Morning journal and courier., 1886-10-14
RECENTPURLICATIONS.

The comparative method has been a great
| help to modern advancement in every depart
ment where it has been put in force. Biol
ogy, anatomy and in fact nearly all the sci
ences have made rapid strides in the ascer
tanning of truth by bringing together cor
related facts, noting agreements and differ
ences and drawing conclusions from them.
This method has been carried into historical
study in an admirable manner by Justin
Winsor, librarian of Harvard university and
corresponding secretary of the Massachusetts,
Historical society, in the new work, "The
Narrative and Critical History of America"
The work is new, both because it contains
original contributions from the best living
writer's on the subjects and because the meth
cd of construction is unique. In this history
the author proposes to bring together all con-
ficting statements which worthy of at
tention and place them before the reader in
the Critical Essays devoted to this part of
the work Each accompanying narrative is
written by an expert selected by the editor
and the statements of the narrative are based
upon the evidence given in the Critical Essay.
Thus the reader is given the source of in
authority and in comparing these sources
every reader becomes his own historian.
There is great advantage in this method of
historical research; the outcome of conflict
ing statements being founded upon analyst
and comparison must be a near approach to
the truth. ''The History of America" pub
fishes the independent opinions of each
writer engaged upon the work, requiring
him to sign his contribution. The editor al
lows a full and free expression of opinion in
all cases, merely trying to unity the several
chapters so as to give order to the work. The
work possesses the distinctive feature of
original method in construction. This gives
it a value which other history has dared
to claim and which makes it indispensable to
every lover of history. Besides, it is a his
tory of America, including both the north
ern and southern continents. ALI America
is inclnded in the title. That part of North
America which is covered by the United
Sta tes had history before the arrival of
Columbus; the settlement of Canada by the
French and English the early settlements
by the Spaniards in Florida; the French
in Louisiana and the Swedes in Del
aware-all these are considered as
independent events and not merely as side
lights to the history of the United States.
Any statement made in this work must have
greater weight than if made by an individ-
ual historian, for the method by which it is
written greatly diminishes the chances of
error Every volume is furnished with
index Unoer each title the reader is re-
ferred to all places upon that subject. When
the eight volumes are completed there will
be general index upon the same excellent
plan Thus the reader has at command all
authorities extant ready at moments no
tice. Also there abundant references to
ancient and modern literature. Many an
cient maps and public documents having
historic value are produced in fac-simile SO
that as far as possible the original evidence
may be before the reader. The work, so far
issued, is good example of what may be
accomplished by cooperative scholarship
ably guided.
Volume III. is just out. It contains thir-
teen chapters, the titles and the authors Of
which are: TheVoyage of the Cabots, Charles
Deane; Hawkins and Drake, Edward E.
Hale; Explorations to the Northwest,
Charles C. Smith; Sir Walter Raleigh: Set
Elements at Roanoke and Voyages to Guiana,
William Writ Henry; Virginia, 1606-16S9,
Robert A. Brock; Norumbega and Its Eng
lish Explorers, Benjamin F. De Costa; The
Religious Element in the Settlement of New
England-Puritans and Separatists in Eng
land, George E. Ellis; The Pilgrim Church
and Plymouth Colony, Franklin B. Dexter;
New England, Charles Deane; The English
in New York, John Austin Stevens; The
English in East and West Jersey, 1864
1889, William A. Whitehead; The Founding
of Pennsylvania, Frederick D. Stone; The
English in Maryland, 1632-1691, William
T. Brantly Each of these chapters is ac-
companied by critical essay, and auto
graphs. illustrations and notes.
This important work is published by
Houghton, Miffiin & Co., Boston, and is for
sale by subscription only. The general
agent for this region is Mr.. G. NJ. DaytDn,
24S Main street, Hartford. A sample copy
can be seen at Judd's bookstore in this city.