Autobiography of Frances E. Willard. TALK ABOUT BOOKS. It has been said that if Frances Willard should push a plank out into the ocean and should beckon the white ribbon women to follow her to the end of it, they would go without question. Their answer to this is that her planks have always proved to be bridges across to delectable islands, and their faith in the future is justified by the past. It is not surprising that the life of a woman who has this power to lead others, who by her enthusiasm carries them along with her, and whose undertakings success has so often crowned, should be of surpassing interest to her devoted followers and that they should ask her to tell the story of her life,* that it might be an inspiration to them. This last Miss Willard has done with a frankness that suggests Boswell's "Life of Johnson," but with the underlying motive that it might give pleasure and do goodboth of which it will doubtless do. Never have we seen an autobiography that revealed more completely the inmost thoughts and purposes of a life and the influences that shaped it. In the record of her childhood, school-girl, and schoolma'am days, one traces the same characteristics and sees the same vim and hard work that make her to-day the leading temperance worker and organizer. It is interesting to compare her first beginnings in this line with her present status, to follow her development into the leader of the temperance hosts, and from this, one more step -the plunge into "a woman in politics"which last has brought so much criticism-but when one takes a position, as she does, on the ground, "I can do no other, God help me," who is the one to decide upon the wisdom of the act? The strong point made and emphasized throughout the book, is work and pray and the result must be success. with the simple directness and the lack of selfconsciousness which characterized all her public speeches. It is the record of a warfare unique in its methods and far-reaching in its results, of incidents of thrilling interest and fraught with deeply instructive teachings. Not the least of its lessons is that taught by this noble woman's life of Christian heroism and self-denial. Lodge's Washington. A new work on Washington is as severe a test as any to which an author could subject himself; that Mr. Lodge stood it well a reading of his book * will show. The work is presented rather in the form of a character study than of a personal history; what the man was in himself and not what he did, is the main object sought. Myths, traditions, and much that has been commonly reported as truth are brusquely set aside, and the sparsely traced events are well chosen and brought out in strong high lights. From a close study of the times and the surroundings, the author draws the lessons which he thinks Washington-the silent man who never revealed his thoughts-must have drawn, and in them seeks the motive powers which governed him in active life. Emphasis is laid on the fact that he never showed himself a novice in anything, but as warrior and statesman from the beginning of his difficult career was always equal to the occasion. In establishing a new government among a people freed from monarchic rule, and with no model to follow, he steadily guided them and held in check all such wild dreams as swayed the liberated Parisians and led to the Reign of Terror. Washington thus pictured seems as some great prophet who saw in all the events of his time the vast meaning which they held for the future. The interest awakened at the beginning of the book increases as the reader feels that he is following the lead of a dauntless champion, although he is one who occasionally shows the bad traits of a hero worshiper. The author's zeal occasionally leads him too far, as is shown in his trying to prove groundless every adverse criticism however trivial. He frequently takes issue over unimportant matters in no kindly spirit with leading historians and writers as loyal as himself to Washington. He is, besides, more than once guilty of dwarfing other characters in order to throw Washington into greater prominence. *George Washington. By Henry Cabot Lodge. In the American Statesmen Series. New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company. Two vols. Price $2.50. Historical The Vermont has a history full of tales of war and glories of peace, of industrial developments and social institutions, all of which have been depicted in a truthful and popular manner.Among the good points to be noted in Montgomery's French History, which does not pretend to be anything more than an outline, are the fine topical analysis of the subject, and the clear and compact summary which follows each chapter. The author of "Burgoyne's Invasion" clearly appreciates the rank this remarkable campaign held in the Revolutionary struggle and proceeds in a masterly manner to give the details of the event. His accurate description is supplemented by numerous maps and diagrams. Biography. The religious and political beliefs of it. men and their play upon each other are the subjects of Mr. Fiske's historical study into the Beginnings of New England.