W
Reading edition
Waddell, John A. L. Specifications and contracts. *$1. Eng. news.
8–983.
Four chapters presenting a “very sound discussion of a number of typical contracts, embodying comments on many points of trouble or difficulty, comments drawn from long experience in engineering work.” (Engin. N.)
“These lectures attracted wide attention at the time of their delivery, as condensing into small space the essentials of the subjects treated, and in a form particularly adapted to the instruction of students. The element of illustration and example embodied in this book will 371recommend it to professors in technical schools, giving as it does the results of the extended experience of two writers eminent respectively in the engineering and legal professions.”
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Engin. D. 3: 70. Ja. ’08. 400w.
“The scanty literature of engineering contracts is measurably enriched by Waddell & Wait’s new work. A separation into specifications and contracts is attempted by Mr. Waddell, with not very good success.”
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Engin. N. 59: 84. Ja. 16, ’08. 1530w.
Waddington, Mary A. King. Château and country life in France. **$2.50. Scribner.
8–28628.
An intimate account of life in the French châteaux written by one “who knows her subject thoroughly well, for a good portion of her life has been spent in rural France amid the scenes and among the people she writes about so charmingly.” (N. Y. Times.)
“As a whole the book has less interest and charm than her ‘Italian letters.’”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 299. D. ’08.
“We fear that as little pains have been taken with the writing as with the revision. It contains many agreeable pages which make the reader regret that an author who has lived among interesting scenes, and possesses a real power of description, should not have taken pains to produce a book worthy of her material and her ability.”
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Ath. 1908, 2: 720. D. 5. 1250w.
“It is the human element in Mme. Waddington’s book, rather than her references to architecture and landscape, that makes it especially enjoyable.”
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Dial. 45: 413. D. 1. ’08. 260w.
“Thoroughly familiar with the scenes she describes, yet with a certain freshness of view, due to her American origin, Madame Waddington paints a picture of rural life in France with a charming directness and simplicity.”
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Nation. 87: 493. N. 19, ’08. 280w.
“We get some delightful and authoritative impressions from the book.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 638. O. 31, ’08. 430w.
“Madame Waddington’s former books have led the reader confidently to expect from her writing agreeable impressions, large social knowledge, and charm of manner. The present volume confirms that expectation.”
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Outlook. 90: 552. N. 7, ’08. 100w.
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R. of Rs. 38: 760. D. ’08. 150w.
Wagnalls, Mabel. Palace of danger. †$1.50. Funk.
8–27097.
A historical novel set in the reign of Louis XV whose ruling spirit is the fascinating Madame de Pompadour. Across the pages is a shadow of the Jesuit—Jansenist quarrel, simmered down to strife between church and parliament; but the story deals principally with Louis, his favorite, and the love of the Marquise’s protégée for a ruthless count.
“Though not anything like so strong and compelling as the historical romances of the elder Dumas, is superior to many of the popular historical novels of recent years.”
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Arena. 40: 482. N. ’08. 250w.
“The author seems nowhere to have been opprest by the weight of her historical knowledge. It rather comes to the reader as a direct and spontaneous creation.”
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Lit. D. 37: 679. N. 7, ’08. 160w.
“Plenty of rapid action and many interesting and truthful pictures of the time enliven the course of the story.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 655. N. 7, ’08. 230w.
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N. Y. Times. 13: 748. D. 5, ’08. 180w.
“It is a thoroughly human tale and so well constructed that the interest holds one to the end. Perhaps there are too many dramatic surprises, but they are all of the kind that might really have happened.”
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R. of Rs. 38: 634. N. ’08. 120w.
Wagnalls, Mabel. Stars of the opera; revised and enlarged edition. **$1.20. Funk.
7–31432.
A new edition revised and enlarged. Personal interviews and life studies of Sembrich, Eames, Calvé, Nordica, Lehmann, Farrar and Melba are followed by critical studies of the operas with which their names are especially associated.
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 230. Je. ’08.
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Arena. 38: 682. D. ’07. 140w.
“The book is notable as a trustworthy guide to those who are unfamiliar with the operatic stage, while as a source of entertaining reading to others who in these matters are sophisticated, it makes further distinct claims.”
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Lit. D. 36: 165. F. 1, ’08. 150w.
“These interviews are all in good taste and authentic, each having been proof-read by the singer who gave it.”
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Nation. 86: 315. Ap. 2, ’08. 350w.
N. Y. Times. 12: 726. N. 16, ’07. 100w.
Wagner, Richard. Rhine-gold: a dramatic poem; freely translated in poetic narrative form by Oliver Huckel. **75c. Crowell.
7–28637.
As in his “Tannhäuser” and “Parsifal.” Dr. Huckel opens the “Rhine-gold” with a criticism and description of the story. “Then comes the magnificent rendition of the great poem. It is a free translation. The author has striven to present as perfectly as possible in rhythmic form the ideas and mental pictures as well as the words of Wagner.” (Arena.)
“The present volume will be regarded as indispensable by lovers of the music-dramas of Richard Wagner.”
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Arena. 38: 681. D. ’07. 120w.
“The most valuable part of the book is, perhaps, its careful and interesting foreword.”
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Ind. 64: 49. Ja. 2, ’08. 100w.
Waineman, Paul. Summer tour in Finland. **$2.50. Pott.
8–34794.
A tour from Helsingfors to Tornea, at the north of the gulf of Bothnia, “where only a small river divides Finland from Sweden, and where one is in the luminous summer nights of the Arctic circle.” The author gives her impressions of the people tuned slightly to the personal note, because she herself is a Finn; gives word pictures of mountains, forests and lakes; takes the reader into peasants’ huts as well as princes’ abodes; and voices thru the whole a regret for the downfall of feudalism, “for no other reason than that it was more picturesque than democracy.”
“The writer has the ‘seeing eye,’ and a gift of describing, in poetic, and sometimes ultrasentimental, language, a variety of scenery. The book is a little too long, and the account of the railway journey southward in western Finland rather lacking in interest.”
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Ath. 1908, 2: 539. O. 31. 400w.
“A clever writer’s impression of a delightful country.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 563. O. 10, ’08. 160w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 623. O. 24, ’08. 30w.
“Quite half the small facts she sets down have no relevance to the matter in hand, and therefore do not illuminate it.”
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Spec. 101: 368. S. 12, ’08. 1650w.
* Waldstein, Charles, and Shoobridge, Leonard. Herculaneum, past, present, and future. *$5. Macmillan.
An informing work which “brings home to every ‘thoughtful and honest man who can look further and rise higher than his own immediate 372hearthstone’ the high importance of investigating the ruins of these ancient cities and bringing to light their treasures of art. Referring to the fact that the work is to be carried on by the Italian government with the assistance of an international commission, Dr. Waldstein points out that it is working together ‘on the very soil on which our common civilization rests to restore the living testimonies of culture which belong to us all.’”—R. of Rs.
“It is the most complete and most accessible account in English of the little that is actually known of Herculaneum in ancient, mediaeval and modern times. It is when we turn to the latter portion of the book,—the portion treating of Herculaneum’s future, that we find the author’s method of exposition not only unconventional, but even disconcerting in its flights of fancy that at times verge upon the grotesque.” F: T. Cooper.
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Forum. 40: 507. N. ’08. 1750w.
“Waldstein deals in grand projects. He likes to move before the footlights of the stage. It seems also wide of the mark to call the excavations of Olympia and Delphi in ‘the bow and arrow phase.’”
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Ind. 65: 1242. N. 26, ’08. 760w.
“An interesting volume—especially interesting, indeed, because of the scope indicated in its title.”
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Outlook. 90: 797. D. 5, ’08. 300w.
“The volume contains a series of valuable appendices.”
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R. of Rs. 38: 757. D. ’08. 400w.
“Part 2 can only be described as the sort of day-dream in which many people probably indulge, in church or on a solitary walk, but which they seldom print. Apart from these fantasies, the authors throw little new light on questions which they must have considered.”
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Sat. R. 106: 642. N. 21, ’08. 1100w.
Wales, Hubert. Old allegiance. $1.50. Kennerley.
8–17994.
The adventures of two Oxford graduates on an island sheltering and isolating a Jacobite society with whose leader it had become a hobby to foster the old allegiance. The descendant of the Stuarts was entertained here periodically. When James VI was expected and circumstance forbade his coming one of the Oxford men masqueraded as the Stuart ruler. The adventures of the masquerader including his clever foiling of a band of dynamiters are of the Anthony Hope order.
“The author is to be congratulated on having made a story of adventure which, though dealing with familiar topics ... has yet contrived to get itself invested with a dewy freshness.”
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Nation. 87: 213. S. 3, ’08. 140w.
“His tale is well constructed and well written, with a light touch, a sufficient realism and a lively fancy.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 427. Ag. 1, ’08. 160w.
“When we reviewed this novel in October, 1899, with a due appreciation of its undoubted merits, it was entitled, ‘Purple and fine linen: a tale of two centuries, by William Pigott.’”
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Spec. 101: 203. Ag. 8, ’08. 220w.
Walk, Charles Edmonds. Silver blade: the true chronicle of a double mystery. †$1.50. McClurg.
8–9527.
A Spaniard’s vendetta is responsible for the duplex problem of murder involved in this story. Among an excited group of more or less unrelated characters, all of whom are well-drawn types, moves a detective, unagitated, endowed with the impassiveness of an Indian. His methods are his own and worth studying.
“Mr. Walk has constructed a very complicated puzzle. There may be a bit of incredulity mixt with our marvel at Captain Converse, but his ingenuity keeps us entertained, and what more has one the right to ask from a story of this kind?”
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Ind. 64: 1037. My. 7, ’08. 200w.
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N. Y. Times. 13: 345. Je. 13, ’08. 100w.
Outlook. 89: 313. Je. 6, ’08. 50w.
Walker, Ernest. History of music in England. *$2.50. Oxford.
8–12789.
A history whose purpose is to sketch the main features of English music from its earliest artistic manifestation to the close of the nineteenth century. “The book has been designed from the standpoint of a musician rather than from that of an antiquarian; and even then more for the general music-lover than for the technically erudite.” More stress is laid upon the art itself than upon biographical minutiæ.
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Ath. 1908, 1: 202. F. 15. 170w.
“The best and most useful results of research are embodied; and, what is more, opportunity is afforded the reader, by means of copious musical illustrations printed in the text, to form his own conclusions. We know of no chapter on Handel so luminous and unbiased as Dr. Walker’s.”
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Nation. 86: 157. F. 13, ’08. 730w.
“Dr. Walker has made an original and important contribution to musical history in this volume.” R: Aldrich.
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N. Y. Times. 13: 289. My. 23, ’08. 1000w.
