Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-11
Book Notices.

The cnbbqn In Puritan Mo- FINLAND. By
ALICE MORSE EAELE. CHARLES ScgIBNZLs
SoNs. New York.
For sale by West. JOHNSTON * Co. Sl.25.
No association Of ideas could be more
incongruous than that of humor with the
New England Puritans of the seventeenth
century, and yet Mrs EAELE has produced
dstinctively humorous book about them.
The humor, however, 1t IS perhaps unne-
cesssry to say, would not havo been re-
cognizcd as such by the subject of it.
Nevertheless this book. reviewed from the
standpoint of nineteenth-cen fury enlight-
eminent, will provoke many q smile
and even hearty laughter. II is graphic
and entertaining collection OF facts
and anecdotes concerning tho reli-
gious life. and incidentally the every
day manners and customs, Of the
Mayfower's passengers and their equally
devout descendants, whose civilization
seemed to originate In and radiate from
the New England Meeting House" Tie
author displays much industry Of re-
search and great, good taste IN the facts
which she has brought together and in
the method of their arrangement. Build
ers Of houses Of worship to-day will be
amused to read Of five barrels Of rum.
one barrel of good brown sugar, Il box Of
fine lemons. and two loaves of sugar"
being provided "for the workmen and
bystanders" by the Puritan contractors
for similar work. No less entertaining is
the statement that the congregations
were collected by drum and horn and
she'll" The Haverhill settlers. We are
told, Listened for the ringing foot
OF Abraham Tylors horn" In the
New England meeting houses the seats
were long, narrow, uncomfortable
| benches. which were made of simple,
rough, hand-rivcn planks placed on legs
like milking-stools," without support or
rest for the back. Notwithstanding this
| there was ample employment for tho
Tithingman." sort Of Mr.. BUNDLE,
with his fantastic wand of Office fringel
with dangling fox-tails. creaking, busting
strutting. peering around the quiet meet
ng-house. prodding and rapping the rest
less boys and waking the drowsy sleepers."
And yet, no wonder, when. as we are ill.,
formed, sermons were sometimes four
hours and prayers two hours long. But
| enough. We have not encountered o more
entertaining, but OF the same time. instruc-
tive book for many day than Is this one,
nor better piece of work OF It's kind. 1t
will repay reading over and over again.
Rabbi and Priest. b. NuToN GOLDSMITH.
From the Jewish Publication Society Of
America. Philadelphia: Cloth. Price
not stated.
This is O story Of the persecution Of the
Jews in Russia. and is On interesting con-
tributon to current literature. In the
form of O novel the author has related, as
he claims, the actual experiences of GER
tain Jews living under the Muscovite Gov
eminent. The story gets its title from the
seizure of two youthful brothers for SER
vice in the Russian army, who escaped
from their conscriptors. but became sepa-
rated in their fight, one finding
q refuge with friends and becoming a
learned and reverenced rabbi. and the
other falling into the hands of
Roman Catholic Monks. who educated
him in their own religion, which naturally
resulted in his opposing his own people
| and their faith. We find the narrative
very interesting one. though probably
partisan. As picture of the manners and
customs Of an interesting people, country,
and epoch 1t possesses value. The author
claims to have derived his information on
these heads, and also az to the crucltics
practiced upon his people by the Russians
from standard authorities. such as WAL
LACE, FoULKE. SIEPSIAK, ToLsror, etc.
Led IN UnIno,rn Paths By ANNA +.
KArFESsPERoER. From the Publishers,
THOMAS Y. CRowELL IL Co, New York.
Cloth. Price not stated.
In the form Of diary Mrs. RarrEy-
srrBoER has written q thoroughly enter.
tanning. instructive, and wholesome story.
especially suited for the young, though
adults can find profit in 1t also. 1t is the
narrative Of the trials and struggles of o
Christian family with adversely and their
final victory, not only over worldly diff
culties but over themselves. A true
Christian spirit prevades the entire book.
and so natural are the authors style and
the incidents described that the reader
gets the impression that he is perusing
record drawn from actual life. The story
received prize over hundred COMPETE
tors offered by the Pres,yterian Banner. of
Pittsburg, Pa, and appeared as serial in
that weekly.
The Peoples Horse, Cattle, Sheep, and S,rine
Doctor. containing in four parts clear and
concise descriptions of the diseases of
the respective animals, with the exact
doses of medicine for each. Edited by
WILLIAM II. CLARKE. Illustrated. Mt.
RICHARDSON, New York, publisher. Cloth,
Price not stated.
As the editor in his preface says, the
title-page of this work explains its nature,
scope. and character so perfectly that lit.
tie else need be said on the subject. ut
is compiled from the highest authorities
and tho latest editions Of their respective
works." Tho illustrations. numbering
In the aggregate 232. are the best of their
kind, and are taken from here and there.
Many are from MAYHEM 4 ARxIrAoE." II
appears to be q very valuable book and Is
issued In good form.
MIS fdrkTs compete HOtiSkkeeDer. Sys-
TEN OF Household Management for all
who wish to live well at moderate cost.
1t treats OF cookery In all its branches
and gives information on canning fruits.
curing meats. making butter, washing,
ironing. dysing. renovating. the toilet,
the nursery. care OF the sick, etc. By q
Veteran Housskseper. illustrated. M.
I. RICHARDSON, New York, publishera
Thsrsl We think we have copied every.
thing which the title-pago contains, snd
We don't think anything more need be end
about The bOok especiallv A n Il intended