Book Notices.

A METHOD OF ENGLISH COMPOSITION. By T. WHITING BANCROFT, Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in Brown University. Boston: Published by Ginn, Heath & Co. 1884. Mailing price 65 cents.

In this little treatise of ninety-six pages, designed not to supplant but to supplement text-books now in use, the author discusses briefly yet clearly the principles and rules involved in the construction of effective and pleasing compositions. In his Introduction he treats of Rhetoric and its Relations, Rules for the Selection of a Theme, and Construction of Discourse; then follow discussions of (1) Explanatory Composition, involving four methods, viz.: Exposition, Description and Narration, Explication, and Comparison; (2) Argumentative Composition, so presented as to illustrate the relation in thought between the Inductive and Deductive processes; and (3) Persuasive Composition. A valuable feature of the work is a list of themes for composition, classified according to the divisions of the book, and specimens of plans of themes under each division.

THE ELEMENTS OF RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION: A Text-Book for Schools and Colleges. By DAVID J. HILL, LL.D., President of the University at Lewisburg, &c. New edition. Sheldon & Co., New York and Chicago. 1884. Introductory price $1.

The success of this text-book, measured by the large number of copies printed, has been such as to necessitate the preparation of new plates. The author has availed himself of this need to revise his work and to improve it by the addition of some valuable practical features. Its value as a text-book has been greatly increased by the Summaries and Review Exercises which have been inserted. Its aim is not to give a discussion of rhetoric as a science, but to furnish a compendium of rules for guidance in the art of writing. The volume is so arranged as to conduct the learner, step by step, through the entire work of writing a composition, including the selection of a subject, the accumulation of materials, the arrangement of the materials, the choice of words, the construction of sentences, the use of figures, the variation of expression, the preparation of the manuscript, the criticism of the completed production, and the classification of it as a specific form of composition.

THE ELEMENTS OF LOGIC: A Text Book for Schools and Colleges, being the Elementary Lessons in Logic, by W. STANLEY JEVONS, LL. D., F. R. S., late Professor of Logic in Owens College, Manchester, Eng.; Recast by DAVID J. HILL, LL. D., President of the University at Lewisburg, Pa., &c. Sheldon & Co., New York and Chicago. Introductory price $1.

Professor Jevons's Elementary Lessons in Logic, which constitutes the substance of this book, is characterized by freshness in the treatment of the subject, fullness and felicity of illustration, clearness and vigor of style, recognition of the logical methods of science as a part of logic, and a comprehensive presentation of recent views on the subject of reasoning. It was originally prepared for the use of English University students, yet its excellence was such that it was thought very desirable to adapt it to the use of American students. President Hill has done this by introducing a complete and precise analysis of the subject and a rearrangement of the text, by giving prominence to the cardinal principles and important doctrines, by systematizing the treatment

of Inductive Logic, and by adding summaries and other practical aids. The language of the author has been for the most part retained, except when a change was necessary to clearness.

THE REPORTING STYLE OF SHORT-HAND. A new Stenographic TextBook. By ELDON MORAN, of the State University of Iowa School of Short-Hand, Iowa City. Christian Publishing Company, St. Louis, Mo. 190 pp. $1.50.

The present work is a complete and systematic treatise on stenography and the reporting business, and the great demand now existing for instruction will doubtless secure for it a wide sale. The character of the work is aptly described by its title, and it possesses the great merit of clearly presenting the Reporting Style of the American Pitman System, divested of the Corresponding Style so-called. The direct result of this is a saving of at least half the labor commonly spent in learning the art.

The author's great aim has been to produce a thoroughly practical instruction book, and a few of its features of superiority are :

Ist. A series of printed and engraved exercises are required to be written and read with constantly increased speed.

2d. No word is introduced until every principle has been explained upon which the formation of its most approved outline depends.

3d. A series of lessons are added on Professional Reporting. These contain practical hints to beginning reporters, and abundant explanations of the methods made use of in performing the work of an amanuensis, or in reporting speeches, conventions, and legislative and court proceedings.

