Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-29
SOME NEW BOOKS.


The Scribucrs havo added two more i'm.
portant series on tho History of the United
States,n covering the great events which
signalizcd the first administration Of Thomas
jefferson, from 1901 to 1905. The story OF
J the many internal and diplomatic conflicts
which marked that period OF tho republics
struggle for existence is told in simple but
eloquent words by Henry Adams. They
detail the mental, physical and economical
ondition of the republics infancy, the
rancors IN the legislative and judicial depart
ments, tho purchase of Louisiana from
France, Monroes mission to the Spanish
court aud other events which marked the
administration of the author OF tho Declara-
tion of Independence.
Those who love 10 ilounder IN the ocean
Of abstruse problems and theories are treated
TO an exhaustive volume entitled, "The Key
of Theosophy," by II. p. Blovatsky, and
issued by w. Q. Judge, New York. The
volume traces IN dialogue form the broad
outlines of theosophy or 'divine WISDOM
which of late has attracted considerable
attention and some dcrision. The author
declares that theosopy's not religion In tho
modern sense, but divine knowledge or
science; l. O., tho wisdom of the gods Tho
key also unlocks the doors of mythology and
attempts TO separate "what is true from
what is false in spirtualistc teachings as TO
post moftem lifcn
The public career OF the late James Nelson
Burns, a member of congress from Missouri.
is treated in a memorial volume, writ
ten by his private secretary, Edward
w. Do Knight. The author brings
to the work the enthusiasm OF an admirer,
but not tho fulsome praise of the average bi-
ographer. In addition to sketch of his
carly life the volume rccounts the cam
paigns of Mr.. Burnos, with concise repro
duction of his speeches aud debates in con-
gross. Published by a. G.. McCiurG & Co.,
Chicago.
"The Viking Age-The Early History.
Manners and Customs of tho Ancestors of
the English Speaking Nations" is the title
Of valuable work in two large volumes,
from the pen of the famous explorer Paul
Du Chaillu, and published by Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons, New York. The materials for
the Volumes the author declares are mainly
derived from the records found in Iceland
These parchments, begrimod by the smoke
of Icelandic cabins aud worn by the CEN
turies which have passed over them, re-
count the history and glorious deeds of
race from whom sprarg the English.spcalt-
ing people of to-day. The volumes are copi-
ously illustrated from the antiquities disvov-
cred in mounds cairns, aud bogs and con-
tain explanatory maps and diagrams.
Tho prolific pen of Hubert Howe Bancroft
has added another to the series of histories
western states aud territories. 1.-THE His
tory of Utah" is the title of the volume, but
it is one of the most valuable of the series
because 1t treats exhaustively OF the social,
political and religious questions which have
for thirty years riveted attention of the coun-
try to the territory. The complex mormon
question is treated exhaustiyely and impar.
italy, for a history of Utah is necessarily q
history of mormonism. Both sides of the
irritating question are carried along side by
side, thus enabling the reader to judge point
by point. Published by the History compa-
NY, San Francisco
The eighth volume of the "American State
Reports" has been issued from the press of
the Bancroft Whitney company, San Fran
CISCO These volumes are especially valuable
to the legal profession, as they contain the
cases of general value and authority decided
in the courts of last resort of the several
states. They are great Improvement on
state reports, which are numbered with cases
of trifling value, and thus reduce the enor-
nous cost of law libraries. Copious indexes
Increase their value to all Interested in the
legal questions of the day. A q. Freeman
is the editor.
Herbert Severance, by M. French-Shel-
don is the title of number Is of tho Rialto
series, issued by Rand, McNally & Co.,
Chicago. The story has an American foun.
dation, with highly favored Partisan
superstructure. Herbert Severance, the
chief character, is an opulent middle-aged
lawyer who, In his younger days, plunged
into career of dissipation in France, mar
ried an opera singer and harvested a largo
crop of SORROWS and dsappointments. The
evident purpose of the story is to warn the
ficsle youth of to-day against the folly of Sc
lecting a life partner from among the stars
of the stage.