is as if two travellers starting one east, the other west, should meet the other side of the world. They are in the same spot, but how differently they regard it, by what different ways have they reached it!

IT has been suggested that the Queen should shortly proclaim herself Empress, not only in India, as she is at present, but of the whole Empire. That gives us another idea of Empire than that of Dante's and Lord Rosebery's. This suggestion implicitly defines Empire on the modern territorial idea, that which inspired Francis II. when he called himself Emperor of Austria, which was burlesqued in the Emperor of Hayti, which is assumed when we translate Czar by Emperor. But we called attention to the suggestion in order to emphasise the importance of one or two recent items of news. What kind of Empress would the Queen be in a dominion where such events as these are possible: (a) "Negotiations have been completed between the Imperial and Canadian Governments for the establishment in Canada of a branch of the Royal Mint to coin Canadian and British currency"; (b) "Mr. Chamberlain has finally refused to give any pledge to withdraw the four additional nominated members of the Legislative Council appointed last year; a serious political agitation for the restoration of the former régime is now anticipated"; (c) "The Premier of Western Australia has informed Mr. Chamberlain that that colony does not intend to reduce her Governor's salary." Governors are appointed in England; some colonies are proposing to reduce their Governors' salaries.

RECENT HISTORICAL NOVELS.

THIS month's batch of historical tales differs from the last in consisting mainly in books intended for adult readers; but none are absolutely unsuitable for young people. No. (4) was expressly written for children. Nos. (5), (6) and (8) would probably seem rather uninteresting to the young; the remainder are suitable to any age, though not equally pleasing to all tastes. The two novels dealing with Virginia past and present-(3) and (6)—are marked by high literary merit. Miss Glasgow's book, in particular, is as good a novel as one could wish, and a great deal better than one generally comes across. The last four books on our list are not "historical" at all in the usual sense of the word; they are, however, pictures of bits of contemporary local life, viewed from within, which might well serve to "give verisimilitude to the otherwise bald and unconvincing narratives" contained in our geographical text-books. We should especially like to commend the general preface to the "Overseas Library" -in which No. (7) appears-to the notice of all teachers. All the books are published at six shillings except No. 2 (3/6) and No. 7 (1/6).

(1) S. R. CROCKETT. "Joan of the Sword Hand." [393 pp. ; 16 ill.] (Ward Lock.)-This book, which seems to be a kind of sequel to "Red Axe," deals with the South Baltic lands during the pontificate of Pope Sixtus IV. (1471-1484), who appears as a character (drawn to the life) towards the end of the volume. Viewed simply as a rapid succession of vivid tableaux it is capital; regarded as historical pabulum it is rank pasture. Mr. Crockett's physical and political geography is puzzling and anachronistic to a degree which seems quite unnecessary. But any reader who, after enjoying the story, has his interest aroused in the real history of the Baltic lands towards the end of the fifteenth century will certainly find his reward.

(2) HAMILTON DRUMMOND. "A Man of his Age." [319 pp. ; 4 ill.] (Ward Lock.)-Scene, mainly the kingdom of Navarre during the year 1568, in the critical interval between

Some

the second and the third "Religious War" in France. what weak in motive, the story abounds in stirring incidents, and gives a true notion of the miseries from which Elizabeth and the Channel saved England. Jeanne d'Albret, Queen of Navarre, her son, afterwards Henry IV., and de la Mothe Fénélon are among the characters. The book appears to be a sequel to the author's "For the Religion," and deals with the same subject as his recently published book, “A King's Pawn.” (3) MARY E. WILKINS. "The Heart's Highway." Subtitle: "A Romance of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century." [308 pp.; front.] (John Murray.)-The central point of the story is a kind of Virginian anticipation of the better-known "Boston Tea-Party "-the article destroyed being not imported tea but native-grown tobacco. It illustrates the discontent existing in the American colonies nearly a century before the Stamp Act, and also colonial attitude towards the King-Parliament controversies of the time. Atmosphere better than story. Why does Miss Wilkins forget the names of the places in the story, and why does she make Jamestown the capital of Virginia six years after Bacon burned it down?

