The record-union., 1891-06-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Traveller Returned from The UndlS-
covered Country" is by Amos K. Fiske,
author of Midnight Talks at the Club"
it is from the press of Fords, Howard &
Hubert, New York. There is always a
fascination in speculations as to the fu-
ture life, if they are founded on any rea-
sonable basis and inspired with some de-
gree of loftiness in those ethical and es-
thetic ideals-those conceptions of spirit
ual existence-which are demanded by
the aspiration Of people who think about
such things at all. The title of the vol
ume conveys, of course, the theme of the
book, which purports to give the expert
ence of man who, after a railway acci-
dent, had lain three days for dead but was
resuscitated, and who, after those three
days in the other world, felt himself an
exile in this. He is the mysterious
stranger of the Introductory chap
ter, and the manuscript" which
he confdes to the hands of the
editor" constitutes the bulk Of the
book, and purports to give his ex-
periences during the three days. One is
naturally moved to recall Miss Phelps
Beyond the Gates" and to compare the
present volume with it, both having to
some extent a similar device of introduce
ton; but it is quickly evident that the
former is a woman's and the latter a
mans book; that the former deals more
with heavenly cOlors and sounds, inn
and heart-satisfactions, gloritied above
earthly elements in being raised to a per-
fectness denoted by the word celestial"
is compared with terrestrial" or the
Pauline distinction between "a natural
body and a spiritual body" while the
latter, not neglecting that phase of the
change of state and treating it in not
dissimilar fashion, quickly passes on
from sensations and emotions to thoughts
and philosophiZings as to the principles
of existence, not only in the world Of dis
embodied spirits, but on earth and on
''Other worlds than ours" The little work
is full of detailed interest, abounding in
ingenious surprises, lucid in statement,
most attractive in style, and inspiring
throughout, with a deep sense of mans
dependence upon the divine Spirit for all
his power of growth. There are many
who will not be pleased by its doctrinal
differences, but none will fail to feel the
charm of its spirit, to be held by its can
dor, and to be helped by its largeness of
view.
A wonderful story Of progress is S. n.
Dexter North's account of 1.-THE Evolu-
ton of Wool Spinning and Weaving" in
the July Popular Science Monthly"
Professor G. Frederick Wright contrib
utes an illustrated paper on Man and the
Glacial PERIOD Sanitary Improvement
in New York During the Last Quarter of
General Emmons Clark, Secretary of the
New York Board of Health. David Starr
Jordan, President of the new Stanford
University, gives his own experience
with peculiar psychological phenome-
non, namely, "Colors of Letters" "a
Coming Solution of the Currency Ques-
ton" is by Charles s. Ashley. Paul
Reichard writes on Department of Saw
age Negroes" Professor Joseph f.
James writes on "Pollen, Its Develop
ment and Use" "The Meteoric Hypoth-
esis," as recently set forth by Lockyer, is
reviewed by J. Ellard Gore. Professor
Charles L. Parsons tells what has been
pertinent Stations" In Scientific
Dreams of the Past" Albert de Rochas
shows that the telegraph, phonograph
and other developments of modern sci
ence were imagined centuries ago. Mrs.
Fanny d. Bergin contributes chapter OF
Animal and Plant Lore" A delightful
description of various ways that plants
have for scattering their seeds is given in
ION Wings of the Wind" Professor F.
Blumentritt writes on the customs of a
tribe in the Philippine Islands-"The
Quianganes of Luzon." There is a re-
view Of Holdings Outlines of Psychol-
ogy." George Catlin, the celebrated
painter Of Indian portraits, is the subject
ofthe biographical ''Sketch and Portrait -
New York: D. Appleton & Co.
From the Bancroft Company San
Francisco) we have the new popular edi-
Jion of American Literature, 1607-ISS5, -
by Charles +. Richardson. Originally
this splendid work was issued in two
volumes; it is now put into one, selling
at So 90. We noticed the original edition
few years ago at length, commencing it
as one of the notably superior books of
the day. The misapprehension must not
obtain that this work is merely a COM
pendulum. On the contrary. it proceeds
upon the line of belief that we have had
enough of mere description and want
analysis in considering the history and
development of Amer rican literature
Mr.. Richardson does not, therefore, deal
in merely eXpository criticism, but in
philosophical criticism, and analytical
treatment. 1t is a delicate task to esti-
mate the rank and analyze the work of
American authors, but Mr. Richardson
has approached his task with courage, in
spirit of justice and with all the feryency
Of the devoted student.
1.-The Lady of the Lens'' is a novel by
Frank Carleton Long. A second edition
materially changes and for the better,
the finale of the story. We have read the
fiction with interest, for the diction,
though excessively commonplace, does
not conceal the originality of the plot. If
the details Of the romance had been
handled by a more graceful writer the
story would take front rank. AS it is,
e is ungracefully clothed, too rugged and
plain spoken. The author is too particu-
lar in recital, and too solicitous to give all
possible dialogue-in fact he is unskill-
Iul in telling the tale, but remarkably
strong in his origination of the plot. II
is dramatic indeed and would make the
ground work for an excellent three-hour
drama.
what is Religion'' is a neat mono
graph in white leatherette with gilt top.
1t is by Thomas Dixon, Jr., and is pre-
faced with a sketch by A. G. Wheeler
tNym Crinkle), the dramatic critic. The
true religion Mr.. Dixon advocates is self
sacrlnce, helpful contact with, not isola-
ton from the world; that religion should
be living reality, that our purpose must
be single, that the way to save self is to
sacrifice self, and that religion is not the
observance of form and ceremony, nor is
II ephemeral emotion, but it is the doing
of something here and now unto man
rather than holding to creed. The Scott
Publishing Company, New York.
OF the Worthington International Lii.
brary (Worthington Il Co., New York;
we have: THE Rector of st. Iuke's," 9
novel by Marie Bernhard, translated by
Elise !. Lathrop. 1t is rich in fine pho
togravure illustrations, and is a novel OF
deep purpose and sustained interest. OF
~AAC SaAitt SGiiSS OAlc Ol tlle DcSt eAbdllJ, DJ
the way, we have Brave Woman" by
L. Marlett, translated by Margaret 2.
Waterman. There are over fifty fine
illustrations in this charming novel.
THE Life of st. Alvosius Gouzaga OF
the Society of Jesus" has passed into It's
eighth edition. 1t is edited by Rev. J. f
Y. 0Conor, s. j., and written by the
Students of Rhetoric, class of '92, of st
Francis Xavier's College, New York
City. 1t is issued by the College of St
Ignatius, San Francisco. 1t is one of the
best-written and presented lives of saints