JOHN S. SARGENT: His Life and Work, with a Catalogue of His Works. Illustrated. By WILLIAM HOWE DOWNES. Thornton Butterworth. 30s. net. The American author of this book writes in his introductory note that in it "may be found a mass of data forming the groundwork upon which the future historian of art may build." Regarded in this light the book is certainly a valuable record and includes a complete catalogue of the artist's works. There are also a number of rather unsatisfying reproductions of Sargent's pictures, and the rest of the material is rather haphazard. It is doubtful, for instance, whether "the future historian of art," or anyone else, will ever want to refer to the complete list of mourners at the Westminster Abbey memorial service, which is here given. Another unusual feature is that here is a biography, and that of a portrait painter, which includes no portrait of the artist himself. THE PERAMBULATOR IN EDINBURGH. By JAMES BONE. With Pictures by E. S. LUMSDEN, A.R.S.A. Cape. 12s. 6d. net. This is a new and entirely revised edition of a book by Mr. Bone, first published in 1911 under the title Edinburgh Revisited. The most notable features in which it differs from other books on Edinburgh are that the author's easy, pleasant, meanderings or "perambulations round the city are reproduced in an admirably lucid style, and that he has "re-discovered " the lands of the Old Town and, as it were, interpreted them for his readers so vividly that the old inhabitants in all their variety come to life again. For the rest of the city he is always an interesting guide, and the excellent production is enhanced by the really attractive drawings by Mr. Lumsden. A HISTORY OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES. By W. W. JENNINGS. Harrap. 15s. net. In this substantial volume the Professor of Economic History in the University of Kentucky traces the whole course of economic development in the United States from the earliest colonial period to the present day. In some 750 pages he deals with the growth of population, agriculture, manufactures, commerce, finance, and general commercial policy; the book should provide a mine of information for students. PALESTINE MEMORIES (1917-1918-1925). By ROBERT H. GOODSALL, A.R.I.B.A. With Sketches in Colour and Monochrome, Photographs and 4 Maps made by the Author. Canterbury Cross & Jackman. 15s. net. This is a pleasantly unpretentious record of war service in Palestine, with an account of a later visit. It gives a reliable picture of the country, and an interesting personal reminiscence of the Palestine campaign. The illustrations are excellent. THE SAINT SIMONIAN RELIGION IN GERMANY: A Study of the Young German Movement. By E. M. BUTLER, Fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 21s. net. This scholarly and comprehensive work deals very fully with the effect of the teachings of Saint-Simon, the philosopher and founder of French Socialism, on the romantic writers of the " Young German Movement in the 'thirties of last century. The authoress points out that Heinrich Heine was a member of this movement, although this is not generally recognised, and that some of the other "Young Germans," such as Wienbarg, Mundt and Laube, left their mark in literature. Whether their theories were drawn purely from the old German romantic school, or from the Saint-Simonians across the Rhine," they certainly interpreted them in the Saint-Simonian way, bringing reality and romance into such violent contact that reality became distorted and romance gave up the ghost." This quotation will serve to illustrate the lively style in which Miss Butler deals with the strange mixture of modernist ideas now generally accepted and the sheer balderdash which formed the tenets of the religion expounded by Saint-Simon, and developed on varying lines by Enfantin, Bazard, and others. Whilst their religious views led them to believe in the equality of men and women, and even in a male and female manifestation of the Deity, the hectic excitements of their fervour led to the most extraordinary scenes at their meetings, and the effect of their beliefs on the German writers was equally compounded of common sense and dangerous sentimentality. It is a remarkable episode, described by Miss Butler with a wealth of detail which is never dull. PORTRAIT OF PASCAL. BY MARY DUCLAUX. With a Frontispiece. Fisher Unwin (Ernest Benn). 10s. 6d. net. Pascal, the physicist, the discoverer of the barometer; Pascal, the Jansenist pamphleteer, and Pascal of the Pensées-all these different sides of a complex character are here drawn vividly, and the authoress succeeds admirably in her intention of presenting a lively portrait rather than a full-dress "life." The account of the Jansenist community at Port-Royal-des-Champs is particularly well done, describing the insistence of the Jansenists on the power of "Grace," their opposition to the rather superficial optimism of the Jesuits, and the curious and unpleasant pseudo-scientific experiments which they conducted to prove their belief in such a theory as the automatism of animals. With reference to Pascal's profound interest in religious controversy, the authoress draws an interesting parallel with certain modern scientists who have supported unorthodox religious cults. The book is a very human study of this remarkable man. OUR EARLY ANCESTORS: An Introductory Study of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Copper Age Cultures in Europe and Adjacent Regions. By M. C. BURKITT, M.A., F.S.A., F.G.S., University Lecturer in the Faculty of Archæology and Anthropology. Cambridge University Press. 7s. 6d. net. Mr. Burkitt has already published a volume on "Prehistory," which has been recognised as valuable, both as a work of reference for students and as an interesting volume for the general reader. Both qualities are to be found in his new work. His style is eminently readable, and his material, coupled with the bibliographies which follow each section, should provide the student with very clear foundations for the study of the periods under review. ANGLO-IRISH LITERATURE. By HUGH ALEXANDER LAW. With a Foreword by "A. E." Longmans. 