Alice through the Looking-Glass, and other Fairy Plays for Children. By Kate Freiligarth-Kroeker. London: W. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

We have here four nice little plays for children, which, if somewhat wanting in dramatic incident, make up this by genial humour. The dialogues are easy, never dull, and abound in the gentle drollery of repeating grotesque words easily learnt by children and capable of being effec tively rendered. This field of amusement is not half sufficiently cultivated. The selection before us comprises also some pretty German melodies set to humorous words of the nursery type. The book will be a welcome aid to juvenile Christmas parties. The printing and binding are excellent.

True to Himself; or, the Story of Savonarola. By Frances E. Cooke. London: W. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

The touching story of the great Italian martyr is here detailed in glowing terms. His yearning after usefulness and intense devotedness to his calling are well described. At last he made himself heard. Crowds flocked to hear him wherever he went. His power of the Italians increased and rendered him an object of dislike to the Pope. The story of his persecution and martyrdom is generally too well known to need detail from us, and may be learned from the able pages before us. The book is excellently printed on fine and delicately-toned paper. The binding is neat and good.

Tales of the Olden Times. By Ella Baker. London: W. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

We have here a pleasing collection of tales free from everything sensational or exciting, and free also from inspiring children with a love of the warlike which marks many tales. Several of the tales are founded on history, others are traditional, but all are deserving of commendation. The printing, bearing the impress of 'The Modern Press,' is hardly satisfactory-more to bad ink than to defective type, though that is faulty. This-probably cheap-will also spoil the woodcuts. From the modern press we expect something better than the ordinary productions of the old. The pretty cover bears the title of 'Stories from Old History.'

The Life of John Wiclif. By William Chapman. London: W. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

We have in a beautifully-printed little book on paper fit for a de luxe edition an interesting life of the great herald of the Reformation. This is prefixed by a general sketch of the rise of the pontifical power that culminated in the craven submission of John after the two years' interdict. The Barons took no notice of the Papal claims, to the great rage of the Pope, who issued a bull annulling the Charta. But the Barons were made of very different stuff to be frightened by Papal Bulls, and after this the kings of England ascended the throne without taking the oath of fealty. In the reign of Edward II. the yearly tribute of 1,000 marks was discontinued, and the Pope was so shorn of his power as to think it wise not to make any remonstrances! Now and then arose good men and true among the priests who opposed the most glaring of Papal abuses. Among these were Greathead (Robert Grossetête), Bishop of Lincoln; Henry of Bracton, the great lawyer; William of Oscam, the Franciscan; Richard Fitzralph, Primate of Ireland'; and the Profound Doctor' Thomas Bradwardine, who contributed largely by his personal influence to the successes of Edward III. in France. But all these pale before the star of John Wiclif, whose patriotism and love of the poor was as remarkable as his religious zeal. To this spirited sketch we refer the reader, regretting that our limits preclude quotations from the well-written pages.

Hiawatha and other Legends of the Wig-
wams. Compiled by Cornelius Matthews.
London: W. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.
The name of Hiawatha may induce some to expect
a reprint or summary of Longfellow's beautiful poem. But
on taking up this book they will see instead a collection
of delightful tales founded on the legendary lore of the
North American Indians. The poetry of the folk-lore of
all nations is perhaps more seen in the fairy tales_that
exist in all languages, and which doubtless formed the
principal solace of rest from labour in the infancy of
nations. Gladly we turn to it also as a grateful relief
from our history, geography, and other most useful but
alas! most dry studies. More gladly will our rather over-
worked youthful readers here revel in the rich yet by no
means uninstructive fields of North American poetical
legend. We notice with pleasure a goodly list of the
same publishers, entitled 'The Fairy Tales of All Nations.'
We hope, and from the book before us may expect, some
at least of these may justify the remark of Dr. Johnson
in speaking of the Arabian Nights,'' Robinson Crusoe,'
and 'The Pilgrim's Progress,' as the three books that
every one wishes were without an end. Of course we
must grind away about London being on the Thames, and
Paris being the capital of France, and all that, but now
that Christmas is coming, let our youthful readers enjoy
the sweet plums they will find in this capital pudding.
The Heroes of African Discovery and

Adventure. By C. E. Boume. London: W.
Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

Among the books of African exploration, few that we have met with are more readable, and in other respects commendable than the one before us. It treats of the course of African discovery from the death of Livingstone to the present year. With a goodly number of very good full-page woodcuts, several capital maps printed in colours, and a few extra illustrations also printed in colours, nothing is wanted to render the book attractive as well as readable. We ought to add that well-drawn portraits of the 'Heroes of African Discovery' adorn the chapters devoted to each.

