In judging of the cheapness of an edition of Shakespeare the chooser should always remember that to get the whole of the Dramatist's works in one pocket volume, the smallest diamond type must be used. A “SHAKESPEARE," for five shillings, is almost as cheap as the "Daily Telegraph" for a penny; and the cost of print, paper, and binding, can scarcely leave the bookseller a margin of profit. However, there are several editions which may be bought for five shillings, and even a little less. Mr. NIMMO, of Edinburgh, has announced a TERCENTENARY EDITION, to be printed with new type, carefully edited, and sold at a crown. In London "BERGER'S LIBRARY SHAKESPEARE," edited, and containing notes by SAMUEL PHELPS, is published at 1d. for each play, and in type of a readable size. Then there are what are called the "PENNY SHAKESPEARES," issued respectively by Messrs. Routledge, and Messrs. Cassell, Petter, & Galpin. Once for all, let subscribers remember these editions, at only a penny a number, will cost not less then twenty-five shillings before they are completed, and at that price they will be marvellously cheap. The STAUNTON SHAKESPEARE, enriched with GILBERT's masterpieces of drawing, grand and pretty, regal and simple, easy and yet vigorous, is on excellent paper and the engravings. are the originals of the former celebrated edition, issued in one shilling parts. To our mind the editorial notes and comments to this work are the most agreeable and instructive of any that have yet appeared, and we heartily commend the edition as one of the best and most liberal ever offered to the public for their pennies. The rival edition, published by Messrs. Cassell & Co., being printed (very beautifully printed too) on tinted paper, has been widely welcomed and seems likely to gain universal suffrage. Each penny Number has one page engraving and several illustrations by Mr. SELONS, the eminent painter. It is these illustrations which, making the edition a Picture-Shakespeare, captivate the purchaser's eyes, and command a large sale. In themselves, excepting about one design in a dozen, the drawings are as unsatisfactory as they can well be; lacking expression, character, and appositeness, whilst the engraving of them is scratchy and wanting in light and shade. Mr. and Mrs. COWDEN CLARKE undertake the editorial department, emending the text and adding notes somewhat sparsedly. Notwithstanding all drawbacks the publication is a very notable one and well deserves the success it meets, albeit those who choose the "Penny Staunton," will have a better "Shakespeare" for their book-shelves.

The proposals at Birmingham and elsewhere to establish a "SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY," have elicited the fact that there are some 2000 distinct Editions and Critical Works existing. Beside those we have briefly noticed there are several now being currently published, but we shall conclude these notes by referring to only two more-the FAMILY SHAKESPEARE of Bowdler, published by Longman, and the HOUSEHOLD SHAKESPEARE, published by Messrs. Chambers. The first is sold, we

believe, for twelve shillings, and the latter, in six illustrated volumes, for thirty-six shillings. Either of these have a great and distinctive merit : they are freed from the indecencies of Shakespeare's age-they may be read aloud in the family circle and, without sacrifice of ought that makes Shakespeare pre-eminent above all other writers. The flowers are just as beautiful, the bloom still rests on them, but the soiling dust of coarseness is shaken off.

PEARLS OF SHAKESPEARE.

THE very title of this cheap and pretty volume, gives a loose rein to the imagination which runs riot over the flowery table-lands of "Sweet Will's" creation. And what a wilderness of flowers spreads before the gatherer of selections, when Shakespeare is the author to be rifled! In the book under notice, it is sufficient to say that the Pearls are all carefully strung, and they are as many as the string of 160 pages would hold. We cannot denounce any sins of commisson; all the pieces inserted bear the mint stamp of sovereign popularity: they chime on the ear, making sweet and familiar music; and either for recitation, or as a means of introducing the great dramatist to young readers in the family circle, they are likely to be useful favourites. The text, printed on thick tinted paper, is illustrated with several of Mr. Kenny Meadows' designs. Of the whole number, about thirty, we thank him sincerely for three, in which there is a charming daintiness (page 55 for example). The figure is often very well drawn, but the faces of the women are commonly ugly, and those of the men weak and ordinary; whilst, at page 110, Hamlet the Dane, Shakespeare's Prince and Philosopher, is grossly libelled by the artist, whose illustration conveys the idea of a cowardly pickpocket detected in some act of petty larceny, rather than that of a gentleman suddenly awed by the supernatural appearance of a ghost. To make up for any deficiencies on this score, the publishers (Messrs. Cassell, Petter, & Galpin) have delicately printed and bound the volume in green, and, as frontispiece, inserted a beautifully engraved and attractive portrait.

ROBINSON CRUSOE.

THIS English parallel of the imaginative "Arabian Nights," which it rivals in absorbing interest by its matter-of-fact details, had never a wider popularity than at the present day. Readers no more tire of it than they do of the morning; both are perennially fresh and stimulating. Το heighten a popularity which was already boundless, Messrs. Cassell & Co. are now issuing, in Numbers and Parts, this delightful story, enriched by some of the very best illustrations which ever artist designed. The paper, as is now the fashion, is tinted, and the pages are framed in clever borders

by Mr. Macquoid and others. The drawings are principally by Mr. Thomas; and in expression, natural ease, and as illustrative of the text, they are admirable. Without reservation we may acknowledge this edition as nearly all a book-lover could possibly wish, and we are quite sure its merits will command success. Happy are the boys who can spare a weekly penny for this Robinson Crusoe.

CASSELL'S BIBLE.

Cassell & Co. are re

which shows the

HERE we have only to announce that Messrs. issuing their illustrated Bible on fine toned paper, numerous and clever engravings to great advantage. Never did Missionary Art spread the life-giving truths of the Bible more successfully than do the pictures of this edition carry home the sacred writings to the abodes of the poor and wretched; and wherever it does go, that home it reaches will be made a happier one.

