B
Reading edition
Babbitt, Irving. Literature and the American college: essays in defense of the humanities. **$1.25. Houghton.
8–8540.
A protest against a “vulgarly humanitarian” age. “The central thought of the book is that the old-fashioned culture and discipline of the American college (somewhat idealized perhaps in the retrospect) are being crowded out of modern life and education by the encroachment of the sentimental license of the kindergarten from below, and the pressure from above of specialized pedantry in the graduate school. The remedy is to be found in a return to humanism.” (Nation.)
“A book that ought to be available in every community from which boys go to college.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 166. Je. ’08. ✠
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Nation. 86: 403. Ap. 30, ’08. 1150w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 183. Ap. 4, ’08. 350w.
“We welcome Mr. Babbitt as a powerful ally of the literary cause in the great educational struggle of the time.”
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Spec. 101: 238. Ag. 15, ’08. 250w.
Babcock, Maltbie Davenport. Fragments that remain from the ministry of Maltbie Davenport Babcock; reported and arranged by Jessie B. Goetschius. **$1.25. Revell.
7–32160.
An enthusiastic member of Dr. Babcock’s congregation was in the habit of taking notes during his sermons. Her notebook furnished the material for these “fragments” which are inadequate in “producing the power and effectiveness of his preaching.” (Outlook.)
“Those who profited by Dr. Babcock’s spoken words will gladly refresh their memories, while 15a much larger audience will be benefited by the out-givings of such a rare personality.”
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Lit. D. 35: 920. D. 14, ’07. 100w.
“Here and there flashes of the real man and of his unusual insight into truth occur, but in general these so-called fragments are disappointing.”
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Outlook. 87: 746. N. 30, ’07. 130w.
Bacher, Otto Henry. With Whistler in Venice. **$4. Century.
8–27402.
Intimate friendship and frank admiration lie back of these pen portraits of Whistler, the artist and the man. Whistler’s personal characteristics, with anecdotes to emphasize them, his methods of work, his success in oils, pastels, etchings and lithographs, and his relations with fellow artists provide ample material for the text of the book; while twenty-six Whistler etchings, three lithographs, several facsimile letters and thirteen Bacher etchings and photographs add to the value and beauty of the quarto volume.
“Especial interest attaches to these reminiscences because they deal with a period in Whistler’s life about which comparatively little is known.”
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Dial. 45: 466. D. 1, ’08. 500w.
“Will be a pleasure to the admirers of both artists and important to students of Whistler’s art and life.”
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Int. Studio. 36: sup. 58. D. ’08. 90w.
“This should be a favorite gift-book for those whose inclinations are toward the higher realms of art.”
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Lit. D. 37: 561. O. 17, ’08. 750w.
“The thread of reminiscences is spun out very thin.”
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Nation. 87: 448. N. 5, ’08. 270w.
“Mr. Bacher is able to tell us a good deal that is interesting about Whistler’s Venetian days and to give us a great many facts and impressions which contribute to our knowledge of Whistler’s eccentric character and of his artistic methods.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 562. O. 10, ’08. 200w.
“A book of reminiscences thoroughly characteristic of the eccentric painter and etcher.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 751. D. 5, ’08. 40w.
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R. of Rs. 38: 762. D. ’08. 90w.
Bacon, Edgar Mayhew. Henry Hudson (American men of energy ser., v. 6.) **$1.35. Putnam.
7–38631.
A sketch of the life of Henry Hudson which is by no means restricted to the discoverer’s exploration of the river which bears his name.
“A careful study throwing some new light upon the subject.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 127. My. ’08.
“The author has made a creditable book, which, while unsatisfactory to the severely critical student, will be warmly welcomed by the ordinary reader.”
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Ind. 64: 976. Ap. 30, ’08. 270w.
“Much new light is thrown by this well-known author upon the misunderstood personality of Hudson.”
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N. Y. Times. 12: 664. O. 19, ’07. 20w.
“Mr. Bacon has pieced the fragments [of Hudson’s biography] together in admirable style, giving them their correct historical setting, and, while recognizing fully the efforts of previous biographers, has exposed their inaccuracies to a searching light.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 170. Mr. 28, ’08. 1150w.
“Mr. Bacon has made careful studies of all of Hudson’s voyages, and embodies in this work a great deal of information that will be new to most American readers.”
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R. of Rs. 37: 114. Ja. ’08. 130w.
“We cannot say that this volume throws much new light on the obscure subject of Hudson’s career and character.”
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Spec. 100: sup. 649. Ap. 25, ’08. 200w.
Bacon, Edwin Munroe. English voyages of adventure and discovery; retold from Hakluyt. †$1.50. Scribner.
8–27377.
A summary of the Hakluyt narrative of English exploration and adventure from the earliest records to the establishment of the English colonies in North America. The story extends from the earliest adventures for conquest to those for discovery and expansion of trade and on down to the settlement of Virginia. To the summary has been added an account of the life of Hakluyt.
“As solid reading the book is not without adventurous interest; it will not be popular, but it is more than a high school reference book, though it should appeal to the high school boy.”
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Nation. 87: 523. N. 26, ’08. 60w.
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N. Y. Times. 13: 563. O. 10, ’08. 250w.
“Should be an acceptable present to any young man of spirit.”
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Outlook. 90: 596. N. 14, ’08. 80w.
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R. of Rs. 38: 637. N. ’08. 120w.
Bacon, Francis. Essays; edited, with introd. and notes by Mary Augusta Scott. *$1.25. Scribner.
8–5190.
A student’s book very fully annotated. An introduction of nearly one hundred pages gives first a fresh sketch of Bacon’s life, then discusses the essays as a whole, showing their Elizabethan setting, the universality of theme, the particular conditions and circumstances that called each forth, and the method, literary style, and language employed by Bacon.
“This excellently printed edition, with notes at the bottom of the page, is a pleasant one to read.”
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Ath. 1908, 1: 571. My. 9. 250w.
“Serviceable and inexpensive edition.”
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Dial. 44: 382. Je. 16, ’08. 280w.
“We think the editor in the desire to be complete, has loaded her annotations with a good deal of dead matter.”
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Nation. 86: 399. Ap. 30, ’08. 170w.
“Her introduction, which occupies about a quarter of the volume, is worth reading. In the matter of annotation she errs on the side of excess. But upon the whole, this is a fairly good edition of the essays—possibly for some readers, the best. For all readers it is immensely better than no edition at all.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 132. Mr. 7, ’08. 650w.
Bacon, Josephine Daskam. Ten to seventeen: a boarding school diary. †$1.50. Harper.
8–2943.
In the language of a track meet these boarding school affairs of grown ups, seen from a school girl’s point of view, are called events. A group of shrewd girls allow nothing of interest among their elders and teachers to escape them, especially love affairs over which sixteen casts the glamour of “do or die” romance. The school girls are clever and the diary is written in the confident, ne’er-to-be-repulsed style of invincible youth.
“Will interest the grown-ups who have a taste for studies in temperament. Will not appeal, one would fancy, to the young girl.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 110. Ap. ’08.
Ath. 1908, 1: 449. Ap. 11. 200w.
“It is amusing reading, in spite of a certain suggestion of coarseness which makes one feel that while the Elmbank girls have apparently never undergone the snickering age, their chronicler has not yet outgrown it.”
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Nation. 86: 237. Mr. 12, ’08. 200w.
“We must thank her for her excellent portrayal of so difficult a subject, while thoroughly enjoying the sense of fun which made her success in achieving it possible.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 69. F. 8, ’08. 90w.
16“A cleverly written composite diary of boarding-school girls, with a sub-consciously humorous setting forth of the school-girl point of view.”
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Outlook. 88: 512. F. 29, ’08. 50w.
Bagot, Richard. Lakes of northern Italy. $1.75. Macmillan.
8–431.
A new edition of a “semi-guide,” so called, “because it does not give the material details which the tourist needs to know, but describes fully and often picturesquely, all the main-travelled spots and many of the out-of-the-way ones.” (Nation.) “Here the traveller may find some excellent suggestions as to what he should look for and how he should look.” (Spec.)
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 36. F. ’08.
“He is lucid, simple and occasionally witty. Our grateful recognition of these qualities, rare in a book of the kind under notice, increases our regret that he should have permitted himself, in treating of things religious and political, an acrid tone which detracts from its charm as a traveling-companion.”
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Ath. 1907, 2: 834. D. 28. 530w.
“A real service has been done by his publishers in reissuing it, with additional chapters, in a convenient pocket volume.” F: T. Cooper.
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Bookm. 26: 511. Ja. ’08. 110w.
“A handy little volume. His pages are pleasantly written for the most part, tho sometimes marred by expressions of the insular Britisher’s insolent contempt for travelers from other lands—from Germany and America, especially.”
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Ind. 64: 524. Mr. 5, ’08. 120w.
“Mr. Bagot does for this region what the late Augustus Hare did for Florence, Rome, and Venice; and he spices his descriptions with views of his own on whatever subject comes up.”
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Nation. 85: 567. D. 19, ’07. 180w.
“The present edition will prove a pleasant text-book for anyone who desires to know something of the associations, historical and traditional, of the scenes he is visiting.”
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Sat. R. 104: 676. N. 30, ’07. 150w.
“The author brings knowledge of classical and medieval history to the fulfilment of his task, and he has a keen appreciation of scenery, a sufficient knowledge of art; in short, he has the qualifications of a traveller’s friend.”
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Spec. 99: 335. S. 7, ’07. 300w.
* Baikie, Rev. James. Story of the Pharaohs. *$2.50. Macmillan.
8–35753.
A finely illustrated volume, concise and lucid, which covers the history of Egypt from the earliest times to the Persian conquest in 525 B. C. Not only does its monarch live again “but also the great men who served them, its society, literature and art—rivaling the latter fame of Rome, and stained by no excesses of wickedness.” (Outlook.)
“It would have been a calamity if the author had modestly supprest his work because the ground was already well covered. Every statement that he makes is lucid and helpful.”
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Ind. 65: 1306. D. 3, ’08. 860w.
“Mr. Baikie, while availing himself of the latest results of research, writes for the general reader, and gives life and reality to his picture of the first great world power in history.”
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Outlook. 90: 593. N. 14, ’08. 200w.
Bailey, Elmer James. Novels of George Meredith: a study. **$1.25. Scribner.
7–34148.
Descriptive note and excerpts in Dec. 1907.
“A good and useful study, neither remarkable as to originality nor masterly as to treatment.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 6. Ja. ’08.
“In making [his classification, Mr. Bailey] analyzes the characters and situations with true insight, appreciation, and restraint. He clearly sees and feels Meredith’s high ideals, his strength, and his beauty of temperament.” Eunice Follansbee.
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Dial. 44: 129. Mr. 1, ’08. 480w.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Bailey pursues his end with a grim determination totally devoid of humor, and the result is sad to contemplate. The only thing of worth in Mr. Bailey’s book is an alphabetical list of Meredith’s characters, and some statistics as to their number.” E. C. Marsh.
