Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 58.djvu/670

662 well to consult the valuable hints of the chapter upon equipment. Mr. W. D. Wilcox, already a favorite authority upon 'Our Switzerland,' has really given us a continuation of his former work in 'The Rockies of Canada,' published by the Putnams of New York. He treats this wonderful mountain region from the standpoint of the enthusiast, having spent many seasons in the acquisition of his experience. It is easy to see that he is more of a 'mountain lover' than a sportsman, in spite of his creditable accounts of the hunting and fishing to be found in this part of terra incognita. Some space is also given to the character of the Indians. It is almost a pity that he has adopted the 'diary' style, as it detracts somewhat from the literary character of the work.

past year has been productive of many volumes bearing upon the East and its problems. The most helpful of these works, two volumes which should be read together, are 'China's Open Door,' by Hon. R. Wildman, and 'The Crisis in China,' by a group of authors, most of them well known. The first volume is the most readable account of the dreary history of China that we have had up to the present time. The bright introduction by the Hon. Charles Denby is a very fitting opening chapter to the volume. It is published by Lothrop, of Boston. The other volume was issued by the Harpers, and discusses the vexed problems of China from various points of view; some of them, curiously enough, having been answered by the disposing power of events, others showing a helpful insight, which it is a pity the 'powers' did not follow. Another volume on America in the East, by W. E. Griffis, published by Barnes & Co., of New York, consists of a delightful series of 'Fourth of July' orations gathered into book form, mainly from the 'Outlook.' From the author's standpoint, Americans have apparently left little for any one else to do in China, Japan and Korea. The last chapters are the best because the most serious. We should remember that while the world moves largely through the influence of enthusiasts, we shall not conquer in the East as much by arms, as by brains and virtue. Still another work published or rather republished by Barnes & Co. is written by an able naval officer, Engineer John D. Ford. Its pleasant accounts of his visits to various portions of the Asiatic coast are well worth the new edition which is brought down to date by a sketch of the Battle of Manila.

book on the Colombian and Venezuelan republics, prepared by our minister and envoy to these countries, Hon. W. L. Scruggs, is timely, because of its practical hints, its comprehensive study of physical conditions and its descriptions of the magnificent mountain scenery and the luxuriant tropical life. The book will be more attractive to the real student than to the popular reader. Another volume of a different character, rather more of a journalistic effort, on the broader subject of South America, is published by F. G. Carpenter. It is a collection of letters, first published in newspapers and then gathered in more permanent form. The book is a pleasant companion, even if the sketches are somewhat superficial, as is apt to be the case with the traveler away from his authorities. The frontispiece is in rather bad taste, as it is a composition picture of the 'Pretty Girls of Chile.' The volume is printed by the Saalfield Co., of Akron, Ohio.