The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-01
LITERATURE.

RE.
rHRouGH THE DARK CONTINENT: complete nara
tive OF the journey across Africa, around the gsont
lakes and down the Livingstone or Congo River BY
Heury d. stanley Two vols Sampson Low q
Co, Lon don.
SANKEY'S complete accomplishment Of his great
undertaking viii furnish TO all time an example Of
what the zeal energy and extraordinary physical en-
durancc OF mvn can overcome in the form OF the
most difficult enterprises Reviewing the history Of
that undertaking. which the traveller presents 10 the
world IN his book, Through the Dark Continent" VIC
pannot fail TO recognize IN the narrative
vein OF modest ureng'b which well pents
HE character OF its hero even though that
hsro Is tho writer. IL Is customary for men when
describing their brilliant achievements to fall
into one Of two errors-ether into styls OF extrava-
CANT egoism, by which the individual, as It WERE
awarfs his performances in the effort 10 maintain him
self the central figure everywhere, or to sink his IN
dividuaii,y completely through excess OF modesiy
~ TO leave the story sprtless tale almost void OF
interest," because OF the most interesting objects
Is almost lost to the reader. BY following happy
mean between these extremes Stanley has given US
not oniy q useful and instructive narrative oil his
Iourneyings, hut also interesting one, because
when following him through the stirring scenes Of
Central Africa, from Zanzbsr 10 Bomn we do not Tor
any time lose sight OF our guide. who is Stanley the
Of civilization in the midst OF barbarsm and the one
Who concentrates in his person large par OF The In
lersst created by the story To the readers oil tho
HERALD SANKEY'S book is some extent repetition
Of the thrilling descriptions which were published
from time to time in his letters IRON the ozark
Continent" Yet il would be grave mistake to sup
pose that because we can anticipate the scenes ana
incidents OF the eventfu journey across Africa de-
scribsd in mis- chapters that perusai OF these Will
not MI the nina Of the reader with new
and astonishing pictures. The details, necessarily
omitted from tue letters. are her" given with all the
vivid celoring that lends strength and beauty and lie
10 the pictures that read ON knowing the main
outline yet eagerly noting the new lights and shadows
Of that splendid panorama which tho writer sets bs-'
tore U.s. There are incidents Of Stanicys ad-
yenturous exploration which have been made inc
lounaauon OF uniriendiy criticisms In England. Inc
shisf Of these his summary and severe punishment
Of tribe OF bloodthirsty savages who made deter
mined enort TO destroy his tle party at the Island
Df Bumbireh in Lake Victoria Niyanza. Tho details
Of tho engagement with these treacnerous people,
As given in his book, furnish complete
Justification for Stanley pursued with re-
gard 10 powerful irreconciiable enemies The
Instinct OF seipreservaon first and the necessity oil
Impressng the natives with wholesome tear of his
power the second place dictated the plan by which
he secured both objects, saving the lives oil himself
ana followers and reducing TO minimum the prooa-
bilties of similar attacks. Few who crticise the
lonely traveller he African wds would have hcsi
taIcd adopt his for safety and those who
would have adopted them under the circumstances
would in all probability, have closed their expora-
zion of the ozark Continent" there and then.
10 the course OF his wanderings we Gad Stanley
nling with equal the Offices Of leader Of Tor
lorn hope In striclest oil the term Tor at
certain stage OF his progress advance Of
desperation ws:le retreat would have been destruc
lion; OF Christian missionary, cnightenIng the mind
ofa great African ruler with truths Of the Gospel
or geographer, whose researches havo filled the blank
in the African map which one but ho was qualified
write speak of; OF scientific observer OF those
terrestrial and atmospheric phenomena peculiar to
tho region he traversea; OF artist, whose spirited
sketches bcautiiy his book and cali up before
the reader the strange in.orior OF me ozark
Continent" Finally VIC have him as the narrator Of
the story of great journey which completes tho
work undertaken. SANKEY'S work in tho two vol
umes issued by sampson Low 4 Co, of London, rs
carefully and elegantly printed and bound II Is fully
illustrated with maps aud sketches, which facilitate
study oil the text Altogether we regard II as worthy
of the gallant explorer carried tho standards of
tho HERALD and tue Daily Telegraph across the
spark Continent" winning undying !ame as an
plorcr and the pioneer OF civilization In the regions
OF the Equator.
HIsroRY OF SAVINGS BANKS UNITED STATES
PROM iuErR INCEPTION IN 1916 Down TO 1877 &c. BY
Emerson W. kcyes. Pubiished by Bradford Rhodes,
New York
THIS work, which is in tive voIumes. is careful aud
no doubt correct compilation OF the business statis-
and general history OF the savings banks In the
several States OF the Union. Its author, Mr.. +. w.
Keves was Tor some years Deputy SUPERINTENDENT Of
the Banking Department OF this State, and brought
10 tho task he has performed a good prsc-
teal knowledge of the banking business In general
and oil SAVINGS banks in particular. He must have
expended vast amount OF labor The two volumes,
which crowded with interesting and valuable IN
formation But in addition to its statistical merit
the work treats the subject to which It is devoted
all It's aspects aud affords useful hints for
agemsnt OF savings institutions, based on practical
experience as well the lessons conveyed by the
history OF past half century 1t Will be OF great
value as work OF reference for tho banks themselves
rs well all who feel interest such instiu
uons may be called upon to legislate for them.
The savings banks will advance their own interests
BY aiding the circulation of the book among an
classes.
THE YEAR BOOK OF EDUCATION.
The "Ycar Book OF Education for 1878" &c. Stcircr
pubIsherl prepared by Henry Kiddie supcrin,end-
ent OF Pubic schools in New York city, and Aexan-
der J. scbem, Assistant superintendent; Is just out
The object OF this volume Is TO supply supplement
10 tho .Cycloprdia OF Education" issued last year
It's necessity will DO SHOWN by comparison with tho
"cyciops oia.n The book embraces the principles
and methods Of pedsgogics and school economy, the
sdmnisralion OF tho school system OF this other
sountres school legislation and statistics sduca
aopai literature and biography, including notices Of
distinguished sducstors and others prominently con-