Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-30
Some More Washington Books.

Some More Washington Books.
The History of the Mexican War by Gen.
Cadmus NJ. Wilcox. referred to in these col
umns not long ago as shortly to appear, is now
before the public, and proves to be a valuable
contribution to our historical literature. Gen.
Wilcox devoted to the work many years OF
faithful labor, including q careful comparison
Of the official records of both the United States
and Mexican governments, and inspections Of
the principal battlefields and scenes described
In it. perusal of the book cannot tail to
awaken fresh interest in that stirring contest, Of
nearly hall century ago. OF which the present
generation knows so little, but whose fruits
were of such vast advantage to our country.
But this Is not its only nor Its chief value.
What will especially interest the readers OF the
present day is Gen Wilcox's graphic account
OF the subsequent career of the young officers
who participated in that struggle, following
their course faithfully from that time until
they won new and wider regulations as leaders
of the opposing forces in the late civil war.
The volume is profusely illustrated with por-
traits of the principal participants. and pans
of the several battle fields. and contains, more
over, a complete roster of all the American Off
GERS engaged in the contest, whether IN the
regular army, the volunteer forces or the navy.
Miss Scidmore. whose book on Alaska has
become inseparable companion OF every
furnished in her "Jinrikisha Days in Japan"
volume which bids fair to be equally useful and
attractive to travellers to that most charming of
all the countries of the tar east, ana which Is
every year becoming more and more an object
OF interest to tourists OF all nationaiItics. Miss
Scidmore does not attempt TO be profound,
but contents herself with descriptions of the
country. its people and their daily life; and
herein lies the charm OF the book, which is
bright and entertaining from the first page TO
the last. Its value Is enhanced, too. by a num-
Der of illustrations which add greatly TO the
interest of the text, aud a complete index.
A substantial service has been done to his
torical literature by DIR. Toaer in the publica-
ton of Washington's journal Of his Journey
over the Mountains of Virginia while survey
ing for Lord Fairfax, in 17i7-s. The task DIR.
Toner set himself was TO reproduce the Journal
with literal exactness to abbreviations. the
use of capital letters. punctuation, spelling.
ETC., and il has been performed with intelli-
gence and fidelity, ana the value of the work is
greatly increased by copious notes, which
bear evidence in every line OF patient research
and thorough comprehension of the matters
In hand. He was fortunate, too, In finding a
publisher SO capable of secondIng the purpose
he had in view. so that the volume is attractive
in a double sense-for the matter it contains,
and Tor the manner IN which 1t 10 presented, as
well.
charming little volume, in literary style as
well as in typographical appearance and illus
trations. is "One Summer in Hawaii" by Helen
Mather, an accomplished lady, now visiting in
Washington. The author spent several months
in the Sandwich Island group, with exceptional
facilities for seeing Its scenery and studying Its
people, and the result is series of graphic
and delightful pictures of life in that attractive
''cluster of emeralds. trimmed In by turquoise
seas" where like the tabled land Of the lotos-
eaters, it seems always afternoon.
An unique cookbook has been published by
Wimodaughsis-tEe National Woman's Club OF
this city. 1t is not the product of one mind.
nor is it made up of the extravagant fancies o.
professional gourmands but contains the favor
lite recipes of well-kEown ladies of this country
including Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Morton. the
wives of the several cabinet officers Mrs
Potter Palmer, Frances l. Willard, Pundita
Rauaiba, Lady Henry Somerset, and others
hardly less prominent.