Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-21
EDITORS BOOK TABLE
ION SEATS AND sAoples"-A BOOK
FoR HoRsgMeN.
Worid--seme Recent College
Magazines, sc.

Tae Story Of ne Discovery oS ne Nep Worb
by Columbus. A Columbian Souvenir
Compiled from accepted authorities, by
FEyDsHicy SAUNDERS, Librarian OF th,
Astor Library. author of Salad for th'
Solitary and the Social" etc. New
York TnoIsAs WHITAKER. 1898. PIP
l45. Illustrated. Paper. 80 cents.
This is cheaper paper edition Of aworl
which ~ precisely as IT describes itself 4
Columbian supcnr. In fact. il ~ mos
readable little volume. Again. il is merely
Q compilation. but from the best and lates
authorities which the keoDor Of cooC
library would naturally take pleasure il
consulting. There is nothing laboriou'
and ponderous about II. therefore, but i
Is Just what IL means TO be-a popular anc
easy recital of the chet facts in the lite o.
Columbus. OF course IL is one OF thu
numerous biographies and booklets called
forth by tho Chicago Exposition. Yet
the author as a practical worker with
books tries TO ascertain tho facts
and not give merely idle pictures
Still We have very glowing painting. II
is essentially the same grand colossal
figure Of old that we have read about even
in our school histories. And the author,
with certain limitations. intends this.
And we think lac Is right. There were too
many difficulties 70 overcome. hardships
70 be borne, Columbus was too far IN I'D
vance Of the average thought OF has day
IN conviction and energy 10 allow 1t oil TO
be set down 10 chance and 10 "blunder."
Mr.. Sauudess's frat chapter on the
Ante Columbian Explorers" is especially
compact and we'll put. Needless to say he
believes. If not in tho Chinese discovery,
stall IN the Morse finding and settlement
of America. This Is generally conceded
hy scholars who have inquired into tho
matter if as 20 the details they are
yet al variance. We have actually the
evidence for q theory Of the probability
TINT certain tribes Of Indians have asslnl-
lated the white blood Of body OF those
northern settlers.
The details OF theiife Of Columbusneed
not here be told. Three chapters are
devotc,! 10 these features. further intensi-
fed by NUMEROUS illustrations and set of
by quotations from the poets. Naturally
enough. the keeper of the treasures OF the
Astor Library dovOtes a special chapter 10
Columbuss FIRST Letter announcing his
discovery. telling US how valuable it 10,
and informing rs besides that copy. IS
kent ON exhibit On IN the showcases OF the
Asior IihraTg.
Along with the first chapter, il is the last
which IL most valuable and upon which
every discussion of Columbus must turn
the cetimates of his character. We have
alreadv above intimated the authors own
view and. indeed. this may best be seen
ly the generally favorable cOncensuSes OF
orlniou winch il here collected. The
notable exception IS the adverse judgment
OF sir. Justin WinSor. the accomplished
librarian II Harvard, IN his two volumes
on Columbus. who likely enough has al
lowed the intellectual delights OF objective
destructive criticism carry HIM too FAR
when be penned his conclusions. 1t is so
remarkable and dIGerc1t from the &C
credited views that we present II here.
I'VE have seen pItlable man meet
pitlablo death. Hardly name IN prOfane
history Is more august than hls. Hardly
another character IN the worlds record
las made so little OF ITS opportunities.
His discovery was bunder; ms blunder
was n new world; the New World IS his
monument, Its dlScovefer might have
been its father he proved to be its de-
spOier. Hc might have gwen ats young
DAYS such a bcnignlty as the world likes TO
associate with maker: be left II a legacy
Of devastation aud crime. He might
have been an unselhsh promoter
Of geographical science; he proved
rabid seeker for gold aud q
vice ROYALTY. He might have WOE converts
10 the fold of Christ by the kindness of
his spirit: ho gained the excavations OF
the good angels He might, like Las Casas,
have rebuked the fiendishness of his con
temporarIes; he set them an example OF
perverted unbelief. The triumph OF Bar
celons led down 20 the lgnominy OF Nalla-
dolid. with every step IN the degradation
palpablc and resultant"
On Seats and Saddles, BITS and Biting, and he
Prevention and Cure Of ReSttUcHeSs M
Horses. Bv FRANCIS DIVER, Major of
Hussars in the Imperial Austrian service.
United States Book Company, New
York, publishers.
There are two classes of people VINO rlde
OH horseback. One of these IS the class
porn and brought up IN the country. who
learned TO ride AT SO early an age that they
have forgotten when they could not sit
d horse. whose daily recreation or occupa-
ton has been horsemanshlp,a and VINO would
as soon think of studying the art of SWIM
ming III the mIll-pOnd or hunting old
hares with "a dog IN the old field out OF
book as the art of riding.
There Is another class of riders who live
in cities, who have learned to ride IN their
teens or later in riding schools under the
instruction OF professors OF the art and
science OF tietdn'e horsemanship.
The author of the book before us does
not profess TO write tor the first of these
classes, Of whom he says despOndingly,
at Is most usually very thankless Office
70 offer any man that rldes anything like
advice. however well-moant and sound. on
ANYTHING concerning his morse. bride.
saddle, or seal. The great majority would
much more patiently tolerate very decided
expressions of doubt as to their mental or
moral qualifications If only conveyed with
a certain amount of tact. than the slight
est imputation of IA want of knowledge or
skill IN things pertaining to horseman-
ship"
He therefore addresses his interesting
dissertation on how to sit horse, how TO
construct the saddle aud ADJUST II TO the
horses back. the proper length of stirrup
feathers. and the best form OF stirrups.
what sort of bits TO use, and the character
Of the head stall. reins. and other parts OF
the bride, TO tho second class OF riders
which we have described. This class
is very large one and very APP
preciative of such advice as Mayor
Dwyer, of the Austrian Hussars,
Euglisbman and cockney though be be.
gives in this interesting and valuable book.
Speaking of this large class in England.
the Major SAYS: I'VE have much greater
proportion of men who can ride tam biea
0ise nal than any other civilized nation; in
fact, the class that ride for pleasure or con-
yenience IL with US very large. whereas
everywhere else il ~ very small, almost
minute; for the equestrian nations that
still exist in different parts OF the world
mount their horses as means OF gaming
and maintaining their existence much
more frequently than for mere pleasure"
The Major certainly ignores the magni-
tude of the class Of pleasure riders IN the
United States. We venture TO affirm that
Q larger number of people are TO DO found
in the cities and large towns OF the United
States who ride for mere pleasure and who
improve themselves in the art by the
study Of books and the instruction of
professors than in all England, Scotland.
and Ireland combined.
We venture to predict that the returns
which he will receive from the sales OF his
valuable book in America will 30 far ex-
coed those IN his own country as to re-
verse his opinion on this subject OF the
comparative number of pleasure riders IN
England aud America.
The book is full of valuable Information
and suggestion on the subjects treated.
aud will not fail 10 repay careful study