“Is an ample and scholarly work.”
“He has turned out a book that is at once scholarly and eminently readable. Moreover, his work scarcely runs the risk of being superseded.”
“Told with feeling and intelligence by one who breathes the spirit of the times.”
Smith, Vincent A.Early history of India.*$4.75. Oxford.
From 600 B. C. to the Mohammadan conquest, including the invasion of Alexander the Great. A great deal of space is devoted to the invasion of Alexander, while the chapters dealing with the mediaeval kingdoms of the north, the Deccan and matters of purely local interest are brief. The closing chapter outlines the history of the South.
“Will be welcomed for its very able research into Alexander’s India campaign. McCrindle, whom we had thought to have said the last word on the subject, is corrected in so important a matter as the place where Alexander’s army crossed the Hydaspes.”
“Mr. Smith is unusually well qualified for the work he has undertaken. This knowledge, combined with a high ideal of the office of the historian, ability in the sifting and criticism of evidence, and finally the power of presenting in remarkably clear and attractive form the fruits of his investigations has led to the production of a work of exceptional merit.” George Melville Bolling.
“Nearly a third of the volume is occupied with Hellenic activity and influence in India, and there is nowhere so complete and vivid an account of the great campaign as is to be found in these pages. Even those not interested in India for itself cannot fail to be attracted by this chapter in the life of Alexander, which in some regards at least may be accepted by historians as a definite statement.”
Smith, William Benjamin.Color line.**$1.50. McClure.
The author is a southerner and a professor in Tulane university, but he tries to give an unbiased scientific treatment of the race problem, taking up the question of miscegenation, the danger of the “mongrelization” of the white race in the South, and social and political future of the negro.
“The argument is largely rhetorical and contributes nothing to our knowledge of what is going on. The book abounds in extreme statements. As a plea of an intelligent partisan the book has value, but otherwise is not to be compared with the recent volume of Mr. T. N. Page, who holds very similar views.”
“There is much that is new in the conception and in the detail of the present study. Whether the reader agree or disagree with Professor Smith’s conclusions, we can promise him that this is by far the most elaborate and important study of the American negro that has yet appeared, that it deals with fundamentals and not with the superficial manifestations of the conflict between black and white, and that its tone is such as to command respectful attention from the reader, whatever his prejudices. A style full of terse, vigorous phrases, at times enlivened by humor, and again and again shot through with illuminating allusions revealing the breadth of culture, the fund of reading upon which the scholar can draw at will.” Pierce Butler.
“Professor Smith of Tulane University writes as an ‘irreconcilable,’ but his arguments are strong and well buttressed, and he views the subject on several sides.”
“Mr. Smith’s book is a naked, unashamed shriek for the survival of the white race by means of the annihilation of all other races.” W. A. Burghardt DuBois.
“It is only valuable as an effort to substantiate the South’s treatment of the negro. It contains neither scientific accuracy nor literary excellence.”
“It may be Professor Smith has allowed his predispositions to color his conclusions somewhat.”
“In six passionately written chapters brimming with science and statistics, Professor Smith makes a strong presentation of the position of the South on the negro question.”
*Smythe, William Eilsworth.Constructive democracy: the economics of a square deal.**$1.50. Macmillan.
“This volume presents the evils of the present industrial system and proposes three remedies. The first is Senator Newland’s plan for dealing with the transportation problem.... The second remedy is Mr. Garfield’s plan.... The first remedy would put the railroads, the second the trusts, under the supervision of the National government. The third remedy is National irrigation for the development of our unused lands, and adequate protection of them from the land-grabber, that they may furnish an opportunity for the ‘surplus man.’”—Outlook.
*“We see no evidence that he is familiar with the economic history of the past. His book is journalistic rather than academic in its spirit. We should like to see his book read and pondered by all journalists and congressmen.”
*“His book impresses one as the work of a keen observer of modern industrial life and a thoughtful student of its problems.”
Snell, F. C.Camera in the fields. $1.25. Wessels.
“The first part of Mr. Snell’s manual is entitled ‘The camera and the dark room’; in this the processes are explained.... Parts 2-5 are devoted to the several subjects of Ornithology, Zoölogy, Entomology, and Botany; in each the special subject—how bird, beast, insect, or plant is to be best ‘taken off’ by the camera—is dealt with. The volume is amply illustrated.”—Spec.
“His sensible remarks on the matters of which he is clearly a master himself should be of great value to students of ornithology, zoölogy, entomology, and botany.”