Tales from the Edda. By Helen Zimmern. London W. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

Norse literature has received considerable attention of late, but is yet capable of yielding much pleasing fruit, especially of the legendary kind. The exuberant fancy which bears remarkable impress of the wild features of northern scenery is shown in the legends of Odin, Thorthe ruler of the clouds, storms, and hurler of the thunderbolt-the sinless and beneficent Baldur, the crafty trickster, Loki, together with the beautiful Freyja (Friga), and other goddesses, are often quoted to show the affinities between Norse and Greek Pantheism. The merry times of the Norse heroes in Asgard are told in Edda, from which collection the present pleasing little book is made up. The illustrations, mostly by Kate Greenaway, show that this lady is equally at home with the severe and classical as with the quaint and charming grandmotherly little girls with whom she is so pleasingly associated. Both printing and binding are commendable.

Handwork and Headwork. By the Baroness Bülow. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.

This is a translation by Mrs. Christie from the German of one of the well-known Kinder-Garten manuals, written in the keynote of Froebel's educational theory, which we gather to be that we must not overload young children's brains with hard knowledge, but teach them by amusements and illustrations suitable to their infantile capacity the truths that may make their lives happier and more useful hereafter. It is, in fact, much what Charles Kingsley taught in that humorous episode about the turnip-headed children in Water Babies,' showing what a muddled mass their brains had become through overeducation of the mind before proper development of the body. Early precocity is often fatal, always harmful.

Homer's Stories Simply Told. By C. H. Han

son. With ninety-seven illustrations by Flaxman and others. Nelson and Son.

The pictures alone are more than sufficient recommendation for this beautiful volume, which the classic pencils of Flaxman, Blake, and Retsch (at least so we guess at the anonymous' others') have combined to illustrate thus copiously. With respect to the literary part, Mr. Hanson has herein and with similar success followed the timehonoured lead of Charles Lamb, in his well-known 'Tales from Shakespeare.' However, as metrical expression is in itself a special charm, we cannot for our own parts see that prose is any improvement upon poetry; and if we were required to read-whether aloud or quietly-the famous stories wherewith the Iliad and the Odyssey are so full, we should prefer (if not equal to the Greek originals) such metred versions as those of Derby, Cooper, or Chapman, or even the less accurate but still very vigorous rendering of our old friend Alexander Pope. But, after all, brevity is a need-be in this life, and if picturesque poetical descriptions are summed up shortly in simple prose, something is no doubt gained for patience and clearness; and so Mr. Hanson's labour in an educational sense is thus far practically of value.

Lost in the Backwoods. By Mrs. Traill. Nelson and Sons.

A story of three children, who, in the Canadian wilds of fifty years ago, get lost in the woods, and quite impossibly live the lives of juvenile Robinson Crusoes, encountering all sorts of risks and hardships apparently 'without turning a hair,' and falling in with divers now extinct tribes of Chippewas, Mohawks, and the like, who appear mainly in the very amiable but unlikely character of benefactors. It is a tale of woodcraft and wilderness adventure to interest children, but, considered as a contribution to educational literature, our Practical Teaching would send readers elsewhere for reliable information as to Canada or the Red Men, or the feasibility of an Eden-like livelihood where all must be hardship and peril and ultimate starvation. The volume is prettily illustrated and tastily bound.

Recent Expeditions to Eastern Polar Seas under the Austrian Government.

With

twelve engravings and two charts. London : Nelson and Sons.

