A happy thought was carried into successful execution in the publication of “The Hundred Greatest Men.”[N] The editor conceived the idea that a “natural history of civilization ought to be, not so much a narration of events, as a description of men and things,” and hence for many years busied himself in making a collection of portraits and antiquities as a preparation for his work. The great men of all ages have been grouped into eight classes, and treated under the following divisions of the book: Poetry, art, religion, philosophy, history, science, politics, and industry. Introductions have been written for these different departments by Matthew Arnold, Taine, Max MÜller, RÉnan, Noah Porter, Dean Stanley, Prof. Helmholtz, J. A. Froude, and John Fiske. The general introduction is by Emerson. Only those characters have been selected who have stood the test of time without diminution of fame. A portrait accompanies each sketch, and many of these have been obtained at great expense of time and trouble. The sketches themselves are word-paintings of the character, the life, and the times of the men, and the wonder is that in such brief space so much information can be given. The volume is a veritable art gallery.

A story of much delicacy of touch, and with some strong delineation of character, is “The Hallam Succession”[O] of Amelia C. Barr. The placing of the story could hardly be more picturesque. Mrs. Barr opens with English life of the first of the present century, carries us to a plantation near New Orleans, through “Sam” Houston’s Texan struggles, and finally to the long, low, verandahed house of a Texas plantation. The varied setting gives the variety to a story of faithful love and devotion. The many pleasing touches given in the descriptions of the characters are the finest features of the book. A fair example is the paragraph quoted on another page of this impression, which in its true and delicate pathos is rarely equaled.

One or two selections taken from “The Harnt that Walks the Chilhowee,” one of the eight stories that make up the volume, “In The Tennessee Mountains,”[P] will show the style and aim of these unique writings, which are just now attracting so much attention. This “harnt,” or ghost, was supposed to be that of a poor, deformed little creature, who some time before had been shot, and, as every one thought, killed. He himself had been falsely accused of taking a man’s life. His death, however, had been a mistake, and it was the real man who walked the mountain in search of food. Simon Burney, an “uncouth and densely ignorant” mountaineer, sought out the helpless, forlorn little specter, for whose capture $200 reward had been offered, and said: “I ain’t a-goin’ ter help no man break the law an’ hender jestice; but ef ye will go an’ stand yer trial I’ll take keer of ye. An’ arter the jury hev done let ye off, ye are welcome ter live along o’ me at my house till ye die.” And after the trial and the clearance, this rough friend was as good as his word, and “ungrudgingly gave of his best … and worked early and late that there might be enough to divide.” “A prince could not have dispensed hospitality with a more royal hand.” The author closes by saying: “The grace of culture is, in its way, a fine thing, but the best that art can do—the polish of a gentleman—is hardly equal to the best that nature can do in her highest moods.” All of the stories are full of interest, and show great love for humanity. The author, in a bright, cheery way, true to the life which she represents, portrays the strong and noble natures found in the lowest walks of life.

“A Book of Sermons,”[Q] by Bishop Simpson, will meet with a warm welcome everywhere. To those who have heard him preach, who have listened to his eager, impassioned words, and have been borne onward by the tide of his eloquence, it may seem that to merely read the words—to have them without the powerful influence, the magnetic personality, behind them—is to possess the letter without the spirit. But such will be happily surprised. The book bears witness that Bishop Simpson was a great sermonizer, as well as a great speaker. By the aid of a little imagination as one reads, he can see again the spare form, and the face lighted up with enthusiasm and love; can hear the voice rapidly and earnestly uttering the words which point out plainly and simply the way of life. While, without this help, those who never heard him will find great pleasure and profit in reading the book.

No one who knows Dr. Buckley but expects good things from his pen, and he has given to young men a particularly useful volume in “Oats or Wild-Oats?”[R] Advice is as difficult a thing to prescribe judiciously as it is to take pleasantly. It is very liable to be insipid, preachy, to lack verve qualities, which young men particularly abominate; it is very little of it readable. But these talks of Dr. Buckley’s abound in readable qualities. They are directly to the point, and full of clear-cut common sense. They advise young men in the practical matter of choosing a profession, and in making a success of it. The talks come from a man who, even if he “never worked a half day on a farm in his life,” has observed and conversed with hundreds of farmers; who knows from what he has heard and learned from their confessions to him just where they make their business, social, intellectual, and religious mistakes; and who is not afraid to express what he believes to be their dangers, and their strong points. As with farming, so with all the trades and professions. He knows his ground, and treats it in a tone a trifle blunt, perhaps, but nevertheless full of force and conviction.

Mr. Marvin, an Englishman who for several years has lived in Russia, and is thoroughly acquainted with the character, the policy, and the wishes of that government, has, in writing “The Russians at the Gates of Herat,”[S] tried to impress more deeply upon the English people the necessity of immediate effort in order to secure themselves in the possession of the entrance to India. The steady advance of Russia for years past toward this empire has been carefully traced, and all the treacherous devices by which she has gained ground are exposed. The popular opinion that colossal mountain ranges lie between the Russian possessions and India has been shown to be an error; the new route over which they are passing is such that one could “drive all the way four-in-hand.” “No surrender,” must be the motto of every Englishman as regards Penjdeh, and “Hands off,” in respect to all places leading directly to Herat, says the author. A careful study of this book will give one a clear idea of this complicated movement.

The “Old Farm”[T] was one that had been for years without a tenant, for its owner feared to lease it lest its old fashioned house and belongings might not suit the new comer, and he would want it changed. At last one was found willing, glad to take it just as it was. One bright October day a business man from the great city, broken down in health, took possession of it with his family. “A year of retirement and rest will restore his vigor and save him for the future,” said the doctor. Very soon the early tastes of the naturalist, for such he had been, awoke, and the days were spent in seeking, gathering and studying specimens of minute animal life, or “the other tenants of the farm,” as he called them. The conversations held regarding them make up the main part of the work. Spiders, moths, bees, wasps, and ants are among those described at length; their history and habits are very accurately given. The blending of the story with the natural history makes an exceedingly interesting book.