* He dwells upon the convictions, ambitions, and characters rather than deeds and thus gets at the causes which produced that peculiar early history of New England. The perspective he gives in introducing the subject is sufficient to help the reader to a good understanding of the growth of the opinions of the times and to put him on his feet for walking with the commonly misunderstood Puritans. treatment is clear, precise, and interesting. Mr. Fiske regards his subject as "perhaps the most significant among the significant events which prophesied the final triumph of the English over the Roman idea" (of conquest), and he handles it with the dignity and care which become so important a theme. It is the kind of historical study which arouses a human interest in a period. A new volume in the series of "English History from Contemporary Writers" is "The Crusade of Richard I."† As implied in the name given to the series, this book is made up of extracts from the literature of that time. All sources have been thoroughly searched and made to contribute their share, and the selections are so arranged as to carry the history forward in a connected narrative. That this could have been done so smoothly and in such a satisfactory manner forms one of the pleasant surprises of the work. It impresses one as a skillfully arranged puzzle-very complete when once it is all put together. The variety in authorship offers a fine opportunity for the study of literature, and also gives views of the Third Crusade and its leaders obtained from all stand-points, those of friends and foes, and indifferent lookers-on. It is a store-house of anecdotes and quaint expressions. "The Story of Vermont," "The Leading Facts of French History," and "Burgoyne's Invasion of 1777" are new books from three separate series of publications. Mr. Heaton, the author of the first, had a wide and rich field in which to labor and his work shows that he justly estimated *The Beginnings of New England or the Puritan Theocracy in its Relations to Civil and Religious Liberty. By John Fiske. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Company. 1889. Price, $2.00. The Crusade of Richard I. Selected and arranged by T. A. Archer. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Price, $1.25. A just and impartial history of the Irish patriot Henry Grattan,* is the one written for the series of the "International Statesmen." A simple and straightforward narration of the events crowding that noted period, in which Grattan was a conspicuous leader, forms the bulk of the book. The author avoids taking the part of a controversialist, and he does not extol the man about whom he writes or censure his opponents; actions and words are related in full and the reader is left to draw his own conclusions concerning them. Very seldom does the author express opinions in regard to a question, one exception being his consideration of the union of England and Ireland, and this shows him to be clearsighted, candid, unprejudiced, capable of weighing both sides of a question and deciding fairly. Two useful and interesting books have been added to the lists of educational works-the "Life of Pestalozzi" and the "Autobiography of Froebel." The former is a new translation of the well-known work written by De Guimps, which did so much to awaken popular interest in its subject. It tells in a direct and agreeable manner the story of the great philanthropist who led a life of self-renunciation in order that he might teach the poor and ignorant and lead them into better ways of living. Froebel, the founder of the kindergarten system, evidently wrote the history of his own life, dwelling at length upon his sad childhood, in order that its mistakes might be avoided in the case of other children. He was for some time a pupil of Pestalozzi whose name became the watchword of his life, and he *Life of Henry Grattan. By Robert Dunlop. Philadel The Story of Vermont. By John L. Heaton. Boston: delphia: J. B. Lippincott Co. Price, 75 cents. D. Lothrop Company. Price, $1.50. †The Life of Pestalozzi. By Baron Roger De Guimps. The Leading Facts of French History. By D. H. Mont- Translated by Margaret Cuthbertson Crombie. gomery. Boston: Ginn & Company. Burgoyne's Invasion of 1777. By Samuel Adams Drake. Boston: Lee and Shepard. Price, 70 cents. Autobiography of Friederich Froebel. Translated and Annotated by Emilie Michaelis and H. Keatley Moore. Syracuse, N. Y.: C. W. Bardeen. gives at length the methods employed by the latter in his work. Both books are among the best that could be added to a teacher's library. part of it. It has been aptly described as "a cross between a commentary and series of sermons without the technicalities of the one and the tediousness that sometimes attaches to the other." Volume X. contains those inimitable discourses of the author upon the Scriptures included between 2d Chronicles, xxi., and the book of Job.