A marvellous life-story is contained in Dr. Safford's "Hosea Ballou," a New England Universalist minister born in the last years of the past century. Congregationalism in its early days in Illinois and Indiana is the background to the biography of " Asa Turner," by Dr. George F. Magoun. Personal Recollections of Pardee Butler" is a thrilling chapter of early Kansas history. A kindred theme is found in Hermann von Holst's "John Brown." "Life and Services of John D. Philbrick "eulogizes a wellknown New Englander. "James Nelson Burnes," late a Representative in Congress from Missouri, had his life written by his private secretary, Edward W. De Knight. "Authors at Home," by J. L. and J. B. Gilder, contains papers on twenty-seven American writers. "Great Captains," by Theodore Ayrault Dodge, relates as much to the art of war as to some of the great leaders. An exquisitely gotten up life of "Barye," the noted French sculptor, was prepared by Charles De Kay. "The Letters of the Duke of Wellington to Miss J." must be treated as an American book, as the editor, Mrs. Christine Terhune Herrick, claims that the letters were found in America and first published here. Some doubts have been cast upon the genuineness of the book-the Iron Duke's part of it being superlatively silly. A charming volume that is altogether and undisguisedly fiction is" An Author's Love." It is said to be from the pen of a brilliant American woman, Miss Elizabeth Balch, who aims to supply the other side of the correspondence of Prosper Mérimée's Lettres à une inconnue. As an exquisite specimen of the epistolary art, we quote the volume here. Champlin's and Apthorp's "Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians" was completed by the second and third volumes.

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The Famous Women Series added two more celebrities to its ranks, "Saint Theresa of Avila " and " Jane Austen." The author of the first is. Mrs. Bradley Gilman, of the second, Mrs. Charles Malden. The International Statesmen Series gained three additions: Dunlop's "Life of Henry Grattan," Arthur Hassell's Life of Viscount Bolingbroke," and F. C. Montague's "Life of Sir Robert Peel." Great Explorers and Explorations Series had as its initial volume "A Life of John Davis, the Navigator," by C. R. Markham. The World's Workers, another new series, "Dr. Arnold of Rugby," by Rose E. Selfe. English Men of Fiction included popular biographies of "Wellington," by George Hooper, of " Lord Lawrence," by Sir Richard Temple, and of "Monk," by Julian Corbett. Twelve English Statesmen Series was represented by James Gairdner's "Henry the Seventh." In the Great Writers' Series were Nevinson's "Life of Friedrich Schiller," Sharp's "Life of Heinrich Heine," Courtney's "Life of John Stuart Mill," and Rolleston's "Life of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing." "John G. Patton," a missionary to the New Hebrides, wrote his autobiography. "Lady Missionaries in Foreign Lands" had their trials pictured by Mrs. E. R. Pitman, and “Samuel Crowther, Bishop of the Niger," had the details of his career put into book-form by Jesse Page. The last two mentioned works belong to the Missionary Biography Series. Among standard library works mostly imported in small editions may be named: "The Life of Richard Steele," by George A. Aitken (2 v.); “Caroline Schlegel and Her Friends," by Mrs. Alfred Sidgwick; "Mary Howitt, an autobiography" (2 v.); "The Life of William Wordsworth," by William Knight (3 v.); "The Life of Lord John Russell," by Spencer Walpole (2 v.); "Father Damien," by Edward Clifford; " Letters of General Gordon to His Sister, M. A. Gordon;" "Daniel O'Connell's Correspondence" (2 v.); "Life of Lamartine," by Lady Margaret Domvile; Horace Walpole's Letters" (2 v.); Fanny Burney and Her Friends;' ""Clavers, the Despot's Champion," a Scots biography, Graham of Claverhouse; and several new volumes in Leslie Stephen's "Dictionary of National Biography."

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The reprints and importations in this depart ment from English sources are mostly works of intrinsic value. Early in the year a second volume was published of " My Autobiography and Reminiscences," by W. P. Frith. It is marked by numerous anecdotes and personal details of wellknown literary men and women of a few decades back. "Portraits of Friends," by John Campbell Shairp, is a loyal tribute of friendship to many noted men. A condensed "Life of Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford and Winchester," by his son, met a popular demand. A new edition, brought down to date, of Robertson's "Life and Times of the Right Hon. John Bright," was issued after this noted statesman's death in March, 1889. "A Collection of Letters of Dickens, 1833-1870," selected from the three-volume edition, was de-ographical sketches by Alphonse Daudet. From signed for general readers. "Letters of the Late Edward Bulwer, Lord Lytton, to His Wife," excited wonder that so great a genius could write such unmitigated nonsense.

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The sensation of the year in biography came from the French. The journal of Marie Bashkirtseff" created a profound interest in a most remarkably gifted personality. Thiers," by Paul de Rémusat, belongs to the Great French Writers Series. "Recollections of a Literary Man" are charming pen portraits and autobi

the Italian of Leader and Marcotti was translated a life of the celebrated soldier of fortune, 'Sir John Hawkwood," and from the German Froebel's" Autobiography."

