New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-16
NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS.

National Ep!cs' Chicago: A c. McClurg & Coz
by Kate Miner Rabb though 1t betrays famil-
iarity with the original OF the great Hindoo poems
or with other OF the remote hero-songs which it
summarizes, is nevertheless an exceedingly handy
volume The substance of each epic is briefly
rated. and specimens are given from standard
translation in each case; except of course. Millions
two poems. Prehxed to each Of these chapters OF
analysis and specimen is short account OF the
poem under discussion, and list of works that
may be consulted by any one DESTROYS OF further
study. II there could be any Improvement this
scheme for a general commentary. II would be
additional chapter wherever possible on the his
tory Of the time in which each poem was pro-
duced OF those poems whose history we know
nothing Is more certain than that each Is monu
ment not merely of individual genius. but of the
epoch which the poet belonged But II IT is re-
markabe that the "Kalevala' signalzes not only
the era Of destructive Homerc criticism but also
the rise Of the modern national spirit. II is not
less remarkable that the collection of the two vast
Hindoo epics belongs TO centuries in which Asia
was rent by tremendous conflict.
The most salient feature Of Juvenile Offenders
%. Appleton & Coz. by W. Douglas Morrison. is
the elaborate demonstration of the fact that the
number Of habitua criminals is constantly increas-
Ing out Of all proportion 10 the growth of popua-
ton. not in one country but in all civilized nations
Now this be considered in the light Of another
fact namely. that writings every aspect OF
crminolocy never so noxiously rank as they
are at the present day Some of Mr.. Morrison's
rivals IN the science OF dealing with wrongdoers
have attacked him bitterly for proving that the
world is growing worse instead OF better UNI
der their incessant activity. But if the nations
would Just make a treaty that not single work
on criminoogy should he published for general
circulation until crimnologists themselves agreed
on the elementary facts Of their socalled science
olp 1ack Of
and so forth--where they disagree now, the world
would be the better for it. This might SHUT out
Mr. Morrison. who has written very sensible
book full of experience: but. then. think of the
ndescribable food of stun which would be damned
at the source!
Recent works on Greek constitutional history
have been as rule vouminous that only those
deeply interested in the topic would venture to at
tack them. Brevity Is welcome characteristic Of
"A Handbook of Greek Constitutional History
Chs Macmillan Company. by A. II. J. Greenidge,
NJ A. The personal element has been almost
wholly excluded from this work One little
Of the familiar heroes OF Greek annals. but much
Of the business for which they got the credit.
What romance Is lost 10 the study In this way is
compensated for by cooler view OF what the
nameless people accomplished and clearer
line OF the political fabrics which they raised. The
book is in every way TO admire. and it opens
the door for wider Investigation
In a duodecmo Of something over three hundred
pares entitled The Land We Live In c'The
Christian Herald'O Mr. Henry Mann has produced
an uncommonly useful and pleasant little history
OF the United States. The narrative is unpreten-
tious in style having indeed. the effect Of talk by
a man possessed Of a good memory as well as Of
wide reading. In brief but comprehensive chapters
Mr. Mann carries his story down from the time OF
the aborisnes to the present day. He has had TO
condense heroically but this has not prevented him
from giving warmth 10 his pages: they are much
more than dry recital Of conspicuous facts and
dates There are admirable glimpses of character
given In tho book. and in the succinct account OF
our development which II affords there the ele-
nlents of considerable popularity among readers
desiring handy, informal history Of the Nation
Under the general title of The Outdoor Library
the scribners are republshing number Of papers
from different hands which have appeared from
time 10 time IN "Scrbner's Magazine" The volume
on Hunting" embraces articles on the pursuit O:
kangaroos. bufaocs. musk-ox and other game. Or.
Rainsfcrd. George Bird Grinnell, Archibald Rogers
and Birge Harrison among the authors. To the
Angling volume Mr.. Robert Grant contributes a
description OF "Tarpon Fishing In Florida; there
is an article on the Ouananiche (Which DR. Yale
prefers TO call the Winanishe), and there are half
q dozen other amusing sketches Tho books are
well illustrated and well printed. They are written
by sportsmen who know their subjects. and though
made up OF fugitive essays they Likely to hsvo
permanent value.