The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-08
NISCEI.I.ANIOl

LITTLE LEADERS. BY William Mor-
ton Payne. Handsome cloth, Filt top,
handmade paper. Il mo, H.oo. chicago:
Way & Williams. a.
AS is explained in the preface, the
contents of this interesting hook con-
sists OF series of papers reprinted
from The Dial, In which periodical
they originally appeared as editorial
articles. Unlike the majority OF Lead
ers," however, these are serious, schOl-
arly and comprehensive Of the theme
discussed. There are thirty in all.
divided into groups OF ten, one group
dealing with literature and criticism,
one with education In the broad sense,
and one comprising the authors appre.
citation Of certain great men ana
women who have died within recent
years-such. for example. as Tenny-
son, NJ Renan, NJ. Taine. Gustav Frey
ROssetti, Professor Tyndall. Professor
Huxley and Dr.. Holmes. Upon each
Of these various subjects. Mr. Payne
speaks calmly, deliberately and ripeiy.
bringing to his work the insight of wide
study and deep culture. and illistrat-
ing the type Of editorial commentator
which IL much too rare In our own
country. where ill-digested thought and
crude expression are the rule, and ease
manner are the exceptions. Thoughtful
readers who care for the mature views
which broad-minded and scholarly
man holds upon themes OF present In
terest, apart from politics, crop pros
poets and the weather, will procure Mr.
Payne's book and read 1t with prOht
and enjoyment.
THE FISHES OF NORTH AMERICA.
BY W. NJ. c. Harris. Illustrated. In
forty monthly parts. at $50 by subscrtp-
tion. New York: The Harris Publish
ing Co.
This undertaking by the editor OF the
American Angler Is haZardous one.
He proposes In a number OF series OF
monthly parts, of which eight have
been prepared, to cover the entire field
of archaeological knowledge in such q
| manner as to bring. the subject home to
expert and layman alike. A noticeable
feature of the parts thus far issued is
the superior photographic effects shown
in the colored plates Not only are the
portraits of fishes minutely accurate in
| anatomical detail but they are also. In
respect OF colofation, literally true to
nature. That these results might be
obtained Mr.. Harris spent many months
on selected fishing waters. rs.accompanied
by skilled artist, and having caught
specimens Of all the game fish of Amer
lea, the same were transferred to the
canvas on the spot. before the sheen
of their color tints had faded. The cost
of the first series will, 1t Is estimated,
be at least $50, 900, the plates alone cost
ing SS5,000. In printing some of these
plates,as many as fifteen different tints
have been required to reproduce the ex-
| act tone and mellow TRANSMISSION of
color SO frequently seen in many species
| Of fish when alive. No angler who
| brings to the pastime of the rod and
reel a mind attained to the scientific
| beauties Of the finny world can fail to
be attracted by this magnificent work,
| which literally unfolds the whole sub
! ject of ichthyology In language capable
of being understood by anybody.
Il / |!
THE STORY OF THE SOLAR SYS.
TEN. Simply Told for General Read.
ers.. BY George F. Chambers, F r. A
S. Cloth. II me, with % illustrations
40c New York: d. Appleton & Co.
This IL one number in the library OF
useful stories wherein the Appletons
! have sought to put ordinarily formid.
able scientific subjects into popular and
attractive form, for the beguilement OF
beginners. In his treatment Of the
present theme Professor Chambers Is
picturesque and felicitous. He clothes
solid knowledge in such pleasing form
that one scarcely realizes, as he reads
the book, that he Is being taught.