the Kerhill honor. The dramatic element predominates in love scenes, wild-west quarrels, and in the tragedy of devotion.

“A pretty story, rapid in action, with some bright dialogue, but crudely written.”

“The story is here told with spirit, and the narrative is full of variety and interest.”

“People who have been unable to see the play may find the book not devoid of the appeal which kept the drama on Broadway for almost an entire season.”

Favorite fairy tales; the childhood choice of representative men and women, illustrated by Peter Newell. **$3. Harper.

7–34176.

An especially attractive volume of such old favorites as Cinderella, Beauty and the beast, The sleeping beauty, Jack and the bean stalk, Jack the giant killer, etc. Marginal decorations, sixteen full-page illustrations and a white fiber binding lettered in gold make the book a beautiful holiday gift.

“The sixteen included are certainly among the best. Mr. Newell’s illustrations are, of course, delightful.”

Fea, Allan.Some beauties of the seventeenth century; with 82 il. **$4. Brentano’s.

Seventeen chapters, each of which is devoted to the personal history of some famous beauty or group of beauties most of whom belong to Whitehall in the days of the Restoration. “The facts about the various women—and the author has evidently been at some pains to obtain real facts to the best of his ability—are set forth in a simple narrative vein, making no injudicious pleas in defense of their actions and no superfluous attacks on the evident immorality of many characters.” (N. Y. Times.)

“Though not to be classed among strictly literary works, has the interest of a clever compilation.”

Fenollosa, Mary McNeil (Mrs. Ernest F. Fenollosa) (Sidney McCall, pseud.).Dragon painter.†$1.50. Little.

6–37204.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

Reviewed by Frederic Taber Cooper.

“The characters of the romance belong to screens or fans; it is the Japan of the popular imagination, and the scenes are effective in a sense, but there is nothing fine or interpretative about the writer’s touch.”

Fernald, Chester B.John Kendry’s idea. $1.50. Outing.

7–24157.

John Kendry’s idea embodied in such sentiments as “one’s aim should be to live as a conscious part of the whole continuous performance,” and “the one thing true of all life in motion, and the prime instinct of a live man is to go somewhere and do something” is best fostered in the wild free mountain-side surroundings which form much of this story’s setting. At times his idea is submerged in the deadly atmosphere of Chinatown. The pendulum swings between these two environments. On the heights he knows the companionship of a finely-wrought woman, at the foot of the mountain he confronts conventionality, inanities, nay more, plot and villainy.

“It is a story of many startling surprises; in fact, there is an ambush upon nearly every page; that anything like it ever happened, or could happen, we greatly doubt, but that does not prevent its being a highly readable melodrama with a style that comes near to exhibiting distinction.” Wm. M. Payne.

“This is a lively novel of adventure without any of the sacrifices usually considered necessary in stories of this type. Also his characters, if a trifle heavily emphasized at times, still talk and behave as real human beings might conceivably comport themselves under such startling circumstances.”

“His new book has some new interesting glimpses of Chinatown in San Francisco but it is too involved in plot and too improbable in incident to be altogether satisfying.”

Ferrero, Guglielmo.Greatness and decline of Rome; tr. by Alfred E. Zimmern. 2v. *$5.25. Putnam.

7–25134.

Two volumes which contain “a history of the age of Caesar, from the death of Sulla to the Ides of March.” “To the author of these volumes history is drama, with its characters, its passions, its plot and its setting—above all with its exquisite irony, the analytical foreknowledge of a Greek tragedy-chorus of which he is the leader. Roman history is no longer a weary catalogue of wars and laws, of risings and assassinations, sprinkled with names which by their very schoolday familiarity have become meaningless. Still less is it the blind hero-worship of a single personality to whom is ascribed a purpose and ambition beyond all human likelihood.” (Acad.)

“Signor Ferrero is a looker-on at this game of cross-purposes, who can use the eyes of his mind. He overlooks all the hands at once, and his book is the result of his observation, not of the platitudes of result, but of the human elements of process. In reading this book of his, we must feel that it is not the game that matters, but the players. If he completes his scheme as worthily as he has begun it, he will have written a more living, a more actual, history of Rome than any we have encountered up to now, and we can only hope for him and for ourselves that the task of translation may remain in Mr. Zimmern’s hands.”

“A fresh and vigorous treatment of a great subject, with a new handling of the evidence, which is not indeed increased, but estimated afresh. The whole book, though on a trite subject, is very stimulating even in its vagaries.”

“Signor Ferrero is no safe guide in matters where sober historical criticism is needed. It must be added that in its English dress his work has many blemishes for which we must hold the translator responsible.” H. Stuart Jones.

“The chief defect of the book is the inclination to disparage the deeds of Cæsar.”

“The reader ... cannot help being struck by the force with which Signor Ferrero puts his argument, and the admirable way in which he supports it from authorities. Other merits in the work can only be named, the insight into the social life and psychology of the Roman people, the full justice done to Lucullus and Cicero, and the excellent appendices. Mr. Zimmern has done his work most admirably, and has succeeded in reproducing, in a great measure, the vivacity of the original.”

“His work is generously planned; it rests upon a familiarity with the ancient sources of information. It has literary quality and at times brilliancy.”