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Forum. 39: 384. Ja. ’08. 500w.
“Of several attempts to treat his collected novels critically or to furnish a guide to them, Mr. Bailey’s work is easily the best. It is the fullest and the most philosophical, and it springs from a riper study of nineteenth century fiction. It narrowly misses unquestioned right to a place beside Mr. Trevelyan’s splendid study of Meredith’s poetry and philosophy.”
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Ind. 64: 1038. My. 7, ’08. 300w.
Bailey, Henry Christopher. Colonel Greatheart. †$1.50. Bobbs.
8–29002.
The setting for this story of “men and arms” is taken from the stirring days of Cavaliers and Roundheads, of Puritans and “malignants”; but the machines of war are rather in the background, while in the fore is a witching woman, a conqueror of hearts and a marker of destinies. It tells of a woman’s ambition which urges valiant men to perilous deeds.
“A particularly good story.” W: M. Payne.
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Dial. 45: 296. N. 1, ’08. 340w.
“A story of spirit, sure to hold the reader to the last page. It is a pity that Mr. Bailey should have seen fit to burden it with a comic French cook and Italian groom who delay the action without a compensating return of amusement.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 611. O. 24, ’08. 500w.
Bailey, Henry Christopher. Gentleman of fortune. †$1.50. Appleton.
7–33910.
About one Raoul de Tout le Monde the author groups incidents and battlefield struggles that happened during the time that Philip of Spain was striving to crush the Netherlands.
“His English is good, nervous English, but his manner is too brusque.”
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Ath. 1907, 2: 722. D. 7. 240w.
“Not, you understand, a strong book, but whimsical and full of conversations so short and keen that the sparks of spirits fly between retorts.”
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Ind. 64: 923. Ap. 23, ’08. 280w.
N. Y. Times. 12: 670. O. 19, ’07. 40w.
“Although these stories of the struggle between the Dutch and the Spanish in the sixteenth century are written with much of Mr. Bailey’s usual felicity of style, the reader cannot help feeling that such very slight and rather theatrical sketches are unworthy of the pen of their author.”
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Spec. 99: 935. D. 7, ’07. 140w.
Bailey, Henry Christopher. God of clay. †$1.50. Brentano’s.
8–30132.
“An episodic résumé of Napoleon’s career, as visualized by the imagination. The thread of interest remains in the person of Bonaparte, who connects the tales.... Out of the mass of incredible events and incidents which Mr. Bailey does not even condescend to explain, emerges nevertheless a vivid and powerful, and faithful portrait of Napoleon.”—Ath.
“The form of this work, we imagine, was dictated by serial necessities, which have hampered the author. But the matter proves that he is in the forefront of our historical novelists.”
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Ath. 1908, 1: 473. Ap. 18. 250w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 618. O. 24, ’08. 40w.
17Bailey, Liberty Hyde, ed. Cyclopedia of American agriculture: a popular survey of agricultural conditions, practices and ideals in the United States and Canada. 4v. ea. $5. Macmillan.
7–8529.
v. 3. Deals with the subject of animals. Part 1 treats of the physiology and breeding habits, feeding, diseases and management. Part 2 is devoted to the manufacture of animal products. Part 3 is concerned with the description of North American farm animals, their breeding, history, rearing, and the “general treatment towards accomplishing the ends for which they were intended.” Bibliography under each heading.
“A valuable reference work.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 254. N. ’08. (Review of v. 3.)
“In spite of the fact that it is packed with technical information, it is almost all of it comprehensible to any person of ordinary education, and much of it is so well written that it could be read aloud in the farmhouse to the whole family.”
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Ind. 63: 1569. D. 26, ’07. 870w. (Review of v. 1 and 2.)
“This cyclopedia is as complete and authoritative as any work can be in the present state of science.”
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Nation. 87: 217. S. 3, ’08. 500w. (Review of v. 3.)
“Hardly full enough to be of much value to the farmer who is already engaged in that particular industry, and American conditions of climate and labour render much of the information inapplicable to British agriculture; but this volume of the ‘Cyclopedia’ would be of the greatest service to any settler breaking ground in a new country, and looking round for profitable crops outside the accepted routine.”
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Nature. 77: 292. Ja. 30, ’08. 310w. (Review of v. 2.)
“It is only in the parts of the book dealing with the science of breeding and in the descriptions of individual breeds that we would suggest amendments.” James Wilson.
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Nature. 78: 657. O. 29, ’08. 1200w. (Review of v. 3.)
* Bailey, Liberty Hyde. State and the farmer. **$1.25. Macmillan.
8–22260.
The expansion of an address given before the Association of American agricultural colleges and experiment stations in 1907. Professor Bailey in discussing the political and economic status of the farmer, examines for their merits and demerits present remedial services rendered the farmer by government and society and offers suggestions for progress toward a substantial betterment of conditions and results.
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 233. O. ’08.
“The book needs and deserves a very wide circle of readers. It must not, however, be cursorily read and laid aside. The problems discussed are very deep, and we close our review with an endorsement of the statement that we must have a new sort of statesmanship as well as a new sort of farmers.”
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Ind. 65: 1068. N. 5, ’08. 300w.
Bain, Francis William. Incarnation of the snow; tr. from the original manuscript by F. W. Bain. †$1.25. Putnam.
8–25743.
“The several little tales relating how the daughter of the mountain quarreled with her husband, the Lord of Creatures, and went to sit and grieve beside a lonely lake, and how, in various forms, he sought her out and stayed with her until she was ready to make up the lovers’ quarrel, are very beautiful. They bring down to the plane of daily living the Hindu attitude toward life and death, and by their very simplicity transform it from a philosophical creed to a human, sustaining faith.”—N. Y. Times.
“This is a tale of strange terrors and beauties, told in a style rising to a kind of intoxication.”
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Nation. 87: 415. O. 29, ’08. 330w.
“The stories are warm and bright with human passion, but they are wonderfully tender in sentiment, while the exquisite delicacy of the style in which they are written, or translated, combined with their rich Oriental imagery, makes the reading of them an unmixed delight.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 531. S. 26, ’08. 200w.
“Mr. Bain shows the same captivating and delightful style that distinguished his previous works.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 616. O. 24, ’08. 40w.
Bain, Robert Nisbet. Slavonic Europe: a political history of Poland and Russia from 1447 to 1796. (Cambridge historical ser.) *$2. Putnam.
8–11486.
A political history of Poland and Russia from the middle of the fifteenth century to the end of the eighteenth century which “concerns itself almost entirely with the detailing of the progress of wars, the intrigues and achievements of diplomacy, and the doings of monarchs and statesmen.” (N. Y. Times.)
“He has crowded his book with useless detail, probably as a result of hasty writing which leaves too little time to discriminate between the essential and the unessential. The use of sources does not strike a reviewer as critical. Most of the old stories are accepted without the least hesitation.” R. C. H. Catterall.
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Am. Hist. R. 14: 110. O. ’08. 570w.
“On the institutional and social side it is not strong, while the abundance of detail sometimes obscures the main course of the narrative, and in any case does not make the volume entirely easy reading. Russian and Polish names are at best stumbling-blocks to Latins and Teutons, and Mr. Bain does not lessen the difficulty by his preference for less usual forms of transliteration, as well as by some inconsistency in their use.”
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Nation. 87: 520. N. 26, ’08. 150w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 158. Mr. 21, ’08. 150w.
“Mr. Bain’s performance is interesting perhaps to the ordinary reader, but is hardly worthy of his plan.”
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Sat. R. 106: 83. Jl. 18, ’08. 1000w.
“Much of the history of eastern Europe is still unexplored; and we cannot give Mr. Bain’s work higher praise than to say that out of the tangle he has produced a singularly compact, clear, and well-proportioned history that ought to be a safe and welcome guide to thousands of readers.”
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Spec. 100: 300. F. 22, ’08. 400w.
* Baker, Ray Stannard. Following the color line. **$2. Doubleday.
8–31180.
“The negro as he is in the South, as he is in the North, and as he is in the nation at large defines the scope of the inquiry which Mr. Baker has undertaken in the present work. While confining himself largely to racial conditions as they exist to-day, the author considers various tendencies as they have found expression in the past and gives critical estimates of some of the views that have been advanced as to the ultimate solution of the negro problem.”—Lit. D.
Ind. 65: 1185. N. 19, ’08. 40w.
“The unique value of the book lies in its presentation of certain facts regarding the life of the negro in the United States, which the author has collected during several years spent in personal investigation which give to his work the quality of originality.”
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Lit. D. 37: 850. D. 5, ’08. 200w.
Baker, Tarkington. Yard and garden: a book of practical information for the amateur gardener in city, town or suburb. il. **$2. Bobbs.
8–11497.
Gives directions for the speediest and safest process of converting the bit of ground allotted 18to a town or city house into a harmoniously and effectively beautiful spot. It is devoted to the planting and care of trees, shrubs, plants and vines that beautify and add luxury to the little square of ground.
“Probably the best general, popular treatment of the subject.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 166. Je. ’08.
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Dial. 44: 353. Je. 1, ’08. 250w.
Baldwin, Charles Sears. Essays out of hours. **$1. Longmans.
7–36392.
These essays, some of which have appeared in the Atlantic monthly and Putnam’s deal with such subjects as My friend Copperfield, Master Vergil, Stearn’s influence on French literature, John Bunyan, and The genesis of the short story.
“Brief, pleasant comments on various aspects of life or letters.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 167. Je. ’08.
“Here we have the critic whose intellect delicately steers his taste.” Florence Converse.
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Atlan. 101: 712. My. ’08. 300w.
“Among this collection of papers ... are four or five that are good examples of sound literary criticism of that old-fashioned type which, with good taste and a knowledge of life as well as of books, exhibited sound common sense, displaced now-a-days too frequently by crude psychologising, or ambitious attempts at philosophic generalization.”
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Cath. World. 86: 692. F. ’08. 340w.
“One is a little surprised to find the writer’s scholarship permitting such blemishes as ‘unique’ in the superlative degree of comparison.”
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Dial. 44: 20. Ja. 1, ’08. 200w.
“In all of these shorter disquisitions reprinted from magazines, the author shows the true essayist’s capacity to say engaging things about matters of little moment in themselves. The three distinctly literary essays which form the bulk of Prof. Baldwin’s book are earnest pieces of constructive criticism which go deep into their respective subjects, discuss them with erudition, and are much more concerned with saying something of import and interest than with the manner in which it is said.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 76. F. 8, ’08. 450w.
Baldwin, Edward Chauncey, and Paul, Harry G., eds. English poems. *$1. Am. bk.
8–15301.
An anthology of more than four hundred pages containing poems from Chaucer to Tennyson. The poems have been selected with a view to presenting material which should be representative of the successive periods of English history, of the chief types of poetry, and which should lend themselves easily to comparative study. Abundant notes including thought-stimulating questions are provided for the benefit of teacher and pupil.
