Evening star., 1896-11-16

THE ERT HISTORY % r,tn OF ,JIE, TIE LAST rARTERES
dent f Benjamin Andrews of Brown Univer-
sity; La two volumes. With more than three
hundred and fifty Illustrations. New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons.
Contemporaneou5 history has a peculiar
charm that cannot be entirely explained on
the ground of its probable accuracy. There
is an undoubted taste among moder, read
ers for recitals of familiar facts, and its
qualification is doubled when the narration
is embellished with portraits and other
pictures Such work is that of President
Andrews. which first appea ared in serial
form i'm Scribner's Magazine and IS now
published in book form, enlarged one-third
with hIndred new illustrations The ad-
diticns enrich the work materially bringing
Ii practically up 10 date. and including
many episodes that premise to have a
marked influence On the national history
The release from The restraints and limita-
uons OF magazine serial has made DOS
Sible a more complete and connected mar
ratire CT the topics than marked the first
presentation Writing for public person.
ally familiar with most. if not all of the
events described. Prof. Andrews task was
mere difficult than that of the ordinary
historian, who is at best subject 10 severe
Criticism lie is almost in the poSition of
the editor OF 4 great journal drawing upon
himself the fire Of many cautious f,itlf-
firdefs. But he is writing for posterity as
N.
ing a beneficent duty 10y giving permanent
embodiment 30 the fiec;ing Impressions of
the time. The historian of a century hence
who essays TO tell the tale of America dur
ing the twenty-five years lust closed will
flnd a rich mine of indiSputahlc material
In the volume now under consideration
Though marked by no wars and embrac-
ing generally an era Of domestic tranquil
Ety, the last quarter-century. when judged
by results, has been the most important I'm
all American history, but il has been be
cause OF its very calm that has brgotten
progress and prosperity that the time COW
cred by Prof Andrews valuable work is
found worthy of being thus treated
IIoI'SEBoLD STORIES FROM THE COLLECTION
OF THE BRDrflEI;S GRIMM. Translate,
10y Lucy Crane. with Illustrations 10y Nalrsr
Crane. New York: Thomas y CrowelI * 90
The Grimm tales are always charming
and especially so when presented so hand
someiy as in this volume. Mr. Cranes pic
lures add greatly 10 the attractiveness of
the book.
THAT RoMANIsT: novel, Ey Ad"Ila r. Mae
Arthur Boston: Arcr'a Publishing Co.
w ,;,, y; Her .tI; BOOK and yrloas By Viii
New York Stone a kimi,a
MODERN POLITICAL CREATIONS Edited I,y I.a.,.
Iod Wagner. New York: Henry Holt a Co.
Washington: VIM BallantAne a Sous.
WALTER GIBBS. THE YoI-NG Boss. and o;l,.r
st"ri".i. \ book for boys Hy Edward William
Thomson auih"r of old Man ~, arm N,,-
York. Thomas \. CnDwcll X 60.
AMERICAN STATESMEN SERIES -wIIIIAJ
HENRY SEWARD. by Thornton Kirkland L.
tiiror. Boston and New York: lIonrliton. NIi;nin
d Co. Washington: Wm. Eallamryne a Sons
THREE CHILDREN OF GAIII.EE A lII'f, nI,
,fiRlST ron loi,NG PEOPLE by J"fn Cor
don. illustrated. IioSror: Joseph knigu ~ 10
THE WASHER OF THE FORD. LEGENpAEY
MpETAllTllS AND EARRAIiIc TAIES ~
iona Ma'l'od, auiiar "f IhariaS. Tli,, Ai,,nI-
Stone u kiInbal