V

Vachell, Horace Annesley.Face of clay: an interpretation. †$1.50. Dodd.

6–24581.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“The story is delightfully written, and the people and places stand clearly before us.” Mary K. Ford.

“The book must be called successful, if only for the very striking background which Mr. Vachell gives to a drama otherwise lacking in intrinsic interest.”

Vachell, Horace Annesley.Her son: a chronicle of love. †$1.50. Dodd.

7–31481.

The story of a foster-mother’s devotion to the illegitimate son of the man whom she was engaged to marry. The compromising situations that arise from her determination to shield the boy leave in the reader’s mind “two ideas: first, a strong doubt as to the wisdom of too much self-sacrifice, and secondly, the enormous advantage, even from the point of view of expediency, of the open and straightforward course of action.” (Bookm.)

“This is a story which grows in interest from the first to the last page. It is well constructed and full of dramatic situations which nowhere develop into melodrama, in fact the more intense and strained these situations become the more naturally and simply does the author treat them.”

“For a novel so well written, the theme, as we have said, is disappointing. People do make wrecks of their lives, but not in this wantonly sentimental manner.”

“The book is interesting, the characters have a life and personality of their own and it is written in that pleasant, tranquil narrative style which is destined to flourish and charm long after the present morbid and neurotic school shall have disappeared.” Mary K. Ford.

“He has the credit of elaborating what is probably a new situation in the old triangular plot, and earns gratitude thereby, even if the characters, especially the actress and the journalist, suggest only the properties of his art.”

“No doubt the action turns upon sentiment; but, as readers of the ‘The hill’ well recall, Mr. Vachell’s sentiment is not of the watery kind. It consorts very well with sensible thinking and a plain and sturdy way of speech.”

“Is an unusual novel and will be deeply relished by those who think and feel. There is enough of a problem in it to arouse warm discussion.”

“A highly dramatic and human story by one of the five best writers in England.”

“The book goes beneath the surface in its study of motive and character and although it sometimes touches on delicate ground, it holds up a high standard of honor, faithfulness, and nobility of purpose.”

“We readily admit that the novel is well written, that the dialogue is bright, and the narrative well handled. But viewed as a whole the story stands or falls with the character of Dorothy Fairfax ... and we fear that a good many readers, instead of regarding her, with Lady Curragh, as ‘a heavenly fool,’ will be tempted to pronounce her an unearthly idiot.”

Vambery, Arminius.Western culture in eastern lands: a comparison of the methods adopted by England and Russia in the Middle East. *$3.50. Dutton.

6–25742.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“However frequently one may be disposed to take issue with Prof. Vambéry in his assumptions and conclusions, the scholarly merits of his work must be recognized at every turn. He occasionally falls into a panegyrical strain which is ill advised.... But these lapses are not frequent, and they probably flow from the author’s vivacity of style rather than from any inherent faults in his thought.” Frederic Austin Ogg.

*Vance, Rev. James Isaac.Eternal in man. **$1. Revell.

7–13923.

An appeal to higher living based on the conviction that man is a citizen of the eternal world.

“A vigorous and rhetorically effective appeal to higher living.”

“Such regrettable extravagance, akin to the ‘mother of God’ doctrine of the fourth century, is offset, but not atoned for, by many an excellent statement of moral and religious verities.”

Vance, Louis Joseph.Brass bowl.†$1.50. Bobbs.

7–12274.

A charming young New York girl who assumes the role of a burglar for the purpose of securing papers that will bring comfort to a grief stricken father; a real burglar, as dangerous as he is clever; and a young millionaire who is an exact counterpart of the burglar are the chief actors in this drama, whose exciting situations grow out of the resemblance of the two men.

“A more amusing and ingenious ‘shocker’ than this we have seldom read. Can be recommended for railway journeys and for all who wish to be amused without being made to think; incidentally it gives interesting glimpses into American life.”

“Will hold the breathless interest of the reader who is seeking only to be amused, as the action is rapid and the dialogue well written.” Amy C. Rich.

“A reader may protest, may resent the undue strain upon his sense of probability, but he will be tolerably sure to follow the story to its end.”

Vanderlip, Frank Arthur.Business and education. **$1.50. Duffield.

7–17640.

A collection of Mr. Vanderlip’s addresses and speeches dealing authoritatively with financial, industrial and educational questions. The author is vice-president of the National city bank, New York, and writes out of the fulness of a long commercial experience, made valuable by a broad knowledge of his fellow-man and a soundness of business judgment.

