A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BOOKS IN SPANISH, ENGLISH AND PORTUGUESE, WITH COMMENTS
Acarete du Biscay, Mons[ieur]: An account of a voyage
up the river de la Plata, and thence overland to Peru.
With observations on the inhabitants, as well as Indians
and Spaniards; the cities, commerce, fertility, and riches
of that part of America. By Mons[ieur] Acarete du Biscay.
London, printed for Samuel Buckley, at the Dolphin over
against St. Dunstan’s church in Fleet street, 1698. 79 pp.
12mo. 1 map.
An “original document,” and as such of interest and value,
provided comparison be made with other historical sources of
information, and with the facts which we have since acquired
regarding geography, etc.
Acevedo, Eduardo: José Artigas, jefe de los orientales
y protector de los pueblos libres. Su obra cívica. Alegato
histórico. Por Eduardo Acevedo. (In 3 vols. 8ᵒ.)
Montevideo, Gregorio V. Marino. Vol. I. 1909. 504
pp. front. Vol. II. 1909. 663 pp. Vol. III. 1910.
888 pp.
According to the compiler, an alegato (allegation), with
“textual transcription of all the accusations and all the eulogies
of which Artigas has been the object, and an examination of the
evidence adduced.” It contains material of value for the study
of Artigas, and the history of the countries about the río de la
Plata during the decade from 1810-1820.
Acuña, Christopher de: Voyages and discoveries in South
America. The first up the river of Amazons to Quito in
Peru, and back again to Brazil, perform’d at the command
of the king of Spain. By Christopher D’Acugna. The
second up the river of Plata, and thence by land to the
mines of Postosí. By Mons. Acarete. The third from
Cayenne into Guiana, in search of the lake of Parima,
reputed the richest place in the world. By M. Grillet
and Bechamel. Done into English from the originals,
being the only account of those parts hitherto extant.
The whole illustrated with notes and maps. London,
printed for S. Buckley at the Dolphin over against
St. Dunstan’s church in Fleet street, 1698. viii, [190 pp.].
12mo. 1 map.
Valuable original sources of information regarding the
adventures of these early explorers, and their impressions of
the countries visited.
Akers, Charles Edmond: A history of South America,
1854-1904. With an additional chapter bringing the
history to the present day. By Charles Edmond Akers.
New York, E. P. Dutton & co., 1912. xxviii, 716 pp.
8ᵒ. front. 7 maps. 46 illus.
The author says: “A residence of fourteen years in South
America ... brought home to me the need of a concise history
of the various South American states”; to meet this need he
felt called upon to write the present work; an examination of
it leads to the conclusion, however, that the want of a proper
history of South America in English is quite as great now as it
was before the appearance of this work; from the fanciful presentment
of the coat of arms which appears upon the cover, and
which is not South American, but Mexican, to the small detail
of spelling, this book is a jumble of surnames (often unaccompanied
by Christian names), statistics, unimportant fragments
of history, trivial generalizations, bad English and inconsistent
Spanish orthography; the first sentence in the body of
the work shows a rare ingenuity in the mixing of metaphors:
“The beginning of the nineteenth century found the Spanish
colonies seething with discontent against the rule of the mother
country, and so ripe for revolt that a spark only was necessary
to fire the train;” and this is but a foretaste of the extraordinary
style in which this author unburdens his mind; the result is
neither entertaining nor instructive.
Agassiz, Professor, and Mrs. Louis [Elizabeth Cary]
Agassiz: A journey in Brazil. By Professor Agassiz and
Mrs. Louis [Elizabeth Cary] Agassiz. Boston, Ticknor &
Fields, 1868. xix, 540 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 19 illus.
An interesting description of a journey made by acute
observers who were gifted with the power of expression; properly
documented; of importance to students of geography,
botany, zoölogy and ethnology.
Agassiz, Louis: Scientific results of a journey in Brazil
by Louis Agassiz and his traveling companions. Geology
and physical geography of Brazil. By Ch. Fred. Hartt,
professor of geology in Cornell university. With illustrations
and maps. (Under caption: “Thayer expedition.”)
Boston, Fields, Osgood & co., 1870. xxiii, 620 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 4 maps. 68 illus.
A sterling and well documented work by trained observers.
Anderson, C. L. G.: Old Panama and Castilla del Oro.
A narrative history of the discovery, conquest, and settlement
by the Spaniards of Panama, Darien, Veragua,
Santo Domingo, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Nicaragua, and
Peru; including the four voyages of Columbus to America,
the discovery of the Pacific ocean by Vasco Nuñez de
Balboa, a description of the aborigines of the Isthmus,
accounts of the search for the strait through the new
world and early efforts for a canal, the daring raids of Sir
Francis Drake, the Buccaneers in the Caribbean and
South seas, the sack of the city of Old Panama by Henry
Morgan, and the story of the Scots colony on Caledonia
bay. With maps and rare illustrations. By Dr. C. L. G.
Anderson, medical reserve corps, United States army;
etc. Boston, The Page co., MDCCCCXIV. xv, 559
pp. 8ᵒ. front. 3 maps. 38 illus.
A welcome and readable volume which deals with the history
of the Isthmus of Panamá during the early colonial period,
composed largely of free translations of documentary material,
without adequate foot-notes.
Argentine republic, The: General descriptive data prepared
in June, 1909. By the International bureau of
American republics. Washington, D.C., Government
printing office, 1909. 32 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 15 illus.
While this pamphlet, from the very nature of the case, like
other similar pamphlets published by the Pan American union,
is necessarily of very limited scope, it is of value to the general
reader who may be interested in present or moderately recent
conditions.
Arias, Harmodio: The Panama canal. A study in
international law and diplomacy. By Harmodio Arias,
B.A., LL.B., sometime exhibitioner and prizeman of
St. John’s college, Cambridge, Quain prizeman in international
law, university of London. London, P. S. King
& son, 1911. xiv, 192 pp. 12mo.
A well documented review of the treaties, and of the bearing
of the Monroe doctrine, a consideration of the principles which
underlie the neutralization of waterways, a comparison of the
Suez and the Panamá canals and a discussion of the fortification
of the Panamá canal, with an appendix containing the
treaties involved.
Aymé, Louis H.: Ancient temples and cities of the
new world—Mitla. By Louis H. Aymé, consul general
of the United States at Lisbon, Portugal. Bulletin of
the Pan American union, September, 1911. pp. 548-567.
3 maps. 12 illus.
Devoted in the main to a description of the group of structures
known as the hall or palace of the pillars or northern
group, and the southern group; an interesting popular description,
with excellent pictures.
Baerlein, Henry: Mexico, the land of unrest. Being
chiefly an account of what produced the outbreak in 1910,
together with the story of the revolution down to this day.
By Henry Baerlein, lately special correspondent of
“The Times,” in Mexico, author of “On the forgotten
road,” “The Diwan of Abu’l Ala,” etc. London, Herbert
& Daniel, [1913]. ix, 461 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 86 illus.
A bulky work with a title-page in two colors, intended to
explain the downfall of Porfirio Díaz and to give an account of
subsequent events; egotistical, dogmatic, vindictive, reportorial
in style, wanting in perspective of experience or knowledge of
history; one of numerous recent works that, while seeking to
explain conditions in México, have but obscured the situation.
Baessler, Arthur: Ancient Peruvian art. Contributions
to the archæology of the empire of the Incas. From
his collections by Arthur Baessler. Translation by A. H.
Keane. (In 4 vols. 20 × 14⅝ in.) Leipsic, Karl W.
Hiersemann; Berlin, A. Asher & co.; New York, Dodd,
Mead & co., 1902-1903. Vol. I. Drawings and paintings,
representations in relief and on the round on north
Peruvian earthenware; ornamental motives, houses and
temple-pyramids; human beings, plates 1-49. Vol. II.
Drawings and paintings, representations in relief and on
the round on north Peruvian earthenware; mythical
animals, plates 50-81. Vol. III. Drawings and paintings,
representations in relief and on the round on north
Peruvian earthenware; mythical persons, plates 82-130.
Vol. IV. Paintings on earthenware from Pachacamac,
plates 131-165.
Of rare interest and importance to students of Peruvian
archæology.
Bancroft, Hubert Howe: History of Mexico; being a
popular history of the Mexican people from the earliest
primitive civilization to the present time. By Hubert Howe
Bancroft. Maps and illustrations. New York, The Bancroft
co., 1914. iv, 581 pp. 12mo. 47 maps. 151 illus.
Practically a reprint of the edition of 1887, with a few highly
colored additions, made to cover recent events; awkward and
inaccurate in style, and adding nothing of importance to the
general accumulation of knowledge; a disappointment, in
view of the fact that this author had access to vast stores of
information already collected by himself.
Bancroft, Hubert Howe: History of the Pacific states
of North America. By Hubert Howe Bancroft. (Of this
Mexico is treated in Vols. IV-IX.) San Francisco, A. L.
Bancroft & co., 1883. Vol. IV. 1516-1521. cxii, 702 pp.
8ᵒ. 6 maps, 5 in text. 3 illus. Vol. V. 1521-1600. xiv,
790 pp. 8ᵒ. 17 maps, 16 in text. 5 illus. Vol. VI. 1600-1803.
xv, 780 pp. 8ᵒ. 14 maps, 13 in text. 5 illus. Vol.
VII. 1804-1824. xiv, 829 pp. 8ᵒ. 30 maps in text. 7
illus. Vol. VIII. xiii, 812 pp. 8ᵒ. 34 maps, 33 in text.
Vol. IX. xii, 760 pp. 8ᵒ. 25 maps, 24 in text.
A veritable storehouse and bibliography of material for history;
in no sense an ordered and finished work.
Bandelier, A. F.: The gilded man (El dorado), and
other pictures of the Spanish occupancy of America.
New York, D. Appleton & co., 1893. 302 pp. 8ᵒ.
A reliable, interesting and dramatic relation of the following
ancient stories: I: El dorado: 1 Cundinamarca, 2 Meta,
3 Omagua, 4 The expedition of Úrsula and Aguirre; II: Cibola:
1 The Amazons, 2 The seven cities, 3 Francisco Vásquez Coronado,
4 The New Mexican pueblos, 5 Quivira; III: The massacre
of Cholula; IV: The ancient city of Santa Fe; V: Jean
l’Archévéque.
Bandelier, Adolph F[rancis Alphonse]: The island of
Titicaca and Koati. Illustrated By Adolph F[rancis
Alphonse] Bandelier. New York, The Hispanic society of
America, 1910. xvi (1), 358 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 3 maps.
82 illus.
An accurate and illuminating account of the central shrine
of the Incas, by one whose intimate knowledge of the native
races of America, based upon competent and thorough researches,
makes him a prime authority.
Baralt, Rafael María, y Díaz, Ramón: Resúmen de la
historia de Venezuela desde el año de 1797 hasta el de
1850. Por Rafael María Baralt y Ramon Diaz. Tiene al
fin un breve bosquejo histórico que comprende los años
de 1834 hasta 1857. (In 3 vols. 12mo.) Paris, imprenta
de H. Fournier y compⁱᵃ, 1841. Vol. I. 598 [1] pp. front.
19 illus. Vol. II. 571 [1] pp. front. 21 illus. Vol. III.
448 [1] pp. front. 4 illus.
A work that covers the most important period of the history
of this country; of merit and importance, and worthy of the
attention of serious investigators, particularly of those who are
interested in the career of Bolívar.
Barra, Eduardo de la: El problema de los Andes. By
Eduardo de la Barra, ingeniero geógrafo. Buenos Aires,
imprenta de Pablo E. Coni é hijos, 1895. 407 pp. 12mo.
A technical discussion of the boundary between Chile and
Argentina, written in a good spirit, and of considerable value
for the historian and the geographer.
Barrett, John: Latin-America of to-day and its relations
to the United States. In proceedings of American political
science association at the 14th annual meeting held in
Madison, Wisconsin, December 27-31, 1907. pp. 34-45.
8ᵒ. By honorable John Barrett, director general of the
bureau of American republics. Baltimore, Maryland, The
Waverly press, 1908.
A hasty review of the relations existing seven years ago
between the United States and the countries to the southward,
with a sketch of the development of the International
bureau of American republics (Pan American union).
Barrett, John: Panama canal, what it is, what it means.
By John Barrett, director general of the Pan American
union, etc. Washington, D.C., Pan American union, 1913.
120 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 7 maps. 82 illus.
An historical sketch of the Isthmus, and of the Canal, and of
the works pertaining to it, with a considerable array of statistics,
a gazetteer of names, a collection of maps and pictures
which gives a good idea of the undertaking; of interest to the
general reader.
Bates, Henry Walter: The naturalist on the river
Amazons. A record of adventures, habits of animals,
sketches of Brazilian and Indian life, and aspects of nature
under the equator, during eleven years of travel. By
Henry Walter Bates. In two vols. London, John
Murray, 1863. Vol. I. viii, 351 pp. 12mo. front. 1
map. 17 illus. Vol. II. iv, 423 pp. 12mo. front.
23 illus.
The personal observations of a discerning traveler and investigator,
made before many of the regions which he visited
had fallen under European influence.
Bechamel, Francis: (see Grillet and
Acuña).
Beebe, Mary Blair, and C. William: Our search for a
wilderness. An account of two ornithological expeditions
to Venezuela and to British Guiana. By Mary Blair
Beebe and C. William Beebe, curator of ornithology in
the New York zoölogical park, etc. Illustrated with
photographs from life taken by the authors. New York,
Henry Holt & co., 1910. xi, 408 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 160 illus.
Worthy of all praise and of universal possession; many of
the illustrations are of extraordinary excellence.
Bell, Alured Gray: The beautiful Rio de Janeiro. By
Alured Gray Bell. London, Heinemann, (no date). xix, 194
pp. 4ᵒ. front. 3 maps. 2 charts. 58 illus. in colors,
110 illus. in black and white.
The author has the frankness to say in his introduction:
“This is a subventioned work—subventioned by ... ministers
of state and other magnates, who desire that English-speaking
people should be better acquainted than our schoolboy with the
magnificent metropolis of Brazil. Under such obligations I
have endeavored to avoid flattery, quite satisfied that it defeats
the very purpose of advertisement.” Bearing this in
mind, and expecting only the popular, superficial and admirative
style, the reader will not be disappointed in this work; it
gives a good impression of the Brazilian capital, and furnishes
statistics and other data regarding the city, its institutions,
trade, etc.
Bell, Edward I.: The political shame of Mexico. By
Edward I. Bell, formerly editor and publisher of “La
Prensa” and “The Daily Mexican” of Mexico City.
New York, McBride, Nast & co., 1914. [ix], 422 pp.
12mo. front. 11 illus. (Under series caption: “International
bureau of American republics.”)
Although wanting in perspective of historical knowledge,
displaying evidence of bias, and in many respects inaccurate,
this work is based upon well used exceptional opportunities
for personal observation regarding the secret diplomacy of the
successors of Díaz; it is therefore an interesting and valuable
human document, in which the author seems to make good his
contention that, although the government of the United States
has usually been honest in its dealings with México, it has been
invariably mistaken.
Bennett, Frank: Forty years in Brazil. By Frank
Bennett. Illustrated. London, Mills & Boon, ltd.,
[1914.] xxiii, 271 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 30 illus.
A little of everything: geography, history, science, trade,
customs; to be commended for simplicity, accuracy, kind of information
supplied, emphasis, and general readableness.
Bernárdez, Manuel: El Brazil, su vida, su trabajo, su
futuro. Itinerario periodístico. Por Manuel Bernárdez.
Buenos Aires (R. Argentina), 1908. xxxv, 284 pp. 8ᵒ.
4 maps, 1 of which is in relief. 122 illus.
A general survey of the country and people, with very instructive
although not well executed pictures.
Bigelow, John: American policy. The western hemisphere
in its relation to the eastern. By John Bigelow,
major U.S. army, retired; author of “Mars-la-tour and
Gravelotte,” “The principles of strategy,” “Reminiscences
of the Santiago campaign,” “The campaign of
Chancellorsville.” New York, Charles Scribner’s sons,
1914. vi, 184 pp. 12mo. 1 map.
A terse, sound, philosophic and suggestive statement of the
principles that underlie the international policy of the United
States, and of the problems that confront the other countries of
this hemisphere and the United States in its relation to them;
of great value.
Biggs, James: The history of don Francisco de Miranda’s
attempt to effect a revolution in South America in
a series of letters. By James Biggs, revised, corrected,
and enlarged; to which are annexed sketches of the life
of Miranda, and geographical notices of Caracas. London,
printed for the author by T. Gillet, 1809. xv, 312
pp. 12 mo.
Letters written at the time by one who participated in the
venture; of use to such students as may be able to make allowance
for the temperament and attitude of the author.
Bigg-Wither, Thomas P.: Pioneering in south Brazil.
Three years of forest and prairie life in the province of
Paraná. By Thomas P. Bigg-Wither, assoc. inst. C. E.,
F.R.G.S. In two vols. With map and illustrations.
London, John Murray, 1878. Vol. I. xiii, 378 pp.
12mo. front. 1 map. 8 illus. Vol. II. x, 328 pp.
12mo. front. 1 map. 10 illus.
A record of interesting travel and adventures, overloaded
with superfluous details.
Bilbao, Manuel: Buenos Aires desde su fundación
hasta nuestros dias. Especialmente el período comprendido
en los siglos XVIII y XIX. Precedido de una carta
del doctor don Vicente Fidel López. Por Manuel Bilbao,
Buenos Aires, imprenta de Juan A. Alsina, 1902. xiii.
664 pp. 8ᵒ.
A brief survey of the early history of Buenos Aires, and
an extended account of its more recent development, with
attention to well verified familiar tradition; it contains valuable
material for the historian.
Bingham, Hiram: Across South America. An account
of a journey from Buenos Aires to Lima by way of Potosí.
With notes on Brazil, Argentine, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
By Hiram Bingham, Yale university. With eighty illustrations
and maps. Boston and New York, Houghton
Mifflin co., 1911. xvi, 405 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 7 maps.
75 illus.
A notable addition to the literature on this subject, judicious
in tone, sympathetic, the work of a trained observer; marred by
errors and inconsistencies of grammar and orthography.
Bingham, Hiram: In the wonderland of Peru. A
work accomplished by the Peruvian expedition of 1912,
under the auspices of Yale university and the National
geographic society. By Hiram Bingham, director of the
expedition. Reprinted from the National geographic
magazine, April, 1913. Washington, press of Judd and
Detweiler, 1915. 187 pp. 8ᵒ. 1 map. 253 illus.
An instructive popular account of the expedition and investigations,
with reproductions of many good photographs.
Bingham, Hiram: The Monroe doctrine, an obsolete
shibboleth. By Hiram Bingham. New Haven, Yale
university press; London, Humphrey Milford, Oxford
university press, MDCCCCXIII. vii, 154 pp. 16mo.
An interesting statement with which the well informed will
probably agree, and which emphasizes the need of a general
American formula and understanding that may serve to take the
place of what was once a useful doctrine, but which is now both
improper and disturbing.
Bingham, Hiram: The possibilities of South American
history and politics as a field for research. By Hiram
Bingham. Reprinted from the “Bulletin” of the International
bureau of the American republics [Pan American
union.] February, 1908. 18 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph.
A suggestive and helpful indication of available materials,
with abundant foot-notes; of considerable bibliographical
value.
Bingham, Hiram: Vitcos, the last Inca capital. By
Hiram Bingham, director of the Yale Peruvian expedition.
In proceedings of the Antiquarian society, April 10, 1912-October
16, 1912. [Wooster, published by the society,
1912.] pp. 135-196. 8ᵒ. 1 map. 7 illus.
A genuine contribution to scientific knowledge, with a bibliography
at the back.
Biscay, Acarete du: An account of a voyage up the river
de la Plata, and thence over land to Peru. With observations
on the inhabitants, as well as Indians and Spaniards;
the cities, commerce, fertility, and riches of that
part of America. By Acarete du Biscay. London,
printed for Samuel Buckley, at the Dolphin over against
St. Dunstan’s church in Fleet street, 1698. 68 pp.
