AN EXTRAORDINARY BOOK.
The Unofficial Letters of an Official’s Wife.
By Edith Moses. 12mo. Cloth, gilt top, $1.50 net.
This is a volume of actual letters which Mrs. Moses, the wife of Professor Moses, wrote from the Philippines to her relatives here in the United States. Professor Moses, who is connected with the University of California, was one of the five members of the first commission, of which Secretary Taft was the head, sent out by the U. S. Government to organize the government of the Philippine Islands. The members of this commission were practically the first important Americans to go to the Philippines in a peaceful and a civil capacity. Mrs. Moses, therefore, saw the social, political, and home life in Manila as well as in the provinces and the different islands before American civilization had entered there to any extent. Her letters, while descriptive, have a very definite connection one with the other. They describe the arrival at the Philippines, the beginning of life there, housekeeping, the seemingly strange methods of daily life, servant problems, and so on, in Manila. Nothing like these letters has appeared in regard to the Philippine Islands at any time. It should be borne in mind, furthermore, that these letters are not in any way technical or having to do with the organization of the Philippine government. They are, as the title suggests, quite “unofficial” letters of a lady who, because of her connection with official circles, saw many things which an ordinary traveler never could see.
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK.