People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1893 — BOSTON'S GREAT REVIEW. [ARTICLE]

BOSTON'S GREAT REVIEW.

A Eaektiard and Forward Glance, The Arena PubCo. The November Arena, which lies before us, is strong, able and invigorating. It closes the eighth volume of this review, whose caieer has been so remarkable, and whose influence has grown to be a potent force in our country. The superb courage, the catholicity of spirit and the cordiality with which it has received the advance guard among the world's thinkers finds no parallel in the history of magazine literature. While employing talent fully as learned and scholarly as that represented in any other great review, it has as a rule avoided discussions of problems not vital in character, while its influence has always been thrown against, class privileges, entrenched injustice and out-grown ideas. A glance over the index for the past ye ir reveals a coterie of contributors which it would bo diaicuii to surpass in any review published in the Engligh-speaking tonyue. Among those who have written for its pages during the past 12 months are such Pleaders of thought and eminent scholars as Rev. M. J. Savage, Rabbi Solomon Schindler, Sir Edwin Arnold. Bishop J. L. Spaulding, Rev. Lyman Abbott, Prof. W. J. Rolfe, Helen Campbell, Alfred Russell Wallace, 1). C. L., Dr. J. F. Furnivall, Prof. David Swing, Hamlin Garland, Rev. George C. Lorimer, W. D. McCracken, A. M., the Marquise of Lome, Prof. J. R. Buchanan, Rev. John W. Chadwick, O. B. Frothingham, Henry George, President J. M. Coulter, of Indiana University, Rev. Marion D. Shutter, D. D.. United States Senator W. M, Stewart, Prof. N. S. Shaler, Edmund Gosse, Prof. Orella Cone, D. D., Louise Chandler Moulton, Gerald Massey. Ignatius Donnelly, Prof. A. E. Dolbear, Edmund C. Stedman, the late Richard Proctor, Henrj Irving, Henry Wood, Napoleon Ney, Louise Frechette, etc., etc. The announcements for next year are even more inviting, if possible, than those made be fore. Among the great features of. the Arena for 1694, will be n series of six papers on the “Ascent of Life” by Stinson Jarvis They will take up the evolution theory where Darwin dropped it, and proceed in a search for the soul of man in a strictly scientific manner. The editor of the Arena predicts that this work will create a pronounced sensation, and will be a con tri bution of great value to the modern critical literature. Another brilliant feature of the Arena for 1694 will be a series of papers setting forth the “Aims and objects of the Higher Criticism” by leading orthodox scholars of Europe and America who stand with Prof. Briggs. The open ing paper will appear in the December Arena.

It is written by the great Oxford professor, Dr. William Sanday, LL. D., D. D., A. M., who is recognized as one of the most profound students of sacred literature in England. Dr. Sunday will be followed by R. F. Horton, A. M., the eminent author and lecturer, who was called from London to deliver a course of lectures at Yale College the past winter on the “Higher Criticism.'’ A third paper has been prepared for tor this series by Rev. Washington Gladden, D. D., and others will follow by scholars equally eminent. A third feature will be a series of papers on “Indian Occultism,” by Heinrich Hensoldt, Ph. D., a German scientist who has spent’ten years in Ceylon, India, Thibet and Burman. The opening paper of this series will appear in the December Arena; it is entitled “The Wonders of Hindoo Magic.” Vital, political, economic and social problems will appear in the following series embracing discussions by the most able and live thinkers qf the age. 1. short talks on the land Question, embracing 12 short papers on this great problem by leading specialists. 2. Ideal Republican Measures, embracing a series of papers on the initiative, referendum and proportional representation. 3. The nerv- i ous and arterial systems of the state, a series of papers by Rabbi Solomon Schindler and other leading thinkers on governmental control of railways. 4. i The present aspect of the Money Question, the light of European and American history, a number of brilliant papers by students' of finance. 5. The Slums of our great cities and how to abolish them. Another series of papers will

