New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-01
NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS.

ruo r.v volumes in the series 1.-THE Story Of the
Nations" g. P. Putnam's sons) are British
India" by R. W. Frazer. L. B.. !. c. s.. ana DO.
hemia from the Earliest Times to the Fall OF
National independence In 1870; with Short Sum-
mary Of Later Events. by c. Edmund motifs
They are good reading in succession One Is
story Of broken ideals. of wars for religion m
which nothing won. and OF iong-contlnueo
struggle for national language and national Ntera-
ture which was impeded and often imperilled by
national political entanglements. The other Is
story OF commercial invasion. always successful,
with endless and very slow-growing con-
vlcton on the part Of the conqIerors that the con-
ouered had any ideals worth noticing. In both
cases II seems now II long-cherished ideals,
cleared Of many useless details. were destined to
win.
Professor Oliver J. Thatcher's "A Short History
OF Medieval Europe" Charles Scr'bner's Sons) is
very convenient and useful book and deserves to
End place in every scheme Of elementary histor-
teal study.
In Tho Covenanter, the Cavalier and the Puri-
tan" Cincinnati: The Robert Clarke Company.
Oliver Perry Temple. Of Tennessee. makes strong
plea for the ScotchIrsh people the true founders
O. liberty in America He contrasts their mode OF
life as scattered farmers and pioneers with the
compac, commercial life Of the Purtans and the
social aristocracy Of the Cavalier class In Virginia
In addition to his own thoughts on the subject
Temple
summary Of tho views of other authorS
The fourth volume Of Tho Life and Correspond
ence Of Rufus King g. p. Putnam's Sons) edited
BY his grandson. Charles r. King. NJ. D.. IL. D.,
covers the period from 1901 to 1905. inclusive One
Of the most interesting portions relates TO the
fatal duel between Hamilton and Burr. King was
accused by his enemies Of falling 10 prevent this
affair when he might have done So and then Of
going awsy from New-York when he saw It was
inevitable so as to avoid political consequences.
These accusations seem rather small at the pres
ent day. when nearly all political battles are
fought by backbiting. But DR.. King shows that
his grandfather was opposed to duell!ng. that he
argued with Hamilton against fight with Burr.
though he was not really consulted on that point.
as Hamlton's mind was made up. His advice to
Hamilton was that no general explanation was
due TO Burr. that a demand Of this kind must
specify particulars that there ought TO be no duel
but II there were Hamilton should forego his ex-
, pressed intention OF firing in the air. King went
10 Boston shortly after his conversation with
Hamilton on q journey he had contemplated for
some months. and on this fact Is based charge
that he cold-hearted. But nobody seems able
10 specify what he could have accomplished by re-
naming near Hamilton after the latter had decided
his course
THE Writings Of Thomas Jefferson" &C. p. Put:
MANS Sons). collected and edited by Paul Leicester
Ford, have in the eighth volume reached the period
Of Jefferson's Presidency. The volume begins with
the FIRST draft OF the Presidents inaugural address
1t includes papers on the expedition OF Lewis ant
Clark and on the conspiracy Of Burr. the procama
ton against that potter coming almost at the end
II also includes papers relative to the purchase o
Louisiana. Thus 1t yields in importance to none o
its predecessors.
While We are talking about numerous editions o
all sorts Of books which are worthless. we do wei
20 notice that a pretty solid bit of history. Mr.
Grtdass "Corea the Hermit Nation" (Charle
scribner's sons) has reached it, sixth edition. Be
adss general revision and eni~rgsmsnt there u ~