Prof. Carl Osthaus has edited, with an introduction and notes, J. F. Von Eichendorff's well-known romance, AUS DEM LEBEN EINES TAUGENICHTS. The novel is admirably adapted for high school and college reading. The notes are admirable and scholarly. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co. Price, 40

cents.

Gustav Gruener, Assistant Professor of German in Yale University, has edited with an introduction and notes, Gottfried Keller's short story, DIETEGEN. This is considered one of Keller's best short novels. It has a well-sustained plot, is interesting throughout and shows the author's peculiarities of style. Boston: Ginn & Co. Price, 40 cents.

The Boston School Supply Co. have published a series of four INFORMATION READERS which are worthy of high commendation. In these neat, compact, well-bound little books "elocution is subordinated to instruction," possibly a little too much so. But the amount of instruction is remarkable. No. 1, prepared by E. A. Beal, M. D., gives a wide survey of Foods and Beverages. No. 2, by H. W. Clifford, deals with Every-day Occupations; with all kinds of fabrics, and machinery. No. 3, by William G. Parker, treats of Man and Materials; coal, stone, iron, silver, lead, tree-products, etc. No. 4, by Robert Lewis, is devoted to Modern Industries and Commerce, banks, railroads, paper, books, newspapers, etc. They are such books as all children in the land should read.

THE STORY OF OUR POSTOFFICE, by Marshall Cushing, Secretary to Hon. John Wanamaker, is a unique book and packed full of exceedingly interesting and instructive matter. Mr. Cushing enters a fresh and inviting field which 18 all his own. The subject appeals to every person capable of writing a letter, and in an especial manner to the 230,000 persons directly engaged in this great branch of our national service. Mr. Cushing treats his subject in a broad, thorough and masterly way. In these 1034 large pages is given a full history of the past and present of this vast and rapidly extending service. Few realize the labor, responsibility and influence of the Postmaster General and his four assistants. They handle vast sums of money, carry on an immense business and appoint a great army of Postmasters. The latter number 67,368. A century ago there were 100 post offices; in seven years, Mr. Cushing thinks there will be 100,000, earning $100,000,000 annually. Every minute, throughout the year, 8,000 letters or packages are dropped into the mails. Our people send more letters than any other. Our service is the greatest, if not the best, in the world; but those in the service are usually overworked and poorly paid. If one wishes to go behind the scenes and see all their work let him read this book. The rapidity and skill with which millions of letters are sorted and sent swiftly on their way all over the land and to other lands is something wonderful. By day and night this tireless army of trained experts is hurrying distant letters to us and our letters to their various destinations. This book is not only a thesaurus of information, but contains a great collection of tales of heroism in times of peril, disaster and death. Over 450 fine engravings add to the interest and value of this work. It will be invaluable for reference and will be prized by many as a personal friend. The publishers deserve great credit for the admirable manner in which they have brought it out. Address A. M. Thayer & Co., Boston, Mass.

THE LIFE OF LINCOLN, by Charles Carleton Coffin, is a book of surpassing interest and value to the youth of the land. Mr. Coffin, once the famous war correspondent, "Carleton," and the friend of Lincoln, since then the author of such popular books as "The Boys of '76," "Drum-Beat of the Nation," and "Redeeming the Republic," is now a hale vigorous man in the fullness of his mature powers and one of the best known, most useful and popular citizens of Boston. In the church and Sunday School, in Legislative halls, at the campfire and on the platform, as well as by his pen, he is serving his fellowmen. In this, his last book, Mr. Coffin traces the lineage of Abraham Lincoln from Samuel who landed in Salem in 1637, then Mordecai, Mordecai, John, Abraham (killed by an Indian), and Thomas Lincoln, father of the President. Thomas Lincoln was thirty years old and his wife, Nancy Hanks, twenty-five when their son Abraham was born-Feb. 12, 1809. Theirs was a life of great privation and hardship and the freedom of a semi-barbaric life. Before the son was ten years old his mother died. His rough boyhood, his heroic efforts to secure an education, the kindness of his step-mother, the shiftlessness of his father are matters known to all. Little by little, this tall, raw boned, awkward, good natured youth won the regard of all by his exhibitions of strength, honesty, knowledge and good nature. He developed a wonderful talent for story telling and for the expression of his thought in words all could understand. The rail-splitter, river-hand and store keeper soon grows into a successful lawyer and political leader. On and on he goes up the ladder of fame till the honors and burdens of a Nation rest upon him, and later the whole world glories in his memory and deeds. This book deals not only with Lincoln but his times. The author has travelled over all the ground personally and taken his own views to illustrate this book. The close fidelity to truth and the introduction of so many famous characters make it exceedingly interesting. One may criticise the author's style at times, and lack of verbs, but as a whole it is a noble, reverent Life of our martyred President. Published by Harper & Brothers, New York.