deal with the civilization of tomorrow, in which hereditary and prenatal influence and early environment will be ably discussed. Popular papers on Emergency Surgery, by a leading Massachusetts physician and surgeon. Psychic Science and Progress in the real of Physical Science will receive attention from experts. Among other attractions are a series of short papers by Rev. M. J. Savage on Our Latter Day Poets. Short stories brief biographies, portraits of leading thinkers, and critical reviews of leading books of the day wjll be.the features of the Arena for 1894. In a critical editorial which appeared in the Toronto Sunday World for Oct. 1, 1893, the writer observes: “Boston is the head and center of American literature, and the Arena is known as the leader of Boston’s thought.” The writer might have broadened his limit, for in fact the Arena leads the advance column of American thought in the malm of vital present day problems. The publishers announce a magnificent premium album, containing portraits of 18 eminent thinkers, which will be given to every subscriber whose subscription is received after Oct. 1, 1893. The announcements made indicate that me Arena for next year will be indispensable to those who wish to be in touch with the world's best thought.

THE ARENA BOOK LIST. In the book publishing -world the Arena Publishing Company .ias achieved marked success. In the number of handsome and utistic books issued from the Arena Press during the past year this comparatively new .louse stands second to only one other publishing house in the United States. Having the powerful and universally popular Arena magazine at their command, they are ible, not only to reach the reading public, but also to bring their publications to the attention of every book and newsdealer in the country. Occupying this position, the louse had gathered around it a i. coterie of brilliant and successful authors, all interested in its growing fortunes. The Arena Library Series, containing 29 titles, mostly novels, sold both in paper and in cloth bindings, has been almost universally commended by the press for its artistic excellence of the books no less than for the literary abilities of the different authors. In at least two notable cases books rejected by older publishers for fear of adverse criticism, but accepted by the Arena Publishing Company, have gone through many editions, the sale of one exceeding 50,000 copies. THE SIDE POCKET SERIES. Being wholly unique in design and execution, has attracted general attention. One of Boston’s oldest boolrseiiers pronounces “A Guide to Palmistry,” one of this series, “the handsomest book issued bv any American publisher during the present year.” As the name indicates, these 111 tie books are of suitable size to be carried in the inside pocket. They are dainty, delightful volumes to handle and are bound to become very popular.

THE COPLEY-SQUARE SERIES. Is a series of books designed by thisenterprising'house and bears the name of Boston's most beautiful public square. Copley square, where the office of the Arena Publishing Company is located, is surrounded by some of Boston's most notable public buildings. These are first the great public library building, costing millions of dollars, perhaps the most niagniiicent library building in the world; then the Boston art' museum, another monument to the liberality and taste of the art lovers of the city and state. On another side of the square is the great Trinity church, so long presided over by the lamented Bishop Brooks. For beauty and richness of design and splendor of architecture, this church is perhaps the finest on the American continent. Then there is the new O4d South church, with its stately tower and imposing arch-itect ural L-eauty. Another stri!.Tug - feature of this noted square is the Pierce building in which the Arena Publishing Company' is housed, built of solid stone, from foundation to turret, and one of the most imposing business blocks in all Boston. “Copley square” is rapidly becoming a household word in consequence of the enterprise and energy of this great publish-

ing house. It is impossible in the limited space at command to mention i even the titles of the large num- • ber of important books issued J from the Arena press during the I past year. Tiie “Rise of the Swiss Re- ; public.” by W. D. McCracken: i “Zenia, the Vestal.” by Margariet B. Peeke; “Along Shore with a Man-of-i Var,” by Marguertt* l Dickens; “Sultan to Sultan." by I iM. French-Sheldon; “Albert jßrisbane: a Menial Biography,” j i>y R-.' leiia Brisbane: “Wit air.l Humor of the Bible," by Marion I D. Shutter. D. D.; “Christ the: ' 0r..10r." by Rev. T. Alexander Hyde, and “Son of i\lun," by Uelestia Root Lang, are among the nips l important and success-1 lai ones of the Arena list. ; The reading public will be deeply interested m the forth looming announcement of new' I publications to be issued from I the Arena press in the near fui lure as well as in the many I beautiful books already published.