terest us. How could it be otherwise, since it includes such interesting, though such widely differing figures, as George Herbert, John Milton, Samuel Pepys, John Bunyan, Sir Richard Steele, Joseph Addison, and Jonathan Swift? Dates and statistics are relegated to brief foot-notes, thus relieving the narrative of all impediments to its easy graceful flow without sacrificing useful landmarks. The volumes are scarcely less entertaining than historical fiction, and must surely have something of the same value in stimulating the imagination to a realization of bygone days and persons. WE take pleasure in noting still another book from the pen of Mr. Andrew Lang. "Old Friends" (Longmans) comprises a series of epistolary parodies originally contributed to the "St. James Gazette," and the author has added an introductory essay, written in his familiar vein of kindly seriohumorous criticism. Mr. Lang is, confessedly, “an assiduous and veteran novel-reader,” and has a rare appreciation of the humors of the men and women who figure in his favorite pages. "It is agreeable," he says in his Introductory, "to wonder what all these very real people would have thought of their companions in the regions of Romance, and to guess how their natures would have acted and re-acted on each other." It is partly in pursuance of this conjecture that the studies in the present volume are written. They are cast in the form of epistles from well-known characters in fiction-Clive Newcome, Harold Skimpole, Dugald Dalgetty, Mr. Casaubon, etc., a device well adapted to display the author's cleverness as a parodist. Cne of the best letters (it would be better, artistically, were the political allusions omitted) purports to be from Mrs. Gamp to her "frequent pardner," Betsy Prig-in which epistle the reader will be pleased to note a renewal of friendly relations. Despite the inimitable quarrel scene in Mrs. Gamp's boudoir, we have always regretted the plucking asunder of those "two lovely berries growing on one stalk." The closing set of letters introduces Mr. Pickwick, who, partly through his old fondness for cold punch," and partly from the mistaken zeal of Inspector Bucket and Mons. Lecoq, gets into an astonishing entanglement with that unique rascal, Count Fosco. One of Mr. Lang's pleasantest traits as a critic is his attitude of genial agnosticism toward the warring schools" of fiction. As an inveterate and consistent lover of novels, all is fish that comes to his net; and his reverence for the Olympians of the novel-world does not preclude a kindly feeling for such people as Huckleberry Finn and Miss Annie P. Miller. "Old Friends" is externally attractive, and is, we should say, about the best of Mr. Lang's reprints so far. work, also, to call upon Dean Kitchin for the story of Winchester" in the Historic Towns" series (Longmans). He has given us, "almost entirely from original authorities," a most valuable bit of local history, dealt with in his usual scholarly manner, and set forth in a clear and attractive style. Passing briefly over the Saxon days, when this was the royal city and a peer of London, he dwells upon the period of deeper interest when the king-maker bishop, Henry of Blois, made his bishop's-stool the centre of English politics. But the culmination of glory shortly preceded a long decline, for, although the See remained for long the wealthiest in the land, and gave great statesmen to the royal councils, such as William of Wykeham, Cardinal Beaufort, Richard Fox, and Wolsey, it was not possible for it to hold a first rank in the face of the changing economic conditions. "While other centres have leapt forward with feverish speed, and in so doing have trodden out all relics of their ancient state, Winchester, lying out of the main streams of English industry and life, has almost stood still." But the student of local life will here find a judicious selection of valuable material, not only from the middle ages, but even down into our own century. AN "Introduction to the Study of Dante," written some twenty years ago by Mr. J. Addington Symonds, has long been out of print, and difficult to obtain at any price. We welcome a new edition of the work (Macmillan), because it is perhaps the best piece of Dante-criticism in the English language; at all events, it must be ranked with the best with the essays of Mr. Lowell and Dean Church. For the beginner, this book and Scartazzini's handbook are to be recommended, with, of course, a copy of Dante himself, and, perhaps, one of Miss Rossetti's "The Shadow of Dante." Mr. Symonds has made some slight changes in the original work for the present edition, so that it is abreast of recent scholarship. A reproduction of the Kirkup mask forms the most striking frontispiece possible. Besides being a critical study of the poema sacro itself, the work includes chapters on Dante's life and political affiliations, on early Italian history (which is summarized, as we need hardly say, in a masterly manner), and on the poetry of chivalry, both in general and as related to the "Vita Nuova” in particular. WE have already had occasion to notice