Theosophy, The Genesis of. Col. Olcott. National Review, October. Thermometer, The Modern. Ernest Ingersoll. Chautauquan. November. Toad, Lady. Max Müller. Nine

teenth Century, October.

A study of the Frau Kröte myth. Université impériale, L'. et l'enseignement supérieur. Louis Liard. Revue Bleue, Sept. 28.

Universities in Contact with the People, The. J. Churton Collins. Nineteenth Century, October.

Universities, The Cost of. Pres. David J. Hill. Forum, November.

The writer shows that the great European foundations have much greater resources than our own universities.

War-Songs of Europe, On Some. Miss Laura A. Smith. Nineteenth Century, October.

Wayside Inn, The. Edwin D. Mead. New England Magazine, November. Wilson, Florence. Sheriff Rampini. Scottish Review, October.

Woman Question, Plain Words on the. Grant Allen. Fortnightly Review, October.

A forcible argument.

Womanhood in Modern Poetry. Vida D. Scudder. Poet-Lore, October. Women and Tobacco. J. D. Hunting. National Review, October.

Women, Eastern. Horace Victor. Fortnightly Review, October.

Workman, The British. G. Rowe Hall. National Review, October.

Zoology, Old and New Methods in. H. de L. Duthiers. Popular Science Monthly, November.

Translated and abridged from the Revue Scientifique.

AMONG THE BOOKS.

LIFE, LETTERS AND JOURNALS OF LOUISA M. ALCOTT. Edited by Ednah D. Cheney. Boston: Roberts Bros. Cloth. Pp. 404. Price, $1.50. Hundreds and thousands of us who have read with such genuine pleasure the stories which have made the name of Louisa M. Alcott a familiar one where the English tongue is used, will be much indebted to Miss Cheney for this chance to get a glimpse into the home-life and character of the author of "Little Men" and "Little Women."

Helen Hunt Jackson has said, "Miss Alcott is really a benefactor of households," and true it is that there is more than one who can trace the formation of a purpose in life to the influence of Aunt Jo. Those who read this book will see that Miss Alcott had her "Moods," and that she grew in spite of them to a true, lofty womanhood. The book will help any girl who may read it, and will be of great interest to all literary people in opening to their full view the inner life and unfolding to plain sight the rich, rounded moral character of one of the world's most famous authors.

HANDBOOK OF COMMERCIAL GEOGRAPHY. By Geo. G. Chisholm, M. A., B. Sc., Fellow of the Royal Geographical and Statistical Societies. London and New York: Longmans, Green & Co. Cloth. Pp. 515. Price, $5.00. This large volume is one of much value to the teacher of geography in making the subject of more interest as well as of real business value to the student in later years. Among the chapter headings in the first part are "General facts relating to Production, Distribution and Exchange of Commodities; Commodities dependent on Climate; Products of Fisheries; Mineral Products. These in Part Two give a careful discussion of the condition, population, manufactures and other products of the different countries of the globe. The Appendix of itself is of much value as a book of reference. There are thirty maps showing the Population, Railways, River Navigation, Products, Chief Coaling Stations, and Telegraph lines.

The book seems to have treated the topics discussed very exhaustively.

LITTLE WRITER'S OUTFIT. No. 2. By E. S. Sargent. Portland, Me.: Mitchell & Bickford.

This little box of stationery is especially prepared for the use of children as a guide and help in letter-writing. The contents include twenty-four envelopes, twenty-four sheets of paper, each having a cut in the upper left hand corner and across the top. These sheets are ruled with four lines, as in many elementary writing books. A card has each of the letters in script, both small letters and capitals, the ten figures, and the seven days of the week written out fully. This also has a cut which will interest the children. Then comes a set of lines for directing the envelopes, and a blotting paper also having a cut, completes the contents of the box.

Any child will be very proud of such a box of stationery, and will be immensely helped thereby. It will make a very good prize, remembrance, or Christmas present.

ST. NICHOLAS. Bound volume in two parts. New York Century Co.: Price, $2.00 per part.

This beautiful and useful book again presents itself for the approval of the young, and offers them more attractions than ever. Its Special Papers are particularly instructive and entertaining, and worthy thoughtful consideration by old and young alike. Its Serials, Tales of Adventure and Short Stories, are of the best, and while interesting, always edify and educate. Indeed the whole collection of material, its thousand artistically executed pictures, and its beautiful binding makes a useful, cheap, but particularly valuable addition to the Young Folks' literature. St. Nicholas has never been better, and it is hard to understand how it can be very greatly improved.

LITERARY LANDMARKS. A guide to good Reading for Young People, and Teacher's Assistant. By Mary E. Burt, Teacher of Literature, Cook County Normal School. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Cloth. Pp. 152. Price, 75 cents.

