The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-23
Ridpath,s History of the World.

Ridpath's History of the World.
Decidedly the most pretentious and most con-
siderable literary work that has emanated from
the pen of an Indiana author is the "History of
the World" by Prof. John Clark Ridpath. SO long
a professor in and vice-presidenJ of De
Paw University. In the first place it is worth
saying that the three volumes Of this work are
put forth with topographic dress that is in the
highest degree ereditable 10 the publishers, com
plimentary to the author, and satisfying to the
reader. Ample pages, clear paper, large type,
profuse and. valuable maps and illustrations
make up work that merits
the highest encomiums for the printers
and publishers. The first volume is devoted
to the ancient world and the two last volumes to
the modern world, bringing history down to
the present day. Is is useless to speak of Prof
Ridpaths qualifications to prepare an interest
ing and entertaining history; the only possible
question would be whether the author is best
fitted for critical historian. Hitherto Prof
Rid paths works have been undertaken under a
sort of stress that did not permit the best work.
nor the most careful But there are on these
pages evidences of broad and painstaking re-
search into the best authorities, and the nara
tive is written with precision and fairness and
in a historical spirit The plan of the
work is unique and we'll adapted
to a popular history. Taking the world,
ancient and modern, by nations, these are each
treated as to their physical geography, produc
tions, people, language and religion. art and
literature At the close of each division a chap
ter is devoted to critical and philosophical
analysis of the nations place and the part it has
played in the great drama of universal history.
Good judgment seems to have been shown in the
amount and fullness of narrative, and the char
acter of the analysis respecting each of the prin-
cpal national divisions that have appeared and
disappeared since history began. The seven
great monarchies of the ancient world are
treated in their relation to the
empires and governments that followed
them, and Greece and Rome come in their
proper relation TO the dominating peoples that
have succeeded them. The two volumes devoted
to the modern world begin with the reign of the
Barbarans, and carry the history down through
| the age of Charlemgne, through the Reformation
period, the English revolution, and on present
| times. The record of the nineteenth century is
treated with the fullness and particularly it de-
serves. One of the best features of this
| history both for the student and the more
cursory reader, who may desire merely
to note certain phases and certain
| events is an unusually complete and critical
| index, prepared by the Professor himself, occu-
plying nearly sixty pages. and by means of which
| instantaneous reference may be had to any
| desired fact
| AS we have before said, this history is the
most pretentious work of Indiana literature and
| so far as we have been able to examine it, or to
consult it, it seems to be one in all respects valu-
able and reliable. 1t is a work on which Prof
| Ridpath may well felicitate himself, and of
which the State has reason to be proud.
New Books.
| TEN Boys WHO LIVED ON THE ROAD FROM LONG
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