(4) AMELIA BARR. "Trinity Bells." [278 pp.; 16 ill] (Fisher Unwin.)-A bright story dealing with New York about one hundred years ago. It originally ran through St. Nicholas Magazine (which is as good as a page of eulogy), and the illustrations are excellent. The principal character is a young girl of Dutch descent whose father has fallen into the hands of the pirates of Algiers.

(5) GILBERT PARKER. "The Lane that had no Turning." [313 pp.; front.] (Heinemann.)—Mr. Parker's latest and, if he does not repent his threat, last book of stories about French Canada. Among the points illustrated are the great authority of the clergy, the curious blend of reverence and criticism in the attitude of the habitant towards the seigneur, and the difficulty of reconciling the nationality of blood and speech with the nationality of an "alien" flag. Mr. Parker's sketches of the people of Pontiac are worth bluebooksful of statistics.

(6) ELLEN GLASGOW. "The Voice of the People." [444 pp.] (Heinemann.)-A story of modern Virginia by a Virginian who knows and loves her native state well, and who has the power of describing it so as to make the reader share her pride in the Old Dominion. She draws us negroes, "white trash," and gentle folk of various kinds, in a way which we feel must be "true." Her hero is a poor white who works himself up till he is chosen governor of the state. The story begins soon "after the war," and the scene is mainly Kingsborough (Williamsburg ?). The book may especially be commended to those who imagine that all Americans are "Yankees," and that the United States 66 possess no ruins and no curiosities."

(7) WILLIAM Bulfin. "Tales of the Pampas." [248 pp.] (Fisher Unwin.)-Spirited stories of cattle, and sheep-keeping life on the Argentine Pampas. Many of the characters are Irishmen. The social and climatic conditions of the estancia and the “camp" are well depicted. A teacher about to give a lesson on Argentina would pick up much “colour” from these tales in a pleasant way.

(8) JULIA CROttie. Neighbours." [307 pp.] (Fisher Unwin.)-Sketches rather than stories of modern Irish life in "Innisdoyle," which is represented as a typical country town in Munster. They are not so powerful as Mr. Morrison's "Tales of Mean Streets," but they are just as depressing and probably just as one-sided. It is difficult to believe that Munster folk are almost invariably superstitious, revengeful, consumptive, sordid, shiftless, dishonest, insolvent and drunken. Most of the details may be "true," but they seem hardly varied enough, hardly full enough of spirituality, to make up a complete picture of what may fairly be called Munster life. Are not the Irish in Mr. Bulfin's "Pampas Tales" more truly Irish?

RECENT SCHOOL BOOKS.

Modern Languages.

Foundations of French. Arranged for Beginners in Preparatory Schools and Colleges by F. D. Aldrich, A.B., and I. L. Foster, A.M. xv. 177 pp. (Edward Arnold.)-From the preface we learn that "a large part of our American youth do not begin the study of French until the later years of a highschool or preparatory course, and a considerable number not until the freshman year in college or scientific school." And later on: "This book has been prepared with the needs of these maturer students constantly in mind." We are therefore prepared for a clear and concise summary of the essentials of grammar, and (as the main object of such students is to gain a

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reading knowledge" of the language, again according to the preface), above all, an attempt to provide a suitable vocabulary. We rub our eyes as we examine the book; the rules are to the front, and are not particularly well expressed, and there are numberless detached sentences for translation into French, many of which are of the well-known kind. A few infelicitous inventions may be quoted: "He has watches and some few hats-He is in the habit of lying to me, but I do not hate him-I am willing to go to eat my breakfast, but it rains-All countries are not so small as England-The days are longer in summer in England than one would believe." It is refreshing to come across such a book; but what a sad waste of energy!