12mo. [Bound in with Christopher d’Acugna’s work.
See Acuña.]
Bishop, Farnham: Panamá, past and present. By
Farnham Bishop. New York, The Century co., 1913.
xvi, 271 pp. 12mo. front. 88 illus.
A satisfactory historical sketch, and an accurate description of
the construction and equipment of the Canal, based upon information
gathered under exceptionably favorable circumstances.
Bolivia: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
13 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 1 illus.
Bonsai, Stephen: The American Mediterranean. By
Stephen Bonsai, author of “The fight for Santiago,”
“The golden horseshoe,” etc. Illustrated. New York,
Moffat, Yard & co., 1912. ix, 488 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 2
maps. 15 illus.
A record of the experiences of several voyages among the
Caribbean countries, in the chatty, superficial style that
usually goes with ephemeral literature; not without interest
to those who are content to wander far for little information.
Bourgade, Dr. E. de la Dardye: Paraguay: the land and
the people, natural wealth and commercial capabilities.
By Dr. E. de la Dardye Bourgade. English edition,
edited by E. G. Ravenstein, F.R.G.S. With map and
illustrations. London and Liverpool, George Philip &
son, 1892. xiii, 243 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 12 illus.
A satisfactory description of physical features, social life,
and industries, as seen during the author’s two years’ stay in the
country, with appendixes containing statistics and a table of
moneys, weights and measures.
Boyce, W. D.: Illustrated South America. A Chicago
publisher’s travels and investigations in the republics of
South America, with 500 photographs of people and
scenes from the Isthmus of Panama to the Straits of
Magellan. By W. D. Boyce, publisher of the “Chicago
Saturday Blade” and the “Chicago Ledger.” Chicago
and New York, Rand, McNally & co., [1912]. xv, 638 pp.
8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 500 illus.
A hodge-podge of superficial observations, crude opinions,
fragments of history, and statistics regarding all the countries
of South America, extensively but not well illustrated, and
written in an abominable style.
Brandon, Edgar Ewing: Latin-American universities
and special schools. By Edgar Ewing Brandon, vice
president of Miami university, [Ohio]. (Under caption:
“United States bureau of education, bulletin, 1912: No.
30.”) Washington, Government printing office, 1913.
153 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 71 illus.
A work of exceptional value, inasmuch as it is not merely the
only one of its character, but also because it was conscientiously
and well prepared; the illustrations in general are good; it should
be in the hands of all North American educators and librarians.
Brazil: General descriptive data prepared in June, 1909.
By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
37 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 13 illus.
Brinton, Daniel G.: A primer of Mayan hieroglyphics.
By Daniel G. Brinton, A.M., M.D., LL.D., Sc.D., professor
of American archæology and linguistics in the university
of Pennsylvania, president of the American association
for the advancement of science, etc., etc. (Under
caption: “Publications of the university of Pennsylvania.
Series in philology, literature, and archæology. Vol. II,
No. 2.”) Ginn & co., agents for the United States,
Canada, and England, (no date.) vi, 152 pp. 8ᵒ. 141
reproductions of picture writings.
Clear, comprehensive, concise; of real interest and value
for the serious historian.
Brinton, Daniel G.: Rig Veda Americanus. Sacred
songs of the ancient Mexicans, with a gloss in Nahuatl.
Edited, with a paraphrase, notes and vocabulary. By
Daniel G. Brinton, A.M., M.D., professor of American
archæology and linguistics in university of Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia, the author, 1890. (Under caption:
“Brinton’s library of aboriginal American literature.
Number VIII.”) 95 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 4 illus.
Interesting to both the specialist and the general reader,
to the former because of its linguistic and ethnic value, to the
latter because of the glimpse which it gives of primitive psychology.
Brinton, Daniel G.: The native calendar of Central
America and Mexico, a study in linguistics and symbolism.
By Daniel G. Brinton, A.M., M.D., LL.D., D.Sc., professor
of American archæology and linguistics in the
university of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, MacCalla &
co., 1893. 59 pp. 8ᵒ.
A well documented and thorough discussion of these most
important of surviving intellectual monuments.
Brown, C. Barrington, and Lidstone, William: Fifteen
thousand miles on the Amazon and its tributaries. By
C. Barrington Brown, assoc. R.S.M., author of “Canoe
and camp life in British Guiana,” and William Lidstone,
C.E. With map and wood engravings. London, Edward
Stanford, 1878. xiii, 520 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map.
23 illus.
A book of travel, with numerous observations and incidents;
although much too long, and overloaded with trivial details, it
contains material that may serve the student of geography and
ethnology.
Brown, Hubert W.: Latin America. Students’ lectures
on missions. Princeton theological seminary. MCMI.
The pagans, the papists, the protestants and the present-day
problem. By Hubert W. Brown, M.A. Illustrated.
New York, Fleming H. Revell co., 1901. Reprint: Young
people’s missionary movement of the United States and
Canada, 1909. 308 pp. 12mo. front. 20 illus.
Pardoning the obvious tendency to alliteration and the
frankly sectarian bias of the professional missionary, an interesting
plea for the author’s kind of religion, with felicitous
presentations of fragments of history, social usages, and the
life in general of fairly diversified types of people in México and
Central and South America.
Bruce, G. J.: Brazil and the Brazilians. By G. J. Bruce.
With eight illustrations. New York, Dodd, Mead & co.,
1914. 307 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 7 illus.
A source of considerable information in a very light vein.
Bryce, James: South America. Observations and impressions.
By James Bryce, author of “The holy Roman
empire,” “The American commonwealth,” etc. With
maps. New York, The Macmillan co., 1912. xxiv, 611
pp. 8ᵒ. 5 maps.
Probably none but the gifted and distinguished author of
this work could produce so readable and interesting a volume
under the circumstances which attended his brief visit to South
America; his intention was so excellent, and the style is so
admirable, that one is disposed to forgive the misapprehensions
and consequent misinterpretations which sprang from the natural
limitations to which he was subjected.
Buley, E. C.: North Brazil. Physical features, natural
resources, means of communication, manufactures and
industrial development. (South American handbooks.)
By E. C. Buley. New York, D. Appleton & co.,
MCMXIV. 216 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 3 maps. 15 illus.
An account of geography, climate, plants, animals, history,
distribution of population, government, social conditions, industries,
public service and transportation; excellent in every way.
Buley, E. C.: South Brazil. Physical features, natural
resources, means of communication, manufactures and
industrial development. (South American handbooks.)
By E. C. Buley. London, Bath, New York, and Melbourne,
Sir Isaac Pitman & sons, ltd., 1914. 219 pp.
8ᵒ. front. 2 maps. 14 illus.
Bullard, Arthur [Albert Edwards]: Panama, the canal,
the country and the people. By Arthur Bullard. Revised
edition with additional chapters. Illustrated,
New York, The Macmillan co., 1914. xiv, 601 pp.
12mo. front. 44 illus.
When the author says in his preface, “the works of Bancroft,
Fiske, Irving, Prescott and Winsor—the principal authorities
on the epoch of discovery and colonization—have been
freely used,” he utters a truth in the last part of his statement
and an absurdity when he characterizes these as “the principal
authorities,” that remove him from consideration as a serious
or original historian; he slides awkwardly upon the surface of
things, expressing himself with that dogmatism which is not
infrequently associated with ignorance.
Bulnes, Francisco: El verdadero Juárez y la verdad
sobre la intervención y el imperio. Por Francisco Bulnes.
París y México, librería de la vda. de Ch. Bouret,
1904. 873 pp. 8ᵒ. front. of author.
A diatribe against the Mexican reformer, with a clerical and
conservative bias; the ample documentation does not sustain
the generalizations. See “Juárez” by García, Genaro.
Burke, Ulick Ralph: A life of Benito Juárez, constitutional
president of Mexico. By Ulick Ralph Burke,
M.A., author of “A life of Gonsalva de Cordova,” etc.
London and Sydney, Remington & co., 1894. x, 384 pp.
12mo. front. 1 map.
A well documented and useful biography, barring inexcusably
bad Spanish, which one must usually forgive English
writers regarding the American countries.
Burton, Captain Richard F[rancis]: Explorations of the
highlands of the Brazil; with a full account of the gold
and diamond mines; also, canoeing down 1500 miles of
the great river São Francisco, from Sabará to the sea.
By Captain Richard F[rancis] Burton, F.R.G.S., etc.
In 2 vols. 8ᵒ. London, Tinsley bros., 1869. Vol. I.
x, 443 pp. front. Vol. II. viii, 478 pp. front. 1 map.
Of much value to the student of geography who knows how
to make allowance for the strong and predetermining characteristics
of the author.
Burton, Captain Richard F[rancis]: Letters from the
battle-fields of Paraguay. By Captain Richard F[rancis]
Burton, F.R.G.S., etc., author of “Explorations of the
highlands of Brazil,” etc. With a map and illustrations.
London, Tinsley bros., 1870. xix, 491 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
Sprightly and interesting, in the manner of all the writings
of this indefatigable traveler and author, without being either
fair or conclusive; inadequate, dogmatic, unsupported by
references, yet occasionally presenting an illuminating observation.
Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar Núñez: (see Schmidt, Ulrich).
Calderón, Francisco García: La creación de un continente.
By Francisco García Calderón. París, Librería
Paul Ollendorff, [1912]. xiv, 264 pp. 12mo.
An exposition of the ideas of a brilliant Peruvian as to the
future of this hemisphere; much of it deals with the position
and attitude of the United States, the author’s views regarding
which seem to have been based upon European and South
American books rather than upon his own personal knowledge;
while it contains many striking passages, it is only slightly
conclusive and constructive.
Calderón, F[rancisco] García: Latin America: its
rise and progress. By F[rancisco] García Calderón, with
a preface by Raymond Poincaré, of the French academy,
president of the council of ministers. Translated by
Bernard Miall. London and Leipsic, T. Fisher Unwin,
1913. xvii, 406 pp. 8ᵒ. 1 map. 22 ports. 2 illus.
“Here is a book which should be read and discussed by every
one interested in the future of the Latin genius. It is written
by a young Peruvian diplomatist. It is full of life and thought.
History, politics, economic and social science, literature, philosophy—M.
Calderón is familiar with all and touches upon all
with competence and without pedantry. The entire evolution
of the South American republics is comprised in the volume
which he now submits to the European public.”—M. Poincaré.
A proper statement regarding this most excellent work, which
may not be overlooked by any student of South American
affairs, although many of those who know both the Americas
will not agree with some of the conclusions reached; the author’s
ideas are patently colored by his exceptional antecedents, inheritance
and career; the translation is unsatisfactory, and the spelling
of names is inconsistent, owing to the fact that the translator,
instead of using the correct Spanish forms, took them from the
French original, in which they had suffered mutilation.
Calderón, Francisco García: Mediación de los Estados
Unidos de Norte América en la guerra del Pacífico.
(See Logan, Cornelius A.)
Calderón, Ignacio: Bolivia: address delivered by the
Bolivian minister, Mr. Ignacio Calderón, under the auspices
of the National geographic society at Washington,
D.C. Conferencia leída en la sociedad Geográfica de
Washington, D.C. Por el señor Ignacio Calderón, Washington,
D.C., (no imprint), January 25, 1907. 21 pp.
8ᵒ. pamph.
An excellent outline of the history and geography of Bolivia,
by one who not only understood his own country, but who had
that knowledge of the United States which enabled him to
describe what would be of interest to the people of this
country.
Calvo, Joaquin Bernardo: The republic of Costa Rica.
By Joaquin Bernardo Calvo. Translated from the Spanish
and edited by L. de T. With an introduction, additions,
and extensions by the editor. Map and illustrations.
Chicago and New York, Rand, McNally & co.,
1890. 286 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 19 illus.
A little of everything thrown together: geography, history,
botany, zoölogy, agriculture, industries, commerce, government,
society; not without value.
Carpenter, Frank G.: South America, social, industrial,
and political. A twenty-five-thousand-mile journey in
search of information in the Isthmus of Panama and the
lands of the equator, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,
Chile, Tierra del Fuego, the Falklands, Argentina, Paraguay,
Uruguay, Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, and the
Orinoco basin. The resources and possibilities of the
various countries, the life and customs of the people, their
governments, business methods, and trade. By Frank
G. Carpenter, author of “Through Asia” and “Through
North America.” Fully illustrated. New York, Western
W. Wilson, [1900]. vi, 625 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 161 illus.
If the author had possessed a more extensive perspective of
historical knowledge before he began his “twenty-five-thousand-mile
journey in search of information,” his book might have
had an enduring value; as it is, it is but crude and superficial
chatter in the manner of a professional guide entertaining his
none too intelligent hearers.
Carr, Charles Carl: The Story of Panama. The new
route to India. (See Gause, Frank A.)
Carson, W. E.: Mexico, the wonderland of the south.
By W. E. Carson. Illustrated. New York, The Macmillan
co., 1909. xi, 439 pp. 12mo. front. 58 illus.
The author says this book was intended “to give a pen-picture,
fresh, accurate, and inclusive of Mexico to-day;”
whatever his intention he has produced one of the most inaccurate,
superficial, and trivial of the numerous works which have
misrepresented and belittled México during these latter years.
Cevallos, Pedro Fermin: Resumen de la historia del
Ecuador, desde su origen hasta 1845. Per Pedro Fermin
Cevallos, individuo de la academia Ecuatoriana y correspondiente
de la Real Española. Segunda edicíon revisada
por el autor. 5 vols. Guayaquil, imprenta de la Nacion,
1886. Tomo I. 540 pp. 12mo. Tomo II. 334[3] pp.
12mo. Tomo III. 414, lvi[vi] pp. 12mo. Tomo IV.
473, vi pp. 12mo. Tomo V. 474[1] pp. 12mo.
Not to be disregarded by the serious student, although
miserably printed, and not documented to any considerable
degree.
Chandler, Charles Lyon: Inter-American acquaintances.
By Charles Lyon Chandler, formerly a student at the universidad
de San Marcos de Lima and of the universidad
Nacional de Buenos Aires. Sewanee, Tennessee, The university
press, MCMXV. vi[1], 139 pp. 12mo.
Designed to show “(1) That the moral and material aid and
example of the United States were a factor in the Latin-American
wars of independence; (2) that during that time, as well as
previously, much was spoken and written by both North and
South Americans which forecasted the Pan American movement,
embodying the fundamental ideas on which the Pan
American union is based.”—Preface. This thesis, supported by
citations from documents not generally accessible, is interestingly
developed, and, barring occasional linguistic, grammatical,
and rhetorical infelicities, this little book is a fair presentation
of serviceable material.
Chile: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
25 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 12 illus.
Clark, Francis E.: The continent of opportunity.
The Spanish American republics—their history, their
resources, their outlook. Together with a traveler’s
impressions of present day conditions. By Francis E.
Clark, D.D., LL.D., author of “A new way around an
old world,” “Fellow travelers,” “Training the church of
the future,” etc. New York, Fleming H. Revell co.,
1907; Young people’s missionary movement of the
United States and Canada, xii, 349[2] pp. 12mo.
1 map. front. 22 illus.
An account of a trip of five months through Panamá, Ecuador,
Perú, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil; of
that popular character to be expected from the pen of so indefatigable
a traveler and organizer; not without value, particularly
for those who would see with the eyes of a propagandist
trying to be fair.
Clemenceau, Georges: South America of to-day. A
study of conditions, social, political and commercial in
Argentine, Uruguay and Brazil. By Georges Clemenceau,
formerly minister of France. New York and London,
G. P. Putnam’s sons, 1911. xii, 434 pp. 8ᵒ.
Confessedly but an account of pleasant recollections of
travel; only slightly affected either by a knowledge of the
languages and history of the peoples visited, or by any serious
acquaintance with facts.
Clowes, Sir William Laird: Four modern naval Campaigns,
historical, strategical, and tactical. By Sir William
Laird Clowes. With maps, plans, and a frontispiece
portrait of the author. London, Hutchinson & co.,
1906. 244 pp. 12mo. front. 11 maps. 5 plans.
The last three campaigns were in the war between Chile and
Perú, 1879-81; in the war in Chile between the president and
congress, 1891; and in the attempted revolution in Brazil, 1893-94;
not to be overlooked by the student.
Cochrane, Capt. Charles Stuart: Journal of a residence
and travels in Colombia, during the years 1823 and 1824.
By Capt. Charles Stuart Cochrane of the royal navy. (In 2
vols. 12mo.) London, printed for Henry Colburn, 1825.
Vol. I. xv, 524 pp. front. Vol. II. viii, 517 pp. front.
Disclaiming the qualities of a writer, the author, who was
a chief actor in the events described, supplies historical material
based upon personal observation that is of service to the student.
[Cochrane], Thomas, Earl of Dundonald: Narrative of
services in the liberation of Chile, Peru, and Brazil, from
Spanish and Portuguese domination. By Thomas [Cochrane],
Earl of Dundonald, G.C.B., admiral of the red;
rear-admiral of the fleet, etc. (In 2 vols. 8ᵒ.) London,
James Ridgway, MDCCCLIX. Vol. I. xxii, 293 pp.
Vol. II. xi, 305 pp.
An account of the struggles for independence by one of the
participants; the first volume contains the history of the achievement
of Chilian independence and the liberation of Perú as
effected by the squadron under command of the author; the
second, that of the part he played as commander of the Brazilian
squadron, by means of which, as he claims, he expelled all the
Portuguese armaments from the eastern shores of South America
“while unaided by military coöperation;” it supplies details
for the historian, even if egotistical.
Colombia: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
26 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 7 illus.
Conway, Sir Martin: The Bolivian Andes. A record
of climbing and exploration in the cordillera Real in the
years 1898 and 1900. By Sir Martin Conway. Illustrated.
New York and London, Harper & bros., 1901.
viii[i], 402[1] pp. 12mo. front. 74 illus.
A well written and illustrated narrative; of great scientific
interest and value; the appendix contains a description by
L. J. Spencer of the forty-six specimens collected by the author
in Bolivia.
Costa Rica: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
19 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 7 illus.
Crichfield, George W.: American supremacy. The
rise and progress of the Latin American republics and their
relations to the United States under the Monroe doctrine.
By George W. Crichfield. In two volumes.
New York, Brentano’s, 1908. Vol. I. ix, 561 pp. 8ᵒ.
Vol. II. vii, 683[1] pp. 8ᵒ.
This work is utterly unreliable in matter and inaccurate in
form; more than a thousand errors in orthography alone occur
in the first hundred pages; in spirit it is undisguisedly biased,
in style, clumsy and commonplace, and it is not even plausible
in its vindictive hostility to Spaniards and Latin-Americans
whom it excoriates without giving the authorities for its
damaging statements; indeed, it is wanting in redeeming qualities;
how it ever secured a respectable publisher passes understanding.
Cuba: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
16 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 1 chart. 7 illus.
Curtis, William Eleroy: The capitals of Spanish
America. By William Eleroy Curtis, late commissioner
from the United States to the governments of Central
and South America. Illustrated. New York, Harper
& bros., 1888. xv, 715 pp. 1 map. 314 illus.
Worthless, with its 314 absurd illustrations done in the bad
manner of the period to which this book belongs, save as an
indication of the progress that has been made in works of this
character.
Curtis, William Eleroy: Venezuela, a land where it’s
always summer. By William Eleroy Curtis, author of
“The capitals of Spanish America,” etc. With a map. New
York, Harper & bros., 1896. 315 pp. 12mo. 1 map.
Pardoning the absurd subtitle, and the entire absence of
references to sources of information, this historical sketch will
be found interesting to general readers, in lieu of really good
works on the subject.
Dalton, Leonard V.: Venezuela. By Leonard V. Dalton,
B.Sc. (Lond.), fellow of the Geographical and Royal
geographical societies, etc. With a map and 34 illustrations.
