“The two new chapters exhibit Mr. Bryce’s capacity for brilliant historical generalisation at its best.” H. A. L. F.
“The identity of the book is by no means lost in the revision, for the changes have not been such as to alter the general mode of treatment, nor to increase the size of the work beyond the limits of a single volume.”
“But not since the edition of 1873 has it shown such changes as are now apparent—changes which, while not materially affecting the main argument, are nevertheless of a character and extent that make the present edition completely supersede its predecessors. He has met and has admirably overcome the criticisms to which it was formerly exposed. The revision he has found it necessary to make in his exposition of the rise, decline, and fall of the ancient empire is of an elucidatory rather than a corrective nature.”
“Now more than ever before deserves high rank as a text-book. It is still centered upon a single idea and institution, empire and popedom in the middle ages. On this subject it is the standard English authority.”
“This latest edition has taken into account fully the results of modern historical research. A concluding chapter, sketching the constitution of the new German empire and the forces which have given it strength and cohesion, has been appended. A chronological table and three maps have also been added, and the book has been revised throughout. Typographically it is very satisfactory.”
Buchanan, Thompson.Judith triumphant.†$1.50. Harper.
The siege of the Assyrians under Holofernes against the Jews of Bethulia is the field of this romance. Judith, its heroine, goes forth into the camp of the enemy at the risk of her life and honor, in the hope of saving her people. The dangers she encountered, the brutality of Holofernes, the intrigues of Nin-Gul, the dancing girl, whom she has supplanted in the affections of Holofernes and her love for the Ammonite captain, who devotes himself to her interests, form the theme of the story.
“Appears to possess no unusual or particular qualities to distinguish it from the vast number of other equally interesting and entertaining narratives of the same period. For quick and easy reading, however, with plenty of spirit and no little action it can be highly commended.”
“Told with some skill and much vigor.”
Buckham, James.Wayside altar.*$1. Meth. bk.
A collection of poems which contain a mellow philosophy and treat of the hereafter, and the deep contentment attending true Christian living.
Buckmaster, Martin A.Descriptive handbook of architecture.*$1.25. Dutton.
There is a strong plea in Mr. Buckmaster’s preface for the study of historical architecture in our elementary schools. “Though this historian of architecture does no more than merely to outline the various styles and briefly to trace their development, he does this in such untechnical, though not over-picturesque language, that those who read his text to the end will wish to learn more about architecture and in greater detail.” (Outlook.)
*“As a popular elementary text-book on the history of architecture this little book is certainly welcome. It is brightly and clearly written.”
*“It would probably have been better had the author dealt with one period of architecture, and have done that thoroughly, rather than have takenup so large a field. It has resulted in an essay which is ‘scrappy.’”
*“A valuable vade mecum for the student of the history of architecture.”
“To the average reader Mr. Buckmaster’s text is particularly useful; first, because he has appended thereto a glossary of architectural terms, and secondly, because he has illustrated that glossary.”
Buell, Augustus C.History of Andrew Jackson, pioneer, patriot, soldier, politician, president. 2v.**$4. Scribner.
A comprehensive biography based upon public and private documents, and personal recollections of eminent men and women. The long life of the man of many-sided character and varied activities is given in full with the history of his time in the background.
“Against Mr. Buell’s style of expression one cannot bring the charge of dullness. He has written with alertness and clearness. He has given us a personal biography in which an abundance of incident and many amusing anecdotes are introduced. Mr. Buell’s facile narrative is full of errors great and small. There are in the book serious omissions of facts.” John Spencer Bassett.
“Mr. Buell gives the fullest and most elaborate description [of the battle of New Orleans] which we have seen.”
“From such tokens—as from laxities of style sufficient to rouse a suspicion that every statement will not bear scrutiny—the reader finds his confidence in the historical value of the book impaired. To the author’s credit it must also be said that he has performed with marked success the difficult task of giving a fairly intelligible account of the two great battles of Jackson’s life,—the battle of New Orleans, andthe fight against the United States bank. This is manifestly one of the works to which future students of the man and period must have recourse.” M. A. De Wolfe Howe.
