New-York tribune., 1890-01-02
SOME NEW BOOKS.


fusely illustrated from photographs. by g. p Putnams
Sons The author has thrown his impressions into
epistolay form, and while In the nature OF tie cohu
tions he could not be expected to add much 10 the
knowledge of mankind, he has gone everywhere with
his eyes wide open, has observed shrewdy and intel
ligently, and has described all he saw with brisk
clear and racy terseness which makes his gossipy
pages decidedly easy reading.
"Fact. Fancy and Fable" compiled by Henry
Frederick Reddell CMcClurg & Cob is the title of
work of reference for out of the way matters: an
"omnium gatherum" of recOnde, obscure, archaic. and
other phrases, words, things occurrences. lie ann
Of the editor has been 10 furnish information on great
number of points not elucidated by dictionaries or
cycop0edas. Ills list Of subjects embraces personal
sobriQuets, familiar phrases, popular appelations'
geographical nick names, literary pSeudonyms, mytlo o.
logical characters red-leer days, political slang, con
fractions and abbrevations, technical terms foreign
words and phrases, and Americanisms.7 OF course
there are many works of the same general character
such as "Tlngs Worth Knowing" "Dfuonary oi
Phrase and Fable" Words Facts and Phrases But
the editor claims that his present work embraces what
most needed in dozen different books of the hnd
and that it adds independently great deal of infor-
nation of character only To he obtained elsewhere IN
special treatses cursory test of the volume shows
that these claims are measuably justified The scope
of the ground covered really considerable, and II
only the alleged explanations IN all cases served To
explain there would be little to complain Of some
of the solutions offered very dubious and the
editors economy in the citation of authorities renders
them more uncertain. Nevertheless we arc bound to
saw that the compilation is on the whole well done.
and that it is calculated to be useful to large class
Of people,
Edmund Blunt publishes Mercantile speler."
adapted TO the use of business men, corresponding
clerks. type writer's etc. 1t intended to save the
trouble of resort to the larger dictionaries, and TO
present the words plainly, stripped Of all chronological
comment, to meet the needs of busy and generally
hurried workers. 1t is neatly printed and con
veniently sized volume and should prove useful III
many ways.
From Anson u. F. Randolph Co.. we have super
natural Revelation by DR.. c. NJ Mead, late Pro
. fessor at Andover Theological Seminary. The sub
title is essay concerning the basis Of the Christian
faith The author writes from the apologize point
of view, and addresses his arguments 10 the higher
criticism Of the modern German schools of theology
The sketch of the history of the Dutch Protestant
Reformed Church in America, by Dr. David Demare>t,
which first published in 1885, has been entirely
revised and partly rewritten by the author. and
appears fourth edition Board of Publication Of
the Reformed Church in America Increase Of
interest in the civil and ecclesiastical history Of the
Netherlands which is bound up part with that Of
the Reformed Church. has seemed 10 demand this
republication of work which possesses many valu-
able qualities.
Mr. James Platt's Life" is among the recent series
of G. I. Putnams Sons. This English author has
walked in the footsteps of samuel Smiles with
success somewhat ont of proportion to the merit and
especially the originality Of his methods. lie has.
however a healthy optimism and a breezy way of
taking lie in all its phases which commend him TO
the rising generation a guide, philosopher and
friend high moral standard distinguishes all his
writings, moreover and there is no harm in him.
From the same publishers we have a volume pur
porting to be prominent Incidents in the life Of Dr.
John Weting including his travels round the world
by his widow II is no doubt graceful tribute 10
the memory of worthy physician but can scarcely
be recommended for general reading. the public
probably not taking the intimate interest in Dr.
Wetings somewhat prosy record which would be
necessary to constitute an inducement to its perusa
Houghton, Mniin d Co. have issued Portraits Of
Friends by the late Principal Sharp, with sketch
of the auther by Professor W y sellers and capital
etched portrait which suggests the idea that il is
very good likeness. The sketches are seven in num-
ber of Thomas Erskine George Edward Lynch Cotton
DIR. John Brown, Norman Macleod John Macleod
Campbell. John Macintosh, of Geddes and Arthur
Hugh Clough. They all genial sympathetic and
Characteristic, but probably the first, third fourth and
seventh Will find the most readers in this country.
Under the title Liberty and Living a.. F.
Putnam's sons, Mr.. Philip g. Hubert IT, pleads the
cause of country against city life in describing hs
personal experiences. His success in making living
for his family by working Of doors a good deal
and in doors, at writing, little is interestingly told
IT is however evident that very few people have lust
the occupation the tastes the temperament which
commended this kind Of life to him: tina, is very few
city bred people. decided preference for various
kinds OF hard manual labor ind pcusablc 10 the
carrying out of such programme successfully: and a
cheerful resignation TO oatmeal as staple is perhaps
not more general We imagine that the many sacri-
fees and the large expenditure Of physical energy
demanded by Mr.. Hubcrt's standard Of country
life would lie regarded by most degenerate modern
city men as interfering too seriously with their notion
of I" liberty to make such living greatly worth
the having. None the les is Mr.. Hubcrt's little
book full Of interest and suggestion.
d. Appleton & Co. have published the third edition
Of the late Charles Darwins work on The structure
and Destruction Of Coral Reefs with all appendix by
Professor T. q. Bonney. bringing the record Of
research The subject down 10 date. Darwins coral
reef hypothesis remains the most plausible offered
and though many efforts have been made to over |
throw it, evidence has been obtained seriously |
travcrsng the great naturast's inerenccs and
clusiOns.
From Scribner Wexford We have a second edition |
Of The Home Of a Naturalist The pleasant story Of
the life of DR.. Lawrence EdmonsOn in the Shetland
Isles. The publication of a edition of such a |
book indicates perhaps growth of interest in that
order of observations which Richard Jcherics and !
ThOreau occupied with. and which !
remote from the prevailing lines Of thought at first
sight.
Dr. Charles w. Green has edited, and the Lippn- |
colts publish, Foods for the Fat treatise on |
cOrpuIency and dietary for its cure, by Nathaniel
Edward Davies. of the Royal College Of surgeons Eng
land. As there almost theories of the |
cure Of corpuencc there medical men. such a |
work can hardly be considered final, but fat people !
will find in ii plenty OF cheer and advice and direction
enough to Keep them occupied
W. Z. Jenkins sends us the Figaro" edition fcol-
lection Guillaume) Of Camille Flammarions fancful
astronomical romance Jrania.' illustrated by De |
Bicler GambaM and Myrbach. The processcd draw
ings in this case are better than the
hch has been deeroratng steadily In the direction Of