We have here in a popular and decorative form for the English reader the result of several years' hardship and adventure in the Arctic Circle-a most easy and luxurious way of encountering and overcoming the perils and costs of extreme travel; and the enterprising firm of Messrs. Nelson and Sons have thus made pleasantly accessible to those who in these rapid times both 'read and run,' all that may be learnt from the voyages of the Hansa, the Germania, and the Tegethoff. Of course, to get the full benefit of this, the lively little volume must be steadily read: but on the most cursory view the eye is caught by the spirit and beauty of the illustrations, while the interest of readers is enthralled on every page by the courageous hardihood of our race in combating hopelessly the indomitable rigours of a well-nigh everlasting winter. However, geographical knowledge has been advanced by some few leagues forcibly conquered. Northwardly and eastwardly, and in the short Polar summer, the Tegethoff found an open sea in latitude 77° 40' N., longitude 61 E.

In the Temperate Regions; or, Nature and Natural History in the Temperate Zones. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row.

This is a prettily-bound and well-illustrated volume, full of animal anecdote and human adventure and travel; sure to be a favourite with prizewinners at schools, and in fact with girls and boys and more grown-up children everywhere. It is thoroughly recommendable as a gift

book. For the amusement of our readers we add one or two of its stories. Here is one of a 'grizzly' :

'A party of voyagers, who had been employed all day in working a canoe up the rapids of the Saskatchewan, had seated themselves in the twilight by a fire, and were busily preparing their supper, when a large grizzly bear sprang over their canoe, which they had tilted behind them as a protection against the wind, and seizing one of the party by the shoulder, carried him off. The rest fled in terror, with the exception of a half-blood named Bourasse, who grasped his gun and pursued the bear as it retreated leisurely with its prey. He called to his unfortunate comrade that he was afraid of hitting him if he fired at the bear: but the man besought him to fire immediately, as he was being squeezed to death. Whereupon Bourasse took a steady aim and discharged his rifle into the body of the bear, which instantly dropped its prey to follow this new antagonist. The latter, however, escaped, though with some difficulty, and the bear retreated into the dense coppice, where it is supposed to have died.' Here is another about an eagle, to parallel the Harpy of Odysseus :

'The birds of prey in Central Asia have so little fear of men that they boldly enter the encampments of travellers and carry off provisions. An incident of this nature is described by the Abbé Hue, who on one occasion had seated himself, along with his companions, to sup on a quarter of a kid prepared by the skilful hands of a Tartar cook. "We had just planted ourselves," he says, “in a triangle on the grassy sward, having in our midst the lid of the pot, which served instead of a dish, when suddenly we heard a noise like thunder over our heads. A great eagle darted down upon our supper, and rose again with arrowy rapidity, carrying off in his claws some slices of kid. When we had recovered from our surprise we could do nothing but laugh at the adventure. However, our Tartar follower could not laugh, not he, but was exceedingly angry, not so much on account of the stolen kid, as because the eagle, in flying off, had insolently struck him with the tip of his wing.""

Ralph's Year in Russia. A Story of Travel and Adventure. With nine engravings. London and Edinburgh Nelson and Sons.

Mr. Richardson, who dedicates the book 'to my father and mother in love,' has here given us the experiences of a youth of fifteen who accompanied his family for a year to St. Peterburg for education, as he thereby 'will have an excellent opportunity of acquiring two foreign languages, French and Russian:' and besides ordinary adventures and social scenes, Ralph contrives in his eventful year not only to exhaust St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Nidji Novgorod, but also to visit Siberia, and be hunted by wolves, bears, and the like; in fact, it is a pity that Ralph was not invented to be older than from fifteen to sixteen all told, as well as that the insertion of some well-known descriptions forbids us to believe that these Russian adventures are the author's autobiography, which the affectionate dedication half leads one to expect. There is not much of a story to be told beyond the daily life of a family moving in the rich and luxurious circle of Russian good society, the manners and customs whereof are described with fairly graphic power. The illustrations are very good, especially the picture of that giant palace, the Kremlin.

First Readings: Christian Doctrine. London: Bemrose and Sons.

