LITERATURE.
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.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Scriptures, Hebrew and Christian. Arranged and edited for young readers as an introduction to the study of the Bible. By Edw. T. Bartlett, A.M., and John P. Peters, Ph.D. Vol. I, pp. 545. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.