The San Francisco call., 1897-08-22
HISTORICAL BOOKS OF THE YEAR.

One of the in nteresting discussions a. the la te
meeting of the American Library Associ alton
in Philadelphia the one the historical
books OF the year, led by J. n. Larned, who
has recently resigned as superintendent of the
Buffalo Public Library. This is a subject
upon which Mr.. Larned is we'll qualified to
speak, for he is a broad minded Librarian in the
full sense of the word. What he says upon the
subject of history and historical works is gen.
orally we'll worth consideration. Mr.. Larned
has given special attention to historical books
for many years.
In opening the discussion, Mr.. Larned said
he understood history in its broad meaning to
include travel and biography. He did Eot
think there had been The usual amount of
important historical writings during the year.
Omit biography and travel, he remarked, and
it would be very slender list The first book
which he mentioned was Lecky's Political
Value OF history" distinctly one Of great
value, he believed, and one which presents
very clearly and accurately some important
ideas with regard TO the influence which the
study of history should have upon our views
and opinions, which combats, on the one
hand, the Carlylean hero-worship which
would make every hing Of personal influence
in history, and, on the other, the Buckle
theories, which would reduce personal in
fuence to nothing. and make all historical
movements a matter of mech ani"s and mathe-
matics. This BOOK he concluded, sis
very valuable and important correction of
those extremely wrong theories in two diIec-
TONS
Andrews 'Historical Development Of Mod
ern Europe" he considered very valuable, for
the reason that it goes over the ground which
Fife trsversed in a different way, and in a
way which is both interesting and instructive
dealing with the history Of Europe as whole,
gathering up the events which Influenced
urope at large during the important frs
If of the present century, into one large
view. instead OF following them chronology
caly in the history of each distinct nation.
Poultney Bigclow's History OF the German
Struggle for Liberty" was termed piece oft
work rather in the style of journ alism. A
similar remark was applied 10 Andrews "His-
tory OF the Last Quarter Century in the United
States" Mr.. Larned rated it superior to the
same authors two-volume history OF the Uni
ted States, although partaking rather of the
Character OF journalism than OF permanent
history.
Arber's STORY of the Pilgrim Fathers" was
favorably noticed as the most important book
OF recent times connected with early New
England history. In treating of Burgess
middle Period,' in the American History
Series. Mr. Larned said 1t was "a very difficult
book to read; al least, have found it so, and
L have known others who have found 1t So
because the style is bad, but the matter of the
history Is, generally speaking, very good. 1t
is open to the criticism, perhaps, that there is
q little leaning backward in the attempt to be
very impartial, as between North and South.
rs between slavery and anti-slavery: almost 10
the prejudice of the anti-slavery view some
times; but still, 1t is an honest attempt TO deal
fairly with those great ques tions, and | be-
lieve, on the whole, it deals with them moro
fairly than any other work know of. or more
thoughtfully, more fully and instructiyelv. },
Mr.. Larned expressed doubts whether Ed.
ward Eggleston's Beginnings of a Nationn
quite comes up to the expectations formed of
it on its appearance. The chapter dealing
with Roger Williams and the early history of
Rhode Island he considered, however the hest
treatment OF that subject he knew of.
Under biography Sloane's Life of Napoleonn
and Mshan's "Life of Lord NeIson'' were
ranked as almost the two most important his
torical books of the year.
Mr.. Larned spoke of the translations of the
Jesuit Relations, now being published under
the guidance of Reuben Goldthwaiies. sec
retary OF the Wisconsin Historical Society,
Us one OF the important publications of
the year, and in the general discus.
sion VIce-President James K. Hosmer said.
at is likely to bring great lame to Mr.. Gold.
thwaites and is going 10 be work of the yerv
first historical importance, recognized, /
think, as such all over the civilized world"
Mr.. Larned also paid worthy tribute to the