The best part of the collection, however, consists in the set of rules for the game, and the many hints it contains for the beginner.

Angling Reminiscences of the Rivers and Lochs of Scotland, by Thomas Tod Stoddart (Morison, Glasgow), is a book not to be confounded with either of the author's other two books on angling, but which is quite as pleasant reading as either of them. The original edition was published in 1837, and has long been out of print.

Scenes and Characters (Macmillan), is the twenty-fourth volume of the collected edition of Miss Yonge's works. The work is one of the author's earliest, in fact, it was her second actual publication. The edition is beautifully printed and got up in a remarkably tasteful way.

Among other books we have received: A Manual of Christian Evidence, by the Rev. C. A. Row, M. A., and An Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament, by the Rev. B. B. Warfield, D.D. (Hodder & Stoughton), the first two volumes of a series of works entitled 'The Theological Educator.' The editor of the series is the Rev. W. Robertson Nicoll, M.A.-Cur Deus Homo? the first volume of the 'Christian Classics Series' published by the Religious Tract Society and translated with introduction, analysis and notes by Mr. Edward S. Prout, M.A.-System of the Christian Certainty, by Dr. F. H. R. Frank, translated by M. J. Evans, (T. & T. Clark).-Atonement and Law, or Redemption in Harmony with Law as revealed in Nature, by John M. Armour, (Nisbet & Co.).-The Blessing of the Tribes, by the Rev. F. Whitfield, M.A. (Nisbet & Co.)—Authorship of the Four Gospels, by William Marvin, (Nisbet & Co.).—Clouds Cleared, a few Hard Subjects of the New Testament explained by the Rev. Claude Smith Bird, M. A., (Nisbet & Co.).-Links of Loving Kindness, and The Bells of St. Peter, by the Rev. George Everard, M.A., (Nisbet & Co.).—Future Probation: a symposium on the question 'Is Salvation possible after Death?' (Nisbet & Co.) by various writers.-The Children for Christ: Thoughts for Christian Parents on the Consecration of the Home Life, by the Rev. Andrew Murray (Nisbet & Co.).-Bible Topography, by the Rev. G. Rawlinson, M.A. (Nisbet & Co.)-Vital Orthodoxy, by the Rev. Joseph Cook (Dickinson).— The Life of the Rev. Charles Wesley, M. A., by the Rev. John Telford, B. A. (Religious Tract Society).-The Reformation in France, by Richard Heath (Religious Tract Society).-The Spirit of Prayer, Part I., by William Law (S. B. Murdoch, Glasgow).—St. Paul and Protestantism, with Other Essays, by Matthew Arnold (Smith, Elder, & Co.).—The Kernel and the Husk: Letters on Spiritual Christianity, by the Author of Philochristus, etc. (Macmillan & Co).- Watery Wanderings 'Mid Western Lochs, by T. H. Holding, (E. Marlborough).—Modern Anecdotes, edited with notes by W. Davenport Adams (T. D. Morison).-A new edition of Mr. Arthur M. Smith's System of Political Economy, (Williams & Norgate).

SUMMARIES OF FOREIGN REVIEWS.

WESTERMANNS MONATS-HEFTE (February).-At the present time, when the newly-acquired colonies of Germany are attracting some attention, the article which Herr Kirchhoff devotes to the Marshal Islands is particularly deserving of notice. It not only gives an interesting general description of the group and the aborigines, but also enters into important details concerning the cocoa-nut trade, which is represented as yielding a clear profit of 76 per cent. to the planter. The paper also contains an account of excursions made to the Caroline Islands, and this section has, by way of epigraph, a very suggestive quotation from Scheffel: Es wäre so schön gewesen, es hat nicht sollen sein'- it would have been so pleasant, but it was not to be.-From a literary point of view the most important and interesting contribution is that which Herr Eugen Zabel devotes to Balzac and French Naturalism.' The present paper is but a first instalment, and deals exclusively with Balzac, and does so with a fairness to both the man and the writer, which gives special value to the sketch.-Herr Trombolt, whose article is entitled 'Thingvalla, Geysir, and Hekla,' introduces besides some particularly striking descriptions of scenery, a number of quaint and instructive particulars about Iceland generally.--Besides a couple of tales, the only remaining paper is a continuation of a charming paper on 'The Liliputians of our Animal World.' The 'sketches of animal character are excellent reading, the illustrations being a notable and most acceptable addition to the text.