Colloquial French. By L. Meunier. xliii. +111 pp. (Philip, Son, and Nephew.) 25.-Whatever may be the advantages of this book, they are outweighed by the serious objection that much of the type is far too small. It is false economy; and no teacher with any regard for the children committed to his care would let them use the book. Teachers may derive some advantage from a perusal of it; but they must be warned against the section on the pronunciation (which is also published separately), for it is evidently not based on a scientific study of the phonetics of French. The method is, with slight modifications, that known as the " grammar and translation method," with

detached sentences.

Exercises on the French Irregular Verbs. By M. Guichard, B.-ès-L. vi. +75 pp. (Longmans.) IS. 6d. The author has had the happy idea of writing a number of short stories, each containing the parts of some one irregular verb which are likely to give difficulty. This he has done with much skill, and the result is a little volume which can be recommended without reserve, especially as he has not added a vocabulary. It will be useful to any teacher, whatever his method may be.

Macmillan's German Idioms. Prepared and translated by Myra Taker. viii. + 268 pp. (Macmillan.) 35. 6d.-A very useful book for purposes of reference. German words and phrases are given in alphabetical order, and an idiomatic English rendering is supplied in a parallel column. Miss Taker has done her work very conscientiously. It seems a pity that the plan adopted in the companion volume for French (by Mme. Plan) was not adopted here also; explanations in German would have made it a very helpful book for the New Method teacher. It would have been well to add the name of the author from whose works the passages quoted are taken.

Krieg und Frieden. Tales selected and edited by Dr. W. Bernhardt. ix. + 120 pp. (Edward Arnold.)-This little volume contains three stories: Mutterliebe, by E. Frommel; Der Sohn der Pussta, by "Villamaria ;" and Publius, by H. Hoffmann. The editor has supplied short biographies and good notes. The stories themselves are new to us, and have

not previously been edited for schools. They are well told, but rather sombre; the first and second end with the death of the principal character; in the third we have the half humorous, half pathetic figure of a schoolmaster who in the end loses his only son. The book is well got up.

Selections in Prose and Verse from German Authors of the Day. Selected by Dr. A. Weiss. Two parts, 56 pp. and 64 pp. (Hachette.) IS. each.-A convenient selection for practice in unseen translation. The passages are taken from many authors, and are of moderate difficulty. There is about one verse passage to five in prose. The text is well printed, according to the revised spelling.

Classics.

Xenophon's Anabasis. Book I. By E. C. Marchant, M.A. 121+xxxi. pp. (Bell.) 1s. 6d. The well-known "Illustrated Classics" series now includes Greek authors, of whose works this is the first instalment. The Greek text is well printed, the illustrations include several landscapes as well as reproductions of ancient sculptures and paintings, and there are exercises and an appendix on syntax rules. Mr. Marchant disclaims all "trace of erudition," but his scholarship has availed to produce a very useful edition, which should even prove an interesting introduction to Xenophon such as most of us, when schoolboys, emphatically did not have.

Bell's Illustrated Classical Series grows apace. We have received Selections from Cicero, by J. F. Charles, B. A., 107+xxxvi. pp.; Fables of Phaedrus, a selection by R. H. Chambers, M.A., 96+liii. pp.; Stories of Great Men, from Romulus to Scipio Africanus Minor, by F. Conway, M.A., 95+xlvii. pp.; Horace, Odes, Book III., by H. Latter, M.A., 107+lix. pp. ; and Vergil, Aeneid, Book VI., by J. T. Phillipson, M.A., 112+xliii. pp. (Bell.) 1s. 6d. each. It will be sufficient to say that these volumes quite keep up the very useful features of this series, in which there is now something to suit all stages in the early growth of the future Latin scholar. The illustrations range from simple outlined pictures to reproductions from photographs of scenes in which the events of the text are laid, and the notes are all that could be desired to elucidate the grammar and subject-matter of the authors.

