Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-17
LITERARY TOPICS.

LITERARY TOPICS.
New Book On AIaska-Schner's "WiI-
helm Tell" Illustrated-A Variety
of Timely Notes.
One of the very best descriptive books
on Alaska, with information brought up
to date, is Alaska, Its Neglected
Past, Its Brilliant Future" by Bush
rod Washington James. The author
has been both an observer and a stu
dent; and he combines into a readable
and interesting whole the results of his
investigations. Many of the descriptions
were written on the spot. In few other
publications can the reader obtain a
more comprehensive survey of the Won
derful natural resources of Alaska or a
clearer idea of the surprisingly small
place the vast region has occupied in
the minds of our citizens up to the be-
ginning of the recent gold discoveries
The author does not conf1ne himself
to the natural and trade aspects of
Alaska, past, present and future, but
considers its economic and political con-
ditions. Among other things he treats
fully and carefully the international law
concerning the Bering Sea and seal fish
cry question, and the boundary ques-
tion.
An attractive feature of the work is
its wealth of fine Illustrations The num-
erous full-page Photographic plates of
interesting scenery, Of places, mining
and sealing scenes, ETC., are of more
than ordinary interest. There are many
outline maps, and the amount Of statis-
tical information of all sorts is very
large. Included are a photography of
Alaska, a glossary Of Alaskan and Brit
ish Columbian names and an index The
Sunshine Publishing Co., Philadelphia.
Schiller's famous play, 'Wilhelm Tell,
has been published in illustrated form
for the use of students by the Macmil-
Ian Company, with introduction and
notes by Prof. w. H. Carruth Of the
University of Kansas Although the
work was primarily prepared for the
use of young students Of German it will
serve more advanced students, who
need not follow the notes in detail.
Great pains have been bestowed upon
the text and an excellent introduction
includes a sketch of Schiller's life, ,shis-
torical and literary information about
the play, consideration of the story or
legend Of William Tell, etc. There is a
frontispieee portrait Of Schiller A spec
ial feature Of the book is it's Illustrations
from photographs of the various places
on and near the beautiful Lake of Lu-
cerne, in whose vicinity the events of
the Tell legend took place, and to which
references are made in the text of the
play.
Prof G. r. Carpenter of Columbia
University has prepared useful school
manual Of "Principles Of English Gram
mar" 1t is intended for use in high
schools by pupils who have already
passed through the elementary stages
of language study. There are several
valuable appendices, including an APP
pendix on phonology by E. HI. Babbitt
of Columbia, secretary of the American
Dialect Society Published by the Mac
milan Co.. New York.
s'The Psychology of Health and Hap
piness," by La Forest Potter, M. D.,
marks a radical departure from the
present treatment of disease. 1t lays
down the principles of health or equilib-
rum in the world of nature-the vital
association between the material and
immaterial through evolutionary law
1t shows how each one of us may attain
to Wilderness by appeal to the mental
and the physical in vital combination.
The Philosophical Publishing Co., Bos-
ton.
'"The Childrens Fourth Reader by
Ellen M. Cyr, is attractively printed
and copiously Illustrated, and contains
much excellent reading matter Of liter
ary character suited to the use of inter
mediate classes. Published by CHM &
Co., Boston
G. P. Putnan's Sons announce that
they expect to begin in the near future
the publication Of a series of volumes
prepared by Moses Colt Tyler, professor
of history in Cornell University, which
will be issued under the following sub
ject title: "A Century Of American
Statesmen: A biographical survey of
American politics from the Inauguration
of Jefferson to the close of the nine
teenth century," The work will pre-
sent rapid survey of the great events
of American history during the century
now drawing to a close, by presenting
in vivid outline the lives and character
istics of the chief statesmen who,
whether for good or for ill, have infu-
enced American political life since the
4th of March, 1901
Prof. Tyler has also in preparation a
volume which will present the Lit
erary History Of the American Republic
During the First Half Century Of Their
Independence. 17SS-1833." This work
will form continuation of the volumes
previously published on the literature of
the colonial and revolutionary periods.
s*
The capture of Tconderoga by Ethan
Allen is one Of the dramatic episodes de-
scribed by Senator Lodge in the Febru-
ary Scr1bneTs. Yohn and Peixotto have
made pictures Of the event. The illus
tratlon of this "Story of tine Revolu-
tion" is the most elaborate ever made
for that epoch.
Jacob A. Riis, who wrote How the
Other Half Lives" and other studies of
tenement-house life, contributes to the
February Century an article on Heroes
who fight fire." 1t recounts some of the
most stirring incidents that have found
record on the roll Of honor of the New
York fire department The paper is one
of the Century's series Of "Heroes of
peace" and is Illustrated by Jay Han-
bidge.
A valuable little publication for travel
ing wheelmen Is bicycling Notes for
Tourists Abroad" 1t is published hv
F. o. Houghton & Co. of Boston. and
is pocket pamphlet full Of infornoa-
tion very useful to Americans who do