Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-07

TIE WONDERS OF MODERN MECHANISM. A
Resume Of Recent Progress in Mechanical,
Physical and Engineering Science. BY Charles
Henry Cothrane mechanical engineer. author
OF Artistic Homes, and How to Build Them, ~
The History Of Marlborough" &c. Illus
pany. Washington: Brentano's.
In these days of exceptional mechanical
advancement such a work as this. which
groups the latest achievements of physical
science in intelligent and Ineligible FORM
is valuable addition to scientific litera-
ture. Local interest naturally centers on
those sections devoted to street transpor-
tation problems, and Mr.. Cochrane gives
evidence Of thorough research and accu-
rate Information in this line. He notes the
wonderful progress Of the light-traffic rail-
way systems of the country and rapidly
traces the history of street transportation
facilities in America, leading up to the
general condemnation of the overhead troll
ley and devoting considerable space to the
conduit electrical system Of propulsion,
which Is at present regarded as the COM
irg method of propulsion. His conclusions
on this subject are summed up as follows:
Amid multitude of counselors there is
wisdom. and among the many hundred de-
vices that have been proposed no doubt
some will be found sufficiently practical to
be introduced Wherever electrical propul-
sion is demanded. but the overhead trolley
forbidden. Experience seems to indicate
that such a system will make use of the
open slot, and use a low voltage, perhaps
nor over $50. and that these features, to-
gether with great attention to details in
the matters of insulation and avoidance of
leakage. will result in success for conduit
electric railways"
CoNSTANTINOPLE. By Edwin A. Grosrenor, pro-
ege. with an Introduction by Gen Lew Wal
Roberts Brothers washington: sreDts soston
This is scholarly work by one who has
had wide experience in the east Prof.
Grosvenor formerly occupied the chair of
history at Robert College In Constantinople
and Is a member of several societies locat-
ed at the Ottoman capital and at Athens
Constantinople has always been to the
western mind city of mystery and of ro-
mantle interest. 1t is the outpost of the
east on the frontiers of civilization, and a
work such as that of Prof Grosvenor will
perhaps shed much valuable light upon the
subject of this great community, which is
at present the scene of much political
uncertainty and may possibly witness
serious conflict. chapter Is devoted to
| the present sultan, Abdul Hamid II, whom
Prof Grosveror describes as generous,
constant desire to advance education
among his subjects. The many political
evils existent in the Ottoman state" says
the author, 'incurable because Inherent in
its very nature, are not his creating but
his inheritance. These ne has endeavored
to mitigate and reform. No foreigner can
adequately express or perhaps. fully ap-
preciate all the difficulties of his position
No task can be more arduous. delicate and
intricate thsn that committed to his
hands,"
THE PRoVERBIAL PHILOSOPHY OF CONFU-
Gus. Quotations from the Chinese Classics
for each day in the year. Compiled by Forster
n Jennings. With preface by Hon. Pom Kwang
Sob. minister OF Justice to his majesty the King
of Korea. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Mr.. Jennings is young Westinghouse
whose t. ste led him recently into an ex-
tensive study Of oriental literature, and he
has compiled a book of exceptional interest
Confucianism is a philosophical system lit
tie understood outside of the Orient, and
this volume, with its 1856 quota lions, gives a
very clear insight into the moral precepts
| and teachings that form the foundations of
Chinese literature. Confucianism Is the be-
| lief Of the nobility and the higher class of
| China, and the writings OF Confucius are
| the classical standards of the empire All
| candidates for civil appointment are re-
| Quired to be we'll versed in the laws of con-
| duct that he lays down. In his proem NE
Jennings Indicates the vast amount of re-
| search necessary to obtain the gems of
| thought that he has utilized to form this
| of proper presentation Of the peculiar idicms
| Of the Chinese, by reason Of which the senti-
| mentc of truth and virtue of the great
| writer have sometimes been warped from
| their true meaning and nodded into chan
| / els entirely foreign to the original.
MARIAN. A Poem. By NJ. NJ TeaRar Buffalo:
The Peter Paul Book Co.
| This is a tale Of pious devotion to char