Sallust. Catiline. By W. C. Summers, M. A. xl. +120 pp. (Cambridge University Press.) 25.-This edition has been prepared specially "for passmen and private students," but will be found none the less useful for school use. It contains much valuable matter in the introduction on Sallust, the march of events which led up to, and the progress of, the conspiracy, together with a sketch of the Roman Constitution. The text mainly follows that of Jordan, though the editor sometimes finds occasion to differ from it, differences for which he gives his reasons, and perhaps the best feature of the notes is the discussion of MS. readings and variations. There is a very full index of ten pages.

The First Epistle of S. Peter (Greek Text). By the Rev. J. H. B. Masterman, M. A. x. + 190 pp. (Macmillan.) 3s. 6d. net. -The Principal of the Midland Clergy College intends this book "for candidates for Deacon's orders as a useful introduction to larger and more detailed commentaries." It may, however, be treated here as likely to be serviceable in the hands of the master, for a Greek Testament class. The introduction contains discussions of date, place and circumstances of writing, and also particularly useful chapters on the language of the writer in its relation to that of other books in the New Testament. The "Paraphrase" which follows is hardly necessary in addition to the text of the Revised Version, nor is it very successful. The earlier portion of the commentary (where an

editor has the advantage of using Dr. Hort's Commentary--a debt acknowledged by Mr. Masterman) seems to us better than the latter. The notes throw light on words and usages of New Testament Greek, though that on diáßoλos (p. 167), and Additional Note C (pp. 179-180) do not convey a very convincing impression. There is somewhat too much poetical quotation, and we have noticed a few misprints. But the editor has on the whole produced here a stimulating edition of an epistle which contains very difficult passages.

Edited Books.

Woodstock, by Sir Walter Scott. Edited by H. Corstorphine. 224 pp. (A. & C. Black.) IS. This volume is a little more attractive than some others in this series, for which we have found no praise to spare. As a reading book intended to make schoolboys take an intelligent interest in Sir Walter Scott, it will probably be found serviceable; but the editor and the edition of Scott as an author for schools have yet to be discovered. The introduction to this volume is really very well done. The notes are terse and not very full; and we question whether the statement that "priest is a doublet of presbyter" will not need even more explanation than it affords. Some of the mythological allusions also are very scantily dealt with; but a great many explanations of obsolete military phrases will be found very interesting.

Carlyle's Essay on Burns. Edited by J. Downie. 116 pp. (Blackwood.) 2s. 6d. This is a small book at a high figure; but the work of editing it has been so well and conscientiously done that it is worth more than the price charged. It is the first attempt to make a schoolbook out of a very remarkable criticism, and is almost deserving of the name of a brilliant performance. The introduction and notes are masterly. "Carlyle was heroic; Burns was magnetic"; an editor with such powers of criticism and expression as are found here is capable of even better things.

The Animal Story-Book Reader. -Edited by Andrew Lang. 174 pp. (Longmans.) Is. 4d.-In literature Mr. Andrew Lang is ubiquitous, and he is now to be found asking for admission to the school forms of juveniles. In his own way he is always striking; in the present instance he has achieved greatness. A most admirable children's book, very finely

illustrated.

Arnold's Continuous Story Readers. Grades I. to IV. 105, 127, 189, 223 pp. Prices, 10d., Is., Is. 2d., Is. 4d. respectively. This is a very good idea very well carried out and pretty certain to achieve popularity. The style, printing and illustrations are excellent.

Cowper's Expostulation. 61 pp. (Macmillan.) IS. - This is a small edition of a very little known work, but it is well and ably done.

127 pp.

Helps to the Study of Lyra Heroica. By E. Ruse. (Macmillan.) IS. 6d. Also, Notes and Elucidations to Henley's Lyra Heroica. By W. W. Greg and L. C. Cornford. 80 pp. (David Nutt.) 15.-Speaking strictly for ourselves, we never found Mr. Henley's glorious anthology greatly in need of professorial illumination; but to those who are in the schoolboy and student stages these two booklets may possibly prove very helpful. They represent considerable and accurate scholarship, and exhibit much enthusiasm, and are the evident result of great painstaking in the rather uninviting fields of scholarly research.

