The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-24

insects, OutUerfleS, repJlIcS ana Cne tmdlleT
mammals. The papers are pleasant and
interesting. The vignettes and photo
graphs are appropriate. and Mr.. Waller
; King stones full page illustrations in
color are always striking and often ex-
tremely good. The o In gotten lp
beautifully.
To the American Nation series (Harpers)
Rear Admiral French Ensor Chadwick,
L. S. n, contributes volume XIX, Causes
Of the Civil War" The period Of time
covered extends from John Browns raid
on Harper's Ferry to the fall Of Fort Sumter.
though the author begins with a general
summary OF the difficulties between North
and South which have been dealt with re-
peatedly in previous volumes. 1t ia, per-
haps, unavoidable that with historical
writer's living so near the time all American
history should be viewed in the light of
the civil war, though this often gives a
twist to the facts that foreigners and
posterity may hardly find justifiable. In
this case we rave a whole volume to deal
with a short period. This is proper enough
for a special monograph. but seems dis
proportionate in a general history. For
the men who remember the first shot on
Sumter, Admiral Chadwick's ingenious
demonstration of the sentimental advan-
tage gained by that movement must appear
pretty coldblooded. There was no juggling
with public sentiment in those days; the
tacticians came long after.
A great mass of information regarding
American flags has been accumulated in
Mr.. Peleg d. Harrison's The Stars and
Stripes and other American Flags little,
- IL I,,.-aa ua.,.k 81 -.
desired as regard clearness Of arrangement
and discrimination about authorities, but
the industry Of the author is undeniable
and it might be difficult TO suggest how
he should marshal his miscellaneous matter.
He begins with an account of flags in general.
then takes I'D the Colonial flags. then tells
about the Stars and Stripes and goes into
details about the several official flags used
in the Government service. This il fol-
lowed bv many pages Of interesting Incl
dents relating to h flag. and at the end
the flags OF the C~onfederacy are described
verv fully. Incidentally there are digres-
sions on other banners. We imagine that
well nigh everything concerning the Ameri-
can flag will be found in this volume, and
while all the statements may not be accepted
the authors story will at any rate put the
reader on the track OF the authorities. u
ia a book that will give pleasure TO every
patriotic American.
II in doubtful il Mr.. Hugh Thompson has
ever drawn more charming and delightful
~pict,Ires than those which he has provided
in color and in black and white as i~llustra-
tons for George Eiot's Scenes from Cleri-
cal Life" Maomillans). Such pretty chill
dren and girls have not been seen since
John Leech's time. The pictures breathe
out the Joy Of life. They may, therefore,
mislead persons who have not previously
read George Eliot's rather dismal Gales into
expecting something bright and pleasant.
We wondey whether the amusing decora-
tive cover Of sheep was intentional OF I'M
conscious humor.
Execution without a master ia a science
hat cannot be acquired, 80 that however
clear the directions in Mr.. G~renville's KIei-
ser's How TO Speak in Public FunE ard
Wagnalls Company may be there H. 70
doubt that they need a sensible tca,;r ..
to expound and enforce them. IN so far
as selections may take the place OF artic,,-
late sound, however, the author has done
what he could. he has illustrated his points
admirably, so that an educated reader can
understand him. The trouble is that most
students are half baked or wholly raw. The
selections for practice are excellent. We are
glad 10 recognize among them many Of the
standbys Of the old time schoolroom ros-