HISTORY.

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Hubert Howe Bancroft's apparently unending

The majority of the historical works are Amer-"History of the Pacific States of North America" ican in author and subject, but few reprints or was enriched by several exhaustive volumes on importations being shown in this line. Prof. special States. V. 11, being the second volume of John Fiske's" Beginnings of New England" is "Texas," tells the story of the growth of that an admirable sketch of the circumstances which State during 1801 to 1809; v. 12 relates to attended the settlement of New England. The "Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888," and is volume represents the substance of the lectures one of the most important and interesting voloriginally given at Washington University, St. umes of the series; v. 21 is a history of "Utah, Louis, in May, 1887, by Prof. Fiske, in the course 1540-1886," or rather of Mormonism, for the of his duties as University Professor of American history of Utah is the history of Mormonism, History. New light is shed upon early Western written with remarkable fairness; v. 25 is the history by Theodore Roosevelt's "Winning of the second volume of " Oregon," and begins with the West" (2 v.). The work is based upon papers discovery of gold in Oregon and ends with the found in the archives of the American Govern- present time. The Story of the States, a series ment and gives an absolutely new aspect to, and begun in 1888 under the editorship of Mr. E. S. in many cases completely reverses, the current ac- Brooks, proved justly popular. 'The Story of counts of the Indian fighting which marked our Louisiana," by Maurice Thompson, and "The early occupation of the Western lands. Fifty Story of Vermont," by John L. Heaton, were the Years on the Mississippi," by E. W. Gould, is a additions of the past year. "The Story of Washsuccinct history of river navigation and the intro- ington, the National Capital," by Charles Burr duction of steam. Recollections of Mississippi Todd, was issued in The Great Cities of the Repuband Mississippians" gives in autobiographic form lic Series, and also “The Story of Boston," by the reminiscences of the Hon. Reuben Davis of Arthur Gilman. A freshly written narrative of life in the South for the half century before the an old subject is offered in Samuel Adams Drake's Civil War. Mr. Eli Thayer in “A History of the 'Burgoyne's Invasion of 1777." The sketch repKansas Crusade" aimed to show by what agency resents the opening volume of another series, Kansas was made a free State. For the first time Decisive Events in American History. Brooks' his scheme of assisted emigration is fully and "Story of the American Soldier in War and truthfully told. Several important histories of Peace" is a companion volume to his " American the United States, in which the matter was freshly Indian" and "American Sailor." It is a valuatreated in the light of recent researches, were ble supplementary volume to the preceding line given to students. The first two volumes of Mr. of investigation. Henry Adams' "History of the United States of America" are devoted to the first administration of Thomas Jefferson. They present a masterly review of the great political, financial, and international questions which agitated the country at that period. The work, when complete, will embrace the two administrations of Jefferson and the two following of Madison. "The United States, Its History and Constitution," by Alexander Johnston, is a lucid, scholarly, and succinct narrative of the history of the United States from the earliest discoveries down to the present time. George Ticknor Curtis finished the first volume of his "Constitutional History of the United States from the Declaration of Independence to the Close of the Civil War." This first volume is chiefly a revision of a former work under a similar title, but the continuation of the work in the second volume will be wholly new. The 4th volume of James Schouler's " History of the United States Under the Constitution was issued, covering the years 1831-1847. The Birth of the Republic," compiled by Daniel R. Goodloe, is a valuable work of reference to the student of American history. Justin Winsor's comprehensive" Narrative and Critical History of America" was completed by the publication of the 7th and 8th volumes.

The contributions to the already rich literature of the Civil War were Townsend's "Honors of the Empire State in the War of the Rebellion," Admiral Porter's "Pictorial Battles of the Civil War" and "Naval History of the Civil War," Benedict's "Vermont in the Civil War," Richard B. Irvin's "History of the Nineteenth Army Corps," Mrs. Septima M. Collis' "A Woman's War Record, 1861-1865," and Mrs. Laura Winthrop Johnson's Eight Hundred Miles in an Ambulance." The two last-mentioned monographs are clever, vivacious little books, giving the lighter side of war, as women see it. "The Battle of the Big Hole." by G. O. Shields, describes an engagement that occurred in Montana with the Indians in 1877. Local histories are embraced in Mrs. Schenck's "History of Fairfield, Fairfield Co., Conn.," and in McClintock's "History of New Hampshire."