WESTERMANNS MONATS-HEFTE (March).-Herr Zabel's study of the French 'Naturalists' goes on to deal with the brothers Goncourt, Daudet, Zola, and Flaubert. Each of these sketches is admirable in its way, that devoted to the Goncourts being perhaps the most sympathetic, whilst Gustave Flaubert's works seem, on the whole, to be the writer's favourites.-As a valuable contribution to the history of German philosophy in the present century, Herr Moritz Brasch publishes a sketch of Karl Ludwig Michelet, The Last of the Hegelians.'-To those interested in the question of fisheries Herr Lindeman's article, 'Die Deutsche Nordseefischerei,' is sure to prove acceptable reading. It is full of most valuable information, and is made further interesting by a number of excellent illustrations.--An article directed against the abuse of spirituous drinks, after retracing the evils of intemperance, indicates as preventive measures the early instruction of children as to the causes and effects of indulgence in strong drinks and the supply of cheaper and more wholesome food to the lower class. The writer, Herr Dornblüth, does not look at the subject, however, from the point of view of the total abstainer.

PREUSSISCHE JAHRBUCHER (February).—The table of contents of this number is headed by a study of the strategical conditions of the Russo-Turkish war. Besides a good deal which is intended exclusively for military readers, there are passages of more general interest. Amongst these we may indicate the sketches devoted to the leaders on either side-to Skoboleff and Gurko on the one hand, to Mehemet Ali, Osman, and Suleiman on the other.-In a paper on Life Insurance Companies, Herr L. H. Müller shows the injustice of allowing these companies to refuse payment of policies on the ground of insufficiency or inaccuracy in the original declaration unless the death of the person insured occurs shortly after he has made such declaration. The writer suggests a limit of five years, and argues that after such a lapse of time policies should be unassailable. The examples of sharp practice which he adduces certainly justify his protest. One instance may be given as a sample. To the question, Have you a doctor?' one individual had, it appears, given the answer, 'Never required one.' It hap pened, however, that at the time he actually had a family doctor, though he himself never required his services. The company having got to know this, made it a reason for refusing payment after the insured person's death. - The

two remaining articles do not call for special attention; one of them is a rather heavy essay on 'Literary Criticism,' the other is a sketch of the career of an Alsatian composer, J. E. Kastner.

PREUSSISCHE JAHRBUCHER (March). - Questions of Nationality in Austria' is the most important contribution to the present number. It conveys a great deal of information, and will be found particularly useful for a proper understanding of the political condition of Austria.-The second instalment of the military study devoted to the war of 1877-78 is written with great care and a thorough knowledge of the subject. The section dealing with Plevna is that which will be found most interesting to the general reader, though even that is rather technical.-The only remaining article is by Herr Hugo Sommer, and is a consideration of Wundt's system of Ethics.

THEOLOGISCHE STUDIEN UND Kritiken (Drittes Heft, 1887).-Melanchthon's teaching in the Apologia as regards the doctrine of Justification forms the subject of an elaborate, if not exhaustive, article in this number. It is from the pen of Herr A. Eichhorn, a Privat-Docent at Halle. He agrees in the main with the strictures made by Herr Loofs in an earlier number of the Studien und Kritiken on the general interpretation of Melanchthon's views as set forth in the Apology, but submits these, nevertheless, to an independent and thorough examination in the light of the author's other writings and the controversies of the times.-There follows the first part of an essay on the principal questions connected with the scientific investigation of the growth and development of the creed in the Christian Church. It is by Dr. Ch. H. Schmidt, Professor at Breslau. Here he treats of what this branch of theological investigation is and aims at, its encyclopædic character, and the arrangement of its materials which it ought to adopt.-Herr Pfarrer Wetzel, of Mandelkow, gives us an interesting exegetical study of the difficult verse, Philippians ii. 6.-The reviews of recent theological works do not embrace any of English or American publication.

DEUTSCHE RUNDSCHAU (February).-The most serious contributions to this month's number are headed by an article on Florentine Painting, and the Characteristics of Art in the Quattro Cento.' It is from the pen of Herr Julius Meyer, and is extracted from a work which is shortly to be published by the management of the Royal Museum, and is to contain reproductions of all the important paintings contained in the Berlin collection. - Under a somewhat cumbersome title Dr. Hermann Wasserfuhr contributes an important article. It is intended to draw attention to the many dangers to health arising from the style of houses which have arisen to meet the wants of increasing population in large centres, particularly in Berlin.-A very interesting biographical sketch, bearing the signature of Herr Rudolf Eucken, traces the career of Moritz Seebek, who was for many years the curator of the Univer sity of Jena, and who died in 1884, in the 80th year of his age.-A semi-political article, to which no name is attached, treats of Germany and Alsace,' and points out the advantages which, in the writer's opinion, are to accrue to the annexed province when it ceases to be French and becomes German in its sympathies, though he is obliged to confess but little has been accomplished in this direction so far.- - Fifteen Letters from Richard Wagner' are communicated by Frau Eliza Wille, whose explanations of them and reminiscences of the composer go to make up a most interesting paper.