A PROGRESSIVE SERIES OF INDUCTIVE LESSONS IN LATIN; Based on material drawn from Classical Sources, especially from Cæsar's Commentaries. By JOHN TETLOW, A. M., Master of the Girl's Latin School, Boston. Boston: Published by Ginn, Heath & Co. 1884. Mailing price, $1.25.

This manual is the result of an effort to apply the inductive method to elementary instruction in Latin. The value of this method in developing and strengthening the mental faculties is well understood; it also trains the pupil in the methods required for original investigation. The author's plan is to give a series of examples drawn from classic sources, illustrating the special construction he wishes to teach; the pupil is encourged to study these carefully and then from the result of his observations formulate a rule, or statement of classic usage. He is aided in this direction by suggestive questions and directive hints. How far the method adopted will accomplish the result aimed at can only be determined by the test of the school-room. The material is well arranged and the exercises are full and apposite. A few lessons on word-formation are given and are valuable. Various typographical devices are employed to indicate roots, and to show their connection with English words. Easy anecdotes from Cicero and simple passages from Cæsar, furnish the material for connected translation. It seems to us a defect that the necessary paradigms and syntactical rules (these last to be referred to by the pupil for confirmation of his own inferences) are nowhere found in the book, but must be learned from other grammars. THE ECLECTIC PRIMARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. By ED. S. ELLIS, Superintendent Public Schools, Trenton, N. J. Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., Cincinnati and New York. Sample copy, 50 cents.

The author of this volume presents in language plain and easily understood a brief account of the most important events that have occurred in our history from its discovery to the present time. It is designed for those pupils the length of whose school course does not admit of the study of a more detailed history of our country. It is copiously and beautifully illustrated and is gotten up in the best style of the book-maker's art.

THE RIVERSIDE LITERATURE SERIES-No 12. Studies in Longfellow, Outlines for Schools, Conversation Classes, and Home Study. By W. C. GANNETT. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston: Price, 15 cents.

These outlines are invaluable for the systemetic study of Longfellow. The author has grouped together and properly indexed the passages in the poet's work which exhibit any special phase of his character or writings. The following are his general headings and each is illustrated by reference to appropriate passages: The Man, his Home and his Friends; Evangeline; Hiawatha; The Puritans-Longfellow as Poet of American History; Medieval Legends; Seaside and Fireside; God; Man; Brotherhood; The Poet-His importance and his Ministry.

APPLETON'S SCIENCE TEXT-BOOKS.-The Elements of Chemistry. By F. W. CLARKE, Chemist of the U. S. Geological Survey. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1884.

The aim of the author has been to prepare a book available for use in elementary classes and in which the difficulties of the science should be encountered as they arise and not grouped together at the beginning; and also for the use of such as have to study without the aid of a teacher. He has besides so arranged it as to meet the wants of those who study chemistry as part of a general education, and yet afford a satisfactory scientific basis for those who desire to make it a special study. The inductive plan of teaching has been kept constantly in view. The experiments cited are simple, and the greater number can be performed by the pupil himself, with improvised apparatus. Questions and exercises are inserted at the close of the books as suggestive to both teacher and pupil. The style of the book is simple and easily understood; the mechanical "get up" is all that could be asked.

A NEW SCHOOL DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.-Embracing a carefully prepared vocabulary of words in popular use, together with tables exhibiting the pronunciation of Ancient and Modern Biographical and Geographical Names, Scripture Proper Names, Christian Names, &c., &c. Prepared upon the Basis of the Latest Edition of the Unabridged Dictionary of Joseph E. Worcester, LL.D. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Price, 90 cents. Since the publication in 1835 of Dr. Worcester's Elementary Dictionary such changes have occurred in the vocabularies of words in common use that the publishers have thought it desirable to substitute it by a new edition which shall embrace all that was valuable in the old, such of the principal new words as are likely to be referred to, and such modifications of the definitions of words not new as are required by the most modern usage. Great pains have been taken in carrying out these ideas, and valuable tables of Words and Phrases, Greek and Latin Proper Names, &c., have been added. These improvements engrafted on the well-known standard work of Dr. Worcester, make this a book fully meeting all the requirements of a school Dictionary.