*“An excellent handbook for those who are interested in the finer problems of photography.”
“It is of its kind excellent.” W. P. P.
Society in the new reign; by a foreign resident. $4. Wessels.
This book supplements “Society in London,” published by the same author in 1886. It gives a present day view of “persons and things, as well as of a social state generally” both in and out of London, under such chapter headings as—The new court and some state pillars, Society at school and at play, Where wit, wealth and empire meet, Hencoops and heroes, Counter and coronet, Society’s tradesmen and their social claims.
Sociological papers, by Francis Galton and others.*$3.60. Macmillan.
“The volume comprises the papers and discussions at the first meeting of the (British) Sociological society, 1904.... Among the subjects discussed, ‘Eugenics,’ or what in this country is called stirpiculture, takes the leading place.”—Outlook.
“Marks the opening of a new stadium in the progress of sociology.”
“The book is welcome not merely because of the excellent papers, but also because of the light it throws upon the headway sociology is making in England.”
“The sociological society is to be congratulated on the appearance of its first volume.” W. D. Morrison.
“The one real addition to knowledge that the volume contains is by an outsider, Mr. Harold H. Mann.”
Reviewed by F. W. H.
Reviewed by J. H. T.
Solberg, Thorvald.Copyright in Congress. 65c. Supt. of doc.
“A complete bibliography of all the bills relating to copyright which have been introduced into Congress, the resolutions and laws which have been enacted, and those reports, petitions, memorials, messages, and miscellaneous documents which have been printed, together with a complete chronological record of all action taken in Congress, in any way relating to the subject of copyright, showing how each proposal has been dealt with.” The record begins with April 15, 1789, and extends to 1904.
“A work of great historic interest.”
Somers, Percival.Pages from a country diary. $2.50. Longmans.
This diary of a country sportsman treats of English rural life in all its phases. There is social life, scenery, and a criticism of hunting customs and sporting laws. The whole is enlivened by clever anecdotes and original reflections in the things about them by the author and his wife, Belinda.
“It can be confidently recommended to all who care for records of outdoor life flavored with the philosophy of a genial observer of men and animals.”
“A delightful raconteur is the author, and his stories are short and to the point.”
*Sonneck, Oscar George Theodore.Francis Hopkinson, the first American poet-composer, and James Lyon, patriot, preacher, psalmodist: two studies in early American music.*$5. O. G: T. Sonneck, Lib. of Congress, Wash., D. C.
“A piece of research in American history based on an examination of original sources.... Hopkinson, who was born in 1731, was a man of unusual talent; a writer, a politician, an inventor, and an enthusiastic musician....* Hopkinson himself laid claim to the title of first native composer in a letter dedicating his volume of ‘Seven songs’ to Washington.... His rival for historical precedence, James Lyon, is a substantial, if less interesting figure.... It is an extremely interesting monograph for those who are concerned with the neglected past of music in this country.”—N. Y. Times.
*“It is an invaluable contribution to the history of American music, and its production reveals the achievement of a formidable task.” W. J. Henderson.
*“Though the graces of English style are not Mr. Sonneck’s, he knows how to make his history not only minutely correct, but interesting.” Richard Aldrich.
Sorley, W. R.Recent tendencies in ethics.W: Blackwood & sons, London.
“This little book consists of three lectures on ‘Some leading features of the ethical thought of the present day,’ delivered at Cambridge (England) to a summer meeting of clergy held there in July, 1903. The chapters in the book are headed respectively: ‘Characteristics,’ ‘Ethics and evolution,’ ‘Ethics and idealism.’ In the first chapter Professor Sorley says that in ‘English ethical thought during the last century ... the controversies of the time centered almost exclusively round two questions: the question of the origin of moral ideas, and the question of the criterion of moral value.’ ... A misapplication of the biological doctrine of ‘natural selection’ is also responsible for a large measure of the present confusion of ethical thought. This brings the reader to Chapter II., in which this misapplication is dealt with at length.... Chapter III. deals with the ethics of modern idealism.”—Int. J. Ethics.
“Is avowedly addressed to those whose interest in life is practical rather than theoretical; its aim is obviously to be practically helpful to such people. It must be owned that to the present critic it seems chiefly to warn off from the realm of philosophy all students of the quality described. It is perhaps not too much to say that both in method and in implied point of view Mr. Sorley’s book is too slight and too old-fashioned to do justice either to recent philosophy or to Professor Sorley’s position in it.” May Gilliland Husband.