Miss Burt has here embodied the results of twenty years' study of literature, and a knowledge of young people, with rare good sense, and has given us a book which every teacher from lowest grammar to senior high school grade will find very useful in guiding the reading of her pupils. We doubt if there is a more potent factor in the formation of character in a youth than the reading which he does. Any guiding into the best paths of literature will affect the whole future of the one guided.

AUTHORS' BIRTHDAYS. By Caroline H. Stanley, Principal Training School, Kalamazoo, Mich. Chicago: S. R. Winchell & Co. Paper. Pp. 111. Price, 25 cents.

There are few teachers who will not be glad to see this book. It contains material for the celebration of the birthdays of the ten most noted American authors. The names of Longfellow, Lowell, Whittier, Bryant, Emerson, Holmes, Poe, Hayne, Carlton and Cary should be well known to every child in America, and these programs will give in a condensed and pleasing form much which the pupils will remember.

HYMN AND TUNE BOOK FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. By H. W. Fairbanks, author of "The School Album," "School Songs," etc. Chicago: S. R. Winchell & Co. Cloth. Pp. 100. Price by mail, 30 cents.

This collection contains many of the best of the standard hymns and some new ones written for this book. There are no poor ones in the book.

EUROPEAN SCHOOLS; Or What I saw in the Schools of Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. By L. R. Klemm, Ph. D., International Education Series. Cloth. Pp. 419.

This series of educational works is well known to be of a high order, and thisbook by Doctor Klemm will assist to keep up the standard. The book is not intended as a critical estimate of the school systems of the countries visited, but sets forth what is best and most worthy of imitation by us at home. His opinions and preferences are plainly stated, and, even though the reader may not agree with him on all points, he will enjoy reading the conclusions to which the author has arrived.

To get a clear idea of this book one must read it. We should like to say more of the book, but our space will not permit. We can say, however, that the book is worthy the author, the editor, and the series.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF EUROPE. A sketch of the Diplomatic and Military History of Continental Europe, from the Rise to the Fall of the Second Empire. By Harold Murdock. With an Introduction by John Fiske. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Cloth. Pp. 421. Price, $2.00.

That the general interest in modern history is increasing is manifested by the number of books which have appeared of late upon special points of modern history and including history as shown in biography.

Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. are among the foremost in catering to this excellent condition of the reading public. The book before us gives a clear and concise account of the leaders and great convulsions of twenty-one years of contemporary history. Considering that every great change during these years has been wrought by war for which diplomacy has been simply a convenient stepping-stone, the greater part of the book is of the military affairs of the two decades.

GRADATION; An Easy Latin Translation Book for Beginners. By H. R. Heatley, M. A., late of Rugby, and H. N. Kingdon, M. A., Dorchester. Revised for American Schools, by Wm. C. Collar, Roxbury Latin School, Boston. Boston: Ginn & Co. Cloth. Pp. 138. Price by mail, 45 cents.

The Latin in this book is pure, simple, and idiomatic. It will be readily understood by beginners, and found interesting and at times amusing. It is certainly an excellent book with which to accompany the first year's work in the language. The book has had an enormous sale in Engiand, and with the corrections and improvements which have been so well made by Professor Collar, the work will surely find a large and ready sale in this country.

ALPHA. A Greek Primer. Introductory to Xenophon. By William G. Frost, A. M., Oberlin College. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. 1889. Pp. 219. Price, $1.00.

A capital little book for beginners in Greek. It gives full instruction in etymology and syntax, and throughout follows the inductive method of development. The grammar, the construction of sentences, and text reading and translation are carried along in a natural, easy and attractive way. The text, like all the Greek books of this house, is simply superb.

THE MENALCHINI OF PLAUTUS. Edited on the Basis of Brix's Edition. by Harold North Fowler, Ph. D., Phillips Academy, Exeter. Boston and New York: Leach, Shewell & Sanborn. Cloth. Pp. 213.

This is a very carefully prepared edition of this old play, and the fullness of the discussion of the various points in the text is especially noticeable in the notes and appendix.

THE CENTURY MAGAZINE. May to October, 1889. Bound in cloth. New York Century Co.

This magazine occupies, as it deserves to by its enterprise and energy, an enviable position in the magazine literature of the world. It is plainly evident that no trouble or expense is spared to procure for its readers the best. Whether it be articles of Travel, Art, Science, or General Literature, the best is furnished, and from the hands of leading men. The present volume more than maintains the former high standard. The binding is elegant, a fit setting for the gems contained within.

ANCIENT HISTORY FOR COLLEGES AND HIGH SCHOOLS. Part I. The Eastern Nations and Greece. By P. V. N. Myers, Belmont College, O. Boston, New York and Chicago: Ginn & Co. Cloth. Pp. 369. Price, $1.10.