-"New Notes for Bible Readings "* is a complete work. A full index enables one readily to turn to all the subjects, each one of which will be found to be prefaced with all needed definition and exposition. Then follow in a tabular form all the Bible references bearing upon the leading thought and all of its ramifications. It is a work of research and labor excellently carried out. Missionary In "Every-Day Biography "* a bright thought has taken form in a reference book which will be found useful to teachers and others who may desire to select Authors' Days or Memorial Days. Under each day of the year is placed a list of eminent persons whose birth-days fell on that date, and with each name the bare outlines of biography are given. The book is valuable in that it gives one a good clue to needed information. An exhaustive Bible study on a Helps for Bible Students. plan quite out of the usual course is undertaken in "Bible Work."† It is a vast system of compilations made from the eminent Biblical scholars of the world. Volume III. treats of the books included between the Pentateuch and Ezra. After two preliminary chapters considering the Scriptures in general, and the books included in this volume taken collectively, the work proceeds to the detailed study of the separate verses and chapters, taking them up after the manner of a commentary. These comments, gathered from such wide and various sources, focus upon each point under consideration the highest written thoughts concerning it, and the reader cannot fail to be impressed with the unanimity in the conclusions reached. Full explanations and descriptions are given, and there are numerous maps, pictures, and helpful tables.- -The new edition of Professor Kurtz's "Church History" has been carried forward through the second volume, which covers a period extending from the tenth to the sixteenth century, or from the Crusades to the establishment of the Reformation. As in the first volume, so much has been attempted that each subject is necessarily dealt with in a most concise manner, but the treatment is so incisive and graphic that clear general views are obtained. A man of decided opinions, the author so freely expresses them in this work as to leave no doubt regarding his own predilection for the Lutheran church.- -Dr. Parker has car- Poetry. People's Bible," ried his great work, "The † Bible Work. Prepared by J. Glentworth Butler, D.D. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Vol. III. Price $4.00. Church History. By Professor Kurtz. Translated by the Rev. John Macpherson, M.A. In three volumes. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Price, per vol., $2.00. The People's Bible. By Joseph Parker, D.D. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Price per vol.. $2.50. The Centenary Conference on Protestant Missions held in London, June 9-19, 1888, at which 1,600 members were enrolled, was one of the great events in recent ecclesiastic history. A minute account of it is embodied in the very able Report † made by the Secretary. No expense of money or of labor has been spared in making this published account complete and accurate, and at the same time instructive and interesting to the general reader. We know of no stand-point where can be obtained a better and clearer view over the whole missionary field and an insight into all its departments of work than from the two volumes comprised in this Report.The Missionary Year-Book, the first volume of which is now published, grew out of a suggestion made during the Centenary Conference. The need of such a work is very apparent and the able manner in which the initial volume has been prepared leaves no doubt that the project will continue, and that each succeeding year will see a similar publication. A brief history embracing all leading facts and the present status of all the principal Protestant missionary societies in America and Europe are given. Maps, tables of statistics, and a remarkably full index complete the work. The much be-poemed "King's Daughter" sets her name to the opening verses of a collection by Rebecca Palfrey Utter. The author's work is of very *New Notes for