“The qualities of careful and exact thought, of methodical arrangement, and of clear expression are found to characterize the volume.” James Seth.
Soto, Hernando or Fernando de.Narratives of the career of Hernando de Soto in the conquest of Florida; ed. by E. G. Bourne.**$2. Barnes.
“A complete and authoritative ‘Narrative of the career of Hernando De Soto,’ as found in the original documents, chiefly based on the diary of Rodrigo Rangel, his private secretary, together with an account of the great expedition to the Southwest of the United States, translated from Oviedo’s ‘Historia general y natural de las Indias’ by Buckingham Smith. There is an historical introduction by Edward Gaylord Bourne, professor of history in Yale university. The conquest of Florida is told by a knight who was a member of the expedition. Several portraits, hitherto unpublished, of De Soto himself appear in the volume, to which is appended his life and some of his letters.”—R. of Rs.
“Prof. Bourne’s editorship is of the best, and the translation excellent reading.”
“A boon alike to the student, to the ordinaryreader, even to the romance-loving boy.” F. S. Dellenbaugh.
“The volumes will be regarded as a valuable and convenient addition to both history and literature.”
“It would be difficult to find in any language a more direct and forceful account of heroic adventures and careless lust for new sights and strange experiences. Together with the narratives of Coronado’s expedition in the Southwest, an earlier volume of the “Trail makers’ series,” it is the best possible account of the aboriginal condition of the southern United States.”
Sousa, John Philip.Pipetown Sandy.†$1.50. Bobbs.
A story of Pipetown, its boys, its schools, and its grown people. Sandy, the hero, already a leader on the playground, leaves the foot of the class and wins the prize in arithmetic and geography thru the influence of Colonel Franklin’s weak little son whom he makes his friend. Sandy also helps the store keeper to win the widow Foley, and takes an active part in the tragic scenes which follow her worthless husband’s reappearance in Pipetown.
“Here we have the annals of a typical American village told with the simplicity and the charm of a Goldsmith and the added interest of a writer whose intensity of feeling and vivid imagination have enabled him to invest simple life and homely circumstances with compelling fascination.”
“Parts of the story are really human and attractive.”
“It is difficult to see how it can be of any real value. It cannot contribute to the formation of an exalted taste in literature; and a boy with a good taste already formed would not care much for it.”
Spalding, Rev. Henry Stanislaus.Race for Copper island. 85c. Benziger.
This is a boy’s story and tells of the adventures of young Paul Guibeau of Quebec and others who ventured into the Indians’ country in search of the copper mines in the region of the Great lakes. They encounter Iroquois, Hurons, and Miamis, unbroken forests and unknown waters, but after the copper ridge is located, Paul, undaunted, writes to his people, as the volume closes, that he is setting forth with Louis Joliet and Father Marquette to discover “the great river called the Mitchi-sipi.”
Spalding, Rt. Rev. John Lancaster.Bishop Spalding year book: comp. by Minnie R. Cowan.**75c. McClurg.
Quotations from the writings of Bishop Spalding for each day of the year.
Spalding, Rt. Rev. John Lancaster.Religion and art, and other essays,**$1. McClurg.
Besides the title-essay the volume contains, The development of educational ideas in the nineteenth century, The meaning and worth of education, The physician’s calling and education, Social questions.
“The strongest and bravest voice that speaks for righteousness to the people of this country is Bishop Spalding’s. Bishop Spalding’s writings are brave and beautiful and inspiring.”
*Spalding, Phebe Estelle.Womanhood in art.**$1.50. Elder.
There are in this group of interpretations six of the best known ideal conceptions of womanhood in art; Venus de Milo, Eve, Mona Lisa, Beatrice Cenci, Madonna of the chair and the Sistine Madonna.
*“Any good book that celebrates good art is worth while, so Miss Spalding’s book is welcome.”
*“The text is intended neither for artists nor students of painting, but for the ordinary observer who is interested merely in the moral significance of the picture, caring nothing for its history or technique. Such criticism leans inevitably towards the fanciful and the sentimental, but it doubtless appeals to a certain class of readers.”
*“The book is of the popular sort—full of elemental, moving impressions but marred by insufficient historical and critical reading.”
Sparks, Edwin Erle.Men who made the nation. $1. Macmillan.
The history of the United States from 1760 to 1865 is given biographically in an account of the lives and labors of Benjamin Franklin, Samuel and John Adams, Robert Morris, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Jefferson, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and finally Abraham Lincoln.
