The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-21
THE FIELD OF LITERATURE.

As they say on 'Caarge, there is little doing in
books now. Between finishing up that class of
light fiction peculiar TO the vacation months Of
summer and getting ready for the fall and win
ter holiday trade, the great publishing houses
are experiencing lull and are sending out few
books, and those Of obscure houses are by that
much brought into unwonted prominence.
One of the more notable books received during
the past week is Due South" tHoughton, Miflin
& &C., Boston, by N. NJ Ballou, author
of Due Vest ''Due South" was suggested by
the success of the work that preceded it, and is
study of Cuba and the Cubans. The endeavor is
to present comprehensive view of the island past
and present and to depict the political and moral
darkness which have so long enshrouded it.
The Bowen Merrill Company, Indianapolis
Price, $50.
Roberts Brothers, Boston. have issued fine
volume, (644 pp. No. g. THE Life and Letters
Of John Brown" edited by F. B. Sanborn. This
is probably the most comprehensive biography
of this remarkable man that has ever been pre-
pared and is creditable alike to the author and to
the publishing house. Mr.. Sanborn has had
access to vast amount of the correspondence
of Brown, his sons and coadjutors in the wild
scheme of melting successful instruction in
Virginia and has supplied only such
materials as were necessary to make
the whole connected history of
the man and his deeds. Two fine portraits of
John Brown are given, one representing him as
he appeared in 1856. and the other taken four
years later They represent man Of great force
of character A portrait of his son, Owen
Brown, is also given. Several autograph letters
are given. This book leaves little to be desired.
and will, doubtless, meet with a good demand
THE Bowen-Merrill Company
John B. Alden, 1913 Pearl street, New York,
jhe producer of so many books in popular form.
las undertaken the publication Of what he terms
''Alden's Cycopedia of Universal Literature, "
which promises to be of great value. The first
part (47s pp., 60 cents) embraces short sketches
Of literary men and women, alphabetically ar
ranged, from Ezra Abbot to Thomas Arnold,
with noted excerpts from their best works, show
ING their literary style. The book is well bound.
Aeatiy printed on good paper, and is remarkably
cheap. 1t would seem that the entire work
would require from sixteen to twenty volumes.
1t will find it's way into thousands of libraries.
In the way of fiction we have from Thomas Y
Crowell & Co., New York, novel entitled
Brentwood" by "Jak," and Tangled" by
Rachel Carew, the latter published by S. G.
Griggs g. Co., Chicago.
Two books that deserve special mention are
modest volumes published by A. N. Marques
f. Co., Chicago, compiled and edited by Emil
Behnke and Lennox Browne, entitled, 'The
Child's Voice. and "yoice Use and Stimulants
Each book is running treatise made up of the
opinions of the highest medical authorities and
the best vocalists and teachers of vocalism IN
the world The one on the child's voice is of
incalculable value to such parents as have a
promising singer, who would develop the
voice of a child to best advantage, while the
,tber volume, as the title indicates treats on the
effect of intoxicants upon the human voice.
Oliver Ditson g. Co, g Boston, have supplied a
needed textbook for kindergarten schools in the
form of fine collection of songs and games,
composed and arranged for kndergartens and
primary schools by Kate Douglas Wiggin. The
melodies are charming and easily learned by the
little folks They are adapted to all the require
ments for which they are intended, there being
songs suitable for opening, closing, and for
teaching all the simpler elements of education.
An engaging feature of the work is the games
set to rhyme and music, and admirable as a
means of diversion and amusement when the
little folks may become weary of the rout inc of
work