Fay's "Three Germanys" finally appeared during the past year. Three periods of German nistory, the later ending with the death of the Emperor Frederick, are graphically described. A different subject was handled successfully by Paul Barrow Watson in The Swedish Revolution Under Gustavus Vasa." This is the first work in English bearing on the period covered by the writer. "The Federal Government of

Switzerland," by Bernard Moses, is an able essay on the specific type of Federal institutions evolved in Switzerland. "The Reconstruction of Europe," by Harold Murdock, is a sketch of the diplomatic and military history of Continental Europe, from the rise to the fall of the Second French Empire. Du Chaillu's "Viking Age," a careful, comprehensive work in two volumes, throws new light upon the history of the Northmen. The additions to the Story of the Nations Series are: "The Story of Mexico," by Susan Hale ; The Story of Phoenicia," by George Rawlinson; "The Hansa Towns," by Helen Zimmern; and "The Story of Early Britain," by Alfred J. Church.

But few historical works from the English found their way to this side of the water. Lady Jackson's "The First of the Bourbons" is a recent addition to her studies of French history. Prof. Rawlinson's "History of Phoenicia" is a profusely illustrated volume and a comprehensive treatment of a most picturesque subject. T. P. O'Connor's" The Parnell Movement," and Sir Charles Russell's opening speech for the defence, published as The Parnell Commission," are rich in a present interest. Students will find aids in "The Crusade of Richard I.," a compilation of extracts from old chronicles prepared by T. A. Archer for English History by Contemporary Writers, and in Osmund Airy's "The English Restoration and Louis XIV.," issued in Epochs of Modern History.

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"New Materials for the History of the American Revolution" contains valuable documents, translated from the French and edited by John Durand. The Empress Eugénie is charmingly depicted by her Lady of Honor, Mme. Carette, in "Recollections of the Court of the Tuileries." Also from the French is Louis Leger's "History of AustroHungary from the Earliest Time to the Year 1889." The Italian yielded only Dr. Emilio Comba's "History of the Waldenses of Italy, from their origin to the Reformation."

DESCRIPTION AND TRAVEL.

have held out strong attractions to the traveller. We had four books on this little-explored country, namely, "Arctic Alaska and Siberia," by Herbert L. Aldrich, the story of eight months on a whaler; "The New Eldorado," a summer journey to Alaska, by Maturin M. Ballou, "The Red Mountain of Alaska." by Willis Boyd Allen; and "Picturesque Alaska," by Abbe Johnson Woodman. Joel Cook, the financial editor of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, made "An Eastern Tour at Home," between Pennsylvania and Maine, and Benson J. Lossing described in "Hours with the Living Men and Women of the Revolution" a pilgrimage to old historic scenes of Revolutionary fame. "Five Years in Panama" gives an excellent idea of the Isthmus. The author is Dr. Wolfred Nelson. "The Bermuda Islands," in their scenery, physical history and zoology, found a gifted historian in Angelo Heilprin.

Mrs. M. B. Norton wandered "In and Around Berlin," jotting down many pleasant impressions of the people and the noted buildings. Theodore Childs' "Summer Holidays" carried him over the greater part of Europe. Carter H. Harrison, late Mayor of Chicago, ran A Race with the Sun" in a tour around the world. "From Japan to Granada" also contains sketches of observation and inquiry in a tour around the world in 1887-8, by James H. Chapin. The Holy Land is the subject of "Through David's Realm." Norway and Russia were visited by E. Frazer Blackstock. He gave the world the benefit of his observations in "The Land of the Viking and the Empire of the Tsar." Dr. Mutchmore's " Visit of Japheth to Shem and Ham" is a study of the religious condition of the people of Europe and Asia. "Winters in Algeria " illustrates F. Arthur Bridgman's versatility. It is rich in both pen and pencil sketches. Joseph and Elizabeth Pennell wrote with characteristic fervor of a recent travelling experience in "Our Journey to the Hebrides," and one of the most exquisitely beautiful portions of France receives careful attention in "A Midsummer Drive Through the Pyrenees." Edwin Asa Dix enthusiastically describes the wonderful scenery that delighted his eyes in this novel tour.

English works in this department are poorly represented. The chief reprints and importations are; Lady Brassey's Last Voyage to India and Australia in the Sunbeam ;"" New Zealand After Fifty Years," by Edward Wakefield; "Five Thousand Miles in a Sledge," a midwinter jour

American writers sought new subjects for books not only in their own country, but all over the globe. Charles Dudley Warner's "Studies in the South and West" are not only delightful descriptions of scenery, but keen, shrewd observations upon the negro and Indian and the condition of the country. Charles F. Holder told us All About Pasadena," an ideal health resort in Southern California. Mexico was visited by F. Hopkinson Smith and J. R. Flippin. "Aney across Siberia, by Lionel F. Gowing; "The White Umbrella in Mexico" is the title Mr. Smith gives his graphic pen-and-pencil sketches. The second writer, under the name of Sketches from the Mountains of Mexico," has gathered together many valuable facts. Alaska seems to

History of a Slave," a realistic sketch of life in the
Western Soudan, by H. H. Johnston; "Foreign
Visitors in England, and What They Thought of
Us," composed by Edward Smith; "France in
the Atlas and Southern Morocco," a narrative of