The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-27

The STANDARD ORAToRIos. Their stories, their
BY George Z. Upton. Chicago: A. o. Nc
Clurg & Co., publishers. Price $l.50.
This volume is a companion to the former
work of the same author on "The Standard
Operas" which has received wide recogni-
ton in musical circles. Mr.. Upton defines
the oratorio in its modern form as "a music
al setting of sacred story or text in style
more or less dramatic In this volume the
oratorios of the great masters-Bach, Beetho-
ven, Gounod, Handel, List, Mendelssohn,
Rossini, Verdi and others-are outlined, and
a description given of the music, with per-
sonal sketches of the composers and the his
tory of each composition. This work is ac-
complished in a very graceful and delicate
manner, the very capable writer under
standing the great compositions thoroughly
and not mixing up description with criticism,
but giving each in due order. While de-
scription, not criticism, is the authors pur-
pose, the rare touches of his pen show that
his critical genius is of high order, and that
he is abundantly qualified as an interpreter
of the great masters. There is no book now
before the public from which more salts
factory knowledge of these oratorios can be
secured; and whoever studies this work will
need no other handbook to enable him to un-
derstand both the subject matter and musical
development of the standard oratorios of the
present day.
ANCIENT CITIES From the Dawn to the Day
Iipht pxyW Pu OF
Houghton, Mitfiin & Co. Price $l.25.
The author of this volume is the pastor of
the Berkeley Street church, Boston. 1t con-
tains fifteen chapters devoted to description
of the cities of the old world and their pecu-
liar associations and characteristics. Thus
we have Nineveh, the city of soldiers, Baby
lon, the city of sensualists, Tyre, the city of
merchants, Athens, the city of culture, Rome,
the city of law-givers, and Jerusalem, the
city of the Pharisees, Originally delivered
as Sunday evening lectures, they have evil
IDENTIFY been recast and rendered more vslua-
BILE in their present form. The volume gives,
in brief compass, the results of extended
reading in historical and archaeological fields.
There is probably nothing new to scholars in
the volume; but there is a vast amount of in
formation in regard to these ancient empires,
cleaned from various sources, which will
prove valuable to the average reader. 1t is
by such books as this that the results of dis
covery and scholarship are made known to
the world. The age is too much engaged in
many ways for the original and elaborate
works devoted to ancient peoples and the
characteristics of past civilizations to secure
readers among the masses. This little book
will aid many to understand something of
the character and environment of those great
cities which were centers of influence long
before the establishment of our Christian
civilization, and whose history is now en-
tombed in the records of the past. The au-
thor has a very modest estimate of his work.
He remarks: ~ have simply tried to initiate
the child who peers through an open door,
and charmed by glimpse of the wonders
within the garden, calls others to come and
see." The volume closes with two chapters
on the "New Jerusalem, the city of God" in
which the spiritual CITY (which hath foun-
dations" is presented in contrast with the
passing greatness of the ancient empires.
BIBLIoGRAPHY OF EDUCATION. By G. Stanly
Hall and John M. Mansfield. Boston: D.
@. Heath & Co.
This is valuable book to educators. 1t is
a safe guide to the literature of the subject.
1t gives an extensive catalogue of the books
treating of the history, philosophy, science
and art of education in Europe and America.
The English German, French and American
works on education are given with fullness
of detail in regard to subjects, authors, pub
fishers and places of publication which makes
the work very valuable to teachers and COL
lectors of books. The work is limo. vol
ume of 300 pages, printed in clear type, on
heavy white paper and neatly bound. We
cheerfully recommend it to teachers, edu-
Gators and those who are interested in the
general subject of education.
The most noteworthy part of the Atlantic
Monthly for December is its supplement,
which contains DR.. Holiness poem at the
250th anniversary of Harvard University, and
Mr.. Lowell's Grafton, delivered ON the same
occasion. In the regular number itself there
is a story over the signature of Harvard B.
Rookie, entitled "The Strange Story of
Pragtjna," which is the most interesting and
thrilling study of Eastern occult science that
has lately appeared. A paper by the late Eli
sha Milford on "The Object of a University"
is scholarly consideration of the subject by
a man who was one of the deepest thinkers
of his time. Miss Harriet Waters Preston
has an amusing and carefully thought out
criticism on ''The Church of England Novel;"
and Edmund Noble, who will be remembered
as the author of little book entitled "The
Russian Revolt" contributes travel paper,
"Up the Neva to Schlusselburg," which is of
rather unusual interest. Miss Murfree con-
cludes her serial, SIN the Clouds" and Mr..
Bishop brings "The Golden Justice" to ter
mination. Some criticisms and the Contrib
utors' Club complete the number. The
number, taken as a whole, is an unusually
good one for a. time when most publishers
keep their best material for the opening of
the new year. [Houghton, Mifflin g. Co.,
Boston.
PARKER's PEOPLES BIBLE. Exodus. Levitt
Gus, Numbers. Fink 81 Wagnalls, N. Y.
These two volumes have just come to our
hands. They are fine examples of that style
of expository preaching for which the British
preachers, especially the dissenting clergy
are so much more noted than our own. 1t is
something more than a commentary and yet
meets the purposes of a commentary for gen.
eral use very well. 1t does not come down
to hair-splitting discussion of fine points.
1t is, in short, fine specimen of Bible preach
L
a good deal of dry husks, but extracting from