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TJie Green Bag.
A Treatise on the Law of Mortgages of Real Property. By Leonard A. Jones. Fifth edition. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, 1894. Two vols. Law sheep. $1 2.oo, net. The numerous editions through which Mr. Jones's works pass are the best possible evidence of their sterling worth. Few, indeed, of our law writers can boast such a record of unqualified success in legal literary work as the author of this treatise on Mort gages of Real Property. The reason is not far to seek. Painstaking, conscientious work, combined with good judgment and excellent discrimination, are the traits essential to the making of a good law book, and these Mr. Jones possesses to a remarkable de gree. The present work is so well known to the legal profession that any comment on the treatise itself would be superfluous. It is sufficient to say that it is by far the best treatise on the subject of which it treats. Although it is but five years since the last edition appeared, the necessity for another is apparent when it is stated that during that time some four thousand decisions have been rendered which are now embodied in the new edition. Other changes and improvements have been made, and, in its present form, the work is practically perfect. It will be cordially welcomed by both Bench and Bar. m1scellaneous. Out of Bohem1a, a Story of Paris Student-life. By Gertrude Christian Fosdick. George H. Richmond & Co., New York, 1894. Her evident acquaintance with the " Latin Quar ter " has enabled the author of this little book to give a delightful description of that most " Bohe mian" of all localities. Under the guise of a charm ing love story, the reader is given an insight into art ist life in Paris, and the perils which beset a young girl who visits that city alone for the purpose of study ing art are plainly set forth. The book is well writ ten and there is a thoroughly French flavor to it which gives a decided piquancy to its tone. By Moori.and and Sea. By Francis A. Knight, illustrated by the author. Roberts Brothers, Boston, 1894. Cloth. S1. 50. That Mr. Knight is a keen lover of nature, no one, after reading this book, can doubt. Its pages are filled with delicious bits of description, and are pervaded with the very spirit of out-door life. Whether on the open sea, on the moorlands or in the forest, the author is equally at home, and finds in all real inspiration. The book is a delightful one in every way, and the author's illustrations are in keeping with the text.
Abraham Lincoln's Complete Works. Com prising his speeches, letters, State papers and miscellaneous writings. Edited by John G. Nicolay and John Hay. The Century Co., New York, 1894. Two volumes. Cloth. Rarely, if ever, has a more valuable contribution been made to American historical literature than these two volumes, and certainly no collection of writings could possess a greater interest for the gen eral reader. In every line, from the opening address to the people of Sangammon County, delivered in 1832, to the last public address (April 11, 1865). the strong, rugged character of the " martyr" Presi dent shines out clearly, and the tender, loving nature of the man is everywhere apparent. The more we learn of the private life of Lincoln, and in no way can one obtain such a thorough insight as from his letters, the more we are impressed by the strongly marked personality of the man. Messrs. Nicolay and Hay have evidently used much care and discrim ination in selecting the letters and papers which make up the volume, and there is hardly one which 'is devoid of interest. Several poems are included. The following extract from one shows that Lincoln possessed real poetic spirit : — The friends I left, that parting day, How changed as time has sped! Young childhood grown, strong manhood gray, And naif of all are dead. I hear the loved survivors tell How naught from death could save, Till every sound appears a knell, And every spot a grave. I range the fields with pensive tread And pace the hollow rooms, And feel (companion of the dead) I'm living in the tombs. We heartily commend the book to all readers. They will find it instructive, entertaining and uplift ing. Total Eclipses of the Sun (Columbian Knowl edge Series). By Mabel Loomis Todd. Roberts Brothers, Boston, 1894. Cloth. S1. oo. This little volume gives an interesting description of the phenomena attending a total eclipse of the sun, together with accounts of the total eclipses of the past. The dates of future total eclipses during the next two or three hundred years are given, and it is noticeable that the United States come in for a very small share of them. The volume is profusely illustrated. Mrs. Todd writes in a very clear and lucid style, and invests a scientific subject with much interest for the general reader.