Shakespeare's Life and Work. By Sidney Lee. 232 pp. (Smith, Elder & Co.) 2s. 6d. This is not the monumental life of Shakespeare which has earned for Mr. Lee so high a place in contemporary scholarship, but an abbreviation of the same perfectly adapted to the needs of students. It is splendidly done,

In

and contains all that is essential in the larger work. addition it is served by a most elaborate index which is in itself a masterpiece.

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians. By Rev. G. W. Garrod. 163 pp. (Macmillan.) 2s. 6d. Mr. Garrod has already dealt with no inconsiderable portion of the epistolary matter of the New Testament upon exactly the same plan he uses in this volume, which is of the same excellence for teaching purposes as his foregoing volumes. There is every indication of learning and temperate judgment in his pages; and his appendix of passages deserving special attention will commend itself to many students. Altogether, a most helpful guide and a clearly conceived teaching method which will be appreciated wherever it is known.

The Book of Daniel (Cambridge Bible). Edited by Prof. Driver. 214 pp. (Pitt Press.)-We have waited long for this book, but it has come at last; and the wonder is how so much can have been compressed into so little space. It is truly a marvellous edition; broad and thoughtful in conception; accurate, learned, and yet literary and readable in a very high degree. The introduction fills almost half the space at command, and in it every point of interest in the study of this profound and obscure Book receives illumination and critical discussion. The historical portion is brilliant; the question of authorship and date is treated with professorial fulness; and the section on apolyptic literature contains much that is new and suggestive. The notes on the obscure visions and prophecies in chapters vii. and ix. of Daniel do not tempt Prof. Driver into anything but a display of real critical scholarship, and a wide-eyed comparison of many conflicting theories about them; and in a manual for students this is undoubtedly the best and wisest The volume will undoubtedly enhance the reputation of the well-known series of commentaries in which it takes high rank; and those steady-going people who do not want to be dogmatically certain about every point that is obscure to the greatest intellects, and yields very little result to the most patient scholarship, will read Prof. Driver's notes and comments with a feeling of positive gladness in their reasonable and temperate tone, and rise from the study of this work with knowledge greatly enlarged, and convictions subjected to no undue strain by positive statements which not even an archangel could verify. The index is tolerably complete, and includes a section devoted entirely to Hebrew expressions; also a list of the archaisms in the Authorised Version which will be interesting to students of English literature.

course.

History.

Rome: its Rise and Fall. A Text-Book for High Schools and Colleges. By Philip van Ness Myers, L. H.D. (Boston: Ginn.) 5s. 6d. This seems to us a very good book: accurate in detail, just in the general survey of national tendencies and movements, written in an easy and clear style. It shows independent study of the authorities, a mastery of the most recent literature of the subject, and steers clear of many small errors which schoolbooks are apt to show. For a schoolbook, indeed, the history seems to be well adapted. In particular, the earlier constitutional history, which is very hard for a child to understand, is treated with simplicity; too much is not attempted, and the pupil may fairly be expected to learn it all. Thus the account of the Twelve Tables is quite interesting. There are about a hundred illustrations and maps; the latter sufficient for their purpose, the former well chosen and full of interest. The value of such aids to learning is still too little appreciated, and we welcome their presence here. It would be useful, however, for the teacher, and could do no harm to the child, if the source of these pictures were always indicated, and especially any English books, such as Anderson's "Atlas of Antiquities,"

