Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-11-11
A NEW BOOK.
An illustrated HistOry of Los Ana
Geies County - Chicago, Lewis
Publishing Co.. 1889.

An 1llustF0te0 H1stOFy OF Los An .
Reies County - Chicago, Lewis
Publishing Co., 1889.
Such is the title of the largest and hand
soonest county history ever printed in the
United States, nor has any yet been published
bearing comparison with it as to the excellence
and number of it's steel plates. The volume Is
OF imperial quarto size, containing S35 pages
printed with the best OF ink on heavy super
salendared book paper, and gilt edged, The
binding Is in turkey morocco. elegantly chased
and embossed in gilt.
There are ffty-four stipple steel engravings
Of pioneers and prominent citizens. The pic
lures are as near perfection in their likeness tc
their originals as is possible for the tools OF the
skilled engravers TO make them. Mechanically
the book 1sss near perfection as it IS possible tc
be made.
In regard to the subject matter there IL
much praise to be given, and but little, If any,
to condemn. The main history caused the pub.
fishers no little trouble and expense. There are
few in any community who make a habit OF
preserving historical matter, an unfortunate
trait In the American character. Fortunately
the Historical Society of Southern California
has been doing good work for several years
In this line, and the individual services OF
some OF Its members, who have made study of
local history, were used, and. when the manu-
script OF the history was completed, it was re-
vised by committee OF that society and errors
were reduced to q minimum.
The historical part very complete, especi-
ally the chapters relating 10 the Missions and
the early history of Los Angeles CITY MANY
popular errors regarding the county and the
days of small things" are cleared away, and
the truth is clearly set forth. The story of
that part relating to the Mexican war The
turbulent times OF the pioneers and the DAYS
OF patient waiting for the recognition { +
merit are given. The coming of railroads.
the struggle of progress, and the final seating
OF civilization is all told ct length, sup
plemen'ed with complete annals from the be-
ginning. The whole history embraces period
known to white men OF 357 years, besides the
chapters devoted to geology and the abo
rhymes.
Last, but not the least valuable, is the bio
graphical portion. Besides the individual
members Of the Historical Society engaged Oh
the general history, the publishers had corps
OF historians in the field for year and a half
engaged in interviewing pioneers and others
whose lives would add interest to the work
We are told that the total cost of this work was
$25, 600. There are about 900 of these biogra-
ity OF instances they were dictated by the per
cons whose life.stories are here told, and are
accordingly subject TO a certain standard of
was taken to verify and correct these personal
memoirs, and get them as near the truth
as is possible. Few have any concep-
the counties OF the Atlantic Coast States, some
Argonaut or Native Son OF the Golden West
should find book imilar to this Los Angeles
century ago, and should read therein of the
personal part taken by his ancestors in that
great struggle for freedom, would 1t not make
him better American? Would 1t not impart
TO him the knowledge that his flesh and blood
was component part of the great republic?
Would not the sentiments of patriotism and
paternal love and reverence be quickened in
him? And so will it be In the generations to
come when the descendants of those now living
shall peruse the pages of such a book as this,
and learn how not only the republic was pre-
served but extended to these western Shorea
How forcible are the words Of Macsulay: "a
people that take no pride in the noble achieve
ments of remote ancestors will never
achieve anything worthy to be remem-
bered with pride by remote descend
ants Americans. as rule, have been
too neglectful of these important matters OF
late years, however. through the efforts of his
torical and genealogical societies and various
patriotic organizations, there has been a great
reform for the better. 1t is true that many of
these biographies are too plainly and briefly
told, for they contain all the varied expert
ences, commonplace and dramatic, of human
life. In very few years all the remnant OF
the pioneers will be in their graves and then
me simple story of their lives, as 1t dropped
from their lips, will be OF priceless value. and
every item about them viii be sacredly cher.
ished.
Among the excellent photogrsvures is a pic
ture of Los Angeles City In 1854 which Ia a
faithful likeness OF the old Mexican pueblo
The books are not on sale, the entire edition.
having been exhausted by the subscribers.