12

cause.

a devout or pure-minded soldier, who is always 'trusting in God and doing his duty'—not only in that sense do we look for the co-operation of laymen, but also in the more direct form of instruction, of intelligent, far-seeing interest in labor, which, though carried on mainly by the clergy, must, if they are to be good for anything, concern all mankind alike. In the early centuries of Christianity the aid of laymen was freely invoked and freely given in this great As their voices have been raised on this sacred subject of missions in many a humble parish church, as also on other sacred topics, such as Christian art and history, these words have often been heard within the consecrated walls of this and other great abbeys and ca thedrals, so we shall have the privilege of listening this evening in the nave of this church to a scholar renowned throughout the world, whose knowledge of all heathen religions in connection with the experience of a Christian mission probably exceeds that of any other single person in Europe, in the hope that a more systematic form may thus be given to our knowledge, and a more concentrated direction to our zeal."

Many of the sincerest friends of missions will differ decidedly with Prof. Max Müller in the premises from which he starts, but the conclusions he reaches embody much practical wisdom, and his views in their entirety cannot fail to demand that careful consideration to which their source fully entitles them.

COMMENTARIES UPON THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

It is a notable event that in the same month Lange's Commentary, under the editorship of the learned Dr. Schaff, and the Speaker's Commentary, under the editorship of the eminent

English scholar, Canon Cook, should each be advanced by the publication of a volume. In Lange's Commentary we have "The Minor Prophets" from Hosea to Malachi inclusive, and in the Speaker's Commentary the Poetical books of the Old Testament from Job to the Song of Solomon, inclusive. The array of scholarship concentrated upon these two great works is astonishing and gratifying, and justifies the assertion that never before were there such extensive facilities placed within the reach of the people for a thorough comprehension of the meaning of the Bible.

SAXE HOLM.

THE discussion of the authorship of the Stories by Saxe Holm seems to have awakened a new interest in these productions on the part of the public. We think they are worthy of greater attention than they have even yet received. In mere literary style they are remarkable; while in a certain moral earnestness they are quite unique. "How One Woman Kept her Husband" conveys a lesson that is well worth the heeding of many wives; and in others of the stories there is much of instruction and reproof put in dramatic form. The second part of Draxy Miller is beautiful in spirit as well as in action.

The poetry, of which the author of these stories is so prodigal, constitutes one of their most enduring charms. Indeed we are sure that some of the verses by Draxy Miller and Esther Wynn will live in the popular heart long after their prose setting has been worn away.

A VERY YOUNG COUPLE.

THE critic of the Examiner and Chronicle finds A Very Young Couple a very amusing story, not without touches of pathos that effectively set off its gaiety. But the critic seems to be at a loss as to the moral of the story-not knowing whether it is meant to encourage "imprudent', marriages or to warn against them. We should think that the moral was neither the one nor the other, but rather lay in the fact, mentioned by the same critic, that " wifely devotion is illustrated in the person of the pretty and absurd heroine, and comes to honor in the end." It is intended, we presume, to be a graphic sketch of such a marriage as we may have seen under our own noses yesterday, or may see to-morrow; and the moral, whatever it be, is certainly not unpleasantly conspicuous. There is plenty of amusement in the first chapters,

and quite a touch of the tragic when one gets

on a little farther-and that is the way most of us find life itself.

COMPLETION OF THE ENGLISH ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

THE issue of the supplement upon the Arts and Sciences complete the English Encyclopædia, and brings down this great work to the present day. Competent critical authority has declared the English Encyclopædia as superior to any other for popular use, and there can be

no doubt that the judgment is perfectly correct. The publishers, in their prospectus to this supplement, say:

Our purpose in preparing this Supplement has been to furnish a sufficient account of the great discoveries, the remarkable additions to our knowledge, and the important practical applications made in the various branches of science since the publication of the Arts and Sciences, division of the English Encyclopædia, to illustrate the chief inventions in Machinery and the Mechanical Arts; to exhibit the progress and present condition of trade, commerce, manufacturing and agriculture; and to embody, in a series of carefully prepared articles, the results of recent extended investigations in the higher mathematics; philology; social and sanitary science; and medieval literature, art and archæology. Further, to meet the wishes of many subscribers, we have introduced ample and trustworthy accounts of our principal pastimes, athletic sports, and games of skill and chance.

To carry out this purpose worthily, the services were secured of a numerous body of contributors of acknowledged eminence in their several departments, who, entering with equal zeal and diligence into the undertaking, have provided a wide range of articles, which are not mere compilations, but the result of original research and of long familiarity with the special subjects. Many of these articles, indeed, are valuable additions to the literature of the departments to which they belong.