“The volume is without any very distinguishing characteristic, but is useful nevertheless.”
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Educ. R. 36: 521. D. ’08. 50w.
“While a convenient book, is in no wise superior to others already in existence.”
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Ind. 65: 310. Ag. 6, ’08. 150w.
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Nation. 87: 210. S. 3, ’08. 90w.
Baldwin, James Mark. Thought and things: a study of the development and meaning of thought or genetic logic. 3v. ea. *$2.75. Macmillan.
v. 2. Deals with Experimental logic, or Genetic theory of thought.
“If we have hardly done justice to the argument, the blame is not wholly ours, but attaches likewise to the piecemeal method of publication already deprecated, and, still more, to the extraordinary obscurity of the phraseology and idiom employed. A thinker of great vigour and ability has been content to express himself anyhow.”
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Ath. 1908, 2: 268. S. 5, 1350w. (Review of v. 2.)
“We can testify that, having gone through the whole with the utmost care and with predilections not unfavorable to the author, we do not think it worth our reader’s while to enter into the necessarily more lengthy criticisms of the more difficult problems as treated in this volume. We greatly regret our disappointment with it.”
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Nation. 87: 164. Ag. 20, ’08. 1600w. (Review of v. 2.)
“It presents on first reading a multitude of divisions and distinctions in a terminology that is largely unfamiliar, but these difficulties largely disappear on further acquaintance. It still appears to me, indeed, that some of the author’s distinctions are not of vital importance, and that he has an undue fondness for his own terminology. But the comparatively new field which he is exploring, together with the value of his results, would excuse more serious defects than these.” J. E. Creighton.
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Philos. R. 17: 68. Ja. ’08. 3350w. (Review of v. 1.)
Baldwin, May. Mysie: a Highland lassie. †$1.50. Lippincott.
“This is a story of troubles in family life. Mysie and her little brother come home from India, and there are differences between them and the elder children. These differences become more serious than it is easy to imagine possible. Hamish is a villain of the melodramatic sort, and could hardly find his way into the home which Miss Baldwin describes for us.” (Spec.).
“Another fat book with many interesting and exciting happenings.”
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N. Y. Times. 12: 765. N. 30, ’07. 20w.
“It is a tale of an original, quite lovable small girl, with an imagination too big for her. The style of the writing is a little feeble except in the dialogue, which is always natural and unforced.”
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Sat. R. 104: sup. 7. D. 7, ’07. 80w.
Spec. 99: sup. 904. D. 7, ’07. 70w.
Balet, Joseph W. Analysis of elastic arches, three-hinged, two-hinged, and hingeless, of steel, masonry, and reinforced concrete. *$3. Eng. news.
8–4024.
“Sets forth principally a graphic method the author has developed, largely based on the work of other investigators, into the properties of masonry, concrete and steel arches.... Several useful tables are given, relating to existing arches, formulas for safe stresses in members, loads on bridges, impact coefficients and other subjects. The appendix contains the mathematical analysis of the elastic arch which the author believes most satisfactory.”—Engin. Rec.
“The work shows a keen insight into the mathematics and the theory of the arch, and the engineer who is well-versed in mathematics and mechanics will derive benefit from studying the book, but the beginner will find difficulty in following the subjects as here set forth.” F. P. McKibben.
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Engin. D. 3: 415. Ap. ’08. 650w.
“The book is very hard reading. [The author] knew his subject too well, perhaps, to exercise due care in maintaining that rigid logic of development and clearness of expression which the case demanded; and he was evidently handicapped by lack of practice in writing.”
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Engin. N. 59: 203. F. 20, ’08. 1250w.
“The author has evidently given the subject much study and deserves credit for his investigations, but it is something of a pity that he has not arranged his explanations of methods and their applications so as to obviate constant reference to subsequent pages.”
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Engin. Rec. 57: 224. F. 22, ’08. 200w.
19Ball, Eustace A. R. Tourist’s India. *$2. Brentano’s.
8–14845.
“A sort of etherialized guide-book. It runs rapidly and lightly from one place of interest to another—towns, caves and waterfalls—and all the time keeps up a delightful chatter, in which anecdote and jest sugar-coat the pill of dry information. It is just the thing needed, to inform the traveler about hotels, snakebites, Babu English, history, and the amount of alcohol he may imbibe without danger.”—Nation.
“It is a well-systematized tour, and throws light on many different aspects of life in the principal cities. The arrangement in chapters devoted to particular towns is one to be commended for ready reference, and will be of great help to a prospective tourist.”
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Ann. Am. Acad. 32: 450. S. ’08. 200w.
“Not even Murray gives so much out-of-the-way wisdom, and Murray is far from being so amusing.”
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Nation. 86: 282. Mr. 26, ’08. 100w.
“A business like guide.”
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Spec. 98: 61. Ja. 12, ’07. 50w.
* Balleine, G. R. History of the Evangelical party in the Church of England. *$1.75. Longmans.
“In the moderate compass of some 300 pages the author sketches the growth and progress of evangelical ideas within the Anglican communion, and estimates the contribution of evangelical churchmen to the cause of English religion. He starts with the Wesleys, Whitefield, and the Oxford Holy club, and follows the fortunes of the party down to Bishop Ryle and churchmen who are still living.”—Nation.
“Evangelicalism within the Church of England has found a sympathetic and worthy historian in the Rev. G. R. Balleine.”
+
Nation. 87: 439. N. 5, ’08. 220w.
“Mr. Balleine has found a somewhat neglected place in church history, and has filled it with a book which is clearly the outcome of a penetrating study of almost all the contemporary evidence. He presents his facts in very readable form and with very little of party bias.”
+
Sat. R. 106: 180. Ag. 8, ’08. 460w.
“A really excellent book. He tells us not a few truths that have been forgotten; he corrects not a few misrepresentations. One important point that he makes is the distinction between the Evangelicals and the Low Churchmen.”
+
Spec. 100: 981. Je. 20, ’08. 360w.
Bamford, Harry. Moving loads on railway underbridges; including diagrams of bending moments and shearing forces and tables of equivalent uniform live loads. *$1.25. Macmillan.
“‘Moving loads’ is used in the sense of ‘wheel loads.’ The book gives a demonstration of graphical and analytical methods for finding maximum moments and shears under any given system of wheel loads. Methods for girders or solid beams only are discussed, and nothing is said of the modifications introduced by the paneling in truss bridges.”—Engin. N.
“A book that will be found useful.”
+
Engin. D. 3: 419. Ap. ’08. 200w.
Engin. N. 59: 205. F. 20, ’08. 150w.
“Forms a concise and interesting discussion of the subject.”
+
Engin. Rec. 57: 251. F. 29, ’08. 200w.
Bancroft, George. Abraham Lincoln: a tribute. **60c. Wessels.
8–25391.
A review of the historical facts concerning slavery, the forces favoring and opposing, lead up to a statement of the definite work of Lincoln for slavery. The undertone of the brief tribute is Lincoln’s perfect faith in the perpetuity of the union. The sketch closes with a terse comparison of Lincoln and Palmerston, England’s prime minister contemporary with Lincoln.
Bangs, John Kendrick. Genial idiot: his views and reviews. †$1.25. Harper.
8–29647.
In which the Idiot of “Coffee and repartee” fame reappears. His wit and shrewdness go hand in hand as he descants upon such themes as ideal husbands, finance, a comic opera, fame, the decadence of April-fool’s day, flat-hunting, the gentle art of boosting, the music cure, campaign methods, short courses at college, the horse-show, etc.
Ind. 65: 1244. N. 26, ’08. 120w.
Bangs, John Kendrick. Potted fiction: being a series of extracts from the world’s best sellers, put up in thin slices for hurried consumers, by the United States literary canning company. †50c. Doubleday.
8–34602.
Literary products put up in such convenient form “that they may be carried in the vest pocket or vanity bags, to be consumed as opportunity presents, between courses at quick lunch counters, between nibbles at bridge parties,” etc. The six sellers so condensed are: Rollo in the metrolopus, by Dopeton Hotair; Six months, by Hellinor Gryn; The lost secret, by E. Fillips Dopenheim; A pragmatic enigma, by A. Conan Watson, M.D.; The stepdaughter of Peterson Jay, by George Jarr McClutchem; Somehow long, by the author of Alice in wanderland.
Ind. 65: 556. S. 3, ’08. 100w.
“Unless one is unduly grouchy and hard to suit, the book will occasionally provide a laugh.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 454. Ag. 15, ’08. 500w.
Banks, Rev. Louis Albert. Sermons which have won souls. **$1.40. Funk.
8–19116.
Sermons of a Denver preacher who believes in business-like methods for soul-saving. The introductory chapter on The pastor as a soul-winner, sets forth the evangelistic methods which he employs for the salvation of souls. It is a good chapter on the demonstrable phases of church principles. Mr. Banks believes in steady movement, in following up people who have been awakened until their lives begin to express the conviction in their hearts.
“If his sermons at times seem commonplace, they nevertheless, for the most part, ring true. If the sermons at times seem like patchwork the pieces are of good material.”
+ −
Arena. 40: 390. O. ’08. 400w.
Banks, Robert Webb. Battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864, the bloodiest engagement of the war between the states. *$1.25. Neale.
8–30516.
An account of the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, from the Confederate point of view.
Barber, Edwin Atlee. Lead glazed pottery pt. 1. (Art primer.) **90c. Doubleday.
8–854.
The fourth art primer in a series of industrial art. Historical data, reviews of processes, descriptions of wares made in various countries including the slip-decorated wares of Europe, are given with numerous illustrations.
“A reliable book.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 167. Je. ’08.
+
Nation. 86: 563. Je. 18, ’08. 200w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 684. N. 21, ’08. 280w.
20Barbour, Ralph Henry. Harry’s Island. †$1.50. Century.
8–25995.
Another of Mr. Barbour’s lively, wholesome stories for young people which tells of the adventures of Tom, Dick, Harriet and Roy, all well known to the author’s readers, during a summer of camping on an island in the Hudson river.
Reviewed by K. L. M.
Bookm. 28: 385. D. ’08. 60w.
“Save that it is much too long, shows surprising ingenuity in invention; but it is like what he has done before.”
− +
Nation. 87: 551. D. 3, ’08. 30w.
R. of Rs. 38: 767. D. ’08. 50w.
* Barbour, Ralph Henry. My lady of the fog. †$2. Lippincott.
8–25123.
A light-house island and the surrounding sea furnish the setting for this romance of a New York heiress and a young Colorado engineer loafing during a brief vacation. She has run away from Newport for a season of quiet in which to decide the momentous question of marriage with a foreign count. The intrepid youth finds her in a fog, rescues her, restores her to her island, woos her, and wins her—all without learning that she is his employer, the Judy Sypher whom from rodman to chief he and his co-workers idealize.
