literary matter is drawn from a wide variety of authorities and clearly and tastefully wrought. The Legends of Place are from German sources, for the first time really Anglicised, and the Myths include all that the sculptures and paintings of the galleries of Rome, Florence, the Louvre, Munich, Vienna, Dre-den, and Berlin, embrace. Mrs. Clement's aim has been a compact hand-book of reference in reading and in visiting art galleries abroad, and her work is a very handsome success. It has passed immediately to a second edition, as it deserved. ROMAN IMPERIALISM, AND OTHER LECTURES AND ESSAYS. By J. R. Seeley, M.A., Professor of Modern History in the University of Cambridge. (Author of " Ecce Homo.") Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1871. Pp. 335. If Professor Seeley had never written Ecce Homo, we should look upon this book as a valuable, but not a particularly remarkable, contribution to the books of the year; and, inasmuch as the Professor has already written Ecce Homo, we confess to a little feeling of disappointment in taking up these essays. This is owing partly to the topics, scarcely one of which seems to have awakened in the writer any such enthusiasm and power as the theme of the former book. In the first lecture we have a discussion upon the great Roman Revolution under Cæsar; and then the Cause of the fall of the Empire is taken up; then follows some account of the Later Empire. Next are essays upon Milton's political opinions and upon his poetry. Then Elementary Principles in Art, Liberal Education in Universities, English in Schools. The Church as a teacher of Morality, and the Teaching of Politics, comprise the remaining topics. The essays upon Education are very suggestive. The essay upon the Teaching of Politics is one of the very best in the book. No preacher can fail of finding profit in studying Professor Seeley's style, which is most admirable for directness aud clearness. SIX BOOKS OF THE ENEID OF VIRGIL: Notes and vocabulary by Th. Chase, M.A., Prof. Haverford Coll. (Pa.) Phil.: Eldridge & Bro. Pp. 338. The references are to six Latin Grammars, throughout, with three pages of extra references to another, and to fifteen commentators. Yet the notes are brief and terse, generally not too helpful, occupying 90 pages and the vocabulary 108. The learning involved is up to the present standard, and the print, though small, excellent. W. B. Keen & Cooke are the Chicago publishers. CHIPS FROM A GERMAN WORKSHOP. By F. Max Müller, M.A. Volume III. 12 mo. Pp. 492. New York: Charles Scribner & Co. Chicago: S. C. Griggs & Co. These chips show the quality of the material and the workman The essays, sixteen in number, are diverse in subject-matter which is gleaned over a wide field. An essay on German Literature leads off, in which are sketched, with great clearness and discrimination, the rise and progress of the German language, and the work it has found to do. The Ship of Fools, by Sebastian Brant, who lived from 1457 to 1521, is the subject of the third essay. Brant did his work in the opening dawn, rather than in the daylight of the Reformation, indicating, in his course of thought, the ground swell of coming events. The next essay is a review of sundry biographies of Schiller; a deeply interesting article, setting forth the character, the labors and fame of that great poet; and the relations of Schiller to Goethe, his masterly rival, showing how, from a protracted antagonism, they became the closest of friends. Old German Love Songs, with ancient specimens, delineating the tender passion in rhyme, is the subject of a short paper; and Wilhelm Müller, as the Anacreon of Germany, is introduced, illustrating the rela tions of wine and mirth. In this paper, the convivialities of the upper circles in Germany are mirrored forth in style rather too fascinating for the safe perusal of fast students in America. To a German scholar, even of high Christian character, this seems all in keeping with good manners and good morality, while it is a scene which good Yankee temperance men, fresh from the homes of steady habits and high-toned principles, can hardly endure. The paper entitled "Bacon in Germany," maintains that this great English philosopher is really no philosopher at all, unless the title is accorded to him by a great stretch of meaning, or, as by courtesy; and then it is maintained that his philosophy ends where all true philosophy begins. In the discussion of "Cornish Antiquities," the favorite subject of language comes up again, and it is maintained that the ancient inhabitants of Cornwall were Celts, who, speaking Celtic, carried on commerce with the East before the Christian Era, and furnished the Greek and Trojan heroes with tin and copper. But a leading object of the discussion is to show that "Language alone binds people together and keeps them distinct