“On the whole, thanks to the author’s lively style, we get, in a very small compass, a better history than many a historian with a more ambitious method might have produced.”
“The process of the evolution of the nation is thus given a biographical character in a novel method of writing history.”
Sparks, Edwin Erle.United States of America.**$1.35. Putnam.
This is essentially a history of our constitutional evolution, and treats of the great movements in our federal life and “those centralizing or decentralizing factors which have aided or hindered the unification of the states,” of finances, internal improvements, the tariff, slavery, and the constitutional aspects of the Civil war and reconstruction, little space is given to war and war-time events.
“His judgments are acceptable; he shows discrimination in the selection of materials, a fine art in presentation, a vivacious style.” James A. Woodburn.
“The purpose is well carried out, and the work is therefore eminently a timely one.”
“One can hardly call the work a history in the truest sense; it is rather a prose epic of American nationality.”
“Hardly any former attempt to write our history has taken into account so many of the different forces that have influenced its progress. In fact, the book is a good summary of the best work done on American history. The style is clear and pleasing, except for a tendency to sententious truisms.”
“On the whole, Dr. Sparks’s interpretation of the subject commends itself to us as sound.”
“Prof. Sparks’ work is a rather agreeable reaction from the bellicosity which has been somuch in vogue with writers of popular histories. Yet we cannot help thinking that Prof. Sparks pays too little attention to military affairs.”
“Rather a commentary on history. All readers will find the book interesting, and to many it will give a wholly new point of view for the consideration of American history. Dr. Sparks prefers to treat American history as the story of our national expansion. A suitable sub-title of his present work would be, ‘A study of national development.’”
Spearman, Frank Hamilton.Strategy of great railroads.**$1.50. Scribner.
“A volume illustrating the field of railroad competition. The various subjects treated are the Vanderbilt lines, the Pennsylvania system, the Harriman lines, the Hill lines, the fight for Pittsburg, the Gould lines, the Rock Island system, the Atchison, the big granger lines (St. Paul and Northwestern), the rebuilding of an American railroad, the first trans-continental railroad, the early day in railroading.”—Bookm.
“He writes with a familiarity with his subject that enlightens, and with a style that entertains and fascinates.” John J. Hasley.
“But, after proper allowance has been made for shortcomings attributable to Mr. Spearman’s optimism, it must be said that his book is on the whole, an admirable study of the American railroads of today.”
Spears, John Randolph.David G. Farragut.**$1.25. Jacobs.
This volume is one of the “American crisis biographies” and accurately follows the life of the first American admiral from his birth in a frontier log cabin to his honored death and the erection of his statue in Farragut square. It is the story of years of hard work and ceaseless effort put forth in the service of his country. Maps and charts illustrate the volume.
*“Some of Mr. Spears’ eulogies and comments seem a little far-fetched.”
*“May be especially commended to parents in quest of a soundly suggestive as well as really entertaining book for their boys.”
*“The well-known accuracy of Mr. Spears’ writing on historical subjects insures in the present volume a painstaking regard to the facts of history.”
*Speed, John Gilmer.Horse in America: a practical treatise on the various types common in the United States, with something of their history and varying characteristics.**$2. McClure.
This interesting treatise “gives a great deal of information about the various equine types common in the United States. Mr. Speed is merciless in exposing false pedigrees. Some of his comments on origins of famous breeds of American horses will probably be unpalatable to partisans of this or that great name in the horse world. Yet on the whole the book is reassuring to the breeder and admirer of horses.”—R. of Rs.
*“Taken all in all the book should serve its purpose, to interest and forward the breeding of good types.”
*“It points out the characteristics of the true thoroughbred with the unerring skill of the expert.”
Sperry, Charlotte Grace.Teddy Sunbeam.**$1. Elder.
Printed in large type upon Teddy Sunbeam’s own gold these “little fables for little housekeepers” point many homely morals. Teddy Sunbeam is wise, and he talks about Princess Lend-a-hand, gives dissertations upon microbes, tells how to sweep, and how to perform a number of other daily duties, but tells it all in such an attractive manner that little folks will be glad to listen. The book is copiously illustrated by Albertine Randall Wheelan.
“Is a nice little book for nice little girls.”
*“A rather original series of little fables.”
*Spielmann, Marion Henry, and Layard, George Somes.Kate Greenaway.*$6.50. Putnam.
“In half a hundred colored plates and many black-and-white pictures we find beauty and delicacy pre-eminent and child-loveliness rendered with sincerity and sympathy. Such pictures measure a sweet, true soul, and the story of Kate Greenaway’s life and the gentle revelations of her letters and her friendships (the correspondence with John Ruskin most notably) bear out the inference.” (Outlook.) “It is a visit to Miss Greenaway at her home, a view of an active mind at work, a conversation with authors and artists led and directed by one whom they all acknowledged as leader.” (N. Y. Times.)
*“The authors have felt to the full the quaint charm of this art, they do justice to the ‘sweet and fragrant perfume’ that floats about the name of Kate Greenaway.”
*“The peculiar competence of the present writers lies in their eager seizure upon all possible points of interest, and their strong sense of proportion, which assigns to each item its proper space in a volume that has not a dull page or a bit of superfluous ‘padding.’” Edith Kellogg Dunton.
*“With some of Messrs. Layard and Spielmann’s opinions we are not at all in agreement.”
*“The book is thus more than an ordinary biography.”
*“Really charming book.”
*“One can read with real profit other parts of the book, notably the introductory chapter, and, at the close, Mr. Spielmann’s judgment on Kate Greenaway as artist, delicately worded, enthusiastic yet nicely balanced.”
Spiers, R. Phene.Architecture east and west.*$4.50. Scribner.
“This volume of essays, nine in all, and printed in full, is illustrated by a photograph of a medallion portrait, a bas-relief, by Lanteri, and by many architectural views and details, some of them photographic, others made up by the author from different sources or drawn from recognized authorities.”—Nation.
*“The writer of these essays has the power of making technical matters plain to the reader who has no special knowledge of architecture.”
Springer, Frank.Cleiocrinus. Museum of comparative zoology, Harvard college, Cambridge, Mass.
“A complete paper on one of the oldest of known crinoid genera—Cleiocrinus.... Variousauthors ... have had great difficulty in placing it in the system of classification.... Mr. Springer does not now establish the family Cleiocrinidæ, in so many words, but ... it is finally concluded that the genus is intermediate between the great groups offlexibiliaandcamerata; nearest, apparently, to the reteocrinidæ. The memoir is illustrated by a beautiful plate of drawings by K. M. Chapman and E. Ricker, showing not only aspects of cleiocrinus, but also reteocrinus and glyptocrinus for comparison.”—Science.
Reviewed by T. D. A. C.
Squire, Charles.Mythology of the British islands: an introduction to Celtic myth, legend, poetry, and romance.*$3.50. Scribner.
Under such chapter headings as—The gods of the Gaels, Finn and the Fenians, The war with the giants, The gods of the Britons, The Gaelic Argonauts, The gods as king Arthur’s knights, and The treasures of Britain, are given the legends and traditions of the early inhabitants of the British islands, the Gaelic and the British Celts.
“Altogether, then, Mr. Squire may be congratulated on a partial success. His research does not penetrate into German authorities; he is not fully alive to the anthropological side of the argument; his archaeology is not complete. But he knows and loves his subject within the boundaries presented by these limitations, and he has the peculiar charm of carrying his readers along with him in an attitude of love for the subject.” Laurence Gomme.
“A book which brings together so great a store of knowledge on an obscure and fascinating subject in so readable a fashion is indeed a treasure, and one cannot but praise the author for his work.” Louis H. Gray.
“His treatment of this subject is thorough and conscientious, and he has realized his hope of presenting it in a lucid and agreeable form.”
“Mr. Squire has handled his refractory subject very ably, and has made the story of British mythology both lucid and interesting.”
*“This book supplies a great literary vacuum. From some of the writer’s conclusions scholars may differ.”
Staley, Edgcumbe.Raphael; with a short biographical sketch of Raphael Santi or Sanzio; with a list of principal works. $1.25. Warne.
Uniform with a series of monographs on the great masters, the “mode of presenting Raphael’s life’s work is particularly interesting, while so much is being written of his changing place in the rank of the great artists, as ascribed to him by current criticism. One has an opportunity of studying the various forms in which his genius expressed itself: Single figures of saints and angels; biblical and historical subjects; renderings of sacred and profane legends; and portraits. Then, again, there are the various mediums in which the artist worked, as on canvas, and in fresco, etc. In his mural paintings, we see how excellently his composition was fitted to the various exigencies of architectural decoration.” (Int. Studio.)
