The sun., 1904-08-31
Another Universal History.

in the sale of subscription books in many
volumes, or else 30 many OF them would
not be on the market The sale Is often
attended by advertising methods which
are apt to bring the books into discredit
with sober people. Even that solemn
chunk OF learning, the 4Encyclor edia
Britannica has suffered in reputation by
the amazing efforts Of the London Times
to force it down the publics throat. 1t
is with some misgiving, therefore, that
we look into @The Historians History of
the World" in twenty-five volumes, edited
by DR.. Henry Smith Williams, Of which
twelve volumes and a prospectus have
come to us from the Outlook Company.
From the prospectus we learn that as the
work has received. the unanimous indorse-
ment OF the whole editorial staff Of the Out
look," the Outlook Company 'has under
taken to further its sale with all the power
of its influence and circulation" 1t is by
no means bad book for a popular history.
1t isequal to some others now on the market,
and much superior to others, and we wish
the Outlook success in its enterprise.
1t must not be mistaken for a work of
any deep scholarship. however. as the title
implies. A Historians history we should
expect to be one that historians or stu tents
would need: but this is the sort of book
that they would carefully let alone. 1t is
q mosaic of extracts from many histories
the prospectus gives the bewildering figures,
ranging from authoritative works to school
books. Some of the books quoted are
masterpieces of history. others unimpor-
tant books that happen to be convenient.
This plan the editor, in rather pompous
introduction, describes as unique" This
Is far from being true, for the plan has been
used often in Germany and in France;
it has been used by one Of his own editors,
Prof Hart of Harvard, for American history,
and it has been used, particularly. in a well
known general history in few volumes
that have been found very convenient
by general readers for many years past,
Larued's History for Ready Reference
Originality, however, Is not necessary If
the plan is good and the person carrying
it out competent.
Here we are again embarrassed. The
value of a general history, even OF one
made up of selections. depends largely
on the editor Schlosser, on whom the
editor counts great deal, was a great
historian and his opinion, even on subjects
was OF value; that is true of Cantu and even
of George Weber, who is much moro of a
compiler. The main interest in Ranke's
General History" was the Judgment of
the nonagenarian historian on the periods
of which others had far more special knowl-
edge than he. But who is DR.. Henry Smith
Williams. and what knowledge of history
has he that enables him to select what is
right from what is wrong, and to cement
the bits of mosaic with his own narrative?
We learn from who's Who," that he is a
busily engaged in his profession
until comparatively recent period. That
IA no hindrance to historical attainment,
as DR.. John W. Draper proved with his
History of the Intellectual Development
Of Europe" DR.. Williamss previous his
torical contribution was a popular preeen-
tation Of the History Of Writing which
will rank more highly with the public, we
fancy, than among photographers. How
ever, he has given up six years, or at any
rate. part Of his time during six years, to
getting up and editing this universal history.
That amount Of time will not seem excess
sive to students OF history.
The chief merit of the book Is that 1t brings
within reach Of the English speaking public
fragments Of, many books In foreign Ian
guages that are OF importance In history,
particularly German general histories.
These are all familiar to students who can
use the German language, though some
have lost part Of their importance through
the more thorough special Investigations
Of later authors. That it does, and thus
some names we'll known to scholars may
become know to the generality.
A desire for q homogeneous narrative
has led to interpretations by the editor. or
editors, Of matter that shall weld together
extracts from different authors. That was
perhaps unavoidable. It would have been
fairer, perhaps, to label each extract con-
spicuously at the beginning with the authors
name and book, than to mark IL by a hardly
noticeable superior letter at the end, re-
ferring the reader to the end of the volume,
but that would have spoiled the homo
geneity.
The volumes now before us comprise:
Vol. l., Egypt, Bsbylonia and Assyria;
Vol. H., Israel, Phnncia, India and Persia;
Vols. III. and w.. Greece; Vols. v. and VI.