The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-20
NEW books.
B,,.f Reviews OF Important ana Interest
ing New Publications

NJ. w. Harden, Syracusel. One hurryinR
through the world. and doing uncertain battle
for his bread and butter, Is apt to overlook the
Importance OF geography. Geography 10 not
easy. On the contrary, In the words OF Mr.. Z.
A sheldon OF Oswego. who has supplied q pref
,c, 20 Mr.. Farnham's work. Geography. at
hest, is a very complex subject. 1t includes the
earth and all that pertains to 1t. a. well as
something OF It's relations to other planets. The
.ubiect is practically inexhaustible. 1t Is the
study Of a lifetime"
IN n preliminary chapter. presumably by the
author. entitled Reasons for Teaching Geog-
raphy," the importance of this study 10 still
further suggested. Tho object OF gcogra-
phy, according to this. Is to explain
the development OF man by imparting
knowledge OF continental structure and cli-
mate. and OF their influence upon man.
mediate and immediate" This 10 considerable,
but II is far from being all. Further uses OF
geography. II is here submitted, are to cultivate
the imaginative and aesthetic nature. to explain
and illumine history. to develop o broad phil
lsnthropy. to develop q spirit of Investigation
to temper mans judgments with regard TO
human weaknesses caused by natural environ
ment, to develop mans reverence for human
progress, to furnish the basis OF other sciences,
such as ethnology, history. &C., ana to influence
character. We have not used quotation marks
in reproducing the foregoing, but we hasten to
cay that the language Is not our own. we hao
never formulated Tor ourselves THESE Nafieu
and great advantages OF geographical study. II
Is said further In the preliminary chapter that
1.-The study OF geoTraphr cultivateo systematic
ally the IMAGINATION whose produots develop
emotions OF beauty which IN turn develop 'he
emotion oil GRANDEUR IL seems 10 US that any
matter or intangible essence whose prooucts
J.y.lnp auntinpa of hennty which In turn de-
relop the emotion OF grandeur, deserves 10 DO
encouraged. ana We DO not doubt that the Us
weco methods VIII be strenuously cultivated ny
every trusting ana conscientious person.
AS the author says. with due cultivation
the mental picture OF the nil or lake when
gives beauty 10 the SURROUNDING landscape may
In time become the Ioity mountain or inc ek-
parse OF ocean we recall mat the uis''h-
guished traveller, fiGaiet'a' VINO ~nccomPahleu
Magellan on his great voyage OF circumnaVig"-
tion, possessed these abilities OF the progressive
Imagination In a notable degree. and that under
the Influence OF them the Inhabitants OF Patn-
eonia. norma. In fact, grew to be something Ike
forty feet high.
History" says the preliminary chapter. rs
arecord Of the deeds Of the human race. The
civilization and progress OF n people depend
very largely upon the structure and climate OF
their country" SO. according TO MIR. Tame.
who was a philosopher OF very pronounced i'm
agination, do their feet. Because England Is q
marshy country, Mr.. Taine says, Englishmen
have broad, fat feet, and wear huge, heavy
boots, suitable for wading. Mr.. Scherer. q
critic Of distinctly inferior Imagination. laughs
at this, and says, as though Mr.. Tame had over
asserted such a thing, that Englishmen are not
really ~eb-footed. or course we cannot APP
prove Of a cynic like Mr.. Scherer. and we should
hupe that no sneer OF his might interfere with
anybody's Imagination or dlssuadc ans body
from the belief that geography is all that
"Oswcgo Methods says that It lie.
To illustrate the fact that the study OF geogra-
ply Is calculated to develop a spirit OF investi.
CATION. 1t is pointed out In "oswego Methods"
that the student will be moved to inquire in
good time. What has caused Chicago to grow
so rapidly 2" and why Is more attention paid
to the dairy in OsweRo county at present than
formerly |" In the ripeness Of his inquisitivo
desires the student will also ask. why have
the elevators on our river never been rebuilt ~
While he Is informing himself-if the felicity Of
n complete understanding OF those matters 10
possible why more attention IL paid 70 the
dairy In oswego county ut present than for
merly' ana why the elevators at osweRo have
never been rebuilt. the student may also rea-
sonaoly inquire regarding the social conditions
islanders likewise regarding tho develop
neht OF agriculture and In Holland
IL viii be perceived that the requirements as
wei! as the opportunities OF geography are al.
most IIihItiess, ana the student Will understand
the necessity OF getting Immediately to work,
lie may glance II no pleases at the list Of books
OF reference winch includes "Greeiy's Amer
lean weather and The Boy Traveller" series
otIoi' knox, whereafter he should enter into
the mmed ate ana full Joy OF tue living thome
'o'weco Methods opens with n highly fasci-
mating cha' or OF definitions OF what are called
position words Here the hungry geographer
may INFORM himself that about means on
every SIDE or that above means higher Ia
place that across means from side
10 SIDE and learn much else thai
II Is desirable and beautiful to know,
10 hnd at defined as " nearer In place Is q
little pulling, and 1t Is hard to SEQ how the
.Aoor OF Tue geoGrapher Is simplihod by the in
formation that down means I'm a descend
ing a'reetion'' That through" means from
one limit or surface to the opposite" or thai