+
Dial. 45: 414. D. 1, ’08. 130w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 615. O. 24, ’08. 30w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 741. D. 5, ’08. 200w.
“Is an excellent sea story with a decidedly sentimental interest.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 751. D. 5, ’08. 60w.
Barclay, Mrs. Florence Louisa. Wheels of time. (What is worth while ser.) **30c. Crowell.
8–23556.
A dramatic little story of a woman’s sudden awakening to a great love for a husband for whom she had been in the habit of doling out grudgingly her affection in small quantities.
Barclay, Sir Thomas. Problems of international practice and diplomacy, with special reference to the Hague conferences and conventions and other general international agreements. $6.50. Boston bk.
7–42317.
Questions of international law and order are discussed with particular emphasis on the ethical principles and the reasons of expediency underlying them. Each topic is taken up separately with a full historical record of what has been done in regard to it, its present position and the authoritative attitude towards further developments.
“Sir Thomas Barclay has published a most valuable volume at the right moment. It is difficult to exaggerate the usefulness of his chapters. On the other hand, he will disappoint many of his friends in peace and arbitration circles by the caution and the conservative tendency displayed in the greater portion of his work.”
+ + −
Ath. 1907, 2: 68. Jl. 20. 1000w.
“We cannot doubt that this volume, with its full discussion of many points and the richness of its suggestions as to details, will be useful to representatives at The Hague. It is a book which the international lawyer cannot dispense with.”
+
Lond. Times. 6: 227. Jl. 19, ’07. 300w.
“Sir Thomas’s book is unsatisfying only if the reader expects too much.”
+
Outlook. 88: 608. Mr. 14, ’08. 300w.
“The book is invaluable for all international lawyers, politicians, and the higher ranks of journalism.”
+
Sat R. 104: 212. Ag. 17, ’07. 300w.
Barham, Richard Harris (Thomas Ingoldsby, pseud.). Ingoldsby legends; il. by Arthur Rackham. *$6. Dutton.
An “edition definitive de luxe” of the “Ingoldsby legends” in whose illustrations by Mr. Rackham appears the same quality of interpretation as was found in his drawings for “Peter Pan” last year.
“Mr. Rackham has caught the fantastic humor of the ‘Legends’ so perfectly that one feels for the first time his full power.”
+ +
Dial. 43: 381. D. 1, ’07. 250w.
+
Ind. 63: 1471. D. 10, ’07. 80w.
“Mr. Rackham enters so thoroughly into the spirit of these now classic tales, and his drawings reveal such rare talents, that the success of this new edition is assured. As a gift-book nothing could be better.”
+ +
Int. Studio. 33: 252. Ja. ’08. 130w.
“Here is delicate art, excellent drawing, and a refined whimsicality which might carry even a poor book to success. With such a setting ‘The Ingoldsby legends’ should gain many new friends, and enter on a new era of popularity.”
+ +
N. Y. Times. 12: 740. N. 16, ’07. 420w.
“The present is certainly an advance on the edition of the ‘Ingoldsby legends’ published some years ago with illustrations by this very artist. In paper, print, illustration, and binding the new volume seems well-nigh ideal.”
+ +
Outlook. 87: 618. N. 23, ’07. 80w.
+
Sat. R. 104: sup. 10. D. 7, ’07. 180w.
+
Spec. 99: sup. 906. D. 7, ’07. 50w.
Baring, Maurice. Year in Russia. *$3.50. Dutton.
8–11807.
Mr. Baring tells the story of the Moscow rising and of the first duma, as well as of other important happenings of the year of revolution from August, 1905 to August, 1906.
“It is not, however, so much for the political views expressed in it that this book will be valued, as for the light which the author throws on the life of the Russian people.”
+
Acad. 72: 506. My. 25, ’07. 900w.
“The author is a sane observer and tries to do justice to the various opinions and political parties.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 167. Je. ’08.
“Mr. Baring’s sketch of the physical conditions of Russia is admirable, but we doubt whether he has in fact a ‘clear idea’ as regards its future.”
+ −
Ath. 1907, 1: 603. My. 18. 650w.
“His modest purpose is achieved in an easy, graceful and interesting manner.”
+
Ind. 64: 1035. My. 7, ’08. 200w.
“He has made it his aim to depict the ordinary instead of inventing the extraordinary, and, as might perhaps have been expected, the ordinary thus depicted proves to be vastly more entertaining as well as more informing than the extraordinary.”
+
Lond. Times. 6: 154. My. 17, ’07. 1550w.
“The book pretends to be nothing more than a jotting down in diary form of hearsay, impression, and casual observation, and as such can possess little permanent value, especially in the presence of more elaborate and systematic presentations of the same subject.”
−
Nation. 86: 198. F. 27, ’08. 150w.
“The style is easy and amusing, with an undercurrent of humorous good-natured chaff and raillery sown broadcast here and there, which makes the book pleasant and instructive reading.”
+
Sat. R. 103: 786. Je. 22, ’07. 1020w.
“In no book which deals with the last few years of Russian history is the inspiration of the interpreter so manifest, and none that we know, whether in English or in Russian, contains such admirable material for the study of Russian public opinion during one of the most momentous years of Russian history.”
+ +
Spec. 98: 943. Je. 15, ’07. 1650w.
21Barker, J. Ellis. British socialism. *$3. Scribner.
“The author has consulted about a thousand socialistic works, and his ‘book is a summary of the whole literature of British socialism and a key to it.’” (Spec.) “This volume enables one to obtain a conspectus of the views of typical socialists upon the various concrete problems to which they direct their attention, such as the family, the empire, the land, the army, the railways, and a host of similar issues.” (Nation.)
“It cannot be said, unfortunately, that the critical thread of comment which ties the illustrative extracts together is altogether fair or discriminating. But he has collected an instructive and compendious anthology.”
+ −
Nation. 86: 492. My. 28, ’08. 230w.
“A work of praiseworthy industry, which will be most useful to those who wish to know the practical suggestions deduced from socialist theories.”
+
Spec. 101: sup. 471. O. 3, ’08. 300w.
Barnard, J. Lynn. Factory legislation in Pennsylvania: its history and administration. $1.50. Winston.
7–19757.
“The subject matter is divided almost evenly into the two fields of history and administration. Under the former, the movement for the legal regulation of women and child labor is carefully reviewed from the days of 1824 until the present date. Allied movements, such as sweatshop, fire-escape and bake-shop legislations are duly treated.... Under the subject of administration, the author shows an inside knowledge of the conditions which make easy the violation of the factory law.”—Ann. Am. Acad.
“The author has given a much needed and scholarly account of this field of social progress in Pennsylvania. Books such as this, covering all the large industrial states, would soon remove the criticism one sometimes hears that college courses in social welfare would be very good were they not ‘spread out so thin.’”
+
Ann. Am. Acad. 31: 263. Ja. ’08. 220w.
“His monograph is a valuable contribution to the literature dealing with factory legislation in the United States, which is gradually approaching that degree of completeness necessary for scientific comparative study of our state codes.”
+
J. Pol. Econ. 15: 375. Je. ’07. 220w.
“It is much to be desired that similar studies for other states than Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts may be undertaken by students of social legislation, and for such studies Dr. Barnard’s work may well serve as a model.”
+
Pol. Sci. Q. 22: 555. S. ’07. 160w.
Yale R. 16: 445. F. ’08. 200w.
Barnes, James. Clutch of circumstance. †$1.50. Appleton.
8–12555.
A young physician coming into a fortune returns from a prolonged absence abroad to his western New York home. He finds that the girl who had promised to marry him in his college days has become the wife of his old chum, now a prominent minister. With the discovery that he still loves the girl, comes the startling revelation that her husband is in the clutches of morphine. During the physician’s attempt to save the friend the latter dies and a murder charge results. Great love triumphs over all obstacles in the end.
“The book is marred rather than made by its sensational ending.”
+ −
Ind. 64: 1038. My. 7, ’08. 100w.
− +
Nation. 86: 558. Je. 18, ’08. 130w.
N. Y. Times. 12: 652. O. 19, ’07. 70w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 210. Ap. 11, ’08. 70w.
“All the threads of his narrative appear clean and fine and well-dyed, only they do not seem to belong together, and the fabric that has resulted from their combination has certainly a few discordant colors in its eminently dignified design.”
+ −
N. Y. Times. 13: 262. My. 9, ’08. 300w.
“The story is readable, but unpleasant.”
+ −
Outlook. 89: 313. Je. 6, ’08. 80w.
Barr, Mrs. Amelia Edith. Heart of Jessy Laurie: front, by Harrison Fisher. †$1.50. Dodd.
7–31283.
A fisher lass is the heroine of this story of simple Scotch life. “Jessy Laurie is an Effie Deans of a sturdier mould. She abandons a lover of her own class in response to the call of an aristocratic young Lothario. He gains possession of her by a form of marriage which he intends to be a mockery, but which turns out to be legal, so that technically she is not betrayed. The child of the union becomes the scapegrace’s heir, and the scapegrace, taking himself off by drowning, leaves her free to marry the faithful and magnanimous lover.” (Nation.)
“In itself, this is a good story by an experienced story-teller. If the sum of all this is not a story of remarkable power, it is certainly a story told with more than ordinary intelligence and control.”
+
Nation. 86: 15. Ja. 2, ’08. 340w.
N. Y. Times. 12: 653. O. 19, ’07. 30w.
Barr, Mrs. Amelia Edith. Strawberry handkerchief. †$1.50. Dodd.
8–24302.
This little drama enacted in Stamp act times deals chiefly with two romances in which Cupid plays at cross purposes with obdurate parents, defies, too, taut political lines. The strawberry handkerchief is a love token that plays an important part in righting misunderstandings, and binding hearts even across the sea.
“A pleasing historical romance.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 583. O. 17, ’08. 200w.
“If Mrs. Barr could alter the fixed form of her conversations, an added charm would enliven her well-written pages.”
+ −
Outlook. 90: 504. O. 31, ’08. 100w.
Barr, James R. Principles of direct-current electrical engineering. *$3.25. Macmillan.
8–32343.
Written primarily for the use of intermediate classes in universities and technical colleges with the intention of bridging the gap between elementary manuals and too highly specialized works. Problems to illustrate principles and illustrations of machinery and instruments are taken from modern practice.
“Two chapters treat of storage batteries and electric lighting, but these are rather disappointing. The author is to be congratulated upon the work which he has produced. It is not too practical or too theoretical, but contains just the information which a second-year student wants.” L. C.
+ + −
Nature. 78: 172. Je. 25, ’08. 720w.
“Should find a considerable application in colleges and technical schools. The index of the book is complete enough to make it a ready work of reference.” G: C. Shaad.
+
Science, n.s. 28: 411. S. 25, ’08. 600w.
Barr, Robert. Young Lord Stranleigh. †$1.50. Appleton.
8–16950.