London and Leipsic, T. Fisher Unwin, 1912.
320 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 34 illus.
Devoted to geography, geology, botany, zoölogy and history,
beginning with pre-Columbian times and extending to the present,
with a study of the various states in turn, and appendixes
giving population, commerce, government finance and bibliography;
conscientious, sane, reliable, based on intimate personal
knowledge.
Darwin, Charles: Journal of researches into the natural
history and geology of the countries visited during
the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle round the world under the
command of Captain Fitz Roy, R.N. By Charles Darwin,
M.A., F.R.S. (In 2 vols. 16ᵒ.) New York, Harper &
bros., 1846. Vol. I. vii, 351 pp. Vol. II. v, 324 pp.
Invaluable observations upon various regions and aspects
of South America.
Davis, Walter G.: Climate of the Argentine Republic.
By Walter G. Davis, director of the Argentine meteorological
office. (Under caption: “Department of agriculture,
Argentine republic.”) Buenos Aires, Argentine
meteorological office, 1910. 111 pp. 4ᵒ. 44 plts.
Of very great value to those who are interested in this
subject; the charts are unusually good.
Dawson, Thomas C.: The South American republics.
(Series caption, “The story of the nations.”) In two
parts. By Thomas C. Dawson, secretary of the United
States legation to Brazil. New York and London, G. P.
Putnam’s sons, Part I, 1903, Part II, 1904; Young people’s
missionary movement of the United States and
Canada, 1909. Part I. Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay,
Brazil. xvi, 525 pp. 12mo. front. 3 maps. 24 ports.
37 illus. Part II. (The author then being minister of the
United States to the Dominican republic.) Perú, Chile,
Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Panamá. xiv,
513 pp. 12mo. 3 maps. 5 ports. 57 illus.
An historical and geographical study of each of the South
American countries in turn; interesting, popular, simple in
style; without documentation; evidently the fruit of personal
experience and of the study of books of a secondary character,
whose statements the author appears to have accepted without
verification; often dogmatic, and sometimes needlessly caustic;
although numerous, the illustrations are inferior.
[Deberle, Alfred Joseph]: The history of South America
from its discovery to the present time. Compiled from
the works of the best authors and from authentic documents,
many hitherto unpublished, in various archives
and public and private libraries in America and Spain.
By an American. (Written in French by Alfred Joseph
Deberle.) Translated from the Spanish by Adnah
D[avid] Jones. With maps and index by the translator.
London, Swan, Sonnenschein & co., lim.; New York, The
Macmillan co., 1899. vi, 345 pp. 8ᵒ. 2 maps.
An undocumented history, readable and instructive, and
of value to those who are not able to obtain access to more
ample works.
Decoud, José Segundo: A list of books, magazine articles,
and maps relating to Paraguay. Books, 1638-1903.
Maps, 1599-1903. Prepared by José Segundo Decoud,
honorary corresponding member of the International
union of American republics, etc. A supplement to the
handbook of Paraguay, published in September, 1902,
by the International bureau of the American republics.
Washington, Government printing office, 1904. 53 pp.
12mo.
A bibliography of exceptional value.
Decoud, José Segundo: Paraguay. Second edition,
revised and enlarged. By José Segundo Decoud, honorary
corresponding member of the International union of
American republics, with a chapter on the native races
by Dr. J. Hampden Porter. September, 1902. Washington,
Government printing office, 1902. 187 pp. 12mo.
front. 1 map. 8 illus.
It contains interesting data relating to geography, climate,
present population, native races, constitution and government,
political divisions, industries, commerce, public utilities, education
and religion.
Denis, Pierre: Brazil. By Pierre Denis. Translated
and with a historical chapter, by Bernard Miall, and a supplementary
chapter by Dawson A. Vindin. With a map
and thirty-six illustrations. London and Leipsic, T. Fisher
Unwin, MCMXI. 388 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 3 maps. 36 illus.
This work contains an historical sketch, an account of political,
economic, financial and agricultural conditions, with
particular attention to São Paulo, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sol,
and Ceará; although sketchy and awkwardly arranged, it
contains valuable material.
Dent, Hastings Charles: A year in Brazil. With notes
on the abolition of slavery, the finances of the empire,
religion, meteorology, natural history, etc. By Hastings
Charles Dent, C.E., F.L.S., F.R.G.S., member of the
Manchester literary and philosophical society, etc. With
ten full-page illustrations and two maps. London, Kegan
Paul, Trench & co., 1886. xvii, 444 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
2 maps. 9 illus.
A journal of life and study in various parts of the country,
with an appendix which contains interesting data respecting
mines, railways, religion, slavery, currency, meteorological
conditions, botany and zoölogy.
Díaz del Castillo, Bernal: Historia verdadera de la conquista
de la Nueva España. Por Bernal Díaz del Castillo,
uno de sus conquistadores. Única edición hecha según el
códice autógrafo. La publica Genaro García. (In 2 vols.
8ᵒ.) México, oficina tipográfica de la secretaría de Fomento,
1904. Tomo I. lxxxiii, 506 pp. front. Tomo II. 560 pp.
One of the most important of the early documents; never to
be overlooked by the historian, and of interest even to the general
reader who may have the patience to master its peculiar style.
Díaz, Ramón: (see Baralt, Rafael María).
Dixie, Lady Florence [C. D.]: Across Patagonia. By
Lady Florence [C. D.] Dixie. With illustrations from
sketches by Julius Beerbohm engraved by Whymper and
Pearson. London, Richard Bentley & son, 1880. xiii,
251 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 12 illus.
The wild and little known land seen through the medium of a
vigorous and abundant temperament; not lacking in interest
as a mere narrative of travel and adventure.
Dominican Republic: General descriptive data prepared
in June, 1909. By the International bureau of
American republics. Washington, D.C., Government
printing office, 1909. 17 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 2 charts.
6 illus.
Domville-Fife, Charles W.: Guatemala and the states
of Central America. By Charles W. Domville-Fife,
author of “The great states of South America,” “Submarine
engineering of to-day,” etc. Illustrated. London,
Francis Griffiths; New York, James Pott & co.,
[1913]. 310 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 56 illus.
Although frankly effusive and too optimistic, and of that
popular character that annoys the student, it contains occasional
quotations, accounts of observations and odds and ends
of information that may be valuable to the patient reader.
Domville-Fife, Charles W.: The United States of Brazil.
With a chapter on the republic of Uruguay. By Charles
W. Domville-Fife, author of “Submarines of the world’s
navies.” Illustrated. New York, James Pott & co.,
[1911]. xxii, 249 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 102 illus.
Part one, which consists mainly of extracts from early
writers, brings interesting material within easy reach; part two
is a general description of present conditions; although commonplace
in style and clumsy in arrangement, it contains
instructive data.
Dupaix, M[onsieur Guillaume]: Monuments of New
Spain. By M[onsieur Guillaume] Dupaix. From the
original drawings executed by order of the king of Spain.
(In Kingsborough’s Mexican antiquities, Vol. IV. [No
date.] Part I: 16 plts. Part II: 56 plts. Part III:
45 plts. In the same volume are specimens of Mexican
sculpture in possession of M. Latour Allard, in Paris.
11 plts. containing 20 illus., and specimens of Mexican
sculpture preserved in the British museum. 5 plts. containing
5 illus., also plates copied from the Giro del Mondo
of Gemelli Careri; with an engraving of a Mexican cycle,
from a painting formerly in the possession of Boturini.
4 plts. containing 8 illus. Specimens of Peruvian Quipus
with plates representing a carved Peruvian box containing
a collection of supposed Peruvian Quipus. 7 plts. containing
7 illus.)
A remarkable collection of drawings of ancient Mexican
monuments and figures, some of which no longer exist; of rare
interest to the student of archæology.
Dupierry ... el doctor dn.: Opúsculo. Cuba y
Puerto Rico. Medios de conservar estas dos Antillas
en su estado de esplendor. Por un negrófilo concienzudo.
(El doctor dn. ... Dupierry.) Madrid, José
Cruzado, 1866. 157 pp. 16mo.
An impassioned statement of the old and now abandoned
arguments in favor of human slavery as applied to Cuba and
Puerto Rico; it is interesting for the light it sheds upon local
conditions.
Ecuador: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
15 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 3 illus.
Ecuador, Guía comercial, agrícola e industrial de la
república del. Editada per la compañía “Guía del Ecuador.”
Guayaquil, talleres de artes Gráficas de E. Rodenas,
1909. 1328 pp. 4ᵒ. [22 maps. 1407 illus.]
Valuable for a study of present conditions, the following
being an outline of the contents: political constitution, physical
geography, public administration, list of financial institutions,
mercantile societies, commerce and exchequer.
Eder, Phanor James: Colombia. By Phanor James
Eder. With 40 illustrations and 2 maps. London and
Leipsic, T. Fisher Unwin, [1913]. xxiv, 312 pp. 8ᵒ. 2
maps. 40 illus.
An excellent work, carefully and judiciously written; although
intended to set forth present conditions from the standpoint
of the business man, sufficient, well chosen, and documented
historical material is introduced to furnish a proper
background; the illustrations really bear on the text.
Edginton, T[homas] B[enton]: The Monroe doctrine.
By T[homas] B[enton] Edginton, A.M., of the bar of
Memphis, Tennessee. Boston, Little, Brown & co., 1904.
vi, 344 pp. 8ᵒ.
A well documented but not uniformly satisfactory presentation
of the history of this policy in all its bearings; some of the
generalizations are vague and not sustained by what is called
“international law.”
Edwards, Albert: Panama, the canal, the country and
the people. (See Bullard, Arthur.)
Edwards, William Seymour: On the Mexican highlands.
With a passing glimpse of Cuba. By William
Seymour Edwards, author of “Into the Yukon,”
“Through Scandinavia to Moscow,” etc. Cincinnati,
press of Jennings & Graham, [1906]. 283 pp. 12mo.
front. 1 map. 98 illus.
A frank, unpretentious and sprightly narrative of travel in
out-of-the-way regions, that pleases because of its modest
honesty of statement.
Elliot, G. F. Scott: Chile, its history and development,
natural features, products, commerce and present conditions.
By G. F. Scott Elliot, M.A., F.R.G.S., author
of “A naturalist in mid-Africa.” With an introduction
by Martin Hume. Illustrated. London, T. Fisher Unwin,
MCMVII. xxviii, 363 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 2 maps.
37 illus.
A standard work, well written, reliable, documented, of
exceptional value; after a chapter on geology and a portion of
another on prehistoric times, it traces with proper emphasis
the course of events from the settlement to the present day;
an extensive bibliography at the back.
Enock, C. Reginald: Mexico: its ancient and modern
civilization, history and political conditions, topography
and natural resources, industries and general development.
By C. Reginald Enock, F.R.G.S., civil and mining
engineer, author of “Peru” and “The Andes and the
Amazon.” With an introduction by Martin Hume, M.A.
With a map and seventy-five illustrations. New York,
Charles Scribner’s sons; London, T. Fisher Unwin,
MCMIX. xxxvi, 362 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 63 illus.
Dealing with archæology, ethnology, history, politics,
natural resources, industries and commerce, the author gives
each of these a fairly just emphasis, and although his generalizations
and opinions are not always well founded, he has avoided
the folly of unmeasured abuse that has characterized several
recent writers upon México, and produced a book that will interest
and serve the average reader.
Enock, C. Reginald: Perú. Its former and present
civilization, history and existing conditions, topography
and natural resources, commerce and general development.
By C. Reginald Enock, F.R.G.S., civil and mining
engineer, author of “The Andes and the Amazon.” London
and Leipsic, T. Fisher Unwin, MCMXII. xxxii, 320
pp. 8ᵒ. 1 map. 1 chart. 72 illus.
When one considers the extent, both in time and space,
this author has attempted to cover, the marvel is that any of
his books should be as good as they are; this one, like the
rest, is not without value, although superficial, prosaic and
inaccurate in matter and form.
Enock, C. Reginald: Ecuador, its ancient and modern
history, topography and natural resources, industries
and social development. By C. Reginald Enock, F.R.G.S.,
author of “The Andes and the Amazon,” “Peru,”
“Mexico,” “The secret of the Pacific,” etc. With
fifty-seven illustrations and two maps. New York,
Charles Scribner’s sons, 1914. 375 pp. 8ᵒ. 2 maps,
one of which is in text. 37 illus.
While this book has the weaknesses that characterize the
works of this author, to which attention is called in the other
comments, it is somewhat more fully documented than the
others, and being one of the very few extensive English publications
regarding Ecuador, it supplies an urgent need.
Enock, C. Reginald: The Andes and the Amazon.
Life and travel in Perú. By C. Reginald Enock, F.R.G.S.
With a map, four colored plates, and fifty-eight other
illustrations. London, T. Fisher Unwin, MCMVII.
xvi, 379 pp. 8ᵒ. front, 1 map. 4 plts. 58 illus.
In the main, a description of what the author, an insatiable
gatherer of easily obtainable information and a prolific
writer of books, saw, heard, felt and thought during his perigrination.
Enock, C. Reginald: The republics of South and Central
America: their resources, industries, sociology and
future. By C. Reginald Enock, F.R.G.S., author of
“The Andes and the Amazon,” “Mexico,” “An imperial
commonwealth,” etc. London, J. M. Dent & sons,
ltd.; New York, Charles Scribner’s sons, 1913. 544 pp.
8ᵒ. 9 maps. 16 illus.
In his preface, the author says: “The purpose of this book
is to provide, within the compass of a single volume, a succinct
study of the Latin-American republics, and their social and
physical condition.” His effort was only slightly successful.
See comment on his “Perú,” to which should be added the
statement, that, for some unaccountable reason, he introduces
a discussion of the Aztecs, and a number of pictures that have
nothing whatever to do with South America.
Fitch, A. H.: Junípero Serra. The man and his work.
By A. H. Fitch. With fifteen illustrations from photographs
and a map. Chicago, A. C. McClurg & co.,
1914. xiii, 364 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 15 illus.
An effort to rescue from oblivion the life of an important
religious pioneer to whom historians are deeply indebted for
facts regarding Spanish California during the years 1769-1785;
interesting and valuable.
Flandrau, Charles Macomb: Viva Mexico. By Charles
Macomb Flandrau, author of “Harvard episodes,” “The
diary of a freshman,” etc. New York, D. Appleton &
co., 1908. 293 [1] pp. 16ᵒ.
Pardoning the inexcusable butchering of the Spanish introduced,
it is a characteristically vivacious story of what the
author saw and felt and thought in México; entertaining and
valuable as a true picture of what an appreciative observer
might behold in certain localities.
Fonseca, J. J. da: Estudo analytico. Descobrimento
do Brazil. Por J. J. da Fonseca (almirante graduado).
Rio de Janeiro, typ. Leuzinger, 1895. 35 pp. pamph.
3 maps. 2 illus.
A scholarly presentation of the details, with references to
several documents.
Fomaro, Carlo de: Carranza and Mexico. By Carlo
de Fornaro. With chapters by Colonel I. C. Enriquez,
Charles Ferguson and M[odesto] C. Rollandi. New
York, Mitchell Kennerley, 1915. 242 pp. 12mo.
front. 1 map. 6 illus.
The dedication of this work to “President Woodrow Wilson,
who discovered real México to the Americans,” in a sense indicates
what is to follow; it is an approval of the present administration’s
policy in México and a plea for General Carranza, with
a highly laudatory sketch of his life, characterized by sweeping
but unsupported statements; in general superficial and not
illuminating.
Fraser, John Foster: The amazing Argentine. A new
land of enterprise. By John Foster Fraser. New York
and London, Funk & Wagnalls co., 1914. viii, 291 pp.
12mo. front. 54 illus.
The title indicates the style of superficial chatter which
composes this book; the illustrations, however, are both interesting
and instructive.
Funes, Doctor don Gregorio: Ensayo de la historia civil
de Buenos Aires, Tucumán y Paraguay. Escrito por el
doctor don Gregorio Funes, dean de la santa iglesia catedral
de Córdoba. Segunda edición. (2 vols, bound together.
8ᵒ.) Buenos Aires, 1856. Tomo I. 391 [6] pp.
1 illus. Tomo II. 472 [5] pp.
A work of fundamental importance because of the considerable
information which it contains, although written in
the heavy, prosaic style of the learned ecclesiastic of the
period.
Fyfe, H. Hamilton: The real Mexico. A study on the
spot. By H. Hamilton Fyfe, author of “The new spirit
in Egypt,” “South America to-day.” London, William
Heinemann, [1914]. viii, 247 pp. 12mo. 1 map.
An amorphous mass of impressionistically presented information
regarding present conditions, the most of which, although
already possessed by the intelligent people of this country, is
neither interesting nor instructive as manipulated by this
writer.
Gadow, Hans: Through southern Mexico; being an
account of the travels of a naturalist. By Hans Gadow,
M.A., Ph.D., F.R.G.S. With over one hundred and
sixty full-page and other illustrations and maps. London,
Witherby & co., 1908. xvi, 527 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 4 maps.
169 illus.
An unusually interesting account of travel, by a trained observer
and field naturalist, giving much information regarding
flora, fauna and human beings.
Gallatin, Albert: Notes on the semi-civilized nations of
Mexico, Yucatan, and Central America. By Albert
Gallatin. (In transactions of the American ethnological
society, Vol. I.) New York, Bartlett & Welford; London,
Wiley & Putnam, MDCCCXLV. pp. 1-352. 8ᵒ.
1 plt. 3 tables.
A study of the languages, numeration, calendars, astronomy,
history and chronology, with conjectures as to the origin of
semi-civilization in America; appendix I contains grammatical
notices: Mexican, Tarascan, Otomí, Maya, Guatemalan, Huasteca;
appendix II, notes on Lord Kingsborough’s collection;
without being final, it marks one of the important stages in the
development of knowledge regarding the subjects discussed.
Garay, Blas: La revolución de la independencia del
Paraguay. Por Blas Garay. Madrid, est. tip. de la
viuda e hijos de Tello, 1897. 214 pp. 16ᵒ.
An admirable short narrative, in charming style; conscientious,
thoroughly documented, worthy of praise and study.
García, Genaro: Carácter de la conquista española
en América y en México según los textos de los historiadores
primitivos. Por Genaro García. México, oficina
tipográfica de la secretaría de Fomento, 1901. 456 pp. 8ᵒ.
A carefully documented collection of materials that may
serve the student who has the patience to follow the processes
of a somewhat halting mind.
García, Genaro: Juárez. Refutación a don Francisco
Bulnes. Por Genaro García. México, librería de la vda.
de Ch. Bouret, 1904. viii, 276 [2] pp. 12mo. front.
An amply documented biography, which, although partisan
and lacking the vigor and sprightliness of the work it is intended
to refute, is in general accord with the facts; a valuable bibliography
of seventy-two pages is to be found at the back.
García Icazbalceta, Joaquín: Colección de documentos
para la historia de México. Publicada por Joaquín García
Icazbalceta. (In 2 vols. 4ᵒ.) México, librería de J. M.
Andrade. Tomo primero, 1858. cliii, 544 pp. Tomo
segundo, 1866. lxvi, 600 pp.
The documents relate to the period of the conquest and
settlement; they are of inestimable value for the serious historian.
García Icazbalceta, J[oaquín]: Obras de D. J[oaquín]
García Icazbalceta. (In 5 vols. 16ᵒ.) México, imp. de
V. Agüeros, 1896. Tomo I. Opúsculos varios. xvi,
428 [2] pp. Tomo II. Opúsculos varios. 460 [2] pp.
Tomo III. Biografías. 436 [2] pp. Tomo IV. Biografías.
442 [3] pp. Tomo V. Biografías [Historiadores].
522 pp.
A classic work; invaluable for the study of prominent
personages and events, and the light it sheds upon many
historical questions hitherto obscure or misunderstood.
