The sun., 1897-05-01

ls lubJ Jno bOTJ OF HIeThUuTo tnuu, JuulCloubly
hcraldcd by the pufr preliminary OF an enter
prising Snowman. and delivered from the lecture
platform with appropriate gesture and facial ex-
preston, would DO sure to draw laughter and
copious tears from largo and Intelligent audi
encos at 81 per head. Mr.. Warwick Goble's
unique and peculiar drawings are worthy ac-
compartments TO tho sugary sentimontality OF
the toxt.
Under the title OF "Cuba In War Time" uR. II.
Russell Mr.. Richard Harding Davis publishes
In book form q number OF letters sent by him,
some months sinco 10 one Of the organs Of the
new journalism in this city. There may be
something to bo said In favor OF the author who
writes on war matters without running unncc-
essary risks by going near the front, but on tho
whole this volume confirms us in tho opinion
that Mr.. Davis should continue to devote him
self to tho production of light and harmless fic-
tion. The most interesting thing in the book is
an illustration by Mr.. Frederick Remington on
page 1877. This represents man. n sombrcro hat.
a carbine. and horse wrong end upward, all
falling through space, apparently from an in
visible balloon. The man is executing grace
full fandango and playing invisible harp strings
In the air, with his fingers as he falls. while in
the dim distance below is n small patch Of solid
earth labelled Remington" An inscription
beneath the picture tells us that It represents
Spanish cavalryman on a Texan broncho; but
that Is Mr.. Rcm!ngtons little Joke. There Is ono
picture, by the way, that is not retained in tho
present volume, while very material and not
very ingenious alteration occurs in Mr.. Davis's
account of tho incident 1t was alleged TO
Illustrate.
Messrs Appleton publish handsomely bound
volume by Mr.. Atherton Curtis entitled Some
Masters of Lithography," which is illustrated
with twenty-five beautiful photogravure plates
after representative Autographs. Mr.. Curtis
writes sympathetically and with knowledge of
an art that, for many years, has been too much
neglected, and his criticism Of tho different
masters is just, appreciativc, and discriminat-
ing. while the photogravuro reproductions,
though not absolutely perfect, give as good an
idea Of the originals as can bo obtained by any
mechanical process. Tho collection, necessarily
very limited. Is yet a representative one; only
the best original workers being included and
one or more typical examples of each being
given. Tho dantincss and delicacy that charac-
terize bennington are shown in such gem as tho
Rue du Gros Horioge, and the broad humor Of
Daumer in lie Public du Salon. There is an
excellent caricature by Charet. an artist who
had the rare gift of humor that enabled him to
treat his inimitablc drunken soldiers in a way
that amuses without giving offence, and several
that show the bitter, biting cynicism OF Gavarni,
greatest genius of them all. What keen insight,
combined with vigor and breadth Of treatment,
there is in his pictures of the Lorctcs Tieiiies.
Les Angidfs chez Files, lie Retour du Marchc,
In which latter Thackoray might have posed as
the model for the central figure. We could wish
that space had enabled Mr. Curtis to give moro
examples OF the work OF this Balzac OF the
crayon. This is a book for the artist, the con-
noisscur and the student of human nature to
lingcr over and delight in.
too ambitious task is cssaycd by the anony-
nous author of 1.-THE House of Dreams" (Dodd,
Mend & Coz, n vague and mystical attempt to
give us a vision Of the world behind tho VEIL
There is some beauty Of language and certain
depth OF thought in this presentment of a dream
of tho life after death. but the theme is that
only a Dante or n Milton could so treat as to
leave the reader with no feeling of having been
led to trespass upon ground too sacred for the
tread OF mortal feet. The least unsatisfactory
part Of the book is the poem with which 1t ends.
This. whilo showing no marked originality,
sounds note Of gentle and not unpleasing sad
ness, as in these stanzas:
Let little while with talk run on
or things which We have seen or hoped or done;
1t is but little time we have. and still
pleasant place is this great Babylon.
Warm hosteiries 1t hath where wo have slept.
Bright rooms where our merry feasts have kept;
And we were 10th to go, did we not think
or so many places where wept,
In "A Short History OF Medieval Europe"
tScribners), Prof. Oliver J. Thatcher. Ph. D., has
prepared an excellent abridgment OF tho larger
work. Europe In the Middle Age" by himself
and DIR. Ferdinand Schwlll. Tho present vol
ume. which Is intended for use as IA text book in
high and preparatory schools as well as for tho
language, and is furnished with n series OF maps,
marginalia. an index and chronological ta.
bes. The salient facts OF the history OF this vast
period t35O-15OO) seem to have been admirably
and carefully condensed, and the crisp. tcrse
sentences model media for tho transmission
of matter that is to be remembered.
"The Ideal Protection " Is not, as a first glance
at its title might lead one to suppose, treatise
on matters of tariff reform, but volume of
thoughtful essays and addresses on subjects
connected with life insurance. published by tho
United States Life Insurance Com pany and writ
ten by Mr.. William T. Standcn. actuary. The
book, which Is handsomely bound and well
printed and OF which the present edition is lin
tied to ono thousand copies. Is introduced TO the
public by Mr.. George II. Barford.
From Messrs. Putnams we havo received q
large and handsome volume. Echoes" by Jo-
sephinc Curtis Woodbury.. decorated by Eric
Pape. Mr.. Pupe's black and white drawings
and the green and gold cover design are beaut-
full and poetic in sentiment and execution and
almost perfect in their reproduction. The verses
on which they lavishcd apparently the
simple production of n very youthful mind.
Messrs. J. B. Lippincott publish fifth edition
of 1.-The Railway Builder" II handbook for est.
mating the cost of American railway construc.
tion and equipment, by Mr.. William Jasper
Nicolls II. Am Soc. C. +. The work has been
carefully revised and added to. and tho size OF
the page enlarged, while the new flexible leather
binding renders IL suitable both for the library
and pocket.
We have also resolved:
"A History of Anti.podohaptism. from tho
Riso OF PodObaDtism to A. ID. lG08." Albert
Henry Newman. ID. d., LID. (Amcrican Bap-
tist Publication SOcietyD
"Ulysses y. Grant. Conversations and I'm
published Letters" NJ. J. Cramer, ID. d.. LII. ID.
(Eaton and Mains)
"Tho Lawyers Secret" John Il. I.eys. IF.
Warne & Coz
"Tho Jessamy Bride" +. Frankfort Moore.
III. s. Stone & Coz
.nono p.rfacta Noyela ESnn6nIa r,onton,