For beginners in the study of German and for those who are already somewhat advanced in its study, Professor O. B. Super's edition of HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN'S STORIES, is a most admirable book. These stories are charming in style and matter and are easy and interesting, essential qualities in literature for beginners in the study of a new language. The author has furnished copious notes and a complete vocabulary. The volume will be one of the most popular in Heath's Modern Language Series. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co. Price 90 cents.

Dr. Adolphe Dreyspring, author of many French and German text books, has prepared with much ingenuity and originality a FRENCH READER on the Cumulative Method. A simple, interesting and cosy story is told, with many notes, illustrations and questions. Every new verb is noticed and attention called to its peculiarities. The method employed by the author is a novel one and in the hands of an intelligent teacher will produce most excellent results. We commend the book to all teachers of French. New York: American Book Company.

Prof. J. B. Greenough, of Harvard University, is editing a series of Progressive Pamphlets for Sight Reading in Latin. The first of these pamphlets contains extracts from EUTROPIUS. The introduction contains some excellent suggestions to students for sight reading. Boston: Ginn & Co.

To Heath's Modern Language Series have recently been added three volumes: George Sand's LA MARE AU DIABLE, edited and annotated by F. C. de Sumichrast, assistant Professor of French in Harvard University; Alexandre Dumas' LE DUC DE BEAUFORT, edited with notes by D. B. Kitchen, M. A.; and Paul Heyse's L'ARRABBIATA, edited and annotated by Dr. Wilhelm Bernhardt. Every volume in this now deservedly popular series is most carefully edited and annotated and these latest numbers serve to enrich the series. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co.

Dr. Malcolm MacVicar, in preparing his Outlines of the PRINCIPLES OF EDUCATION, did not give an exhaustive analysis of the subjects presented, his design being "to furnish material that would provoke investigation and thought and that would render at the same time practical help to teachers and others interested in the education of the young." The outline is given in the form of propositions, followed by brief notes. More than ninety propositions are laid down, each containing a principle underlying the education of a human being. The propositions are succinctly stated and the discussion of them though brief is concise and pertinent. The book contains the entire circle of educational principles, and is a most valuable handbook for all students and teachers. It should be read and studied by every school teacher in the Union. Boston: Ginn & Co. Price 70 cents.

In ENGLISH COMPOUND WORDS AND PHRASES, by F. Horace Teall, Department Editor of the Standard Dictionary, we have what is questionless the most exhaustive and authoritative treatise and list of compound words in our language. The author has long been recognized as an authority in this subject of the compounding of English words and he has made a list of 40,000 terms, this list being the main feature of the book. It is a collection which will be of the greatest use to every writer of English. In the introduction, Mr. Teall gives the fullest exposition of the principles governing the compounding of words and lays down the rules and forms which guide all writers. These rules are succinctly stated and may be easily learned. The literary world is indebted to Mr. Teall for his great work, it comes a boon to every author and there can be no doubt of the extensive use of the book. It merits a place by the side of the dictionary. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Price $2.50.

Now that manual training has become a recognized part of the curriculum of every grade of schools, from the kindergarten to the High School, works treating on this subject are becoming frequent. As is fitting the earliest books are those which treat of manual training in the grades where it should first be taught, namely, in the primary school. We have noticed several books on this subject for this grade of schools and are glad to receive this month a little work entitled CLAY MODELING IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM. This is a manual of instruction in clay modeling for the kindergarten and school, based on the curved solids. The exercises are based on the sphere, spheroid, ovoid, cone, and cylinder. The author, Ellen Stephens Hildreth, is not only an accomplished and well-known teacher, but a successful writer on subjects pertaining to primary education and her little manual is entirely free from the crudities of some of the early works on this subject. It is scientifically correct, is based on a thorough knowledge of children's power and is in every way a helpful and valuable book for primary teachers. Springfield, Mass.: Milton Bradley & Co.

The essays collected under the title of THE COMING RELIGION breathe the warm faith in the ultimate upbuilding of Society upon the broad basis of a religion which shall satisfy the needs of all men. The author, Rev. Dr. Thomas Van Ness, has given earnest thought to the problems of the day and in four essays has presented the claims for a religion which he believes will meet the requirements of the age and its people. The first essay treats of the religion of Jesus, or the gospel of love; the second, the religion of Science, or the gospel of evolution; the third, the religion of Humanity, or the gospel of socialism; and the fourth, of Reconciliation. The author's conclusion is that there will be a fusion of the three religions, and a composite, having the best elements of the three, will be the prevailing religion of the coming centuries. The essays are most excellent reading, the style is clear.the arguments cogent and the reasoning lucid. It is a book which will provoke much discussion and deep thought. Boston: Roberts Brothers. Price $1.00.