From the commencement every effort has been made to condense the information thus collected as much as was compatible with an adequate exposition of the important matters which had to be explained. This, it is believed, has been so far accomplished that, probably, no supplement of a like comprehensive character has hitherto been published in which so vast an amount of information is given within similar limits.

THE UNIVERSE BY POUCHET. THIS superb volume has lately received the following emphatic endorsements :

(From PRES. FOWLER of the North-western University.) Next after creating a Universefo llows the work of fitly revealing it.

Pouchet has accomplished this for both scientific and popular uses, more perfectly than any other laborer in this field. By its illustrations and easy style, it brings us into personal acquaintance with all creation. In a family of children it is almost as valuable as an average school.

C. H. FOWLER, D.D., President North-western University. (From PROF. DANIEL SWING.)

This "Universe" by M. Pouchet, is a beautiful picture of the earth, from its rock, that lies lowest, to the bird that flies highest. It is a walk along the paths of nature, among mountains and upon the sea-shore. It is a library of useful and deeply impressive knowledge. gathered by a wise and faithful hand.

PROF. DAVID SWING,

Chicago.

SCRIBNER'S MONTHLY FOR MARCH.

THE mountains of Western North Carolina

are the subject of Mr. Edward King's graphic "Great South" contribution to SCRIBNER's, for March; which is accompanied by a profusion of illustrations from Sketches by Champney. Dr. Robinson discourses in the same number of the Women of the Arabs; and there is a brief

account of "The Heiress of Washington," a very interesting little bit of history. Two articles of especial importance are anonymous papers on John Stuart Mill, and an unimpassioned, but not the less startling account of the "Credit Mobilier." There is "A Dream Story" by the Author of "Patty;" and a curious tale entitled "The Tachypomp," by a new writer. Miss Trafton's, and Mrs. Davis's serials are continued, and there are poems by R. H. Stoddard, John Frazer, Anna C. Brackett, James T. Fields, and Joel Benton. Dr. Holland in his "Topics of the Time," discourses of "Literary Hinderances," "The Delusions of Drink," and "The Press and the Publishers." The Old Cabinet is full of "Misery," and in "Culture and Progress" is a notice of some length of the "New Poet," James Boyle O'Reilly.

ST. NICHOLAS FOR MARCH.

THE March number of ST. NICHOLAS opens with a very useful article on Edward Jenner, by Clarence Cook. Accompanying this is a fine engraving of the statute of Jenner by Monteverde. Miss Alcott contributes a story, "Roses and Forget-me-nots;" Robert Dale Owen has a sketch of his boyhood, "Rascally Sandy;" there is a sea-side story, full of adventure and fun, by Noah Brooks; a sketch of Gulliver, the Lilliputians, and Swift, by Donald G. Mitchell; a well illustrated story, "What the Stork Saw," by H. L. H. Ward;" and a narrative, true to nature, of a girl's adventures when "snowed in" on a Western prairie. A capital poem, "Elfin Jack, the Giant-Killer," by J. S. Stacy, who is becoming highly popular with the readers of ST. NICHOLAS, will delight both old and young. We also find among the poems a very beautiful bit of verse, by the Editor, called "March;" "Peter Parrot," by Rose Terry Cooke; and a delightful little thing by Mary A Lathbury, entitled "The Trio, with an illustration by the author. The three serials increase in interest, "Nimpo's Troubles," by Olive Thorne, containing a remarkably welltold story of a poor, half-starved negro man, who accidentally found the key of his master's wine and provision cellar. A dog, named Rob, comes to the front under very favorable circumstances, in Frank R. Stockton's story, "What Might Have Been Expected;" and Jack Hazard and his friend George, in "Fast Friends,” develop a genius for money-making which, we expect, will afford the author an opportunity for a good deal of lively incident in the course of the story. The illustrations are up to the usual high standard, and there are some very striking full-page pictures. The engraving called Some Curious Fishes," drawn by Jas. C. Beard, will open the eyes of the youngsters. The French story is usually good this month, and is well illustrated. We notice that a "Letter Box" has been added to the attractions of the magazine. This will be good news to young people who like to ask questions of editors.

BROOME, (RICHARD.) Or, small size, Cambridge calf,... ........27 00 CENTLIVRE, (MRS.) DRAMATIC WORKS. 3 vols. 8vo., large paper copy, boards, 1871... 26 25 CHAPMAN, (GEORGE.) COMEDIES AND TRAGEDIES, now first collected, with illustrative notes, and a memoir of the author. 3 vols. 8vo., large paper, boards, 1873........ 26 25 30 00 Or, in half mor., gilt tops Or, in Cambridge calf, splendid copy..... 35 00 Or, small size, half morocco, gilt tops.... 20 00 Cambridge calf....... 21 00

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