Reviewed by J. C.

“We would not gainsay the right of successful business men to their literary diversions, but will venture the delicate suggestion that not every article contributed to popular magazines needs to be reproduced in more permanent form.”

“Mr. Vanderlip’s book is a good qualification for his doctorate in finance.”

“Mr. Vanderlip’s conclusions are well thought out and clearly stated.”

*Van Dresser, Mrs. Jesmine Stone.How to find Happyland: a book of children’s stories. il. **$2. Putnam.

7–16944.

A book of fairy tales written by a mother for her son.

“Charmingly written.”

“A pretty wholesome fairy book, sufficiently mysterious to awaken interest in the children, yet very gracefully written, and having nice little morals tucked craftily away within its pages. The writer has the true gift of story-telling for little folks, and the pictures by Florence E. Storer quite suit the text.”

Van Dyke, Henry.Americanism of Washington.50c. Harper.

6–34847.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“Dr. van Dyke’s practised and graceful pen has made a book by no means without literary charm. If, from the literary point of view, one were to criticise this volume, such criticism would surely involve a discounting of the effectiveness of the peroration, which is more smoke than flame, and never rises beyond the mere rhetoric of patriotism and moral enthusiasm.” Horatio S. Krans.

Van Dyke, Henry.Battle of life. **30c. Crowell.

7–20955.

This sermon, preached from the text, “Overcome evil with good” appears uniform with the “What is worth while series.”

Van Dyke, Henry.Days off, and other digressions.†$1.50. Scribner.

7–33932.

Uniform with “Fisherman’s luck” and “Little rivers.” The “days off” are “more or less occupied with fishing, with now and then a bit of hunting, one long drive over the glorious English roads among the Quantock hills, one woodland excursion between the lupin and the laurel with no record of killing, and one or two chats on bookish subjects.” (N. Y. Times.)

“Mr. Van Dyke writes of these jaunts with a taking measure of fancifulness, and a flavour of bookishness which is agreeably elusive.”

“It is mighty pleasant to take a ‘day off’ with the parson.”

“One does not need to read far in ‘Days off’ before he comes upon the secret of its vitality and interest; it is revealed in a phrase—‘no vacation is perfect without a holiday in it.’”

“Altogether, this is a readable book, but it would have been more prudent not to invite, as on p. 37, a comparison with Charles Lamb.”

Van Dyke, Henry.Good old way. **30c. Crowell.

7–20954.

An addition to the “What is worth while series.” The good old way is the path of faith and duty which runs amid the tangle of sensuality, avarice, social ambition, intellectual pride, moral indifference, hypocrisy and indecision.

*Van Dyke, Henry.Music lover. **$1. Moffat.

7–35629.

“Dr. van Dyke describes the emotions of the true lover of music, as he sits in his chosen place and hears a great orchestra render a great symphony. Generous margins appropriately decorated in color, and a colored frontispiece by Sigismund de Ivanowski, whose work has lately attracted much attention, are the decorative features.”—Dial.

“A beautiful prose poem.”

*Van Dyke, Henry.Story of the other wise man.$5. Harper.

A special holiday edition containing a new preface by the author. “He tells us that he had studied and loved the curious tales of the three wise men of the East as told in the Golden legend of Jacobus de Voragine and other mediæval books; but of the fourth wise man he had never heard until the long, lonely night when the story came to him.” (Outlook.)

“Particularly well printed and illustrated.”

Van Dyke, John Charles.Opal sea. *$1.25. Scribner.

6–8871.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“Since Ruskin no more charming guide to the beauties of nature has put himself at our disposition than Professor Van Dyke.”

Van Dyke, John C.Studies in pictures: an introduction to the famous galleries. **$1.25. Scribner.

7–9576.

The service which Mr. Van Dyke renders is that of aiding the student of painting in seeing truly, comprehending adequately, and judging justly. There are ten chapters as follows: Old masters out of place; Pictures ruined, restored and repainted; False attributions, copies, forgeries; Themes of the masters; Workmanship of the old masters; Figure painting; Portrait painting; Genre painting; The animal in art; Landscape and painting.

“To his credit be it said he is never irrelevant, he relates historical facts which have bearings on certain cases, he makes suggestive comparisons, but ultimately when he wishes to explain beauty of a certain piece of drawing, of a harmony of color, or of a composition of masses, he perforce refers his reader to the picture itself.”

“Professor Van Dyke is a helpful cicerone, for he does not overpower the reader with his theories, or force upon him his tastes, or crush him with the weight of his learning, but talks clearly and sensibly about what pictures are painted for and how we can get the most out of them.”