We do not remember ever to have seen so much sound doctrine couched in simple yet beautiful words (mostly from the best of books) as is printed in this neatly got up little volume of thirty-two pp. The work is worthy of the highest praise, and is admirably adapted for the home, Sunday-school, or religious instruction in dayschools.

Some charming illustrations from the pencil of Mr. Gunston enhance the value of the book.

The Parallel New Testament. Oxford University Press.

It is almost too late in the day for us to add our welldeserved word of censure to the general condemnation of the New Revision. The time-honoured volume it was meant to supersede is happily more popular than ever. Dr. Conquest's 'Bible with 20,000 emendations,' now quite scarce, is hardly a greater failure; in the doctor's case (and the zealous venture ruined him) the cause was patent: he confessed in his preface total ignorance of the original languages, and so ignorantly and easily guessed at his corrections. In the revisors' case the causes of reaction in public opinion are quite as evident, being chiefly these: viz., first, that whereas the Authorized Greek text was to be translated, they commenced operations by setting up a new one, derived mainly from some recent MSS.; secondly, that whereas they promised to make as few changes as possible-and in fact those only of a necessary character-they have gone out of their way to alter without improving no fewer than 36,000 verbal renderings! thereby quite superseding that most useful book, Cruden's Concordance [they have been forced to make a new one], destroying and perverting innumerable passages in our literature, both prose and poetry, where the dear old book has been for ages accurately quoted, and shaking the faith of millions amongst our agnostic readers, not only as to verbal inspiration, but as to inspiration at all. Thirdly, after eleven years of monthly visits to London, with all expenses paid, the self-elected council of thirty have sent out all over the world a version not only of unreasonable and unmitigated change, but one wherein, if some small errors are corrected, very much greater ones have been perpetrated. Out of instances innumerable take these three: the sublime angelic message, ' Peace on earth, goodwill towards men, is actually rendered 'Peace on earth towards men of goodwill:' the apocalyptic' vials' are turned vulgarly into bowls;' and even the Lord's prayer has been tampered with, changing 'evil' generally into 'the evil one' particularly. But we have neither space nor patience for more: our animadversions might extend to a volume; and, indeed, there is quite a library extant on the subject, from Dean Burgon to Washington Moon. This Parallel Edition only serves to show more clearly the great superiority of our Authorized Version over that of those unauthorized revisors.

6

Macmillan's Progressive French Course. First Year. By G. Eugène-Fasnacht. London : Macmillan and Co.

This little primer contains a very fair first year's course, and we can confidently say that the child who has carefully and thoroughly worked through the fifty lessons of which it consists, will have no inconsiderable stock of knowledge on which to build up his after studies of the language. The lessons are very carefully graduated, and the words used in them and the vocabularies have been evidently chosen from their frequent occurrence in daily reading and conversation. This is a point too often lost sight of by many writers of French grammars and exercises, where works abound with words of the most out-ofthe-way description. There is one little thing in M. Fasnacht's book which does seem a little odd. It is that the use of the contracted forms of the article (du, au, etc.) is not dealt with until the learner has advanced about onethird through the book (pp. 28, 29). From the frequency of the occurrence of these forms in conversation and literature we should have thought the learner's acquaintance with them could hardly have been made too early.

First Latin Grammar. By M. C. Macmillan, M.A. London: Macmillan and Co.

There is, of necessity, not much that can be novel in a Latin grammar, but what there is, in the way of arrangement or mode of treatment, peculiar to Mr. Macmillan's

little book, is both well considered and well carried out. The quantities of the syllables have been carefully marked throughout, and thus much assistance is given to both teacher and learner. We say assistance to the teacher advisedly, for we all know how difficult it is to correct a false pronunciation when once thoroughly ingrained. We are glad to see that the author thinks as we do, that in a book intended for young learners the sandwiching-in of notes and addenda in small print amongst the other matter is to be avoided as much as possible, since it tends to distract and confuse the mind. In this book the notes are placed at the bottom of each page and may be omitted until the large print has been thoroughly learnt. Those facts and rules which could not be conveniently dealt with in short footnotes are relegated to the end, in the shape of five appendices, dealing respectively with the Latin Declension of Greek Nouns, Numerals, Roman Mode of Reckoning Time, Roman Money, and the Quantity of Syllables. The addition of a sixth appendix, dealing with the Old and New Methods of Pronunciation, would, we think, make the book more complete, and would prove a boon to many students.