BIBLE DICTIONARY.

THIS work, also by the above publishers, is issued in sixpenny monthly parts twelve are already issued. There are many engravings of the Holy Land and Scriptural antiquities to enliven the instructive text of this Dictionary, the latter being contributed by many of our best Biblical scholars; a list of whose names persuades us that the editors have sought literary aid, irrespective of sectarian divisions.

Current History of iterary and
Scientific Events.

FEBRUARY 1ST.-MONDAY.

"The Art Student."-First Number issued, price 6d., to be published monthly. Entomological Society.-Numerous novelties of scientific interest were exhibited ; perhaps the most curious being a series of wasps' nests in their several stages of formation. These had been obtained by Mr. Stone, who had induced the work-. people to begin and leave off as he wished.

Mrs. Browning's Grave, in the Protestant cemetery in Florence, is to be marked by a monument, after the design by Mr. Leighton, of a sarcophagus, the sides of which are divided into panels bearing medallions typical of Poetry. The emblems selected are, in themselves, highly poetical, and yet plainly indicate, symbolically, the peculiar genius of our countrywoman, who loved Italy and Italians. The tomb will become a shrine which few English visitors to Florence will omit visiting.

FEBRUARY 2D.---TUESDAY.

Institution of Civil Engineers.-"The East Coast, between the Thames and the Wash Estuaries," was the subject of discussion, continued from the last meeting and adjourned to the next. Beyond professional, there is a public interest in this

matter.

Carriages in the Air.-Amongst other projects advocated is a plan of raising Balloon Cars, in which the passengers will take their seats; when the carriages are to rise (just enough to clear such impediments as house-tops, chimney-stacks, etc.), and be pulled in a line as the crow flies, to the various air stations the company In a few words, the motive and steerage power wanting in Balloons may erect. is to be applied through ordinary mechanical means, while the lifting power of the Balloon is to be utilised.

FEBRUARY 3D.-WEDNESDAY.

Society of Arts.-Paper read "On a Method for Engraving Instantaneously on Metal," by M. Vial—a subject of much commercial and art importance.

Geological Society.-Sir R. I. Murchison and Professor Harkness' Paper read, "On the Permian Rocks of the North-West of England, and their Extension into Scotland."

Royal Society of Literature.-Paper read on a Triple Inscription in Phænicean, Greek, and Latin, lately found in Sardinia. Its date was considered about two centuries B.C.

How do They come There ?-Few persons seeking for fish would sink a shaft 150 feet in African sand, and expect to bring up in a bucket of water live and lively fish and yet this fact, spoken of by former travellers, is supported by the evidence of Professor Dèsor of Neufchâtel, who has only recently returned from a long visit to Algiers. The well-springs are believed to be fed by water In cases somewhat similar the fish have been blind; from subterranean basins. but these have eyes, although what service they can be is a problem which, doubtless, investigation will be able to solve.

FEBRUARY 4TH.-THURSDAY.

Society of Antiquaries.-Evening set apart for Balloting. Eleven gentlemen were elected.

Salmon. There is promise for the future; in the "good time coming, boys," salmon is to be as cheap as herrings, if the attempt now commenced succeeds, as many scientific men think it may succeed. The Devonshire streams have been selected as breeding nurseries for this choice fish, and the experiment is undertaken on a large scale.

FEBRUARY 5TH.-FRIDAY.

Archæological Institute.-Communication read from Mrs. Calvert concerning the "Site and Remains” of GERGIS, a city mentioned first by Herodotus. Numerous antiquities of interest exhibited and described. A valuable report on the discoveries made at Wroxeter will be printed.

FEBRUARY 6TH.-SATURDAY.

Fire-Eaters. The Federal Government of America report the construction of 5000 miles of military telegraph, along which some 3300 messages have sped daily; and, as the Northerns have often had to "swallow their own words," to devour their electric victories, we may well allow them to be the greatest fire-eaters in

creation.

FEBRUARY 7TH.-SUNDAY.

FEBRUARY 8TH.-MONDAY.

British Institution.-Exhibition of Modern Masters opened to the public for the

season.

Royal Geographical Society.-Papers read, "On the Canterbury Alps, New Zealand," and "On the Province of Loreto, in Northern Peru." Dante.-Sixth Centenary Anniversary of his birth in May next. Grand Festival appointed to take place in Florence, under the direction of the Municipality. Society of Painters in Water Colours.-Four new Associates elected. There were thirty-three candidates. The votes selected Messrs. E. B. Jones, F. Walker, E. Lundgren, and G. P. Boyce.

FEBRUARY 9TH.-TUESDAY.

Syro-Egyptian Society.-Paper read "On the Site of Capernaum."

British Archæological Aisociation.-Discussions upon the antiquities exhibited occupied the meeting. Papers appointed to be read postponed.

“As others see us."-The Viennese public are just now enjoying a Comedy, by Gottschall, the subject of which is political, and two of the principal characters Pitt the Tory, and Charlie Fox the Liberal. A good deal the people of Vienna

know about either.

66

FEBRUARY 10TH.-WEDNESDAY.

Society of Arts.-Paper read "On Fresco Painting," by Mr. J. B. Atkinson. Bramantino's 'Adoration of the Kings," a large work, seven feet ten inches high, and six feet eleven inches wide, has found its way to our National Gallery which gets enriched year by year in a way that shows the authorities keep their eyes open.

"The Realm."-First Number published, price 3d., a political first-class weekly newspaper, brought out on Wednesdays.

OBITUARY.-William Hunt, the celebrated painter, died, in his 74th year. Already this unique artist, in his life, was recognised in his own subjects supreme-apart, different, and superior, to all contemporaries; and, now that death hath set its seal to his works, their value and originality will give all of them the celebrity of picture gems.