“The passenger who expects to take a look at the famous galleries will take a far more sensible, comprehending look if he has scanned these brief, chatty pages; the passenger who, picking up a friend’s copy, had planned to waste no time poking about under European skylights will probably conceive some curiosity for the art treasures abroad.”

“Mr. Van Dyke is a most trustworthy guide, who knows what he is talking about, with a knowledge rare indeed even amongst those who enjoy a great reputation as critics.”

“Not only useful to the unsophisticated, to whom it is admirably adapted, but valuable to those who have a tendency to lose themselves in technicalities. The treatment is popular, almost casual [and] is based on a sympathetic attitude toward ignorance, which is rare in the writing of a specialist and a mark of mental breadth.”

“Is just the kind of work that is wanted to put the uninstructed lover of pictures on the right track.”

Van Eps, Frank S., and Van Eps, Marion B.Rejoice always: or, Happiness is for you. $1. Frank S. Van Eps, 144 W. 123 st., N. Y.

7–514.

A little book which preaches the gospel of happiness, sets forth its value and explains how it may be attained. Its chapter headings show its scope and trend of argument; Rejoice, The consciousness of God, No anxiety, Prayer and supplication, Thanksgiving, and The peace of God.

“Very optimistic little book.”

“Its fundamental positions are true psychologically and ethically, as well as in the mystical religious life. It may be heartily commended to all who would reach the high levels of ‘the life that is life indeed,’ where no cloud or storm is that the sun does not quickly dissipate.”

Van Norden, Charles.Yoland of Idle Isle. †$1.50. Appleton.

7–29008.

Idle isle is one of the Bermudas whither a New England college president and his granddaughter go to live in seclusion. The adventures that befall the heroine who is being reared away from the wicked world and the madding crowds suggest those of Miranda before Ferdinand awakens her.

“The one extraordinary thing in the book is the language in which its characters converse and soliloquize. It is surely the strongest mixture of grandiloquence and nonsense ever put down in sober print and attributed to people in their right minds. He promises quite plainly that there are further ‘annals yet to be written.’ It is to be hoped that he will think better of it and continue his ‘leisure.’”

Van Norman, Louis Edwin.Poland, the knight among nations; with an introd. by Helena Modjeska. **$1.50. Revell.

7–32871.

“Because of his intimate relations with Poles of the best class, Mr. Van Norman’s opportunities for studying both town and country life in all sections of the tripartite kingdom were exceptional, and his comments on Polish music and art, the national psychology and political and social problems are well worth considering; but his account of his pilgrimages to the scenes of Sienkewicz’s three great historical novels, and his picture of the great interpreter of Poland himself in his home among the Carpathian mountains are perhaps of the greatest interest to readers of contemporary literature.”—N. Y. Times.

“If Madame Modjeska has briefly prepared the reader for much, Mr. Van Norman has made himself admirably accessory after the fact, by telling the whole story in a vivid, impressive and scholarly manner.” Dolores Bacon.

“A sympathetic, first-hand study of a noble race of vigorous virtues and lovable faults.” Arthur Guiterman.

“Mr. Van Norman has had unusual opportunities of studying Poland at first hand, and his sympathies for the people are naturally keen, as he married a Pole. On every page of the present volume we are conscious of that knowledge and sympathy.”

“It is in the portrayal of modern Polish activities and accomplishments that Mr. Van Norman’s book performs its most distinct service.”

Van Sommer, Annie, and Zwemer, Samuel M., eds.Our Moslem sisters: a cry of need from lands of darkness interpreted by those who heard it.**$1.25. Revell.

7–16363.

“In this book is collected a mass of testimony and undoubted facts that merely lift the edge of the sad truth as to the lives of women in Mohammedan communities.... The universality and ease of divorce, the absolute freedom of the husband, and the utter helplessness of the wife, are revelations to many. A mere sentence, repeated three times, is irrevocable, and the wife is cast out to a life of sorrow, shame, and poverty very often.... Egypt, allAfrica, Palestine, Turkey, Bulgaria, Persia, India, Java, and all Malaysia are darkened by this unholy revelation to Mohammed.”—Outlook.

“The conditions of women in Turkey, Arabia, Persia, Northern Africa, India, and Southeastern Asia are described forcibly and clearly.”

Van Vorst, Bessie.Letters to women in love. †$1.50. Appleton.

6–36049.