For sale by West, Johnston & Co., 911 E. Main Str.

LESSONS ON MANNERS FOR SCHOOL AND HOME USE. BY EDITH E. WIGGIN, Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1884. Price, 50 cents.

The author has condensed into twelve lessons excellent instruction in regard to Manners in General, Manners at School, on the Street, at Home, towards the Aged, at the Table, in Society, at Church, at places of Amusement, in Stores and similar Public Places, in Travelling and in Borrowing.

For sale by J. W. Randolph & English.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE. A Handbook for the Nursery, with Useful Hints for Children and Adults. By Ro. B. DIXON, M. D., Physician to the Boston Dispensary. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1884. Price, 30 cents.

This volume is very properly called An Emergency Handbook. It contains useful hints for the treatment of common accidents and diseases, and is a very handy book for reference in sudden emergencies.

For sale by J. W. Randolph & English.

THE READING CLUB AND HANDY SPEAKER; Being Serious, Humorous, Pathetic, Patriotic, and Dramatic Selections in Prose and Poetry. For Readings and Recitations. Edited by GEO. M. BAKER, No. 13. Boston: Lee & Shepard. Price, 15 cents.

A collection of pieces well adapted to the purpose for which they are designed. For sale by J. W. Randolph & English.

News and Notes.

-THE Roanoke Collegian for June, says: Last year James Saunders, Esq., a prominent merchant of Tampico, Mexico, attended the Commencement exercises, and was so well pleased with what he saw and heard that he entered two sons-William Sebastian and Julio Filigonio-as students of Roanoke College in September. The last of May Mr. Saunders again visited the College, bringing with him two sons of Salvador V. Castello, Esq., of Tampico. These young men, who are cousins of President Diaz of the Republic of Mexico, will spend the summer in Salem, acquiring the use of English, with a view of entering College in September. Roanoke will, therefore, have at least four Mexicans on the roll next session.

Publishers' Notes.

-The Penmanship specimens in Barnes' New National Readers, now in press of A. S. Barnes & Co., show the marked tendency of the times in the direction of a simple chaste style of penmanship.

Messrs. A. S. Barnes & Co. publish "A Practical Book-keeping," by Millard R. Powers, of Chicago, which is brief in form and unexcelled in fitting the pupil for the demands of Mercantile Business.

They also publish Folsom's Book-keeping, which is a scientific presentation of the subject for advanced students; and Smith & Martin's Book-keeping, which is moderate in price, and gives a sufficiently full course for Public Schools purposes.

The house has just published Eames' "Light-Line Phonography," the latest and shortest exposition of short-hand writing. Like all the other books issued from this house, it is thoroughly practical.

The Magazines.

POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY.-Contents for July: The Great Political Superstition, by Herbert Spencer; Colorado for Invalids; The New Theology, by Rev George G. Lyon; Our Debt to Insects, by Grant Allen; The Fruits of Manual Training, by Professor C. M. Woodward, Ph. D.; Are Science and Art Antagonistic? The Volcanic Eruption of Krakatau, (Illustrated); The Prevention of Hydrophobia; The Morality of Happiness; Diseases of Plants; Adaptation to Climate; Glasgow's Bandy-Legged Children, (Illustrated); Sketch of Averroes, (With Portrait); Editor's Table: The Survival of Political Superstitions-President Elliot on Liberal Education; Literary Notices; Popular Miscellany; Notes.