“The work is written in a spirit that may well be characterized as judicial, although in places the author leans far too heavily on Parton. We are inclined to class the work, at this writing, as the best biography of Jackson that has appeared.”
“As a mass of biographical material, pleasantly and honestly presented, these volumes have a real value, especially to the student who can remove the chaff.”
“There are occasions also, it is to befeared, where Mr. Buell suffers his personal Anglo-phobism to interfere with his facts.”
“It is not a balanced work in execution. It exhibits a singular incapacity to weigh testimony and to judge the contemporaries. It would be a fruitless task to follow Mr. Buell in his many errors of statement, for no chapter is free from them.”
Bullen, Frank Thomas.Denizens of the deep.**$1.75. Revell.
“A study-built book.... The subjects of Mr. Bullen’s collection of short stories are animals that cause the reader to have a vivid conception of the life of the inhabitants of the deep. There are many different specimens of these denizens considered, whales and sharks and seals and sea lions, or sea elephants, as Mr. Bullen calls them, and the birds of the sea as well as the fishes. We find that there is a story about every one of the more important birds.... And the narratives are not all fictional.”—Baltimore Sun.
“When the narrative is not fiction it is full of information conveyed in a delightful manner. The author writes easily and accurately, and his work, whether taken as a collection of interesting stories of fish and of bird life or as contribution to popular natural history, is deserving of praise.”
“Is certainly as charming in style and graphic in description. All sorts of representatives of the reptilian and finny tribes are introduced and made as familiar as men we know.”
*Bumpus, T. Francis.Cathedrals of England and Wales.**$4. Pott.
“This volume is a detailed account of the architectural features of a number of English cathedral churches, prefaced by a sketch of the general characteristics of cathedrals and of the development of cathedral building in England and Wales. It is, of course, copiously illustrated from photographs of the exteriors and interiors of the edifices treated, and the author takes up each cathedral historically.... The book is intended for students (or at any rate connoisseurs) of cathedral architecture.”—N. Y. Times.
*“The book has all the marks of close observation and a real knowledge of what is and what is not good art and good archaeology.”
*“It is not a popular but a serious work.”
*“Mr. Bumpus’ style has a refreshing air of the gossiping antiquary.”
Bunyan, John.Pilgrim’s progress: from this world to that which is to come.$2. Macmillan.
Just the text and Gertrude Hammond’s eight pictures, “good in themselves, and excellent examples of modern processes of color printing” make up this new edition of “The Pilgrim’s progress.”
“We are inclined to doubt whether Mr. White, in his otherwise admirable monograph, need have given a fifth of his space to what is really an abridgement of the famous narrative.”
“Attractive edition.”
“This is an admirable edition, so far as paper type, and size go.”
Burdett, Sir Henry.Hospital and charities annual, 1905; being the year book of philanthropy and the hospital annual.*$2. Scribner.
An account of the hospitals and charities of the United Kingdom, India, the British colonies and the United States. The work of various branches, such as free dispensaries and military hospitals is described, and hospital administration, officials, details of staff, the number of patients and the income of each institution are given. A copious index renders the book convenient for reference.
“A wonderfully complete record of hospitals and charitable undertakings.”
Burgoyne, Frank J., ed. History of Queen Elizabeth, Amy Robsart, and the Earl of Leicester: being a reprint of “Leycester’s commonwealth,” 1641.*$2.50. Longmans.
This work, of unknown authorship, was first printed 1584, it was translated into French and Latin, was proscribed by the queen in England and burned whenever found, by the officers of the law. It depicted Leicester as an “inhuman monster” and charged him with many crimes among them the murder of Amy Robsart. The queen officially denied the charges and Leicester’s nephew, Sir Philip Sidney, wrote an indignant answer to them.
“The editor has done little beside write a necessary introduction.”
Burke, Edmund.American taxation: ed. by James Hugh Moffatt. 25c. Ginn.