DEUTSCHE RUNDSCHAU (March). -A very important contribution to the early history of what is now called the Kingdom of Prussia is contained in the historical study in which Herr von Loeper records the circumstances which led to the passing of the Achillea,' the act by which the Elector Albert Achilles of Brandenberg not only settled the succession of the dynasty, but also established the principle of the indivisiblity of the territory.-Herr Xaver Kraus devotes a short paper to the 'Pensées,' lately published by the Abbé Joseph Roux, and has succeeded in producing a charming sketch of what must be a charming work. The Natural Systems of Organisms and the Lower Limits of Life,' contributed by Herr. E. Strasburger, points out the deficiencies of the old system when con

sidered by the light of modern science. and at the same time indicates the many difficulties which stand in the way of the construction of a new one. -Although the Spaniards called Canovas their Bismarck, there are probably but few outside his own country who have any knowledge of him, beyond the mere fact that he is the recognised leader of the Conservative party. Consequently, those who turn to the sketch which Herr Hübner devotes to him need have no fear of travelling over known ground. It will probably not diminish the interest in the eyes of most readers that it is less as a politician than as a writer that Senor Canovas is here considered.-Besides the conclusion of the paper founded on Wagner's letters, there is a particularly good description of the glaciers of New Zealand.

DE GIDS for January and February contains some interesting articles. With reference to the unsatisfactory condition of the Dutch colonies M. de Louter writes on Decentralisation in British India,' inviting the attention of his countrymen to a policy in strong contrast to theirs. In an able and extended sketch he traces the policy introduced by Lord Mayo, and steadily carried out by his successors in office, under the headings of Finance and Local Self-Government. While warmly extolling the British Government for its noble generosity to conquered races, and praising the governmental machinery by which the very humblest are brought into relation, by a succession of courts, with the Viceroy, he acknowledges that this is only an uncompleted experiment. Whether it will be crowned with success is still doubtful, but experience so far justifies the highest hopes. He ends with an appeal to Dutch statesmen to go at least a little way in the same direction. In two remarkable articles by Bijvanck a parallel, which strikes one one as almost sacreligious, is drawn between Balzac the self-conscious sensual Parisian romance writer, and the saintly ascetic Cardinal Newman. Contemporaries, both were deeply influenced by the spirit of their time, though in adverse ways. Both showed in youth a strong strain of mysticism which they never lost, and neither of them had any great store of acquired ideas to draw from. They tried to explain the world, and to reform it from plans, and on a system drawn from their own mental consciousness. What the Church was to Newman, middle class society was to Balzac. Both equally failed to carry out their ideas. Society would only accept Balzac as an entertaining writer, and paid no heed to his teaching, which indeed was far from being perspicuous, and he accordingly retired as it were to a distance, and contented himself with looking at life as an artist, and making pictures unsurpassed for pitiless truth of detail. Newman likewise failing to build up the English Church after his ideas, gave up the struggle, and retired to a cell in another temple. He too had the artistic temperament, and though he sternly repressed it, its influence was yet so much felt that the origin of the Rossetti Art School is to be traced to him. A common characteristic of both men was their imposing individuality-the one created a new spiritual world for all who came under his influence, the other a world not precisely spiritual, but quite as strikingly his own creation. But after all the parallel, interesting as it is, is scarcely a happy one-An article on Democratic Experiments,' by Dr. Pijzel, is on much the same lines as the article by Emile de Laveleye in the Nineteenth Century, Sept. 1885, 'Recent Progress of Democracy in Switzerland.' Switzerland alone have such experiments had a fair trial, and not without a certain amount of success, but it would be rash for other countries to trust to what succeeds in the Swiss cantons succeeding on a larger scale and under different conditions. In an appreciative review of Locksley Hall Sixty Years After,' it is pointed out how perfectly in character it is for the man who in youth was so passionate an optimist, to become in old age disillusioned and disgusted, though still he holds fast to the ultimate triumph of love. An attempt like that of Gladstone to contradict the conclusions of the aged squire, by adducing a long list of useful reforms, is ridiculously out of place, and shows stupid misapprehension of the dramatic fitness of the poem.

