The devil take the bicycle that can with that compare!”
TO cyclists the modest, unpretentious account of a really noteworthy cycling trip, which is contained in “Pedal and Path,” by George B. Thayer (Hartford: Evening Post Association), must have proved of considerable value, while to the outside public it cannot fail to be interesting. The distance actually traveled by wheel was 4,239 miles, and the work and fatigue undergone were extreme. Mr. Thayer tells his story in a pleasant, chatty style, well adapted to the original form his writings took--newspaper letters--and furnishing pleasant light literature in book-form. There is rather an undue amount of personalities, as regards appearance of people encountered, etc., and some few passages savor of a naïveté which might prove somewhat embarrassing to a young lady reader, but these are minor faults.
TO the jaded palate of the habitual novel-reader, anything new and sensational is acceptable, however wild in its conception. We should imagine, therefore, that “The Heart of Don Vega,” by Alfred Allen (Westerly, R. I.: George G. Champlin, 1888), will meet with considerable appreciation among a certain class. Novelty, sensationalism, horrors and tragedies abound in the little volume, and are withal strung into a very readable story.
AMONG the best books for the benefit of the younger members of society are the following published by Messrs. Lee & Shepard, Boston: “Up the North Branch” forms the fourth volume of the Lake and Forest Series, by Capt. Charles A. J. Farrar, and is an exciting narrative of sport and adventure in the wilds of Maine. It is bound to hit the fancy of every boy. “Biding His Time,” by J. T. Trowbridge, is a story of the adventures and subsequent good fortune of a poor Ohio lad. “Mother Goose’s Melodies” and “Songs of Our Darlings” are cheap and well printed collections of old familiar nursery rhymes. “The Readings from the Waverley Novels”--edited by Albert F. Blaisdell, A.M., are a capital selection of just such passages as will catch the youthful fancy.
A DAY-BOOK of pretty thoughts, strengthened by scriptural quotations, is to be found in “Pansies for Thoughts,” from the writings of “Pansy”--Mrs. G. R. Alden--compiled by Grace Livingston. (Boston: D. Lothrop & Co.). The selections are apt and happy, while the appearance of the little volume is most charming.
THE holiday number of “Sun and Shade” (Brooklyn: The Photo-Gravure Co.) is extremely handsome. The reproductions are a marvel of art, that of Raphael’s “Madonna della Sedia” being particularly striking, while “See-Saw,” by John Morgan, makes a most charming picture.
PITHY and appropriate sentiments are found in the little pamphlet, “Stray Notes from Famous Musicians,” compiled by G. H. C. (Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co.). No page can be opened without some tersely worded truth impressing itself on the mind.
THE volume of music, entitled “Classic Tenor Songs” (Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co.), is one which fully justifies its title. It will prove a valuable addition to the existing collections of songs for male voices.
A CAPITAL specimen of what can be done in compiling a university record is afforded by “The Yale Banner,” Louis L. Barnum, editor and publisher. The make up of the volume is all that can be desired, and the portrait groups form an interesting feature.
WE have received the “American Newspaper Annual” for 1888, issued by N. W. Ayer & Son, Philadelphia. It forms an extremely complete volume, and is of great service to advertisers.