New-York tribune., 1872-02-27
TIE BEST READING limo pp 2ss @. P. Potuan Il Son.

THE BEST READING l2mo. pp. 255. @. P. Putnam Son
In the compilation of this volume, the editor
has aimed at furnishing valuable practical hints on the
of books the formation of private and public
libraries and courses OF reading especially adapted TO
the of the younger class Of Students. 1t makes no
pretenSOns TO bibliOgraphca completeness, not even
stating the date Of the works OF which the titles are
gwen confined to the suggestion Of the most suit
able books for general reading in the various branches
literature and science In addition TO the classified
catalogue which occupies the principal part OF the
volume IL contains selection of paragraphs and brief
sayings from various authors the subject of books
and reading, together with cOunsels TO young
readers comprising variety of directions in regard to
the selection and purchase of books the management Of
the eyes In study and other kindred topics The work
affords an intelligent guide in the labyrinth Of books, in
which Inexperienced traveller becomes so easily be-
wildered and is evidently the fruit of dgent labor and
research although its complex miscellaneous character
required a moro severe revision before leaving the
hands of the editor for the press The titles OF books
frequently given without literal exacness and the
of the authors appear TO have been spelled almost
entirely at random Thus within the compass of few
pages, we find among the names Of authors "Gridc-
stone for Girdlestone," "Humb0lt" for Humboldt"
"Vapereau" for Vapereau,"" ST. Beuve" for este
Beuve," Mary de Medlci," for Mary de- Medic," or
"Mary de Medics" " FT), "Cra6be Robinson" for
"Crabb Robinson" R0Sseau" for Rousseau"
"Schcirmacker" for schleiermacher," &C. NJ SedGe-
wick" for &C NJ. SedGwick," "SIdney Smith" for
Sydney Smith," "HitteH" for "Hittel," Laurence
Oyphant" for Laurence Oliphant" "DOllnger" for
"D0linger" "Lord Kaimes" for "Lord Kames,"
" Muloch" for "dulock," "Hackondcr" for Hack
laender." "Goethe" for Goethe" and many
Oqusss 4i,iaaU~s,I---, 49,
New American CyclOpGdia." the Encyclopedia
Britannica" the English CyclOpadia" and several
other important works incorrectly quoted. The
system of crossreferences Of which great is made
in the volume is inaccurate and Disappointing. Under
the leading title Of Political Economy" for instance
the reader is referred to the titles Banking" "Free
Trade" Money" Protection" and Taxation" but
on turning the place OF these titles he will not find
Protection at all, while the title Taxation" refers
back to political Economy" which gives specific
information the subject and 10 Protection" which
has just been sateds omitted altogether The title
Taxation also gives a crossreference to Finance"
aud Revenue" neither Of which titles is separately
treated. Mythology" refers to classical Dction-
aries" title not given Satire" refers 70 "Comic
Poetry" title found in the table contents though
similar title in the body Of the work refers to Humor-
Works. which ttle in its turn sends the reader
Poetry Comic" title not given i'll alphabetical order,
but included In Poetry, Humorous" where after this
wearsOme search the information sought for Is at last
given "QuOtations" refers TO EXTRACTS" and "Ex-
tracts" refers to Quotations." bringing the student
back to the precise point from which he started Such
confusion and uncertainty ia ncOnvenient to say the
least and though perhaps inevitable certain degree
is here carried to a superhuous