Garland, Alexander: Peru in 1906. With a brief historical
and geographical sketch. By Alexander Garland,
member of the Lima geographical society. Originally
written in Spanish, and translated into English by George
R. Gepp. Lima, “La industria” printing office, 1907.
303 pp. 4ᵒ. 49 plts. 2 maps.
In the “boosting” style, yet a source of much information,
after the manner of a guide-book, regarding modern conditions.
Gause, Frank A., and Carr, Charles Carl: The story of
Panama. The new route to India. By Frank A. Gause,
superintendent canal zone public schools, and Charles
Carl Carr, principal canal zone public high school. Boston,
New York, Chicago, Silver, Burdett & co., [1912].
xii, 290 pp. 12mo. 2 maps in color. 89 illus.
An interesting description of the various features of construction,
and an account of their organization and administration,
with a history of the Canal project, by men who were in a
good position to get at the facts, and whose training fitted them
to write well.
Geographia-atlas do Brazil e das cinco partes do mundo.
Conforme o “Atlas do Brazil” do Barão Homem de
Mello e Dr. F. Homem de Mello e os melhores auctores
parà a “Parte geral.” Com um prologo do Dr. Francisco
Cabrita (ex-director da instrucçao publica do districto
federal). 35 mappas em cinco côres (10 duplos), 166 illustrações
e desenhos, 100 paginas de texto (em 3 columnas)
(1ᵃ edição). Rio de Janeiro, F. Briguiet & cia, 1912.
xii, 100 pp. 4ᵒ. front. 35 maps. 166 illus.
Of interest and importance for the student of geography and
statistics.
Gillpatrick, Wallace: Wanderings in Mexico. The
spirited chronicle of adventure in Mexican highways and
byways. By Wallace Gillpatrick (“The man who likes
Mexico”). London, Eveleigh Nash, 1912. 374 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 68 illus.
An account of the wanderings of one who is satisfied not to
be an historian, but merely to play the part of an interested and
sympathetic and therefore interesting traveler and observer,
written in a pleasing style.
Godoy, José F.: Porfirio Díaz, president of México.
The master builder of a great commonwealth. By José
F. Godoy, author of “A few facts about Mexico,” “The
legal and mercantile handbook of Mexico,” etc. With
60 illustrations, maps, and diagrams. New York and
London, G. P. Putnam’s sons, 1910. xii, 253 pp. 12mo.
front. 2 maps. 7 diagrams. 51 illus.
Devoted to undiscriminating and unmeasured praise of
México’s recent president, without supplying in clear terms data
adequate to justify the high appraisal; it exhibits no particular
discernment, and consequently adds little to the general
knowledge of the man.
Goodrich, Joseph King: The coming Mexico. (Under
caption: “The world to-day series.”) By Joseph King
Goodrich, sometime professor in the imperial government
college, Kyoto. With 32 illustrations from photographs.
Chicago, A. C. McClurg & co., 1913. xii, 269 pp.
12mo. front. 32 illus.
Only another commonplace effort to produce a book of a
kind already superabundant, consisting of fragments of history
gathered uncritically from sources more or less reliable, and
masses of statistics and statements regarding present conditions,
based upon popular hearsay; it adds nothing to the general
fund of information.
Gordon, George Byron: Caverns of Copan, Honduras.
Report of the explorations by the Museum, 1896-97.
(Under caption: “Memoirs of the Peabody museum of
American archæology and ethnology, Harvard university.
Vol. I, Nos. 4 and 5.”) Cambridge, Massachusetts,
The Museum, 1898. 56 pp. folio. 13 plts. 35 illus.
in the text.
A well written report upon explorations of prime importance,
printed luxuriously and admirably illustrated.
Gordon, George Byron: The hieroglyphic stairway.
Ruins of Copan. Report of the explorations by the
Museum. (Under caption: “Memoirs of the Peabody
museum of American archæology and ethnology. Harvard
university. Vol. I, No. 6.”) Cambridge, Massachusetts,
The Museum, 1902. 38 pp. folio. 18 plts.
23 illus. in the text.
Grillet, John, and Bechamel, Francis: A journal of the
travels of John Grillet and Francis Bechamel into Guiana,
in the year 1674. In order to discover the great Lake of
Parima, and the many cities said to be situated on its
banks, and reputed the richest in the world. London,
printed for Samuel Buckley, 1698. 68 pp. 12mo.
(Bound in with Christopher de Acuña’s work. See Acuña.)
Guatemala: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
16 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 4 illus.
Guinness, Geraldine: Peru, its story, people, and religion.
By Geraldine Guinness. Illustrated by Dr. H.
Grattan Guinness. London, Morgan & Scott, ltd.,
MCMIX. xxi, 438 pp. 8ᵒ. 3 maps. 2 diagrams. 39 illus.
The illustrations are of rare excellence and well worth the
price of the book; the rest of the work is negligible.
Gutiérrez de Lara, L., and Pinchon, Edgcumb: The
Mexican people; their struggle for freedom. By L.
Gutiérrez de Lara, author of “Story of a political refugee”
and “Les bribones,” and Edgcumb Pinchon. Illustrated
from photographs. Garden City, New York, Doubleday,
Page & co., 1914. xi, 358 pp. 12mo. front. 52 illus.
A frank plea for the Indians against Spaniards and others
of European origin, actuated by animosity and based upon
ridiculous misstatements, of which the following may serve as
an illustration: “At the time of the conquest they (the Indians)
were in full enjoyment of a civilization greatly superior in
many respects to that of Teutonic Europe, and certainly
superior in every respect to that of the Spanish nation which
subjugated and enslaved them;” this book will have no standing
with those who know the facts; those who do not are warned
to read it with due allowance for personal venom.
Habel, S.: The sculptures of Santa Lucía Cosumalwhuapa
in Guatemala. With an account of travels in
Central America and on the western coast of South
America. By S. Habel, M.D., Washington, D.C.,
Smithsonian institution, 1878. (Under caption: “Smithsonian
contributions to knowledge, 269.”) iii, 90 pp.
folio. 8 plts., showing 23 sculptures.
A valuable account of archæological and ethnological investigation
in Central and South America, slightly marred by
an attempt to make a serious and necessarily prosaic subject
airy and popular.
Haiti: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
14 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 4 illus.
Hale, Albert: Practical guide to Latin America, including
Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and South
America. Preparation, cost, routes, sight-seeing. By
Albert Hale, A.B., M.D., member of the Geographical
society of Rio de Janeiro, etc. Boston, Small, Maynard
& co., [1909]. xi, 249 pp. 16ᵒ.
While not wholly useless to a first visitor, it is inferior to
excellent guides to México and the West Indies which already
exist, and it but serves to emphasize the need of a really good
guide to South America; inaccurate and badly arranged.
Hale, Albert: The South Americans. The story of the
South American republics, their characteristics, progress
and tendencies; with special reference to their commercial
relations with the United States. By Albert Hale, A.B.,
M.D., member of the Geographical society of Rio de
Janeiro. Indianapolis, The Bobbs-Merrill co., [1907].
352 pp. 12mo. front. 3 maps. 63 illus.
A sort of guide-book, with special reference to Argentina,
Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela, with historical notes, in a
pleasing style; as such it has interest and value; many of the
broad generalizations, however, are open to question.
Halstead, Murat: The story of Cuba; her struggles for
liberty; the cause, crisis and destiny of the pearl of the
Antilles. By Murat Halstead. Graphically illustrated with
numerous typical photographic reproductions and original
drawings, including those of the United States battleship
Maine. Sixth edition, revised to date. Akron, Ohio, The
Werner co., [1896]. 649 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 48 illus.
The title-page is a sufficient indication of the character of
this bombastic, garrulous and hurriedly composed work, which
was thrown together to meet demands created by the conditions
that preceded the wars of 1896 and 1898.
Hancock, Anson Uriel: A history of Chile. By Anson
Uriel Hancock, author of “Old Abraham Jackson,”
“Coitlan; a tale of the Inca world,” etc. Chicago,
Charles H. Sergel & co., MDCCCXCIII. xx, 471 pp.
8ᵒ. front. 3 maps. 8 illus.
A connected account of the period between 1829 and 1879,
not usually accorded full treatment, with chapters on the war
with Perú and the civil war of 1891, and an appendix containing
geographical data, the political constitution and a bibliography;
worthy of consideration.
Hazard, Samuel: Santo Domingo, past and present;
with a glance at Hayti. By Samuel Hazard, author of
“Cuba, with pen and pencil.” Maps and numerous
illustrations. New York, Harper & bros., 1873. xxix,
511 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 151 illus.
A work whose sole value consists in the inaccurate bibliography
at the front.
Heape, Walter: The proportion of sexes produced by
whites and coloured peoples in Cuba. (Contained in
“Philosophical transactions of the Royal society of
London. Series B, Vol. 200.”) By Walter Heape,
M.A., F.R.S., Trinity college, Cambridge. London,
printed by Harrison & sons, 1909. pp. 271-330. 4ᵒ.
An interesting and valuable study, with a considerable bibliography
at the back.
Helps, Sir Arthur: The Spanish conquest in America, and
its relation to slavery and to the government of colonies.
By Sir Arthur Helps. A new edition, edited, with an
introduction, maps, and notes, by M. Oppenheim. (In
4 vols. 12mo.) London and New York, John Lane.
Vol. I. MDCCCC. xxxviii, 369 pp. 10 maps. Vol.
II. MDCCCCII. ix [i], 365 pp. 8 maps. Vol. III.
MDCCCCII. xli [i], 400 pp. 8 maps. Vol. IV.
MDCCCCIV. x [i], 374 pp. 5 maps.
“Whether the reader agrees or disagrees, with some of the
author’s views, he will at least determine that it is the work
of a scholar and a Christian gentleman—two qualities not always
united in the historian—and therefore a formative influence,
as all such books are, in the growth of the moral forces
silently directing humanity towards higher ideals.”—Editor’s
introduction. A work which every thorough student must
consider, and from which he will derive assistance; greatly
improved by the editor.
Herndon, Wm. Lewis, and Gibbon, Lardner: Exploration
of the valley of the Amazon, made under the direction
of the navy department. (Under caption: “Senate:
32d congress, 2d session.”) By Wm. Lewis Herndon
and Lardner Gibbon, lieutenants United States navy.
(In 2 vols. 8ᵒ.) Part I by Lieut. Herndon. Washington,
Robert Armstrong, public printer, 1853. 414 [3] pp.
front. 15 illus. Part II by Lieut. Lardner Gibbon.
Washington, A. O. P. Nicholson, public printer, 1854. x,
339 pp. front. 2 maps. 35 illus.
A matter-of-fact narrative of extended and painstaking explorations;
volume one contains an appendix which gives a
table of the approximate heights and distances from Callao to
the Atlantic, and a meteorological journal; volume two, an appendix
which gives observations with sextant and artificial
horizon and meteorological observations; of value to the student
of physiography.
Hills, Elijah Clarence, and Morley, S. Griswold:
Modern Spanish lyrics. Edited with introduction, notes
and vocabulary. By Elijah Clarence Hills, Ph.D., Litt.D.,
professor of romance languages in Colorado college, and
S. Griswold Morley, Ph.D., university of Colorado. New
York, Henry Holt & co., 1913. lxxxiii, 435 pp. 12mo.
The second half of this work contains lyrical selections
from the poetry of Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, México,
Nicaragua and Venezuela, a number of “canciones” with
music, and notes and a vocabulary; the authors have exercised
wisdom in making their choice of verse, and in general the orthography
is correct, and the notes are instructive; it offers in convenient
form worthy specimens of the poetry of Latin America.
Hirst, W. A.: Argentine. By W. A. Hirst. With an
introduction by Martin Hume. With a map. London
and Leipsic, T. Fisher Unwin, MCMXII. xviii, 308
pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 64 illus.
A chapter on geography, eight chapters on history and
fourteen upon government, politics, racial elements, social
life in town and country, religion, education, literature, industries
and commerce, and a brief bibliography, compose this
work; it is a generally useful, reliable and fairly well documented
book, barring the inevitable vexatiously inaccurate
Spanish; the illustrations are unusually good.
Honduras: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office,
1909. 14 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 4 illus.
Honduras. Prehistoric ruins of Copan. A preliminary
report of the explorations. By the museum, 1891-1895.
(Under caption: “Memoirs of the Peabody museum of
American archæology and ethnology, Harvard university.
Vol. I, No. 1.”) Cambridge, Massachusetts, The Museum,
1896. iv, 48 pp. folio. 9 plts. 19 illus. in the text.
A good account of important explorations, luxuriously
printed and excellently illustrated.
Humboldt, Alexander de: Political essay on the kingdom
of New Spain. By Alexander de Humboldt. With
physical sections and maps, founded on astronomical
observations, and trigonometrical and barometrical measurements.
(In 4 vols. 12 mo.) London, Longman,
Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown; and H. Colburn; Edinburgh,
W. Blackwood, and Brown & Crombie, 1811.
Vol. I. cxiv, 289 pp. 8 maps on 1 plt. Vol. II. 531
[1] pp. 4 maps. 3 sections. 2 illus. Vol. III. 493 pp.
1 map. 4 sections. Vol. IV. 415 pp. 1 map.
A classic among books of this character, clear, accurate and
based upon information gathered by one of the keenest of observers;
it will never be wholly superseded or overlooked.
Hutchinson, Thomas J[oseph]: Two years in Peru,
with exploration of its antiquities. By Thomas J[oseph]
Hutchinson, F.R.G.S., F.R.S.L., M.A.I., vice-president
d’honneur de l’institut d’Afrique, Paris; etc. With map
by Daniel Barrera, and numerous illustrations. In two
volumes. London, Sampson Low, Marston, Low, &
Searle, 1873. Vol. I. xxiv, 343 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map.
65 illus. Vol. II. xii, 334 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 44 illus.
After one pardons the idiosyncrasies of orthography and the
tendency to garrulousness, he will find here information of value,
based upon personal knowledge.
Ixtlilxóchitl, Fernando de Alva: Historia chichimeca.
Por don Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxóchitl. 209 pp. (In
Kingsborough’s “Mexican Antiquities,” Vol. IX, which
see.)
Probably the first work by a native writer who employed the
Spanish language as a vehicle for utterance; of great historical
importance, although naturally it must be corrected by comparison
with parallel sources of information.
Ixtlilxóchitl, Fernando de Alva: Relaciones de don
Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxóchitl. 151 pp. (In Kingsborough’s
“Mexican Antiquities,” Vol. IX, which see.)
Janvier, Thomas A.: Legends of the city of Mexico.
Collected by Thomas A. Janvier, member of the Folk-lore
society, London. Illustrated with 6 pictures by Walter
Appleton Clark and by photographs of places. New
York and London, Harper & bros., MCMX. xix, 165
pp. 8ᵒ. front. 13 illus.
Nineteen legends, genuine productions of the people of the
land or of their Spanish or Indian ancestors, told in a manner
that will make them attractive to either the general reader or
the folklorist.
Joyce, Thomas A.: South American archæology. An
introduction to the archæology of the South American
continent with special reference to the early history of
Perú. By Thomas A. Joyce. With numerous illustrations
and a map. London, Macmillan & co., MDCCCCXII.
xv, 292 pp. 8ᵒ. front. in colors. 2 maps. 26 illus.
in half tone. 37 illus. in text.
The title of this book should be “Peruvian archæology and
ethnology, with a slight reference to that of Colombia, Ecuador,
Bolivia and the southern Andean lands;” it is mainly a compilation
from Markham, Squier, Bandelier and Uhle, and as such
it is well done, being written in a clear style and excellently
illustrated; for the student who has not access to these works
it has value.
[Kingsborough, Edward King, Viscount]: Antiquities of
Mexico: comprising fac-similes of ancient Mexican paintings
and hieroglyphics, preserved in the royal libraries of
Paris, Berlin and Dresden, in the Imperial library of
Vienna, in the Vatican library; in the Borgian museum at
Rome; in the library of the Institute at Bologna; and in
the Bodleian library at Oxford. Together with the Monuments
of New Spain, by M. Dupaix: with their respective
scales of measurement and accompanying descriptions.
The whole illustrated by many valuable inedited manuscripts.
By Augustine Aglio. London, A. Aglio, 1830-1848.
9 vols. folio. (Published by Henry G. Bohn....
1849.)
This monumental work contains the following: Volume I:
“Copy of the collection of Mendoza, preserved in the Bodleian
library at Oxford.” 73 pp. “Copy of the codex Telleriano-Remensis,
preserved in the Royal library at Paris.” 93 pp.
“Fac-simile of an original Mexican hieroglyphic painting, from
the collection of Boturini.” 23 pp. “Fac-simile of an original
Mexican painting, preserved in the collection of Sir Thomas
Bodley, in the Bodleian library at Oxford.” 40 pp. “Fac-simile
of an original Mexican painting, preserved in the Selden
collection of MSS. in the Bodleian library at Oxford.” 20 pp.
“Fac-simile of an original Mexican hieroglyphic painting, preserved
amongst the Selden collection in the Bodleian library at
Oxford.” Volume II: “Copy of a Mexican MS. preserved in
the Library of the Vatican.” 149 pp. “Fac-simile of an original
Mexican painting given to the university of Oxford by Archbishop
Laud, and preserved in the Bodleian library.” 46 pp.
“Fac-simile of an original Mexican painting preserved in the
library of the Institute at Bologna.” 24 pp. “Fac-simile of
an original Mexican painting preserved in the Imperial library
at Vienna.” 66 pp. “Fac-similes of original Mexican paintings
deposited in the Royal library at Berlin by the Baron de
Humboldt, and of a Mexican bas-relief preserved in the Royal
cabinet of antiquities.” Volume III: “Fac-simile of an original
Mexican painting preserved in the Borgian museum, at
the college of Propaganda in Rome.” 76 pp. “Fac-simile of
an original Mexican painting preserved in the Royal library at
Dresden.” 74 pp. “Fac-simile of an original Mexican painting
in the possession of M. de Fejérváry, at the Pess in Hungary.”
44 pp. “Fac-simile of an original Mexican painting preserved
in the library of the Vatican.” 96 pp. Volume IV: “Monuments
of New Spain, by M. Dupaix, from the original drawings
executed by order of the king of Spain.” (In 3 parts.)
“Specimens of Mexican sculpture, in the possession of M.
Latour Allard, in Paris. Specimens of Mexican sculpture
preserved in the British museum. Plates copied from Giro
del Mondo of Gemelli Carerí; with an engraving of a Mexican
cycle, from a painting formerly in the possession of Boturini.
Specimens of Peruvian Quipus with plates representing a carved
Peruvian box containing a collection of supposed Peruvian
Quipus.” Volume V: “Containing introduction and extrait
de l’ouvrage de M. de Humboldt sur les monuments de l’Amérique.”
493 pp. Volume VI: Appendix: “The interpretation
of the hieroglyphical paintings of the collection of Mendoza.
Index to first part of the collection of Mendoza. Index to the
names of persons and offices. The explanation of the hieroglyphical
paintings of the codex Telleriano-Remensis. The
translation of the explanation of the Mexican paintings of the
codex Vaticanus. Notes. The Monuments of New Spain,
by M. Dupaix. Notes.” 540 pp. Volume VII: “Historia
universal de las cosas de Nueva España por el M. R. P. Fr.
Bernardino de Sahagun, de la orden de los frayles menores de
la observancia.” 464 pp. Volume VIII: “Supplementary
notes to the antiquities of Mexico.” 424 pp. Volume IX:
“Cronica Mexicana de Fernando de Alvarado Tezozomoc.”
196 pp. “Historia Chichimeca por don Fernando de Alva
Ixtlilxóchitl.” 209 pp. “Relaciones de don Fernando de
Alva Ixtlilxóchitl.” 151 pp. “Ritos antiguos, sacrificios é
idolatrias de los Indios de la Nueva España y de su conversion
á la Fée y quienes fueron los que primero la predicaron.” 60 pp.
