New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-08
NEW BOOKS AND NEWEDITIONS

NEW BOOKS AND w EDIIIONS
1t Is true that "Websters International Dictionary
of the English Language Is published TO this day
without the 'u' in favor and honor and similar
words: but It to retain an international char
acter just the same. and keeps up its circulation on
such with its competitors that new edition
is necessary every in while. The latest bears
the date of the present year and comes from the
press with completeness that implies the mos;
thorough editorial and typographical supervision 1t
is a popular dictionary. which the years have
tested and left In possession OF conspicuous pace
among photographed works Students are glad to
consult II in spite Of the fact that their English
cousins assault them with protests against the
omission of letter here and letter there. where
they the cousins prefer to keep IT, The vide pup
lie too finds this work to which II is constantly
useful to refer 10 matter how many newer diction
aries there may be in the field "Webster's 1nternl
tona is old but abreast OF the times, and the ed-
ton just brought out by the G. c. Merriam Com
pany reminds the public that. like all standard pub
locations, this is as full of vitality as ever
In his classical Portfolio OF Primitive Carriers
(The World Railway Publishing Company Mr..
Marshall NJ Krkman has evidently pursued to
its furthest limit most interesting form Of the
passion for collecting. He has gathered together
hundreds upon hundreds Of pictures illustrating
the origin and evolution Of transportation. in all
It's imaginable FORMS by the human race and
the agencies under its control. Mr.. Kirkmans re-
searches have taken him into every quarter OF
the globe. and among every race OF man, as
1t seems. and the illustrations depc; every
known method Of carriage by men. women and
children. beasts of burden. ships and every con-
ceivabe form OF vehicle. The author has arranged
these illustrations according TO countries. and. In
general, following the development from the print
tive to the more advanced methods OF Transports
ton There s besides series Of pictures Of ancient.
locomotion. and early railway appliance.
The value Of this collection IL greatly enhanced
by the explanations and the dates that are aiixen
10 OF the illustrations. and by the brief hisoI-
cal essays that prefixed TO the several subdlN-
sions The book is handsomely printed In large
oblong ouarto that makes reference a convenience
II Is a pleasure to see a German-Engllsh dction-
airy printed in a manner that is not merely alb
soutely legibe and easy for the eye but really
handsome piece of typography and bindlns.
Users Of German lexlcons know to their sorrow
how rare both these qualities are. and can appre-
clate how prepossessinR they make the outwari
appearance Of the new lexicon OF Emmanuel Schmiit
and Gustav Tanger based upon the great work "
| Fltgel that has just been published by Lemcke n
| Buchner OF this city. The book IS an admirable
example Of dictionary making fully worthy Of the
fine Typography the publishers have expended upon
| IT, The authors have produced lexicon that Is IN
many respects original They have taken great
| care TO secure TRANSACTIONS that are real and
| ilomatic equivalents. Their treatment Of techni-
cal words is accurate, and 10 brought down to date
| although they announce that 1t Is not their nten-
| ton TO absolute completeness In this re-
spect the dictionary being intended for home and
! school," ard aiming more to meet the requirements
OF the general reader Of education than TO assist
| the researches OF the specialist. The reader OF
modern German will be especially thankful for the
| light that is thrown or idiomatlc. peculiar and
L 80. l.x,
teral rs such 10 consult the readers greatest
| convenience There is little attempt etymol-
| ogy and exaggerated Righteousness in the sub
| dividing Of definitions has been avoided. In a
word the dictionary aims to furnish the fullest
and most easily attanable assistance to the read
OF another language than their own. whether
English or German, and 1t succeeds in many re-
| spects far beyond any OF it, predecessors.
| 1.-THE Statesman's Year Book macmillan e. Coz.
In its thirty-;hrd annual issue for 1896. preserves
the high character a book OF reference which ii
has long possessed In It's range Of statistical and
historical Information concerning the States of the
| world In compactness OF presentation and trust
! worthiness, IL surpasses any similar pubica ton.
! The organization and personnel OF governments,
their resources, finances, defences, commerce,
gion courts Industries. railroads and colonies.
| all treated briefly but sufficiently. What the best
| OF guide books to travellers In foreign lands
| the Year Book is to the student In the library
| who wants outline of the affairs OF a country.
The volume for the current year Is particularly in
| terest!ng for tho valuable maps 1t contains. hav-
Ing references TO the principal territorial questions
which have recently been. before the world. These
are OF the Anglo-Russan frontier OF the Pamrs,
the Indo-Chinese frontier showing the position OF
| Siam. the territory In dispute between England and
| Venezuela and a map to illustrate the recent ar
| rangements with respect to Bechuanaland and In
| Guiding the Transvaal and the whole region con-
| cerned In the Jameson troubles
| The fact that mo Government Is more sensitive
as to Its dues from other Governments than a Re-
| public whose agents officials are ever on the
watch for sights or wants Of appreciation OF their
| importance" and that these same officials or
( agents and their families most liable TO be
offenders In matters of etiquette. the fact by
election or appointment they may be suddenly called
| from obscurty to high positions. OF the duties OF
| which they totally ignorant" has led Miss
| Katherine ELVES Thomas 10 prepare "Onlcial.
| Diplomatic and Social Etiquette OF Washington
| (The Casse Publishing Company. From 1t the in
| kind Of cards to have when to call and on whom
to call. how to sign their letters. how to enter
| reception. how to introduce and a multitude OF
other things Of a similar character They can learn
that ordinary occasions II Is good taste TO dress
| as quietly possible" and what extraordinary
occasions 1t Is good taste not dress quietly They
will also discover that 1T is unwise entertain 10
any great degree during the first winter OF a resi-
dence in Washington" II they obey this rule they
viii have time by observation to adapt themselves