  G. T. ADAMS, Hesperian, } Editors. D. C. ROPER, Columbian. } American Statesmen: John Quincy Adams. By John F. Morse, Jr., Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Company. 1886, 16 mo. pp. 315. Of Mr. Morse’s series of Biographies of men conspicuous in the Political History of the United States, this volume treats of the life of a man much abused and cruelly misappreciated in his own day, but whom subsequent generations already begin to honor as one of the greatest American Statesmen. The author presents this book in three chapters. In the first of these divisions, the precocious Adams is taken from his infancy, through the varied scenes of youthful life to the end of his diplomatic career in Europe. Next, the author graphically traces the life of Mr. Adams as Secretary of State in the Cabinet of James Monroe (where he was instrumental in forming the famous “Monroe Doctrine”) on through his Presidential career, which terminated in 1828. The latter days of the ex-President were spent in representing the Plymouth (Mass.) district in the national House of Representatives. The same accuracy of statement and scholarly vigor that characterize the other editions in this series are exemplified with emphasis in this work. The diction is simple and pure, the style is clear and direct, fitting the book for its high place in the already brilliant series of “American Statesmen.” Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis. By Rev. Josiah Strong, D. D. Published by the Baker and Taylor Co., 9 Bond St., New York. pp. 229. No duty devolving upon American citizens is of more importance than the defence and perpetuation of the principles upon which our government is based. That perils of no small import are now menacing these principles is evident to intelligent minds. The most dangerous of these evils it is the object of this work to point out, and by an accumulation of verified facts to prove that these perils do really overhang the government and should be averted. Among the most serious are mentioned Mormanism, Romanism, Socialism, Immigration and Intemperance. Each of these subjects is treated in a masterly manner. The author has exercised rare skill in collating the facts which are corroborated by the testimony of men whose veracity cannot be doubted. The central idea enforced by this volume is crisis in the destiny of the United States and, through it, in the destiny of the world. The author’s argument reaches its climax in viewing the relation of this country to the world. The present is considered the “nick of time.” He shows clearly that the evangelization of the world depends largely upon the progress made in evangelizing this country. It is a powerful book and should be read carefully by every one who has an interest in the welfare of our country. By good fortune, the publisher of the “Series of Brief Grammars of the Germanic Dialects,” invited Professor Sievers, then of the University of Jena, now of TÜbingen, to prepare the Old English member of the series; and, by as rare good fortune, Professor Albert S. Cook, of the University of California, became the translator, or, more properly speaking, the American editor. The first edition was immediately received as highest authority on both sides of the ocean, and the second edition, which enriches the former with the result of recent investigations, is all that can be expected for the language from the sources at command. The grammar was written for beginners, but it presumes an age and an acquaintance with the theory of language not found in the class of students in our colleges who begin the study of Old English. It recalls the experience of two American students at the University of Leipsic, who, when they saw the announcement of “Lectures for Beginners in Sanskrit” by Professor Windisch, made up their minds to take the course. Seats were reserved and the first lecture came on. The Professor dashed into the alphabet, swirled through declension, called a halt in the verb, and, when he departed, left them in a state of bewilderment whose uppermost idea was that there must be, away down below “beginners,” some place where they belonged. The extent to which comparative philology has thrown syntax into the shade is exemplified by the fact that one half of the “grammar” is devoted to phonology and the other half to inflection, while syntax gets not a word. True, it may well be said that many MSS. must yet be edited before a satisfactory syntax can be written. That, however, does not affect the proposition above. One hundred years ago, with the same material, the order would have been almost reversed. It must be this passion for philology that has drawn the best minds away from investigations in the syntax of modern English and consigned our grammars to the care of third-rate men who continue to mangle “English as she is wrote.” |
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