A story which will especially interest teachers; for it presents some of the problems of coeducation in the American public schools. It also shows the groping of a young man for the thing in life which he can do best.
“From the unfamiliarity of its circumstances—if for no other reason—the book is most interesting, and Mr. Barr’s well-known humour has lost none of its power. The scope is naturally limited, but the picture is so complete in itself that its narrowness is forgotten.”
+
Acad. 73: 299. D. 28, ’07. 200w.
22“Full of pleasant turns of thought and mirthful incident.”
+
Ath. 1907, 2: 475. O. 19. 150w.
“As a study of the educational conditions of such an institution as is described, the book has a puzzling interest for us.” W: M. Payne.
+ −
Dial. 44: 246. Ap. 16, ’08. 350w.
“The reader who does not find it rather solemn reading will probably call it exceedingly humorous.”
+
Nation. 86: 448. My. 14, ’08. 250w.
“The author has chosen a singularly colorless phase of social life, colorless at least so far as fictional uses are concerned. It does not appear to be one of Mr. Barr’s happiest achievements.”
−
N. Y. Times. 13: 174. Mr. 28, ’08. 70w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 211. Ap. 11, ’08. 70w.
“The novel is original in its subject and treatment, has plot interest, and while not of tremendous power, is certainly readable.”
+
Outlook. 88: 839. Ap. 11, ’08. 50w.
“The merit of the present story lies in the unusually vivid portraiture of two or three teachers and students, and though the plot is commonplace the book has a real interest.”
+ −
Sat. R. 104: 458. O. 12, ’07. 180w.
Barr, Robert. The measure of the rule. †$1.50. Appleton.
The triumph of a British dandy, one Lord Stranleigh, suffering from ennui and too many millions, over the hard bargainers of London high finance. He becomes interested in a mine that is being taken from its owner by stock gamblers’ tricks, and when the stock is at low water mark he sends twenty buyers to as many sellers at the same instant, taking all each will sell, thus overbuying the market. The mine manager proceeds to steal the mine’s best ore but is outwitted by Stranleigh whose yacht beats the thieves to the mine where he watches them dig his ore. Later he buys their boat, trades captains, returns to London with his gold in time to relieve the bank of England from temporary stringency.
+
Ath. 1908, 1: 724. Je. 13. 140w.
“Is one of Mr. Barr’s better books—perhaps one of his best.” W: M. Payne.
+
Dial. 45: 90. Ag. 16, ’08. 230w.
“The charm of this book lies in its bland childlike preposterousness.”
+ −
Nation. 87: 163. Ag. 20, ’08. 200w.
“There may be hardened story readers who can absorb this yarn by installments, but most readers will do better not to tackle it until they can read it through at a sitting. They will want to, for it is easy, pleasant, and, at times, thrilling, reading. Withal it carries a budget of useful morals.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 303. My. 30, ’08. 550w.
Barron, Edward. Lost goddess. †$1.50. Holt.
8–9523.
A South American bent upon the villainy of wife-stealing draws a group of idle New Yorkers into the adventurous undertaking of rescuing an American girl from the captivity of the Tigrane Indians somewhere on the headwaters of the Amazon. This story deals with their thrilling experiences on board their yacht and in Brazilian wilds where the trap into which they have been lured is sprung.
“An ingenious tale, whose greater merit lies in the deftness and firmness with which the author handles a love interest that has depth and strength.”
+
Ind. 64: 973. Ap. 30, ’08. 120w.
“The true spirit of romance, rare at best in the fiction of to-day, is sadly lacking in Mr. Barron’s book, which in its execution is not without merit.”
− +
Nation. 86: 310. Ap. 2, ’08. 170w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 166. Mr. 28, ’08. 200w.
Barrus, Clara. Nursing the insane. **$2. Macmillan.
8–13623.
Advice chiefly for the care of women, based upon talks which the author has given during a long experience in the hospital at Middletown, New York. “The last chapter briefly notes the legal requirements to be fulfilled in the admission of insane patients to the hospitals of this state, and gives good advice concerning the removal of such persons from their homes.” (Nation.)
+
Ind. 65: 663. S. 17, ’08. 230w.
“It may be said that the book contains too little for a nurse obliged to work without constant direction, especially in private houses, and often almost too much for those that have such supervision.”
− +
Nation. 87: 217. S. 3, ’08. 260w.
R. of Rs. 38: 128. Jl. ’08. 20w.
Barth, Fritz. Gospel of St. John and the synoptic gospels. (Foreign religious ser.) *40c. Meth. bk.
8–265.
“A vigorous apologetic for the credibility and authenticity of the fourth Gospel, which, with the Apocalypse, is ascribed to the Apostle John.”—Bib. World.
“The style is sometimes obscure, and the treatment of early Christian literature, e. g., Papias, is arbitrary.”
+ −
Bib. World. 31: 239. Mr. ’08. 50w.
“A vigorous brief.”
+
Ind. 64: 311. F. 6, ’08. 350w.
“Unfortunately, the translation is often awkward. It is a translation from German, but not always a translation into English!”
+ −
N. Y. Times. 13: 118. F. 29, ’08. 70w.
Barton, George Aaron. Critical and exegetical commentary on the book of Ecclesiastes. (International critical commentary.) **$2.25. Scribner.
8–15777.
A commentary in which the author looks upon the unknown writer of Ecclesiastes “as a skeptic who has outgrown his ancestral faith, but has not abandoned such belief in God as an agnostic may cherish, holding to which he ‘preaches a gospel of healthy work, and the full enjoyment of life’s round of duties and opportunities.’” (Outlook.)
“The only defect in the makeup of the volume is the inexcusably bad proof-reading. In every other respect the work constitutes a worthy companion volume to those that have preceded it in this splendid series.” J: M. P. Smith.
+ −
Bib. World. 32: 361. N. ’08. 600w.
“For the professional student we do not know of any commentary on Ecclesiastes superior to this.”
+
Outlook. 89: 492. Je. 27, ’08. 280w.
“In this volume the results of the most recent critical studies are canvassed succinctly and thoroughly, with regard to the needs both of specialists and of other intelligent readers.”
+
Outlook. 89: 816. Ag. 8, ’08. 160w.
Spec. 100: 1037. Je. 27, ’08. 580w.
Barton, James Levi. Unfinished task of the Christian church: introductory studies in the problem of the world’s evangelization. 50c. S. V. M.
8–20161.
An appeal to the student volunteers of American colleges. “The extent of the task before the church, the obstacles to be overcome at home and abroad, the partial success already achieved, and the resources now available for it, are all so presented that the statement is practically an argument for greater activity.” (Outlook.)
“The book is admirable in the selection and arrangement of very useful material.”
+
Am. J. Theol. 12: 527. Jl. ’08. 100w.
23“It is a plain, clear, crisp recital by a recognized authority, widely traveled, and personally acquainted with the facts he relates concerning existing conditions.”
+
Outlook. 89: 125. My. 16, ’08. 160w.
Barzini, Luigi. Pekin to Paris: an account of Prince Borghese’s journey across two continents in a motor car. *$5. Kennerley.
8–11793.
A full account of the motor-car journey undertaken by Prince Borghese across Asia and Europe. “On June 10, five cars started on their eight thousand mile course.... In the Chinese Empire the party met the almost irresistible rocks of Ki-mi-ni; in the Mongolian deserts the sands were almost too much for the machine; in the Russian Empire they availed themselves of the rails of the Trans-Siberian railway. Thus they came to the western borders of the Russian Empire, to the good roads of Germany and the better ones of France, and to their journey’s end.” (Dial.)
“It is a straightforward, graphic piece of journalism, and provides a full and detailed account of the adventurous journey. It may be considered over-long by some, but the reviewer has found its interest well sustained, and it has no ‘padding.’”
+
Ath. 1908, 1: 38. Ja. 11. 550w.
“The volume contains an interesting and modest introduction by the prince, a hundred good illustrations, and an excellent detailed map showing the route traversed. Señor Barzini’s style, as translated by Señor De Castelvecchio, is best described by Prince Borghese as vivacious: no other style could possibly do justice to the subject.” H. E. Coblentz.
+
Dial. 44: 105. F. 16, ’08. 500w.
“The narrative, written by the practiced hand of a journalist, reads with the rush and excitement of the motor ride.”
+
Ind. 64: 527. Mr. 5, ’08. 130w.
“There is much of general interest in Signor Barzini’s narrative. The volume contains much wearisome detail of rescues from swamps and broken bridges, and there are frequent poetic digressions which might well have been omitted.”
+ −
Nation. 86: 359. Ap. 16, ’08. 600w.
“He gives us the latest and the best pictures of the awakened East.” Julius Chambers.
+ +
No. Am. 187: 618. Ap. ’08. 1600w.
“The book has been well translated and will appeal irresistibly to the reader who loves to undertake adventures and enjoy novel experiences by his own fireside.”
+
Sat. R. 105: 242. F. 22, ’08. 650w.
“We are thrilled by the book as if it were some tale of wonderful adventure; but we get more than that in much food for speculation and thought.”
+
Spec. 100: sup. 645. Ap. 25, ’08. 370w.
Bashore, Harvey Brown. Sanitation of recreation camps and parks. $1. Wiley.
8–16540.
A practical hand book suggesting how to obviate improper sanitation in camps, by screening the food, avoiding impure water, daily burning or burying all the waste, solid and liquid, by treating with kerosene the brooks and pools in mosquito infested districts, and keeping weeds and grass cut around the camp. There is also advice on the location and construction of camps.
“A very suggestive handbook in the elementary principles of sanitation.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 233. O. ’08.
“By the avoidance of technical terms and the presentation of the subject in an interesting and pleasing style the writer has provided a most readable and useful little work.”
+
Nature. 78: 366. Ag. 20, ’08. 340w.
“This little book ought to have a wide circulation during the summer months.”
+
R. of Rs. 38: 253. Ag. ’08. 110w.
Bates, Arlo. Intoxicated ghost, and other stories. †$1.50. Houghton.
8–12556.
Nine short stories in Mr. Bates’s best vein. “The intoxicated ghost,” the titular story, portrays a ghost-compelling young woman who, in love with the impecunious scion of a New England house, is called by his sister to communicate with the ghost of an ancestor who when upon earth had hidden the family diamonds. After three separate visits from the specter, during which the intrepid young woman has the novel experience of seeing her ghost grow intoxicated on wraith wine, the hiding place of the jewels is revealed.
“A collection of clever short stories.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 154. My. ’08. ✠
“He is the well-bred and accomplished amateur of fiction, and the pince-nez literature he produces is excellent in its kind.”
+
Nation. 87: 75. Jl. 23, ’08. 370w.
“The author’s taste is as noteworthy as his versatility.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 296. My. 23, ’08. 200w.
Bates, David Homer. Lincoln in the telegraph office. **$2. Century.
7–32385.
Descriptive note and excerpts in Dec. 1907.