Seldom have human perseverance and self-sacrifice brought
together a more interesting and valuable collection of writings
pertaining to the early history of a people than those that are
to be found in these rare volumes; they not only exhibit the ingenuity
of the Aztecs and the inquisitiveness and versatility of
the early Spanish writers, but they supply data to which every
historian of México must inevitably have recourse.
Kirkham, Stanton Davis: Mexican trails. A record of
travel in Mexico, 1904-09, and a glimpse at the life of the
Mexican Indian. By Stanton Davis Kirkham, author of
“The philosophy of self-help,” “Where dwells the soul
serene,” “The ministry of beauty,” etc. Illustrated from
original photographs by the author. New York and
London, G. P. Putnam’s sons, 1909. xvii, 293 pp.
12mo. front. 23 illus.
An entertaining, impressionistic portrayal of scenes and experiences,
mainly in out-of-the-way places, by one whose
varied interests did not include scraps of commonplace history,
statistics, or the offhand solution of the nation’s problems.
Koebel, W. H.: Modern Argentina. The eldorado
of to-day, with notes on Uruguay and Chile. By W. H.
Koebel. Boston, Dana Estes & co., [1907]. xv, 380 pp.
8ᵒ. 123 illus.
An account of modern society, politics and government,
English influence, agriculture and other industries, transportation,
and natural history, with a description in particular of
Buenos Aires, the mar del Plata, Mendoza, Valparaíso and
parts of Uruguay; it contains considerable information upon
these subjects, presented in the cumbersome style that characterizes
this author, with the inevitable bad Spanish.
Koebel, W. H.: Modern Chile. By W. H. Koebel.
With illustrations and map. London, G. Bell & sons,
ltd., 1913. x, 273 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 27 illus.
An interesting and valuable record of travel and observations,
with the defects noted above.
Koebel, W. H.: Uruguay. By W. H. Koebel, author
of “Argentina, past and present,” “Portugal: its land
and people,” etc. London and Leipsic, T. Fisher Unwin,
MCMXI. 350 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 55 illus.
A history of Uruguay, with emphasis upon the struggle for
independence, and less attention to the period the chief actors in
which are still living, with descriptions of cities, scenery, rural
life, social customs and natural resources; worthy of a place
among the books of discriminating people.
Larden, Walter: Argentine plains and Andine glaciers.
Life on an estancia, and an expedition into the Andes.
By Walter Larden, M.A., late lecturer at the Royal naval
engineering college, Devenport, author of “Recollections
of an old mountaineer.” With a map and ninety-one
illustrations. New York, Charles Scribner’s sons; London,
T. Fisher Unwin, 1911. 320 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
1 map. 91 illus.
In the main an unpretentious but interesting and useful
account of Argentine rural life; the author spent a good part of
a year upon an estancia, then he went back to England, and
after a lapse of twenty years, he returned to Argentina, and
spent some time upon the same estate; he thus had unusual
opportunities for observing the changes that had occurred;
the illustrations are of unusual merit.
[Larrazábal, Felipe]: Correspondencia general del
libertador Simon Bolívar. Enriquecida con la insercion
de los manifiestos, mensages, exposiciones, proclamas,
etc., publicados por el heroe colombiano desde 1810
hasta 1830. (Precede á esta coleccion interesante la
vida de Bolívar.) [By Felipe Larrazábal.] (In 2 vols.
8ᵒ.) New York, imprenta de Eduardo O. Jenkins, 1866.
Tomo primero, xlii, 616 pp. front. Tomo segundo,
591 pp. front.
An essential source of information for the biographer and
historian.
Las Casas, Bartholomew de: A relation of the first
voyages and discoveries made by the Spaniards in America.
With an account of their unparallel’d cruelties on
the Indians, in the destruction of above forty millions
of people. Together with the propositions offer’d to
the king of Spain, to prevent the future ruin of the
West-Indies. By don Bartolomew de las Casas,
bishop of Chiapa who was an eye-witness of their cruelties.
Illustrated with cuts. To which is added, The
art of travelling, shewing how a man may dispose his
travels to the best advantage. London, printed for
Daniel Brown at the Black Swan and Bible without
Temple-Bar, and Andrew Bell at the Croftskeys and
Bible in Cornhil near Stocksmarket. 1699. 249 pp.
12mo. 22 illus.
Las Casas, Bartolomé de: Breuissima relacion de la
destruccion de las Indias. Colegida por el Obispo dõ
fray Bartolome de las Casas, o Casaus de la orden de
Sãcto Domingo. [No imprint.] 1552. 742 pp.
The work of a pious and generous, but dogmatic and opinionated
special pleader, who, in his effort to befriend the Indians by
gaining for them the intervention and protection of the crown,
did more to calumniate and villify the memory of the Spanish
conquerors than all other early writers; interesting, yet in
general utterly untrustworthy; unfortunately this book has
served as a foundation for misconceptions that have entered
into the common thought of the successive generations, particularly
among peoples that have been inimical to Spain; a
study of it, in the light of easily obtainable contemporary
historical data, ought to lead to the reopening of the case
against the Spanish pioneers, and to a reversal of the judgment
of posterity.
Latané, John H.: The diplomatic relations of the United
States and Spanish America. (Under caption: “The
Albert Shaw lectures on diplomatic history, 1899.”) By
John H. Latané, Ph.D., professor of history in Randolph-Macon
woman’s college. Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins
press, 1900. 294 pp. 12mo.
The following subjects are discussed: the Spanish-American
revolt; the part played by the United States and England in
founding the Spanish-American republics; the diplomacy of the
United States in regard to Cuba; the proposed Central American
canal; French intervention in México; the present status
of the Monroe doctrine; a valuable contribution, well presented
and properly documented.
Lea, Henry Charles: The inquisition in the Spanish
dependencies. Sicily—Sardinia—Milan—the Canaries—Mexico—Peru—New
Granada. By Henry
Charles Lea, LL.D., S.T.D. New York, The Macmillan
Co.; London, Macmillan & co., ltd., 1908. xvi, 564 pp.
8ᵒ.
A thorough and abundantly documented study.
Léger, J. N.: Haiti, her history and her detractors.
By J. N. Léger, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
of Haiti in the United States. New York and
Washington, The Neale publishing co., 1907. 372 pp.
8ᵒ. front. 14 illus.
Abundantly documented, and not to be overlooked by any
student of the subject, although unavoidably what it is in
reality, a plea.
León, Nicolás: Data about a new kind of hieroglyphical
writing in Mexico. By Nicolás León. (In proceedings
of the international congress of American history, 13th
session, New York, 1902.) [Easton, Pennsylvania,
Eschenbach printing co., 1905.] pp. 175-188. 8ᵒ.
An extremely valuable grouping of the materials, made by
a book-loving enthusiast.
Lewandowski, Maurice: The Argentine in the twentieth
century. (See Martínez, Albert B.)
Lidstone, William: Fifteen thousand miles on the Amazon
and its tributaries. (See Brown, C. Barrington.)
Lindsay, Forbes: Cuba and her people of to-day.
An account of the history and progress of the island previous
to its independence; a description of its physical
features; a study of its people; and, in particular, an
examination of its present political conditions, its industries,
natural resources and prospects; together with
information and suggestions designed to aid the prospective
investor or settler. By Forbes Lindsay, author of
“Panama and the canal,” etc. Illustrated from original
and selected photographs by the author. Boston, L. C.
Page, MDCCCCXI. xii, 329 pp. 12mo. front. 2
maps. 47 illus.
After a chapter on geography and three chapters on history,
there follows a description of the people, the resources and the
industries, as they were at date of authorship, with appendixes
that give the commercial convention between the United States
and Cuba, proclaimed December 17, 1903, the treaty, approved
March 2, 1901, financial and commercial statistics, a list of
railways and a bibliography; useful.
Lindsay, Forbes: Panama and the canal to-day. An
historical account of the canal project from the earliest
times with special references to the enterprises of the
French company and the United States, with a detailed
description of the waterway as it will be ultimately constructed;
together with a brief history of the country and
the first comprehensive account of its physical features
and natural resources. By Forbes Lindsay, author of
“Panama, the isthmus and the canal,” etc. With fifty-three
illustrations from recent photographs, and five maps.
Boston, L. C. Page & co., MDCCCCX. xiii, 433 pp.
12mo. front. 5 maps. 53 illus.
Some chapters on the history of the Isthmus in the days of
the adventurers; an account of former efforts to construct a
canal, from the time of the emperor Charles V to that of President
Taft; a description of agricultural resources; at the end a
bibliography of books, magazine articles and reports, from which
the narratives of the Spanish days are omitted; an interesting
and profitable work.
Logan, Cornelius A., and Calderón, Francisco García:
Mediación de los Estados Unidos de Norte América en
la guerra del Pacífico. El senor doctor don Cornelius
A. Logan y el Dr. D. Francisco García Calderón. Buenos
Aires, imprenta y librería de Mayo, 1884. 168[2] pp. 12mo.
An important collection of state papers relating to the war
between Chile and Perú, with a large sheet fac-simile of the
protocol celebrated between the provisional president of Perú
and the minister of the United States.
López, Felicísimo: Atlas geográfico del Ecuador,
arreglado según la carta del Dr. Teodoro Wolf. Por
Felicísimo López. 1907. 4ᵒ. [17 maps. 40 pp.]
A series of useful maps, with statistical details regarding
each of the provinces.
Lorente, Sebastián: Historia antigua del Perú. Por
Sebastián Lorente. Lima, (no publisher’s name), 1860.
341 pp. 12mo.
Well written, in the popular style, with a description of the
country, the Inca “empire,” and the civilization of Perú under
the Incas; without documentation; finely printed.
Lozano, P. Pedro: Historia de la conquista del Paraguay,
Rio de la Plata y Tucuman. Escrita per el P. Pedro
Lozano de la compañia de Jesus. Ilustrada con noticias
del autor y con notas y suplementos por Andres Lamas.
(In 5 vols. 12mo.) Buenos Aires, casa editora “Imprenta
popular.” Vol. I, 1873. cxlviii, 468 pp. Vol. II,
1873. 396 pp. Vol. III, 1874. 570 pp. Vol. IV, 1874.
489 pp. Vol. V, 1875. 364 pp.
Worthy of consideration; fairly well documented; the
spelling and printing are bad.
Lumholtz, Carl [Karl Sophus]: New trails in Mexico.
An account of one year’s exploration in north-western
Sonora, Mexico, and south-western Arizona, 1909-1910.
By Carl [Karl Sophus] Lumholtz, M.A., member of the
society of sciences of Christiania, etc. With numerous
illustrations including two colored plates and two maps.
New York, Charles Scribner’s sons, 1912. xxv, 411 pp.
8ᵒ. front. 2 maps. 116 illus.
Similar but not equal to “Unknown Mexico;” verbose and
given to magnifying the details of travel; the author overlooked
readily accessible original documents; it contains some
valuable maps which cover the extreme northwest corner of
México.
Lumholtz, Carl [Karl Sophus]: Unknown Mexico. A
record of five years’ exploration among the tribes of the
western Sierra Madre; in the Tierra Caliente of Tepic
and Jalisco; and among the Tarascos of Michoacan.
By Carl [Karl Sophus] Lumholtz, M.A., member of the
society of sciences of Norway; associé étranger de la
société de l’Anthropologie de Paris; author of “Among
cannibals,” etc. Illustrated. (In 2 vols. 8ᵒ.) New
York, Charles Scribner’s sons, 1902. Vol. I. xxxii, 530
pp. front. 1 map. 203 illus. 6 colored plts. Vol. II.
xv, 496 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 212 illus. 9 colored plts.
It may be regarded as a distinct contribution to science,
albeit disappointing, in view of the exceptional opportunities
which the author had and which he seems not to have used to the
best advantage; diffuse and discursive; inclined to assume the
possession of too thorough a knowledge of the contents of
primitive minds, and to generalize upon too limited data; the
discriminating reader receives the impression that this work is
padded with an account of unimportant details regarding the
explorer’s daily life.
Lummis, Charles F[letcher]: The awakening of a nation.
Mexico of to-day. By C. F[letcher] Lummis. Profusely
illustrated. New York, Harper & bros., 1899. xi, 179
pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 57 illus.
Fulsomely laudatory of the late president Díaz, although as
an offset to the condemnation of him which is now general, it
serves a good purpose; the pages on the beginning of the literary
development are instructive; in general, it is superficial and
trivial; scant reference is made to sources of information.
Macdonald, Alexander K.: Picturesque Paraguay.
Sport, pioneering, travel. A land of promise. Stock-raising,
plantation industries, forest products, commercial
possibilities. By Alexander K. Macdonald. London,
Charles H. Kelly, [1911]. 498 pp. 8ᵒ. 64 illus.
The author confesses that he “has purposely departed from
time-honored traditions, and publishes a series of loosely connected
sketches covering a period of fifteen years’ sport and
pioneering in Paraguay;” this is a proper characterization;
the illustrations, which are reproductions of photographs, are
particularly good; chapters XXIV and XXIX, on how to
keep well in hot countries, are to be commended.
MacHugh, R. J.: Modern Mexico. By R. J. MacHugh.
With illustrations from photographs, a map, and
an appendix containing the full text of the Mexican constitution.
London, Methuen & co., ltd., [1913]. viii,
342 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 20 illus.
Nine-tenths of this book is devoted to history, physiography,
government, industries and commerce, subjects that might
well have been omitted, since they have already been adequately
treated many times; the remainder, containing the author’s
really valuable observations and opinions, would have made an
interesting and instructive magazine article.
Maeso, Justo: Los primeros patriotas orientales de
1811. Expontaneidad de la insurreccion oriental contra
la España en la guerra de la independencia americana.
Por Justo Maeso, ex-director de la oficina de estadistica de
Buenos Aires, etc. Montevideo, imprenta á vapor y encuadernacion
de el Laurak Bat., 1888. 248 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph.
It contains considerable historical material in the form of
minutes and letters.
Markham, Clements R[obert]: A history of Peru.
By Clements R[obert] Markham, author of “Cuzco and
Lima,” “Peru and India,” “War between Chile and Peru,”
etc. Chicago, Charles H. Sergel & co., MDCCCXCII.
xvi, 556 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 5 maps. 24 illus.
One of the best written and most reliable of the histories,
although without documentation; all periods are given a
proper emphasis; it will serve both the student and the general
reader; the appendix contains the political constitution and a
brief bibliography.
Markham, Clements R[obert]: Cuzco: a journey to
the ancient capital of Peru; with an account of the history,
language, literature, and antiquities of the Incas.
And Lima: a visit to the capital and provinces of modern
Peru; with a sketch of the viceregal government, history
of the republic, and a review of the literature and society
of Peru. With illustrations and a map. By Clements
R[obert] Markham, F.R.G.S., author of “Franklin’s
footsteps.” London, Chapman & Hall, 1856. iv, 419
pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 7 illus. in colors.
Of considerable value, although marred by faults of diction,
a lack of thorough documentation, and a too ready acceptance
of sources of information which have since been proven to be
untrustworthy.
Markham, Clements R[obert]: Narratives of the rites
and laws of the Yncas. Translated from the original
Spanish manuscripts, and edited, with notes and an introduction.
By Clements R[obert] Markham, C.B., F.R.S.
London, printed for the Hakluyt society, MDCCCLXXIII.
xx, 220[12] pp. 12mo.
A necessary part of the serious student’s equipment for the
study of history.
Markham, Sir Clements: The conquest of New
Granada. By Sir Clements Markham, K.C.B., D.Sc.
(Cam.), honorary member of the Historical society of
Antioquia. With a map. London, Smith, Elder & co.,
1912. xvii, 232 pp. 12mo. 1 map.
An interesting account of Chibcha civilization; the story of
the conquest of New Granada, satisfactorily documented, with
special attention to the discoverer Jiménez de Quesada; and an
appendix containing a translation of the Duquesne memoir on
the Chibcha calendar, and other important material.
Markham, Sir Clements: The Incas of Peru. By Sir
Clements Markham, K.C.B., D.Sc. (Camb.), F.R.S.,
F.R.G.S., F.S.A., corresponding member of the Royal
academy of history at Madrid and of the geographical
societies of Peru and Bolivia. With 16 illustrations and
a map. London, Smith, Elder & co., 1910. xvi, 443 pp.
12mo. front. 1 map. 16 illus.
While of unquestionable importance and value, owing to the
vast experience and erudition of its author, this work has two
serious weaknesses, not to mention infelicities of orthography
and style: a lack of accurate documentation, and the failure to
take into account the knowledge acquired by means of recent
archæological investigation.
Markham, Clements R[obert]: The war between Peru
and Chile, 1879-1882. By Clements R[obert] Markham,
C.B., F.R.S. Third edition. London, Sampson, Low,
Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1883. x, 306 pp. 12mo.
4 maps.
Readable and generally reliable; only slightly documented;
marred by infelicities of style and inaccuracy and inconsistency
in spelling.
Marmontel [Jean François]: Los incas, ó la destruccion
del imperio del Perú. Por [Jean François] Marmontel;
traducida por la primera vez al castellano, por don
F. de Cabello, antiguo oficial-general, etc. Edicion hecha
bajo la direccion de J. R. Masson. (In 2 vols, bound together.
16ᵒ.) Paris, Masson e hijo, 1882. Vol. I. xxxviii,
251 pp. 6 illus. Vol. II. 288 pp. 5 illus.
Although based upon the romantic and uncritical method of
a hundred years ago, it is not without value as an illustration
of the path by which we have come to our present state of
knowledge; there are occasional references to authorities.
Martin, Percy F.: Maximilian in Mexico. The story
of the French intervention (1861-1867). By Percy F.
Martin, F.R.G.S., author of “Through five republics of
South America,” “Mexico’s treasure-house,” “Mexico
of the twentieth century,” “Peru of the twentieth century,”
“Salvador of the twentieth century,” “Greece of
the twentieth century,” etc. New York, Charles Scribner’s
sons, 1914. xvi, 480 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 52 illus.
A promising title and a bulky, well printed book; yet,
because the author has attempted to write too many books,
or because of some inherent inability, he has produced a
work which, although not wholly useless, is a disappointment,
owing to its heedlessness of facts and inaccuracy of
form; why one who had ample opportunity to know better
should blunder so persistently in his Spanish excerpts is incomprehensible.
Martin, Percy F.: Mexico of the twentieth century.
By Percy F. Martin, F.R.G.S., author of “Through five
republics of South America,” “Mexico’s treasure-house,”
etc. In two volumes. London, Edward Arnold, 1907.
Vol. I. xxii, 323 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 49 illus.
Vol. II. xiv, 329 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 59 illus.
A serious and only partially successful effort to cover the
field of geography, history, political organization, industry,
commerce and social customs, with a detailed account of each of
the several states; often inaccurate and misleading; inexcusable
liberties are taken with the orthography of the Spanish
words introduced; the only foot-notes contain references to the
author’s own works.
Martin, Percy F.: Salvador of the twentieth century.
By Percy F. Martin, F.R.G.S., author of “Through five
republics of South America,” “Mexico of the twentieth
century,” “Peru of the twentieth century,” etc. London,
Edward Arnold, 1911. xvi, 329 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
2 maps. 47 illus.
Probably the best work on the geography, history, industries
and commerce, although awkwardly arranged, and without
documentation.
Martin, Percy F.: Through five republics of South
America. A critical description of Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, Uruguay and Venezuela in 1905. By Percy F.
Martin, F.R.G.S. With 128 illustrations and 3 maps.
London, William Heinemann, 1906. xxiv, 487 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 3 maps. 128 illus.
The first effort of an incorrigible traveler and writer; dull
and superficial, yet not without interest, if one forgives the
persistent misspelling of Spanish words, a too lofty attitude
toward the people who are being judged, and an ignoring of
nature; the main value is to be found in the masses of statistical
information given respecting agriculture, commerce, banking
and means of transportation.
Martínez, Albert B.: Baedeker of the Argentine republic.