from other people who speak different tongues. In ancient times particularly, languages and nations meant the same thing; and even with us, our real ancestors are those whose language we speak, the fathers of our thoughts, the mothers of our hopes and fears. Blood, bones, and hair and color, are mere accidents, utterly unfit to serve as principles of scientific classification for the great family of human beings, the essential characteristics of which are thought, not fibrine, serum, coloring matter, or whatever else enters into the composition of blood.” (Page 255.) This sentiment, we think, is too strongly expressed to coincide with the generally received view; and yet, its truthfulness established, would be a strong element of hope in the difficult problem which now lies before the American people. The closing article of the series is an earnest review of sundry memoirs of Baron Chevalier Bunsen. This article is worth the cost of the volume. After the essays follow ninety-eight pages of Baron Bunsen's letters to Max Müller. WHITAKER'S ALMANAC, FOR 1871. London: Paternoster Row. Pp. 326. From constant use of this Almanac, (issue for 1870), we can unqualifiedly recommend it to any one who needs multifarious English statistics. It is a perfect marvel of condensation, accuracy, neatness, minuteness, and cheapness. How is it possible to get a mass of facts so great for a "shilling” book? How afford the book? We know nothing in its line equal to it. THE HANDY ATLAS; Containing the Modern Geography of all countries, and maps of Ancient and Historical Geography. By John Bartholomew, F. R. G. S., with a copious index. Chicago: 1871, Callaghan, Cockroft & Warren. Price $5.00. Sold only by agents. This atlas is properly named. It contains thirty-eight maps, in large octavo form. The volume is convenient and portable. The maps, though not large, are singularly distinct and pleasing to the eye, an effect secured by tasteful coloring, and by the omission of confusing details. The eye instantly catches the chief features and localities of the country represented, and the minor features can readily be located, from the copious index, which contains sixteen thousand names of places, with the latitude and longitude of each. No special prominence is given to the United States, which occupy only one two-page map. But we have Canada, West Indies, Australia, France, (in departments), Switzerland, etc., and not only England, Scotland, Ireland, but Britain under the Romans, and Britain under the Saxons, an a historical map of the British Islands. The | urchaser will find this a handy atlas," and if he does not expect too much for five dollars, will be pleased with it. 66 REPORT ON THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE STATE OF IOWA; Charles A. White, State Geologist; Orestes H. St. John, Assistant; Rush Emery, Chemist. Des Moines: Mills & Co., 1870. Pp. 391 and 443. The Chicago publishing houses must look to their laurels, green and recent as they are, if Iowa book makers, like those who show their fair and noble handiwork in these royal octavo volumes, go on improving, New York and "Riverside " presses will be outdone west of the Mississippi. Paper, type, press-work, cuts, lithographs, maps, binding, are all of the handsomest. The stone-gravers of Des Moines show special and exquisite skill. The colored geological map-models are very beautiful. The errata are comparatively few but two pages in all-though some of the writers had no opportunity to correct at all, and none to make final corrections. The paper is delicately tinted, and heavy, the pages handsome, with ample margins, and the whole an elegant piece of scientific book-making, hardly to be surpassed anywhere, and exceedingly creditable to the "State Printers of Iowa." Of the text we expected, and may yet have, a competent critical account from scientific hands. ANDERSON'S MANUALS OF HISTORY. General History to 1859. Pp. 419. Pictorial United States to 1869. Pp. 363. Grammar School United States, to 1869. Pp. 194. History, How to teach it; same author. One peculiarity, and a commendable one, of these books, is a series of progressive maps, nicely and distinctly colored, showing the occupancy of the earth by man at different periods. The General History has nine, begin ning with the Persian Empire, 500 B. C. and ending with the U. S. in the close of the revolution. The Grammar School History has four, closing with the country west of the Mississippi, after the rebellion -new territories, etc. The text is concise, not overburdened with detail, the style flexible and attractive. The wood engravings in the pictorial are abundant, and inferior only to those in Harpers' Scott. MARGARET'S OLD HOME: a Tale of Christian Love. By the Author of "The New Commandment," etc. Pp. 364. $1.50. Boston: Israel P. Warren, 109 Washington street. Chicago: H. A. Sumner, 110 Dear born street. JOANNA; or, Learning to Follow Jesus. By Marion Haven. Pp. 280. $1.25. Boston: Israel P. Warren. Chicago: H. A. Sumner. VIOLET AND DAISY; or, the Picture with Two Sides. By the Author of "Rosa Lindsay," etc. Pp. 235. $1.15. Boston: Israel P. Warren. Chicago: H. A. Sumner. THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT. Pp. 151. 