Elementary Classics. (1) Virgil: Æneid I.

Edited, with Notes and Vocabulary, by A. S. Walpole, M.A. London: Macmillan and Co. This is a capital little book, thoroughly fitted by its neat and serviceable binding and its clear printing for school use. It contains all that is needed for a study of this first book of Virgil's Æneid—a life of the poet, the text of the poem, notes, and a vocabulary. The schoolboy has now no need to study from a large book containing all Virgil's works, by the aid of two or three larger dictionaries, but finds Lemprière, Liddell, and Scott, and Virgil, all within one cover. The text, being based on that of the best commentators, is as nearly faultless as can well be. We notice that many poetical quotations, illustrative of the text, from the versions of Conington, Morris, and others, and from the Odyssey, are given in the notes, with the intention (as expressed in the preface) of enabling a boy to realise for himself the way in which the artist uses his materials.' This is a feature which has much to recommend it.

The general features of this booklet are similar to the preceding, and what we said in favour of that one we have pleasure in repeating with reference to this. The contents consist of selections, edited for school use, from (1) the Fasti, entitled, 'Early Roman Legends'; (2) from the Epistles, under the heading The Heroines'; and (3) from the Tristia, dealing with 'Ovid's Personal History,' together with a Life of the Poet,' and carefully compiled Notes. This book, unlike the former, contains no vocabulary.

(3) Livy. Hannibalian War (Parts of the Twentyfirst and Twenty-second Books). By G. C. Macaulay, M.A.

One of the same series as the preceding, and equally fitted for school use. It is well, however, that the reader should bear in mind that this book is not a selection of extracts nor an edition of any part of the actual text of Livy, but that, in order to obtain a satisfactory Latin reading-book for the lower forms, the text of Livy has here 'been largely re-written and simplified,' and occasiona explanatory details have been added from Polybius. Mr. Macaulay appears to have effected his alterations and additions with great judgment and skill, and the result of his labours is the production of a very satisfactory and interesting book for junior class work. The two maps are excellent features, and are much clearer and better drawn than those in most books of a similar class. Altogether we can thoroughly recommend the book.

(4) Cæsar. De Bello Gallico. Lib. I. Edited, with Notes and Vocabulary, by A. S. Walpole, M.A.

Mr. Walpole, who, we gather from his preface, is himself a practical teacher, has in this little text-book given us as a result of his experience one of the most satisfactory and thorough introductions to the study of Cæsar's commentaries that we have met with. From beginning to end it is adapted to school use. The notes are judicious and concise, and the vocabulary at the end is supplementary to them, and contains explanations of all the more difficult idiomatic passages occurring in the text. The introductory sketch of Roman history in the time of Cæsar is, from its comprehensiveness and lucidity, not the least praiseworthy feature of the book.

Literature Primers. English Grammar. By the Rev. Richard Morris, M.A., LL.D. New Edition. London: Macmillan and Co. Mr. Morris's reputation as a philologist and grammarian is a sufficient guarantee for the excellence of this little manual. It would be a difficult matter to give in an equally lucid manner, and within the same number of pages, more information on the subject than is here afforded us. If we may venture to suggest any improvement to be adopted in a later edition, it would be the addition of a Scheme for Parsing, giving a detailed method of dealing with each part of speech. This, we feel sure, would be a boon to many teachers and students, and its insertion in a book having so large a circulation as the one of which we are now speaking, would aid materially in introducing uniformity in style and arrangement wherever grammar is taught.

Cassell's Book of Sports and Pastimes. Part 8, London: Cassell, Petter, Galpin, and Co.

A good number of a good serial. This part deals in plain, simple language with Light, Heat, and Electricity, and describes many an experiment and instrument which the amateur of ordinary intelligence and skill could fashion for himself. The illustrations are clear and to the purpose.