By Albert B. Martínez. Including also parts of
Brazil, the republic of Uruguay, Chile, and Bolivia. With
maps and plates of the Argentine republic, of the town of
Buenos Aires, of Montevideo, of Rosario, of the railway
lines, and numerous illustrations. Fourth edition. Barcelona,
R. Sopena, 1914. 479 pp. 12mo. 8 maps and
plans. 179 illus.
Like the Baedekers in general, this volume contains much
information as to localities, history, and statistics; curiously
enough, although it gives the route from half a dozen or so
European ports to Buenos Aires, it gives none from any part of
the United States; naturally, it is of great value to the traveler.
Martínez, Albert B., and Lewandowski, Maurice: The
Argentine in the twentieth century. By Albert B. Martínez,
under-secretary of state, and Maurice Lewandowski,
doctor in law. London and Leipsic, T. Fisher Unwin,
1911. xi, 376 pp. 8ᵒ. 1 map.
An excessively bad translation of a valuable work which
deals, as the title indicates, with present conditions, and supplies
a vast array of statistical information tending to show
the astonishingly rapid material development of the country:
the glaring statistical inaccuracies which occur in the translation
do not exist in the original.
Mason, Lieutenant Theodorus B. M.: The war of the
Pacific coast of South America between Chile and the
allied republics of Perú and Bolivia, 1879-’81. By
Lieutenant Theodorus B. M. Mason, United States navy.
Washington, office of naval intelligence, bureau of navigation,
navy department, 1883. Government printing
office, 1883. 77 [1] pp. 8ᵒ.
A naïve, garrulous, baldly technical narrative; undocumented
yet valuable for details of a struggle the natural results
of which are still apparent.
Matthews, Franklin: The new-born Cuba. By Franklin
Matthews. Illustrated. New York and London,
Harper & bros., 1899. xii, 388 [3] pp. 12mo. front.
107 illus.
A reportorial gyration around the forces of the American
occupation, with occasional excursions into sugar and tobacco;
negligible.
Mead, Charles W.: Peruvian mummies, and what they
teach. A guide to exhibits in the Peruvian hall. By
Charles W. Mead, department of ethnology. No. 24 of
the guide leaflet series of the American museum of natural
history, etc. New York, published by the Museum,
1907. 24 pp. pamph. 8ᵒ. front. 5 plts. 3 illus. in
text.
A proper descriptive guide, with a brief historical sketch.
Medina, José Toribio: Descubrimiento del río de las
Amazonas. Según la relación, hasta ahora inédita
de Fr. Caspar de Carvajal, con otros documentos referentes
a Francisco de Orellana y sus compañeros. Publicados
a expensas del exmo. sr. duque de T’Serclaes de
Tilly. Con una introducción histórica y algunas ilustraciones.
Por José Toribio Medina, de la academia
Chilena, correspondiente de las reales academias de la
lengua y de la historia, de la de buenas letras de Sevilla y
del instituto geográfico Argentino. Sevilla, imprenta de
E. Rasco, MDCCCXCIV. ccxxxix, 278 pp. 8ᵒ.
Invaluable for those who wish to consult “original documents.”
Menéndez y Pelayo, M[arcelino]: Antología de poetas
hispano-americanos. [By Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo.]
Publicada por la Real academia Española. (In 4 vols.
8ᵒ.) Madrid, est. tipográfico “Sucesores de Rivadeneyra,”
1893. Tomo I. México y América Central.
clxxxii, 397 pp. Tomo II. Cuba, Santo Domingo,
Puerto Rico, Venezuela. clxxxviii, 631 [1] pp. Tomo
III. Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia. ccxviii, 480 pp.
Tomo IV. Chile, República Argentina, Uruguay. ccxviii,
480 pp.
Selections of verse from authors not then living, made with
rare discrimination by the greatest Spanish critic of his period,
with excellent biographical and critical notes; beyond praise
for the student who is interested in the extensive poetical literature
of Spanish America.
Mexico: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office,
1909. 33 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 1 chart. 8 illus.
Mitre, Bartolomé: Historia de Belgrano y de la independencia
argentina. Por Bartolomé Mitre. Cuarta y
definitiva edición, corregida y aumentada. (In 3 vols.
8ᵒ.) Buenos Aires, 1887. Tomo I. xliii, 608 pp. front.
Tomo II. 815 pp. front. Tomo III. 806 pp. front.
Well written and thoroughly documented; a work of supreme
importance for the historian.
Mitre, Bartolomé: The emancipation of South America,
being a condensed translation by William Pilling of the
history of San Martín. By general don Bartolomé Mitre,
first constitutional president of the Argentine republic.
London, Chapman & Hall, 1893. xxviii, 499 pp. 8ᵒ.
The translator has wisely omitted details which interested
the biographer but are of little importance to the historian,
and “the translation is thus a history in which enter the biographies
of the two principal personages, San Martín and
Bolívar,” to quote his words. The original is a standard
biography; while the translation is not wholly satisfactory, it
supplies the uncritical student who has no command of Spanish
with valuable historical and biographical material.
Moore, John Bassett: Brazil and Perú boundary
question. By John Bassett Moore. New York, The
Knickerbocker press, [1904]. 32 pp. pamph. 8ᵒ. 1 map.
A clearly written, properly noted and necessary document.
Morla Vicuña, Carlos: Estudio histórico sobre el descubrimiento
y conquista de la Patagonia y de la Tierra del
Fuego. Por Carlos Morla Vicuña. Leipzig, F. A.
Brockhaus, 1903. v, 223 pp. 1 map. 8 illus.
A serious and valuable study of the early history and of
the boundaries of the territory comprised within Patagonia,
Tierra del Fuego and the straits of Magallanes, with a view to
ascertaining the facts, in order to settle the disputes between
the republics of Argentina and Chile, as to their titles to the
austral extremity of South America, with copious notes and
citations from original sources.
Mortillet, Adrien de: Bronze in South America before
the arrival of the Europeans. By Adrien de Mortillet,
honorary president of the Société préhistorique de France.
Annual report of the Smithsonian institution, 1907.
pp. 261-266. 8ᵒ.
A convincing paper intended to prove the use of bronze in
South America before the conquest, by means of the chemical
analysis of pre-Columbian implements collected from several
regions.
Moses, Bernard: The Spanish dependencies in South
America. An introduction to the history of their civilization.
By Bernard Moses, Ph.D., LL.D., professor in
the university of California, honorary professor in the
university of Chile. (In 2 vols. 8ᵒ.) New York and
London, Harper & bros., 1914. Vol. I. xxvi, 394 pp.
Vol. II. ix, 444 pp.
In general it is a satisfactorily documented work; if one
pardons inexcusable inconsistencies in the orthography of the
names and other Spanish words introduced, and an occasional
historical inaccuracy, he will probably conclude that, all things
considered, this is the best general history of South America
during the period treated, that is, 1550-1730.
Mozans, H. J.: Along the Andes and down the Amazon.
(Under caption: “Following the conquistadores.”) By
H. J. Mozans, A.M., Ph.D., author of “Up the Orinoco
and down the Magdalena.” With an introduction by
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Illustrated. New York
and London, D. Appleton & co., 1911. xx, 542 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 29 illus.
A continuation of “Up the Orinoco and down the Magdalena;”
a journey from Panamá to Guayaquil, thence through
Ecuador, Bolivia, Perú, and across the Andes and down the
Amazon; an agreeable and intelligent narrative of observations
and experiences, and much moralizing, and no little
quotation of poetry in English, Italian and Spanish.
Mozans, H. J.: Up the Orinoco and down the Magdalena.
(Under caption: “Following the conquistadores.”)
By H. J. Mozans, A.M., Ph.D. Illustrated. New York
and London, D. Appleton & co., 1910. xiii, 439 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 18 illus.
A naïve and charming account of a trip through Colombia
and Venezuela, with fragments of history suggested by the
surroundings, and abundant footnotes, written by a keen and
genial observer, much given to mingling bits of English, Spanish
and Latin verse with his prose; the illustrations are excellent.
Müller y Tejeiro, José: Combates y capitulación de
Santiago de Cuba. Por D. José Müller y Tejeiro, segundo
comandante de Marina, de la provincia de
Santiago de Cuba. Madrid, Felipe Marqués, 1898.
278 pp. 8ᵒ. 2 maps.
An interesting contribution to the history of the war between
Spain and the United States, written from the Spanish
point of view by a participant in the struggle, who, although
markedly biased, unfair and sometimes ridiculously purblind,
displayed not more ignorance or prejudice than some authors
who have written from our standpoint.
Nicaragua: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
14 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 1 chart. 4 illus.
Noll, Arthur Howard: From empire to republic. The
story of the struggle for constitutional government in
Mexico. By Arthur Howard Noll, author of “A short
history of Mexico,” “Tenochtitlan,” etc. With map and
portraits. Chicago, A. C. McClurg & co., 1903. x,
336 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map.
Although not documented, a good brief account, devoted in
the main to the period succeeding the beginning of the struggle
for independence; appendix A contains a valuable chronological
summary of principal events; appendix B, a bibliography.
Oakenfull, J. C.: Brazil in 1912. By J. C. Oakenfull.
London, Robert Atkinson, ltd., 1913. 498 pp. 16mo.
1 map. 1 plt. in colors. 3 charts. 102 illus.
A guide-book which gives much valuable data regarding the
present state of things, mostly industrial and commercial, with
brief excursions into history, geography, mineralogy and geology.
Orozco y Berra, Manuel: Historia antigua y de la
conquista de México. Por el Lic. Manuel Orozco y
Berra, vice-presidente de la sociedad de Geografía y
Estadística, etc. (In 4 vols. 8ᵒ.) México, tipografía de
Gonzalo A. Esteva, 1880. Tomo primero, ix, 584 pp.
Tomo segundo, 603 pp. Tomo tercero, 527 pp. Tomo
cuarto, 694 pp.
A fundamentally important and thoroughly documented
work to which every writer upon Mexican history must have
recourse.
Ortega, José: Historia del Nayarit, Sonora, Sinaloa y
ambas Californias, que con el título de “Apostólicos
afanes de la compañía de Jesús en la América septentrional”
se publicó anóima en Barcelona el año de 1754.
Siendo su autor el padre José Ortega. Nueva edición
aumentada con un prólogo escrito por el Sr. Lic. Manuel
de Olaguibel. México, tipografía de E. Abadiano,
1887. ix, 564, (vi) pp. 12mo.
A quaint, sagacious and picturesque narrative of travel and
residence among the Indians of the most rugged and isolated
regions of the country; of surpassing interest and value to the
historian and anthropologist.
Osborn, Chase S.: The Andean land (South America).
By Chase S. Osborn, member of the board of regents of
the university of Michigan. With over fifty illustrations
and four maps. (In 2 vols. 8ᵒ.) Chicago, A. C. McClurg
& co., 1909. Vol. I. xv, 312 pp. front. 3
maps. 23 illus. Vol. II. x, 331 pp. front. 1 map.
27 illus.
A narrative of travel through the countries of South America,
with desultory excursions into history, recounted in a heavy,
dogmatic style, lacking both tone and elegance, with disturbingly
minute attention to uninteresting details, and the frequent
introduction of impossible Spanish; careful gleaning,
however, will yield a few grains of valuable knowledge; the
appendix to the first volume contains an interesting collection
of Spanish and Spanish-American proverbs.
Palmer, Frederick: Central America and its problems.
An account of a journey from the Rio Grande to Panama,
with introductory chapters on Mexico and her relations to
her neighbors. By Frederick Palmer, F.R.G.S. New
York, Moffat, Yard & co., 1910. xiv, 345 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 1 map. 35 illus.
In view of the scarcity of books in English regarding the
countries of Central America it may be that this work has
some slight value, although analysis fails to disclose wherein
it exists: it is neither accurate, sympathetic, systematic, well
written, nor even interesting; its characterizations of men and
events are puerile, and its generalizations are illogical and absurd,
while in general it is an insult to the people about whom it
was written, as well as to the intelligence of those by whom it
was intended to be read.
Paraguay: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
13 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 3 illus.
Paxson, Frederic L.: The independence of the South
American republics. A study in recognition and foreign
policy. By Frederic L. Paxson, fellow in history in the
university of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Ferris & Leach,
1903. 264 pp. 12mo.
A clear, serious, scholarly review of our international relations,
with special reference to the countries which lie to the
southward, with ample references to authorities; worthy of
extended attention.
Peck, Annie S.: A search for the apex of America.
High mountain climbing in Peru and Bolivia, including
the conquest of Huascaran with some observations on
the country and people below. By Annie S. Peck,
M.A. With numerous illustrations. New York, Dodd,
Mead & co., 1911. xii, 370 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map.
124 illus.
A narrative of personal hopes and adventures rather than of
scientific investigations, the main feature of which was the
ascent of the north peak of Huascarán, in the Peruvian
Andes.
Peck, Annie S.: The South American tour. By
Annie S. Peck, M.A., author of “A search for the apex of
America.” New York, George H. Doran co., 1913.
xviii, 398 pp. 8ᵒ. 1 map. 87 illus.
Patently a superficial and fragmentary guide-book; an
account of travel through Panamá, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia,
Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil; well illustrated,
statistical, useful, especially to the traveler; a brief
bibliography at the end.
Peixotto, Ernest [Clifford]: Pacific shores from Panama.
By Ernest [Clifford] Peixotto. Illustrated by the author.
New York, Charles Scribner’s sons, MCMXIII. xiv,
285 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 79 illus.
A general account of travel, being the description of a trip
from New York, through the Caribbean sea to Panamá, and
thence to Perú and Bolivia; written in the breezy manner of
the modern “best seller;” withal entertaining; the illustrations,
consisting of reproductions of photographs and drawings,
are worthy of attention.
Pennington, A. Stuart: The Argentine republic, its
physical features, history, fauna, flora, geology, literature
and commerce. By A. Stuart Pennington, author of
“British zoophytes,” “La langosta Argentina,” etc.
With illustrations and map. London, Stanley Paul &
co., [1910]; New York, F. A. Stokes & co. 352 pp.
8ᵒ. front. 30 illus.
A valuable accumulation of information, based upon conscientious
research, and a personal acquaintance extending
over many years; without documentation.
Pepper, Charles M.: Panamá to Patagonia. The
Isthmian canal and the west coast countries of South
America. By Charles M. Pepper, author of “To-morrow
in Cuba.” New York, Young people’s missionary movement
of the United States and Canada, [1906]. xx [i],
398 [1] pp. 8ᵒ. 4 maps. 50 illus.
In the preface the author indicates that his volume is “to
be limited more strictly to industrial, fiscal and political
information,” and, with this in mind, he gives an excellent account
of the countries of the west coast, and suggests the
possible effects of the Panamá canal upon them; the style is
easy, vigorous and sometimes picturesque; there are no statements
as to the sources of information; the illustrations are
well chosen and admirably executed.
Peralta, D. Manuel M. de: Costa Rica y costa de
mosquitos. Documentos para la historia de la jurisdicción
territorial de Costa Rica y Columbia. Publicados
por D. Manuel M. de Peralta, enviado extraordinario y
ministro plenipotenciario de Costa Rica. Paris, 1898.
iii, 566 pp. 8ᵒ.
Of importance to the historian who may be interested in the
study of the boundaries of Costa Rica and Colombia.
Petre, F[rancis] Loraine: The republic of Colombia.
An account of the country, its people, its institutions and its
resources. By F[rancis] Loraine Petre, author of “Napoleon’s
campaign in Poland, 1806-1807.” With numerous
illustrations and a map. London, Edward Stanford,
1906. x, 346 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 36 illus.
An undocumented but readable and interesting sketch, covering
geography, history, political constitution, population, industries,
means of communication and commerce; while not so
well done as this author’s work on Bolívar, it is worthy of consideration.
Petre, F[rancis] Loraine: Simon Bolivar, “El libertador.”
A life of the chief leader in the revolt against
Spain in Venezuela, New Granada and Peru. By F[rancis]
Loraine Petre. With a photogravure frontispiece
and a map. London and New York, John Lane co.,
MCMX. xiii, 459 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 map. 2 illus.
A standard work, well written and documented; worthy of
the attention of serious students, and capable of being enjoyed
by all; with a bibliography at the beginning.
Phillips, P. Lee: A list of books, magazine articles, and
maps relating to Brazil, 1800-1900. Prepared by P.
Lee Phillips, F.R.G.S., chief of division of maps and
charts, library of Congress. A supplement of the Handbook
of Brazil (1901) compiled by the bureau of the American
republics. Washington, Government printing office,
1901. 8ᵒ. 145 pp.
About 1500 titles are listed.
Pimentel, Francisco: Cuadro descriptivo y comparativo
de las lenguas indígenas de México. Por D. Francisco
Pimentel, socio de número de la sociedad Mexicana
de Geografía y Estadística. (In 2 vols. 12mo.) México,
imprenta de Andrade y Escalante, 1862. Vol. I. lii,
539 pp. Vol. II. vi, 427 pp.
In the first volume the following languages are discussed:
Huaxteco; Mixteco; Mame or Zaklohpakap; Othomí or Hiahiu;
Mexicano, Nahuatl or Azteca; Totonaco; Tarasco; Zapoteco;
Tarahumar; Opata or Teguima; Cahita; Matlatzinca
or Pirinda; in the second volume, Yucateco or Maya; Tepehuán;
Cora, Chora or Chota; Pima or Névome; Quiché,
Cachiquel and Zutuhil; Eudeva, Heve or Dohema; Mixe;
Mazahua or Mazahui; Guaicura or Vaicura; Cochimí and
Laimón; Chañabal, Chiapaneco, Chol, Tzendal, Zoque Tzotzil;
Joba, Lipán, Papago and Tubar; Cuicateco, Mazateco, Chuchon;
Pame and Serrano; and in the appendix, Comanche;
Mutsún; Tatché or Telamé; Tejano or Coahuilteco; and certain
languages of Lower California; scholarly and of very
great value to the student.
Post, Charles Johnson: Across the Andes. By Charles
Johnson Post. A tale of wandering days among the
mountains of Bolivia and the jungles of the upper Amazon.
Illustrated by the author. New York, Outing publishing
co., MCMXII. 362 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 55 illus.
An unpretentious book of interesting travel, unmarred by
the usual interjection of useless bits of history.
Prescott, William H.: History of the conquest of Mexico,
with a preliminary view of the ancient Mexican civilization
and life of the conqueror, Hernando Cortés. By William
H. Prescott, author of the “History of Ferdinand
and Isabella.” (In 3 vols. 8ᵒ.) New York, Harper &
bros., MDCCCXLIII. Vol. I. xxxiv, 488 pp. front.
1 map. 4 illus. Vol. II. xviii, 430 pp. front. 1 map.
Vol. III. xvii, 524 pp. front. 1 plt. 1 illus.
One of the classics of North American literature, which, in
spite of its numerous errors in statements of facts and its many
misconceptions, all of which are made clear by the later accumulations
of knowledge, still remains the most entertaining and interesting
work in English regarding the conquest of México; it
is a reproach to those who have lived since the time of this distinguished
author that none has been able to use the manifold
opportunities afforded by a greatly increased original literature,
and ample facilities for local investigation, to produce a history
of the period that would surpass or even rival this great production.
Prescott, William H.: History of the conquest of Peru,
with a preliminary view of the civilization of the Incas.
By William H. Prescott, corresponding member of the
French institute, of the royal academy of history at
Madrid, etc. In two volumes. New York, Harper &
bros., MDCCCXLVII. Vol. I. xxxvii, 527 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 1 map. Vol. II. xix, 547 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 1 plt.
Too well known to need characterization; after making
full allowance for recognized imperfections, it will always
remain one of the classics of this literature.
Prida, Ramón: De la dictadura a la anarquia. Apuntes
para la historia política de Mexico durante los últimos
cuarenta y tres años. Por Ramon Prida, miembro del
ilustre y nacional colegio de Abogados de Mexico, ex-juez
de primera instancia en el puerto de Veracruz. (In
2 vols. 12mo.) El Paso, Texas, imprenta de “El Paso
del Norte,” 1914. Vol. I. 365 pp. Vol. II. 364 pp.