Four groups of advisory letters written to four American women “occupying quite different places in the historical development of love.” Mrs. Van Vorst “thinks that the thing which counts about a woman more than anything else, from beginning to end, is her age.” She spends half her life “not being old enough and the rest in being too old.” And she tempers her advice accordingly. For example, “if a woman is over thirty-eight she must have patience in dealing with the man she loves; if she is less than twenty-five she may risk defiance in order to bring him to terms.” (Ind.)

“Few women will like the book, it is so pertinent, but most of them over thirty years of age could profit by Mrs. Van Vorst’s suggestions without injuring society.”

“There was abundant material here for the making of an interesting book. Mrs. Van Vorst has done little with it beyond discovering its possibilities. The cases she presents are not lacking in human interest, but the deeper note is lacking.”

“Her conscientious efforts to be ‘guide, philosopher, and friend’ result admirably—in the book—but in real life we fear her dissertations would be relegated to the same high shelf whither every guide, philosopher, and friend has retired from time immemorial.”

Van Vorst, Marie.Amanda of the mill: a novel. †$1.50. Dodd.

5–8736.

Descriptive note in December, 1905.

Van Vorst, Marie.Sin of George Warrener. †$1.50. Macmillan.

6–20363.

Descriptive note in Annual, 1906.

“As the excellent study of a thoroughly vain, vapid, and at the same time utterly unscrupulous creature, Mrs. Warrener stands out distinctly among this year’s novelistic figures. ‘The sin of George Warrener’ is executed with distinguished artistic feeling.”

Vasari, Giorgio.Stories of the Italian artists; collected and arranged by E. L. Seeley. *$3. Dutton.

W 6–323.

A collection of extracts from Vasari’s monumental work dealing chiefly with anecdote and biography, and designed evidently, for young readers. The volume is illustrated with 25 half tone reproductions in sepia and 8 colored plates.

“A digest of Vasari’s biographies, which is amply sufficient for artist and critic and intensely interesting for the general lover of Italian art history. The editor and translator manages the subject with consummate skill. What is of notorious inaccuracy is deftly suppressed, and what is of permanent value in the lives of the artists or in the surroundings in which they worked is quite as skillfully emphasized. The style, too, has a touch of the archaic, which while everywhere intelligible, gives a charming illusion of antiquity.”

Vaughan, Charles Edwyn.Romantic revolt. (Periods of European literature.) *$1.50. Scribner.

7–32815.

A monograph which treats of the rise and progress of the Romantic revolt against classicism in Great Britain; of a group of German writers, including Lessing, Herder, Kant, Schiller and Goethe; of the romantic movement in France and Italy; and of the history of romanticism in Spain, the Netherlands, the Slav countries, Scandinavia, Bohemia, Poland and Russia.

“The book is exceptionally readable.”

“It is unusual to find so large an amount of important literary history and of sound literary criticism within the compass of a book which may be read within a comparatively short time.”

Vaughan, Herbert M.Last of the royal Stuarts. 2d ed. *$3.50. Dutton.

7–28488.

“A footnote to history” which is conceded to be one of the most interesting of recent contributions to the literature of Jacobitism. “Henry Stuart was born in 1725, became a wealthy Cardinal-Bishop, had to flee from Napoleon, accepted, in his need, a pension from George III., and died in 1807.” (Lond. Times.) “A good account is given of the cardinal’s place as an historical figure. Genius is not claimed for him, but his piety, bounty, and kindness are pointed out, and the author perhaps wisely omits to quote the ill-natured gossip of Henry Swinburne.” (Eng. Hist. R.)

“It is doubtful if any more interesting record of the life of the Prince Cardinal has ever been produced.” W. F. Dennehy.

“That the Duke scarcely deserved a biography is our opinion; while the biography is written without much research, and with rather inadequate references.”

“The author has put together whatever is worth knowing about the rather uneventful career of Henry IX.” A. F. S.

“Much good and careful work has gone into Mr. Vaughan’s history of the Cardinal Duke of York, and the book is of value as rounding out the literature of the Stuart family. The references in Mr. Vaughan’s footnotes are curiously indefinite, and consequently lose much of their value and usefulness.”

“A life of Cardinal York, though it could not be a work of great historical import, was yet worth writing, and Mr. Vaughan has written it well.”

“This life of the Cardinal Duke is one of the most interesting of recent contributions to the literature of Jacobitism.”

“Interesting and carefully prepared book.”

Vaughan, Herbert Millingchamp.The Naples Riviera.il. $2. Stokes.

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