Cambridge Texts with Notes. By Wilhelm Wagner, Ph.D. (1) The Adelphoe of Terence. (2) The Andria of Terence. (3) The Phormio of Terence. (4) The Hauton Timorumenos of Terence. Cambridge: Deighton, Bell, and Co. Under the erudite editorship of Dr. Wagner it is little wonder that the above four small text-books are everything that is scholarly and thorough. The notes, placed at the end of each, are masterly in their way, and, while perfectly explanatory of the text and of the dramatic action of the piece, are not too voluminous and discursive on the minutia of scholarship. To the student of Latin versification the tables (given before the notes in each book) of the metres used in the play will be very wel

come.

The Universal Instructor; or, Self-Culture for All. London: Ward, Lock, and Co.

It is a pity a little more attention had not been given to the illustrations in this number. Several (especially that on p. 761) show signs of having been rather unmercifully clipped to suit the size of the page, and the title-piece to Chap. VII. is upside down.

The subject-matter, however, is well up to the mark, and the chapters on Modern History, by Dr. Dulcken, and those on Electricity, Light, and Sound, from the pen, we believe, of the late Thomas Dunman, are especially readable and instructive.

Battle and Victory; or, the Story of a Painter's Life. By Mrs. C. E. Bowen. Griffith and Farran.

The opposition so generally experienced by a genius of any kind from his inappreciative home circle, has become proverbial and Salvator Rosa is an example in point. His father, though himself an artist and architect, succeeded so little in his vocation, that he was resolved not 'to allow his son to take to the beggarly profession of painting,' but to force him into the priesthood for a living. Accordingly the boy runs away from home, and takes refuge with a brigand chief of the Abruzzo, who only spares his life as a probable spy by ocular demonstration on the spot that he is an actual painter; and so the great artist of brigand life gradually fought his way to fame, as from boyhood he had always declared he could and would do. He had conquered all difficulties, outlived envy, and could boast of having the hightest persons in the land desirous of being included in his acquaintance.' Such was the Battle and the Victory which Mrs. Bowen records and as we perceive on the title-page that she is also authoress of 'Brigand Tales,' doubtless it fell into the best hands for graphic and accurate construction.

Wee Babies. By I. Waugh and A. Blanchard London Griffith and Farran.

The Messrs. Griffith and Farran are evidently determined to keep up the prestige of the old house of Newbury and Harris, so famous for the production of wholesome nursery literature. Miss Waugh, whose bright 'Holly Berries' of last season our readers may remember, is responsible for the wee babies as they appear in the flesh, and Miss Blanchard as they are clad in words. Children cannot fail to be charmed with this delightful volume. We should like to see the youngster whose eyes would not sparkle with joy when the book was opened at -say page 19, Dinah's baby. We give this handsome volume our best word; and our readers who want an extra nice book for a present-a piece of advice-buy 'Wee Babies.' You will thank us.

Our Little Ones. Vol. for 1882. London : Griffith and Farran.

Our readers will, in name at least, be pretty familiar with this journal, which now appears in volume form. We endorse all the good things we have said of the parts. Original in matter, and illustrations printed as only the Americans know how, and bound in a style worthy of the old established house whose imprint it bears, 'Our Little Ones' is a treasure house of good things for the young. We hope our readers will not overlook this volume when selecting their prizes.

New Code. By Richard Gowing. London: Grant and Co.

In this pamphlet we have not only the text of the now famous Mundella Code, but explanatory notes from official documents, calculations of annual grants, an introduction to the Code, and index. Mr. Gowing, the able and painstaking editor of the School Board Chronicle, is responsible for the work, which, it is a pleasure to say, has been done remarkably well. To school board members, managers, and teachers, this manual is almost indispensable. It has our hearty praise.

Fly-Away Fairies and Baby Blossoms. By L. Clarkson. London: Griffith and Farran.

If 'a thing of beauty is a joy for ever' there need be no sadness in young hearts where this superbly got-up volume finds its way. We regard it as a masterpiece of colour printing and cover decoration. The poetry also is far above the average. The volume is fit to grace any drawing-room.