“An excellent volume of illustrations of Raphael’s work. In the clear, short, and eminently satisfactory account of Raphael’s life the author neither indulges in extravagant praise, nor accepts theories of scant foundation.”
*Stanwood, Edward.James Gillespie Blaine.**$1.25. Houghton.
“The scenes and events through which Mr. Blaine moved in the most stirring years of his life are now matters of history, and a clear-cut biography, such as Mr. Stanwood has written makes a capital medium through which the younger generation of American readers and students may be made familiar with the post bellum period of our politics. Mr. Stanwood gives especial attention to those episodes in Blaine’s career which were most frequently represented by his enemies as more or less discreditable ... and ... makes an able defense of Blaine against the attacks of his political opponents.”—R. of Rs.
*“Nevertheless, the biography is in some respects highly valuable, and should be welcome if only for the new material assembled in a scholarly and interesting way.”
*“Mr. Stanwood has done his subject full justice without overdoing it.”
Statesman’s year-book: statistical and historical annual of the states of the world for the year 1905; ed. by J. Scott Keltie and I. P. A. Renwick.*$3. Macmillan.
The 1905 edition of this annual is its forty-second issue and shows extensive enlargement and revision.
“Not a page of the book is unnecessary or can be spared.”
“One of the few reference-books which may accurately be described as indispensable.”
“The editor has improved this annual from year to year, and the issue for 1905 is the best yet.”
“‘The statesman’s year-book’ continues to grow in size, while its arrangement is developed in the direction of completeness and convenience.”
Staunton, Schuyler.Fate of a crown. $1.50. Reilly & B.
A tale of the revolt which overthrew the monarchy of Dom Pedro in Brazil. The central figure is young Harcliffe who is secretary to Dom Miguel the leader of the revolutionists. His hair-breadth escapes on his way to the home of Miguel in the interior, and the following intrigue and adventure which culminate in the overthrow of the government supply the historical setting of a romance in which the hero supposes himself to be at the mercy of a rival—one who turns out to be a spy, a woman masquerading in men’s attire.
“The character drawing of the book is splendid.”
*Stead, Alfred.Great Japan; a study of national efficiency.**$2.50. Lane.
“A compilation from Japanese sources of all manner of facts calculated to throw light on the achievements, aspirations, and problems of Japan.... Mr. Stead’s purpose, briefly, is to exhibit the efficiency attained by the Japanese in the various departments of life, and to show how this efficiency springs from the ‘earnest, thinking and eminently practical patriotism ofthe people.’ With this as a text Lord Rosebery contributes a foreword.”—Lit. D.
*“Mr. Stead’s book largely repeats his work ‘Japan by the Japanese’ published last year.”
*“To give a full summary of the volume, which displays many of the characteristics of the encyclopedia and many of the handbook, is quite beyond the limits of a review.”
*“Mr. Stead’s book is one of the most interesting recently produced on the inexhaustible subject of Japan. It does for that country much what Mr. Bryce did for the United States with his ‘American commonwealth.’”
*“His work abounds with the exaggeration to be expected from a professional panegyrist.”
*“A study, as we said, to begin with, the work has no claim to be, and even as a compilation it might have been better done. A great deal of verbiage might have been omitted, certain crudities of style might have been corrected.”
Stead, Alfred, comp. and ed. Japan by the Japanese.**$5. Dodd.
A collection of papers written by many of the high officials of the Japanese government, and native men of well-known literary ability, including Sannomiya, Ito, Inouyé, Oyami, Ariga, Saito, Shibusawa, Naruse, Nitobe, Hozumi, and many others. Among the subjects treated are the army, navy, finance, schools, religion, commerce, politics, art and literature of Japan. There is a preface by the editor and a carefully prepared index.
“It is about as useful as an almanac and not half as good as a dictionary. A desk-book of facts and figures concerning political and economic Japan. Quite unique as a gazetteer.” Wm. Elliot Griffis.
“His profound ignorance of the real significance of the work of such men as Sir Ernest Satow, Mr. William G. Aston, Prof. Basil Hall Chamberlain, and Capt. Frank Brinkley is manifest. The bad proofreading and continual misspelling of Japanese names and terms are disgraceful. In its cast and scope, the book seems intended mainly for the British reader. The facts and figures concerning the army, navy, revenue, taxation, and things outward and material are invaluable in their way. In treating of art and literature, the writers correct some errors of foreign writers, but contribute little that is fresh or revealing.”