New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-29


within the last quarter OF q century the atti-
tuds Of the educated and thinking classes toward
the doctrines with which Darwin's name will
be forever associated has materially changed
These teachings were once regarded with timld-
itv. not to say aversion To-day they are treat
ed with respect and lively interest. While they
may not commend themselves wholly TO the In
qutrer and while the latter may find more fas-
Cinating departments Of science than that which
relates to the unfolding OF animal and vegetable
life. no education is complete that does not in
ciuds at least q slight knowledge Of the reasons
why biological experts generally believe that
the higher forms have been developed from the
lower. In Dr. Maynard NJ Metcalfs Organic
Evolution cThe Macmillan Company one has
book possessing a rather formidable title, but
upon examination proving TO be a popular ex-
position Of this subject. The work is an out
growth Of a series OF lectures at the Woman's
College Of Baltimore. A fairly successful effort
10 avoid technicality has been made. and, though
the author indicates that there still many
related questions under dispute and needing fur
Their study. he writes dispassionately.
Passing illusions TO the wonders Of the
heavens continually being met in the news
papers and magazines. excite in the minds of
many people a wish TO master the rudi1nents Of
initiated in realizing that desire D. ". Horner
has written q compact little volume, "Ffreside
Astronomy" london: Witherby & Coz. OF
course It IS impossible IN 105 small pages to do
much more than whet the readers appetite and
make him want fuller details and something
more powerful than an opera glass for studying
the sun. moon, planets and other celestial bodies.
Still, even IN doing that much good service is
rendered.
N. Solomon Reinach has achieved what might
seem at first blush the impossible in The Story
Of Art Throughout the Ages" a handbook Of
about three hundred pages, published by Charles
ScTibners Sons. In it he has made Illus
trated record of everything really significant
that has been done by the representative paint
ers and sculptors Of the world In his first
chapter he has an illustration Of an engraved
bone showing the dawn OF the artistic impulse
in prehistoric times His last cut (Which is
numbered $50 is of a room in Paris representing
the last word Of Tart Nouveau." Between
these two extremes the author Systematically
taverses all the periods and all the schools.
His work IS. of course. condensation itself. but
NJ. Reinach has the French gift Of saying much
IN little and his terse descriptions, controlled
throughout by sound critical judgment are as
tonishingly adequate to the purpose That pur-
pose would appear 10 be the aiding Of the trav-
eIler, whether he be student or layrnan, in
swiftly ascertaining just where a given person
ality or movement belongs in the broad stream
OF artistic development. Take for example the
chapters IN which the Spaniards are dealt with
Il does not pretend TO take the place OF thor
oughgoing treatise, but within its limits It gives
a good idea Of the qualities and the places. of
Velesquez and the rest. down to Goya More
over, Al the end OF each chapter the author
gives brief but well sifted and decidedly useful
photographed notes. The illustrations are. con-
sidering the circumstances all that could be de-
sired. No one would look in q book OF this
sort for faw!ess reproductions and we are NOT
surprised TO find some Of these little half tones
very far from giving the best possible view Of
certain masterpieces. The Virgin and Child"
OF BoluafEo. for example, in the Poldo Pezzoli
collection, at Milan. is positively Hbeled In the
cut on page l64- But the majority OF the re-
productions. small as they are, serve well To
show what the originals are like Best Of all
n Reinach has made from beginning TO end
precisely the right selections. 4 more conyen-
lent work Of reference for popular use in the
field Of art does not exist