Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-09

and institutions. 1t is at once seen that, of
necessity, he must inquire into the Span
ish town governmentsystems as represented
on our continent; into the system of
pueblos, the Pacific coast g Missions the
SpanishAmerican system of government.
and the administrators and dispensers of
authority under such systems, the in
novations of the American people
upon the same the notifications
they underwent. and the Absorb
tions they suffered. These lines of
inquiry he has pursued with great dill
gence. But 1t must not be assumed that he
has done so exclusively, since not one nor
half dozen volumes of this kind would
contain the results of an effort of that
kind. On the contrary, his chapters are
rather broad general views and the record
of general results broadly stated and trav-
ersing the whole subject sufficiently to give
the reader clear view of systems, without
loading down the work with details The
volume is one of high value. Its diction is
pure, the style easy and graceful, the his
torical narrative concise and rapid. Natur-
ally the book treats more of California than
OF other regions, since here the author
found the most fruitful fields. Mr. Shinn's
work fills an'important niche in American
history. The volume is published by Chas.
Scribner's Sons, New York.
From Fords, Howard & Hubert. New
York, we have the monograph " Evolu-
ton and Religion" by Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher. While it is properly styled a
monograph, yet the essay is series of
seven papers or sermons by Mr.. Beecher
discussing the bearings of evolutionary
philosophy on the fundamental doctrines
of evangelical religion Th estimates of
Mr.. Beecher as theologian are many and
dissimilar, but there is no difference of
opinion whatever respecting the vigor and
holiness of his utterances. Religionists
and scientists will disagree as to the pro-
gressive character of his doctrines,
however. Orthodoxy will be of
one mind IN considering him an
assailant. Perhaps no better concise
statement of his own estimate of his stand
point can be made than that with which he
himself introduces this compact pamphlet.
He says: 1.-THE universal physical fact of
evolution, which widely accepted philos-
ophy OF our day postulates as theory of
the Divine method of creation, is one which
SO naturally and simply fits many puz-
cling lock, that it is gratefully seized by
many who seem TO themselves to have
been shut out from hope and from the
truth. For myself, while finding no need
of changing my idea of the Divine person.
atty because of new light upon His mode
of working, have hailed the evolutionary
philosophy with joy. Some of the applica-
tons of its principles to the line of deyel-
opment | have to reject others, though not
proven-and in the present state of scien-
tifc knowledge perhaps not even prov
able-I accept as probable; but the under
lying truth, as a law of nature THAT is, a
regular method of the divine action). ac-
cept and use and thank God for it = s. 3
That great truth-through patient accu-
mutation of fact, and marvellous intuitions
OF reason, and luminous exposition of
philosophic relation. by men trained
in observation, in thinking. and
| in expression-has now become ac-
cepted throughout the scientific
world. Certain parts of it yet are in
dispute, but substantially it is the doctrine
of the scientific world. And that it will
furnish-nay, is already bringing-to the
aid of religious truth as set forth in the life
and teachings of Jesus Christ new and
powerful aid, fully in line with other
| marked developments of Gods providence
in this His world, fervently believe
From C. 5. Houghton, Sacramento, we
have Edmund Clarence Stedman's Poets
OF America" 1t is from the press of
Houghton, Mifflin & Co. and sells at 50 25.
years ago, achieved great success. and as a
critic placed him more prominently among
| reviewers than any other modern poetical
critic. The present volume is an admir-
able production, and stands level with that
just named. His method of treatment is
strikingly original. and its result gives in
an encyclopedia form compact library of
literary information of exceeding value.
The authors reviewed are altogether too
numerous for recapitulation here. The
sweep of the review takes in every Ameri-
can poet of any considerable fame what
ever. The purpose of Mr.. Stedman
has been-and he has sCcceeded-to
make his studies of American poetry and
song as comprehensive as possible within
due bounds. He has adopted the plan OF
approaching the subject of each from his
own ground, and to comprehend the mo-
tive OF each poet and Judge him at his best.
and thus determine where he has failed of
his standard and of the true spirit of ideal
expression. This, as he rightly claims
makes the review both critical and sympa-
thetic. and, we add, is the proper position
for the reviewer 10 take who is solicitous to
be just rather than fault-fnding.
From G. P. Putnam's Sons New York
and London) we have the royal octave vol
ume by James W, Gerard entitled The
Peace OF Utrecht" 1t IS a historical review
of the great treaty OF 1713-14, and of the
principal events of the war of the Spanish
succession. There is no period in modern
history distinguished by greater interna-
tional events than that closing the reigns
of Anne and Louis XIV. Gerard
excerpts, however, that era in which
Bonaparte held sway in Europe
The Peace of Utrecht was the political
elimination of that period The time
treated was crowded with famous charac-
tiers such as Louis and his Generals, Charles
H., Philip of Anjou, and the Archduke
Charles; Bolingbroke, Oxford the Duke
of Savoy, William III, Anne. James, the
Duchess of Marlborough, Madame de
Maintenon. and all,the galaxy of brave men,
brilliant women, great statesmen and gal
liant soldiers of the time. With such a
subject for review, having such broad
bearing and influence upon the nations of
Europe, Gerard had in hand task of her
culean proportions. His Is Review is one
of scholarly finish and exhaustive re-
search, and impresses one as made in the
judicial attitude-the only position the
historian can truly occupy.
The Chinese at Home and Abroad is
the title of Willard B. FarwelIs work. of
which there has been much mention and
broad comment. Mr.. Farwell is one of the
supervisors OF San Francisco. In his
official position he has enjoyed special OPP
portuuities to study the Chinese question
from practical point of view He has
also been observant as private citizen, and
has studied the sociology of the subject
He has written clearly, forcibly, and, we
are convinced, truthfully, and has presented
the whole matter fairly, and has fortified
his book with proofs that are undeniable
The official report on the Chinese in San
Francisco, with maps and schedules, as
presented to the Board of Supervisors in
San Francisco forms part of the book
Published by a. L. Bancroft & Co., San
Francisco.
The North American Review y 80 La
fayette place, New York., is at hand for
January. The number is more varied than
usual. The papers, in addition to the edi-
torial notes and the correspondence, are
e The Shiloh Campaign by General 6. T.
Beauregard Work of the Church in