New-York tribune., 1919-02-08

pertains to the illustrations, which are
simply perfect. Never have we seen
finer Photographic plates than those
which adorn this volume. nor have we
often seen as good initial and final
decorations as those which Mr.. Boyer
has here supplied. 1t is work of
rare attractivencss, and though origi-
nally issued more than a year ago. it
is to-day invested with all it's pristine
charm, interest and value.
valentines Manual" is not merely a
book: it is an institution. New York
would scarcely be New York without
it. For generation after generation it
has diffused information of the great
city in constantly increasing quantity
and improving quality. 1t simply has
to be better volume each year than
it was the year before, for the same
reason as that which made Uncle Billy
Travcrs stutter worse in New York
than he did in Baltimore: "G-g-got
tito. B-b-biggcr city!" Each vol
ume contains matter both new and old,
and sometimes the old is as timely as
any new could be. Note in the present
work the recalling Of reasons why
pacitists in 1776 refused to declare for
independence:
civilian Wilson, son of John, re-
fuses to sign through religious prin-
ciples.
"Thomas West don't sign by rea-
son it is mystery to him.
"John Clark don't sign by no rea-
son he can give"
"Ephraim Arnold don't sign for
fear it would fetch him into scrape
Isaac Penrose don't sign for
reason he don't choose to fight for
liberty and never will"
These excuses, says the editor, truly
"bear close resemblance to what we
are accustomed to hear to-day" Yes;
but on the whole they are rather more
creditable; or less discreditable. The
volume is compact encyclopedia o1
interesting information, and it is pro
fusely illustrated with facsimiles ane
photographs of striking excellence
Some of the colored plates Of old time
merchant ships are worthy to bt
framed in gold.
Local histories are too often mere
commercial "write-ups," but now anc
then one appears which is written dis
interestedly, with intelligence anC
tiful and interesting volume and
valuable contribution to general a.
we'll as to local history. Such, empha
tically, is this exquisite volume on Bot
tie Hill, now known as Madison, N. J
Innumerable visitors and passing tour
lists have admired that beautiful semi
suburban semi-rural town, but few
of them have realized the wealth O.
patriotic and civic and personal lor.
that invests it. There are, indeed, no
many spots in this part of the worlt
richer than it in historic interest Of
in scenic beauty. Mr.. Tuttle was co
piously endowed with personal know
ledge of the place, which he gave gen
erously to the making of this volume
and at his lamentcd death his daughter
completed the work with an equa
measure of authority and of taste. /
is work without which no collection
of Americana can be considered com
plete.
Mr.. Clifton Johnson's latest-eighth
we believe-volume on the highway
and byways Of America is the mos
restricted Of all in scope, but by II,
means the least interesting. He ha
written about Florida much that ever,
intelligent tourist or visitor SHOULD
wish to know, and that those ais,
should wish to know tvho are unable
over to visit that famous southeas
cogncS Of pu1 continental gcalms an,