“As a whole, the book deserves nothing but praise, and it is the only condensed history of English music which is at once competent, complete, and unprejudiced.” Arthur Symons.
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Sat. R. 105: 44. Ja. 11, ’08. 1900w.
“Not merely a masterly piece of condensation, based on intimate first-hand knowledge of the available material, but from beginning to end it is written with a conviction which commands respect, and with an incisive energy and felicity of phrase which render its perusal a most stimulating literary experience.”
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Spec. 100: 338. F. 29, ’08. 750w.
* Walker, Margaret Coulson. Bird legend and life. **$1.25. Baker.
Contains “descriptive matter of the kind usually found in such popular nature books. A few pages of desultory bird lore are as far as the author has gone in her endeavor ‘to get together the most important avian legends and superstitions, and also to discover in them evidences of apparent truth.’”—Ind.
“Contains some good photographs of wild birds.” W. J. Bowdoin.
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Ind. 65: 1467. D. 17, ’08. 60w.
“Is illustrated in a very satisfactory way. The quotations are apt and succinct, and there is much information in the text.”
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R. of Rs. 38: 676. D. ’08. 30w.
Walkley, Arthur Bingham. Drama and life. *$1.75. Brentano’s.
W 8–65.
The collected studies and appreciations of the dramatic critic of the London Times. The volume “consists of revised dramatic reviews and essays taken from the London Times and two longer and more deliberate papers, the one on modern English and French drama and the other on selected French and English plays, which were printed originally in the Edinburgh Review.” (Nation.)
“There is a lightness of touch about his pen that makes his notices of the dullest plays entertaining reading.”
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Ath. 1908, 1: 140. F. 1. 800w.
“There is much entertaining and a considerable proportion of solid and instructive matter in this volume. With all his brilliancy Mr. Walkley is not always consistent.”
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Nation. 86: 496. My. 28, ’08. 900w.
373“Mr. Walkley’s humor, which we make bold to call his most delightful attribute, shines on many pages and is the book’s saving grace.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 293. My. 23, ’08. 770w.
“He is not only the shrewdest English-speaking critic of the stage to-day, but so agreeable a writer that he can be read with pleasure by people who have little interest in his subject. His ‘Drama and Life’ is like some of the plays he enjoys, but condemns. It has in places broken the mould of current dramatic criticism. It is the better reading on that account, and may be commended even to those wise persons to whom the present English stage is a subject of little interest.” F. M. Colby.
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No. Am. 187: 777. My. ’08. 1800w.
Wall, Mary Virginia. Daughter of Virginia Dare. $1.50. Neale.
8–16952.
A story based upon the supposition that Pocahontas was the daughter of Virginia Dare.
“A story that will have considerable mild interest for those who have taken stock in the theory that Pocahontas was a Dare—and no interest at all to those who turn up their noses at that theory.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 440. Ag. 8, ’08. 160w.
Wallace, Edgar. Angel Esquire. †$1.50. Holt.
8–20673.
An eccentric man bequeaths his millions to the one of four people—a defenseless girl and three daring criminals—who shall first decipher a cryptic verse containing the combination of the safe where his gold reposes. By twos and threes they try to outwit the girl, and finally one of the three, the most unorthodox of detectives, becomes the girl’s champion and defends her not only against the other two possible heirs but also against an evil attorney who takes a hand in the game.
“A detective story with some novel turns, which can be safely recommended to connoisseurs.”
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Ind. 65: 1183. N. 19, ’08. 20w.
“It is not a detective story, but that much rarer thing, a dime novel as well written as detective stories have been since Poe and Conan Doyle showed us how.”
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Nation. 87: 466. N. 12, ’08. 260w.
“Certainly there is no lack of entertainment for the brief time spent—or squandered—in the perusal of this thoroughly modern story.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 514. S. 19, ’08. 270w.
“Mr. Wallace’s story will certainly make the lover of tales of crime ‘sit up,’ and will also entertain him with its comedy-side—rare in this class of fiction.”
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Outlook. 90: 274. O. 3, ’08. 80w.
Walling, William English. Russia’s message: the true world import of the revolution. **$3. Doubleday.
8–18337.
Setting out to show what Russia can offer us rather than to suggest what the world can do for Russia, the author, whose sympathies are with the revolutionists goes beyond the outrageous atrocities and presents the world import of the revolution. “This volume is first of all an indictment of the Russian government. It is not too severe; but that is only because it is not possible to draw a too severe indictment. The Russian bureaucracy is the worst government now on the face of the globe, unless that of the Congo surpasses it in atrocity.” (Outlook.)
“It is indispensable for all who care to study this great upheaval of modern times.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 243. O. ’08.
“The Russian revolution is a phenomenon so vast that no single mind or book can possibly compass it, but ‘Russia’s message’ is the best exposition of it that has yet appeared in our language.”
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Ind. 65: 610. S. 10, ’08. 660w.
“We must credit the author with giving us a great deal of learned socialistic disquisition, yet the work is dry.”
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Lit. D. 37: 470. O. 3, ’08. 500w.
“Mr. Walling, though he violates the law of historiography as it is handed down to us from Germany, has given us by far the most noteworthy study of the late Russian upheaval that has appeared in this country, and one of the very few first-rate books on the subject that have been written anywhere.”
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Nation. 87: 120. Ag. 8, ’08. 1150w.
“Mr. Walling’s work covers the whole ground of the Russian revolution in a very interesting and instructive way, and though his book is not likely to convey the same message as his title seems to imply, it will be indispensable for all who care to study this great upheaval of modern times.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 409. Jl. 25. ’08. 870w.
“The book is a complete study of the whole situation.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 622. O. 24, ’08. 40w.
“His passionate devotion to what he regards as the rights of man gives interest to his book, but also contributes its chief defect. It has impelled him to make a volume much larger than it need to have been. It is the work of an avowed partisan.”
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Outlook. 89: 764. Ag. 1, ’08. 1250w.
“The struggle now going on in the czar’s empire has a vital significance for the future of human society, and Mr. Walling’s clear-cut style drives home this truth with great force.”
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R. of Rs. 38: 254. Ag. ’08. 260w.
Walpole, Sir Spencer. Essays, political and biographical; ed. by Francis Holland. *$3. Dutton.
8–32327.
A volume of biographical and political essays, very many of which appeared originally in the Edinburgh review. Among them are essays on George Savile, first Lord Halifax, George Crabbe, Godolphin, The dining societies of London, and Croker papers.
“Though hardly profound, they are always agreeable.”
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Ath. 1908, 2: 208. Ag. 22. 360w.
“All the papers are interesting and readable—excellent specimens of the author’s genial style.”
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Dial. 45: 255. O. 16, ’08. 250w.
“We heartily commend this posthumous volume. We regret that the titles of the books which called forth Sir Spencer’s reviews, and the names of the periodicals in which they first appeared (with dates) have not been given. The essays themselves abound in interest.”
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Nation. 87: 214. S. 3, ’08. 480w.
“One of the most enjoyable of the essays is a critical appreciation of George Crabbe, the East Anglian poet.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 458. Ag. 22, ’08. 80w.
“Will add nothing to the historian’s reputation.”
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Sat. R. 106: 83. Jl. 18, ’08. 220w.
“We have found a chapter of reminiscences by his daughter one of the most interesting parts of the book.”
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Spec. 101: 166. Ag. 1, ’08. 1300w.
Walsh, James Joseph. Popes and science: the history of the papal relations to science during the middle ages and down to our own time. *$2. Fordham univ. press.
8–15255.
The “brief of an advocate” which shows that popes are liberal patrons of science, and that they have encouraged medical research. “He collects many instances to show physicians in good standing in the Church did use dissection and make considerable progress in anatomy and medicine, and argues that the treatment of the sick and insane was not so 374heartless and irrational as we have been accustomed to believe. Finally, he brings forward Crookes, Wallace, Richet Lodge, Lombroso and the psychical researchers to prove that the tendency of science is away from materialism and toward the recognition of the spiritualistic interpretations that it used to sneer at.” (Ind.)
“He is occasionally tempted to push the claims of his clients beyond bounds.”
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Cath. World. 87: 830. S. ’08. 920w.
“His books are not more partisan than White’s ‘Warfare of science with theology,’ against which they are chiefly directed, and they should be read in connection with it by those who want to get both sides.”
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Ind. 65: 613. S. 10, ’08. 200w.
“The book is well worth reading for its extensive learning and the vigor of its style.”
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Lit. D. 37: 604. O. 24, ’08. 200w.
“The writer’s unbroken silence on the workings of inquisitors and the censorship is fatal to his arguments. He has vindicated some churchmen, but not the Church.”
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Nation. 87: 319. O. 1, ’08. 700w.
“He is no mean antagonist in debate, and in this case he comes armed with a wealth of information beyond the ordinary layman’s reach.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 460. Ag. 22, ’08. 580w.
Walsh, James Joseph. Thirteenth greatest of centuries. *$2.50. Catholic summer school press, 110 W. 74th st., N. Y.
7–26016.
“All the great issues, forces, and institutions of the thirteenth century are reviewed at generous length—the rise and character, the curricula and the influences of the early universities; the steps taken towards popular education, both literary and technical; the development of letters; the great books and the great writers of the period; the Latin hymns of the church, Thomas Aquinas, Dante, the Golden legend, the Romance of the rose, Joceylin of Brakeland, Matthew Paris, and Vincent of Beauvais; hospitals; famous women; Marco Polo and the story of geographical exploration; the systematization of law; and the beginnings of modern commerce.”—Cath. World.
“Dr. Walsh, who is both a student and a popular lecturer, comes forward in this volume, laden with the results of omnivorous reading, and lays his treasures, in almost boundless profusion, at the feet of his audience.”
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Cath. World. 86: 532. Ja. ’08. 700w.
“We respectfully commend to the open-minded his presentation of that great epoch.”
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Educ. R. 36: 207. S. ’08. 80w.
“Dr. Walsh’s book, maintaining that the thirteenth is the greatest century in human annals, is, of course, not scientific, but interesting it certainly is, and, because of its abundant information, it is valuable too.”
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Ind. 64: 639. Mr. 19, ’08. 400w.
“As an interesting and accurate account of medievalism, with its intensity, its enthusiasm, its devotion, as well as its narrowness and exclusiveness, this volume may be read with pleasure and profit.”
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Lit. D. 36: 419. Mr. 21, ’08. 120w.
“This dull, thoughtless and styleless volume contains a mass of interesting facts, most of which were doubtless novel to the lecturer’s audience; and if we cannot commend his manner of presenting them, which resembles, on an elephantine scale, that of our snippet press, we cannot doubt that in many of his hearers he has started the train of profitable thought.”
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Sat. R. 105: 175. F. 8, ’08. 1150w.
Walsh, William Shepard. International encyclopedia of prose and poetical quotations. $5. Winston.