This is a revision and expansion of the corresponding part of the author's Outlines of Ancient History. It embraces the history of the Egyptians, Assyrio-Babylonians, Hebrews, Phoenicians, Lydians, Medes and Persians, and

Greeks.

The chapters relating to the Eastern nations have been written in the light of the most recent revelations of the monuments of Egypt and Babylonia. The connecting links between the history of the East and that of the West have been carefully traced, and the influence of Oriental civilization upon the later development of the Western peoples fully indicated.

In tracing the growth of Greek civilization, while the value of the germs of culture which the Greeks received from the older nations of the East is strongly insisted upon, still it is admitted that the determining factor in the wonderful Greek development was the peculiar genius of the Greek race itself. The work is furnished with chronological summaries, colored maps, and numerous illustrations drawn from the most authentic sources.

STANDISH OF STANDISH. A Story of the Pilgrims. By Jane G. Austin. Author of A Nameless Nobleman," "The Desmond Hundred," etc. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Cloth. Pp. 422. Price, $1.25. It is undoubtedly true that the historical novel is one of the very best styles of fiction, and that for young people a well-written story of this character which is true to the historical facts, is one of the best books which can be placed in their hands.

In this book the author has given us a most graphically written tale of intense interest, and one which will give the reader an insight into the character and circumstances of the different members of the little company which settled around Plymouth rock.

The chapters are all of peculiar and particular interest, and it is hard to name one as more interesting than another, but those entitled "Priscilla Moline's Letter," "Speak for Yourself, John," and "The Soldier's Instinct" may be named as specially clever. For classes in the history of our country, this book would be particularly useful for supplementary reading.

ESSAYS ON GOVERNMENT. By A. Lawrence Lowell. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Cloth. Pp. 229. Price, $1.25.

A Book of Essays, not intended to be a systematic treatise, but written at different times, and while they are to a certain extent fragmentary, they are well worthy of careful study by every student and teacher of civil government. The book is well written and excellently printed.

THE STORY OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER IN WAR AND PEACE. By Elbridge S. Brooks. One Vol. 4to. Pp. 350. Profusely illustrated. Boston: D. Lothrop Co. Price, $2.50.

Books and articles setting forth American battles, the causes leading to them, and the resulting consequences from them are numerous, but never before has a book appeared telling the story simply of the soldier who fought those battles.

Wars and their causes and consequences have not been entered into, but only the records of American soldiers are to be studied, whether in the Indian Wars, the War for Independence, the War of 1812, or that of the Rebellion. The author has never apparently ignored principles, and evidently has opinions of his own and the courage of his convictions; but he has courageously and courteously accorded valor where it is due, whether found on his side or the opposite.

No reader can fail to be interested in his stirring record of the American soldier, and none, young or old, but will rise from its perusal, proud of his ancestors, his country, and more than all of the brave fellows who fought the battles which have led to the establishment of so grand a nation.

THE STORY OF BOSTON. By Arthur Gilman, A. M., author of Story of Rome, Story of the Saracens, etc. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Cloth. Pp. 507. Price, $1.75.

Mr. Gilman has brought the same facile pen, and laborious and accurate research to the preparation of this volume as is shown in his other writings. He has furnished the public many valuable facts concerning the early history of Boston, having dealt with "the doings of earnest men" in a painstaking, vigorous manner.

He leads the reader from the incorporation of the "Council of New England to the settlement of Boston in 1629, and from that on through the stirring times of dissensions at home, of war with the Indians and with England, to the incorporation of the city, and down to the Boston of today. The history of Boston is largely that of Massachusetts, and Massachusetts held no mean place in the history of the colonies. He has had a rich theme and made the most of it.

The publishers have, as is usual with them, ably seconded his efforts, having furnished a rich binding, copious illustrations, and rare and valuable maps and designs.

LOTUS BAY. By Laura D. Nichols. Author of "Overhead," "Underfoot," etc. Boston: D. Dothrop Co. Illustrated. Price, $1.50.

A breakfast-table council in Professor Willoughby's household, votes unanimously to take the summer outing at the seashore, rather than at the mountains. Cape Cod and its attractions prevails over the Mountains.

It proves a happy and profitable summer, with the bathing, fishing, reading, and talking over of the books and thoughts. Much information is found in these talks and the facts concerning lighthouses, life-saving service, the tides, changes of coast line, etc., are subjects foreign to schools.

The book depicts an ideal, but by no means impossible family life in the midst of some deliciously quaint, but true Cape Cod characters. There is plenty of bright conversation, and the book is an incentive, both to moral and physical heroism. The book is fully illustrated and handsomely bound.