6s. net. Mr. Law begins his modest Preface with the remark: "It will, I am afraid, be only too plain that I have no pretensions to originality or learning." But it soon becomes clear that he has an extremely comprehensive knowledge of his subject and a refreshing indifference to the prejudices, ultra-patriotic or pedantic, of some of his fellow countrymen. It is pleasant, for instance, to find an Irishman giving a balanced judgment on the work of Charles Lever. The author, whilst recognising that Lever deliberately heightened his effects, suggests that none the less his descriptions were true of a section of Irish life, and he counters the oft-repeated charge that Lever caricatured Irish life with a question of Mr. Augustine Birrell's: "When will mankind learn that literature is one thing and sworn testimony another?” In the same way Mr. Law has a good word for a modern masterpiece of its kind, too often dismissed contemptuously by Irish literary purists, "The Experiences of an Irish R.M.," by E. E. Somerville and Martin Ross. The whole book is a valuable survey of Irish literature from a standpoint sufficiently broad to include authors who may be suspected of English influence. THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE SEA. By KEBLE CHATTERTON. With Illustrations. Longmans. 12s. 6d. net. The fine old title which the author has chosen for his book is well exemplified in his various illustrations of the spirit of comradeship amongst sailors in the face of peril from the sea. There are instances from old days, like the account of the adventures of the crew of one of Commodore Anson's squadron, when the ship was wrecked on a Pacific island; but the greater number tell of dangers and heroism during the Great War and in the last few years, of many of which adventures the author has had first-hand information. He describes in his Introduction the special code of honour and the peculiar attitude which follow from this brotherhood; "the basic idea of this romantic corporation is one of chivalry: that one seaman, no matter where he is or whatever the circumstances, always stands by another seaman in trouble." It is a fine code, very seldom broken, and each example of it deserves commemoration. The illustrations are excellent. A reproduction of a particularly attractive old French chart of the Atlantic ocean forms the end-paper. THE WRITING OF HISTORY. By the Hon. Sir JOHN FORTESCUE, LL.D., D.Litt. Williams & Norgate. 2s. 6d. net. In this slim volume an expert in the writing of history sets out very clearly the principles on which an historian should work, and illustrates his conclusions by suggesting the investigations and the knowledge which would be required before a writer would be competent to write a history of an English rural parish. However daunting to the embryo historian may be these suggestions, it is certain that the general reader will come to the end of this book with an increased respect for our historians, and an improved understanding of the difficulties they have to face. THE OCEAN OF STORY: Being C. H. Tawney's Translation of Somadeva's Katha Sarit Sagara. Now Edited with Introduction, Fresh Explanatory Notes and Terminal Essay by N. M. PENZER, M.A., F.R.G.S., F.G.S. In 10 volumes. Volume vii. With a Foreword by MAURICE BLOOMFIELD, M.A., Ph.D. Privately printed for subscribers only. London: Charles S. Sawyer, Ltd. We are informed that Mr. Penzer's monumental labour of love, of which the earlier volumes have been reviewed in these pages, is now approaching completion. It is a wonderful collection of Hindu mythology, edited with the most remarkable capacity and detailed annotation. For all students of Indian folk-lore it will prove invaluable. This volume, like the earlier ones, contains one of Mr. Penzer's useful appendices, in which he further discusses "The Twenty-five Tales of a Vetāla." Reference has been made in previous reviews to the beautiful production of these volumes in paper, type and binding. AGRICOLA'S ROAD INTO SCOTLAND: The Great Roman Road from York to the Tweed. By JESSIE MOTHERSOLE. Those writers who are popularising archæology are surely to be praised in this utilitarian age. The author of this volume has already made something of a name for herself by her popular books on "The Saxon Shore," "Hadrian's Wall," etc. She follows her usual method in this book, which is to sandwich her historical information between descriptions of the scene as it is to-day, and accounts of her own itinerary in tracing the course of what is commonly called Watling Street. The book is profusely illustrated with sketches and diagrams. THE PARIS EMBASSY: A Narrative of Franco-British Diplomatic Relations, 1814-1920. By BECKLES WILSON. Benn. 25s. net. Taking as the setting of his story, the house used as British Embassy in Paris since 1814, the author of this volume draws lively pictures of the ambassadors who have occupied it from Wellington to Lord Crewe, not forgetting some account of the volatile lady from whom it was purchased by Wellington, the Princess Pauline Borghese, sister of the Emperor Napoleon, whose love of beautiful things was shown in her furniture, still preserved in the Embassy. It is a racy volume of social history. LETTERS OF LADY AUGUSTA STANLEY: A Young Lady at Court, 1849-1863. With an Introduction by her Nephew, the Dean of Windsor. Edited by the DEAN OF WINDSOR and HECTOR BOLITHO. Howe. 18s. net. As a Lady-in-Waiting-later the wife of Dean Stanley-Lady Augusta Bruce brought a shrewd eye to bear on the households of the Duchess of Kent and Queen Victoria and, devoted as she was to both her royal mistresses, her extremely " common-sense" attitude makes her account of court life unusually real and interesting. These letters were certainly worthy of preservation. |