8–18548.
“Differs from most books of its class in the kind of quotations included and in the treatment. It in fact combines with ordinary collections of ‘elegant extracts’ something of the book of phrase and fable and something of an author book.” (Nation.) “There are selections from many languages, but all under one alphabet, and all thoroughly indexed.” (Outlook.)
“Altogether a cursory inspection of the work gives the impression that it may be more than ordinarily useful. The indexes are full, the printing careful except for the occasional Greek passages which show a sovereign contempt for the rules of accent.”
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Nation. 87: 438. N. 5, ’08. 170w.
“So far as it goes [it] is an excellent book of reference. Its arrangement is such that it is a very easy matter to find what one is looking for if the matter is among the quotations included in the book. It is rather startling to discover that a considerable percentage of the American and English writers of note of our time are quite ignored in Mr. Walsh’s compilation.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 549. O. 3, ’08. 240w.
“The volume is a welcome addition to the literature of its class.”
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Outlook. 90: 594. N. 14, ’08. 70w.
Walton, George Lincoln. Why worry? *$1. Lippincott.
8–16562.
“The author discusses worry and obsession from the standpoint of the neurologist, devoting most of his attention to how absurd and dangerous is the mental attitude of those who can’t stop tapping with the fingers or can’t endure such tapping; who must have the head of their bed to the north or will not sit with the face to the wall; who go back three times to see if they locked the door or wash the hands after touching anything.”-Outlook.
“A practical, readable book.”
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A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 243. O. ’08.
Ind. 64: 1352. Je. 11, ’08. 140w.
“From this little volume ... it is quite possible for a reasonably ‘fussy’ person or hypochondriac to extract extremely beneficial prescriptions.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 380. Jl. 4, ’08. 360w.
Ward, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. Though life us do part. †$1.50. Houghton.
8–26679.
A story which teaches a lesson of inviolable love. Love-making and marriage under the most promising of circumstances are followed by disagreement and separation. The husband, a young physician, enlists in the Cuban war, and after a short period of service is reported dead. In reality he is not dead, and as a much scarred and wounded stranger, comes back to his town unrecognized even by his wife, leases from her his old office, and, thru service, wins her love. Important also in the negative-lesson sense is the vengeance of a collie upon a vivisector whose hand on the point of offering a sacrifice to science, was staid by searchers for the lost dog.
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Nation. 87: 415. O. 29, ’08. 400w.
“With the exception of her heroine, she introduces her people to the reader before she has made intimate acquaintance with them herself.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 556. O. 10, ’08. 400w.
“There is a happy working out of the skillful and original plot.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 616. O. 24, ’08. 50w.
“A story that will interest, if it does not reform, readers who enjoy Mrs. Ward’s cleverness.”
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Outlook. 90: 502. O. 31, ’08. 90w.
375Ward, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. Walled in. †$1.50. Harper.
7–33590.
Descriptive note and excerpts in Dec. 1907.
“This author still retains a sweetness of the mind in describing natural scenery or even garden scenery.” Mrs. L. H. Harris.
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Ind. 64: 183. Ja. 23, ’08. 230w.
“If she were a young writer we might be tempted to say of her recent work that it has shown increased promise. It seems to contain more sentiment and less sentimentality, less appeal to the sensibilities of the schoolgirl and the shoplady, than marked the ‘Confessions of a wife,’ and (in less degree) its successors.”
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Nation. 85: 590. D. 26, ’07. 600w.
“A love story that will not add to its author’s literary reputation or give its readers a shock of delight.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 61. F. 1, ’08. 350w.
Ward, John J. Some nature biographies: plant—insect—marine—mineral; with upwards of 200 illustrations reproduced from photographs and photo-micrographs taken by the author. *$1.50. Lane.
8–12203.
A series of nature studies, originally published in the Strand, Pall Mall, and other magazines which deal with the observations in the English woods and field. It “may be regarded as a kind of kinematograph in book form.” (Nature.) It presents the life history of certain butterflies and moths, the descriptive material being aided by some fine photographic work.
“Is one of the best of its class that can be put into the hands of any boy or girl who loves nature and seeks to be told more about her.”
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Ath. 1908, 1: 197. F. 15. 380w.
“Are of interest to American readers, not only because of the painstaking care with which the author has gathered his facts and his illustrations, and the pleasing manner in which he has narrated them, but also because of the fact that some of the chapters ... have no limitations of locality to circumscribe their interest.”
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Dial. 44: 216. Ap. 1, ’08. 200w.
“Interesting and well written, and give evidence both of a sound knowledge of the best authorities and considerable independent observation.”
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Nation. 86: 584. Je. 25, ’08. 130w.
“A better book of its class we have never seen.”
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Nature. 77: 147. D. 19, ’07. 330w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 353. Je. 20, ’08. 70w.
“He writes also in the same pleasant and informing manner on the development of buds, the decay and fall of leaves, the senses of insects, and the story of a piece of coal.”
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Spec. 99: sup. 907. D. 7, ’07. 270w.
Ward, Mary Augusta (Arnold) (Mrs. Thomas Humphry Ward). Testing of Diana Mallory. †$1.50. Harper.
8–26683.
In the world of her book Mrs. Ward has once more placed strong men and weak, and intimately inspects manners and motives, settings and atmosphere. Her heroine is adorable; her hero, weak of will and an unconscionable cad. Oliver Marsham confesses his love for Diana Mallory. He soon learns that she is the daughter of one Janet Sparling, gambler and murderer. He retreats, leaves the girl to suffer, pursues his way to parliament, mismanages his campaign, is hit by an enemy’s missile, and, when failure and death stare him in the face, turns to Diana, who ministers to him, marries him, and woes him back to life. Not overcome by the revelation of her mother’s crime, not resentful when Oliver deserts her, not shrinking when love and duty send her to Oliver’s bedside, Diana seems to have transcended the sense of distorted forms to the realities that constitute the life principle.
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 246. O. ’08.
“Marsham must be regarded as the weak point in the story. Neither his position as a rising politician nor his personal charm and brilliancy impress us as they are intended to do.”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 2: 397. O. 3, 460w.
“Is not a great novel; it is a moving tale.” H. W. Boynton.
+
Bookm. 28: 149. O. ’08. 1050w.
“It is all so extremely well informed, and so thoroughly well done, that it is difficult to understand why we should not be more deeply moved by it and why it should not make a more lasting impression.” W: M. Payne.
+ −
Dial. 45: 454. D. 16, ’08. 500w.
“There is not a thrilling scene in the book, nor a single character of extraordinary fascination; but it is written with a fineness of perception, a delicacy of expression, that redeems it from the commonplace.”
+
Ind. 65: 896. O. 15, ’08. 970w.
Ind. 65: 1182. N. 19, ’08. 100w.
“To its readers’ deepest and highest human feeling it appeals with the irresistible power of truth.”
+
Lit. D. 37: 604. O. 24, ’08. 300w.
“Our respect for Diana is put under an almost intolerable strain. Are such people quite worth presenting to us on so large a canvas?”
+ −
Nation. 87: 264. S. 17, ’08. 450w.
“Considered as a novel of society, ‘Diana Mallory’ is fascinating and authoritative; considered as the story of a young woman pathetically situated, it is moving and satisfying.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 505. S. 19, ’08. 770w.
“A romantic story in Mrs. Ward’s best style.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 616. O. 24, ’08. 70w.
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 748. D. 5, ’08. 220w.
Reviewed by C. L. Rudyard.
+
No. Am. 188: 779. N. ’08. 2400w.
+
Outlook. 90: 502. O. 31, ’08. 400w.
“Has an assured welcome in the library, and a space already waiting for it by the side of ‘Lady Rose’s daughter’ and ‘The marriage of William Ashe.’” Agnes Repplier.
+
Outlook. 90: 697 N. 28, 08. 480w.
“It is not a great novel, but Diana is almost a great figure.”
+
R. of Rs. 38: 634. N. ’08. 300w.
+ −
Sat. R. 106: 425. O. 3, ’08. 970w.
“Judged by the test of originality, the book stands on a much higher plane than any of its three predecessors, while the story, regarded merely as a story, is at least as engrossing, as well furnished with incident, and as strong in dramatic interest.”
+ +
Spec. 101: 506. O. 3, ’08. 1300w.
Ward, Robert De Courcy. Climate—considered especially in relation to man. (Science ser., no. 19.) **$2. Putnam.
8–12801.
With the needs of both teacher and student kept in mind the author co-ordinates and sets forth clearly and systematically the broader facts of climate. The work is intended to be supplementary to the first volume of Dr. Julius Hann’s “Handbuch der klimatologie,” translated into English in 1903.
“The book contains a good deal of interesting historical material as well as a very clear-cut and informing presentation of the facts of climate as they are now known.”
+
Educ. R. 36: 524. D. ’08. 80w.
“A fit supplement to Hann’s, presenting clearly and reducing to its simplest terms a subject over which first-hand knowledge and research and a cumulative experience in teaching have given him the mastery.”
+ +
N. Y. Times. 13: 302. My. 30, ’08. 1000w.
“An important volume.”
+
R. of Rs. 37: 758. Je. ’08. 70w.
376“Mr. Ward has succeeded in presenting a well-written volume, suitable for the classroom, being methodical in arrangement, and clear and direct in statement.” O. L. F.
+
Science, n.s. 28: 841. D. 11, ’08. 820w.
+
Spec. 101: 783. N. 14, ’08. 420w.
Ware, Richard Darwin. In the woods and on the shore. $2. Page.
8–17814.
A record of several seasons of hunting and fishing in Newfoundland and New Brunswick, along the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the eastern coast of Massachusetts. “The book has a human side, for there seems no better way to become acquainted with one’s fellows—not even the French method, of dividing an inheritance with them—than by camping out in the wilds with them for a season. On some of his longest expeditions, Mrs. Ware was a member of the hard-working company; so that this book, unlike most of its fellows, has a feminine touch added to its other desirable features.” (Dial.)
“The influence of the woods, coupled with the single-mindedness of the sportsman, has given a simplicity and directness to the style that is good to meet, and the pages may be aptly described as spacious.” Wallace Rice.
+
Dial. 44: 343. Je. 1, ’08. 230w.
“Written in a pleasant style by a hunter of experience.”
+
Nation. 87: 314. O. 1, ’08. 70w.
Warfield, Rev. Benjamin Breckinridge. Lord of glory: a study of the designations of our Lord in the New Testament with especial reference to his deity. *$1.50. Am. tract.
7–38253.
“An examination of the designations applied to Jesus in the synoptics, John, Acts, Paul, Hebrews, the Catholic epistles, and the Apocalypse satisfies Professor Warfield that all the New Testament writers, beginning with Mark, held His person to be supernatural and divine in the fullest sense. The result is ‘to throw into prominence the unitary presupposition by the entire New Testament of the deity of our Lord.’”—Bib. World.