A fully annotated copy of Burke’s speech for class room use.
Burkitt, F. Crawford.Early eastern Christianity: St. Margaret’s lectures, 1904, on the Syriac speaking church.*$2. Dutton.
“It is far Eastern Christianity with which these lectures are concerned, not that of the Greek and other Eastern churches within the ancient Roman world. Its chief seat was Edessa, in the Euphrates valley, the ancient ‘Ur of the Chaldees, the fatherland of Abraham.’ ... Into this unfamiliar field these lectures conduct the reader, through an interesting account of the Bible, the theology, and the internal life of a long extinct but once flourishing and distinctively characterized church.”—Outlook.
“It is, then, especially in this fertility of ideas and suggestion that the value of Mr. Burkitt’s book lies.”
“The task is difficult, and despite the careful study made by Prof. Burkitt the result leavesmuch to be desired. The data is uncertain and mixed up with legend and fable. Lectures have their value, if only to make comparisons between the beliefs of to-day and those of the past.”
Burland, Harris.Black motor car.†$1.50. Dillingham.
An exciting story of a man who, when young, stole some money for a woman’s sake and on the death of his neglected wife turned against her. She in anger betrayed him to the police. He serves his term in prison, and twenty years later builds the black motor car, commits burglaries and murders, captures and tortures a man who turns out to be his own son, and seeks out the woman who had ruined his life to kill her, but is foiled in his revenge, for she is already dead. The whole thing culminates one night in a race for life, he in his black car, the whole country aroused and armed and waiting for him. The criminal maniac escapes them all, however, but meets his death in a quicksand.
“Mr. Burland does not waste words in his story. He has a good yarn to tell, and does not stand on art to do it.”
“It is a story with thrills and shivers.”
“For those who love horrors and melodrama, this book will furnish a feast.”
“May be characterized as a freak tale.”
Burnaby, Andrew.Travels through the middle settlements of North America; ed. by Rufus Rockwell Wilson.**$2. Wessels.
“Another volume of the ‘Source books of American history,’ and a notable one; first published in 1775, reprinted the next year, soon translated into French and German, and reissued in enlarged form in 1798, from which this new reprint is made. It is hardly necessary to say that a book with such a history, and long out of print, richly deserves to be rescued from the obscurity into which it had fallen in the lapse of more than a century.”—Critic.
“Of critical notes there are none, which seems unfortunate. The form of the book is, however, very attractive, and the narrative was well worth reprinting even without editorial annotations.” F. H. H.
Burne-Jones, Georgiana.Memorials of Edward Burne-Jones. 2v.**$6. Macmillan.
While the attitude of the real man towards his thoroly idealized art fills the pages of Lady Burne-Jones’s “Memorials,” “it is not the painter to whom we are introduced so much as the man, and a very straightforward, single-minded and lovable character we find him.” (N. Y. Times). “The author has very wisely avoided any artistic appreciation of her husband’s work as a painter, but has taken great pains to collect all the facts relating to his family, its origin, his education and early tendencies, his friendships and ideas, often quoting his own words from letters to friends.” (Nation).
“The whole book is filled with the poet’s personality, and little anecdotes of his sayings and doings. G. B.-J. has worthily carried out her task, and the world is the richer for the story of a great artist and a lovable and much-loved man.”
“She presents him in a wise Boswellian way, mainly by the record of his daily speech and acts. The result is a very clear impression of a personality of great, of surprising power and charm.” H. W. Boynton.
“It is a wonderful revelation of an intensely interesting and lovable personality. A striking feature of these volumes is the never-failing humour of Burne-Jones’s letters and of the many comic sketches that enliven the text. Lady Burne-Jones has given us a biography that is at once a life record of deep human interest and an invaluable contribution to the history of English painting in the Victorian era.”
“It is a true and an appreciative record of the man and his life-work.” Jeanette L. Gilder.
“It is only fair to Lady Burne-Jones to say at once that she has avoided every pitfall that lay along her path, and has made the most of every pleasure that the excursion afforded.” Edith Kellogg Dunton.
