The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-12-30
LITERATURE.
Books.

By Ignasius Donnelly, author OF "Atlan'
tis." &c. Illustrated. New YORK: ID.
Appleton e. Co. Chicago; Jansen, NC
Ciurr & Co For sale by Hapeman "
Graham, Ottawa, Price, S2OO,
MIR. Donnelly having taken the reading
public captive by his former work, "Atlan
It's" was justified ID making another ex-
cursion into the same mystic realm ana
his work, "Ragnarok," Is no less fruitful
of marvellous revelations, The mysteries
of creation are not solved by the Mosaic
genesis. Though Its truth may not be
successfully challenged it gives but re-"
dark hints which geology is striving 10
eluc,date and render ineligible. 1t tells
us what this earth is made of, and that Its
inhabitants live upon the top OF series OF
stratified rocks from twenty to thirty miles
IN thickness, and upon the top OF these IS
the "drlft"-our earth, the basis OF our
soils. from which our crops are derived,
through which percolatcs the water we
drink, on which we live, move, think,
dream and die, and in the bosom OF which
we shall be buried. Where ala TINS
drift" come from? 1t has many remark
able features. Enormous as the deposit Is,
II "a unfossllferOus-lt contains no traces
of pre- ex s,ent or co,empOraneous lie. III
does not, like the formation OF the rock,
appear to have been the slow work OF
countless ages, nor was 1t the work OF the
waves, the icebergs or glaciers. Mt Don
nclly's solution is in keeping with his
bold hypothesis III atlantis" 1t was
comet that caused the drift! The learn
ing, as well as ingenuity and fertile I'M
agination he brings to bear IN support OF
this daring hypothesis 10 worthy OF an
Edgar A. Poe. Not the least interesting
part of the work Is that often having ex-
hsusted the sources of geology he draws
support for his theory from the wide realm
of legends, and nails 1t with proof o.
"Holy Writ" by copious quotations from
the Book of Job, Of which he gives an eX
egesis no less plausible than original A
leading charm of the book is the vivacity
of It's style and that 1t is so easy to read
the author using no tcchnicaitles without
first clearly explaining their meaning.
HIaHwAYs AND BYwAYs, or SaunteringS
in New England. By William Hamil
ton Gibson, author of Pastoral Days
illustrated. New York: Harper 4
Brothers. Chicago: Jansen, McClurg y
Co. Ottawa: For sale by Hapeman y
Graham. Price, $3.50.
Among all the cations dc lure lssuet
this season from the eastern press, W.
doubt whether any can be found to surpas'
in beauty of paper and letter.press, il
wealth OF illustration and elegance of bind
ing the "IIighways and Byways," of which
the title Is given above, it Is roya
crown quarto and IN every detail OF paper
printing and binding model of artistic
workmanship. AS 10 Its literary features
they are worthy Of such gorgeous dress
ing. There is perhaps no region IN tn
world which in point of scenery, vegeta
ton, fauna and population presents 81
many and such varied objects of interes
as the black settlements" in the mountain
regions OF New England. The "Saunter
ings" consist of free and easy dotting
down of the observations and daily Incl
dents of leisurely summers ramble, OF
foot, on horseback, or in such rude convey
ances as readily came to hand, through tn
interesting region Indicated. 1t is not
scientific disquisition, nor is there any eI
tort at labored DESCRIPTION or word. pain,
ing. 1t is simply easy and pleasant read
ing. such as becomes an ideal holida
book, whose office, we take 1t, should b
refined amusement, with only enough II
struc,ion TO serve as pleasant scasonin!
A HIsToRy OF WooD ENGRAVING. Is
George +. Woodbury.. illustrated. Ne'
York: Harper Il Brothers. Chicago
Jansen, McClurg IL Co Ottawa: Fo
sale by Hapeman " Graham. Plc'
$3.50.
The author gives comprehensive his
tory of wood engraving from the origin
the art in Europe in the 18th centur,
tracing its progress until 1t reached hig
point In the 10th century, then decline
during the Eth, and in the 18th BEGAN
virtually extinct, to be revived in the bt
ginning OF the 10Th century by Bewick
England, and then, crossing the ocean,
be carried to snch perfection in our cour
try as to become just source OF nations
pride. The work Is Of course profuse
illustrated, and after perusing his histol
one turns with new interest to the study
the woodcuts, which are so conspicuous
feature in the leading books and serials
the day The paper, printing and blndir
of the book are III keeping with its splend
engravings, giving 1t special adaptation,
no doubt was the intention, as u book f
the holidays.
MILDRED's BARGAIN AND OTHER SToRlE
BY Lucy c. Little. New York: Harp
& Brothers. Chicago: Jansen, NcClul
IL Co. For sale by llapeman Il Graham
Ottawa. Price, Sl00.