“Throughout the book interpretation is strained, yet it is fair to add that the author’s purpose, to examine the designations of our Lord in the New Testament with especial reference to His deity, is useful, and that he has shown wide acquaintance with the writings of New Testament commentators.”
− +
Ath. 1908, 1: 666. My. 30. 500w.
“In some matters, one feels that Professor Warfield has been too easily convinced, e. g., in his treatment of ‘lord,’ and that his finding is too sweeping in consequence.”
+ −
Bib. World. 31: 160. F. ’08. 100w.
“The result is the most exhaustive monograph which has appeared in English on the subject.” I. F. Wood.
+ +
Bib. World. 32: 75. Jl. ’08. 1050w.
“To one already holding to it, it seems conclusive. To an inquiring mind, indisposed or unable to scrutinize the argument very closely, it may carry some conviction.”
+
Outlook. 88: 42. Ja, 4, ’08. 260w.
Waring, Eleanor Howard. White path. $1.50. Neale.
7–41587.
A story with a problem which deals with a man and a woman each of whom has lived thru the agonies of an unhappy marriage. Their friendship terminates in love, but their legal ties prevent marriage, so they are content to walk in a white path of idealism, eliminating entirely all material relations.
Lit. D. 36: 97. Ja. 18, ’08. 70w.
Warren, Maude Radford. Land of the living. †$1.50. Harper.
8–20711.
Chicago is the scene of this story of love and city politics. An Irish political boss, who winks at questionable practices that are profitable, adopts a sturdy little youngster of the streets, and attempts to bring him up as a machine. The lad’s genius and goodness foil the machine methods of the ‘boss,’ no less than the corrupt agencies of reform thru which a rival hoped to win both a bride and an election.
“The characters are well conceived and contrasted; there is, however, a trace of weakness in construction.”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 2: 297. S. 12. 160w.
“A book to be cordially commended and read with quiet enjoyment.” F: T. Cooper.
+
Bookm. 28: 145. O. ’08. 280w.
“Into the oft-told tale of ward politics in Chicago the author has infused some new effects by making it at the same time a study of two phases of the Celtic nature—the idealizing and the domineering.”
+
Nation. 87: 289. S. 24, ’08. 200w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 440. Ag. 8, ’08. 240w.
“The book as a whole, while neither deep nor large, has movement and variety, so that it is readable in more than an ordinary degree.”
+
Outlook. 89: 957. Ag. 22, ’08. 70w.
Warwick, Charles Franklin. Danton and the French revolution. **$2.50. Jacobs.
8–15330.
A popular history of the French revolution in the midst of whose war of ideas the figure of Danton is traced as he rose to sudden power, was cut off in the heyday of his manhood, and sent to the scaffold in the thirty-fifth year of his age.
N. Y. Times. 13: 216. Ap. 11, ’08. 30w.
“A book on a great topic, and worthy of it. In but one respect does the writer mar his reader’s pleasure—he quotes frequently and copiously without naming his authority. Clergymen who join socialists and anarchists in prating of revolution, justifying the latter by allusion to the French revolution, should read Mr. Warwick’s book.”
+ + −
N. Y. Times. 13: 374. Jl. 4, ’08. 1600w.
“Mr. Warwick shows no evidence of having made any study of original materials. He shows no remarkable dramatic insight.”
−
Outlook. 89: 813. Ag. 8, ’08. 700w.
R. of Rs. 38: 637. N. ’08. 40w.
Washburn, Margaret Floy. Animal mind: a text-book of comparative psychology. *$1.60. Macmillan.
8–6095.
The facts set forth in this book have been deduced from experimental work in comparative psychology. The author shows the difficulties besetting the student who desires to know the contents of minds below the human level. Knowledge must be obtained by way of inference from behavior. The questions then confronting the comparative psychologist are: By what method shall he find out how an animal behaves? and How shall he interpret the conscious aspect of that behavior? These questions are answered scientifically thruout the study.
“While the book offers nothing new to the scientist and psychologist, it is a careful, sane, reliable piece of work.”
−
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 215. Je. ’08.
“Renders accessible to student as well as to the studious layman the kind of data, the critical interpretation of results, and the source of the guiding principles, that in the modern view are likely to bring some systematic understanding of animal psychology.” J. Jastrow.
+
Dial. 45: 39. Jl. 16, ’08. 620w.
Ind. 64: 758. Ap. 2, ’08. 350w.
377“It will be found indispensable to all workers in the subject of animal behavior, and ought to be read extensively by physiologists.” S. O. Mast.
+
J. Philos. 5: 467. Ag. 13, ’08. 1100w.
“Psychologists will be unanimous in their gratitude to Miss Washburn for the very thorough way in which she has accomplished her task.” W: Brown.
+
Nature. 78: 269. Jl. 23, ’08. 480w.
“The author does not juggle with facts; she is sternly scientific in the matter of deductions and conclusions.”
+ −
N. Y. Times. 13: 153. Mr. 21, ’08. 650w.
“The strong feature of the work is the systematization and correlation of facts.” K: T. Waugh.
+
Psychol. Bull. 5: 205. Je. 15, ’08. 1650w.
“In the chapter on hearing, the author, while giving a good résumé of the field, makes the mistake of saying that birds have no cochlea. The book as a whole is so well done that we venture the opinion that its usefulness will continue for several years to come.” J: B. Watson.
+ −
Science, n.s. 28: 275. Ag. 28, ’08. 1050w.
Washburne, Marion Foster. Mother’s yearbook: being a practical application of the results of scientific child-study to the problems of the first year of childhood. *$1.25. Macmillan.
8–16420.
Each month of a baby’s first twelve is carefully followed, the possible development outlined, and the mother’s preparation and responsibility dwelt upon; the educational principles of Froebel, Preyer, and others being applied after a manner that will assure the most healthful and rational results. The book is a common sense mother’s book based upon thoroly tested scientific principles.
“For the young mother to whom her new baby is more than merely a pretty plaything, we have seen no book better than this.”
+
Ind. 64: 1405. Je. 18, ’08. 40w.
Washington, Booker Taliaferro. Negro in business. $1.50. Hertel, Jenkins & co.
7–37616.
Furnishes some record of the business awakening among the negro people in the United States. “Part 1 is devoted to accounts of the success different members of the race have achieved in various lines of business, the material being mainly biographical in its nature.... Part 2 deals more with general principles. Chapters upon ‘Progress of the American negro,’ ‘The negro and the labor problem of the south,’ ‘The negro and his relation to the south,’ ‘The fruits of industrial training,’ and ‘The American negro and his economic value,’ are fruitful in matter and suggestions.” (J. Pol. Econ.)
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 215. Je. ’08.
“Dr. Washington makes a strong appeal by describing various men and women. What he has to say should receive careful attention from all those who feel that the negro is doomed to inevitable failure.”
+
Ann. Am. Acad. 31: 724. My. ’08. 100w.
J. Pol. Econ. 15: 643. D. ’07. 200w.
“An informing book.”
+
R. of Rs. 37: 254. F. ’08. 140w.
Wasson, George Savary. Home from sea. †$1.50. Houghton.
8–11079.
The deep sea fisherman as a type is perpetuated in these tales of Killick Cove. We hear him speak in terms of maritime vernacular, note how his life’s strength and savor come from the invigorating tang of the salt, and how, unmindful of progress and fast vanishing traditions, he remains a primitive New Englander in freedom of fancy, bold daring, and bred-in-the-bone superstition. The book is illustrated from the author’s own sketches.
“Original, wholesome in tone, and full of local color.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 246. O. ’08.
“There is a strong flavor of New England, that appears in the dialect, as well as in the dry humor of the characters.”
+
Ind. 64: 1351. Je. 11, ’08. 150w.
“The originality of the stories does but add to their credibility.”
+
Nation. 86: 492. My. 28, ’08. 150w.
“Mr. Wasson is doing a distinct service in preserving so faithfully a type of man rapidly disappearing, to be found nowhere else in the country.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 304. My. 30, ’08. 130w.
“There are good, wholesome stories in the collection.”
+
R. of Rs. 37: 761. Je. ’08. 50w.
Waterbury, Leslie Abram. Cement laboratory manual. $1. Wiley.
8–27794.
A manual of instructions for the use of students in cement laboratory practice. “It opens with a brief chapter on the methods used in laboratory work, and gives instructions regarding the care and use of apparatus. The second chapter is devoted to illustrated descriptions of the apparatus employed in cement tests. Following this chapter is one in which fourteen laboratory problems are set forth.” (Engin. D.)
+
Engin. D. 4: 545. N. ’08. 280w.
+
Engin. Rec. 58: 531. N. 7, ’08. 200w.
Waterbury, Leslie Abram. Vest-pocket handbook of mathematics for engineers. *$1. Wiley.
8–17557.
“Intended as a reference work for the use of those who have studied or are studying the branches of mathematics usually taught in engineering courses. It contains the basic formulas of algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry and calculus, and brief statements of the principal theorems of statics and dynamics. Thirty pages are devoted to stresses and the strength of pipes, cylinders, riveted joints, beams, columns, etc.”—Engin. D.
Engin. D. 4: 55. Jl. ’08. 100w.
“Should prove a very desirable addition to the engineer’s equipment.”
+
Engin. N. 60: 82. Jl. 16, ’08. 160w.
“The selection of the formulas has been well done so as to cover the requirements of most engineers.”
+
Engin. Rec. 58: 566. N. 14. ’08. 140w.
Waterfield, Margaret H. Flower grouping in English, Scotch, and Irish gardens; notes and fifty-six sketches in color by Margaret Waterfield; with contributions by E. V. B., S. Arnott and others. *$6. Dutton.
8–29354.
A garden book whose text and illustrations are full of artistic instruction and suggestions.
“As a garden-book at once artistic and yet fairly practical, Miss Waterfield’s leaves little to be desired within its chosen field.” E. K. Dunton.
+ +
Dial. 44: 339. Je. 1, ’08. 450w.
+
Nation. 86: 224. Mr. 5, ’08. 250w.
“To the lover of gardens, and to the student of gardening, it is of great interest and full to the brim with informing observations and lessons from experience and long devotion to the subject.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 104. F. 22, ’08. 130w.
“The meat of the book is in the illustration, and the meat is delicious.”
+
Outlook. 89: 350. Je. 13, ’08. 100w.
378Reviewed by A. M. Cecil.
Sat. R. 105: 527. Ap. 25, ’08. 700w.
“Miss Waterfield has had the help of able contributors, and has given garden-lovers not only a book, but an ideal, nay, many ideals.”
+
Spec. 100: 70. Ja. 11, ’08. 60w.