Bible Readings. By S. R. Briggs. New York and Chicago: Fleming H. Revell. Price, $1.00. + Report of the Centenary Conference on the Protestant Missions of the World. Edited by the Rev. James Johnston, F. S. S. New York and Chicago: Fleming H. Revell. Price, $2.00. The Missionary Year-Book for 1889-90. American Edition. Edited by the Rev. J. T. Gracey, D.D. New York and Chicago: Fleming H. Revell. Price, $1.25. The King's Daughter and Other Poems. By Rebecca Palfrey Utter. Boston: J. Stilman Smith and Co. unequal merit. Notably bad is the second of "Four Valentines," in which the absent friend is addressed alternately as thou and you; unusually bright, original, and well-written are "The False Alarm," "Three O'Clock in the Morning," and "The Conspiracy of the Weathercocks"; a few read as if penned when not in writing mood; but nearly all are cheerful, a good thing to be able to say about a book of poems. -“ Our Glorified"* is a collection of poems of consolation for parents who have been bereft of children. The selections are those that have sprung from personal sorrow and are full of tenderness and beauty. Among them are Riley's "When Bessie Died," Stoddard's "A Household Dirge," and "When first He Died," "Our Angels," by Helen Hunt Jackson, "Little Hands" by Swinburne, and many others that have awakened a response in aching hearts, and brought to them comfort and strength. The volume is daintily bound and recommends itself as a gift-book.Selections from "The Poems of Landor "t form a recent addition to "The Canterbury Poets" series. The Introduction by Ernest Radford gives a brief statement of the poet's work with a critical estimate showing a keen appreciation of its beauty which, however, has not blinded him to its defects. What he calls "the hard task of an editor" has been very successfully done; the scenes taken from the dramas are the strongest ones and show to best advantage Landor's wonderful genius of language; the verses reveal varying moods and are uniformly charming and finely wrought. The book is a praiseworthy effort to present to the public a poet who is too little read.- -The following lines show the character of Mr. Rice's book of one hundred forty-two pages of alleged "Verses": "Just why I love thee it is hard to tell; Thou art not handsome in the strictest sense." Miscellaneous Notes. The Two books of importance in view of the churches' newly revived interest in the work of deaconesses, have been issued recently.* action of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 1888 in providing for the appointment and oversight of deaconesses, showed a deep appreciation of the value of woman's work in the church. That this new force may achieve the greatest amount of good as an evangelizing power, just such a clear exposition of its aims, methods, and successful organizations as is here set forth is needed. Both books are able and comprehensive, and with their fertility of suggestion will help to a wise guidance of the cause which they advocate. Louise Manning Hodgson in her "Nineteenth Century Authors "† is a wise guide to the inexperienced in the fields of literature; and how valuable the information given only those whose advantages are limited, can know. For instance, she selects some noted English or American author and gives a list of the biographical writing about him, significant facts in his life, a group of contemporary authors, indicates important selections from his works, gives a list of his friends and numerous books of reference. An additional and useful feature would be to give in connection with the author and title of these works, the name of the publisher. Enthusiasm for Chautauqua reaches a climax in "Counting the Cost," but it usefully takes a practical form, making plain the Chautauqua way to the uninitiated. The guide has left nothing unsaid that could be said of this charming place. How to get there, what it costs, what to do when there, the advantages of a season spent there, are told in detail. In 1887 Dr. Brandes, the Danish scholar and writer, was invited by the Russian Authors' Association to deliver a course of lectures in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Accepting the invitation, and, after his duties were finished, traveling through other parts of Russia, he had a fine opportunity for studying the land and the people. The results of this visit he has embodied in a * Deaconesses Ancient and Modern. By Rev. Henry Wheeler. Price, $1.25. Deaconesses in Europe and their Lessons for America. By Jane Bancroft, Ph.D. Price, $1.00. New York: Hunt & Eaton, Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. A Guide to the Study of Nineteenth Century Authors. * Our Glorified. Edited by Elizabeth Howard Foxcroft. By