where they are reproduced. Another good point in the book is its scope. The history does not stop short at the battle of Actium, as though the empire were not in some respects the most important period in Roman history; it is carried down to the fall of the empire, and thus in one brief volume the whole story of Rome is contained. The empire takes up nearly half the book, and it is necessarily treated in brief; but attention is concentrated on important things, so that the march of events is clearly discernible. Among the causes of Rome's fall one most important cause seems to be omitted, the universal corruption of officials. This, as Mr. Dill has brought out, always accompanies the decay of empires, when they do decay. Chapters on architecture, literature, law and philosophy complete the volume. There are chronological and statistical tables here and there, and each chapter is followed by a list of useful references for further study. Mr. Myers is judicious, though perhaps he is a trifle too sceptical in the early legends, and not sceptical enough in the story of the sack of Rome by the Gauls. We have only to add that the explanations of pontifex given in text and note to p. 34 should be transposed, and that there is a vexatious misprint on p. 28, devorere" for devovere.

Source-Book of English History. By Elizabeth K. Kendall, M.A. xxii. + 483 pp. (New York: The Macmillan Company.) 35. 6d.-Our American cousins are busily treading in the footsteps of our English historians, and are editing "sourcebooks," or selections of contemporary documents illustrative of national history. They are doing more; they are leading in the adaptation of such work for junior students. Some months ago we welcomed a selection of documents illustrative of American history edited by Professor Hart, of Harvard, and now Miss Kendall sends us something that is useful for our own purposes. It is good-of course it is good. All such publications must needs be so. All that the reviewer can do is to indicate the particular kind of goodness. The selections begin with Tacitus on the Britons and Germans, and end with a quotation from the Spectator of 1898. The former half of the book brings us down to the "Restoration," and consists of quotations from medieval chroniclers, from political poems, diarists and historians. The latter half draws on newspapers, parliamentary debates, and a great variety of contemporary sources. The documents in foreign languages are given in translations; those in older English are modernised to the capacity of school children. "Authorities" and their study divides itself as a subject into two parts. The advanced student reads the documents in extenso, selects, or rather collects, all that can possibly be of service, and bases thereupon his conclusions, whether to be published or not. For beginners (and "beginning" is in this case a long process) the documents must be used as illustrations only. In other words, the reasoned results of research must be taught first, even if they take the form of the "driest " history, and selections from the authorities may then be introduced, such selections being carefully made and still more carefully edited. It is for these reasons that we welcome heartily and recommend strongly such books as Miss Kendall's. No teacher should lose an hour in procuring this book, and at least reading to his class the quotations which refer to the period they may happen to be studying.

A Century of Continental History (1780-1880). By J. H. Rose. x. + 408 pp. (Stanford.) 6s. A book which has reached its fourth edition, as Mr. Rose's has done, scarcely needs commendation from us. He has been for years an extension lecturer under the Cambridge scheme, and, we gather, has written his book originally for his audiences. It is a book admirably adapted for its purpose, based on a study of the best No. 25, VOL. 3.]

authorities, and treating in an introductory way the interesting story of Europe in the nineteenth century. Comparing this with the second edition, we find that some of the slight defects which were then visible have been removed, and those which still remain do not seriously detract from the value of this excellent manual.

Europe in the Days of Nelson; or, England and Europe (1789-1815). By T. J. Walker. 107 pp. (Gill.) 1s. 6d. -Mr. Walker's book, though small, is a very good history. We are particularly struck with the unusual clearness of his exposition. Even those who have no previous knowledge of the subject will, we imagine, have no difficulty in understanding even the complications of international relations during the period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. Specially good are the sections on the commercial war which consisted of Berlin and Milan decrees, Orders in Council, &c. The book contains besides nine clear, coloured maps which supply the necessary geography.

Mathematics.

A Treatise on Geometrical Optics. By R. A. Herman, M.A. x. + 344 pp. (Cambridge University Press.) 10s.-This is a very useful and by no means superfluous companion to the treatises of Heath and Pendlebury. With the help of a theorem due to Helmholtz, Mr. Herman deduces the properties of a symmetrical system from the consideration of the divergence of small periods. This method is very instructive, and will probably seem to most readers more elementary than Gauss's analytical treatment. In the chapters on the characteristic function due reference is made to the work of Clerk-Maxwell, Larmor and Sampson; and the chapter on distortion is more complete than is usual in works of this kind. It is hardly necessary to add that the author's analysis is both exact and elegant, so far as his subject admits of these qualities.

