New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-25
NEWBOOKSANDNEWEDI EDITIONS

work which should be Of great popular utiil'y Is
"rhe Library OF Historic Characters and Famous
Events Of All Nations and All Ages tWiiiidm III
ley Co.. Philadelphia edited by A. H. Sponolu'
Librarian OF Congress; Frank Weitenkampi' OF 'he
Astor Library and Professor J. T. Lamberton In
tho first place the illustrations are attractive
Even where they relate to antique subjects they De-
long to art rather than archaeology. The latter
figures only in initials and tail-pieces freedom i'll
tho choice of topics enables the editors 10 seiec'
those portions OF history which can be graphcahy
treated. The book should not be relied upon as an
encyclopedias. but as an adjunct TO more s!stc-
matte work IL will prove convenient. 1t Will not an
ewer all historical questions. but its arrangement
enables II TO answer some Of them more FUZZY ana
In a more interesting way than might be done III
some other way The plan develops wholly from
the biographical view OF history. The Thought OF
general historical evolution is left in abeyance ana
the thought which Carlyle expressed. that history
only the narrative OF the lives and deeds OF great
men. IL made the key to the mystery OF humanity
From that vantage ground chronological SUCCESSION
need not be observed. Great men may or may not oe
the product OF their times at all events II Carlyle Is
right something within them has enabled them TO
rise above their environment. They are rightly 10
be viewed separately, and so far as the "or'u II
concerned they might have been as effective IN one
age as another.
Carlyle's idea can easily be carried too far; IL
would give history the look Of garment all KINKS
and matches II Il were systematically carried out In
n narrative that pretended 10 be consecutive But
II suits exactly the less compact organism OF the
work in hand where II does not matter that Alex
ander precedes I.ycurgus. that Cyrus the Great
comes after Marcus Tulius Cicero, ana is followed
himself by Lief Ericsson where General Anthony
wavne 4. thrust between John Winthrop and Mil
f,ades: where one Ands In succession the Gracchi,
and BENJAMIN Franklin and Louis TX OF France.
and Lady kane Grey and Hugh Capet. and Scipio
Afrcanus and Pliny the Elder. This want OF chro-
Ch,nk hnsA uh n hal
history is really philosophythat Is the record OF an
the new work may be useful. Evolution is getting
10 be like Banquos ghost 1t confronts at every
turn Politics. law. theology, war cookery. finance
some innerwise principle Of development. where the
individual politician. lawyer. theologian. warrior
cook, hnancer. poet. humorst counts for little
and the scheme Of progress which MAJ be hsinent
of the scheme makers mind, overshadows all. In
such a state OF things the device Of Messrs Spof-
ford weitenkampf and Lamberton may be a good
thing. No doubt history Is philosophy. but the man
does not live or ever has lived who work out the
philosophy so to account for every historical
event In Its place He leaves out whole ages ana
groups of ages and these. his successors find, are
lust what they need to make their philosophy hang
together. Now this book teaches as frankly as pos
sible that the unity in things has not yet peen
found and that while you are waiting for 1t you
may Just as we'll be entertained and be quickened as
TO your memory with episodes OF history that have
in themselves the aspect of completeness The book
will answer many questions. but II will answer them
at unexpected times.