Waters, Robert. Culture by conversation. **$1.20. Dodd.
7–29842.
“A plea for the resurrection of the old lost art of conversing, which, says the author of this volume, is as superior to books as living men and women are to the post mortem stories of their lives.” (R. of Rs.) Helpful rules and illustrations of conversation are given for instruction.
“This is a very entertaining book to read because it is full of anecdote and happy illustration. Mr. Waters has culled quotations by the score—all of them well worth noting—and if we look at the book as a series of easygoing essays, it is most commendable. Whether it will do anything to revive the obsolescent art of conversation, may well be doubted.”
+
Bookm. 26: 674. F. ’08. 820w.
“A few details might call for criticism if space permitted. But these are trifling blemishes on a good and useful and entertaining book.”
+ + −
Dial. 44: 19. Ja. 1, ’08. 250w.
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 52. Ja. 25, ’08. 240w.
R. of Rs. 37: 118. Ja. ’08. 40w.
* Watkeys, Frederick W. Old Edinburgh. (Travel lovers’ lib.) 2v. $3. Page.
8–32990.
An account of the ancient capital of the kingdom of Scotland, including its streets, houses, notable inhabitants, and customs in the olden time. “The outcome, as the author explains in his preface, of a recent pleasant sojourn in the Scottish capital, his book will be a welcome companion to other sojourners and of interest to intending visitors. It makes no claim to being exhaustive, nor does it seek to supersede older and more learned historical accounts of the famous city.” (Dial.)
“Is an attractive and serviceable book of its kind.”
+
Dial. 45: 462. D. 16, ’08. 230w.
“The illustrations, printed in brown tone, that are introduced from rare prints, add greatly to the book’s value.” W. G. Bowdoin.
+
Ind. 65: 1460. D. 17, ’08. 70w.
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 755. D. 5, ’08. 80w.
Watkins, George Pendleton. Growth of large fortunes: a study of economic causes affecting the acquisition and distribution of property. (Publications of the American economic assn.) $1. Macmillan.
8–4000.
“The object in the present work is not to discuss the social aspects of the problem, nor to devise plans for corrective legislation; it is simply to acquaint the readers with the economic factors which have operated to bring large fortunes into existence. These, roughly speaking, are, on his showing, identical with the factors that have made for economic progress generally—the development of improved methods of production and distribution, the growth of invention and discovery, the exploitation of natural resources unutilized by previous generations, the steady and unprecedented growth of capital.”—Outlook.
“The treatise presents a good analysis of the conditions, changes and general causes underlying the recent development of large fortunes, and may be considered a valuable contribution to the subject.” E. N. Tuckey.
+
Econ. Bull. 1: 117. Je. ’08. 1300w.
“He does not cover his subject in its entirety, but within its self-imposed limitations his examination is certainly thorough and informative.”
+ −
Outlook. 88: 324. F. 8, ’08. 250w.
R. of Rs. 37: 383. Mr. ’08. 30w.
Watson, Charles R. In the valley of the Nile: a survey of the missionary movement in Egypt. **$1. Revell.
8–17702.
A survey of the missionary movement in Egypt from the beginnings of Christianity in the Nile valley down to the present time. The peculiarities of the field, the history of the vanguard in entering it, the gain in power, the outgrowth of the necessity of devising methods of work, the present need of expanding and extending actual operations are all enlarged upon out of the fulness of the author’s own experience.
“His survey of present social and political conditions shows insight and judgment. It should be read by any one desirous of understanding modern Egypt.”
+
Ind. 65: 782. O. 1, ’08. 100w.
+
Outlook. 89: 533. Jl. 4, ’08. 440w.
* Watson, H. B. Marriott. Devil’s pulpit. †$1.50. Dodd.
8–29000.
A “buried treasure” story. “It carries as reckless and unassorted a lot of adventurers as ever took ship together from Southampton to an island in the West Indies. Battle, murder, and sudden death go with them, and so do all sorts of wild and unexpected happenings. But in the end they get their treasure, such of them as are still alive.” (N. Y. Times.)
Ind. 65: 1183. N. 19, ’08. 40w.
“A thoroughly good, rattling, thrilling story it is.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 719. D. 5, ’08. 220w.
Watson, John. The philosophical basis of religion: a series of lectures. *$3. Macmillan.
8–12831.
The author concerns himself with the reconstruction of the history of religious belief, which he deems necessary in view of “the unrest and confusion of ideas which have invaded our modern life.” He offers a philosophy of religion based upon rationality.
“In every part of the book subjects of long-standing debate have been so treated as to bring out the most recent phases of the controversy and it is scarcely necessary to add that these lectures will be warmly welcomed by many earnest students of philosophy and theology.” J. G. Hume.
+
Am. J. Theol. 12: 507. Jl. ’08. 700w.
“We do not share the author’s views, or find him particularly convincing. But his position, both in attack and defence, is well sustained, and we recall few such well-argued expositions of a standpoint not easily understood.”
− +
Ath. 1908, 2: 435. O. 10. 200w.
“On the whole—and this is the only serious criticism I should advance against Dr. Watson—matters are not advanced in a convincing manner beyond the stage already reached, especially by ... Dr. Edward Caird. By his present work he has laid both the student of religious philosophy and those whose main interest lies in the history of the evolution of dogma under an obligation which is not easily measured; for he has written a wise book upon a subject whose importance in these days outrivals all other interests.” H: Jones.
+ + −
Hibbert J. 6: 676. Ap. ’08. 3000w.
+
Nation. 87: 117. Ag. 6, ’08. 260w.
“These lectures eminently deserve the attention of those who agree with their author that ‘nothing short of a complete revision of theological ideas can bring permanent satisfaction to our highly reflective age.’”
+
Outlook. 88: 566. Mr. 7, ’08. 350w.
379“It is in connection with the main philosophical thesis of the book that I venture to express the most dissatisfaction.” A. K. Rogers.
+ −
Philos. R. 17: 529. S. ’08. 1700w.
Watson, John (Ian Maclaren, pseud.). God’s message to the human soul: the use of the Bible in the light of the new knowledge. (Cole lectures of Vanderbilt university for 1907.) **$1.25. Revell.
7–32354.
The lectures which Dr. Watson was to have delivered at Vanderbilt university in the autumn of 1907. “Dr. Watson welcomes the modern world, its science, its criticism. He recognizes to the full the change that has come over our idea of the Bible in these latter days. The book is itself an evolution; that fact alone will enable us to understand it, and especially to appreciate the imperfect but developing ethics of the Old Testament. The purpose of the Bible is religious, not scientific.” (N. Y. Times.)
“It does not equal in merit ‘The mind of the Master’ or the Yale lectures on ‘The cure of souls.’”
+ −
Ind. 64: 52. Ja. 2, ’08. 110w.
“He presents these sane and sound views in a style that catches the ear as well as the mind and that often has the charm of epigram.”
+ +
N. Y. Times. 13: 57. F. 1, ’08. 380w.
Watson, John (Ian Maclaren, pseud.). St. Jude’s. *$1.25. S. S. times co.
7–21223.
Sketches or studies illustrating the spiritual life of St. Jude’s, a free church’s congregation in Glasgow.
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 54. F. ’08.
“The book, though slight, is worth reading, and leaves a kindly impression of the writer and the man.”
+
Ath. 1907, 2: 475. O. 19. 160w.
“The parishioners are every whit as canny, dour and disagreeably theological as the simpler folk of the Grampian hills but somehow they are not quite so interesting in the thick and heavy Glasgow atmosphere.”
+ −
Ind. 63: 825 O. 3 ’07 100w.
“They are all good.”
+
Spec. 99: 616. O. 26, ’07. 150w
Watson, John (Ian Maclaren, pseud.). Scot of the 18th century: his religion and his life. *$2. Armstrong.
8–8469.
Ten posthumous sketches eight of which are devoted to the Scot’s religion and two to his life. “In ‘The Scot in his home’ we have a brief but comprehensive survey of social conditions, and another section unfolds the familiar tale of Church discipline. The greater part of the book is occupied with an interesting account—somewhat marred by repetition—of the men who governed or rent the Kirk, and of the literary circle which made Edinburgh famous.” (Ath.)
“The sketches are unequal in value, and the best of them in our opinion, is that which traces, with no small insight and humour, the decline and ritual in the reformed kirk. Historical blunders are fairly numerous, and sometimes serious. There are few misprints, and some oddities of style.”
+ −
Ath. 1907, 2: 647. N. 23. 1500w.
“Those who have read the late Dean Stanley’s ‘History of the church of Scotland’ can never forget it. The same may be said of this harvest from the same rich field.”
+ +
Outlook. 88: 47. Ja. 4, ’08. 260w.
“The late ‘Ian Maclaren’ could always write in a genial and interesting way on anything and everything connected with Scotland. This posthumous volume is a proof of the fact, and of little else.”
+ −
Spec. 100: sup. 127. Ja. 25, ’08. 320w.
Watson, Thomas Edward. Waterloo. *$1.50. Neale.
8–28406.
A vivid account of the battle of Waterloo, to the historical records concerning which the author brings the aid of a brilliant imagination.
“Worthily serves as an epilog to his life of Napoleon.”
+
Ind. 65: 1178. N. 19, ’08. 30w.
“The story of a partisan who tries to be just and succeeds fairly well in the endeavor.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 611. O. 24, ’08. 280w.
* Watt, Lauchlan MacLean. Attic and Elizabethan tragedy. *$2. Dutton.
“The first half dozen chapters are taken up with a broad general comparison of the conditions in the two countries under which tragedy reached its noblest expression, its origins in Greece and in England, and of the dramatic laws and social customs which governed its writing and presentation. Then a dozen or more chapters are devoted to the three great authors of Attic tragedy and their remaining works, and as many more to the foremost tragedians of the Elizabethan age.”—N. Y. Times.
“The author has the gift of dramatic, interesting statement, and his general discussion of the drama is thoughtful and illuminating.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 673. N. 14, ’08. 200w.
“On the whole he has prepared himself for his task by a course of wide reading which might certainly have been more up to date, but which includes many high authorities on his subject. Some of his verse paraphrases are fair, some very bad indeed. The book is mainly derivative and presents to us nothing essential that has not been said before, and often said a good deal better. In short, the book is obviously suited to students who are anxious for a simple, comprehensive study of a subject more or less new to them.”
+ −
Sat. R. 106: 703. D. 5, ’08. 950w.
Watts, Mary S. The tenants: an episode of the ’80s. †$1.50. McClure.
8–11081.
A mansion whose history is the history of a strange group of human beings furnishes the stage for this kaleidoscopic drama. The builder, Governor Gwynne, is succeeded by less prosperous and ambitious generations, who bask for a time in the glory of his name, then allow the house to pass to a southern broker who plays the town honor false. The author finds all sorts and conditions of men to portray, and each sketch in turn is distinct and impressionistic.
