other abominations, which serve only to lower the self-respect of a prisoner. Life detention, lie believes solves the problem for the instructive and habitual criminal but short sentences should be the rule for first offenders. Another admirable suggestion is. "It is not the length of sentence, but promptness and certainty of trial and strict enforcement of sentence after conviction, that are the best aids toward a wholesome respect for the law, and a guarantee against relapse ... A prompt judiciary would do more to break the backbone of rampart crime than all other instrumentalities combined." Adverse cir cumstances and industrial depression are. according to the author, great inducements to crime, and the bettering of industrial conditions would ameliorate the tendency to crime. The book is one which will be read with interest and profit, and should be pro ductive of much good. A funicipal Program ' represents the result of present two years' in accordance unremittingwith and the painstaking original resolution endeavor of to the National Municipal League, -a working system consistent with American industrial and political con ditions, and embodying the essential principles that must underlie successful municipal government in this country." The proposed constitutional amend menu, and the proposed municipal corporations act constitute the municipal program which was unani mously adopted at the Columbus conference. These two documents, together with the leading papers presented at the Indianapolis and Columbus meet ings, and a " Summary of the Program " prepared by Prof. L. S. Rowe, constitute the report of the committee. Other valuable papers bearing upon the subject are also added. The book will appeal to all interested in •• good government." In a series of letters, purporting to have been written by two United States Army officers, Mr. Stephen Bonsel in The Golden Horseshoe* tells the story of expansion. The book is a strong argument in favor of a greater confidence in the men who are engaged upon the problems of peace in the West Indiesand the task of pacification in the East Indies which the irresistible course of events has forced upon us. The letters are exceedingly interesting and should arouse a feeling of confidence that our new problems will be resolved in a manner worthy, of the American people. 'A MUNICIPAL PROGRAM. Report of acommittee of the National Municipal League, adopted by the League, November 17, 1899, together with explanatory and other papers. The Macmillan Co., New York, 1900. Cloth S I.oo. 'Тик GOLDEN HORSESHOE. By Stephen Bonsel. The Macmillan Co., New York, 1900. Cloth $1.50.
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The Prehide and the Play1 is the title of a very in teresting story just published by Houghton. Miffin& Co. The plot is by no means novel. A man married to a woman, charming in every way. weakly yields to the blandishments of another woman and is discov ered by his wife in what seems to her a compromis ing position. She therefore leaves him, sails for Europe and announces her intention to never return to him unless he comes to fetch her. Of course he comes. Everything is satisfactorily explained and all ends happily. The story is well told and holds the reader's interest throughout. No one is more happy in reminiscence than Ed ward Everett Hale, and А Л'еы England Boyhood.1 which is an autobiography covering his life up to date of his graduation from college, is written in such a fresh, vigorous, we might almost say youth ful, style that it is hard to realize that the writer has long since passed his threescore years and ten. The boy of New England seventy years ago seems to have been much like the boy of to-day, and even if his surroundings were simpler and the rules of life more rigid than we are accustomed to, he neverthe less got a good deal of enjoyment out of existence. In addition to the story of his boyhood, Mr. Hale eral has interest. added a number The book of papers is thoroughly upon topics enjoyable of genand we commend it to our readers. Mr. Lindsay Swift in his Brook Farm* gives a delightful description of the most original community which was ever formed in this country. The indi viduals composing it have all been so prominently identified with American literature, that the story of this episode in their lives cannot but interest all readers. Mr. Swift not only deals with " Brook Farm " as an experiment, but gives a most entertain ing account of the characteristics of those connected with it. The book is very readable and well worth owning. In a Danvis Pioneer? Mr. Robinson tells the story of one of Ethan Allen's Green Mountain boys. The hero, a genuine yankee. after settling in the wilder3Тнв PRELUDE AND THE PLAY. By Rufus Mann. lloughton, Mufflin & Co., Kosten and New York, 1000. Cloth, 81.50. biography 4 A NEWbyENGLAND Edward BOYHOOD Everett Hale. and other Little, bitsBrown of auto& Co., Boston, 1900. Cloth, $1.50. 5 BROOK FARM. Its members, scholars and visitors. By Lindsay Smith. The Macmillan Co., New York, 1900. Cloth, 81.25. 6 A DANVIS PIONEER. By Rowland E. Robinson. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York, 1900. Cloth, $1.25.
