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Minor Notices 175 The History of Maiden, Massaehusetts, i6js-ij8j, by Deloraine Pendre Corey. (Maiden, the author, 1S99, pp. xviii, 870.) This vol- ume is the result of nearly half a century's research and study ; and the author's intelligence, diligence and acumen are discovered in every chap- ter. In addition to the subjects usually treated in a town history, are the English Maldon ; a study of the formation of the town government and of the duties of all the several officers ; the Marmaduke Matthews troubles and their important bearing on the ecclesiastical history of Mass- achusetts ; Joseph Hills and his pre-eminence in the preparation and codification of the Colony Laws of 1 648-1 649, which is demonstrated, and the claims advanced by prominent writers on behalf of Capt. Edward Johnson disproved ; the Rev. Michael VVigglesworth — a more complete treatment of his life and work than even Dean's admirable Life ; the French Neutrals ; lists of Maiden men in Philip's War ; the French War, and the Revolution, with their respective service ; and a chapter on Mai- den in the Navy which contains much new matter and assigns to Capt. Daniel Waters his proper place in the naval history of the Revolution. The famous instructions of May 27, 1776, to the town's representative, instructing him to support any declaration of independence which the Continental Congress might make, are here first printed as they appear upon the town records. The old, wide-spread, and persistently held hypothesis that Joseph Hills married Rose Dunster is, we hope, here finally exploded by giving the register of his marriage to Rose Clarke, of Burstead Magna, Biller- icay, Essex. Mr. Corey's dependence on original authorities, his full citations and copious notes will satisfy scholars, who will also commend his thorough- ness of treatment and his purpose to portray our forefathers as they were — with all their faults and limitations. The volume, printed at the University Press, is illustrated and well indexed. It is entitled to high rank in the department of local history because of its valuable contribution to knowledge and of the admirable manner of its arrangement and execution. Henry H. Edes. Coiutitutional History of South Carolina from iy2^ to IJ75- By D. D. Wallace, A.M. Presented at Vanderbilt University for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. (Abbeville, S. C, 1899, pp. xi, 93.) Start- ing out with the thesis that the growing power of the Commons House of Assembly is the most noteworthy feature of colonial history. Dr. Wal- lace devotes a few chapters to the framework of the government and then proceeds to discuss the controversy between the governor and council on one side and the assembly on the other. Special stress is laid on the disputes over money bills, as it was by gaining control over the purse that the assembly secured a position of supremacy in the government. Though the manuscript journals and public records at Columbia have been carefully used, a few minor errors have crept into the book, as, for