“This is almost an invention in stories.”
+
Nation. 86: 469. My. 21, ’08. 200w.
“It is a novel of manners rather than startling plot, and the interest in the depicting of character outweighs the interest in incident. Perhaps the finest quality of the work is a gentle humor.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 185. Ap. 4, ’08. 550w.
“We hope to see more books like ‘The tenants.’ It is leisurely but not lengthy, humorous but not boisterous; and it has a gradually developing plot-interest which does not degenerate into cheap sensationalism.”
+ +
Outlook. 89: 40. My. 2, ’08. 170w.
Wayland, John Walter. Political opinions of Thomas Jefferson: an essay; with an introd. by R. H. Dabney. $1.25. Neale.
8–1940.
The quintessence of Jefferson’s political views. The discussion falls under five heads: Concerning government, Concerning the American states, Concerning the United States government, Concerning the United States in relation 380to foreign powers, and Concerning various questions of importance.
“The opinions quoted are at times, too, selected rather than interpretive.”
−
Ann. Am. Acad. 32: 452. S. ’08. 160w.
“Dr. Wayland has certainly made an interesting and useful classification of Jefferson’s political doctrines.”
+
R. of Rs. 37: 382. Mr. ’08. 170w.
Weale, B. L. Putnam. Coming struggle in eastern Asia. *$3.50. Macmillan.
8–11478.
The last of four volumes dealing with the Far Eastern question. It contains the author’s “careful revaluation of the old forces in the Far Eastern situation as they displayed themselves during the first half of the year 1907.” The author believes that it is the oligarchic Japan which constitutes the new problems in eastern Asia. “Apart from his political argument the book is of value for the large amount of information it gives of the present condition and future prospects of Eastern Siberia and Manchuria and the financial and commercial statistics of Japan and China.” (Ind.)
“The account of the situation in Manchuria is especially valuable; other parts are somewhat disappointing—not up to his best work—because some facts and conclusions are to be questioned.”
+ −
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 209. Je. ’08.
“The criticisms are often directly opposed to those commonly passed on the same subjects in Europe and America, but the conclusions are reached by an acute observer of Oriental affairs and are based on statements of fact convincing and often startling, a fact which gives the arguments more than ordinary weight.” C: L. Jones.
+
Ann. Am. Acad. 32: 466. S. ’08. 640w.
“Having called attention to the somewhat dangerous doctrines of the author, and warned our readers against the exaggeration of many of his 640 closely printed pages, we must not omit to point out that he supplies an enormous amount of useful information, especially on the present naval and military preparations of Japan.”
− +
Ath. 1908, 1: 225. F. 22. 1400w.
“Although one may not glean from it a great deal that is really new, one cannot put his hands upon a more sane, compact, and readable discussion of the subject in English.” F: A. Ogg.
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Dial. 45: 58. Ag. 1, ’08. 830w.
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Ind. 64: 749. Ap. 2, ’08. 250w.
“While the political conclusions of the volume must be taken account of everywhere, its real value lies in the wealth of information and multiplicity of details which it gives regarding Manchuria.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 165. Mr. 28, ’08. 1750w.
Outlook. 89: 311. Je. 6, ’08. 700w.
R. of Rs. 37: 508. Ap. ’08. 350w.
Weale, William Henry J. Hubert and John Van Eyck: their life and work. *$30. Lane.
8–20537.
A work which makes its appeal mainly to the “true connoisseur and the genuine lover of art for its own sake. Mr. Weale prefaces his work with a chronological summary of the chief events that affected the careers of the Van Eycks, and devotes a considerable portion of his text to the actual transcription, in order of date, of the more important of the documents from which he has culled his information, supplementing his quotations by a very complete bibliography of all the publications that bear even remotely upon the fortunes of the two famous brothers.” (Int. Studio.)
“In the monumental work before us we have one of the most authoritative and scholarly works that have been published in any language for many years. The individuality of the author, his sincerity and his knowledge, are stamped on every page. Tiresome little inaccuracies impair the value as a work of reference.”
+ + −
Ath. 1908, 1: 484. Ap. 18. 2900w.
“Upon its artistic side the book is a notable contribution to the art works of recent years.” W. C. Larned.
+
Dial. 45: 112. S. 1, ’08. 1200w.
“A monumental work ... the value of which to the student of Flemish painting it is impossible to over-estimate.”
+ +
Int. Studio. 33: 332. F. ’08. 300w.
“His book is a model to all future scientific art-historians; it is a volume indispensable to all who concern themselves with connoisseur-ship or the history of art. Here is a compilation from which fancy is wholly barred out; nothing but absolute facts are admitted to these stern pages.”
+ +
Int. Studio. 34: sup. 25. Mr. ’08. 1800w.
“In accuracy the work falls far short of the German standard. We hasten to add that the book as it is is immensely useful. The very richness and variety of the book forbids us to follow it in detail.”
+ −
Nation. 87: 40. Jl. 9, ’08. 2250w.
+
Spec. 100: 303. F. 22, ’08. 420w.
Webb, Wilfrid Mark. Heritage of dress; being notes on the history and evolution of clothes. *$3.50. McClure.
8–12147.
How we came to have articles of dress as common as the modern coat, shawl, buttons, safety-pins, etc. is set forth “after the method of the naturalist.” The origin of dress and its development furnish a most enlightening discussion for the reader who is apt to take things for granted and not to inquire into descent.
“Interesting account of the origin and evolution of all sorts of details of dress, containing a considerable amount of conjecture, but presenting much curious and instructive matter.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 215. Je. ’08.
“Mr. Webb renders an interesting subject somewhat dull by a pedestrian style. The value of the book is, however, much enhanced by many plates and figures.”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 1: 124. F. 1, 750w.
“If Mr. Webb has not written a scientific treatise on the ‘Heritage of dress,’ he has given us, within the limits, an interesting and suggestive book.”
+ −
Nature. 77: sup. 7. Mr. 5, ’08. 700w.
N. Y. Times. 12: 666. O. 19, ’07. 20w.
“His stock-in-trade appears to be a habit of theorising from insufficient data, and a certain amount of genuine knowledge of natural history not applicable to his present subject.”
−
Sat. R. 106: 177. Ag. 8, ’08. 1500w.
“This important-looking book contains a good deal that is very curious and instructive.”
+
Spec. 100: 102. Ja. 18, ’08. 440w.
Webster, Henry Kitchell. Whispering man. †$1.50. Appleton.
8–27494.
The amateur detective who unravels the mystery of a murder that baffles police and plain clothes men, is not a “Thinking machine” but a man who knows by instinct when he is looking into the face of a criminal. He finds the murderer after detectives, professional and amateur, have done their best to convict various innocent people.
“‘The whispering man’ belongs to the class of the more successful [detective stories], because of the precision with which the parts of the plot are fitted together, and the clock-work regularity of the action.” W: M. Payne.
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Dial. 45: 457. D. 16, ’08. 200w.
381“A clever detective story.”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 577. O. 17, ’08. 240w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 749. D. 5, ’08. 160w.
Webster, Hutton. Primitive secret societies: a study in early politics and religion. **$2. Macmillan.
8–3955.
“In which the author discusses the significance of the data collected in recent years by investigators in Australia, Melanesia, Africa, and North America. Much of this information regarding initiation ceremonies and other curious rites found among savage and barbarous communities will be entirely new to those readers who have never had access to detailed accounts of these recent discoveries.”—R. of Rs.
“A very welcome and important contribution to the study of early society, and yet it is perhaps as notable for what it has not attempted as for what it has performed. Within the limits of his attempt, it seems to me that the author follows a defective method in assuming that the motives lying behind the organization of secret societies are everywhere the same.” W: I. Thomas.
+ −
Am. Hist. R. 14: 166. O. ’08. 440w.
“Dr. Webster has done all students of social institutions a service by collecting and interpreting so much evidence to show the significance and development of the rites by which the boy becomes a citizen with the responsibilities of the adult.”
+
Ann. Am. Acad. 31: 724. My. ’08. 120w.
“It is a book that will be of special interest to students of sociology and anthropology.” A. C. Rich.
+
Arena. 39: 594. My. ’08. 110w.
“It is a comparatively small matter if on the side of theory the book shows certain shortcomings, notably the tendency we have noticed to ignore plurality of casual chains of development. As a systematic arrangement of well-chosen evidence it will take a high place amongst contemporary aids to anthropological study.”
+ + −
Ath. 1908, 1: 443. Ap. 11. 1500w.
“Dr. Webster pursues what we consider a deplorable practice in the matter of quotation.” Frederick Starr.
+ −
Dial. 45: 248. O. 16, ’08. 1650w.
“As an example of scholarly research, judicious statement and careful interpretation the book leaves little for criticism. Perhaps an additional chapter tracing the historical importance of this succession would have given the book greater completeness as well as more well-rounded interest.” U. G. Weatherly.
+
Econ. Bull. 1: 151. Je. ’08. 720w.
“The work is extremely valuable for any student of human life and social organizations that tries to see things in their beginnings. In its field it may be compared with Westermarck’s ‘History of human marriage’ and such other fundamental treatises on the psychical life and institutions of mankind.”
+ +
Lit. D. 36: 767. My. 23, ’08. 450w.
“Portions of the book are filled with curious and interesting details which lighten Professor Webster’s somewhat wooden treatment with vivid detail.”
+ −
Nation. 86: 560. Je. 18, ’08. 430w.
“Although the main usefulness of his work will be for those who read to write, it has its uses for those who read merely to read.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 101. F. 22, ’08. 400w.
R. of Rs. 37: 640. My. ’08. 70w.
Weed, Clarence Moores. Our trees: how to know them; photographs from nature by Arthur I. Emerson, with a guide to their recognition at any season of the year and notes on their characteristics, distribution and culture, by Clarence M. Weed. **$3. Lippincott.
8–8141.
A book whose text and very fine illustrations unite in teaching the non-botanical reader how to identify at a glance any unknown tree. In the descriptive matter special attention has been given to distinguishing characteristics of the various species, as well as to the more interesting phases of the yearly cycle of each, and the special values of each for ornamental planting.
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 152. My. ’08. ✠
Reviewed by T: H. Macbride.
+ −
Dial. 44: 342. Je. 1, ’08. 150w.
“We commend the volume heartily to the amateur and the student.”
+
Ind. 64: 1149. My. 21, ’08. 100w.
“The text, which is pleasantly written, gives a good account of forest lore, and of facts relative to the range of the species, together with a sprinkling of fairly selected verse.”
+
Nation. 86: 428. My. 7, ’08. 150w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 264. My. 9, ’08. 80w.
