The record-union., 1897-01-17


reviewed by able business men, and the
prophecies are pronounced by them TO
be the most remarkable commercial
discoveries made. The Iron World
says of 1t: This is a peculiar little vol
ume. and the information is most in
valuable, as 1t furnishes us with rules
by which We can foretell the future
rise and fall of prices of commodities,
and gives us a basis for calculation
where guessing was the only depend
ence before"
The Mastery of Books by Henry
Lyman Koopman, A NJ. Librarian of
Brown University. Cloth, 12mo., 214
pages. Price. 80 cents. American
Book Company, New York, Cincinnati
ard Chicago. This IS not a list of a
Hundred Best Books" nor yet Of
vague platitudes about reading. Its
author knows both books and human
nature. and his keen insight and rare
literary taste qualify him to speak with
authority. The schoolboy needs such
a book. Few read much before the age
of y, too few read widely after the age
of 20. Within eight years one must
sands of good books that await read
ing The schoolboy needs at once re
straint and encoura cement, guidance
and freedom of choice.
Mr.. Koopman's argument for wide
reading is so strong that it makes the
mature reader regret opportunities
missed. To the boy. it's incitement Will
come in time. In the discussion OF
how 10 read, the author urges very CO.
gently the necessity of close attention
and conscientious diligence. Mr.. Koop
man does not tell dogmatically just
what to read He tells simply how 10
select, laying down principles of guild
ance. He shows the right way, yet
leaves freedom for individual choice.
His discussion of newspapers and fic-
ton is especially practical and tolerant.
The chapters on Reference Books and
Catalogues" and ON Memory and
NoteTaking" win appeal to every
practical teacher. The style is delight
full. Mr.. Koopman is an easy writer.
Regarded merely as literary essays,
many of these chapters take high place.
=
The second volume of Moncure Dan
iel Conway's The Writings of Thomas
Paine" the first volume of which we
reviewed at some length, is at hand
from the publishers, q. p. Putnam's
Sons, New York and London. The vol
ume exhibits the same conscientious
work by the distinguished author that
the initial number of that
other excellent work, The Life of
Thomas Paine" to which Mr.. Conway
devoted seven years of research and
study, harvesting all the fields of in
formation and criticism on the sub
ject- Since the appearance of the first
volume of the present book Mr.. Con-
way has received a large amount OF
valuable information concerning Paine
and his wirks that has been incor-
porated in this book, adding to its high
value and broadening it's scope consid-
erably. This volume. however, closes
the work of the author and gives Us
the first absolutely complete and ex-
haustive treatise on the writings of
the great commoner that has been is
sued
From the publishers, G.. P. Putnam's
Sons, New York and London, we have
the second volume of George Haven
Putnam's Books and Their Makers
During the Middle Ages This volume
brings research and consideration up
to 1909 from 1900, inclusive of both
years. On account of the production
and distribution of books for the two
centuries immediately succeeding the
invention of printing, the first volume,
as we noticed at the time of its review
was chiefly devoted to the operations
of the prInter-publishers of the period
For during those periods were pro
duCed a large number of the great
books of the worlds literature The
present volume however, gives us a
broader and better insight into the mo-
tives of bookmakers and their influ-
ence upon the ages. because in the later
period the press was freer and less
hampered and restricted, and free
speech had greatly broadened. Mr
Putnam's admirable work, therefore
must increase in interest and scope
and becomes invaluable to students
of the literature of civilization in its
highest forms, and its relation to the
more important activities of men of
letters, of publishers and promoters of
literature. While Mr.. Putnam's work
will be most valuable as a book of
reference, we can conceive of the in
terest it Will stimulate among readers
as treatise, especially concerning the
earlier publishers and their personal
influence upon their times To what
we said in review of the first volume
commendatory of Mr.. Putnam's meth
cd, style and industrious collection of
data we have nothing to add, except
to say that he has broadened his view
and criticism, and has largely strength
ened in thought. His volumes fill a
place heretofore practically vacant,
making his work invaluable in any well
library, and of first Importance
to all students of literature and of
civilization
Shall the United States Alone I'm
dertake the Free Coinage of Silver at
the Ratio of 16 to II" is the title of a
monograph by Richard Lowry from the
press of Charles H. Kerr & Co, Chi
cago. Mr.. Lowry's conclusion in an
swer to his title question, is in the
affirmative, and upon that basis his en-
tire argument proceeds.
Books and Culture is by the dis
writer and critic Hamilton
w. Mabie, press of Dodd. Mead & Co
New York No one is better eouipneI
by natural ability. experience and love
for the work than Mr. Mabie. What
ever he says of writer's and books and
the uses of books commands high re-
spect in the world of letters. In this
volume his treatment of the subject is
marked by the modesty characteristic
of the man, and by the scholarly stvle
and method that distinguishes all his
productions PrOpaadiner 1,,10p A.