In

LA NUOVO ANTOLOGIA (February 1st).-P. G. Molmente, referring to the barbarous alterations going on in Venice, and the gradual disappearance of all that was picturesque gives, in an article entitled 'Delenta Venetiae,' some personal

recollections of the Venice of ten or twenty years ago, as a sorrowful adieu to the Venice that is now fast vanishing.-D. Selvagni, reviewing De Cesare's Conclave of Leone XIII., says its chief merit is having proved, by undeniable documents, that the Church never enjoyed more liberty than under the present Pope.-Ignazio Guidi gives a short account of the peoples and languages of Abyssinia, a subject of great interest to Italians just now.-Carlo Anfesso describes, in a popular manner, the known existing microbes.-Signor Bonghi examines the question of the crisis in Germany, and doubts whether the securing of the septenuate will secure peace. The bibliographical bulletin mentions Robert Giffen's Essays on Finance, praising their accuracy and detail, but not entirely agreeing with the conclusions arrived at. (Feb. 16th).—In an article on the 'First and Last of Verdi's Works,' F. D'Arcais opines that Verdi's great merit in Otello is that he has, as regards its form, not followed any system, but has succeeded admirably in his intention that the music should illustrate and support the drama. The article, too long to quote, is very interesting.-G. Chearini contributes a full description of Hall's book, Society in the Elizabethan Age.-P. Livy, in an article entitled 'A Marine Monster,' gives an account of the appearance of supposed sea-serpents, and concludes that it is possible that unknown gigantic monsters really hide in the depths of the ocean.-G. Gozzoli has a long article on the 'Commission of Enquiry into Charitable Institutions in Italy.'-There follows an important article by General Brown of San Remo, on the Italians in Africa,' all in favour of Italy's obtaining firm footing in that part of the world, and insisting that to do so she needs a stronger government, a more intelligent and less bureaucratic administration, and greater calmness and common sense.-Signor Antona-Traversa contributes a very interesting article on the songs of Recanate.

LA NUOVA ANTOLOGIA (March 1st).-F. Muscogiuri, referring to the centenary of the birth of Upland on the 26th inst., dedicates a long article, with many quotations from his works, to that great German author.- O. Marrucchi writes on the last moments of an Egyptian Pharaoh, apropos of the uncovering of the mummy of Ramses II.-E. Mancini has an article on Fashionable Poisons,' deprecating their habitual use. - Captain Mariotti writes at length and with much acumen on military education and instruction in Italy. -An archæological description of an Albanian marriage in Calabria; and a paper on the Elections in Ger many,' conclude the number. (March 16).-In this number P. Villari commences A History of the Commune of Rome in the Middle Ages.' Turbulent and subject to many vicissitudes, Rome was a constant centre of revolution and civil wars, through which the commune bravely struggled, but never succeeded, for any length of time, in preserving an orderly life and administration. The writer hopes that he will be able to show that all through the Middle Ages there was in Rome a people which fought for liberty and independence; a municipality which lacked nothing of the substantial character of Italian communes; and the history of which acquires larger importance, from the fact that it is so intimately connected and mixed with the history of Italy, that whoever seeks a point from which to gain a wide look-out must necessarily fix his attention on Rome.-P. Livy gives an account of Agazziz, founded on the Memoirs published by his wife. -Captain Mariotti writes on Military Education in Italy,' hoping to inspire the reader with the conviction that the Italian army, as far as concerns education and instruction, is not much behind the German army, which is justly considered the best organised in Europe.-XXX. has a long article on Parliamentarianism and Patriotism during the Present Crisis,' in which the writer states what long experience of men and things suggests to him as the true solution of a crisis which ought to end quickly. After describing the late events in the Italian Parliament, he concludes by giving his opinion that, with a slight sacrifice, the present ministry might remain in office, and seek to regain the time lost.-In the Review of Foreign Literature,' the critic, E. Nencione, notices with admiration Symonds' Sir Philip Sidney. 'When I came to the last page,' he says, 'the regret to have finished this enjoyable work was tempered by the joy of having made the intimate acquaintance with one of the men who most honour human nature.' He then criticises Stevenson's Mary Stuart's Early Life, describing it as a collection made with rare