65 cts. Boston: Israel P. Warren. Chicago: H. A. Sumner. These four volumes are the first issues of Dr. Warren, as a private publisher, and fully sustain the enviable reputation which he gained as Editor of the American Tract Society's (Boston) publications. He has rare taste and skill in the preparation of attractive and useful books for the household and the Sabbath - School,- books that are both instructive and readable. MARGARET'S OLD HOME, illustrates graphically and impressively the power of a single individual, constrained by Christian love, to reform and bless a godless family, and a benighted neighborhood. JOANNA, is a well-written story of two bright German children, who emigrated to this country upon invitation of a worldly and prosperous uncle in New York. The narrative of the difficulties they encountered in adapting themselves to their new life, their fidelity to Christian training and principles, and their ultimate success, is life-like, and can not fail to awaken and deepen sympathy for the multitudes of emigrants who seek homes in this "New World." VIOLet and Daisy, is a natural picture of Scottish life among the wealthy and cultured classes, as contrasted with that among the poor and lowly. The tone of the book is healthy, and it is fitted to awaken Chris. tian sympathy for the poor and suffering, and stimulate those who have abundance to find their happiness in ministering to the needy. THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT, is a reprint from the English edition, and is designed to show how that "industry, sobriety, honesty, and the fear of God, are the good Angels which conduct to true prosperity." We heartily commend all these volumes for Sabbath-School Libraries. author of the New York : FRANK AUSTIN'S DIAMONDS, AND EAGLE CRAG. By the Golden Ladder Series, etc. Pp. 196-203. 75 cents each. Robert Carter & Brothers. Chicago: W. G. Holmes. These volumes are four and five of the Drayton Hall series, which are designed to illustrate the teachings of the Beatitudes. They are well written and make plain to the apprehension of children the blessedness of those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness," and of the "merciful." THE LORD'S PRAYER. By Henry J. Van Dyke, D.D. 12 mo. Pp 194. Dr. Van Dyke proceeds with the earnestness of a ripe Christian in deep sympathy with his subject. After carefully reading the book, we think of no material exceptions which we should take to his positions, while there is much material of great excellence. THE BROKEN BUD; or, Reminiscences of a Bereaved Mother. 16 mo. Pp. 325. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. Chicago: Wm. G. Holmes. This book reveals, in substance, just what every tender mother feels toward a dear child in similar circumstances. Bereaved mothers will find in this book much of the unspoken language of their own hearts. THE KINDERGARTEN; A manual for the Introduction of Froebel's System of Primary Education into Public Schools, and for the Use of Mothers and Private Teachers. By Dr. Adolph Douai. With Sixteen Plates. 12 mo. Pp. 136. New York: E. Steiger. The general system of object lessons for very young children, meets with increasing approbation by those who make this department of teaching a specialty. This book commences low enough on the scale to meet the wants of all who have any available capacity for learning. The child commences on this system, just where the simplest form of play is made to lap over upon study, and unconsciously plays himself into work. The lessons are given in both English and German. When mere object lessons are relied upon as the sole means for progress, after the child is capable of entertaining abstract ideas, the system will occasion loss instead of gain. THE WONDER SERIES. Wonderful Escapes. With 26 Plates. The Wonders of Engraving. With 34 Wood Engravings. New York: Chas. Scribner & Co. Chicago: W. G. Holmes. Two additional volumes in a series which, while full of thrilling incident, is yet true. MAX KROMER: a Story of the Siege of Strasburg 1870. By the Author Chicago: W. G. of “ Alone in London." New York: Dodd & Mead. Holmes. Pp. 184. 18 mo. BELLE POWERS' LOCKET. By Joanna H. Mathews. ter & Brothers. Chicago: W. G. Homes. Pp. 242. New York: R. Car18 mo. New York: R. Car THE BABE AT THE WEDDING; and other narratives. THE BAG OF BLESSINGS; or the Singing Tailor. By Rev. P. B. Powers. New York: R. Carter & Brothers. Chicago: W. G. Holmes. Pp. 252. 18 mo. |