  J. S. BASSETT, Hesperian, } W. J. HELMS, Columbian, } Editors. The Temperance Movement: or, The Conflict between Man and Alcohol. By Henry William Blair, United States Senator from New Hampshire. Boston, William E. Smythe Company. 8vo., pp. xxiv 583. 1888. Every voter should read this book. The author, who, by reason of his many philanthropic efforts and high political position, commands the confidence of all, presents for consideration a comprehensive statement of the nature and the physical and moral effects of alcoholic drinks, discusses proposed remedies for the evil it entails, dwells on prohibition, and gives an historical sketch of the efforts made in temperance reform. Those who wish to understand this rapidly growing question would find what they desire in this book. The argument is substantiated by facts, and many valuable tables are given. Maps, colored plates showing the effects of alcohol on the physical organs, and fifty-eight full page portraits of leading workers in the temperence cause, together with a clear, forcible style, good type and attractive binding, add much to the general desirableness of the work. It contains a portrait of Prof. J. C. Price, of Zion Wesley College, Salisbury, N. C., and mention is made of him as "one of the foremost temperance orators now living." An elaborate index and an appendix containing Justice Harlan's opinion on the Kansas cases closes the volume. Lessons in English Grammar. By Alfred H. Welsh (Ohio State University), Author of "Development of English Literature and Language," &c. pp. vii, 237. Chicago: John C. Buckbee and Company. 1888. This work begins with a treatise on the origin, growth and relations of the English language, which might well form the introductory chapter to any brief work on English literature. In a few words the story of our language is told from the 5th century when the Angles, Saxons and Jutes landed in England to the present time. The fact may also be noted that the author in his treatment of the alphabet, of nouns, and of pronouns, has departed slightly from the "old order of things," and avoided some errors made by other grammarians. The remainder of the book abounds in many errors and contains very little worthy of commendation. The Parts of Speech are defined inductively, and this "Induction," which generally occupies pages of preparatory explanation, leaves the pupil in such a state of bewilderment that he does not recognize the proposition when it is reached. It is to be regretted that the verb should ever have received such treatment as it has here. The disposition of the Moods is almost shocking. The much-mooted "Potential" Mood The first objection is frivolous from the fact that in modern English other parts of speech are open to the same criticism. The author himself tells us the word 'that' may be either a relative or a demonstrative pronoun; yet is not the form the same? The second objection is likewise groundless. [See article "Subjunctive Mood," p. 104, Archive.] The absurdity of a Potential Mood is well shown by the following from Mason: "The so-called Potential Mood is the product of a series of blunders and misconceptions, and has been discarded by all the best authorities. 'I can write' or 'I must write' is not a mood at all in the sense in which 'I write,' 'I should write,' or 'Write [thou],' is a mood. If you take a subject (say 'John'), and a verb (say 'write'), when the Indicative, Subjunctive, or Imperative Mood is used, the act of writing predicated of John in some manner, affirmatively or negatively, as matter of fact, as matter of conception, or as matter of volition. But if we say 'John can write,' or 'John must write,' we predicate of John not writing, but the ability to write, or the obligation to write, which is a totally different affair. Nobody thinks of giving the name 'Potential Mood' to such combinations as 'Scribere possum,' 'Ich kann schreiben,' or 'Je puis Écrire.' Its retention in English grammar is anomalous and absurd." The Why of Methodism. By Daniel Dorchester, D. D., New York. Phillips and Hunt, pp., 182, 16m. 1887. This work is the expansion of a line of thought set forth by Dr. Dorchester in a sermon preached at Chlemsford, Mass., in response to the Unitarian minister at that place, who challenged the doctrines of all other denominations. The author discusses the origin, character, influence and polity of the Methodist Church, then adds some practical lessons drawn from what precedes, and gives a table showing the numerical standing of the church up to within the last half decade. To the whole is added an ample index, thus making the book useful for reference. To those who desire to arrive at a concise concept of Methodism, we can confidently say read it and keep it for reference. The printer has also done his duty and the volume presents a very attractive appearance. Read the interesting article on the life of Darwin, in the April number of the Atlantic Monthly. |
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