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The Elements of the Differential and Integral Calculus. By J. W. A. Young and C. E. Lineburger. xviii. + 410 pp. (Hirschfeld Bros.) IOS. 6d. This is based upon the Kurzgefasstes Lehrbuch" of Nernst and Schönfliess, and it is interesting to find that in each case one of the collaborating authors is a professor of chemistry. The result is that we have a proper development of graphical methods, and an unusually large number of applications drawn from theoretical dynamics, physics and physical chemistry. Although the work is of considerable length, it is strictly elementary: the authors have refrained from discussing the peculiarly subtle difficulties which beset the subject, and have at the same time succeeded in avoiding the suggestion of false conclusions. A working know. ledge of the calculus is becoming more and more necessary to the student of physical science, and a book of this kind, so attractively presenting the essentials of what he ought to know, deserves a warm welcome. The volume is a very favourable specimen of American typography.

A Treatise on Elementary Dynamics. By H. A. Roberts, M.A. xii. 258 pp. (Macmillan.) 45. 6d. This is a work of quite exceptional value and interest, because, while it is intended for junior students, the first principles of the subject are presented in the form which has commended itself to the latest authorities, more particularly Mach. It will thus form a very useful introduction to Professor Love's more advanced treatise. Mr. Roberts's preliminary chapters on kinematics are exceedingly good, and very properly include the elements of vector analysis. The examples, both worked and unworked, have been carefully selected. The treatise may be warmly recommended as marking a distinct advance towards the logical presentation of this difficult subject in a form which is not too abstruse for beginners.

D

The Principles of Mechanics. By F. Slate. Part I. xii. + 300 pp. (The Macmillan Company.) 7s. 6d.—This is another work which shows the growing appreciation of the modified view of the principles of dynamics which is due to Kirchhoff, Mach and others. It is best adapted, perhaps, for university students who attend lectures on the subject; such readers will probably find it both helpful and stimulating. The use of elementary calculus is, of course, to be approved ; but the treatment, generally, is rather unnecessarily analytical, and there is a lack of numerical examples which is certainly to be regretted.

Inductive Geometry for Transition Classes. By H. A. Nesbitt, M.A. viii. +92 pp. (Swan Sonnenschein.) Is. 6d. -This is an elementary course of geometrical drawing which really does seem likely to develop the pupil's powers of observation and resource, and to make him familiar with the first notions of geometry. It is a pity that parallel rulers are recommended: set squares are the proper instruments, and the use of them ought to have been fully explained.

Monthly Progress Tests. Scheme B, Part III. By R. F. Macdonald. 48 pp. (Macmillan.) 3d.—Questions in arithmetic of a very monotonous type, eighty per cent. or so dealing with the compound rules for money. The papers are designed to cover the work of three terms, and are said to be graded: we have entirely failed to see evidence of this. It is earnestly to be hoped that there are not many schools where the whole school year in arithmetic is spent on such questions as, "What money is 47 times £2 1s. 10d. ?" or "Find the total value of Io sovereigns, I crown, I florin, 17 sixpences, 12 threepenny pieces, 12 penny and 6 three-halfpenny stamps." The last, by-the-bye, is for the last month of the third term. A rather serious proportion of the questions are disfigured by ambiguity or clumsiness of expression.

Science and Technology.

