The record-union., 1898-12-06

In 'The Engineering Magazine" tNeW
orl) for December. Colonel CnaTies
Denby, who was United States Minister
at Peking for thirteen years, colIaoof-
ates with E. P. Allen, long resident IN
China and Professor-elect OF Englsn
and American law at the Imperial Uni
versity, in very clear review OF "Cnln-
ese Railroad Development, Past, Pres
ent and Future" The summary Is
admirable for it's completeness and the
indication it affords Of the most prom
ising direction for future railway un-
dertakings W. Henry Hunters paper
upon the Equipment, Management and
Influence Of the Ship Ca0al," rises to
the high conception of the fundamental
connection between engineering enter
prise and sound political economy. Jas.
Riley discusses on the same plane, and
with rare interest, the wonderful mu-
fual development of shipbuilding and
the mild-steel industry. Gustav Lin
denthal contributes a forceful and fine
ly-ilIustrated argument for the econ
omy, safety and stability Of the sus-
pension bridge ]. w. Parry, in another
richly illustrated paper, shows the
world-famous building of Oxford in
view Many fine engravings also ac-
company s. II. Bunnells exposition of
the Application of Electric Power to
Pumping Machinery" The eminent
cable expert, Charles Bright, F. r. s.
E, has an important review Of the ex-
pansion of submarine telegraphy in a
quarter century. II. M. Norris develops
new and most interesting system Of
keeping shop costs. There are two other
leading articles, and the review and in
dex of the Engineering Press" which
furnishes an invaluable summary of all
the important engineering and indus
trial literature of the month.
In the American Monthly Review of
Reviews" for December (New York; the
editor reviews the November elections,
the progress of our peace negotiations
with Spain, and other matters of ma
tional and international moment. Some
very suggestive and interesting car
toons from recent issues of the Spanish
journals are reproduced. Some of the
most noteworthy of the famous paint
ings Of the life of Christ by J. James
Tissot are reproduced. Clifton Hardy
Levy writes on Tissot's life and meth
cd in painting and Ernest Knaufft con-
tributes a criticism of the portraits
from an artists point of view. 1t is be-
ycnd question the most important series
of representations Of Christ made in
modern times A New York newspaper
lately said of Lieutenant J H Parker,
L. S. A: Lieutenant Parker writes as
straight and fearlessly as he shoots. ="
In this number Lieutenant Parker (who
commanded the Gatling gun detach-
ment at Santiago points out the defects
in the organization of the supply de-
partments Of the army, and emphasizes
The need of a general staff and the
complete divorce of the army from poll
itics. William Eleroy Curtis contributes
an interesting sketch of the Dowa-
ger Empress of China Dr. Albert
Shaw pays tribute to the magnificent
public services of the late Colonel Geo.
L. Waring, Jr., whose recent mission
to Cuba in the interest of sanitary i'm
pr0vementS there resulted so tragically
i'll his death from yellow fever. w. T.
Stead surveys World Politics Through
a Russian Atmosphere" writing partic-
ularly Of the movement for European
disarmament. Henry w Lanier deals
with Fiction, Poetry and the Lighter
Note in the Seasons Books" His ar
ticle is Illustrated with interesting
portraits of authors and with reproduc-
tions ef the pictures appearing in the
newest publications.
We receive regularly the charming
booklet series Little Journeys to the
Homes of Good Men and Great, Famous
Women, American Authors and Ameri-
can Statesmen" Nbert Hubbard is
editor and G.. P. Putnam's Sons (New
York; publishers. The series are well
conceived and excellently sustained.
The most captious critic could not sug-
gest an Improvement. Never was
there more satisfactory packing, in
more attractive shape. of matter worth
at least ten times the money. The whole
when complete will make a most dc
sirable biographical library
The Christmas number of 1.-The Cen
tury" appears in a striking cover, de-
signed by Tissot, the famous French
artist, who illustrated the Life of