favorably the excellent Riverside Library for Young People" (Houghton). The seventh volume of the series. "Java: the Pearl of the East," by Mrs. S. J. Higginson, now at hand, complies with the high standard set by its predecessors. In her limited space of two hundred pages the author has managed to pack a great deal of information, the bulk of which is the result of personal observation. The book is, withal, very entertaining. The writer's style is adapted to her subject and purpose,—clear, direct, and thoroughly weeded of superfluities. Com ing at a time when so much superficial skimming, crude diction, and general flimsiness in the form of books of travel tempt the buyer with obvious allurements of illustration and binding, Mrs. Higginson's serious and well-considered little book calls for special commendation. 66 THE first book needed by the foreigner in London is unquestionably a copy of Baedecker; for the second, we should unhesitatingly recommend the latest edition of London of To-Day," by Mr. Charles Eyre Pascoe (Roberts). Mr. Pascoe's handbook is not only a useful guide, but is agreeable reading, and is very prettily illustrated into the bargain. It tells not only of the hotels, the theatres, and the sights, but it provides much useful information for shoppers, writes of court functions, tells how to see the races, and how to have a pleasant time out of town for a few days. In the suggestions for shoppers, the names of a good many dealers are given; but the author states emphatically that they are not given by way of advertisement, and that merit alone has determined their mention. As far as we are familiar with them, the names given are good ones; and this sort of information, honestly given, cannot fail to be found very useful. BOOKS OF THE MONTH. [The following list includes all books received by THE DIAL during the month of June, 1890.] HISTORY-BIOGRAPHY. The Influence of Sea-Power upon History. 1660-1783. By Captain A. T. Mahan, U.S.N. 8vo, pp. 557. Gilt top. Little, Brown, & Co. $4.00. The Civil War on the Border. A Narrative of Operations in Missouri, Kansas, etc., during 1861-62, Based upon Official Reports of Federal and Confederate Officers. By Wiley Britton, War Dep't. With Frontispiece. Svo. pp. 465. Gilt top. Uncut. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $3.00. The Political Beginnings of Kentucky: A Narrative of Public Events Bearing on the History of that State up to the Time of Its Admission into the American Union. By John Mason Brown. With Frontispiece Portrait. 4to, pp. 263. Paper. Uncut. "Filson Club Publications." John P. Morton & Co. $2.50. The French Revolution. By Justin H. McCarthy, M.P., author of "England under Gladstone." In 2 vols. Vol. I. 12mo, pp. 668. Harper & Brothers. $1.50. Papers of the American Historical Association for January and April, 1890. 8vo. Paper. G. P. Putnam's Sons. $2.00. The Study of History in Germany and France. By Paul Frédéricq. Authorized Translation by Henrietta Leonard. Svo, pp. 118. Paper. Johns Hopkins University Studies.' $1.00. Life and Times of Ephraim Cutler. Prepared from His Journals and Correspondence, by His Daughter, Julia Perkins Cutler. With Sketches of Jervis Cutler and William Parker Cutler. With Frontispiece. 8vo, pp. 353. Robert Clarke & Co. $2.50. LITERARY MISCELLANY. The Art of Authorship. Literary Reminiscences, Methods of Work, and Advice to Young Beginners. Personally Contributed by Leading Authors of the Day. Compiled and Edited by George Bainton. 12mo, pp. 355. D. Appleton & Co. $1.25. The Tragic Muse. By Henry James. In 2 vols. 12mo. The Shadow of a Dream. By W. D. Howells, author of A Son of Issachar. A Romance of the Days of Messias. A Japanese Boy. By Himself. 12mo, pp. 128. Henry Holt & Co. $1.00. Two Women or One? From the MSS. of Dr. Leonard Benaly. By Henry Harland (Sidney Luska), author of "Grandison Mather." 24mo, pp. 199. Cassell Publishing Co. 75 cents. Bella's Blue-Book: The Story of an Ugly Woman. By Marie Calm. Translated from the German by Mrs. J. W. Davis. Illustrated. Svo, pp. 301. Paper. Worthington's International Library." 75 cents. Xenia Repnir à: A Story of the Russia of To-day. By B. MacGahan. With an Introduction by Vassili Verestchagin. 12mo, pp. 295. Paper. George Routledge & Sons. 50 cents. Joost Avelingh. A Dutch Story. By Maarten Maartens. 16mo, pp. 320. Paper. Appleton's "Town and Country Library." 50 cents. The Jewel in the Lotos. By Mary Agnes Tincker, author of "Signor Monaldini's Niece." 12mo, pp. 338. Paper. Lippincott's "Select Novels.' 50 cents. Vivier, of Vivier, Longman & Company, Bankers. By W. C. Hudson (Barclay North), author of "Jack Gordon, Knight-Errant." 16mo, pp. 280. Paper. Cassell's "Sunshine Series." 50 cents. Juancho, the Bull-Fighter. Translated from the French of Théophile Gautier by Mrs. Benjamin Lewis. 16mo, pp. 208. Paper. Cassell's "Sunshine Series." 50 cents. Stolen America. By Isobel Henderson Floyd. With Frontispiece. 16mo, pp. 242. Paper. Cassell's "Sunshine Series." 50 cents. The Burnt Million. By James Payn, author of "The Canon's Ward." 8vo, pp. 324. Paper. Harper's "Franklin Square Library.' 