“The text and pictures together form a complete method of acquiring an intimate acquaintance with American trees. The descriptions are accurate and reasonably full.”
+
Outlook. 88: 886. Ap. 18, ’08. 80w.
Weed, Clarence Moores. Wild flower families. **$1.50. Lippincott.
8–13637.
The haunts, characters and family relationships of the herbaceous wild flowers are given with suggestions for their identification. “The treatment is by families, beginning with such flowers as appear earliest in spring and ending with those that longest defy the frosts of autumn.” (Dial.)
“One of the most helpful of the wild flower books.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 249. O. ’08. ✠
“The book always keeps in view the giving of practical information, which is admirably blended with literary flavor through apt quotation, largely from contemporary poets.”
+
Dial. 44: 354. Je. 1, ’08. 200w.
“The work is well conceived and executed. We particularly like the instructions given in the introduction about collecting and preserving plants. We wish the author were not so afraid of using botanical names, at least the generic ones.”
+ + −
Ind. 64: 1298. Je. 4, ’08. 100w.
Weir, Archibald A. E. Introduction to the history of modern Europe. $2. Houghton.
7–42473.
Descriptive note and excerpts in Dec. 1907.
“Selected chapters of this little book will make good supplementary reading and be helpful and stimulating to any person of culture and wide-reading, or to the student stall-fed on the husks of political details.” G. S. Ford.
+
Am. Hist. R. 13: 634. Ap. ’08. 550w.
Educ. R. 36: 207. S. ’08. 50w.
“Here and there his statements are overstrained. Its chief value lies in the clear and suggestive relations which it presents between the realms of thought and action. Here the author gives many thoughtful touches which reveal the connexion between politics and culture.” J. H. Rose.
+ −
Eng. Hist. R. 23: 170. Ja. ’08. 820w.
+
Ind. 65: 321. Ag. 6, ’08. 20w.
“To the reviewer it seems that Mr. Weir has erred in essaying the impossible and that his work would be far more valuable if he had centred his attention on one phase of civilization, say, politics, instead of squandering it upon the whole, vast field.”
−
N. Y. Times. 13: 18. Ja. 11, ’08. 340w.
382Weiss, Mrs. Susan Archer. Home life of Poe. $1.50. Broadway pub.
7–42108.
A sketch in which the author presents a “thorougly human likeness. The failings of the man are not concealed, but they are treated humanly, with neither the attempt to throw the blame for them on others, as certain advocates have tried to do, nor the more common gloating over his weaknesses which has been carried on by most biographers from the jealousies aroused by Poe among his contemporaries. Possibly there is a touch of undue animosity shown against Mrs. Clemm and her daughter.” (Nation.)
“Her contribution to Poe literature is a permanent and wholesome one.”
+
Ind. 65: 206. Jl. 23, ’08. 260w.
“The author makes a distinct contribution to an understanding of Poe as a man. No future historian of American literature can neglect it or is likely to do so.”
+
Lit. D. 36: 236. F. 15, ’08. 730w.
“Within its own field, as an intimate portrait of Poe and of those with whom he lived from childhood to death, we regard it as the sanest and truest book yet published.”
+
Nation. 86: 192. F. 27, ’08. 380w.
“The final biographer of Poe will be guided in his story of the poet’s childhood and of his later life in Richmond largely by those pictures of him which appear in this modest little book.” C: M. Graves.
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 71. F. 8. ’08. 670w.
Welch, Catherine. Little Dauphin. *$1.50. Scribner.
The life of the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette is traced to the imprisonment of the French royal family in the Temple, and from there “the author has no definite theory: but, although unwilling to accept any one of the forty personages who claimed to be the son of Louis XVI, she does—and in our view, justifiably—express a decided disbelief in the fact of the death in the Temple, and sets forth substantial grounds for dissatisfaction with the official proof of it.” (Ath.)
“Miss Welch’s book amply justifies its existence. The only blunder as to fact that we have encountered in the book is the calling of Drouet ‘the postmaster of Varennes’ (twice).”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 2: 294. S. 12. 1750w.
“Miss Welch writes with a lively imagination and a warm tenderness of feeling that make her narrative vivid and appealing. She has a gentle sense of humor.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 593. O. 24, ’08. 1050w.
“Is quite a good book to read. The author has some gift of style and a pleasant vein of exaggeration. Her case is put with impartiality and at the same time with decision. It is possible to quarrel with her conclusions, but it is impossible not to respect them.”
+ −
Sat. R. 106: 271. Ag. 29, ’08. 850w.
Wells, Carolyn. Emily Emmins papers, il. †$1.50. Putnams.
7–39016.
“Emily Emmins, spinster” writes characteristically of her first impressions of London gained and enjoyed without a Baedeker. She comments upon “week-end house-parties out of town, tea drinking, shopping experiences in Piccadilly, and that alluring social game known as ‘going on.’” (Nation).
“The illustrations add to the liveliness of an uncommonly diverting narrative.”
+ +
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 54. F. ’08. ✠
“An uncommonly lively and readable text.”
+ +
Nation. 85: 568. D. 19, ’07. 360w.
“Her original side-remarks on the peculiarities of British institutions are full of good humor of the kind that provokes many a quiet chuckle.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 15. Ja. 11, ’08. 70w.
Wells, Carolyn, comp. Vers de societe anthology. **$1.25. Scribner.
7–37621.
A book of light verse culled from poems all the way from Sir Philip Sydney’s time to the present. “Her own suggestion [that the title should be Gentle Verse] strikes us as capital, and we could wish she had boldly made it the title of her book; it fits well her definition of the kind as depending for its spirit ‘on an instant perception and a fine appreciation of values, seen through the medium of a whimsical kindliness.’” (Nation.)
“One of the best of Miss Wells’ anthologies.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 51. F. ’08.
“An excellent book to read.”
+ −
Nation. 85: 492. N. 28, ’07. 240w.
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 26. Ja. 18, ’08. 160w.
Wells, Herbert George. First and last things: a confession of faith and a rule of life. **$1.50. Putnam.
8–29004.
It is demanded of all who write concretely of reform that there shall be some system of belief underlying their schemes. While Mr. Wells believes that no “trimmed or rounded system of philosophy or religion is attainable” he does set forth his social faith, and the convictions and ideas which constitute it, and which have led up to a rule of life. He turns analyst of his own mind and these pages record the results.
“A personal testament of this sort must of necessity have an interest, and, in the case of an intellect such as Mr. Wells’s, a value also. Fascinating volume.”
+
Ath. 1908, 2: 712. D. 5. 1900w.
“Although Mr. Wells’ religion and philosophy may not be, and indeed cannot be, exactly those of any one if his readers, the book is valuable as the honest attempt of a man of vigorous and wide-ranging intellect to explain precisely what he believes and what he disbelieves.”
+ −
Dial. 45: 347. N. 16, ’08. 420w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 658. N. 7, ’08. 2200w.
Outlook. 90: 594. N. 14, ’08, 200w.
“Not only has Mr. Wells himself said it all before, but it was never anything but the stale commonplace of ‘progressive thought.’”
− +
Sat. R. 106: 700. D. 5, ’08. 850w.
Wells, Herbert George. New worlds for old. **$1.50. Macmillan.
8–8150.
An intimate and first hand study of the socialist movement. Acquaintance with its leaders, membership in many of its organizations, and experiments in socialist politics have enabled the author to arrive at certain conclusions as to the trend and needs of social development. These he sets down here. He discusses the spirit of good will in man, the fundamental idea in socialism, some generalizations on socialism, some objections to socialism, revolutionary administrative and constructive socialism, and answers the questions, Would socialism destroy the home and would it abolish all property? A final chapter is devoted to the advancement of socialism.
“A most persuasive plea for socialism, which is at the same time fair, temperate, open-minded.”
+
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 153. My. ’08. ✠
“Not for a long time has the literature of socialism been enriched by a more reasonable and entertaining book than this. Some of his difficulties he slurs over instead of meeting them squarely.” H. R. Mussey.
+ −
Ann. Am. Acad. 32: 467. S. ’08. 470w.
“This book is, in our judgment, the very best popular treatise on socialism that has appeared.” B. O. Flower.
+ +
Arena. 39: 586. My. ’08. 3350w.
383“We highly commend the defence of moderate non-revolutionary ‘Socialism’ contained in the first and several of the other chapters of Mr. Wells. The main objection that may be taken to the work of Mr. Wells is that we took to the last collection of the essays of M. Jaurès, namely, that the title of the best of those essays applies to the picture that Mr. Wells and M. Jaurès paint—‘Moonlight.’”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 1: 320. Mr. 14. 340w.
“Forms a very good introduction to socialism. It will attract and interest those who are not of that faith, and correct those who are.” T. D. A. Cockerell.
+
Dial. 45: 163. S. 16, ’08. 860w.
“This is at once the most readable, the most sensible and the least socialistic of recent socialist works.” F. A. Fetter.
+ −
Econ. Bull. 1: 53. Ap. ’08. 700w.
“The vogue which the writer enjoys is to us a mystery, for the content of his books seems to oscillate between the weird and the grotesque, and to be distinctly tiresome.”
−
Educ. R. 36: 102. Je. ’08. 120w.
“Mr. Wells has some particularly irritating mannerisms, and his humor is not always in the best of taste.” James Seth.
− +
Hibbert J. 6: 910. Jl. ’08. 830w.
“Altogether this [that the state should become the over-parent] is a most seductive, sane and sober argument. Like all sociological studies made in Europe, it fails to hit American conditions exactly.”
+ −
Ind. 64: 865. Ap. 16, ’08. 350w.
“His title might with equal truth have been ‘New words for old,’ for this book does not present an essential project of Utopian socialism which he has not elaborated before.”
+ −
Nation. 86: 491. My. 28, ’08. 450w.
“For, despite all the praise which is not grudged him, it remains true that there is more of the Blue book about this document than anything yet appearing from his pen. The statistics are tremendously respectable and convincing, but alas! they are caviare to the general, and not pure literature, however well they enforce a point.”
− +
N. Y. Times. 13: 167. Mr. 28, ’08. 1200w.
“When his analysis of socialism is scrutinized, it is impossible to share his enthusiasm to any degree.” H. A. Bruce.
−
Outlook. 89: 388. Je. 20, ’08. 530w.
“In content the book is very valuable indeed.”
+ −
Pol. Sci. Q. 23: 556. S. ’08. 250w.
“Mr. Wells temporarily forsakes his role of a writer of fantastic romances and sets forth his idea in his own clear style of what the future socialistic state is to be.”
+
R. of Rs. 37: 640. My. ’08. 50w.
+ −
Sat. R. 105: 405. Mr. 28, ’08. 1200w.
