The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-15

In "The Cause of Hard Times" Mr.. Uriel
n. Crocker recurs to topic and method
OF treatment which has been q favorite
with him for . number OF years, and
which he handles with skill and ability.
Briefly, his contention is that hard
times results from excess OF saving
and restricted spending, which Is
quite radically opposed to the theory
often expounded that we are ga
nation of spendthrifts." IL we
were spcndthrifts indeed we would be
more prosperous, according TO Mr..
Crocker; and the candid reader of his
little book cannot but admit that he
argues with skill and power. The idea is
that saving creates a demand for profit
able, productive investment, which in
duces over er-production, and so defeats
its own object and brings about the
industrial atrophy ~e have for two or
three years been suffering. The remedy
for the hard times, Mr.. Crocker thinks,
will be the increased inclination to pur-
chase on the part OF those able to pur-
chase, which will be encouraged by a be-
lief In the speedy return OF prosperity.
Thus we have the opinion of this econo-
mist that faith will cure the business de-
pression--faith in brighter future.
Mr.. Crocker takes bold stand against
the saving habit OF the people as q
national trait worthy OF commendation.
Little, Brown q Co., Boston; Preston 81
Rounds, Providence.
1t is no light and trivial matter to own
"a wheel, or become a cyclist, nowadays.
1t is q cult, with not only its literature
and its science, but with its voca bulary,
Its habits, its atmosphere. To own and
ridea wheel Ia passport to social spheres
utterly inaccessible otherwise. "Pleasure-
Cycling" by Henry Clyde Little, Brown
Co. has been carefully prepared for
the purpose Of aiding beginners with
the wheel. 1t is not too technical for the
comprehension Of the veriest tyro, yet it
is thorough and complete enough to be
of constant service TO the accomplished
wheelman, but does not treat OF racing.
The book Is prettily bound, and illus
trated with silhouettes and vignettes.
Preston d Rounds, Providence.
"Newfoundland and the Jngos" is a
pamphlet by Mr.. John Fretwell, explana-
tory OF the difficulties Newfoundland is
experiencing at present, and the treat
ment England has meted out TO that col
the present distress may be avoided in
the future. Mr.. Fretwell declares, in
his preface, that sit would be evil
dence OF gross ignorance, or some
thing worse, TO pretend that the United
States, undor like conditions, would have
treated Newfoundlanders better than
England has done" Whatever such an
observation has to do with the case is not
apparent; and IL it were, the conclusion OF
Mr.. Fretwell Is far enough afeld. The
United States would never stand idly by
and see one of the states starve. George
II. Ellis, Boston; II. Gregory, Providence.
M. Paul Bourget is a generator of liter
ary electricity. He is impressed with ex-
treme facility, and he gives of in Ian
guage that sparkles and coruscates all
the impressions he receives, or imagiues
he receives. In "Outre- Mer" be strains
and gasps to give US novel views of our
selves, and there can be no question
as TO the novelty. There Is great
deal OF truth in much that this
speech spangled Frenchman says of us,
and there is a great deal of truth that he
has left unsaid about Us. Sometimes he
tells the agreeable truth and neglects the
disagreeable, and sometimes quite
contrarywise. IL the book were
not all pitched at such shrill
literary key-were not so intense
the attitude and sayings OF NJ. Bourget
would not seem so unnatural. 1t is like
expecting to realize the show bills prom
ises in the circus tent. Yet it is an en-
tertaining book, profitable book, an IL
Eliminating book. There is that in 1t
which is pleasant TO contemplate about
ourselves, as well as that which it is salu-
tary TO have forced upon US. As book,
"Outre- Mer" is irreproachable - hand
somely printed aud tastefully bound
(Chas. Scribner's Sons; Preston & Rounds
Providence.
"How to Know the Wild Flowers" by
Mrs. William Starr Dana (Scribners), APP
pears in new edition, with ebout so per
cent. illustrations added to the 1893
edition, and . large number OF descrip-
tions. There are now 164 wild flowers
pictured, and nearly 500 described. The
arrangement OF flowers by color groups