Louise Manning Hodgson, Professor of English LiterBoston: Lee and Shepard. †The Poems of Walter Savage Landor. Selected and edited by Ernest Radford. New York: W. J. Gage and Co. Through Broken Reeds. Verses by Will Amos Rice. Boston: Chas. H. Kilborn. ature in Wellesley College. Boston, New York, and Chicago: D. C. Heath & Co. Counting the Cost, or a Summer at Chautauqua. By Cornelia Adele Teal. Illustrated. New York: Hunt & Eaton. Cincinnati: Cranston & Stowe. Price, $1.10. book called "Impressions of Russia." * It shows the author to be a man of keen observation and of good judgment, one who investigated for himself and never accepted assertions and theories simply because they had been of long standing. His statements are unhackneyed, his reasoning original, his conclusions reliable. His style of writing, when translated into En*Impressions of Russia. By Dr. Georg Brandes. Translated by Samuel C. Eastman. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell. Price, $1.25. glish, is a little abrupt and jerky, but forcible, and not unpleasant. A good portion of the book is devoted to Russian authors and their works. The list of valuable compilations known as the "Camelot Series" is lengthened by adding Lord Chesterfield's famous letters to his son.* They are prefaced by an admirable essay on that worldly-wise oracle of politeness. *Letters Written by Lord Chesterfield to his Son. Selected by Charles Sayle. New York: W. J. Gage & Co. SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT NEWS FOR AUGUST, 1889. HOME NEWS.-August 1. The national monument in honor of the Pilgrims dedicated at Plymouth, Mass.- -Destructive floods in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. August 3. The Sioux chiefs at Standing Rock, Dakota, accept the Government treaty providing for the giving up of their lands. August 5. The business portion of Spokane Falls, Wash., destroyed by fire; the losses amount to $10,000,000.- -The President appoints Prof. Wm. T. Harris Commissioner of Education. The Constitutional Convention at Olympia votes to submit the question of prohibition to the people of Washington. August 6. The American Electric Light Association in annual session at Niagara Falls. August 7. The Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America in session at Cleveland, Ohio. -Bozeman is chosen as the capital of Montana at the Constitutional Convention. August 10. An earthquake of forty-five second's duration is felt in the Adirondack region. August 13. Over five hundred houses submerged by a flood in Lincoln, Neb. August 29. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes celebrates his eightieth birthday.—The Republicans of South Dakota in convention at Huron, adopt resolutions in favor of prohibition. FOREIGN NEWS.-August 2. Emperor William lands in England and visits Queen Victoria at Osborne. August 3. Gen. Grenfell routs the dervish army near Toski.- -An encounter in Crete between the insurgents and the Turkish soldiers. August 5. Emperor William reviews the British fleet. August 6. eightieth birthday. Alfred Tennyson celebrates his August 8. Gen. Boulanger's trial before the High Court of the Senate begins. August 12. Emperor Francis Joseph visits Emperor William at Berlin. August 13. The French Senate Court finds Gen. Boulanger guilty of conspiracy and an attempt at treason. August 16. The Czar confers the cross of St. August 14. Death of the Rev. Dr. Bayliss, ed- Stanislaus upon ex-Capt. Grueff, the abductor of itor of the Western Christian Advocate. August 16. The North Dakota Constitutional Convention selects Bismarck as the state capital. August 19. Extensive forest fires in Montana. August 22. President Harrison delivers an address at the laying of the corner-stone of the soldiers' monument in Indianapolis, Ind. August 25. Death of Henry Shaw, the millionaire philanthropist of St. Louis, Mo. Prince Alexander of Bulgaria. August 17. Prince Bismarck and Count Kalnoky modify the Austro-German treaty. August 19. King Humbert confers the title of count on Thomas A. Edison. August 23. Strike of forty thousand dock laborers in London. August 24. Hippolyte's triumphant army enters Port-au-Prince, Legitime having left the city August 26. Opening of the Grand Army na- after accepting Hippolyte's terms. tional encampment at Milwaukee, Wis. August 28. The twelfth annual session of the American Bar Association opens in Chicago, Ill. -Gen. Russell A. Alger elected commanderin-chief of the G. A. R., at the Milwaukee encampment. August 26. Thousands of other laborers join the striking dockmen in London. August 27. The American Association for the Advancement of Science meets in Toronto. August 30. The Queen prorogues the English Parliament until Nov. 16. |