Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-24
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY
FROM 11I5 TO 1902. BY Edgar Stanton
Maclay. Vol. III. New York: d. Appleton

A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY
Mscsr i Vol ~ 49, F sy Edgar s5Iaton
& Co.
Messrs. Appleton G. Co. have published a
revised edition of the book which, on ac-
count of the Incorporate language used by
the author in discussing Commodore
Schleys control of the Flying Squadron,
aroused such a storm of criticism and re-
suited in the dismissal of the author from
the federal service From the revised edi-
ton have been eliminated the phrases so
Objectionable in the earlier edition. In the
preface to the new edition the author says:
"As to Commodore Schley's personal con-
duct in battle (whle the loop of the Brook
lyn must be regarded as unfortunately, the
author does not question the commodore's
personal courage. 1t is not worth while to
discuss misconceptions of the authors Ian
guage which have been prevalent. He re-
grets that any reason for this was afford
ed by the use of expressions which he has
withdrawn. AS a whole, the results of the
searching investigation made by the court
or inquiry "a complete account of which
Will be found in an appendix have justified
the historical position taken in the preced
ing edltlon of this volume regarding Com
modore Schley's conduct in the Santiago
campaign The author denies the widely
published reports that any person reading
the proof sheets of his book ever approved
the writer's criticisms of Commodore
Schley, and he also denies that he in
tlmated that such approval was given.
one OF the severest and ablest critics of the
earlier edition of volume III paid a high
tribute to Mr.. Maclay's ability as a naval
historian of our wars with England and of
the civil war. His record he says, ZAP
pears to have been presented entirely with
out prejudice" If Mr.. Maclay's ability to
write history impartially is conceded. the
question arises. Has he done in the case
of the Spanish-American war? 1t is safe
to say that this question will be answered
according to the readers attitude in the
great naval controversy. Mr.. Maclay sus
tains his position by quoting the findings
of the Schley court of inquiry, and the
readers opinion of the impartiality of the
book will be governed by his view of the
justice of those findings. While there is
abundance Of criticism of Schley's conduct
prior to the union Of the two squadrons
under Sampson, yet the language employed
does not descend to vituperation. Thus the
phrase "caitiff flight" used to describe the
retrograde movement of the Flying Squad
ron in the earlier edition, is not repeated.
In his account of the battle of July he
appears to do substantial justice to the
work of all the ships engaged, quoting lib
orally from the official reports well
from the reports of the Spanish command
the loop of the Brooklyn, contenting him
self with quoting the adverse findings of
the court of inquiry upon the subject The
minor engagements of the war are de-
scribed in spirited style and many per-
sonal communications to the author from
the participants are included. Preceding
the story of the Spanish war, an interesting
account is given Of the birth and develop
ment of the new navy.
THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF WHIST.
BY Lennard Leigh and Ernest Bergholt. Phila-
delphia: Henry T. Coates Co. Washington:
Brentanos.
This is the most exhaustive treatise on
the silent game" that has been published.
The authors say: "In this volume an at
tempt is made to create a rational under
standing of the game by means Of a pre-
liminary exposition Of the principles gov
erning each of the phases Of strategy, fol-
lowed by Il detailed presentation Of the
tactics" The text IS copiously illustrated
with examples and deals. The chief de-
sign of the authors is to inculcate such
knowledge of the principles of the game as
will enable the student to apply an intel
ligent judgment to any situation that may
confront him in his course of play. The
authors are opposed to the many modern
conventions. They say of them: Happily
there are signs of a widespread reaction.
Many of the most expert players in Amer
lea are today practicing methods which in
their essentials differ but little from those
of Matthews (who published advice to
the Young Whist Player in 1so4, and
whilst the rank and file adhere to the
American leads system. there Is marked
tendency to divest it of the numerous I'M
sound, conventional signals which have at
tached to it in recent years. No better
statement could be made than the follow
ing of the philosophy of the game: 1.-THE
basic principle Of modern scientific whist
is corporation, or the play in combina-
ton of allied hands. This requires the
treatment by each player Of his partners
cards with the same consideration as II
they were held by himself. Until the be-
ginner has acquired the habitual attitude
of regarding the twenty-six cards held in
common component parts of whole. 1t
will be impossible for him to make any APP
probable progress" And again: 1.-THE stu
dent will find that all the leading principles
of whist are closely allied to that Of CO.
operation and contemplate reciprocal as
sstance." On this principle all the rules
of whist are based.
CARPENTERS GEoGRAPHICAL READER,ET.
ROPE. BY Frank G. Carpenter New YORK:
American Book Company
Mr.. Carpenters travels have been not
ONLY extensive, but thorough. Where ne
touches land he studies People, customs,
scenery, government, geography, architec-
ture dress-all are subject to his scrutiny
and description. His preceding Readers
have become popular, having been adopted
in many schools text books. But they
have a charm and value apart from the
school room, and may be read with profit
by adults. They afford brisk, accurate de-
scriptions of the lands included, and their
illustrations reproduced from photographs,
most of which were prepared by or under
the personal direction of Mr.. Carpenter,
lend a charm of reality seldom attained
in the old-fashioned geographical narrative.
These works, and that on Europe espe
cially, which Mr. Carpenter considers his
most satisfactory production, are, in fact,
reading books and geogl phies and even
histories combinedsS and a conscientious
person who pefuseS them faithfully and
studiously, ACCEPTING all the opportunities
they afford forSsugxested reading, will re-
turn from his Eoysge between covers, in
inspired to seek new cimes himself to
gather similar materials.
LORD ALINGHAM. BANKRUPT. By Marie Man.
ming. New York: Dodd Mead & Co
Miss Manning resided in Washington
some years ago and is well remembered
here, although she has been absent in New
York and Europe, having engaged in Jour-
nalistic work in the metropolis Her pres
emf novel reflects both her American and