Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-01
IDA GILBERT MYERS.

Ronald Aeronautic Library. Y.
de r. Chandler, editor. New York:
The Ronald Press Company,
" HE subject of this book, to-
gether with its limited bulk
and easy way with words, Is
bound from the outset to at
tract attention, The theme is
Of uppermost interest at this time
The purpose here is to present the
subject, primarily, to the student of
aaronautics. But the simple and prac-
tical projection of its subject matter
promises a wider acceptance.
"AiPmen and Aircraft" is compre'
hensive study of admirable organiza.
ton. The book surveys the art OF
flying from ancient times up to the
present. 1t goes back into mystic
past when some primitive poet, gazing.
rapt and envious, upon the flight OF
birds, envisaged man also in such
free and joyous possession of the
skies. No doubt that then, as now,
the sober folks roundabout looked
upon dreams with scorn., Still, here
and there. one made tentative and
futile efforts toward this amazing end.
A failure, yet, nevertheless. a feeble
step. now clearly discernihle. toward
the splendid achievement.
Swiftly the author moves through
these earlier times, coming to point
and pause and emphasis with the
rapid practical advance in aeronau-
tics that the stresses OF the World
War melted and produced. Along
this course he presents the various
kinds OF aircraft appearing under
such keenly stimulated invention
Here aeronautics passes from trial
and experiment into practical &C.
comphshment. From the craft itself
the author moves on to study of the
making of aviators, taking up certain
natural aptitudes for the work and
imposing upon these definite courses
of instruction and training for the
profession OF air service.
One finds here a dramatic sketch Of
famous flights, flights that stand pre-.
eminent for extent. or speed, or alti
tude. The browning achievement. so
far, is the rounding of the earth IT.
self by way of the air. Another
sketch, equal in dramatic suspense,
portrays famous pioneers of the air
and great aces of the World War.
From such consideration Maj.
Arnold takes up a survey of the COM
mercial aspects of aviation. These
include the United States Mail Serv-
ice, the Aerial Forest Patrol. photog-
raphy. crop saving to the farmer, the
United States aircraft industry IL.
self. A reasoned vision of the future
of aeronautics brings the study to a
close save for Appendices I, III, III.
w, each OF which is solid nugget
of point and definite instruction.
Such an introduction to aeronautics
is clearly calculated, not only TO ad.
vance the special study of the sub
ject, but TO promote a general interest
in It as well.
\ 50 X
LIFE AND LETTERS OF THOMAS
JEFFERSON. BY Francis w.
Hirst. New York: The Macmillan
Company.
THE wise author, like the good
= husbandman, times flis planting
TO q harvest of general public demand.
Such foresight among writers is in
marked evidence this sesQuicenten-
NAL period Books, pamphlets, mono
graphs, in verse as well as in prose,
celebrate the great line of events ris-
ing out Of that momentouS year,
1776. Properly conspicuous in this
commemorative outpouring are writ
ings and ceremonials in honor of
Thomas Jefferson, author of that char.
ter of American freedom that was
signed by the Continental Congress on
July &. 1915. Just one hundred years
ago on July Thomas Jefferson died.
So in a peculiarly special way does
this year of celebration focus upon
the life and work of this advocate of
the cause of the people. upon this pro-
tagonist of true democracy. A rich
harvest of literature is at hand to
meet the rekindled interest in
Thomas Jefferson. Conspicuous in 1t
is. q splendidly effective study by
Claude Bowers, who sets the vital
drama of the ten.year struggle be-
tween Jefferson and Hamil1on-be-
tween conservative and radical, as
they would be named in these days.
Life and Letters of Thomas Jeffer
son." by Francis Hirst, an English
writer on economies and politics, has
an importance quite its own. Here
is one on the outside looking in. The
intelligent outsiders view is bound
to b a suggestive and helpful one,
Here is a man of the same blood as
that which declared against England.
Another point of understanding con-
tact. To these features of good equip
raent are added flrst-ha sources of
information, letters and other docu-
nferts, not before available. This
sum Of advantage is brought to bear
upon the familiar bulk OF history sur
son. From the various periods set
out here in detail It is Jefferson the
reformer who energies, Jefferson the
progenitor Of American democracy.
In every oflcial and unofficial cir.
cumstance Jefferson stands always
for the great body OF the people-in
the franchise, in finance, in industry,
in all the phases of life in the young
Republic. Around this central figure
the author spreads the history of
America in its progress from colonial
dependencies to the English crown to
that OF a free and Independent gov.
eminent. A fair attitude before the
great theme coupled with a complete
body of information serves q his
torlc purpose here that takes effect
in q highly interesting and expert
projection. A book to count of high
worth in the literature of Thomas
Jefferson.
$50
MI NEW YORK. BY Mabel osgood
Wright, author of 'Birdcraft,
etc. illustrated by Twin Sickels
New York: The Macmillan Com
pany.
DICTURE and story are beautifully
4 blended here, giving the reader a
captivating view of the New York OF
so years ago. In a complete realism
Of effect Mrs. Wright does away com
pletely with the roaring metropolis OF
the present. The art OF ignoring
clear facts is here brought to perfec
tion-the gift of not seeing that which
is as plain as the nose on ones face
There are times when this is a su
preme gift. This Is one of the times
Mrs. Wright, unconscious of the pres
emit, brings up the present OF her owr
girlhood, with its ways of amusement
its means of getting about, it's gen
era1 interests and concerns, Under
her genial leadership one goes to the
theaters of that other day and at