The record-union., 1894-05-19
new PUBLICATIONS.

San Francisco, and the Auditorium
Building, Chicago, the ten numbers thus
far issued of 1.-The Book of the Fair" 1t
is a superbly illustrated history of the
Columbian Exposition of 1885, and de-
tailed account of the chief exhibits, the
buildings, the conception and carrying
ont of the Exposition, and of the chief
events in connection Herewith, or, as the
title sets it out very truthfuily, An his
torical and descriptive presentation OF
the worlds science, art and industry, as
viewed through the Exposition, designed
to set forth the display made by the Con-
gress of Nations OF human achievements
in material forms, SO as the more etfectu-
ally to illustrate the progress OF mankind
in all the departments OF civilized llte."
1t will when complete, comprise twen-
ty-tive numbers OF forty pages each,
l2Xl6 inches, and is to contain 2.500
plates and 1000 pages. Examination OF
the ten numbers impresses us with the
belief that it is all that is claimed for it by
its publishers; that it is very detailed,
faithful and reliable in text, and 1t GER
tainly is an art work of a very high order
as TO illustrations, while typography,
press work and paper is all that could be
desired by the exactlng. ~ large num-
ber of writer's mainly the heads of de-
partments Of designing, construction and
superintendence, have furnished the
matter for the historical section,
so that it is in that respect official. We
have seen several works upon the expo
sition; most of them relate TO the pictorial
features, but this we are quite convinced
is the most comprehensive, elaborate,
systematic and elegant of all. One tine
book by another firm is confined wholly
to the art works shown at the fair ana IS
the equal to this, but in no sense rival
or competitor, as the scope of the trio IS
very different and entirely diSSimilar.
We are prepared to say, therefore, after
very careful and painstaking examination,
that the Book of the Fair is worthy or
warm cOmmendation, and is also worthy
of the great exposition, and comports
with it in dignity. beauty and utility.
The publishers assert that they are the
only persons preparing a complete and
exhaustive book of the fair, and preserv-
ing in illustration and text the wonderful
exhib bition in all its features, and so far as
we can ascertain this claim IS verify.
The Book of the Fair" in an artistic
sense is a marvel OF beauty, book worth
having and worth keeping for its elabor-
ate record and its fine art qualities. A
great many criticisms of the book
by artists, architects, scholars and
officials of the fair and witnesses
accompany the work in circular
form, but we have not cared to examine
these beyond those testifying for the
heads of departments that designed and
constructed the buildings. These we
must take as authoritative. We have
preferred to examine the work on its
merits, and while the text is inclined to
be horid, and tie style enthusiastic and
at times gushing. after all the facts and
descriptions put into enduring form lit
the work above all minor defects as to
style, and make it book OF exceeding
high value. While such work must be
to hNx tod fho
fair, as reminiscent of it, and of high
value to them as a souvenir, to those who
did not see the exposition it possesses
much greater interest. We find that its
descriptions convey intelligently and
clearly ideas Of the exposition in detail
and in order that cannot be had from
fugitive papers, nor from relations by
eye witnesses. In this respect it pleases
US very much-the effort manifest in it TO
convey to the reader a clear idea of the
exposition, and TO present it 10 him as
panorama with intelligent explanations
as the picture moves before one is COM
pletely successful. One feature of the
work that gives it especial historical
value is sketch of each OF the preceding
Worlds Fairs in all countries and times.
with illustrations OF the buildings and
grounds of each. Thus the reader is en-
abled to make comparisons. that aid him
very much in comprehending the magni-
tude, grandeur and excellenceS OF the
Colum ban Exposition.
AS this great exposition marked an
epoch in the worlds history, and was the
most superb display ever made of the
worlds industries and evidence of ma
terial progress, a comprehensive pictorial
work descriptive of the exhibition must
possess far more than ordinary value and
interest, and such work we judge this
beautifully printed and superbly illus
trated book to be.
The Review of Reviews New York;
for May is an especially fine number.
The editors review of the month gives
especial attention to the opportunity of
the United States in the Pacific and to the
proposed income tax. There is sum-
mary prospectus of the conventions and
gatherings that are to be held this year,
and an important article on the work of
David Dudley Field, by Austin Abbott;
au elaborate character sketch of Louis
Kossutb; an illustrated article by Albert
Shaw, the editor, ON Bermuda and its af-
fairs; a graphic sketch of the Hawaiian
Islands, and an instructive article by the
Premier of Queensland on the colored
races III Australia. Miss Barton and her
work treats of a promised biography. No
less than thirty-eight leading articles of
the month are considered and reviewed,
and there is besides an elaborate digest
of the contents of the reviews and mag
aZines of the world. The illustrations are
numerous and many of them halt-tones.
The portraiture includes several portraits
of Kossuth, OF the Field brothers, Rev.
Thomas Mcmillan, Professor Henry c..
Adams, George T.. Vincent, DIR. John
Hall, Hon. l. NJ. Cooley, General Slo-
cum, Senator Walsh, DIR. Brown-Sequard.
S. L. Wallas, Sir \ James titzAJame
Stephen Senator Colquitt George Tick
nor Curtis, Governor Tillman, Speaker
Crisp, Senator Smith and David Dudley
Field.
The overland Monthly" for May (San
Franeisco) takes look wide afield 1t
travels from Egypt "a paper on the pres
ent state of affairs in that enchanted land,
by Jeremiah LYNCH on the east to Singa-
pore on the west-this last i'll the first of
series of papers by the new editor,
Rounseville Nildman, on life and letters
in the Malay Peninsula, where he was
United States Consul for a number of
years. liking Solomon's Mines'' is the
tale of an ascent of Mt. 0phir; 1.-The
Point of Niew," a Corsican story, apro-
pos of the discussion of marriages for
love; "Palmistry in China and Japan"
curious paper on new subject, by Pro-
fessor Culin of the University of Penn
sylvania. The Nicaragua Canal discus
sion is contributed to by two articles,
one by Lieutenant Wiun, on military
Advantages to the United States" and
Awarded Highest f