ARCHOLOGY, OR THE SCIENCE OF GOVERNMENT. By S.V. Blakeslee. Price
$1.25. New York and San Francisco: A. Roman & Co.
This book is a very metaphysical treatise on theories of
government and the duties of citizens to the law, each other,
and themselves. Theoretical politics are little in favor with
thinking men of this day; and the social difficulties of our age
will have to be solved by practical wisdom founded on
experience. The people that knows that a certain course of
legislation has destroyed an empire, and that a contrary policy
has developed one, will care little as to whether or not "the
will controls the feelings by mediate and indirect force." We
are unable to find in this book any attempt to apply the finely
worded theories stated to practical use and popular instruction
in political science.
GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF ROOF TRUSSES, FOR THE USE OF ENGINEERS,
ARCHITECTS, AND BUILDERS. By Charles E. Greene, A.M., Professor of
Civil Engineering in the University of Michigan. Chicago, Ill: George
H. Frost.
The author of this work truly says that any designer who fairly
tries the graphical method will be pleased with the simplicity
and directness of the analysis, even for apparently complex
forms. The hindrance to the general use of the method is the
want of knowledge of the higher mathematics, which are largely
used in most treatises on the subject. Professor Greene has
avoided this stumbling block, and given us a treatise which may
be understood and appreciated by any one of common school
education. We therefore give his work a hearty commendation, and
we hope that every carpenter and builder may be induced to
analyze the stresses which affect the different parts of
structures, which he can readily do by carefully reading this
volume.
THE HUB: a Journal devoted to the Carriage Building Trades. Published
monthly. Subscription price, $3.00 a year. New York city: The Hub
Publishing Company, 323 Pearl street.
This journal is widely known for its accurate and extended
information as to carriage building, trimming, lining, painting,
etc.; and since its first issue it has maintained its
reputation, and given the public an immense amount of
instruction in a spirited and practical manner. The
illustrations and typography are excellent, and every number
shows how extended an area it serves as an authority on the
important industry to which it is devoted.
ASSIGNATS AND MANDATS: the Money and the Finances of the French
Revolution of 1789. By Stephen D. Dillaye. Price, free by mail, 30
cents. Philadelphia, Pa.: Henry Carey Baird & Co., 810 Walnut street.
Mr. Dillaye differs with the Hon. A.D. White, President of
Cornell University, as to the relative merits of money and
promises to pay money; and he begins with the assertion that the
President's "object is to depreciate American credit, stability,
and honor." Further perusal, to ascertain the meaning of this
attack on a patriotic and useful member of society, shows us
what Mr. Dillaye thinks he means. He talks of credit being the
vital element of national power; and from this he argues that
the more "credit" a nation has--that is, the deeper it is in
debt--the more powerful it becomes. In short, he confuses credit
as opposed to discredit with credit as opposed to cash--a
grievous blunder, surely. A nation's credit is like a
merchant's; it becomes greater only as his debts become smaller;
and people trust a government for the same reason as they trust
an individual, mainly because every previous obligation has been
honorably observed. It is gratifying to know that persons of Mr.
Dillaye's way of thinking are few and unimportant, and their
number is diminishing daily.
CROTON WATER SUPPLY FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK: an Address by George B.
Butler to the New York Municipal Society. New York city: Published by
Order of the Society, 87 Madison avenue.
A review of the whole subject of our water supply, its sources
and the area they drain, the geographical features of the
district, and the works erected by the city. Mr. Butler
maintains that the Croton valley, with proper storage
reservoirs, can abundantly supply the whole city; and that no
new aqueduct need be constructed in the present condition of the
public debt.
EINE KURZE ALLGEMEINE EINLEITUNG ZU DEN AROMATISCHEN
NITROVERBINDUNGEN. Von Peter Townsend Austen. Leipzig, Germany:
Winter, Publisher.
We are glad to see that an American is able to publish a very
useful chemical treatise in Germany, the great head center of
chemistry. Dr. Austen, one of our most distinguished young
chemists in the field of original research, has produced a work
which bears the marks of much patient thought and study. The
book is dedicated to the renowned German chemist, Professor A.W.
Hofmann.
OUR YOUNG FOLKS' MAGAZINE: a Monthly Journal of Instruction and
Amusement. Subscription price, $1.60 a year. Boston, Mass.: Post
Office Box 3090.
A readable little periodical, well calculated to amuse the
little ones for whom it is intended.
GLASS FOR THE STUDIO AND DARK ROOM. By Thomas Gaffield. Philadelphia,
Pa.: Benerman & Wilson.
There is much useful information in this little pamphlet, and
photographers especially should read it. The matter first
appeared in the Philadelphia _Photographer_.
* * * * *