New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-10
DISTANT LANDS DESCRIBED.
BOOKS OF TRAVEL PUBLISHED BY HAIR
PER BROTHERS

PER & BROTHERS.
II Is one OF the most remarkable feature. Of the
season of 1895. so far as the publication OF new
books is concerned that within year there should
appear four books OF travel In hitherto unknown
parts Of the world any one Of which would he
remarkable happening in the literary production OF
a single year. 1t is still more remarkable that all
OF these books should be issued by publishing
house-Harper & Brothers
From the time OF DR.. Frdtjof Nansen's Journey
toward the North Pole to Dr. Sven Hedns return
from his trip across the centre of Asia there have
been four noteworthy books on travel Each con-
ta'ns data OF scientific and geogra phcal charac-
ter. adding greatly to our knowledge regarding the
fauna and topography Of unknown parts Of the
world. Taking these books IN the order of their p
pearance one would naturally begin with hansen.
"Farthest North has become n household
word throughout the United States. well rs IN
England and the Continent. The only note
worthy feature Of the moment regarding this book
Is the fact that the publishers have deemed Il wise
to issue a less expensive edition. which while i;
does not contain many Of tho Illustrations.
nevertheless includes all the literary matter OF the
first edition. and is being sold the moderate
price OF 81.
Next to Nansen's work. the large. two-volume
edition Of Dr. Sven Hedin's book. II nrouGh Asia
which has Just been published is probably among
the most remarkable well as the most
scientific publications on travel 81 unknown parts
Of the earth that have appeared ia the last half OF
the century. Dr. Hodin. the Swedish explorer. LEFT
his native city stockholm in 1898 and from that
time until 1897 he engaged i'm series Of desper-
ate struggles against the difficulties that lay In
his course, which extended eastward across the
continent Of Asia. and ended in the city Of Pekng.
China. The names of the cities through which he
passed alone sufficient 20 show the unfamiliari-
~ OF this country 70 the average American Euro
pean Most Of who read the list will not recognize
out of twenty-five as ever having been PIE
ted to hafo I do - Of
his Journey through Pamr in the midst of snov.
and Ice where often the only method OF advancing
famous Father of All Ice Mountains Mus.Iash-
Alta. Passing through the desert Of TAXA Mahan
was literally in the coldes, of climates in the
hottest OF climates. in the midst OF deserts and on
other. This remarkable hocK opens to the reading
public the portals Of a new world
%Ss In b boak 9T9" robsn Land Mr
which he conceiyed into the hitherto unknown
land n Tibet Technically speakins e pun puI
As matter Of fact over and above the desire to
furnish further accurate and scientific informa Ion
concerning the territory ne sane sQirit ana ,ooe
was in all proha bity tho real cause of NJ. Ian
doris journey He made several attempts to enter
guise and tafirg rou5e across wild country far
from any travelled road or trail. he succeeded IN
penetrating 10 With short distance o. the Ciay
subjected to plnishm. II for invading the territory
OF the Tihetans. by fortunes which exceed tho 500
ries Of the Inquistion. HIS body was racked
his eyesght ncarly extinguished. his face roast
cd. and finally. he placed on a pony
wearing A spiked saddle, and escorted out OF the
country No DOUBT rho audacy and daring OF
Mr.. Iandor's undertaking were responsible tor
its fearful results himself. for with only
two companions he entered ire borders or 4
savage and cruel people and tried 10 reach the
sacred city. which no anen Is allowed 70 enter or
has ever entered The results OF this trip are not
only a book OF intense interest 70 the explorer ana
lover of adventure but to the scientist. who Will
find therein sufficient data r. piece out many an
unknown portion OF ethnooGy. geography, oTnithol-
ogy and geology.
To illustrate how extraordinary has heen the ex-
ploraton OF unknown territory within the last hye
Years Il Is only necessary TO add that some time IN
January another standard work on exploration
Will appear by +. @. Jackson The man VINO had
the now historic meeting with Nansen on the lce-
fields OF the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic" It not for the great amount OF scen-
tifc information which IL contains. might ID a
measure be called a negative book in so far As i
establishes the fact that Franz Josefs Land is not
and never can be the proper route for reaching the
North Pole. This so-called negative Information.
eliminates from the map. so 20 speak. one 81 what
considered the principal routes 70 the &C.
complishmert Of that one-sousht object. Win
singular nodesiy and simplicity Ar Jackson has
tod the story Of his remarkable expedition and
Of the three years spent In the rnes; 9f. exposure
and almos; perpetual darkness onsa jottney. 80
ind the North Pole. but TO increase our kn ~
edge OF the fauna and fora Of Franz Josefs Land.
Even before the publication of his book the inior-
nation which he secured has proved his journey
10 have been a far greater success than even he
himself had hoped