=Abbott, Lyman, ed.= Parables. $2.50. Appleton.
A very illuminating introduction shows that Jesus resorted to the parable to allay the wrath which his plain truth-teaching had stirred up against him. “He veiled the truth which unveiled had been rejected with such wrath, and he did so that they might listen to him without perceiving the truth to which they would refuse to listen if they did perceive it.” The scriptural version of the parables follows, with a well-executed illustration here and there suggesting the modern prodigal, the modern foolish virgin and the present-day house builded upon the sand, etc.
=Abendschein, Albert.= Secret of the old masters. **$1. Appleton.
How did the old masters produce their results? How have these results defied time and atmospheric changes? Twenty-five years of study have been devoted to these questions by the author and “he has proved to his own, and we may say, to our satisfaction, that the great Venetians and Flemings used no mysterious varnishes whatever, their vehicle being plain linseed oil, and their reliance for permanence and brilliancy being plenty of time for drying between successive paintings and upon prolonged exposure to direct sunlight to burn out the excess of oil.” (Nation.)
“Few serious workers in oils, though they omit the book, will fail in the next year or so of coming upon the track of his researches.”
+ =Int. Studio.= 30: sup. 56. D. ’06. 400w.
+ − =N. Y. Times.= 11: 837. D. 1, ’06. 210w.
=Abhedananda, Swami.= India and her people. $1.25. Vedanta.
A book which aims to “give an impartial account of the facts from the stand point of an unbiased historian, and to remove all misunderstandings which prevail among the Americans concerning India and her people.” It sets forth for popular reading phases of Vedanta philosophy. “In this system the people of India, according to the author, find the ultimate truths of all sciences, philosophies, and religions. There are instructive chapters upon the religion of present-day India, the social status and the system of caste, political institutions, education, the influence of Western civilization, and woman’s place in Hindu religion.” (Lit. D.)
“This compact little volume, written in an attractive style, and dealing with the life, philosophy and religion of India should prove a useful addition to the literature of a fascinating and as yet largely unknown subject.”