25 cents. Tom Brown's School Days. By An Old Boy. Illustrated. Svo, pp. 144. Macmillan & Co. 25 cents. TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE. Rambles in the Black Forest. By Henry W. Wolff. 12mo, pp. 331. Longmans, Green, & Co. $2.50. Scouting for Stanley in East Africa. By Thomas Stevens, author of Around the World on a Bicycle." Illustrated. 12mo, pp. 288. Cassell Publishing Co. $2.00. Equatorial Africa and the Country of the Dwarfs. By Paul Du Chaillu, author of "The Land of the Midnight Sun." With Map and Illustrations. Abridged and Popular Edition. 12mo, pp. 476. Harper & Brothers. $1.75. SOCIAL STUDIES-FINANCE. Wheelbarrow. Articles and Discussions on the Labor Question. With Portrait. 12mo, pp. 303. Open Court Publishing Co. $1.00. Notes on the Progress of the Colored People of Maryland since the War: A Supplement to "The Negro of Maryland." By Jeffrey R. Brackett, Ph.D. Svo, pp. 96. "Johns Hopkins University Studies." $1.00. Liability of a Bank for the Acts of Its Officers. Decision of the U. S. Supreme Court. 8vo, pp. 46. Cobb's Library Co. REFERENCE-TEXT-BOOKS. The Century Dictionary. An Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language. Prepared under the Superintendence of William Dwight Whitney, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of Comparative Philology and Sanscrit in Yale University. In 6 vols. Vol. III., G to L. 4to, pp. 2423 to 3556. The Century Co. $10.00. A School Algebra. By G. A. Wentworth. 12mo, pp. 362. Leather back. Ginn & Co. $1.25. Heat as a Form of Energy. By Robert H. Thurston. 16mo, pp. 261. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.25. MISCELLANEOUS. The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine. Vol. XXXIX., Nov., 1889, to April, 1890. Large 8vo, pp. 960. The Century Co. $3.00. The Crown of Life. From the Writings of Henry Ward Beecher. Edited by Mary Storrs Haynes. With Introduction by Rossiter W. Raymond. 16mo, pp. 346. D. Lothrop Co. $1.00. [Any book in this list will be mailed to any address, post-paid, on receipt of price by Messrs. A. C. MCCLURG & Co., Chicago.] "Come and take choice of all my Library, and so beguile thy sorrow."-Titus Andronicus, Act iv., Sc. 1. A GREAT NATIONAL WORK. The Library of American Literature By E. C. STEDMAN and E. M. HUTCHINSON. WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1889. I do not see how any school in America can spare this work from its reference library for teachers and pupils. I am sure that every private individual will purchase it for his own library, if he has to cut off for a time his purchase of other literature. Very respectfully. W. T. HARRIS, U. S. Commissioner of Education. CAMBRIDGE. January 25, 1889. The selections have been made with excellent judgment, and the editorial work has been admirably done. JOHN FISKE. GREENCASTLE, Ind., March 16, 1889. The best aggregate expression of what the American mind has produced in the two hundred and eighty years of its activity. Respectfully, JOHN CLARK RIDPATH. The "Library of American Literature" is an admirable work, and for every reason must commend itself to the lover of good books. NOAH PORTER, LL.D. YALE UNIVERSITY, Apr. 24, 1890. Prices and Terms fixed within the reach of all. 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And this without any pledge from you to purchase the remaining volumes. That you may satisfy yourselves and your families of the great value of this work and the inducements that we are offering you, we will supply you with Volume I. (a $4.00 book) for 60 cents-without any pledge from you to take the remaining volumes--and will give you ten days to decide upon accepting our proposition. We guarantee the remaining twenty-four volumes to be the same in style and quality as Volume I., and will supply the same at $1.50 per volume. The above price is strictly NET-no trade or cash discount can be allowed. S. A. MAXWELL & COMPANY, Booksellers and Stationers, Nos. 134 To 140 WABASH AVENUE, ་་ . CHICAGO. A delightful book.' JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY. Midnight Talks at the Club. Reported by AMOS K. FISKE. 16mo, vellum cloth, gilt top, $1.00. "A very striking and suggestive little book, full of wisdom and thoughtfulness, and a serene insight into the deeper things of life."-Charleston News and Courier. 66 THE DIAL is the journal de luxe among American literary periodicals.” THE HE Editor and Publishers of THE DIAL are pleased to announce the completion (with the April number) of the FIRST TEN YEARS of its existence. During this decade it has continued under the same management under which it was begun, and has followed substantially the lines upon which it was originally projected. The high and distinctive position accorded it in American periodical literature is fairly indicated in the following RECENT NOTICES BY THE PRESS. "We record with pleasure the completion of the tenth volume of THE DIAL. Among our literary journals it is unique in being wholly devoted to critical reviews, partly signed and partly unsigned, and in being a monthly. 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