“She reveals in this book a skill in construction and a charm of style that would do credit to a writer of established reputation.” Herbert W. Horwill.
“She would have shown a finer devotion to his memory had she reduced the bulk of these two volumes to one. Having made our own abridgement, we have little but praise for Mrs. Burne-Jones’s work. To our mind the best part of the narrative is that which contains the experiences of Burne-Jones at Oxford and during the first years in London, while the Oxford influence was still upon him. Mrs. Burne-Jones has a happy knack, all the more artful for its extreme simplicity, of hitting off the great men of the day as they come into her circle.”
“No more deeply interesting biography has appeared of late years than this tribute to the memory of Sir Edward Burne-Jones from the pen of his widow. Its one drawback is the fact that the illustrations are not in the least representative of Sir Edward Burne-Jones.”
“Lady Burne-Jones seems especially endowed with the qualities needed for the task; she writes with convincing sincerity and a sense of humor, and has the gift of literary style. Her readers cannot fail to get a vivid impression of Burne-Jones’s fascinating personality.”
“Lady Burne-Jones writes from a standpoint of knowledge and sympathy impossible to anyone else, and we can but admire the skill with which she has arranged the material. The narrative is full, but never confused, and the characters of the men and women who pass through the pages are drawn with rare ease and distinctness.”
Burnett, Frances Hodgson (Mrs. Stephen Townesend).In the closed room.†$1.50. McClure.
The father and mother of Judith, a strange visionary child of the tenements, are called to be caretakers of the big empty house with the closed room where a little girl has died. Judith mysteriously passes thru the locked door and plays with the child who is dead and her toys until this strange spiritual bond is tightened and little Judith is drawn into the land of spirits.
“She is artistically vague and not dogmatic. The story is accomplished with a fleeting, caressing touch; it has a considerable charm and is very suggestive.”
Burnett, Frances Hodgson (Mrs. Stephen Townesend).Little princess: being the whole story of Sara Crewe now told for the first time.†$2. Scribner.
The story of Sara Crewe and what happened at Miss Minchen’s school, which charmed its young readers years ago, appears once more in holiday garb with a dozen beautiful colored plates by Ethel Franklin Betts. The book has grown and the present volume includes all the new matter which was put into the successful play called the “Little princess,” and also much matter newer still which was inserted when the play came to be transformed once more into a story.
*“Is the leading child’s book of the year.”
Burney, Frances (Madame D’Arblay).Diary and letters of Madame D’Arblay; ed. by her niece, Charlotte Barrett. 6v. ea.*$2.50. Macmillan.
A new edition of the famous diary, with preface and notes by Austin Dobson, photogravure portraits and other illustrations. It extends from the issue of “Evelina” to the author’s death (1778-1840).
“The foot-notes are precisely what one must desire for such a text.”
“The value of this edition is greatly increased by the complete general index in the last volume, each volume having its own index as well. On the mechanical side the edition leaves nothing to be desired, while on the editorial side Mr. Austin Dobson has brought thorough knowledge and ... sympathetic appreciation.”
“Madame D’Arblay’s diary is her masterpiece, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is as good as a novel, for it is composed in all respects like a work of fiction. The diary from beginning to end is written in Miss Burney’s characteristic style; it is not marred in a single page by Johnsonese, and we believe that it will be read even when ‘Evelina’ itself has become a curiosity.”
*Burr, William Hubert, and Falk, Myron Samuel.Design and construction of metallic bridges. $5. Wiley.
This book is based upon the ninth edition of Prof. Burr’s standard work, “The stresses in bridge and roof trusses, arched ribs and suspension bridges.” “The book consists of ten chapters, the first of which is A historical sketch of bridge building.... Chapter II. is devoted to the general types of trusses, loads and specifications, and contains the most recent practice in railroad and highway bridges.... Chapter III. treats of moments and shears, and of the design of plate girders.... Chapter IV. and V. treat of all kinds of trusses with parallel and horizontal chords and with chords not parallel.... To the chapter on swing bridges has been added the treatment of these bridges by the method of deflections, with examples in each case.... The book concludes with chapters on wind stresses and details of construction.”—Engin. N.
