In _Scriptures, Hebrew and Christian_,[2] the task has been undertaken
of rendering the Bible narrative in a form which shall be convenient and
readable for young readers. Such an idea does not wholly please us, for
it does not seem possible to rewrite the sacred history without losing
the spirit of the close translation from the Hebrew and Greek. There is
an excuse for simplifying Bible stories for young children, but this
work seems adapted only to those who must be mature enough to fully
understand the reading of the Scriptures themselves. Yet, for those who
can profitably employ such a book, this work could hardly be better. It
is evidently prepared with great care. The first volume, which is at
hand, contains the Hebrew story from Creation to the Exile, and for it
one must commend the writers for their conscientious and painstaking
work, which, without doubt, will prove to be of value to many.
* * * * *
History is a subject so vast and complex that it requires great skill to
properly present even an outline of the whole in a single volume. Such
compendiums have, however, been made, and have had a useful purpose.
Professor Fisher is a man who has extensive qualifications for such a
task, and he has given us a work[3] which should have a place in every
public and private library, and be in the hands of every student. The
whole subject, from the earliest to present times, is outlined in a
manner which has rendered it readable and interesting,--a rare quality
for such a condensed work. We like the arrangement, which does not treat
each country always by itself, but the whole plan of the book is, in
general, chronological, by which the condition of different countries at
any given period is readily compared. By the use of different types in
printing, a notable convenience is afforded the reader. For instance,
the general thread of narrative is carried on through the coarser type,
while in another type one may read of contemporary literature, art,
science, etc. In fact, the record of these subjects is one of the
valuable features of the work. The typography is excellent,--a matter of
special importance in such a book.
* * * * *
A concise monograph,[4] lately translated from the German, is
interesting as an argument in favor of gas as against electricity for
artificial lighting. The author is impressed with the fact that the
triumphs of electric lighting have been overestimated, and that its
healthful, legitimate development has been retarded by the hosts of
speculators. Dr. Schilling quotes many statistics, from both European
and American sources, to show that many of the claims for electric
lighting are unfounded, and that gas has been the subject of numerous
false assertions as to its danger, etc., simply to glorify the electric
light. The author seems disposed to fairness, in general, but when,
after admitting that the electric light has a future before it, he
declares that "gas will remain in future, as it always has been, the
universal means of illumination," he is at least injudicious.
"Universal" and "always" are too broad; certainly, as far as the past is
concerned, if not the future. Those who are interested in the subject
will find it worth while to read this book. The translation has been
carefully made, and it is clearly printed.
* * * * *
Lynn, Mass., has long been famous for its boots and shoes, but from a
comfortably sized book[5] in hand, we are led to believe that the town
has something interesting about it besides heels and soles. This volume
is, according to its name, a series of sketches of the history of the
town, well interspersed with anecdotes, most of them from the storehouse
of the author's own memory. Although he spent, as he declares, twenty
years on the shoemaker's bench, he has not limited his knowledge to his
trade. He has evidently been a keen observer; and his command of
Anglo-Saxon, together with what may be called the genuine Yankee
language, has enabled him to relate his stories and make his comments in
a clear and vigorous style. It is, indeed, a very pleasant variation of
the regulation town history; a volume of information and good-natured
wit; such a book as we imagine every citizen and native of Lynn would
delight to read.