Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-10-04
OUR BOOK TABLE.
Chances at Some of the New Books of tn

Chances at Some of the New Books OF the
/ Day.
! Discoveries of America to the year
1925 is the title of an admirable historical
contribution by Arthur James Weise NJ.
| A. 1t is large Svo. and issued at 81 30 by
g. p Putnan's Sons, New York. 1t is ac-
companied by cover pocket full of dia-
! grams and maps. 1t is in its own way an
elaborate work and will crafty all historical
! students who are in search of mere curl
osities. 1t has value as being careful
compilation and comparison of many
facts, dates and events of discovery. But
| it is perfect tyrant among dogmatics.
| With an imperious wave of his hand the
author sweeps out of the way questions
that are as yet unsettled and possibly will
ever remain so-questions that are at least
true historical issues, and respected
by all the better writer's as such.
Thus with sharp-edged breyity he
disposes of the Northmen theory by the dog
matte assertion that its chief basis is con-
! lecture. Yet the world will dare to hold
that there are indicia of proofs worthy at
least of sober treatment. He credits neither
! Columbus nor Vespucci with the discovery
of America, but i'll a manner that does not
do justice to the subject. To leap
| over disputed points and pass them
| by with a contemptuous judgment, is no
part of the duty that is incumbent upon the
historian. Readers of history demand rea-
sons for assertions, and premises for con-
illusions. On the other hand, while dog
matte as to controverted points, Professor
| Weise is strangely serious and profoundly
analytical regarding the lesser issues, as the
Atantean theory and Plato's considerations.
While he brushes aside grave disputes,
and gives prominence to unimportant ones,
he ignores still others that the best histori
ans agree are still at issue. He finds new
genesis for much American nomenclature,
but does not fortify it with proofs sufficient
to go before an intellectual jury. Did space
permit, we might array long list OF
errors into which we believe Professor
Weise has fallen. As, for instance, his odd
explanation of the nomenclature of the
valley of the Hudson; his apparent
acceptance rs a settled fact
Of the Sea of Verrazanno; his
obliviousness to the authorities and proofs
regarding the early maps, as of La Cosa
and Cabot and the order of their proceed
ence the cool manner in which he dis
poses of the claims of the Vespucians,
which at least are entitled to de-
liberate historical analysis. In short,
Professor Weise has simply plunged into
American history like 4 half-blinded man
into the smoke of conhagration. He
!
and leaves the whole subject of American
discovery in more perplexed condition
than ever-except one is content to receive
undoubtingly his dogmatic assertions. In
that case he clears up all mysteries and
banishes all doubts.
Fallacies in Progress and Poverty is
the title of volume by William Hanson,
and issued by Fowler Wells e Co., New
York. The work considers fallacieS also
in Henry Dunning Macleod's Economics"
in Henry Georges Social Problems" and
in the ethics of Protection and Free
Trade and also treats Of the industrial
problem considered prior. Hanson Oh
| iects to Macleod's definition of wealth
bought or sold, whatever its nature"
He insists that this is wholly
selfish definition and not fit for the sub
| structure of q physico-moral science. He
| deems the better definition to be that
wealth is all labor products and services
| that contribute to mans desires and the
commercial value of which can be meas
ured by work. He agrees with George in
all except his ideas regarding interest and
rent. Protection and free trade he holds
are but forms of abnormal selfishness, and
both are powerless to help the people, and
that Christianity only will, which is prac-
| the human heart"
From c; S. Houghton, Sacramento, we
| have Wild Woods Life; or a Trip to
Parmachenee" by Captain Charles A. J.
| Farrar, author of " Eastward, How 1t is
an Svo from the press of Lee 4 Shepard,
and retails at 81 80. 1t deals with the adj
ventures of party of Boston boys-the
same who figured in Eastward, Hor' but
| who, in this volume, penetrate farther into
| the wilderness, and meet with great vari-
| ETY. of thrilling adventures and amusing
experiences. 1t is fully illustrated. Cap
! tain Farrar is a realistic writer and one
who gets very near to his youthful readers.
He appeals to their fancy ard love of adj
venture, but not to such an extent or in
such way as to awaken the desire to
secretly leave home on romantic tours. No
| doubt sch books as this stimulate the love
of trave! among lads, and certain class of
them in this respect are of pernicious inhu-
ence. Bat of this book, which we have
examined with more than usual care, we
are convinced the objection docs not Ii
Daniel Van pelt A. ~ has given the
literary world an Arctic poem, translated
| from the Dutch Of Hendrix Tollens, in the
book issued BY q. 2. Putna;ns Sons New
York, entitled The HoiIa:l,icrs in Nova
| Iembia 1596-97)." 1t is accompanied by
! IL
Richard Van Camper, +. r. c. s. The in
tcrest attaching to stories of Arctic advent
rIre never abates but il is not frequently
gratifed in verse. The original poem is in
the Dutch heroic meter, the lines being of
| twelve sylables or six iambic feet and
rhymed in couplets Van Pet has, how
ever, presented the translation III the Eng
fish heroic of ten syliabes, or five iambic
feet, in blank verse, as betterpresenting the
beauties Of the original when translated
into our tongue Tollens' masterpiece is
this poem, and it has long since been given
to French and German literature,
Domestic Problems is the title of
small book from the press of D. Lothrop &
Co, Boston. 1t is by Mrs. A. NJ. Diaz, who
| writes incisiyely and treats on topics that
interest all families. It is plain discus
sion, in forcible manner of work and
culture in the household. 1t addresses
| itself forcibly to women and their manage
mcnt of the affairs of the home and the
obstacles they meet and the difficulties they
must overcome to make home happy
We do not believe in any written rules
or laws on these subjects. but advice from
| the thoughtful is always worthy of consid-
Grafton, and most of that proi1ered by Mrs
| Diaz is practical and reasonable She is
certainly justified in declaring that the
mothers of the day need enlightenment on
many subjects.
| From A. L. Bancroft & CO., San Fran
cisco, we have their latest edition of y. J.
Marshs Manual of Reformed Phonetic
Short hand" 1t is claimed to be a COM
plcta progressive guide to the best system
of photography and verbatim reporting
| Mr.. Marsh issued his first work some fif-
| teen years ago in San Francisco. He was
the most expert photographer in the State.
! In 1882 he began a revision of his work,
but died just before completing it. c. f.
| Wilton, an expert writer of the Marsh sys-
| TEN, finished the book, AMI it is now
published by the Bancroft. Marsh's sys-
| ten is too widely and pc iiarly known to
call for any criticism oi It in these col
umns What we know Of shorthand writ
! ing gives the Marsh syste- high value.
| Thos w Knox, with whose name and
writings all the reading youth of the land
are familiar, has added another handsome
quarto volume to his maay books for boys
| and girls. 1t is entitle, The Voyage of
the Vivian, or the A.,gentures of Two
| Youths 70 the North Ele and Beyond"
OF course it is in It's plot and method
purely imaginative, blI rs to Arctic scenes,
climates, customs OF the people of the
! Arctic regions; Us to exploration risks and
/ ventures; as to the methods adopted by
! Polar expeditions, etc, it is complied from
the best authorities. 1t is richly illustrated.
i, II is from the press of Iarper Il Bros New