The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-01
An,osg the Books
anoy scouts OF American

Oficlnl Handbook. BY Ernest Thomp-
son seton and Lieutenarit-t1eneral Sir
Robert S, s. Banen-P Powell. Doubleday,
Page e. Co., of New, York.
This interesting and valuable pub
LEGATION combines MI. Setons hand
book OF woodcraft, scouting and life
craft with General Baden Powell's
work on scouting for boys. Mr.. Seton
says In his preface: The woodcisift
and scouting movement that aimed
to foster began to take shape in
America some ten years ago. Because
the idealized Indian of Hiawatha has
always stood as the model for outdoor
life. woodcraft and scouting, ] called
its ,brotherhood the 'Woodcraft In
dams, In 1904 went to England to
carry on the work there, and knowing
General r. S. s. Baden Powell as the
chief advocate OF scouting in the
British army. invited bin to CO.
operate with me In making the move
nent popular.
"Accordngly, in 1908, he organized
his boy scout movement. incorporat-
ing the principles OF the Indians with
other ethical features bearing on saw
ings banks and fire drills, as well AS
by giving IL q partly military organi-
cation and a carefully compiled and
fascinating handbook.
"All of the last that is applicable
in america has been included here.
with due credit to General Baden
Powell, and combined with the Birch
Bark Roll.
.i1he present will constitute the
Book of Organization. 1t will be FOL
lowed By others, making dictionary
of woodcraft with descriptions Of the
common trees. herbs and flowers, trail
ing or tracking, sign-lansuase. bro
stufing, emergency foods. first aid,
lasso. bodybuilding, campfire songs
and plays, and many other things tnat
belong to camp and outdoor life
This official handbook Is the most
complete work of Its kind that has yet
been published in America. IL IN
cludes in its makeup the introduction
to the early editions and snort ms
tory of tho American nag. The book
is divided into five parts. and the first
of these. adapted from General Baden-
Powell,s work, is devoted to organiza-
lion the head of which is known as
the chief scout. Scout councils are
recommended for each State or large
town and local committees Tor smaller
towns. villages and communities. Tests
for membership, badges and medais
are described at length. The "oros
nd music OF scouts war songs are
printed ,dnC CreSt5 AM lclcuis,
patrol signs. pictured and illustrated
SO tina. they are readily understood.
Scou, and forester laws afford ma
terlal for valuable study. and the
summary Of instruction, II followed,
cannot fail to develop character and
good citizenship in American youth.
General Baden Powell. in summing
30 what he has to say on various
points or Organization, declares that
THE whole object of our scheme is
TO seize the boys character IN Its red
hot stage OF enthusiasm and to weld
1T into the right shape and TO encour :
age and develop its Individuality. SO
that the boy may become good man
and a valuable citizen for his country
in the immediate future, instead OF
being a waste OF Gods material"
part second OF the book is devoted
To signs and Signaling" Every scout
IL recommended TO learn the dot anc
dash" or Morse method of signaling,
because 1t is useful, not only as
trensmitter OF messages. but as
means OF obtaining employment IT
telegraply. The .lorse code is fol
lowed by "Rememberable Morse" oil
the Re-Morse Alphabet. Then come:
the wig-wag or Myer code, and th'
semaphore signal code. Indian sign:
and blazes and directions in the use
of watch as compass. Old say
ings and weather. outdoor proSerp:
and the best and most accurate meth
DDS OF measuring distances. bring this
part of the book to a close.
Part three is OF special interest tc
boys. since 1t tells all about camp
ing trips and furnishes an estimate
OF an outfit for camping party OF
six Points on tents, teepees. camp
grounds. campfires and camp routine
are all of inestimable value to the
boy DESTROYS OF spending his vaca-
tlon in the open. They will find acre
suggestions as to camp cooking. what
10 do when lost. how TO render frs
aid TO the injured, how to build LOG
cabin and a hundred other matters o!
equal Importance and interest.
Such games as deer and bear hunt
ing, sturgeon-spearirg. handwriting
hand-wrestling. roadside cribbage, tht
war dance and the FREELY dance are
few of the many points interestingly
written about and illustrated N Par
Fourth, which also deals with Shrow-
ing the assegat, scout hunting, stalk.
ing. Kinls game and Morgan's game
Part e. takes up hoaors. tells of tn
different kinds and for what specia
merit they are bestowed. The ret
honors are given for heroism. for ex
CeptlCEd! SIKH III 0l.A
letfcs, mountain climbing and big.
game hunting. White horors are giveI
for efficiency in camp craft. archery
ght-shooting, fishing and bait-eatiri,
Blue honors are given to boys makinE
a speciality of nature study. geology
and photography.
AS an incentive to manly living ant
thins,ng and acting. and to the cul.
tivation OF athletics and studies hes
calculated to develop a boys characte
along right and healthful lines. thi
hook has no superior. A copy of i
should be in the hands of every Amer
lean boy who desires to shape his flu
ture toward what makes life wortl
living"
nThe Fruit of DESIRE
BY Virginia Demarest. Harper {
Bros. Of New York City. publishers
$40.
A novel that has much interest in II
but that fails as a whole through TIL
utter inability of its author to pictur
life from a normal and natural stand
point.
The scene Of the book is laid in
Kentucky village. The man who Is It
hero halls from Corinth, Miss. Thong
not guilty of the charge against hin
he has been imprisoned for defalcatio
49,