A political work, whose motive was to give the history
and the defense of the so-called “partido científico,” to which
the author belonged, and regarding which he was well informed,
as it was his province to lurk behind the scenes
and watch the course of events; it traces the decline of the
Díaz régime, and reveals the secret jealousies and machinations
that in part account for it; it characterizes the aged
dictator as an astute but implacable egotist, Corral, as his
victim, and Limantour, as a cynic, disloyal to his chief, rejoicing
from afar at sight of the great man’s overthrow;
although but fairly well documented, and lacking that impartiality
which is to be desired in a history, it is the most instructive
work yet written regarding recent events in México.
Prieto, Guillermo (Fidel): Memorias de mis tiempos,
1828 a 1840. París y México. Librería de la vda. de
C. Bouret, 1906. 447 pp. 8ᵒ. front. of author.
The period covered is in reality from 1828 until 1853; it is
of great value, since it reflects the views of a literary man
regarding many interesting personages and events.
[Quesada, Ernesto]: La política argentina respecto de
Chile. (1895-1898.) [By Ernesto Quesada.] Buenos
Aires, Arnoldo Moen, 1898. 239 pp. 8ᵒ.
A vigorous discussion of Argentina’s dealings with Chile
by one who, although essentially partisan to his own country,
knew well the republic to the westward, and was able to accord
it respectful consideration.
Ramírez, José Fernando: México durante su guerra
con los Estados Unidos. México, librería de la vda. de
Ch. Bouret, 1905. (Under caption: “Documentos inéditos
ó muy raros para la historia de México publicados
por Genaro García y Carlos Pereyra.” Tomo III.) viii,
322 pp. 12mo.
Invaluable for the historian.
Reed, John: Insurgent Mexico. By John Reed.
New York and London, D. Appleton & co., 1914. viii,
325 [1] pp. 12mo.
A reporter’s story which, for some unaccountable reason
achieved publication; the following offerings, taken at random,
are supposed to be Spanish: “trista historia d’amor,” “frijole,”
“arré mulas,” “carne crudo,” “christiano,” “gachupine;”
this is the general style of the book; even this could be forgiven
if the matter were interesting.
René-Moreno, Gabriel: Bolivia y Argentina. Notas
biográficas y bibliográficas. Por Gabriel René-Moreno.
Santiago de Chile, imprenta Cervantes, 1901. 553 pp.
12mo.
An instructive series of sketches under the following titles:
“Buenos Aires en 1879,” “Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna,”
“Letras argentinas,” “Nicomedes Antelo,” “El doctor don
José Segovia,” “El doctor don Felipe Antonio de Iriarte,”
“Don Ángel Justiniano Carranza,” “Documentos sobre la
revolución alto-peruana,” “Juan Ramón Muñoz Cabrera.”
René-Moreno, Gabriel: Bolivia y Perú. Nuevas
notas históricas y bibliográficas. Por Gabriel René-Moreno.
Santiago de Chile, sociedad, imprenta y litografía
Universo, 1907. xii, 676 pp. 12mo.
A serious and scholarly account of certain events and periods
in the history of the struggle for independence, particularly as
participated in by Bolivia and Perú, supported by abundant
references to original sources of information.
Reyes, General Rafael: The two Americans. By General
Rafael Reyes, ex-president of the republic of Colombia.
Translated from the Spanish, with added notes by Leopold
Grahame. New York, Frederick A. Stokes co.,
MCMXIV. xxxii, 324 pp. 8ᵒ.
Without attempting to furnish a complete history of the
various republics, the author says in the introduction, “This
work represents a record of my recent travels through the Latin
countries.” A moderately interesting account of personal
observations and opinions by a prominent South American
of considerable experience, actuated by a desire to better the
relations between the citizens of the republics of this hemisphere.
Rives, George Lockhart: The United States and Mexico,
1821-1848. A history of the relations between the two
countries from the independence of Mexico to the close
of the war with the United States. By George Lockhart
Rives. 2 vols. New York, Charles Scribner’s sons,
1913. Vol. I. viii, 720 pp. 8ᵒ. 3 maps. Vol. II. vi,
726 pp. 8ᵒ. 12 maps.
The first volume contains a narrative of our history in the
southwestern part of the United States, and of our relations with
México there preceding the war of 1847; the second, a comprehensive
history of our war with México; characterized by
absence of partisan tone; scholarly yet readable; original
sources, both manuscript and printed, have been used with
care and discrimination; characterization vivid yet judicious;
the whole shows an appreciation of the point of view of Mexicans.
Robertson, William Spence: The beginnings of Spanish-American
diplomacy. (Contained in “Essays in
American history,” dedicated to Frederick Jackson Turner.)
New York, Henry Holt & co., 1910. pp. 231-267.
8ᵒ.
A well documented and carefully prepared monograph.
Robinson, Albert G.: Cuba and the intervention. By
Albert G. Robinson. New York, London and Bombay,
Longmans, Green & co., 1905. [iii], 354 pp. 8ᵒ.
A book that contains considerable information regarding
the period which it covers, in spite of its lack of perspective,
and its defects of style and emphasis.
Rodríguez, José Ignacio: American constitutions. A
compilation of the political constitutions of the independent
nations of the New World, with short historical
notes and various appendixes. By José Ignacio Rodríguez,
chief translator and librarian. (Under page caption:
“International bureau of American republics.”) (In 2
vols. 8ᵒ.) Washington, Government printing office.
Vol. I, 1906. 422 pp. Vol. II, 1907. 452 pp.
These volumes contain four parts: the first and second parts
are found in Volume I, the third and fourth in Volume II. Part
one contains the constitutions of the United States of America,
in English and Spanish; of México, Argentina and Venezuela,
in Spanish and English; and of Brazil, in Portuguese, Spanish
and English; part two, those of Guatemala, Salvador, Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, Honduras and Panamá, in Spanish and English;
part three, those of the Dominican republic and Cuba,
in Spanish and English, and of Haití, in French, English and
Spanish; part four, those of Uruguay, Chile, Perú, Ecuador,
Colombia, Paraguay and Bolivia, in Spanish and English.
Naturally this work is invaluable for the student of history
or government.
Rodway, James: The West Indies and the Spanish
main. By James Rodway. London, T. Fisher Unwin;
New York, G. P. Putnam’s sons, MDCCCXCVI. xxiv,
371 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 48 illus.
An account of the discovery, settlement and early history
of the islands and continental countries of the Caribbean; not
documented, yet worthy of consideration.
Rojas, Arístides: Estudios indígenas. Contribuciones
a la historia antigua de Venezuela. Por Arístides Rojas,
laureado de la universidad central de Venezuela, etc.
Obra mandada publicar por orden del gran demócrata,
general Francisco Linares Alcántara, presidente constitucional
de los Estados Unidos de Venezuela. Caracas,
imprenta Nacional, 1878. 217 [2] pp. 8ᵒ.
Of importance and value for students of primitive speech
and ideas.
Romero, Matías: Mexico and the United States. A
study of subjects affecting their political, commercial
and social relations, made with a view to their promotion.
By Matias Romero. New York and London, G. P. Putnam’s
sons, 1898. xxxiv, 759 pp. 8ᵒ. 1 map. 2 diagrams.
A geographical, statistical, climatological, historical, industrial,
commercial and juridical conglomerate; valuable,
although not always either frank or thorough.
Root, Excmo. Sr. Elihu: Visita al Peru del secretario de
estado de los Estados Unidos, Excmo. Sr. Elihu Root. Visit
to Peru of the Hon. Elihu Root, secretary of state of the
United States. Lima, imp. Americana (de E. Andrade y
cía., Santo Toribio), 1906. 150 pp. 12 mo. [69 illus.]
An account in Spanish and English of Mr. Root’s visit, and
of the honors done him, and a report of addresses made by him
and his hosts; interesting evidence of the good impression he
produced.
Ross, Edward Alsworth: South of Panamá. By
Edward Alsworth Ross, Ph.D., LL.D., professor of sociology,
university of Wisconsin, author of “Social control,”
“Social psychology,” “The changing Chinese,” “The
old world in the new,” etc. New York, The Century co.,
1915. xvi, 396 pp. front. 1 map. 78 illus.
This well advertised book, in spite of the many laudatory reviews
that have hailed its advent, is, nevertheless, disappointing
in its plausible presentation of striking half-truths, careless observations,
and hasty and too sweeping generalizations; in style it
abounds in the reportorial characteristics of vigor and sprightliness,
with scant regard for finish, or accuracy, even in such
easy details as the spelling of foreign words; it is but another
illustration of the fact that honesty of purpose in seeking and
publishing the truth, at any cost, of which boast is made in the
preface, is but an imperfect substitute for thorough knowledge.
[Roxlo, Carlos:] El Uruguay en 1904. La guerra civil.
[By Carlos Roxlo.] Buenos Aires, J. Moloney, 1904.
290 pp. 12mo. Front.
A popular history of the period.
Ruhl, Arthur: The other Americans. The cities, the
countries, and especially the people of South America.
By Arthur Ruhl. Illustrated. New York, Charles
Scribner’s sons, 1908. xi, 298 pp. 12mo. front. 1
map. 43 illus.
The easy chat of a sympathetic and alert observer, regarding
a trip through most of the countries of South America, with
good descriptions, occasional dialogues marred by absurd
Spanish, fragments of history, and statistics of the kind that
need revision within a year of their publication.
Sahagún, M. R. P. Fr. Bernardino de: Historia universal
de las cosas de Nueva España. Por el M. R. P. Fr.
Bernardino de Sahagun, de la orden de los frayles menores
de la observancia. (In Kingsborough’s Mexican Antiquities,
Vol. VII.) 464 pp. folio.
A storehouse of information regarding the Indians, with
whom the author had spent much of his life, and from whom he
collected details concerning their history, religious ideas, customs,
etc.; of prime importance to the serious student.
St. John, Sir Spenser [Buckingham]: Hayti or the
black republic. By Sir Spenser [Buckingham] St. John,
K.C.M.G., formerly her majesty’s minister resident and
consul-general in Hayti, now her majesty’s special envoy
to Mexico. London, Smith, Elder & co., 1884. xiv,
343 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map.
Not properly documented yet readable and worthy of consideration,
in lieu of thoroughly satisfactory books on this
subject.
Salvador: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office, 1909.
11 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 2 illus.
Savage-Landor, A. Henry: Across unknown South
America. By A. Henry Savage-Landor. With 2 maps,
8 colored plates, and 260 illustrations from photographs
by the author. (In 2 vols. 4ᵒ.) London, New York,
and Toronto, Hodder & Stoughton, [1913]. Vol. I.
xxiv, 432 pp. front. 2 maps. 105 illus. Vol. II.
xvi, 504 pp. front. in colors. 158 illus.
An ambitious work, ornately bound, finely printed and profusely
illustrated; in the main, the descriptions are of journeys
through regions not “unknown” but well known; owing to its
general untrustworthiness of statement and the untenableness
of the theories propounded, it has no scientific value; page
after page of wearisome colloquies and details of travel rob it
of interest for discriminating minds.
Schmidt, Ulrich, and Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar Núñez:
The conquest of the river Plate (1535-1555). I. Voyage
of Ulrich Schmidt to the rivers La Plata and Paraguai,
from the original German edition, 1567. II. With the
commentaries of Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, from the
original Spanish edition, 1555. Translated for the Hakluyt
society with notes and an introduction by Luis L.
Domínguez, minister plenipotentiary of the Argentine
republic, corresponding member of the Argentine geographical
institute and of the Royal Spanish academy of
history. London, the Hakluyt society, MDCCCXCI.
xxxviii, 282 pp. 8ᵒ. 1 map.
Accounts of much interest and importance to students of
history who desire to consult “original documents.”
Scott, William R[obert]: The Americans in Panama.
By William R[obert] Scott. Illustrated. New York,
The Statler publishing co., 1912. xiii, 258 pp. 12mo.
front. 19 illus.
The author claims to have spent five months in Panamá,
during three of which he served as an employee of the Canal
commission; he therefore felt qualified to write a book, taking
little account of his evident lack of literary qualification; he
has therefore produced a hodge-podge of history, statistics and
biographical details, illustrated by commonplace pictures, which
if it has any value, may serve merely as a gazetteer of the construction
service.
Scruggs, William L.: The Colombian and Venezuelan
republics. With notes on other parts of Central and South
America. By William L. Scruggs, late envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary of the United States
to Colombia and to Venezuela. With maps and illustrations.
Boston, Little, Brown & co., 1900. xii, 350 pp.
12mo. front. 3 maps. 10 illus.
Characterized by a naïve inaccuracy in Spanish orthography
that is at least original, if somewhat disconcerting, a disregard
of facts, and a general ignorance of history that leads one to
wonder as to how the author might have employed the twenty-seven
years which he says he spent in South America; if he had
given, as he promised to give, more of his “personal experiences,”
and less of his “studies,” this book might not have been wholly
useless.
Seler, Eduard: On the present state of our knowledge
of the Mexican and Central American hieroglyphic writing.
By Eduard Seler. (In proceedings of the International
congress of American history, 13th session, New
York, 1902.) [Easton, Pennsylvania, Eschenbach printing
co., 1905.] pp. 157-170. 8ᵒ.
A valuable review of efforts at interpretation, with allusions
to the various theories of other writers.
Shepherd, William R.: Latin America. By William
R. Shepherd, professor of history in Columbia university;
honorary professor in the university of Chile; corresponding
member of the Spanish Royal academy of history, of
the Argentine scientific society, and of the National academy
of history of Venezuela; member of the Hispanic
society of America. New York, Henry Holt & co.;
London, Williams & Norgate, [1914]. viii, 265 pp.
16mo. 1 map.
An excellent primer, which gives more valuable information
than any other work of a similar character in so small a compass;
the author has succeeded admirably in achieving the Latin
American point of view; only slight inconsistencies in the
spelling of place names need to be pardoned.
Skottsberg, Carl: The wilds of Patagonia. A narrative
of the Swedish expedition to Patagonia, Tierra del
Fuego and the Falkland islands in 1907-1909. By Carl
Skottsberg, D.Sc., etc. London, Edward Arnold, 1911.
xix, 336 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 3 maps. 53 illus.
An interesting account of a two years’ stay by three university
men in Patagonia; very valuable for the study of a region
about which so little is known or written.
Smith, F[rancis] Hopkinson: A white umbrella in
Mexico. By F[rancis] Hopkinson Smith. With illustrations
by the author. Boston and New York, Houghton,
Mifflin & co., 1891. viii, 227 pp. 16ᵒ. 36 illus.
In his introduction the author says: “My probe has not
gone very far below the surface. The task would have been
uncongenial and the result superfluous. The record of the
resources, religions, politics, governments, social conditions
and misfortunes of Mexico already enlarges many folios and
lies heavy on many shelves, and I hope on some consciences.”
Practising this admirable restraint, he has presented what
appealed to him as a painter and an idler in a manner that both
charms and enlightens, his account being greatly enhanced by
the pictures; it would be too much to expect that he would
attend to so trivial a matter as accuracy in the Spanish introduced.
Smith, W. Anderson: Temperate Chile. A progressive
Spain. By W. Anderson Smith, author of “Lewsiana,”
“Benderloch,” “Shepherd Smith, the universalist,” etc.
London, Adam and Charles Black, 1899. 399 pp. 8ᵒ.
front. 1 map.
Overlooking a tendency to belaud his countrymen and their
achievements on the west coast, and unconsciously to patronize
those among whom he confesses to having found friends, this
author may be deemed a good reporter upon the conditions
which he encountered, without attempting excursions into fields
with which he was not familiar.
Solís [y Ribadeneyra], Antonio de: Historia de la conquista
de Méjico, poblacion y progresos de la America
Septentrional, conocida por el nombre de Nueva España.
Escribiala don Antonio de Solís [y Ribadeneyra], secretario
de su majestad, y su cronista mayor de las Indias.
Nueva edicion, aumentada con un resumen histórico, desde
la rendicion de Méjico hasta el fallecimiento de Hernan
Cortés, é illustrado con notas por don José de la Revilla,
individuo de varios cuerpos literarios. Paris, Vᵃ. Baudry,
Libreria europea; New York, Roe Lockwood & son,
1858. 488 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
A classic, both in literary style and in its grandiose descriptions
of men, facts and occurrences; although somewhat discredited
because of its too ready acceptance of unauthenticated
statements and its tendency to glorify unduly the prowess of
both the Spaniards and the Indians, it must be considered by
every historian.
Southey, Robert: History of Brazil. By Robert
Southey. Second edition. London, printed for Longman,
Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. Part the first,
1822. xvi, 715 [xlii] pp. 4ᵒ. 1 map. Part the second,
1817. xvi, 718 [i] pp. 4ᵒ. Part the third, 1819. xx,
950 pp. 4ᵒ.
Although written with the bias of the period to which it
belongs, it is systematically documented and worthy of consideration.
Speer, Robert E[lliott]: South American problems.
By Robert E[lliott] Speer. New York, Student volunteer
movement for foreign missions, 1912. viii, 270 pp.
12mo. 1 map. 19 illus.
A superficial sketch, containing fragments of ancient history,
and a general description of all the countries of South America,
with special attention to education, the Catholic religion, and the
Protestant missions, written in a good spirit, and of value to
students of these subjects.
Squier, E[phraim] G[eorge]: Honduras; descriptive,
historical and statistical. By E[phraim] G[eorge] Squier,
formerly chargé d’affaires of the United States to the
republics of Central America. Issued by permission of
the author, and under the authority of his excellency
don Carlos Gutierrez, envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary of the republic of Honduras in Great
Britain. London, Trübner & co., 1870. viii, 178 pp.
Small 12mo. front. 1 map.
Unpretentious, sane and too valuable to be overlooked by
any student of the country.
Squier, E[phraim] George: Peru. Incidents of travel
and exploration in the land of the Incas. By E[phraim]
George Squier, M.A., F.S.A., late United States commissioner
to Peru, etc. With illustrations. New York,
Harper & bros., 1877. xx, 599 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 5
maps. 250 illus.
An important pioneer work of enduring usefulness, pardoning,
of course, occasional vagaries in Spanish.
Starr, Frederick: In Indian Mexico. A narrative of
travel and labor. By Frederick Starr. Chicago, Forbes
& co., 1908. x, 425 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 96 illus.
A valuable and picturesque description of life and customs
among the Indians of southern México by a trained ethnologist.
Starr, Frederick: Recent Mexican study of the native
languages of Mexico. By Frederick Starr. (Under
caption: “The university of Chicago, department of
anthropology, bulletin iv.”) Chicago, the university of
Chicago press, 1900. 18 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph.
A valuable bibliography of important works by modern
Mexicans upon the native languages of México.
Terry, T. Philip: Terry’s Mexico. Handbook for
travellers. By T. Philip Terry. With two maps and
twenty-five plans. City of Mexico, Sonora news co.;
Boston, Houghton Mifflin co., 1909. ccxl, 595 pp. 16ᵒ.
2 maps. 25 plans.
Valuable, both for the traveler and for the student at home.
Tezozomoc, Fernando de Alvarado: Cronica mexicana
de Fernando de Alvarado Tezozomoc. (In Kingsborough’s
“Mexican Antiquities,” Vol. IX.) 192 pp. folio.
A work (by an Indian) that deals with the history, the beliefs
and the customs of the Aztecs or Mexicans, which may not be
overlooked by the historian, although, like similar writings of the
period, it must be subjected to critical scrutiny and accepted
at its proper value.
Thomas, Cyrus: Discoveries in the Mexican and Maya
codices. The American antiquarian and oriental journal,
March, 1886. Chicago, F. H. Revell. pp. 69-76. 8ᵒ.
3 illus.
An unsuccessful effort at interpretation, yet of interest to
specialists in the study of picture writing.
Thompson, Edward H.: Archæological researches in
Yucatan. Reports of explorations for the museum.
