New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-24
NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS

new edition to us from NcClurg Il Co.. OF
Chicago, Of Mrs. Abby Sage Richardson's Familiar
Talks on English Literature" This Is book the
worth Of which has already heen fully demonstrated.
1t makes no undue pretensions. but 1t Is written IN
so Interesting a manner naturally to hold the
attention of Intelligent students, and affords as goou
an introduction to English literature as need he
desired without imposing upon the learner any OF that
tresome dryness which Is apt to make the ordinary
textbooks and manuals repusive. and, consequently
to a great extent useless. Mrs. Richardson IN her
new edition has several Improvements. and the
general accuracy OF her book not less conspicuous
than its attractive arrangement
aThe Diary OF an Idle Woman in Constantlno2ie''
by Frances Elliott Is most distinctly r. manufactured
pIece Of work The author has employed visit to
Constantinople as apology for warming over several
hundred pages OF what NAV without eNaggeratioh DE
termed ancient history. She has drawn Dolby anu
freely upon all the standard historians. ana mas
produced series OF fragmentary pictures Illustrating
the past Of Constantnople with special eye TO 'he
reprOduction OF all the massacres. riots. murders.
cruelties and denominations OF which that city mas
been the scene from tie beginning until now Inc
visitor to Constantinope may find some entertainment
in these historical "rechaufees' perhaps but Is
difficult 10 find in them excuse for the thick vol
ume which has been produced from them ana wh'ch
has no originality whatever about It,
examinations" by Paul Tiegvolk G. p. futnams
sons) Is volume OF essays written In an easy ana
moderate tone, marked by gentle though'inlhess'
and falling II at all, in prOneness toward opnmism'
The first paper on "The Ideal American Lady, Is
ant TO surprise a good many readers who Will regret
their failure to have encountered the paragon hero
described. II Is, however, only too apparent 'ha'
the essayist drawn upon his Inauguration Ior an
ideal, which, while by means impossible OF attain
ment is certainly seldom met In the flesh. Inc Tone
of this and the other essays. however. Is never In
tha least arrogant or irritating. The writer mas
genial disposition, and his ruminat,ons are milu
and pleasing. II cannot be said that he Is stnKheN
original Int his thoughts are we'll ordered and whole
someIv Influenced, and nothing but good can be got
from his writings so far as they go.
From Williams e. Norgate. London. we have
aCultrre in Early Scotland" by James Macklnhoh'
NJ A. PHI D. 1t is honest attempt to lit me
Vol, Of an obscure past and to show the progress
made in letters and In Scotland LONG before the
country made clear exhibit OF advancing civilization
N the outside world. Mr.. Mackinnon unfortunately
has not the gift OF commenting his story 10 Ill rc'u
ers He is apt to fall into terrible dryheSS' anu
N founder more than little, and one result OF
these defects is that his book Is likely TO De reao
less than 1t really deserves TO be-
Canon Knowles travelled from Chicago 10 Eng
land and Back and has tried TO tell the story OF
hs n,,p-msre IN n booklet the size Of which Is the
most modest point about it. But Canon Knowles I'M
hann,lv seems to have really had nothing TO ''ii'
and though he has abbreviated laudaby there Is sun
Zoo much of a narrative which. Oh its face, has no
excuse for existence
"Convent Life OF George sano' IS translation
nv Maria Ellery McKaye. from "Llastoire de ma
vies Boston: Roberts Brothers,. Whether this III
tie work was worth reprnting at 50 late date Is
perbsps question which the publisher may be left
10 determine I'm due course In itself 1t can only be
termed rather thin a light series OF biographical
"Reminiscences Of distinctly juvenile order. present
inr few indications OF the authors genius, and deal
inp for the most part with the infinitely petty ana
fdyoous 1ealousies likes and diskes, OF glris con
vent school. 1t is no doubt at times pIcty written
but it Is very slight.
"sase Studies by the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Lionel A.
Toenacbe As collection OF Is reprinted for the
most part from The Fortnightiy Rcve",' together
with n few poems and translations. The essays are
well worth the more extended life thus sought Tor
them Mr. Tollemache Is brilliant and scholarly
writer and his wealth Of illustration and felicity OF
expressiou make papers exceedingly pleasant read
Ing There seems q little afectAon about the u1e
EMPLOYED for the book, and most people VIII proha
h,y think II unnecessary: but the Writings 'hehi-
selves are really good enough TO atone for much worse
defects than little bit OF fancfulncSs in choosing
title.
A stout volume, entitled Man and the state
studies In applied sociology, tesfes to the energy
md system with which the Brooklyn Ethical Asso-
ciaton has been furhering the work II had taken IN
hand The subjects selected for treatment are not
exactly Of the kind appeal very strongly to VIVA,
Is called the practical politician" bat they are none
the less Apostle and they are handled AS rule WIN
dignity and shrpwdness.