*“It may be stated that the book reflects well the advance in the design of metallic bridges, and is a worthy successor to the old standard which it replaces.” Leon S. Moisseiff.
Burrage, Champlin.Church covenant idea: its origin and its development.**$1. Am. Bapt.
“Mr. Burrage has reproduced a great many covenants of the early Baptist and Congregational churches. They are, like the early Christian oaths, pledges of loyalty to standards of right living to a remarkable degree. The beginnings of the covenant idea are found among the German Anabaptists of the reformation period. Mr. Burrage is very modest in the claim he makes for any Anabaptist roots of the Scotch covenants. These, culminating in the Solemn league and covenant of 1643, were quite apart from the main course of the development of the covenant idea. They were all covenants to maintain a fixed order of belief and worship. In conclusion, it is confessed that ‘the covenant idea has ceased almost entirely to have for us the great significance it had for the early New England colonists.’”—Nation.
“It is a splendid specimen of scholarly method and interest.”
Burrage, Henry Sweetser.History of the Baptists in Maine. $2. Marks ptg. house, Portland, Me.
This history “covers the period from about 1675 to the present time. It treats freely the educational and temperance activities of the denomination, its connection with the anti-slavery agitation, its missionary labors, and the growth of its church organizations.”—Am. J. of Theol.
“Leaves little to be desired by persons interested in the Baptist history of the state of Maine.”
Burrill, Katharine.Corner stones.*$1.25. Dutton.
A book which pleads for the old-time leisurely courtesy and a home education for girls. “The volume is made up of essays, several of which appeared in a London magazine, to girls on friendship, cleanliness, duty to parents, letter writing, cooking, etc. In her ‘Foreword,’ the author speaks of the modern girl. She does not believe in sending a girl away from home for her education. The mother is the best teacher. ‘It is better,’ she writes, ‘to keep a girl at home, if all she learns is spelling and simple arithmetic.’” (N. Y. Times). While it appeals strongly to English girls, it is no less a book with a mission for the American girl.
“The ethical purpose of the book and its pleadings for sweeter manners are sufficiently plain, and are handled so wittily, with such lurking fun and brimming humor, that their assimilation is an easy and pleasant process. In its pages it never outsports discretion. As agospel of goodness it is eminently reasonable, and its style has the charm of unconsciousness.”
“It is a series of monitory chapters upon all sorts of social and moral observances delivered in slangy English.”
Burroughs, John.Far and near.**$1.50. Houghton.
“My life has gone on, my love of nature has continued, my habit of observation has been kept up, and the combined result is another collection of papers dealing with the old, inexhaustible, open-air themes.” So says Mr. Burroughs. The “far” scenes described are those in “green Alaska” and Jamaica. The “near” pictures are of the wild life around his home on the Hudson river. Nearly half of the book is devoted to an account of his Alaskan trip in 1899 as a member of the Harriman expedition. The only heretofore unpublished essay of the group is that in which he tells how he lost February and found August in Jamaica. Mr. Burroughs’s northern soul however, takes little pleasure in nature in her tropical aspect. He “cannot make love to her there.” She “has little winsomeness or tenderness. She is barbaric; she is painty and stiff; she has no sentiment; she does not touch the heart.”
“Humdrum, undistinguished style. It is kindly wholesome stuff.”
*“He records impressions however slight and incidents however trivial, but it is all done with that charming double gift of his for seeing everything as if for the first and only time, and of making others see it in the same way.” F. M. Colby.
“The records of far journeys in this new book may not add greatly to his reputation, but they serve the gracious purpose of showing us an old friend in new surroundings.”
*Burroughs, John.Ways of nature.**$1.10. Houghton.
In these essays Mr. Burroughs, who has ranged himself upon the side of those who protest against animal stories which humanize animal life, not only sets forth his own views, in which he declares that animals share our emotional but not our intellectual nature, but also defends himself from recent attacks upon his theories and gives counter arguments.
