J. B. Lippincott Company,—"Ancient History" by George Rawlinson, "Mediæval" by Professor George Thomas Stokes, and "Modern" by Professor Arthur St. George Patton,—these three volumes form an excellent manual for historical students at any stage of their education. They are neither so philosophical nor so declamatory as Professor Andrews's book; they only aim to tell the story of man from the outside in simple and intelligible words, and to deal very lightly with philosophical theories. A useful supplementary volume on "Geological History," the natural history of the earth and of its pre-human inhabitants, has been added by Edward Hull, director of the Geological Survey of Ireland. The idea of presenting a popular summary of the historical portion of geological science is a novel one, and the happy thought is happily carried out.
Under the title of "Knickerbocker Nuggets," Messrs. G. P. Putnam & Sons have begun a reissue of certain classics in dainty miniature form and in a binding and typography that are a delight to the eye. The volumes so far issued include "Select Tales from the Gesta Romanorum," "Headlong Hall and Nightmare Abbey," by Thomas Love Peacock, "Gulliver's Travels," and "Tales from Irving." Many readers will be especially glad to obtain those clever little satires by Peacock which evidently suggested to Mr. Mallock the scope and method of his "New Republic."
The series of "Lives of the Presidents," written for boys by William O. Stoddard (Stokes), has been continued by two new volumes, "Madison, Monroe, and John Quincy Adams" and "Jackson and Van Buren." These books are written agreeably and pleasantly, and even a grown reader need not be ashamed
to give them a place in his library, provided his teeth are not set on edge by the gilded and gaudy binding.
"Uncle Rutherford's Attic," by Joanna H. Mathews (Stokes), and "Esther," by Rosa Nouchette Carey (Lippincott), each bear the sub-title "A Book for Girls," and each can be placed with perfect safety in the hands of any member of the audience to which it is addressed. But if Paterfamilias is anxious to amuse his girls as well as to edify them, he had better choose Miss Carey's book, which is brighter and more readable, and gives a quite charming insight into English home-life.
Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes's "Our Hundred Days in Europe" (Houghton, Mifflin & Co.) is a cheery, genial, and wholesome record of his recent European trip, brightened up here and there with well-bred personalities concerning the distinguished and interesting persons whom he met. But, in spite of the biographic and autobiographic value of the book, it cannot take rank with his more serious work.
"The English Language, its Grammar, History, and Literature," by Professor J. M. D. Meiklejohn, of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland (D. C. Heath & Co.), is an intelligent and intelligible compilation, which combines in a handy and convenient form the features of a grammar, a history of the English language, and a history of English literature. The work is well done, and may be recommended not only to students, but to "all who wish for any reason to review the leading facts of English language and literature,"—a class of persons whom the author expresses a desire to reach.
