The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-27

ART FOR ARTS SAKE. by yoha c. Van Dyke
L'h-Di scribnsrs. New York.
This book is made up of seven univer-
slty lectures on the technical beauties OF
painting delivered by the author at sew
eral colleges, and IL furnishes the tyre, or
the amateur an excellent means OF pc
coming TO some extent acquainted with
that In the best painting that appeals the
most strongly TO the educate sense OF
the beauty Of that Kind OF art. These
lectures lake broad survey, they ueal
with the points that it is worth while 10
know about, they are perfectly ucld, ana
tney are very charming in tber literary
art The clear setting forth oil the iacts
ana theories OF painting has its advah-
tages In these days, when there Is so
much art analysis that nobody can un-
derstand. This essayist deals with the
subleties. but in SD doing he illuminates
them. lie Is always at pains, In explain
ing things, 20 explain them In such
way AS not to make them the more uuoi-
ous These delightful lectures OF FRO
lessor Van Dykes start one on the risht
road 10 get the benefit OF an inteiligent
appreciation OF art. and they assist the
more proficient u an appreciat ol some
what liner and more satisfying.
EPoCHs or AMERICAN HISTORY, DIylsI0N.
anp An mEeNiQN isis. lsss oy Woo np.,sn now Co
The compiler says this is a sketch In
broad outline, anu there Is no need TO
quarrel with his Characterization OF the
work. IL Is not much more than an IN
dex OF the events OF the period IL covers
and not the best kind of an index at that.
IT Is question whether these books have
u legitimate place in che historical libra
ries. They are so insufficient that they
are liable to breed Ignorance rather than
kuowledge. They may SATISFY The stu
dent VINO is prone TO oe content with a
smattering and prevent his getting better
knowledge. They must foster false con-
ceptlo = OF history, as true conceptions
can only be resolved by those VINO know
ali the facts, attendant as Well as princi-
pal. The bLoS is useful for The student
who knows his facts but sometimes
needs to find them concisely stated at
greater length than the true index gives.
TROPICAL AMERICA. by Isaac ~ Ford; Scrib-
ners. New York.
This book was written by the author
after he had been through the countries
described in the capacity OF a CORES
pondent for the New York Tribune. IL
is readable, and contains a great amount
OF useful aud entertaining Information
not in the ordinary DooAs or travel.
RowEN, second Crop Songs. by II. q. Bunner;
Scrioners, Nsw York.
There is no need to say that this is a
delightful book, book that exempiifies
the finest grain OF that exquisite humor
that has become "A Distinguishing mark
OF the minor American posts VINO have
fairy won the right To pubic recognition
ana appreciation. Mr.. Buuner Is The
best among this bright coJsrie the best
because his humor is the mCsJ Aeauine
aud is subtly welded to real poetic
genius. There Is an uudercurreat OF
serious purpose in ali turee poems that
adds TO their value for most people, aud
lives them permanence. Tue fun IN
these pieces ~ subtle and pointed. the
music clear and sweet, and the apprecia-
tion OF the greater Things OF lise-ol love,
honor, bravery-is constant and un-
bounced.
From the Appletons We have q half
dozen of Lhe admirable novels they pub
iisn IN the Town and Country Liorari.
Tuey seein To be the first of the summer
novels, aud very excellent advance
guard they are. They sustain the repu-
tation Of he old and reliable house aud
are in all respects the ideal paper novels
clean, bright, enie sain!ng, not too in-
,ense aud noG liable TO wrencl the sym
pathiss of the reader too severely.
The widow of Bayard Taylor has pre-
sented to the NesJchester, Penn. pub
nc library, the books, drawidgs, manu-
scripts and herbariun OF her late hus-
uand, also the knapsack which he car
ried when. at 10, he took his Views
Afoot" in Europe.
Rudvard kipling was in New York last
week, talking over his for.nconiing vol
ume, "Many lutentions," with his new
Publishers, ID. Appleton q Co. some OF
the stories in this book lave appeared In
print before; otIeIs have not.
NJ. Paul Biouet ("Max ORell') has had
such successful season Al AUSTRALIA
tnat his tour has been extended so AS "
include South Africa.
Even tue Critic Is not infallible. 1t
speaks of "President-elect Bartlett Uf
Dartmouth. 1t means President elect
Tucker, Of cours;,