*“This book succeeds in presenting what may be judged as a rational view of Nature’s methods.”
Reviewed by May Estelle Cook.
*“One reads the little volume with extreme pleasure, drawing from its pages an uplifting sense of air and light.”
*“The whole discussion is pervaded by Mr. Burroughs’ well-known charm of style and clearness of statement.”
Burton, Charles Pierce.Boys of Bob’s hill; adventures of Tom Chapin and the “band” as told by the “secretary.”†$1.25. Holt.
The summer vacation of eight healthy-minded boy bandits who live at home and are petted and disciplined by turns, like most everyday boys, but when they climb Bob’s hill and enter their cave they are outlaws. They do many plucky things, and incidentally they start a forest fire, almost wreck a train, call out the fire department on the Fourth of July, and try to smoke real tobacco. The reader, whether he be boy or a grown-up, will follow their adventures with interest and will agree with the band that the hermit’s gold rightfully belongs to Tom.
Burton, E. D.Short introduction to the Gospels.*$1. Univ. of Chicago press.
An introduction to Biblical literature which may become a distinct treasure to the student. Dr. Burton’s work is concise, and reveals a careful examination of the four gospels. There is added a chapter on the synoptic problem. “The chapter of ‘the gospel according to Matthew’ closing with a table of contents which exhibits excellently its general plan, will be welcome to all students of that difficult New Testament book.... The notes appended to the chapter on Luke’s gospel merit particular attention. Note II is on ‘The enrolment in the governorship of Quirinius.’ ... Dr. Burton’s view of the Johannine problem will command attention.” (Bib. World).
“Has a definite aim, and without superfluous words goes straight to its mark. It uses chiefly internal evidence, and asks each gospel to disclose its own secret. To expound the synoptic problem in less than twenty small pages of English is to do the impossible. No other book that the reviewer knows of does it so well as this.” Wm. Arnold Stevens.
Burton, E. D.Studies in the Gospel according to Mark.*$1. Univ. of Chicago press.
The “Studies” in Mark’s gospel is a book “for secondary classes.”
“The lessons have already borne the test of actual use by experienced teachers, and all the material appears to be admirably arranged. The appended dictionary, filling twelve pages, is an important feature.” Wm. Arnold Stevens.
Bury, John B.Life of St. Patrick and his place in history.*$3.25. Macmillan.
“The book opens with a chapter on the diffusion of Christianity beyond the Roman empire, followed by the story of the life of St. Patrick. The appendices contain the descriptions of the writings of St. Patrick and other documents from which the author drew the material for his biography; notes on the different chapters, and an excursus.”—N. Y. Times.
“Speaking generally, what chiefly impresses us in narrative and appendices alike is the constant presence of a wide and just sense of historical perspective which should not in the least dwarf the particular interest of the book.”
“A life of St. Patrick in which careful and minute research has not quenched a bold and vivid imagination. The index ... is wholly insufficient and not prepared with a fraction of the care required.”
“Although, as we have seen, the Professor is absolutely beyond suspicion of any religious bias in favor of his hero, he gives us a picture of Patrick which may be called sympathetic.” James J. Fox.
“Perhaps some readers regret that Professor Bury has found it necessary to reject so much picturesque material, but students of the middle ages are likely to agree that in writing this biography the author has done a real service to the cause of Irish history.”
“The appendix ... is in many respects better reading than the body of the book. For themain portion is a little confusing from the way in which it gives all the legends and no clear criticism of them.”
“The volume is built of hypotheses.”
“A work whose technical merit is commensurate with its intrinsic interest. The main part of the work spreads before the general reader the sifted results of historical criticism.”
“The sources are meagre, and Dr. Bury’s examination of them is masterly.”
Butcher, S. H.Harvard lectures on Greek subjects.*$2.25. Macmillan.