“A simple straight-forward narrative. It is a pity that errors of fact should have crept into these entertaining pages.” Allen Johnson.
+ −
Am. Hist. R. 13: 656. Ap. ’08. 470w.
“This work possesses a three-fold interest: as a narrative of thrilling and momentous facts it appeals to the imagination in an absorbing manner; as a contribution to history it is of real worth; while its intimate pictures of Abraham Lincoln give it special value, and the moral idealism that made the martyred president one with the noblest patriots and statesmen of the earlier days of our republic adds inestimably to its genuine worth.”
+ +
Arena. 38: 676. D. ’07. 580w.
“It is rather unfortunate that Mr. Bates undertakes to deal with matters not related to his subject. About a third of the book is padding, interesting but not always authentic. On pages 86 and 87, pages 28 and 29 are repeated—a slip not to be expected in a work from the De Vinne press.”
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Dial. 44: 47. Ja. 16, ’08. 510w.
“There is much in this direct and incisive narrative, told in plain, nervous English, that is of technical interest, but, fortunately, Mr. Bates does not dwell on that aspect of the first great use of telegraphy in actual warfare.”
+
Elec. World. 50: 1257. D. 28, ’07. 360w.
“An entertaining book of reminiscence in a comparatively unfamiliar field.”
+
Nation. 86: 34. Ja. 9, ’08. 220w.
Bates, Lindon Wallace. Retrieval at Panama. $5. The Technical literature co., 220 Broadway, N. Y.
8–8499.
A compilation of the Panama company’s “colossal blunders” obtained from official reports, books, pamphlets, maps, and correspondence; also from visits to the isthmus. “The design of the canal in its broad aspects, its general details, its commercial aspects, and its construction are discussed at great length.” (Engin. Rec.)
“Mr. Bates’s book is the most instructive work of constructive criticism of the Panama canal that has ever been written. It is thorough in its discussions and is written in a readable style characteristic of the author.”
+ +
Engin. D. 3: 303. Mr. ’08. 750w.
“The literary style of these criticisms is unique. It reminds us at once of Tom Lawson and Poultney Bigelow. Like the work of those eminent authors, too, it somehow fails to carry conviction to the minds of the readers.”
− +
Engin. N. 59: 202. F. 20, ’08. 600w.
“The book is of a controversial nature, but 24is one of those works which contain a great deal of interesting information and criticism.”
+
Engin. Rec. 57: 357. Mr. 21, ’08. 180w.
“A large part of his criticism is undeniably justified.”
+ −
Nation. 87: 167. Ag. 20, ’08. 270w.
Batiffol, Louis. Marie de Médicis and the French court in the seventeenth century; tr. from the French by Mary King; ed. by H. W. Carless Davis. *$2. Scribner.
8–20525.
A study of a phase of French society in which are set down the intimate details of Marie de Médicis’ ten years of life at the French court. “How the queen spent her days in her new residence, what she ate, what she wore, how much she spent on her household, for her stables, her jewels; what her relations were with her husband and his mistresses, who her friends were, what influences ruled her, what sort of interests she had; what she did to encourage art and artists; how much money she received, how she used it—all that and much more is told by a trained historian who has consulted first-hand documents and gives us a most instructive chapter in the history of civilization.” (Nation.)
“He has achieved his purpose within the somewhat narrow limits of the subject, although the study will be read perhaps more for its lighter interest than for its historical value. One of his judgments is certainly open to criticism.” H: E. Bourne.
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Dial. 45: 167. S. 16, ’08. 840w.
“It offers concrete and tangible facts, and gives us the kind of information we are all hungering for. The translation by Miss King is faithful as well as readable.”
+
Nation. 87: 140. Ag. 13, ’08. 250w.
+
Sat. R. 106: 490. O. 17, ’08. 430w.
“The editor of the book—which needed some editing for the English public generally—appears to have done his work well.”
+
Spec. 100: 1035. Je. 27, ’08. 520w.
Battle, Kemp Plummer. History of the University of North Carolina. v. 1. *$3. K. P. Battle, Chapel Hill, N. C.
7–30472.
“The present volume traces the history of the university from its first conception in 1776 (it was chartered in 1789) to the year 1868. Its growth from modest beginnings is told, its inner life depicted, its public occasions described, its influence in the affairs of the state and the nation set forth.” (Am. Hist. R.)
“While the story centres in the campus it is by no means confined there. There are many interesting side lights on manners and events; much about the personalities and careers of the men who have touched the institution’s life.”
+
Am. Hist. R. 13: 426. Ja. ’08. 200w. (Review of v. 1.)
“Dr. Battle’s history will prove both entertaining and instructive to any student of the country’s educational growth.”
+
Nation. 85: 420. N. 7, ’07. 380w. (Review of v. 1.)
“An interesting narrative, of a very real value, because in a considerable measure it is a history of the customs and people of the South during the long period through which the university has passed.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 104. F. 22, ’08. 140w. (Review of v. 1.)
Battle for the Pacific, and other adventures at sea, by Rowan Stevens, Yates Stirling, jr., William J. Henderson, George E. Walsh, Kirk Munroe, F. H. Spearman, and others. il. †$1.25. Harper.
8–12227.
This little volume contains short stories by many writers. They treat of imaginary battles upon the sea in which the United States has for an antagonist sometimes Japan and sometimes England. They are the purely fanciful creations of an active imagination.
“Thrilling enough to satisfy any appetite for the spice of excitement.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 308. My. 30, ’08. 130w.
Baughan, Edward Algernon. Ignaz Jan Paderewski. *$1. Lane.
8–35168.
A sketch of the musical career of the great pianist together with a temperate interpretation of his genius. “The author considered Paderewski’s technique not always clear; he found ‘too many spots of virtuoso exaggeration of contrast,’ and so on. Yet, in spite of shortcomings, Paderewski is for him ‘the greatest of living pianists,’ for in addition to strong individuality and ripe musicianship, he is strongly emotional, and possesses that ‘curious magnetism which always enchains the attention of the public.’” (Ath.)
“A good brief biography.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 75. Mr. ’08.
“In judging Paderewski as a composer, the critic is very guarded in his language. He finds, as many others do, much to praise in the various works, yet he suspends judgment.”
+
Ath. 1908, 1: 203. F. 15. 250w.
Nation. 85: 524. D. 5, ’07. 800w.
“Mr. Baughan’s critical attitude is judicious. He recognizes the greatness of Paderewski, but he puts in clauses of limitation.” Richard Aldrich.
+ −
N. Y. Times. 13: 87. F. 15, ’08. 300w.
Bax, Ernest Belfort. Roots of reality; being suggestions for a philosophical reconstruction. *$2. Dodge, B. W.
8–8287.
From the idealist’s standpoint, Mr. Bax outlines the directions that future philosophic thinking must take. The central topic of his book is that in all mind and consciousness an alogical element stands out against the logical element and can never be merged therein. The four modes of opposition between the logical and alogical are the antitheses between the universal and the particular, being and appearance, infinite and finite, and chance and law.
“Professionalism is just as odious in philosophy as in athletics; wherefore, if Mr. Bax handles metaphysics decidedly ‘en amateur,’ his conscientious effort to get to the bottom of things merits respect and attention none the less.”
+ −
Ath. 1908. 1: 160. F. 8. 700w.
“As to the manner of exposition, most readers will probably complain of a certain slowness in getting down to real issues; and the frequent repetitions rather obscure the argument. Mr. Bax also has the rather irritating habit of now and then patronizingly foisting his own triumphant opinions upon Plato, Kant, or Hegel. As a whole, however, the book is both timely and suggestive.” M. R. Cohen.
+ −
J. Philos. 5: 78. Ja. 30, ’08. 1400w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 498. S. 12, ’08. 180w.
Reviewed by A. R. Gifford.
+
Psychol. Bull. 5: 162. My. 15, ’08. 1600w.
“The reader who is not to be daunted by a formidable phraseology will find this book worth reading. But the author’s professed ‘purpose of reaching the average intelligent man’ would have been better served by his adopting a simpler style of diction.”
+ −
Sat. R. 104: 115. Jl. 27, ’07. 1250w.
Baylor, Mrs. Edith M. H. Little prospector. il. †$1. Lothrop.
7–23301.
The adventures of a patriotic little American who goes with his family from Boston to the mining regions of Nevada. Pioneer life with 25its fascinations and perils is portrayed in a manner to interest juvenile readers.
N. Y. Times. 12: 618. O. 12, ’07. 80w.
R. of Rs. 36: 765. D. ’07. 40w.
Bayne, Samuel Gamble. Quicksteps through Scandinavia; with a retreat from Moscow. **$1.25. Harper.
8–18339.
A short illustrated account of a trip thru Scandinavia and Russia presented with the hope of aiding the tourist in selecting what to see and what to avoid.
“Mr. Bayne is apparently an intelligent and well-informed man, as he has the requisite facility for mental kodaking, and a share of a sense of humor—the American kind—his book turns out to be a diverting affair on the whole.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 435. Ag. 8, ’08. 630w.
Bazin, René. Coming harvest (Le blé qui levé); tr. by Edna K. Hoyt. †$1.25. Scribner.
8–25122.
“A picture of some aspects of peasant life in France to-day ... the hate of the laborer for the man of family and for the man of wealth, the unreasonable demands which socialistic agitators have taught him to make.... The chief character, an honest upright pagan, after a varied experience of injustice and disloyalty at the hands of his fellows, of ingratitude from his child, is, when he has almost fallen into despair, drawn to religion, where he finds peace.” (Cath. World.)
“In his own restrained, forcible manner, with a realism that convinces but never descends to the repulsive, he allows us to see with our own eyes, the narrow, hopeless, sordid view of life which unbelief and materialism has forced upon the humbler rural class in France. The translation is correct and idiomatic.”
+
Cath. World. 88: 258. N. ’08. 360w.
“Of the literary art of the novel it is necessary to speak highly.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 539. O. 3, ’08. 820w.
“A powerful novel of life in the country in France to-day, full of picturesque incidents, vivid characters, and descriptions of the country.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 616. O. 24, ’08. 20w.
* Bazin, René. Italians of to-day; tr. from the French by William Marchant. **$1.25. Holt.
Keen observation and unprejudiced reflection characterize this presentation of the Italian of to-day. A chapter on The northern provinces—provincial life shows cause for the great poverty of the Italian peasant, discusses his national characteristics of hospitality, affection for home, his educational opportunities, and literature. Other chapters are: Roman houses, and the Roman Campagna: Southern Italy and A corner of Sicily—Aetna in eruption.
Bazin, René. The nun (L’isolée). $1. Scribner.
8–15729.
The story of five nuns living in a convent in Lyons. When the order comes to disband their religious community, they abandon their work among the children of the town and cast themselves upon the world. Pascale, the youngest, prettiest and least experienced of them is betrayed and is cast low in sin and suffering.
“The picture of convent life is vivid, and the characterization is good, but the book is weakened by some exaggeration.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 218. Je. ’08.
