Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-03

A.
History OF the United States. etc. editor Of
"A Diction Try of Mythology, "A Classical
Dictionary. "Plutarchs Lives etc. Six vol
umes. Illustrated New York: Knight &
Brown. Sold only by subscription. Washing
ton: r. A. Dirsmore
This is truly a monumental history. 1t
covers 2,312 pages. contains over 1000 IL
Illustrations. embraces the entire period of
American progress from the landing of the
Norsemen to the defeat of Spain a year
ago, and thus brings the focal point of the
study up to the immediate present Such
works are to be considered from three
points of view, as to their historical suffi-
cheney. their literary presentation and their
mechanical dress That of Prof. Ellis ap-
pears to be worthy of high praise in every
department. The manner in which the
work is offered is exceptional. Type, paper
and ink combine to please the eye, while
the illustrations with which the six volumes
are literally sprinkled touch upon virtually
every phase of the great story. Many of
them are from the brushes and pencils of
well-known artists. In every case the illus
tration has been prepared expressly for this
work, although some of them are reproduce
lions of famous paintings.
1t is claimed on behalf of this history that
1t contains some matters never hitherto
published in any similar work. One of
these is the comment which General Grant
made as to what would have happened had
England interviewed in behalf of the con-
federacy. Unfortunately the index con-
tains no reference to this matter. 1t is to
be assumed that this oversight is not a
characteristic of the value of the index in
general, which is exploited as one. of the
most attractive features of the work.
Prof. Ellis writes smoothly and at times
with rare power. His narration of recent
events savors somewhat of the current
commentator. and there may be a ten
dency to expand the materials which
have been found Immediately at hand,
which. being fresh in the memory of
the reader. are not yet of strictly an
historical character. The author looks
forward enthusiastically, with faith in
the capacity of the country to solve its
new problems. He wrote, however a year
ago. before the present Philippine situation
had developed to its present proportions.
One of the especial features of the work
is a series of fifteen colored plates illustrat-
ing famous scenes in the nations history.
Some of these are of double-page size and
add greatly to the beauty of the books.
Chapter headings and tail-pieces of spe-
clal designs, bearing in large measure upon
the matter Immediately connected with
them, lend finish to the work
Marginal index notes and foot notes af-
ford opportunity for the reader either to
read lightly or to pursue his researches
deeper by consulting the long list of au-
thOrities which Prof. Ellis cites.
CURA AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; A
Historical Study in American Diplomacy BY
James Morton Callahan. PHI D.. Albert Shaw
Lecturer in Diplomatic History Johns Hopkins
University. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins
Cuba has been intimately connected with
the diplomatic affairs of the United States
from the beginning of the republic, as in
deed it was a most interesting and import
ant factor in the affairs of the hemisphere
before the colonists had freed themselves
There is scarcely a phase of the history of
the continent which does not relate more or
less closely to this beautiful island so re-
Gently wrested from the grasp of Spain
and placed upon the plane OF true progress.
Prof. Callahan has performed a task of
great service to political students in pre-
pairing at this juncture a study of the in
ternatiOEal relationship into which Cuba
has been forced by events. A mere nara
ton of the occasions upon which the de-
vices of diplomacy have been brought into
play on her account forms a long chapter.
The author has in this case undertaken to
analyze the conditions which accompanied
each entry of Cuba into the international
field. There is a steadfast drift in all this
course OF events toward the release of the
Cubans from their Spanish yoke, if not to-
ward union with the American republic.
Mr.. Callahan finds occasion in this con-
nection to note the tendency of the United
states toward expansion from time to time,
as events have forced enlargement from
necessity or policy. He does not attempt
to discuss the present problem relating to
the Philippines, though his theme might
easily have been extended to cover that
phase of the national DEVELOPMENT He
halts even al expressing a direct view as
to the future of Cuba. The island, he SAYS.
must work out her own destiny, and he
feels sure that whether Independent or a
part of the American Union, she will be
united in the holy bonds of commerce with
all nations 1t is not difficult, despite this
precauton to avoid a forecast to find in
the authors words suggestion that he an
tclpates that the annexation sentiment,
which Is even now avoWed in Cuba will
ultimately lead to the political joining of
the island with the mainland.