If in the intense modernism of the present century we sometimes vaingloriously forget the debt we owe to the ancients, such scholars as Mr. Butcher do a real service in commanding a mindful attitude. While given at Harvard, the author addresses himself not only to scholars but to a mixed audience. “The first lecture compared in a singularly able and effective fashion the Greek spirit with the Jewish spirit, the Greek influence and the one other comparable with it.... Then he passes in the next lecture to a comparison of the Hellenes and the Phoenicians. These represent the pure commercial spirit. The next lecture deals specifically and enlighteningly with the quality of the Greek passion for knowledge. Still further lectures deal with ‘Greek art and inspiration,’ and with ‘Greek literary criticism.’” (N. Y. Times).
“These lectures are not only full of thought, they are also written, it is superfluous to say, in admirable English.”
*“The style throughout is admirable. It would be difficult to say too much in praise of this most scholarly book.”
“Mr. Butcher’s own style is admirably suited to such essays as these. No one can read them without recognizing how desirable it is that a synthetic mind like his should handle these larger questions of classical scholarship.”
“The title of Greek to retain its ancient place in education of the broader kind is convincingly supported by Mr. Butcher in this volume. The book needs no recommendation to Hellenists. It may be cordially commended to the attention of the more open-minded and liberal of those who consider Greek a cumberer of the modern stage.”
“So illuminating an interpretation of the Greek spirit. Knows his subject, and he deals with it in the freshest way and in the most human spirit.”
“It is their naturalness, their contagious freshness and vivacity, rather than their learning, which strike the reader first.”
Buxton, E. M. Wilmot.Ancient world: outlines of ancient history for the middle form schools.*$1. Dutton.
A “wonderful story” of the civilization of bygone days. The “author writes about the first ages of man, the history of Egypt, ancient Babylonia, the Medes and Persians, Phoenicia, the land of the merchant carriers, the Hebrews, the story of Carthage, the Hindu people, China, the story of Alexander, and of Parthia, and gives some glimpses of the ancient Romans and Greeks.... For those who wish for a bird’seye view of the great landmarks of the history of the ancient world, the author has provided a full summary, with approximate dates, embracing the period from 4400 B.C. to the Christian era.” (N. Y. Times.)
“Gives a striking picture of the mind, manners, customs, myths and legends of the different ancient nations and describes the influence exercised by these nations on one another.”
Byles, C. E.Life and letters of Robert Stephen Hawker.*$5. Lane.
“A visionary, a poet, a humorist, a priest.... His love of fighting was perhaps the only quality in which he differed from the gentlest of the saints. There are still some who believe that modern science is a tool the devil has put into the hands of sinners, but Hawker’s certainty of that is only equalled by his belief in witchcraft, charms, pixies, mermaids, evil eyes, the immediate answer of prayers, the damnableness of dissent, and much else allied to these. But he made his parish of Morwenstow. He rescued and tended the shipwrecked, he consoled the wicked, he spent his income on charity.... He was a very wild, naughty boy, and, as a youth, full of practical jokes and uncomfortable animal spirits.”—Acad.
“The Reverend R. S. Hawker has left behind him no literary remains which point to the possession of any extraordinary genius, and yet a baffling and beautiful soul leads us to examine every record and study every poem for a key. In ‘The life and letters of R. S. Hawker’ just published we turn page after page and only manage to catch the flying skirts of the vicar. Of Hawker’s own poems, his fragment of the ‘San Graal’ is worthy to be compared with Tennyson’s treatment of the subject, and his ballads earned the praise of Sir Walter Scott.”
“Mr. Byles has performed his task—by no means an easy one—with skill and good taste.”
“Its contents are a product of unusual skill and discretion.” H. W. Boynton.
“Must be regarded as one of the best biographies of recent years.” H. W. Boynton.
“Mr. Byles has given us an excellent presentment of a most interesting and picturesque figure of the last century.”
Reviewed by Percy F. Bicknell.
“His ‘Life and letters,’ by his son-in-law, C. E. Byles, leaves nothing to be desired.”
“His book therefore, demands acceptance as the real biography of the Vicar of Morwenstow.”