“The book is excellent, but marred by exaggeration.”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 1: 318. Mr. 14. 100w.
“We forget we are reading, and we actually see the drama pass us.”
+
Cath. World. 87: 679. Ag. ’08. 730w.
“The book is typically French in its clear construction and dramatic curtness. The indicative mood prevails—things are explained, demonstrated, or reasoned out rather than acted; and the characterization is clever, but compressed for each individual into a page or so of initial biography. It is probable that the large success of ‘The nun’ abroad is due to a sympathy for the plight of the church, impossible for many American readers to share.”
+
Nation. 86: 402. Ap. 30, ’08. 170w.
“The picture of convent life is one well worth reading. Realism of this kind can only do good.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 227. Ap. 18, ’08. 600w.
“Has been excellently translated.”
+
R. of Rs. 37: 766. Je. ’08. 100w.
“No one but a Frenchman could have written this ... remarkable book. It is a pitiful and poignant story, rich in real drama and arresting by its fidelity to the truths of life.”
+ +
Sat. R. 105: 241. F. 22, ’08. 300w.
Bazin, René. Redemption. (De toute son âme); tr. by A. S. Rappoport. †$1.25. Scribner.
8–30021.
Out of a background of shop women and fishermen, thick with the atmosphere of unleavened toil there gradually emerges a saint-like woman whose mission is to love much, to minister to the sin-burdened, to console the misery-stricken, and to sacrifice self-gratification for the sake of fellow mortals. The development of this character is the serious business of the author thruout the story.
“The story is sweet, wholesome and worth while.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 267. N. ’08. ✠
“The book, so full of honesty and kindliness, lacks conviction to the Anglo-Saxon.” G: Middleton.
+ −
Bookm. 28: 48. S. ’08. 750w.
“Even in English, after much of its exquisite aroma has, notwithstanding the high quality of the translator’s work, been, necessarily, lost, it is a fascinating story. Simple in construction, commonplace in incident, it is a superb delineation of the glory of consecration and sacrifice exemplified in the life of a young girl of the people.”
+
Cath. World. 87: 838. S. ’08. 1100w.
+
Nation. 87: 187. Ag. 27, ’08. 330w.
“His logical French mind avoids the pitfalls of the too literal realist, and co-ordinates the various facts and appearances that come within his chosen field, presenting as a result a coherent and expressive picture. The translation is clear but not distinguished.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 399. Jl. 18, ’08. 1350w.
“The translation of this book, though marred by one or two blemishes, is sufficiently flowing for the reader’s enjoyment of the story. Remarkable novel.”
+ −
Spec. 101: 302. Ag. 29, ’08. 160w.
Beach, Rex Ellingwood. Barrier: a novel. †$1.50. Harper.
8–10616.
A miners’ trading post in the Alaskan gold region is the scene of this story which is not so full of brutality as “The spoilers.” Yet it has its hard side, with rough, unscrupulous men in the background, against which is enacted a drama of love and its hardships. The hero is a Kentuckian, a young lieutenant, stationed at the post with some soldiers; the heroine is a beautiful girl supposed to have Indian blood in her veins which forms the barrier to marriage. The discovery of who she really is sets matters straight in spite of the fact that her foster father and her own father had been enemies for life.
“The main narrative is not obscured by a complexity of minor characters as was ‘The spoilers,’ by the same author, nor does it present quite so brutal an aspect of life.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 154. My. ’08. ✠
“This is a virile story. Mr. Beach is here to confute the critic, with a book innocent of 26construction, scornful of grammatical propriety, callow and jejune in sentiment, but none the less successful in its kind, because it is ‘elemental.’” Burton Bancroft.
+ + −
Bookm. 27: 282. My. ’08. 500w.
“It is all good thrilling conventional melodrama, written by a man with an eye for actuality and a sense of dramatic fitness.” W: M. Payne.
+
Dial. 44: 350. Je. 1, ’08. 150w.
“All the descriptions are given with a very evident knowledge of the details, and information about the laws and customs of the land is imparted in an interesting way.”
+
Ind. 64: 866. Ap. 16, ’08. 270w.
“Readers will begin the book in confident expectation of getting another installment of glorified frontier history, and most of them, it is to be feared, will lay it down with that natural, though slightly unfair, expectation disappointed.”
− +
N. Y. Times. 13: 182. Ap. 4, ’08. 550w.
“Mr. Beach did much better in his first novel of Alaska.”
−
Outlook. 89: 312. Je. 6, ’08. 200w.
−
R. of Rs. 37: 760. Je. ’08. 100w.
Beard, Daniel Carter. Dan Beard’s animal book and camp-fire stories. il. **$1.60. Moffat.
8–3274.
“This is not a natural history, neither is it a so-styled nature book. It is simply a book of animals and is made up from the author’s personal notes and sketches made in the fields and forests for his own amusement and not with a view to publication; here and there scattered through the volume will be found a few short camp-fire stories and legends, some of which have already appeared in print.... These are not intended to be taken as either strictly or scientifically true, but the notes and sketches are as accurate as the author could make them.”
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 55. F. ’08.
“A spirit of kindness and gentleness pervades the book and cannot fail to exert a helpful influence on the minds of those who read it.”
+ +
Arena. 39: 502. Ap. ’08. 700w.
“A curious hodge-podge—a mass of undigested information about all sorts of creatures ... the whole presented in a style a good deal of which would be none the worse for a little editing. The entire spirit of his book makes it a capital one to put into the hands of any boy.” G: Gladden.
− +
Bookm. 27: 607. Ag. ’08. 860w.
“This new volume will also undoubtedly hit the mark. The numerous sketches by the author, some in color, are the most original and valuable feature of the book.”
+ −
Ind. 64: 317. F. 6, ’08. 120w.
N. Y. Times. 12: 670. O. 19, ’07. 10w.
Bearne, Mrs. Catharine Mary. Sister of Marie Antoinette: the life-story of Maria Carolina, queen of Naples. *$3. Dutton.
8–11809.
In the main a sketch of Maria Carolina. It also furnishes side lights on the history of the times. “The heroine herself is, in any presentation, a striking type of woman in politics. Her hatred and dread of Napoleon, the trouble she managed to give him, and her embarrassment when she became his grandmother-in-law, form a dramatic theme which hardly needs the enlivenment furnished by her entanglement in the affairs of Nelson and Lady Hamilton. In her realm, as in that of Prince Otto, politics and love affairs were hardly distinguishable in method, in content, or in importance.” (Nation.)
“An interesting and not uninstructive piece of historical biography, which may easily be supplemented or corrected by those who wish to pursue the subject further. The index is ludicrously inadequate.”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 1: 94. Ja. 25. 1250w.
“A story full of intrinsic interest is told in a style of vivacious dulness, with a syntax of its own.”
+ −
Nation. 86: 553. Je. 18, ’08. 150w.
“A good book of its class.”
+
Sat. R. 104: 550. N. 2, ’07. 200w.
“Valuable in more than one way.”
+
Spec. 99: sup. 909. D. 7, ’07. 240w.
Beer, George Louis. British colonial policy, 1754–1765. **$2. Macmillan.
7–30451.
Descriptive note and excerpts in Dec. 1907.
“A thorough, concise, scholarly piece of work; for the larger libraries or special collections of history.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 99. Ap. ’08.
“The book is very carefully written, but the style is not so entertaining as one might desire.” E. R. Johnson.
+ −
Ann. Am. Acad. 31: 514. Mr. ’08. 550w.
“His book is not without defects, chiefly due to the fact that, in his reaction against the school of Bancroft, he does rather more than justice to the mother country and rather less to the colonies.” W. L. Grant.
+ + −
Eng. Hist. R. 23: 371. Ap. ’08. 1050w.
“No one before him has ever attempted to examine in detail or systematically the evidence which the British archives furnish. Mr. Beer has had the courage and patience to undertake a systematic search of the British departmental records, volume by volume, page by page, in the effort to discover exactly what ‘colonial policy’ meant to those in whose hands lay its enforcement.”
+ +
Nation. 86: 333. Ap. 9, ’08. 1300w.
“Here and there are theses which challenge discussion, and details which may be questioned. The essential thing is that Mr. Beer has given us a well-reasoned, and in the main convincing, study of eighteenth-century imperial problems. The book shows throughout unusual mastery of printed and manuscript sources.” E. B. Greene.
+ + −
Pol. Sci. Q. 23: 326. Je. ’08. 750w.
Reviewed by Montgomery Schuyler.
+
Putnam’s. 4: 489. Jl. ’08. 650w.
Beers, Clifford W. A mind that found itself: an autobiography. **$1.50. Longmans.
8–7899.
A record of the author’s own experience in a private sanitarium and in an insane hospital. “The purposes of Mr. Beers’s book as he sets them forth are three in number: to rob insanity of its terrors; to correct existing abuses and to elevate the standard of treatment; and to induce the benevolent rich to aid state and nation in supplying funds for the erection and maintenance of model institutions for the care of the mentally diseased.” (Nation.)
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 254. N. ’08.
“The book naturally carries with it ... much of the intensity of an irritable temperament; yet with ample allowance for this trait, the account rings true, and should do much to enlighten the public in regard to what is needed in the way of practical reforms for the work of ministering wisely to minds diseased.”
+ −
Dial. 44: 278. My. 1, ’08. 400w.
“A striking psychological monograph.”
+
Ind. 65: 663. S. 17, ’08. 450w.
“Here are furnished the most invaluable data for a new order of social reform.”
+
Lit. D. 36: 489. Ap. 4, ’08. 550w.
“Mr. Beers has written a readable book. If he has failed to subordinate the personal element to his ‘cause,’ he can be pardoned because of his desire to stir up popular indignation for current asylum abuses as he views them.”
+
Nation. 86: 265. Mr. 19, ’08. 700w.
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 335. Je. 13, ’08. 200w.
27“A most fascinatingly written human document.” Adolph Meyer.
+ +
No. Am. 187: 611. Ap. ’08. 1400w.
“The volume is, both dramatically and psychologically, one of great interest.”
+
Outlook. 88: 654. Mr. 21, ’08. 650w.
“It aims to be constructive, and therein lies its superiority over many other criticisms or defenses of existing conditions. To do this and yet to retain the reading quality of a story is a feat denoting a decided literary talent.” A. M.
+
Psychol. Bull. 5: 283. Ag. 15, ’08. 370w.
+
R. of Rs. 37: 383. Mr. ’08. 200w.
Spec. 100: 506. Mr. 28, ’08. 250w.
Begbie, Harold. Tables of stone. †$1.50. Doubleday.
“Mr. Begbie’s hero is a young man from the country whose remarkable simplicity engages the amused attention of fashionable people in London, with the result that he is launched by means of a tutorship on a successful career as a social philosopher. Having by somewhat unsportsmanlike means obtained the hand of a girl immeasurably his superior ... he proceeds to break her heart by his colossal priggishness and egoism.” (Sat. R.) “Finding the task of spending a lifetime with the Wrong Man too hard for her, she deliberately betrays him, and on being discovered, kills herself and her child.”—Bookm.