By Edward H. Thompson. (Under caption: “Memoirs
of the Peabody museum of American archæology and
ethnology, Harvard university. Vol. III, No. 1.”)
Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Museum, 1904. 20 pp.
folio. 1 map. 9 plts. 10 illus. in the text.
A good account of interesting explorations, printed in the
luxurious style of this museum upon fine paper with wide margins,
and admirably illustrated.
Thompson, Edward H.: Cave of Loltun, Yucatan.
Report of explorations by the Museum, 1888-89 and
1890-91. (Under caption: “Memoirs of the Peabody
museum of American archæology and ethnology, Harvard
university, Vol. I, No. 2.”). Cambridge, Massachusetts,
the Museum, 1897. 24 pp. folio. 8 plts. 16
illus. in the text.
Thompson, Edward H.: The Chultunes of Labná,
Yucatan. Report of the explorations by the Museum,
1888-89 and 1890-91. (Under caption: “Memoirs of the
Peabody museum of American archæology and ethnology,
Harvard university. Vol. I, No. 3.”) Cambridge, Massachusetts,
the Museum, 1897. 20 pp. folio. 13 plts.
13 illus. in the text.
Thompson, George: The war in Paraguay with an historical
sketch of the country and its people and notes upon
the military engineering of the war. By George Thompson,
C.E., lieutenant-colonel of engineers in the Paraguayan
army, aide-de-camp to president Lopez, knight
of the order of merit of Paraguay, etc. With maps, plans
and a portrait of Lopez. London, Longmans, Green &
co., 1869. 347 pp. 12mo. front. 5 maps. 3 illus.
An interesting account of persons and events by one who was
in a position to make observations, with few references to
authorities; the occasional efforts at etymology are not felicitous.
Torres Caicedo, J[osé] M[aría]: Union latino-americana.
Pensamiento de Bolivar para formar una liga
americana; su origen y sus desarrollos y estudio sobre
la gran cuestion que tanto interesa a los estados débiles,
a saber: ¿un gobierna légitimo es responsable por los
daños y perjuicios ocasionados a los extranjeros por las
facciones? Por J[osé] M[aría] Torres Caicedo, antiguo
encargado de negocios de Venezuela, miembro de la socie[dad]
de Economía Política de Paris, de la sociedad de
Literatos de Francia, de la sociedad de Geografía de
Paris y de várias otras sociedades científicas y literarias
de Europa y de América, etc. Paris, libreria de Rosa
y Bouret, 1865. 385 pp. 12mo.
An undocumented work by an experienced and distinguished
diplomat and historian; of great value to the serious student
who may be interested in the course of the relations between
the American republics; the following are the main subjects
discussed; confederacy and federation, and explanation of the
early convulsions of Latin America, the union of the struggling
colonies achieved in advance of a theoretical basis, the congress
at Panamá in 1826, later efforts at union, the American congress
at Lima in 1847, continental treaty between Chile, Perú
and Ecuador, plans for uniting the five republics of Central
America, an interpretation of the true Monroe doctrine, a discussion
of British and North American diplomacy with reference
to Latin America, documents.
Uhle, Dr. Max: Pachacamac. Report of the William
Pepper, M.D., LL.D., Peruvian expedition of 1896.
By Dr. Max Uhle. Plan of the city and twenty-one plates
in phototype. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, published by
the department of archæology of the university of Pennsylvania,
1903. xi, 103 pp. large folio. 21 plates. 122 illus.
A comprehensive and valuable account of the work of the
expedition sent under the auspices of the department to explore
the site of the ancient city of Pachacamac in Perú, with ample
documentation.
Unstead, J. F., and Taylor, E. G. R.: Philips’ comparative
wall atlas of South America. Edited by J. F. Unstead,
M.A., D.Sc., and E. G. R. Taylor, B.Sc. London, George
Philip & son, ltd., the London geographical institute;
New York, C. S. Hammond & co. 8 maps, 36 × 40
inches, approximately 150 miles to the inch.
It supplies a complete outline of the geography of South
America, each map exhibiting a different aspect, as follows:
relief and communications, political divisions, temperature,
climate, November to April, climate, May to October, density
of population, natural vegetation, economic products; excellent
in every way; of rare educational value.
Uruguay: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office,
1909. 15 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 1 chart. 2 illus.
Usher, Roland G.: Pan-Americanism. A forecast of
the inevitable clash between the United States and
Europe’s victor. By Roland G. Usher, Ph.D., professor
of history, Washington university, St. Louis, author of
“Pan-Germanism,” “The rise of the American people,”
etc. New York, The Century co., 1915. xix, 416 [1] pp.
8ᵒ.
“The major part of the volume has been devoted to the
present condition of the United States and Latin America, with
especial attention to Pan-Americanism as a possible solution of
American problems.”—Preface. A sensational attempt at
prophecy; while the right to prophesy may not be denied to
any, the present effort is interesting rather as an exhibition of
the author’s peculiar mentality than as a sane and authenticated
discussion of the subject; the author displays somewhat of the
prestidigitator’s ability to produce a number of dissimilar things
from what was apparently only one thing, as he passes with
baffling agility from shadowy suggestion to elaborate hypothesis,
and thence to the assumption of a completely demonstrated
conclusion; seldom have more varied and glaring errors and
inconsistencies been brought together in one work; at any rate
those who may fear “the inevitable clash between the United
States and Europe’s victor,” to quote the subtitle, need not be
seriously disturbed by this work, for if there is anything that
is not proven in it, it is the inevitableness of the supposititious
“clash.”
Van Dyke, Harry Weston: Through South America.
By Harry Weston Van Dyke. With introduction by
John Barrett, director general of the Pan-American union.
New York, Thomas Y. Crowell co., [1912]. xxiv, 446 pp.
front. 12mo. 41 illus.
The title suggests that this is a book of travel; it is not,
however, in the ordinary sense of the word, as there is no indication
of the author’s route nor of the countries he visited; it is a
concise description of the ten republics of South America, and
of British, Dutch and French Guayana, with an outline of the
history of the conquest and of the struggle for independence;
it has little value as a history, owing to its superficial and fragmentary
character, or as a book of travel, owing to its peculiar
form; the frequent introduction of inaccurate Spanish and
Portuguese is irritating; the bibliography at the back is too
meager to be of much use.
Vega, Garcilasso de la: First part of the royal commentaries
of the Yncas. By the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega.
Translated and edited, with notes and an introduction
by Clements R. Markham. (In 2 vols. 8ᵒ.) London,
printed for the Hakluyt society. Vol. I, MDCCCLXIX
(containing books I, II, III, IV). xi, 359 pp. Vol. II,
MDCCCLXXI (containing books V, VI, VII, VIII, IX).
v, 553 pp. 1 map.
Of unquestionable value for students who desire to go deeply
into the study of early opinion regarding primitive Peruvian
history; the translation is good.
Venezuela: General descriptive data prepared in June,
1909. By the International bureau of American republics.
Washington, D.C., Government printing office,
1909. 16 pp. 8ᵒ. pamph. 5 illus.
Vincent, Frank: Around and about South America.
Twelve months of quest and query. New York, D. Appleton
& co., 1890. xxiv, 473 pp. 8ᵒ. 2 maps. 4 plans.
54 illus.
A readable, popular story of travel: New York to Panamá,
thence through Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Chile, the straits of
Magallanes, skirting Falkland islands, Uruguay, Argentina,
Paraguay, Brazil, the Guayanas, Venezuela and Colombia.
Waleffe, Maurice de: The fair land of Central America.
By Maurice de Waleffe. Translated by Violette M.
Montagu, author of “Sophie Dawes, queen of Chantilly,”
and translator of “Gambetta’s life and letters.” Preface
by Sir A. Conan Doyle. With twenty-four illustrations
from photographs. London, John Long, ltd., MCMXI.
288 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 24 illus.
The author, an airy anti-American Frenchman, gifted with a
trick of clever and mordant expression, while wholly oblivious
to facts, devotes just one chapter (that upon Costa Rica) to
Central America; the rest of the book deals with Trinidad,
Jamaica, Cuba, Panamá and México; not often has so much
nonsense been assembled in one publication; possibly some
readers may be amused, but none will be convinced by this
fantastic book.
Wallace, Alfred R.: A narrative of travels on the Amazon
and rio Negro, with an account of the native tribes,
and observations on the climate, geology and natural
history of the Amazon valley. By Alfred R. Wallace,
with a map and illustrations. London, Reeve & co.,
1853. viii, 541 pp. front. 2 maps. 7 illus.
An interesting account of travel about the middle of the
last century, with such observations as so alert and discriminating
a writer would make, even in his youth, particularly regarding
the weapons, utensils, etc., and the languages of the Indians.
Wallace, Dillon: Beyond the Mexican sierras. By
Dillon Wallace, author of “The Long Labrador trail,”
“Ungava Bob,” etc. With 75 illustrations from photographs
by the author, and a map. Chicago, A. C. McClurg
& co., 1910. xxix, 301 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map.
72 illus.
While the author is too much given to generalities, and is
often mistaken about facts and words, the book is interesting as
an account of travel, because it deals with localities regarding
which little has been written.
Washburn, Charles A[mes]: The history of Paraguay,
with notes of personal observations, and reminiscences of
diplomacy under difficulties. By Charles A[mes] Washburn,
commissioner and minister resident of the United
States at Asuncion from 1861 to 1868. In two volumes.
Boston, Lee & Shepard; New York, Lee, Shepard, &
Dillingham, 1871. Vol. I. xii, 571 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
1 map. [6 illus.] Vol. II. xiv, 627 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
[2 maps. 12 illus.]
Passing lightly over the part that is devoted to history,
which is as satisfactory as could be expected under the circumstances,
the main body of this work, which consists of personal
observations and reminiscences, is an interesting human document
that must be taken into account by students of the
subject.
Watson, Robert Grant: Spanish and Portuguese South
America during the colonial period. By Robert Grant
Watson, editor of “Murray’s handbook of Greece.”
(In 2 vols. 12mo.) London, Trübner & co., 1884.
Vol. I. xvi, 308 pp. 3 maps. Vol. II. viii, 319 pp.
One of the earlier modern histories; not of great present
value, in view of more thorough later publications; the author
misspells many Spanish words, after the manner of his countrymen
generally.
Wells, William V.: Explorations and adventures in
Honduras, comprising sketches of travel in the gold regions
of Olancho, and a review of the history and general resources
of Central America. With original maps, and
numerous illustrations. By William V. Wells. New
York, Harper & bros., 1857. xxiv, 588 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
2 maps. 61 illus.
Of serious explorations there were none; this is but a book
of travel, not lacking in interest, with occasional references
to history, and to persons who were then making it.
Whitney, Caspar: The flowing road. Adventures on
the great rivers of South America. By Caspar Whitney,
author of “A Sporting pilgrimage,” “On snowshoes on
the barren grounds,” “Hawaiian America,” “Jungle
trails and jungle people,” etc. With maps and photographs
by the author. Philadelphia and London, J. B.
Lippincott & co., 1912. 319 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 53 illus.
A work by one who took keen interest in exploration and
hunting, and in studying the forests and plants of the wilds;
it contains fresh and accurate descriptions of conditions and
incidents of travel, and of nature, with particular attention to
parasitic growths.
[Willis, Bailey]: Northern Patagonia, character and
resources. Volume I. A study of the elements of development
in the region tributary to the national railway from
port San Antonio to lago Nahuel Huapí and the extension
to Valdivia, Chile; including the Andean lake district.
(Under caption: “Ministry of public works, bureau of
railways, Argentine republic.”) [By Bailey Willis]. Text
and maps by the Comisión de estudios hidrológicos,
Bailey Willis, director. [Buenos Aires], 1911-1914.
[Scribner’s press, New York.] xix, 464 pp. 8ᵒ. 20
maps in text, 13 in separate case. 37 illus.
A lucid and wholly admirable account of the thorough and
extensive investigations made by a trained scientist possessed
of every facility for gathering, recording, illustrating and
publishing interesting and useful information regarding the
material potentialities of highly important, but hitherto only
slightly known and charted regions; the maps, pictures,
tables and make-up are of rare excellence; only occasional
inconsistencies in the spelling of Spanish names are to be
noted.
Wilson, Robert Anderson: A new history of the conquest
of Mexico, in which Las Casas’ denunciations of
the popular historians of that war are fully vindicated.
By Robert Anderson Wilson, counsellor at law; author of
“Mexico and its religion,” etc. Philadelphia, James
Challen & son, etc., 1859. 539 pp. 8ᵒ. front. 19
maps. 20 illus.
An interesting and profusely documented restatement of the
conquest by an aggressive and doughty iconoclast, whose vigor
and bias are as perceptible as his conclusions are illogical and
indefensible.
Winsor, Justin: Narrative and critical history of
America. Edited by Justin Winsor, librarian of Harvard
university, corresponding secretary Massachusetts historical
society. (In 8 vols. 8ᵒ.) Boston and New York,
Houghton Mifflin co., 1889. Vol. I. Aboriginal America.
xxxvii, 470 pp. front. 54 maps. 54 illus. Vol. II.
Spanish explorations and settlements in America from the
fifteenth to the seventeenth century. ix, 640 pp. 113
maps. 135 illus. Vol. III. English explorations and
settlements in North America, 1497-1689. xi, 578 pp.
57 maps. 50 illus. Vol. IV. French explorations and
settlements in North America, and those of the Portuguese,
Dutch and Swedes, 1500-1700. xxx, 516 pp.
140 maps. 35 illus. Vol. V. The English and French
in North America, 1689-1763. vii, 649 pp. 106 maps.
93 illus. Vol. VI. The United States of North America:
part 1. vii, 777 pp. 118 maps. 116 illus. Vol. VII.
The United States of North America: part 2. vii, 610 pp.
32 maps. 129 illus. Vol. VIII. The later history of
British, Spanish and Portuguese America. vii, 604 pp.
123 maps. 122 illus.
A vast storehouse of historical and bibliographical information;
of great value to students, although all will recognize
that the articles upon the different subjects and periods are
naturally of unequal merit, owing to the diversity of authorship,
which formed a part of the editor’s plan; while the illustrations,
which are reproductions, are numerous, they are crude, and in
many cases are too far removed from the first originals from
which they were remotely derived.
Winter, Nevin O.: Argentine and her people of to-day.
An account of the customs, characteristics, amusements,
history and advancement of the Argentinians, and the
development and resources of their country. By Nevin
O. Winter, author of “Mexico and her people of to-day,”
“Brazil and her people of to-day,” etc. Boston, L. C.
Page & co., MDCCCCXI. xiv, 421 pp. 8ᵒ. front.
1 map. 49 illus.
Compare comment on “Brazil and her people of to-day” by
this author.
Winter, Nevin O.: Brazil and her people of to-day.
An account of the customs, characteristics, amusements,
history and advancement of the Brazilians, and the development
and resources of their country. By Nevin O.
Winter, author of “Mexico and her people of to-day,”
“Guatemala and her people of to-day,” etc. Illustrated
from original and selected photographs by the author.
Boston, L. C. Page & co., MDCCCCX. x, 388 pp.
12mo. front. 1 map. 48 illus.
See comment on “Guatemala and her people of to-day” by
this author; a book of the same general character as that, with
less excuse for being, inasmuch as there exists an excellent literature
regarding Brazil.
Winter, Nevin O.: Guatemala and her people of to-day.
Being an account of the land, its history and development;
the people, their customs and characteristics;
to which are added chapters on British Honduras and the
republic of Honduras, with references to the other countries
of Central America, Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa
Rica. By Nevin O. Winter, author of “Mexico and
her people of to-day.” Boston, L. C. Page & co.,
MDCCCCIX. xii, 307 pp. 12mo. front. 1 map. 48 illus.
An insignificant mesquite is esteemed in a desert; in the same
way this book, the product of a syndicated mind, superficial,
inaccurate in matter and form, and none too proper in spirit, has
a certain value, as a weak portrayal of things as they are, in
want of really good books upon this subject.
Winter, Nevin O.: Mexico and her people of to-day.
An account of the customs, characteristics, amusements,
history and advancement of the Mexicans, and the development
and resources of their country. By Nevin O.
Winter. Illustrated from original photographs by the
author and C. R. Birt. Boston, L. C. Page & co., [1907].
vi, 395 pp. 12mo. front. 2 maps. 47 illus.
In view of the existence of really good works on this subject,
there is no reason why so slovenly a book as this should
achieve publication.
Wolf, Teodoro: Geografía y geología del Ecuador.
Publicada por órden del supremo gobierno de la república.
Por Teodoro Wolf, Dr. Phil., antiguo professor de la escuela
Politécnica de Quito y geólogo del estado. Con 12
láminas autotípicas, 47 illustraciones en el texto y 2 cartas.
Leipzig, F. A. Brockhaus, 1892. 671 pp. small 4ᵒ.
front. 2 maps. 59 illus.
A fundamentally important work that treats of the topography,
geology and meteorology of continental Ecuador and the
Galápagos archipelago, with a brief account of botany and
zoölogy, enriched by an abundance of supplementary notes;
the maps are good.
Wright, Mary Robinson: The new Brazil, its resources
and attractions, historical, descriptive, and industrial.
By Mary Robinson Wright, member of the Geographical
society of America, etc., author of “Picturesque Mexico,”
“The republic of Chile,” “Bolivia,” “The history of
Peru,” etc. Philadelphia, George Barrie & sons; London
and Paris, C. D. Cazenove & son, [1907]. 494 pp.
4ᵒ. front. 416 illus.
For comment, compare her work: “The old and new Peru.”
[Wright, Marie Robinson]: The republic of Chile.
The growth, resources, and industrial conditions of a
great nation. [By Marie Robinson Wright.] Philadelphia,
George Barrie & sons; London and Paris, C. D.
Cazenove & son, [1914]. 450 pp. 4ᵒ. front. 352 illus.
Wright, Mary Robinson: The old and the new Peru.
A story of the ancient inheritance and the modern growth
and entrance of a great nation. By Mary Robinson
Wright, member of the Geographical society of America,
Geographical society of Brazil, Historical and Scientific
institute of São Paulo, Geographical society of la Paz;
author of “Picturesque Mexico,” “A new Brazil,” “The
republic of Chile,” “Bolivia,” etc. Philadelphia, George
Barrie & sons, 1908; London and Paris, C. D. Cazenove
& son. 456 pp. 4ᵒ. front. 1 map. 346 illus.
A book in a florid style, which thoughtful people can not take
seriously, although it contains fragments of information and records
of impressions that are not without interest.
Zayas Enríquez, Rafael de: Porfirio Díaz. By Rafael
de Zayas Enríquez. New York, D. Appleton & co.,
1908. v[i], 281 [1] pp. 12mo. front. 3 illus.
Worthy of consideration as an appreciative but not too laudatory
study of General Díaz, with unavailing suggestions as to
what might have led his country into ways of peace and prosperity.
Zayas Enríquez, Rafael de: The case of Mexico and
the policy of president Wilson. By Rafael de Zayas
Enríquez, author of “The rise and fall of president Díaz.”
Translated from the Spanish by Andre Tridon. New
York, Albert and Charles Boni, 1914. 209 pp. 12mo.
Making due allowance for the literary faults of this book
which are evident, and for the lack of good taste that characterizes
it, and entirely ignoring the last chapter, which is an absurd
misinterpretation of president Wilson’s attitude, and bearing in
mind that it was a frank plea for the recognition of Huerta, it is
an interesting statement of the case.
Zeballos, Estanislao S.: Argument for the Argentine
republic upon the question with Brazil in regard to the
territory of Missions, submitted to the arbitration of the
president of the United States, in accordance with the
treaty of September 7, 1889. Presented by Estanislao
S. Zeballos, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
of the Argentine republic. Accompanied by
documents and maps under the title of “Argentine evidence.”
Washington, D.C., 1894. 4ᵒ. 20 maps.
An important collection of documents and maps.
Printed in the United States of America.