EDUCATION.-An International Magazine-Bi-monthly, for July-August.-Contents: Frontispiece, Margaret Fuller, (Marchesa Ossoli); The Order of Scientific Study, W. M. Payne; Historic Illustrations of Superior Teaching, con., J. A. Reinhart, Ph. D.; The Origin of the First German Universities, con., G. G. Bush, Ph. D.; Manual Labor Training in the Public Schools, Ch. O. Thompson, Ph. D.; Public Press and Personal Rights, John Bascom, L.L. D.; "The New Education," Hon. D. L. Kiehle, A. M.; The Sunday School a True Nursery of the Church, E. P. Gould; Teaching History, Hon. J. M. Greenwood; Woman-Her Moral and Political Influence, Hon. Sr. Viscount de Campo-Grande; Editorial-Foreign Notes.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY FOR JULY.-Contents: Choy Susan, W. H. Bishop; Five Quatrains, T. B. Aldrich; The Gospel of Defeat, H. W. Preston; A Cook's Tourist in Spain, I.; BirdGazing in the White Mountains, Bradford Torrey; Blood-Root, E. S. F.; In War Time, XIII., XIV., S. Weir Mitchell; Question, E. C. True; Chimes, and How they are Rung, A. F. Matthews; Beaten by a Giaour, O. H. Durward; The Haunts of Galileo, E. D. R. Bianciardi; The Underworld in Homer, Virgil, and Dante, W. C. Lawton; The Growing Power of the Republic of Chile; Recent Poetry; Peter the Great; Schliemann's Troja; An American Story Writer; The Contributors' Club; Books of the Month.

LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE FOR JULY.-Contents: Some Suburbs of New York, I.; Aurora, A Story, Chs. I,, II., M. A. Tincker; June Days, C. L. Hildreth; Three Months in Chili, J. S Whitman; Recollections of R. W. Emerson, Frank Bellew; At The Princess Ida's, A Story, H. P. Spofford; Two Miles of the Shenandoah, A Fishing Sketch, E C. Bruce; Dick, A Story, F. Carman; Off San Salvador, J. B. Tabb; Life in a Russian Province, Two Papers, I.; S. M. S. Pereira; The Romance of the Elm, L. W. Champney; Thekla's Song, From the German of Schiller, F. B. Gowen; Healthy Homes, VI., Dr. F. L. Oswald; Monthly Gossip; Literature of the Day.

THE AMERICAN NATURALIST FOR JULY.-Contents: Notes on a New Infusorian (Illustrated), A. C. Stokes; The Theory of Sex and Sexual Genesis, C. M. Hollingworth; On the Evidence that the Earth's Interior is Solid, con., M. F. Wadsworth; The Tertiary Marsupialia (Illustrated), E. D. Cope; Vestiges of Glacial Man in Minnesota, con., Miss T. E. Babbitt; Editors' Table-Recent Literature; General Notes-Geography and Travels, Geology and Palæontology, Botony, Entomology, Zoology, Physiology, Psychology, Anthropology, Microscopy and Histology; Scientific Notes; Proceedings of Scientific Societies.

THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN AND ORIENTAL JOURNAL FOR JULY.-Contents: Lectures on Polytheism, III.; Schliemann at Ilium; The Myths of the Raccoon and the Crawfish, among Dakota Tribes; Antiquities of Mexico, II.; Life Among the Mandans, Extracts from Alex. Henry's Journal; Emblematic Mounds-Bird Effigies, S. D. Peet; Editorial; Notes on Classic Archæology; Notes from Oriental Periodicals; Notes on American Archæology; Book Reviews.

THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW FOR JULY.-Contents: Juries and Jurymen, Judge R. C. Pitman; American Economics, Prof. V. B. Denslow; Marriage and Divorce, Justice Noah Davis; The Annexation of Canada, Dr. P. Bender; Government Telegraphy, Prof. D. McG. Means; Private Vengeance, Ch. T. Congdon; The Future of the Negro, Prof. Ch. A. Gardiner and others.

OUR LITTLE ONES AND THE NURSERY FOR JULY-Bright, sparkling, beautiful-has been received.