Books of the Month
Biography. Macmillan has issued the fifth volume of the Dictionary of National Biography, bringing the work down to “ Browell.” The editor, Mr. Leslie Stephen, is avoiding the danger into which he threatened, in the earlier volumes, to fall, that of giving great space to minor persons. — The Life and Letters of Joel Barlow, LL. D., by Charles Burr Todd (Putnam’s Sons), will be reviewed in the next number of The Atlantic. — Diderot, by John Morley, forms the fourth and fifth volumes of Macmillan’s very neat uniform edition of that, author’s writings. It is safe to pronounce Diderot Mr. Morley’s most important Work. —The Life of a Prig, by One (Holt & Co.), is a very clever bit of satire, the edge of which will perhaps cut deeper on the other side of the water than on this. The hero’s various religious enthusiasms are delightfully described, and his audacity is charming throughout. “If this little work,” he remarks, “should have the effect of making even one prig more priggish, the writer will not have labored in vain.”
Medicine and Hygiene. Ounces of Prevention, by Titus Munson Coan (Harpers), is a collection of papers having reference to ventilation, drainage, diet, the care of the body, and so forth. Dr. Coan hopes by his little book to help in that training of the community which is to make a man a physician long before he is forty, and to shrivel the other horn of the dilemma. — Tokology, a book for every woman, by Alice B. Stockham, M. D. (Sanitary Publishing Co., Chicago.) This is a revised edition of a book published originally in 1883, and devoted to giving advice as to the production and early care of children. Tight lacing catches it, and we rub our hands. — The Adirondacks as a Health Resort, showing the benefit to be derived by a sojourn in the wilderness, in cases of pulmonary phthisis, acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma, hay-fever, and various nervous affections. Edited and compiled by Joseph W. Stickler. (Putnams.) Dr. Stickler fortifies his position not only by citation of cases, but by many letters from persons who have resorted to the wilderness, and as these are, in most instances, persons of education and intelligence, the letters have a higher value than ordinary testimonials.
Cookery. French Dishes for American Tables (Appleton & Co.) has an appetizing air. The work, which is conveniently arranged and neatly printed, is translated by Mrs. Frederic Sherman from the French of Pierre Caron, who is described on the title-page as “ formerly chef d’entremets at Delmonico’s.” — E. P. Dutton & Co., New York, issue a series of monthly menu cards, giving a very complete list of dishes in season. There is one unknown to us, — hominy ice cream. It must be nutritious; is it also agreeable?—Food Materials and their Adulterations, by Ellen H. Richards (Estes & Lnuriat), is a sensible, practical book, which the ordinary housekeeper will find of use.
Books for Young People. Wakulla, a story of adventure in Florida, by Kirk Munroe (Harpers), gives a lively picture of whatever is extraordinary in the experience of settlers in Florida. All the adventures in the book might have happened to one family, but we Suspect that most families are provided with lightning-rod devices, and this one was not ; hence all the storms of accident burst upon their devoted heads. —Two Arrows, a Story of Red and White, by William O. Stoddard. (Harpers.) Life among the Nez Percés and Apaches forms the basis of this story, in which young Indians and young whites bear a part. The book is generous toward the Indians, and does not make one hang his head so much as some truthful Indian narratives do.
Education and Text Books. Outlines of Psychology, with special reference to the theory of education, by James Sully; reading-club edition, abridged and edited, with appendices, suggestive questions, and references to pedagogical works, by J. A. Reinhart. (C. W. Bardeen, Syracuse.) Mr. Reinhart has undertaken to adapt Mr. Sully’s comprehensive work to the needs and uses of teachers in America, especially to those who are in training in normal schools.