LITERARY NOTICES by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 25, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 33.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

[The Signs of the Times holds itself under no obligation to notice any publications sent it by publishers. Those considered worthy of notice, or which are deemed profitable to its subscribers, will receive such notice as time, space, and value will permit.]

THE "New Commercial Map of the United States, Canada, and British America," with "Neeley's Historical Chart" on the reverse side, published by F. T. Neeley, 232 and 234 Fifth Avenue, Chicago. Price, $1.00. The size of this map is 4 feet by 3 feet 9 inches. It is well printed in colors, and well up to date, giving county boundaries and all principal towns. At the foot of the map is a list of important chronological discoveries, explorations, and events from 1492 to 1890. Many other statistics are given, such as comparative areas and population of the different countries of the world. The map is the same as Rand & McNally's commercial map. The historical chart gives diagrams showing all the political parties since the founding of the government, all the Presidents and cabinets, with portraits of the Presidents, the political complexion of each Congress, the creeds of the world, standing armies, naval tonnage of each nation, complete maps of the world in hemispheres, of Central America, of Alaska, of South Africa, of Abyssinia, of Persia, Afghanistan, Beloochistan, and a map of the solar system. Valuable historical statistics are given in brief of colonial and revolutionary politics. An analysis of the Federal Government is also given, and very much more, which we have not space to mention. In fact, it would be a difficult matter indeed to put more information in smaller space at the same price. The publisher, Mr. Neeley, has done a good thing for the public in presenting them this valuable map at the low price of $1.00, postage prepaid. Address as above.

"THE NEW MODEL FIRST READER," published by George Sherwood & Co., 307 and 309 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Ill.; price by mail, 35 cents. The claim of the publishers is that this is the best book for little children ever published, and in the way of schoolbooks we are prepared to admit the claim. It follows the "sentence method," which has become so popular among teachers, and which is demonstrated to be superior to the word or old letter method; and this they have combined in a delightful way with object teaching. The book contains 96 pages, and 112 pictures, 77 of which are colored. It starts out by giving a clear, distinct picture of the object, and then the word. It not only teaches how to read, but at the same time it is instructing in form and color. Writing is also taught by nicely printed script, so that the little one who accomplishes the first reader has a very good start in penmanship also. In fact, it is a first-class book in every respect, and we hope to see the "New Model Readers" adopted widely. We do not know of any better book in giving preliminary instruction in the English language among the various foreign missions than Sherwood's "New Model First Reader."

"POEM OF THE GOLDEN STATE AND MIDWINTER EXPOSITION," by Daniel Oscar Loy, author of "Poems of the White City," "The Model Illinois Farm," etc., 59 Dearborn Street, Chicago. This is a beautifully illustrated and finely printed book, giving in verse a description of California, especially of its most interesting and striking features. The author seems to have traveled from one end of the State to the other, taking in the picturesque as well as the more practical life of the people. The reading matter will be found instructive to those who are not thoroughly acquainted with the State, and the beautiful illustrations will delight the reader. Price not stated. The book may be obtained at the above address, or at the Midwinter Exposition, San Francisco, Agricultural Building, near the Illinois Model Farm, of which the author is the owner.

Good Roads, a monthly magazine devoted to the improvement of the public roads and streets; published by the League of American Wheelmen, 12 Pearl Street, Boston, Mass. The aim and object of this magazine is to promote the building and maintenance of good roads, and certainly its object is a good one. Probably nothing would bring more profit to the farmer or teamster in the way of transferring his various products to convenient markets, than the improvement of the public highways. Those who desire more information can obtain it by subscribing for Good Roads. Price, $1.00 per year. That the magazine will be a success is indicated by the fact that Colonel A. Pope is connected with it. We wish it a safe journey over good roads.

Our Dumb Animals comes to us from time to time, full of good things and encouraging items, always speaking "for those who cannot speak for themselves." The last issue, for June, 1894, contains an offer by the American Humane Education Society, of two prizes of $100 each, for two essays, one on the best plan of settling the difficulties between capital and labor, and the other on the best plan of preventing poverty and relieving the poor. The Committee of Award will consist of Hon. Daniel Needham, president of the New England Agricultural Society, Hon. Edward H. Bennett, and Hon. H. O. Houghton. The essays, to win the prizes, must be worthy of publication. Each must be signed by a fictitious name and be accompanied by a sealed letter containing the real name and post office address of the writer, which will not be opened until the decision is made. Essays to be sent to George T. Angel, 19 Milk Street, Boston, Mass., before December 1, 1894.

THROUGH THE COURTESY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER FAIR, we have received a fine lithographic reproduction of the Midwinter Fair grounds and buildings, containing the official bird's-eye view of the Exposition, which is soon to close; also small cuts of adjacent scenery in Golden Gate Park and at the Cliff House. This is a fine picture, but of course cannot equal the reality. The Midwinter Exposition has been a wonderful enterprise, and, as showing what California could do in a short time, successful. Particulars concerning terms may be obtained by addressing the Midwinter Exposition, San Francisco, Cal.

THE Pacific Health Journal for June is, as usual, full of good things, many of which are not only interesting from a literary standpoint, but which contain a vast amount of practical information in the matter of health and home life. Among its departments are General Articles, Temperance, Mother's Helper, The Household, and Editorial. Many excellent hints and much good instruction are given, especially in the Household and Mother's Helper departments, for the hard-working, overburdened housekeepers of the nation; and those who will follow such instruction will find that many doctor's bills and precious lives will be saved among the children. In the Editorial department the articles by the editors and medical contributors are always helpful from a health and hygienic standpoint. The price of this 32-page magazine is only $1.00 per year. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.