Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-06
MIR. BAaKER's BOOK.
A Guide Book 20 the superior
Region which is n Work Of Art.

The inclination Of the larger aud less
cultivated portion of the community
is to burlesque what they term the
ssthetic craze" yet there is genuine
and heAlthful renaissance of art. Ii
is not-in America at least-sO much
of a revival of the love for the beau
tifll as it is development, q growing
appreciation of art. The young lady
who outlines an impossible green
worstsd dog upon a background Of
cardinal red, and calls, it decorative
art, has at least learned something
about outlines, and has applied handi-
craft. If the general appreciation Of
art is crude, yet it is something inf
nitely better than no conception. The
chief means Of the art education OF
to-day in this country are the leading
illustrated magazines. The Century
aims to make its every issue a work OF
art. Harper's has long been a means
Of instruction, although that particu-
lar purpose has never been incorpo-
rated into the policy Of the publica-
ton. To make things attractive in
outline, unique in form, or pleasing in
color, is becoming more and more the
effort of all haudicrattsmen-and dec
orative art even in its crudest applica.
ton cannot now be sneered down.
One of the best illustrations Of this
desire to present things in an at.
tractive form. which has recently come
under the observation Of The Repub.
lican, is General Passenger Agent (oi
theWisconsin Central Railroad u James
Barker's new book, entitled Summer
on the Shores of Lake Superior "a
publication which is practically 8
guide to visitors to the Great Lake
although it is charming story, Withal
of actual experiences. The book
is for free distribution, the intent
being to furnish pleasure seekers reli
able information concerning the at
fractions of the Lake Superior region
and is undoubtedly the most costly
and artistic work Of its kind eve
issued in this part of che country
Not only is the story more interestingl,
told than many of the carefully pre-
pared magazine articles on similai
subjects, but there is fund of infor
nation presented, which will prove O
very great value to all persons WHIT
desire to know aught Of the grea
natural resources, advantages and at
fractions which the Lake Superio
country offers to tourists. A very note
worthy feature Of the little bijou is tn
series ofillustrations. In this respec
it far excels ordinary guide books ami
advertisements, and is only equaled-.
not supposedly the best art worl
lavished upon The Century. Perhap
it would be sufficient to say that th
sketches were all made BY Carl Mari
and that the engraving was entrustel
to Mari & Richards. But the design
are worthy of careful criticism. Ever
sketch was made from life studio
upon the spot, and each seems to havl
been made in Mr.. Mars most careful
way, and in his most consideration
spirit. Every line represents his "a
MUS and painstaking. There are BIZ
Of sky worthy Of Moran, life group
Of which are as full of vigor as Mast
best cartoons, without the faults of hi
Wretched drawing, and water-scapt
that even De Hass would not care I
retouch. Then the lights and shade
they are Carl Mars. The arti!
presents upon the illuminated It'll
page (the printing is admirabl
done by The Evening Wisconsi
Office, Milwaukee, outlines of Ii
portraits Of persons who comprise
the party whose pleasures are d,
scribed in the text. and in all of Il
subsequent illustrations where men
bers Of the group are represented, Ii
individual likeness is at once apparen
The pictures are representative
actual scenes and occurrences. an
their study is almost like making
trip to the favored region.
The story as told is very interestin
and will prove attractive and instru
tive to all summer pleasure seeke
who have tired Of the old haunts Oh
feature is worthy of special note
there is no attempt at exaggeratio
for while it is in one sense an adve
tisement for the Wisconsin Cent?
railroad, yet not a single line of pu
fiery Of the road is TO be found in d
neat little volume. Mr.. Barkers e,
dent intention is to make known {
pleasures of the Lake Superior regi
in summer time, and he will not
tract from that object by permitti
advertisements Of transportation col
panies to creep in. All in all. Il
new departure in summer resort guiC
reflects much credit upon the antho
taste and judgment, and it is an {
ample OF liberal advertising of w
cOnsih which other corporations n
initiate 20 the advantage of the Sta
No is to be congratulated upon
good taste which induced him to e
ploy the very best talent TO be had
the matter Of securing illustrate,
which would be real works of art.
expense was spared 10 that direct
Mr.. Barker has given his perso
time to the supervision of the max
Of his bOok-from the FIRST sketc
right through to the last impressi
of the press. And he is to be @
graduated upon having succeeded
producing the most attractive work
its kind yet issued in Milwaukee.
Questions ana Answers.