Handbook of Practical Botany. By Dr. E. Strasburger. Translated and edited from the German, with many additional notes, by W. Hillhouse, M.A., F.L.S. Fifth edition. xxxii. + 519 pp. (Swan Sonnenschein.) 10s. 6d. This work is the fifth English edition of Prof. Strasburger's well-known manual, "Das Botanische Praktikum," and although the translation has been practically rewritten throughout, full use, we are informed in the preface, has been made of the third edition of Strasburger's work. This handbook is so well known that a detailed review is hardly called for. Without doubt it is one of the most complete and satisfactory practical works on anatomy and histology for the use of botanists extant. Not only is the volume admirably suited for the use of advanced classes of students, but also for those who, from desire or circumstances, work at the subject without the aid of a teacher. Starting with descriptions of a few different microscopes and the making of the simplest preparations, the work increases in difficulty until the last chapter is reached, which, dealing with cell and nuclear division, is certainly the most arduous work, both as regards observation and technique, that a botanist is called upon to perform. A large amount of information is given concerning the different stains and reagents used, but we do not notice any mention made of azoblue, which is one of the best reagents for the demonstration of callus. Types of the principal groups of plants are described; as a whole, very little fault is to be found with their selection. We do not, however, consider that Marchantia is a good type to take as a representative of the liverworts, on account of its highly modified reproductive organs. If it were considered desirable to retain this plant, then it would have been well to have added an alternative simpler one, as for example Pellia.

Botanical Tables for the Use of Junior Students. By Arabella B. Buckley. New edition. (Stanford.) Is. 6d. The use of tables is frequently of value in teaching, provided, of course, they are properly used, and not abused in the process known as 66 cramming." This danger, it is pleasurable to note, has been guarded against by the author, for she heads the first table with a few remarks which the teacher will do well to note. For example, "Definitions are given of all technical terms, which may be learnt after they have been explained and illustrated by the teacher." And again, "In describing a plant each pupil should have a specimen The first table deals with morphological definitions, the majority of which are both clear and correct. There are certain points, however, which need improvement. For instance, the two following definitions might be mentioned:-"Thread like leaves, stipules, or petioles are called tendrils," "ovules are formed of a nucleus surrounded by an inner coat or secundine, and outer coat or primine." Then again there are a few omissions; it would have been well to have pointed out the different kinds of bulbs, and to have included a definition of "saprophyte" to accompany those given of parasites and epiphytes. The second table deals with classification, several parts of which are open to objection; for example, the Phanerogams are divided into dicotyledons or exogens and monocotyledons or endogens; the use of the archaic terms endogens and exogens results in the placing of the Coniferæ among the dicotyledons, which is anything but their correct position. Besides these two terms, others such as acotyledons, acrogens and thallogens are utilised, notwithstanding the fact that they are seldom or never used by modern botanists. The description of several of the families of the Cryptogamia leaves a great deal to be desired.

Miscellaneous.

The Secondary School System of Germany. By Frederick E. Bolton, M.S., Ph.D. xix. +398 pp. (Edward Arnold.) 6s.Professor Bolton gives, in convenient compass, a very readable account of the essential characteristics of German secondary education. The treatment is not of the detailed kind to which we called attention in reviewing Dr. Russell's book on the same subject last year.

The writer's point of view is throughout distinctly American. All comparisons instituted are between the schools and teachers of America and Germany, so that in some respects the volume is scarcely suitable for British readers. As a fair estimate of the relative advantages of German and American methods in education, we can heartily recommend Prof. Bolton's little book. Some sections of the volume form peculiarly suitable reading for the English assistant-master, so much exercised as he is just now with salary grievances. It would, indeed, be worth while for a member of the A.M.A. to bring before the next meeting of the Association a carefully prepared comparison between the amount of preliminary training required from German schoolmasters and the salaries they can earn with similar data as far as they affect English schoolmasters. results, unless we are much mistaken, would prove very surprising. A great deal of information as to German methods of presenting various school subjects to the classes of secondary schools can be gleaned from Prof. Bolton's pages. considerably impressed with the small amount of laboratory work the author found is done by the German boy during his school training in science; in this case, at all events, we manage these things better in England. Here is one of the author's examples :-"In the lessons on the Marchantia . . . the diagrams were profuse, fine wax models were numerous, and the teacher's explanations lucid, concise and scientific, but the majority of the class were not within twenty feet of the models,

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