“Mr. Wells sets out the grounds of our discontent, and pictures for us reconstructions of society which are alluring, if not convincing to the sober imagination.”
−
Spec. 101: sup. 471. O. 3, ’08. 900w.
Wells, Herbert George. War in the air. †$1.50. Macmillan.
8–30615.
A book in which Mr. Wells takes the reader step by step to the end of a triumph of “scientific imagination.” It is a prediction fraught with achievement. A cockney of a scientific turn, who is carried away to Germany in a balloon, and from there is taken on the flagship of a German air fleet setting out to attack the United States, furnishes eyes for the reader to behold the possible development of aerial navigation, and the use of air ships in future war.
“His story, however, suffers from being less of a story than it ought to be.”
+ −
Ath. 1908, 2: 602. N. 14. 420w.
Ind. 65: 1183. N. 19, ’08. 50w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 617. O. 24, ’08. 30w.
“The book certainly ‘gives to think,’ and for those who do not like to think it provides entertainment, with a certain modicum of instruction perforce and unawares.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 668. N. 14, ’08. 800w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 749. D. 5, ’08. 100w.
“May stand as the best boy’s book of the season if it can stand as a boy’s book at all.”
+
N. Y. Times. 13: 756. D. 5, ’08. 110w.
“It is a novel, a romance, a social study and a prophetic anticipation crushed into one. Its complexity spoils it as a work of art. The book, indeed, is worth reading for half a dozen reasons; but it would have been better worth reading had there not been quite so many.”
+ −
Sat. R, 106: 614. N. 14, ’08. 470w.
Welsford, Joseph W. W. Strength of nations: an argument from history. **$1.75. Longmans.
7–38586.
“Stated briefly, Mr. Welsford’s theme is that the only permanent source of national strength is national production, and that the neglect of national production for the sake of temporary advantages, whether in the shape of tribute from subjects or dividends from foreign investments, of profits for merchants and capitalists, or cheap food for the masses, has invariably led to national decay and disaster.” (Ath.) He uses Rome and Constantinople as his first illustration of his thesis.
“The argument is plain, and the analogies are good—the historical lesson all that the most ardent protectionist can desire. There is one most annoying feature in the book. The authorities, to whom reference is made in the notes, are indicated by letters only, and further reference must be made to an index of authorities at the end of the book.”
+ −
Acad. 73: 741. Ag. 3, ’07. 1200w.
“Mr. Welsford’s book can be recommended to classes which are studying the pathology of history, and want a morbid specimen for examination; it can serve no other good purpose.” Clive Day.
−
Am. Hist. R. 13: 347. Ja. ’08. 590w.
“While [the author] is successful in collecting his material, he fails to round it out into a definite system of ideas. In his zeal for industry, he forgets humanity.”
−
Ann. Am. Acad. 31: 51. Mr. ’08. 350w.
“The work has been based almost entirely on general histories, and is loosely reasoned, superficial, and partisan in character.”
−
J. Pol. Econ. 16: 390. Je. ’08. 130w.
“Those who are already in agreement with him will welcome with delight an exposition so full of novel and suggestive instances. Those whose point of view differs from Mr. Welsford’s may think his conclusions exaggerated and may feel annoyed by his frankly controversial tone, but can hardly fail to be impressed by the facts which he has adduced.”
+ + −
Lond. Times. 6: 219. Jl. 12, ’07. 1700w.
−
Nation. 87: 444. N. 5, ’08. 900w.
“In spite of the crispness of his style and a somewhat serene confidence in his ability to discover the real lines of cause and effect in the labyrinth of the past, the new Orosius of the Tariff reform league will find at least as many students of history who will question his synthesis as economists convinced by his arguments. On the other hand the book does show originality and is decidedly stimulating.”
− +
Pol. Sci. Q. 23: 563. S. ’08. 220w.
Wendell, Barrett. Privileged classes. **$1.25. Scribner.
8–28840.
“In the four essays that make up this volume Professor Wendell discusses the deeper problems of higher education in their relation to present-day American life. The papers were originally presented as addresses on literary and educational occasions.”—R. of Rs.
“The great merit of this collection of essays is the brilliancy of the phrasing. That intellectual 384courage which enables Mr. Wendell to expound the unpopular side of the problem of equal rights is not characteristic of the collegiate or social circles in which he moves. Therefore it is the more honourable to him.” J: Macy.
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Bookm. 28: 357. D. ’08. 1500w.
“We believe Professor Wendell exaggerates the discontent, but be that as it may, he certainly misinterprets it if he seriously believes it is symptomatic of revolution based on conviction that our democracy is a failure.”
−
N. Y. Times. 13: 635. O. 31. ’08. 700w.
R. of Rs. 38: 638. N. ’08. 40w.
Wernle, Paul. Sources of our knowledge of the life of Jesus; tr. by Edward Lummis. *$1. Am. Unitar.
7–31390.
Aims to prepare for the lay reader a path to the knowledge of Jesus, and to guide him so far forward in the examination of the sources that he may himself take part in the answer to the question, Who and what was Jesus? The author discusses Source—material outside the four gospels. Our four evangelists, The synoptics, and The sources of the synoptics.
Wesselhoeft, Elizabeth F. P. Rover, the farm dog. †$1.25. Little.
A story of child life on a farm, introducing a delightful step-grandmother and a number of interesting dogs.
Reviewed by K. L. M.
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Bookm. 28: 386. D. ’08. 80w.
“Kindness is the motive behind the adventures in this book.” M. J. Moses.
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Ind. 65: 1479. D. 17, ’08. 40w.
West, Jennie Jerome (Lady Randolph Spencer Churchill, afterwards Mrs. George Cornwallis-West). Reminiscences of Lady Randolph Churchill. **$3.50. Century.
8–30607.
With characteristic detachment Mrs. West assembles rambling personal reminiscences of social and political England during the past thirty years. To these are added glimpses of court life in Russia and Germany; impressions and experiences gained from a tour around the world; knowledge of the Red cross movement gained thru actual service on the staff of the hospital ship Maine. Her own sprightly description and comment are interspersed with bits of conversation and excerpt from letters. The book is handsomely illustrated.
A. L. A. Bkl. 4: 299. D. ’08.
“Lady Randolph Churchill is a true woman in that her point of view is always the personal one, which gives an original tang to her anecdotes of great personages, English and foreign.”
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Ind. 65: 1176. N. 19, ’08. 300w.
“A valuable and spritely record of men and women.”
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Lit. D. 37: 899. D. 12, ’08. 120w.
“There is nothing ill-natured in the book, and apparently nothing indiscreet.”
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Nation. 87: 462. N. 12, ’08. 200w.
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N. Y. Times. 13: 650. N. 7, ’08. 1450w.
N. Y. Times. 13: 741. D. 5, ’08. 170w.
“With much good humor sketches the character of friend and opponent, using sufficient prudence yet making a witty, piquant narrative.”
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Outlook. 90: 841. D. 12, ’08. 550w.
“In a volume of this kind the point of view is everything, and it is that which, to American readers at least, lends a rare charm to these memoirs.”
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R. of Rs. 38: 761. D. ’08. 220w.
“Mrs. Cornwallis West seems to think that to make a good book it is enough to throw together, without method, arrangement, or dates, a lot of hazy recollections about famous and fashionable people. But it is not enough; and since the appearance of Sir Henry Drummond Wolff’s memoir we have not experienced so keen a disappointment as in these pointless and rambling reminiscences.”
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Sat. R. 106: 487. O. 17, ’08. 800w.
“As boldness generally succeeds, so does Mrs. George West succeed in writing a most entertaining book without giving any one a harder knock, we should think, than he is able to bear, or causing more embarrassment to public characters still living than they are accustomed to.”
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Spec. 101: 589. O. 17, ’08. 2450w.
West, Max. Inheritance tax. 2d ed., completely rev. and enl. (Columbia univ. studies in history, economics and public law, v. 4, no. 2.) *2.50. Longmans.
8–831.
“Includes all the valuable, historical material of the first edition and reviews the many and extensive changes brought about by the legislation during the past fourteen years.”’—Econ. Bull.
“The work is an unbiased presentation of the data necessary for a clear knowledge of the subject.” Carl C. Plehn.
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Econ. Bull. 1: 48. Ap. ’08. 500w.
“We commend his monograph to all interested in the subject.”
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Outlook. 88: 380. F. 15, ’08. 330w.
Westall, Laura May. Common-sense view of the mind-cure. **75c. Funk.
8–27799.
Not a contribution to Christian science but a discussion of the use of will power in curing or driving away common functional disorders.
“There is not much sentiment, and there is a good deal of logical practical statement in ‘A common sense view of the mind cure.’”
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N. Y. Times. 13: 548. O. 3, ’08. 120w.
Westell, W. Percival. Insect book. (Country handbooks ser.) *$1. Lane.
A brief study of the insects of Great Britain. The author “tells about insects of the garden, of the waterside, of the wood, and, we may say of the country generally; finally, about insects of the house. Of course, he is a friend of the insect tribe as a whole; but he concedes that the cockroach is ‘an unmitigated nuisance’ in many houses. It came over to this country in the sixteenth century, a heavy ‘per contra’ when we are reckoning up the benefits of that epoch.” (Spec.)
“A delightful little book, easily read at a sitting, and in the main, accurate. One might also doubt if Mr. Westell has not gone too far in his aim to be popular and simple, by omitting so generously the scientific names.”
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Nation. 86: 561. Je. 18, ’08. 200w.
“The volume breathes a certain culture and graciousness refreshing as the conversation of some learned but withal quite human friend.” Hildegarde Hawthorne.
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N. Y. Times. 13: 449. Ag. 15, ’08. 170w.
“A very interesting little book on a subject in which he is an expert.”
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Spec. 100: 545. Ap. 4, ’08. 100w.
Westlake, John. International law; a treatise. 2v. ea. *$3. Putnam.
The author “has not attempted an exhaustive and technical treatise, but rather a general work, which would appeal both to university students, publicists and that widening circle 385of the reading public interested in international questions. The first volume is devoted to the law of peace; the second volume to the law of war and of neutrality.”—Ann. Am. Acad.
“The distinguishing characteristic of Prof. Westlake’s work is that he has succeeded in emancipating himself from the insular prepossessions which have heretofore characterized so many of the British works on international law. While this work cannot be said to present the subject from a new point of view, it is in many respects the most satisfactory summary of the present status of international law available to English speaking students.” L. S. Rowe.
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Ann. Am. Acad. 32: 468. S. ’08. 300w.
“Perhaps no work has been written on the leading topics of international law which is more likely to enable its readers to reason sanely upon the ‘other topics’ of the subject. The only defect observable in the book, if it be permitted to criticize adversely one who has demonstrated himself a master, is the somewhat obscure language in which the thought has at times been expressed.” G. W. Scott.