“The story is thoughtful and interesting, but obscure in purpose.”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 1: 505. Ap. 25. 160w.
“A somewhat ponderous, conscientious piece of fiction. Altogether a cheerless and unprofitable sort of book.” F: T. Cooper.
−
Bookm. 28: 264. N. ’08. 360w.
“As a piece of literary work the ‘Tables of stone’ is extremely creditable to its author, but it is not a pleasant story, and, so far as is evident, there is no important lesson taught by it.”
− +
N. Y. Times. 13: 541. O. 3, ’08. 200w.
“Mr. Begbie has grasped neither the tone of the political society which he endeavours to portray, nor the character of the supra-mundane problems which he handles so glibly.”
−
Sat. R. 105: 730. Je. 6, ’08. 260w.
Begbie, Harold. The vigil. †$1.50. Dodd.
8–9173.
A story in which a young clergyman, secure in the strongholds of intellect and tradition and bound to celibacy by an oft-renewed vow, learns thru the suffering of humanity that his religion is Christless. A woman, the embodiment of love in its purest sense, keeps vigil over the soul of the man knowing that in time the dawn will come. A number of theological doctrines are advanced, prominent among them the belief that a human being cannot sense the reality of Christ until he realizes the enormity of hell.
“Mr. Begbie believes that the world is a wicked one and that few men live as they should in the fear of the Lord. He is very much in earnest and he makes his appeal with eloquence but not as it seems to us with great success.”
− +
Acad. 72: 516. My. 25, ’07. 400w.
“There is a good deal of sound theology as well as genuine human nature in ‘The vigil.’” F: T. Cooper.
+
Bookm. 27: 397. Je. ’08. 500w.
“A combination of the shrewd observation and humor of Dickens and George Eliot is noticeable in many places, and makes the book worth while, despite its heavy load of theological verbiage.” W: M. Payne.
+ −
Dial. 45: 89. Ag. 16, ’08. 200w.
“The trouble with the whole affair is that the man is a weakling. Also the woman is a prig, with a horrid habit of being right. Several of the minor figures, on the other hand, possess a good deal of vitality, especially certain rustics, male and female, worthy to keep alive the memory of Tabitha Bramble and Mrs. Poyser.”
+ −
Nation. 86: 427. My. 7, ’08. 500w.
“Mr. Begbie has given us a very good piece of religious fiction, which should be interesting to persons of all creeds.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 304. My. 30, ’08. 350w.
“It is a strong story, and, for the general reader, is dexterously managed.”
+
Outlook. 89: 313. Je. 6, ’08. 250w.
“The book is a rare one in its quiet atmosphere, in its serene gaze into eternity.”
+
Outlook. 90: 749. N. 28, ’08. 640w.
“Mr. Begbie is ambitious, but does not convince us of his ability to teach a philosophy of life through the medium of fiction. It is all very painstaking and unconvincing.”
−
Sat. R. 104: 274. Ag. 31, ’07. 200w.
Bell, Lady Florence (Mrs. Hugh Bell). At the works: a study of a manufacturing town. 3d impression. $2. Longmans.
8–3942.
“The author has ‘put a piece of prosperity under the microscope,’ giving a detailed account of conditions obtaining in a community of ironworkers situated in the north of Yorkshire. The material for the several descriptive chapters—dealing with The genesis of the town, The process of ironmaking, The expenditures of workmen, Illness and accidents, Old age, Recreation, Drink, Betting, Gambling—has been gathered during a period of nearly thirty years’ intercourse with the population, during which period ‘more than a thousand working-men’s homes have been visited, many of them on terms of friendly and continuous intercourse.’”—J. Pol. Econ.
“Possibly not so valuable a book as Rountree’s ‘Poverty’ but new, sane, authentic.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 75. Mr. ’08.
“She has done the patient, impartial investigation, the ordered collection of results. She has at least stated the problem which needs solution.”
+ +
Ath. 1907, 1: 660. Je. 1. 930w.
“The study is of permanent value for those interested to know the everyday life of a typical wage-earning community.”
+
J. Pol. Econ. 15: 501. O. ’07. 130w.
“We note some omissions. The two subjects on which Lady Bell throws most light are reading, and wives and daughters.”
+ + −
Lond. Times. 6: 109. Ap. 5, ’07. 800w.
“This book is emphatically worth reading; it is clear, restrained, straightforward and sympathetic; no social reformer should be without it, and still less any economist who wishes to see book terms translated into facts of life.” H: W. Macrostv.
+ +
Pol. Sci. Q. 22: 526. S. ’07. 940w.
“It is essentially a social and domestic study of the working classes, very sensible and sympathetic and founded on real knowledge.”
+
Sat. R. 103: 722. Je. 8, ’07. 280w.
“The student of social problems cannot possibly afford to miss it, while the romance of industry has never been more vividly painted than in her pages.”
+ +
Spec. 98: 534. Ap. 6, ’07. 1800w.
Bell, John Joy. Thou fool! †$1.50. Baker.
8–23530.
“Tells how a selfish, hard-headed young Scotchman, bent upon getting on in the world, starts life as a grocer’s assistant, and walks a straight path to opulence and a baronetcy, only to discover despairingly that his commercial triumphs are powerless to win him the woman whom he loves, and that he has missed all the real good in life.”—Ath.
“It makes entertaining enough reading, for it is agreeably written, keeps up its interest well, and shows a good deal of pleasant, if somewhat superficial observation.”
+
Ath. 1907, 2: 762. D. 14. 270w.
28“A strong story, admirably told.” F: T. Cooper.
+
Bookm. 28: 144. O. ’08. 550w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 484. S. 5, ’08. 140w.
“Mr. Bell has greater facility in the creation of character than in the construction and development of plot. But he has written a good story and one that is very characteristic of the time.”
+ −
N. Y. Times. 13: 502. S. 12, ’08. 450w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 616. O. 24, ’08. 40w.
Benedict, Francis Gano. Influence of inanition on metabolism. (Carnegie institution of Washington. Publication no. 77.) $2.75. Carnegie inst.
8–995.
“The book deals with fourteen fasts in which ten different persons voluntarily went without food from two to seven days, but mostly only for periods of two to four days.” (Nation.) “It consists mainly of the protocols of the experiments, their ultimate valuation, and the general results to be drawn from them being left for the future.” (Nature.)
“The observations are given in great detail and with a fulness which has never been attained in similar investigations.”
+ +
Nation. 36: 243. Mr. 12, ’08. 300w.
“It is a monument of prolonged and patient industry and self-sacrifice, as well as of admirably planned experiments on a large scale under careful and coordinated guidance. The book is to be commended to all interested in physiological work, and especially to those engaged in a study of nutrition.” W. D. H.
+ + +
Nature. 77: 610. Ap. 30, ’08. 650w.
Benedict, Leonard. Waifs of the slums and their way out. **$1. Revell.
7–28507.
From this account of Mr. J. F. Atkinson’s work among the waifs in his Chicago Boys’ club one may catch the spirit of missionary work as distinguished from social settlement work. Sin and not poverty is at the bottom of the trouble as the missionary views it. The book contains statistical matter about the condition of the Chicago slums, the work and the present outlook.
“A well written book of information.”
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Ind. 64: 52. Ja. 2, ’08. 90w.
“The trouble with Mr. Benedict is the lack of that charity which is almost always lacking in propagandists—even when their propaganda is charity.”
+ −
N. Y. Times. 12: 687. O. 26, ’07. 800w.
Benham, W. Hamilton. Trade and trade centers of history. Printed for H. C. Swords at the DeVinne press.
7–19753.
A monograph which “gives a bird’s-eye view of the rise and fall of nations as a result of the fortunes of their commerce, rather than of the vigor or the weakness of their dynasties.” (N. Y. Times.)
+
N. Y. Times. 12: 490. Ag. 10, ’07. 550w.
“Its only justification is the excuse which it gives for including some of the remarkable prints of prominent merchants and financiers in the collection of Mr. Swords. As a contribution to, or exposition of, the subject of trade centers it is of no significance.”
− +
Pol. Sci. Q. 23: 189. Mr. ’08. 70w.
Benjamin of Tudela. Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela; critical text, tr. and commentary, by Marcus Nathan Adler. *$2. Oxford.
“The ‘Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela’ will always hold a high place among the records of medieval travellers, and is of much interest not only to the student of the history of the Jews in the middle ages, but also to the student of the Crusades.... Mr. Adler was ‘fortunate enough to be able to trace and examine three complete mss. of Benjamin’s Travels, as well as large fragments belonging to two other mss.’ The result of his study of these documents is the present critical text, the basis for which he has used the manuscript belonging to the British museum, the variants being noted in all cases. Mr. Adler has added indexes to both the Hebrew text and to the translation, the references being in all cases to the pages of Asher’s edition.”—Am. Hist. R.
“Ought to prove valuable both to those who use Asher’s edition and to those unable to have access to it.”
+ +
Am. Hist. R. 13: 634. Ap. ’08. 450w.
“Although it cannot be affirmed that the last word on everything has now been said, the merit of a distinct advance in the critical study of the ‘Itinerary’ must be cheerfully accorded to the new edition.”
+ +
Ath. 1908, 1: 159. F. 8. 900w.
“In one or two instances Mr. Adler’s notes require correction.” G. Le S.
+ −
Eng. Hist. R. 23: 193. Ja. ’08. 450w.
“Mr. Adler gives in a small compass excellent material for the criticism of Benjamin’s text and of his historical statements.”
+
Nation. 86: 171. F. 20, ’08. 250w.
Bennet, Robert Ames. Into the primitive. il. †$1.50. McClurg.
8–12557.
A story of three persons, an English gentleman, an American heiress, and an uncouth engineer, who were shipwrecked on a barren coast in the tropics. With a rather lurid setting the writer has allowed these three diverse characters to work out their natural development. The story shows the effect upon human character of a journey back to nature. All that is real in each individual comes out. The essential manliness of the engineer triumphs over his lack of social training; the Englishman proves himself a cad; while the woman retains her sweet womanliness to the end.
“The quality of the book is not good enough to hold its own against the handicap of a much overworked situation.” F: T. Cooper.
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Bookm. 28: 68. S. ’08. 400w.
Ind. 64: 973. Ap. 30, ’08. 150w.
“That the story is not hopelessly damaged by the coarse characterization is tribute to the immortal freshness of the primitive.”
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Nation. 87: 97. Jl. 30, ’08. 200w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 212. Ap. 11, ’08. 50w.
“The author’s aim seems to be to prove that culture is a kind of tommyrot that serves only to ruin a man or woman’s efficiency. But there is a vital energy about his people and the story as a whole that makes it unusual, even worth while.”