The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-12
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES.

From Laird and Lee, Chicago, is re-
ceived a revised edition with new ap-
pendiX of DiXon's The Mechanical Arts
Slmplhed," a work which brings together
into one compact volume a greater num-
Der and range of rules, formulae and
tables bearing on mathematical and me-
cEanical problems than any other with
which we are acquainted. The first edi-
tion of this invaluable labor-saving pub
lication speedily established itself as q
standard reference book for architects,
engineers, boiler-makers, machinists and
workers in stone, iron and wood; and the
present revision, which includes among
other new features a comprehensive pre-
sentation of electricity In its mechanical
applications, will undoubtedly receive a
cordial welcome.
The same publishers issue in neat pocket
form an admirable German-English and
English-German dictionary based on
Grimm and Webster and containing So =
900 words and phrases-all any ordinary
person wiM ever have occasion to use
BY means of this dictionary the learning
of German will be greatly facilitated and
correctness in pronunciation secured.
Three volumes simultaneously issued by
ID. Appleton & Co., New York, group
themselves naturally together. Two belong
to a series of books of History for Young
terprlslng publishers. The third Is one of
their popular series Of Books for Home
Reading"
The idea of putting into simple language
for children the history of the principal
nations, somewhat more seriously than
Dickens did in his "Childs History of
England" is certainly a capital one, and
in the two neat little volumes before us 1t
is happily worked out. Frances f. Cooke
tells the story of the growth of the Eng
lish nation and Kate Kroeker offers an
outline of German history, each telling
rather Of the progress of the masses than
the mere Vangtory of the queens and
kings. In neither instance does the mar
rative employ big words nor go into the
depths. The authors have remembered
that they We're to write for children, but
they have written so well that adults will
not find their work prohtless or upinter-
esting.
The forms of animal and vegetable life
which are revealed by the microscope ap-
peal no less strongly to the Imagination
Of the young than do those great systems
of planetary activity out in the boundless
realms of immensity which require tho
telescope as their medium of INTRODUCE
ton. Recognizing this fact, Clara Kern
Bayliss, in "In Brook and Bayou" has
chosen the lowlier field of inquiry and re-
vealed in it facts and speculations as fas-
cinating as romance. Hers is a notable
instance of the effectiveness of indirect
teaching.
After being, as it were, in a certain
sense an authors guest during the narra-
tion Of his story and having no reason
to feel that he had consciously spared
anything for your entertainment, it might
be considered an evidence of ill-breeding
TO question the motive of the host. But
the rpadpr of Louis Zan s'usha Raau-
tiful Miss Brooke" (New York; ID. Apple
ton & Co)-and especially the American
rea ler-is tempted, at the end, to inquire
wherefore 1t was written. The beautiful
Miss Brooke is simply a polite fraud, for
whose alleged Americanism Mr.. Zangwiil,
We suspect, cannot offer warrant; the
saphead artist who permits her to infat-
uate' him and then jilt him at her con-
venience may have counterparts in real
life but he is by no means therefore inter-
esting; and as for the half dozen other
characters in the book, they are mere lay
figures, used simply for filling. What "The
Beautiful Miss Brooke" was written for
is mystery, and mystery 1t bids fair to
remain
A tribute by eX-Minister Bayard to
Queen Victoria, with frontispiece por-
trait Of the present queen of England
when she was at the ago of four and other
JuDlSe IealufeSi ana a comprehensive
treatment OF the Shaw memorial and the
sculpture of Mr.. st. Gaudens form the
timely features in the June Century. The
first OF a series of articles on "The Heroes
Of Peace" detailing heroism in the light
house service, is interesting locally in
view OF the fact that Scranton has just
finished the entertainment of several ia
nous heroes of war. In all other respects
the June Century is well-nigh a model
number.
We are rather glad, by the way, that
the June st. Nicholas lodges the Victoria
jubilee altogether. For American boys
and girls there is better reading than
Qualifications of royalty which present
the bright side OF royalism but suppress
the dark.
OF the ten papers in the June Forum
eX-lnterstate Commerce Commissioner
Blanchard's paper on the trans Missouri
decision showing the need OF the legaliza-
tioD OF railway pooling and ]. r.. Bishops
excoriation Of political bossism stand FIRST
In interest and timeliness. But there isn't