high place which he holds in the history of chemistry in this country. A large part of the material for the biography is drawn from Hare's unpublished letters and other documents, and from papers which he contributed to the American Journal of Science, recording his discoveries. Born in 1781, and entering the field of chemical research and discovery when he was barely twenty years old, he was for more than fifty years a recognized leader in the scientific world. His discovery of the oxyhydrogen blowpipe in 1801 first brought him distinction, and won for him the honor, two years later, of being elected, in company with Count Rumford, to the American Philosophical Society. He was for nearly thirty years Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania, a position which enabled him to combine original research and the preparation of scientific papers with his work in the classroom. His retirement from the University, however, did not end his activities, and, down to his sudden death in May, 1858, he continued to lead in his chosen field. His biography ends with a touching and intimate letter from a life-long friend, Benjamin Silliman, urging upon him the claims of personal religion and faith in Christ. It is interesting to notice that, in his later years, Hare became interested in Spiritualism, and believed as Sir Oliver Lodge now believes that he had had interviews with the spirits of the dead. This through an instrument of his construction, which he called a spiritoscope. Three portraits, one of them in colors, and views of his lecture-room and laboratory illustrate the book. There is an odd harmony between form and substance in Gertrude Hall's "Aurora the Magnificent" (The Century Co.). At first, one is apt to be irritated by the silliness of much of the conversation, the irrelevance of many of the incidents, and the melodramatic absurdity of the mystery in which the heroine's past is swathed; yet as one reads on all these superficialities fall into place as suitable embroidery. For the book is essentially the story of the inevitable growth of love between a cynical, supersensitive painter and an ignorant and rather vulgar, but beautiful and great-hearted woman, in spite of the gulf of tastes and conventions and worldly considerations that separates them. The tossing aside of superficialities by elemental necessities is the theme on which the story is built, and it would hardly move to its climax with such symphonic power unless they were there to be tossed. Long residence in Italy has enabled Miss Hall to weave Florence successfully into her background, and has perhaps given her her keen sense of character, but it has also, unfortunately, embedded a number of Italian idioms in her English prose. Clare Tree Major prefaces her volume on "How to Develop Personality" with a picture of her own enthusiastic person and the air of get-up-and-get-onto-thejob which irradiates her face is carried onto every subsequent page. She is an enthusiast for all sorts and conditions of exercises, physical, vocal, mental and spiritual. Especially is she interested in the voice, correct breathing, right carriage. She finds that mental poise is but an accessory to bodily, that the two are co-ordinated, one depending on the other. Her pages are copiously filled with explicit directions, illustrated by diagrams, excellent for their purpose. Thomas Y. Crowell Co. I. A League of Nations and Its Critics. By the Right Hon. W. H. Dickinson, M. P. CONTEMPORARY REVIEW 259 II. Running the Blockade. By Sita FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW 266 OUTLOOK 305 IX. "Marley's Rest." By Aston Gray X. The Birds of the Battlefield. By “Gunner" MANCHESTER GUARDIAN 300 XI. Not Wisely but Too Well XII. The Book of Psalms. By H. J. Marshall. XIII. Food-Hoarding Animals. Hutchinson. XIV. Inflation and Finance By Horace XV. Sportsmen in Paradise. By Tipu ca PUNCH 310 312 SATURDAY REVIEW WESTMINSTER GAZETTE 314 A PAGE OF VERSE. WESTMINSTER GAZETTE 258 XVII. The Faithful Comrade. By P. J. Fisher BOOKS AND AUTHORS FOR SIX DOLLARS, remitted directly to the Publishers, The Living AGE will be punctually forwarded for a year, free of postage, to any part of the United States. To Canada the postage is 50 cents per annum. Remittances should be made by bank draft or check, or by post-office or express money order if possible. If neither of these can be procured, the money should be sent in a registered letter. All postmasters are obliged to register letters when requested to do so. Drafts, checks, express and money orders should be made payable to the order of THE LIVING AGE CO. Single Copies of THE LIVING AGE, 15 cents |