In FOUNDATIONS OF RHETORIC, Professor Adams Sherman Hill, of Harvard, treats of Words, Sentences and Paragraphs. Under Words there is a full discussion of words and root words, of words to choose, of a working vocabulary, of bookish or living words, of long and short words, of foreign, general, specific, literal and specific words, and of the principles of choice. In the part devoted to sentences, much is given of the characteristics of a good sentence, of correct and incorrect sentences, of clearness, force, ease and unity of sentences, and of sentences to choose. Part three is devoted to consideration of the characteristics of a good paragraph, sentences in a paragraph, and paragraphs by themselves and in succession. Prof. Hill's previous works on the study of language have had a most enviable reputation and are recognized as authorities. This latest work is a most comprehensive and exhaustive treatise of words and sentences, of "proper words in proper places," and is a valuable contribution to the literature of our language. Every principle laid down is abundantly illustrated by sentences and words, extracts are shown on every page and the faults in choice of words, arrangement of sentences and paragraphs are pointed out and a better way shown. To students, teachers, writers, to any one using our language this book is a necessary volume. It cannot fail of extensive use in our schools and colleges. New York: Harper & Brothers.

In the GUIDE TO THE KNOwledge of GOD, by A. Gratry, Professor of Moral Theology at the Sorbonne, we have a most exhaustive study of the chief theodicies. This work, which has passed through many editions in its original language, and was crowned by the French Academy, is a sublime treatise on on the question “Can man kuow God?" and embraces studies of the philosophies and proofs offered by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Anselm, Thomas Acquinas, Descartes, Pascal, Fenelon, Leibnitz, and others. The author "lays bare the methods they employed, the difficulties they encountered, the arguments they constructed, the aids they received, the results they conquered, and their fundamental agreement through all." By reason, by philosophy the author answers affirmatively the question and his demonstrations are among the most perfect exhibitions of skilful reasoning. To all students of theodicy, to all philosophers, Prof. Gratry's work is of real value. The translation is by Abby Langdon Alger, and the introduction, which is a valuable and concise epitome of the main argument of the work, is by the well-known philosopher and author, Rev. William Rounsville Alger. Boston: Roberts Brothers. Price $3.00.

Shelly's PROMETHEUS UNBOUND has been the admiration and despair of all lovers of lyrics. It is one of the grandest, sublimest poems in the English language, but keyed to so high a pitch as to be beyond the scope of ordinary readers. Miss Vida D. Scudder, M. A., of Wellesley College, has edited with an introduction and notes this lyrical drama, making it in a form suitable for use in schools and colleges. The introduction is a most scholarly and philosophic exposition of the poem and is one of the finest specimens of this sort of writing. It is exhaustive in its treatment of the poem, and furnishes to the student and to all lovers of Shelly the means for intelligent reading of this masterpiece of dramas. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co. Price 65 cents.

Yielding to the solicitation of friends, Lucy Larcom has brought together in one volume such of her lyrics as are of a serious and devotional character, under the title of AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE, and Other Songs of Faith. Many of these poems have never before been in print, some have been for several years in use in hymn books, the others have place in the author's complete edition of her poems. The lyrics breathe a strong and beautiful faith in the eternal verities and touch deeply the heart of the reader. They are exquisite in every line, full with the experiences of life, and expressive in their gracefulness and tenderness. To many hearts they will come as messages of hope and comfort. The edition is beautiful in white and gold and is a delightful companion book. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Price $1.00.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM OTHER LIVES, by B. O. Flower, is a readable and helpful book. The Lives here placed before us are those of Seneca, Epictetus, Joan of Arc, Henry Clay, Edwin Booth, Joseph Jefferson, John Howard Payne, William Cullen Bryant, Edgar Allan Poe, Alice and Phoebe Cary, John Greenleaf Whittier, Alfred Russell Wallace and Victor Hugo. Mr. Flower is an earnest, thoughtful, radical, compact writer and finds in each of these notable lives much to commend and instruct. He sets the nobler elements and leading characteristics in these so varied lives before the reader for stimulus and emulation. It is a good thing for young people to come in contact with these lives which have left their imprint on the world. Many will gladly read these brief sketches and be made nobler and braver thereby. We should criticise the varying space allotted to each; only seven pages to Epictetus, but eighteen to Seneca, less than nine to Whittier and sixty-six to Victor Hugo. Address Arena Publishing Co., Boston.

AEDŒOLOGY, a treatise on Generative Life, by Sydney Barrington Elliot, M. D., is a book the spirit and motive of which cannot be too highly commended. Dealing with a delicate subject the author handles it in a way that cannot offend the most conservative reader, yet his meaning is clear and easily apprehended throughout, and his positions are fortified by a scientific and scholarly array of facts which make his argument most conclusive and satisfying. The book gives the information which humanity is suffering for on the subjects of who should have and who should not have children, how to secure healthy and happy offspring, and how the indefinite multiplication of the pauper and criminal classes may be prevented. The motto on the title page is "It is the right of every child to be well-born." The reading of Dr. Elliot's book should substantially contribute to the accomplishment of this desirable end. We commend it to parents and teachers.