“Dr. Ferrero argues his points with learning, ability, and entire familiarity with his facts. His thoughtful work is an important contribution to the literature of Roman history, and not less so because it is by an old Italian and based extensively upon the results of Italian scholarship.” Robert Livingston Schuyler.

“However familiar with Roman history one may be, he will find an attractive freshness throughout these volumes.”

“One of the most noteworthy works of classical analytical history of recent years.”

“The work of Signor Ferrero, to-day the foremost of Italian historians, is in a large measure justified. For he has something to say, though it is often hard to dig it out. He belongs to the newer school of historians, who trace not the conscious purpose of the hero, but the inevitable march of circumstances and tendencies.”

Fiala, Anthony.Fighting the polar ice. **$3.80. Doubleday.

6–44309.

In recording a two years’ fight with polar opposition north of the 81st parallel there are bound to be sensationally dramatic adventures. “It is a record of disaster and defeat. The expedition which was sent out by William H. Ziegler in 1903 to reach the pole from a land base in Franz Josef Land, lost its ship, made three attempts to cross the polar pack by sledge, none of which lasted more than two or three days, and returned home. The main achievements of the expedition were a reconnoissance by Mr. Porter in Zichy Land, and a series of meteorological observations conducted by Sergeant Long.” (Bookm.)

“Although it does not contribute materially to the fund of Arctic knowledge, nor offer much in the way of adventure, it will be found popular with readers of exploration.”

“Defects notwithstanding, the volume is a valuable record of a singularly luckless expedition.”

Reviewed by E. T. Brewster.

“The passages in the narrative which are likely to inspire popular interest are the leader’s description of a fall into a crevasse and Mr. Porter’s lively account of a tough sledge-journey.” Albert White Vorse.

“Is doubtless the most interesting story of polar exploration yet written in this country.” H. E. Coblentz.

“This is the most elaborate and richly illustrated record of polar explorations since Nansen’s books.”

“Mr. Fiala’s volume is admirably illustrated and his maps are clear and fairly accurate; but he is too much oppressed with his troubles and with a strong sense of his responsibilities to be an entertaining writer.”

“Mr. Fiala’s book, while not contributing materially to the fund of Arctic knowledge, and while not supplying much in the way of adventure, may yet be found enjoyable by those who find in Arctic literature perennial charm. The proof revision is not perfect.”

“The volume is well-written. The glow of imagination is diffused through the narrative and the facts worth telling are well told. Few descriptions of arctic work, conditions, and experience have been more permeated with readable quality. Some of these experiences are of the first order of interest.” Cyrus C. Adams.

“Although unsuccessful in his quest of the Pole, the brilliant young leader of this expedition is to be congratulated on his distinct addition to the general fund of knowledge concerning the Arctic regions.”

“We cannot approve of some of the word pictures. They are obviously not scientific.”

Ficke, Arthur Davison.Happy princess and other poems. †$1. Small.

7–14629.

The title poem which is a poetical romance occupies the first part of this volume, it is followed by seven poems upon Fancy in the later days, The return to Avon, To sleep and other subjects. Fifteen poems grouped under the head of Pilgrim verses, and evidently inspired by Oriental wanderings complete the contents.

“Mr. Ficke has to learn what to leave out, and to recognize that even in poetic style the happy phrase is that which flies like an arrow to the goal, not that which plays about the mark like a garden-hose, however charming the rainbow tints that sparkle in its spray.”

“The title poem, written from a mind saturated with Tennyson, Browning, and Keats, contains many good lines and some fine images and premises better things to some in spite of such rhymes as ‘dawn’ and ‘on,’ and ‘love’ and ‘of.’”

“There is an engaging wistfulness about it and often a rare sense of beauty. The verse does not in all cases show fulfillment, but promise always.” Christian Gauss.

Fidler, Henry.Notes on construction in mild steel; arr. for the use of junior draughtsmen in the architectural and engineering professions; with il. from working drawings, diagrams, and tables. (Longmans’ civil engineering ser.) *$5. Longmans.

7–26472.

A book for the junior draughtsman which is intended to aid him in “bridging the gap between the stress sheet and a working drawing that shall successfully pass the ordeal of criticism in the shops during construction and in the field during the erection of the structure. His plan definitely excludes any computations arising out of the application of mechanics to design, although hints are occasionally given as to theoretic considerations.” (Engin. N.)

“While many useful hints are given to the designer regarding various details as influenced by practical conditions, some are very general and indefinite in character. The range of illustrative examples seems to be too narrow to accomplish the author’s purpose. A comparative discussion of different details used for similar structures would materially enhance its value to the young designer or draftsman. In this respect the latter part of the chapter on columns is decidedly the most valuable.” Henry S. Jacoby.

Field, Walter Taylor.Fingerposts to children’s reading. **$1. McClurg.

7–11993.

These essays aim to interest parents, teachers, librarians, Sunday-school workers and all who are concerned with the education of children. The problem met is that of introducing a child to eminent writers through their simpler works.

“One criticism of a general nature: the child in the author’s mind’s eye would seem to be rather precocious or priggish or both.”

“Is admirably planned to awaken parents to the crying need of the best books in the home, and to give practical guidance in their selection.”

“An unusually useful book for parents who have children just beginning their education.”

Findlater, Jane Helen.Ladder to the stars. †$1.50. Appleton.

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