New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-07
THE BOOK OF BOSTON
A Panorama of Growth and
Loss and Gain.
BOSTON NEW AND OLD. BY T. r.
Sullivan. Drawings by Lester @. Horn
by. $40. PIP. 100. Boston: Houghton Mil
fin Company.


Sullivan. Drawings by Lester @. Horn
by. so. PIP 100. Boston: Houghton MIL
fin Company.
One Of the most artistic volumes yet
produced by the Riverside Press, TINS
book is worthy of its subject In text
end illustration, as in the quality or
the paper on which 1t is printed, the
proportion of its text-page, and the
rich simplicity Of its cover design. Its
atmosphere is of the city, of the dig
nified past of which 1t is so justly
proud. but also of the present and or
the hopeful future Reminiscent love of
the Boston of fifty years ago does not
lead Mr.. Sullivan into disparagement
Of what has been accomplished since
then, though much that has been de-
stroyed is irreparable. Modern Boston
has not been delivered into the hands
of the invading hordes of Goths ana
Vandals, as has been so often assert
cd. If trade bustles where once relgned
dignified repose, If landmarks nave
been pulled down before its progress,
Boston's spirit has survived and reas-
serted itself to beautify its growth be-
yond its earlier confines with munich
pal enterprises such as the Public
Gardens, with the architecture Of the
men from the Ecole des BeauX-Arts.
Thus. while Mr.. Sullivan speaks Of
Times Infections" it is only to find
compensation in Times Amend
ments."
His love Of Boston and its denizens
is not blind. Rather is it the affection
OF long intimacy, which allows itself
humorous twinkle of the eye which
there is no trace of disoyalty. Bos-
toms soul? Well, after all, that is
Of human virtues all compound, but OF
virtues inclined TO excess in their Sc
robustness and occasional acerbity. We
all have the shortcomings of our quail
ties.
II am going to a lecture sir, she
said" ran a parody Of MY Pretty
Maid" True, answers Mr.. Sullivan,
hut please visit the conferences at the
Sorbonne and watch the women
crowding them with a solemnity sur
passing that of Boston's sisterhood
And as for metropolitan provincialism
acknowledgements in the world can
surpass your true Partisan? Or take
IONS superlative enthusiasms for
causes and fads and novelties:
New York has mad raptures also, which
prove different only in kind when we set
at them; but il is hard TO distinguish
specks in a whirlpool; whereas, Boston
lis SO set up on its little hill that it cannot
he hid They spot" us easily, ana make
their little joke.
Withal, with her public spirit strong
in achievement in the past, strong Of
resolution for the future-"in philan-
thropy, in medicine and surgery. in sci
entifc research, in encouragement or
the arts, in readiness TO share the ma
tional burden at the earliest moment"
Boston stands and grows, changing yet
unchanged at the core, the worthy cap
ital of the commonwealth that is in so
much Of vital Importance a model to
the nation.
The local note is strong at times, but
1t has a pleasant sound, reminiscent Of
DR.. Holmes and 1.-The Hill that, desert
ed for time by fashion, has come into
it's social own again so far as changes
have permitted. Names Of local weight
and meaning are not lackins-the
Brahmins' descendants still live, and 1t
IS from their past that Mr.. Sullivan
draws the legend Of Chestnut street,
With its early Bostonese flavor Of psy-
chic mystery. AS for the city's street.
car conductors, they deserve their fame
for department and culture. Their We
hicles have but two doors; and none,
worn and harried though he might be,
was ever known to call out at the ter
minus, Leave by the nearest door!
He always says the nearer one"
Mr.. Hornby's drawings are admira-
BILE. The spirit Of Boston is reflected
IN them, its picturesqueness. its distinc-
ton, It's historic perspective-and the
new beauty it is creating as 1t grows.