Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-31

The idea of introducing the classic authors
to the youth OF the day by Encouragement
of their text, and such adjustment and IL
lustration'as shall invite to the reading is
modern idea, and one to be wholly APP
proved. We cannot concur with those who
hold that this class of works will satisfy,
and thus prevent that thorough reading es-
sential to correct knowledge of classical
writers. We look upon such works as this
rather as stinulants to reading, and as ap-
petizing prefaces to an enlarged study of
the classics. The success with which Dr. |
Whites series of +" Classical Authors" for
young readers has met is the warrant for
predicting hearty reception for the Boys
and Girls Pliny." 1t is not profusely, but
is richly illustrated. 1t is prefaced by an
extended and deeply interesting sketch of
Pliny, which includes copious extracts
from the letters of Pliny's nephew TO his
friend Bacillus Macer. One noteworthy feat
ure of this volume is that wherever Plinys
statements have proved in the light of mod
ern science to be erroneous, attention has
been called to the fact. Any false ideas in
natural history are thus prevented from
impressing the young reader.
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE CLOSE
OF PRESIDENT JACKsoN's ADMINISTRATION By
Thomas Wentworth Higginson. New York
Harper Brothers. vol, quarto, PIP. 40
Colonel Higginson's first effort in this di-
rection was his Young Folks History of
the United States" Its success has encour-
aged him to issue this larger history but
constructed upon the general principles
which insured the success of the first vol
| ume. Colonel Higginson writes upon the
| key note of romantic and poetic interest in
| American history. He takes issue with
| Lowell and Hawthorne that our history is
commonplace and unpoetic He believes,
| on the contrary, that no historic subject
more varied or picturesque is offered by the
world. The book is a valuable contribu-
| ton. Always pleasing writer, and one of
| enthusiastic energy, Hig@nson has told the
! story of America in manner to awaken
new interest i'll our nations history, and to
| stimulate American youth to more elabor-
ate research and reading. 1t is not, how
| ever. book for extremely youthful read
| erS, but is rapid and comprehensive sketch
of history for advanced pupils, teachers
| and others, who may well utilize its meth
| DDS in instruction and the character of its
| narrative as Introductory to more exhaust
| i've American historical study The illus
| trations are very fine, and especially in por-
traiture are they superior.
| HISTORIC BOYS: Their Endeavors their Achieve
ments and their Times. By f. S. Brooks. One
| volume, large Svo., PIP. 259, New York and
London: G. P. Putman's Sons. San Francisco:
| A. L. Bancroft Co.
| Mr.. Brooks has selected the careers of
dozen young fellows of different lands and
| epochs whose character and services entitle
| them to places on historic pages They
are Marcus of Rome, the boy Magistrate
Brian of Munster, the boy chieftain; Olaf
of Norway, the boy Viking; William of
Normandy, the boy knight; Baldwin of
Jerusalem, the boy crusader; Frederick of
| Hohenslaufen, the boy Emperor; Harry of
| Monmouth, the boy General; Giovanni of
Florence, the boy Cardinal Ixtlil of
Tezcuco, the boy Cacique; Louis of Bour-
bon, the boy King Charles of Sweden,
the boy conqueror, and Van Rensselaer, of
Ressnelearswyek, the boy PATRON. These
/ Varied characters give mir. Brooks facile
pen the fullest opportunity and he has
welded it so well and gracefully, and has
woven such a handsome story fabric that
it will delight all youthful readers who
take up, and may well engage adults in
its restful perusal. 1t IS handsomely IL
| Illustrated
The TRAVELS OF MARCO Polo; for Boys and
| Girls, With explanatory notes and comments
| by Thomas w. Knox. New York G. P Put
MANS Sons. One vol, quarto, PIP. $50.
None have been more successful than
| Mr.. Knox in awakening among young
readers the taste for geographic research
| and study. This beautifully illustrated
! quarto volume is intended to be an influ-
| ence in that direction. With a clear insight
| into the conditions required to interest
youth, Mr.. Knox has put the story of
| Marco Polo into the mouths of the mem
| bers OF a supposed association which he en-
| titles The Young Folks Reading and
Geographical Society" The society takes
| up, reads and comments upon the works of
| Marco Polo, and in this way the narrative
| of that traveller, who at an early age began
| his wnndprinuS in lands fpraif,o to
which continued for nearly twenty four
years-fom 1911 to 1925. The comments
| of the youths of the society and of their
| mature presiding officer go far to make the
| volume especially attractive and valuable
| and to invest the Polo narrative with a
| wholly new interest.
Boys Book OF BATTLE LYRICS: By Thomas
Dunn English NJ D., Ii. d. New York: Har-
per u Bros. San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft &
Co. One volume quarto.
This is an early holiday book beautifully
illustrated and very handsomely bound
1t is collection of verses illustrating some
notable events in the history of the United
States, from the colonial period to the out
| break of the Southern rebellion. The
metrical narratives possess much of poetic
merit. Historical notes preface each poet
| cal story. The volume is an admirable
| one for present to a patriotic boy. We
belevelt conveys correct historical accounts
of some of the most tragic events in our
national career.
MARvEIs OF ANIMAL LIFE. By Charles F Hol-
den, of the New York Academy of Sciences.
New York Charles Scribners Sons. l vol, |
quarto; spp. 240. For sale by A. L. Bancroft &
Co, San Francisco; 81.
A charming, richly-illustrated, holiday
volume, than which no more interesting or
instructive modern book can be selected for
young readers. The language is simple,
and the style exactly calculated to create in
the youthful mind desire to learn more of
the wonders of natural objects. 1t is very
likely to excite in the young an ambition
to become investigators in the field of
natural history
The Century Illustrated Magazine" for
November is just at hand. 1t is a number
full fpromise to lover of the best order of
current literature. The illustrations are
numerous and especially fine in design and
execution. Among the leading papers is
one from manuscript OF the late General
Grant treating OF the battle OF Chattanooga;
a letter from General Grant TO his physi-
clan; paper on the Chautauqua literary
system, by that accomplished scholar and
thinker, Edward Everett Hale lon the
Battle Of Chattanooga by General w. +. |
Smith On Typical Dogs, and Especially
the Setter - Songs of Battle" by Helen |
Hunt Jackson lately deceased): THE |
Mystery of Wilhelm Rutter," by the same
lamented author; Living English Sculp-
tors by Edmund Gose; THE United
Churches of the United States" by Chas. |
W Shields; "a Story of Seven Devils"
by that remarkably attractive narrator,
Frank r. Stockton, whose writings have so
delighted and instructed the children of
the land Danger Ahead" treatise on
the Socialist, and the relation to the Ameri-
can system of the labor question, by Lyman
Abbott: "a Photographers Visit to Petra
by t. w. Ludlow, splendidly illustrated
paper of travel. Besides these there are
numerous stories, poems, and the usual
open letters, editorials and critical notes.
From Macmillan & Co, London and New
York, we have " Macmillans Magazine "
for October. The number is one of especial
:..An. L.. L.