section 1, Old Buda, Buda, and Pest, which up to that time had formed distinct municipalities, were united into one town under the name Budapest. Although eighteen years have elapsed since this union was consummated, it is by no means rare to find, in books, periodicals, and newspapers published abroad, Buda and Pest spoken of as separate towns. We therefore beg geographical authors and editors of periodicals to give henceforth to the capital of Hungary the name of Budapest exclusively, and to retain this name without change, whatever be the language the author employs." NEW BOOKS. Primitive Folk: Studies in Comparative Ethnology. By ÉLIE RECLUS. "The Price 3s. 6d. This volume deals chiefly with the Eskimo and their congeners, with the Apaches, and with the aboriginal tribes of India. The references to authorities desirable in such a work are not satisfactory, the writers alone being usually quoted without even the names of their works, and chapter and verse never being given; and this is the more unsatisfactory since, from the author's desire to represent these primitive peoples rather as they were before contact with civilised men than as they are now, his authorities are, naturally, not always the most recent. M. Reclus wisely desires, as he tells us, not to lay stress" on the more barbarous and disgusting practices of these tribes. He is scarcely to be congratulated on his success in carrying out this intention, the prominence given to the revolting and disagreeable being, it seems to us, undue, and therefore pro tanto misleading. Aux prises, apparently, with the views in more general acceptance on government, religion, and social ethics, his explanations of the origins of religion and of society will, to many, seem grotesque and fanciful. His record of habits and customs contains, however, much curious matter, and his reasonings on them, are not unfrequently interesting and suggestive; but their value as a contribution to comparative ethnology is much impaired by the frequent inconsequent digressions, with their irrelevant and offensive references to the Christian religion (and, indeed, to religion generally), arguing a tone of mind hardly compatible with philosophic reasoning. The author appears to include the Khonds and Ooraons among the Kolarian tribes. They have, hitherto, usually been classed among the Dravidians, and the Kolarians are considered to be remnants of an immigration from the north-east, of a Burmese type. Recent anthropometry, however, denies the fact of such an immigration, at all events into the heart of India, and considers the distinction between Dravidian and Kolarian to be merely linguistic; and we conclude that M. Reclus has adopted these views. One or two of his minor statements we venture to question; e.g. he quotes "Bhils and Poligars" among the predatory tribes; we only know the Poligars as a class of petty chiefs, mainly found in the Hyderabad districts, who gave much trouble to our officers early in the century; they were in no sense a race or tribe. Again, we should doubt that the Eucalyptus is a "sacred tree" among the tribes of the Nilgiris; we must admit, too, that his great "feudal emperor" Orissa, the oppressor of these tribes, and a contemporary of Charlemagne, is wholly unknown to us. Studies, National and International: Being Occasional Lectures delivered in the University of Edinburgh, 1864-1889. By JAMES LORIMER, Professor of Public Law and of the Law of Nature and Nations. Edinburgh: William Green and Sons, 1890. This volume of Professor Lorimer's occasional lectures will be welcomed by his friends, but they will be not less highly valued by the philosophical historian and the philosophical jurist everywhere. The lectures contained in it formed no part of the Professor's systematic course. As is explained in the prefatory note, "They originated in his custom of spending the first hour of the session, when the attention of the students could not well be concentrated on more special subjects of study, 'in discussing in a popular manner what seemed to be the leading public question or public event of the day."" The subjects are therefore various, but they derive a certain unity and harmony from the author's mind, which imparts to them their academic tone and their dignified style of treatment. Thus, subjects differing widely from one another, such as the Land Question, the Idea of the Family, the German War of 1866, Politics as a Profession, the Church and the Bar, are co-ordinated by Lorimer's original and suggestive method of treating them,-by his constant effort to reach fundamental principles before attempting to generalise. Unquestionably the high position to which he attained among the philosophical jurists of Europe was mainly due to the thoroughness with which his method was carried out in all his work. Professor Flint contributes a short but appreciative memoir to the volume. On the Structure and Distribution of Coral Reef. By CHARLES DARWIN. With an Introduction by JOSEPH W. WILLIAMS. London: Walter Scott, N.D. Yet anothor reprint of Darwin's "Coral Reefs," this time forming a volume of the useful and comprehensive "Camelot Series." This edition is chiefly remarkable for the excellence of the introduction and of the map-reproductions. Dr. Williams shows little partisan spirit, and clearly and impartially lays down the views of both contending parties, showing the present position of the question and the opinions held by various high authorities on the subject treated of. It is, without doubt, the most impartial piece of writing that has appeared in this connection since Dr. Murray first formulated his theory. The printing is clear and good, and the diagrams, woodcuts, and maps are all excellently produced. There is no index. The Student's Geography, Physical and Descriptive, Industrial and Commercial, Political and Social, Etymological and Historical. By GEORGE GILL. With 200 Maps and Diagrams. London: George Gill and Sons, 1890. Pp. 1000. Price 4s. 6d. Apart from the number of its pages, one might infer from the sub-title of Mr. Gill's Student's Geography that it is a very comprehensive book. We do not envy the student on whom is imposed the task of getting it up; but there can be no doubt that when any one has mastered its contents his memory will be a complete storehouse of world-knowledge. In spite of very careful arrangement, aided by the use of varieties of type, both in size and in character, the array of names and figures which nearly every page presents is rather overwhelming. It will be inferred from this, and quite correctly, that Mr. Gill follows the method of the older text-books, and not the scientific method exhibited in the works of Dr. Geikie, Mr. Chisholm, and Dr. Mill. Having said that, we have no hesitation in adding that, of its kind, Mr. Gill's book is an excellent specimen. Its matter is abundant, and its style is terse and pointed, and is lighted up with occasional sparks of sentiment, as when the author speaks of the trans-Atlantic cables "flashing the whispers of Europe to the ears of America." The specialty of the book is the attention it gives to commercial geography in all its departments and bearings. Under every important country a section is devoted to "Trade with Great Britain." Another good feature of the book is the "Historic Outline" attached to every prominent country. Though too condensed to convey much information, these "outlines" are useful as summaries or reminders. The maps are numerous and practical, but they cannot be commended as specimens of cartography. They are somewhat coarse, and many of them are badly printed. We have found the book generally, though not always, accurate. There is a curious logical inversion in some of the statements. It is said that "Man, being a gregarious animal, must live in societies." That is like saying that the lion, being a carnivorous animal, must feed on flesh. Again, the Saracens (in Spain) are described as "a Moorish tribe." Would it not be more correct to describe the Moors as "a Saracen tribe"? Ample space is allotted to the British Islands. England receives 80 pages, Scotland 20, and Ireland 15; while other 50 pages are devoted to the United Kingdom. Glasgow is described as "the fourth city in the United Kingdom": it claims to be the third. "The north and west coast" of Scotland (treated as one coast) is described as grand and imposing, "especially between Dunnet Head and the Mull of Cantyre," which means, especially the whole of it. The statement is, moreover, inaccurate, for the north coast for thirty miles west from Dunnet Head is low, flat, and smooth. It is equally inaccurate to say that the east coast from St. Abb's Head to Tarbetness" is mostly flat, and often sandy." That is not true of the coast of Haddington, or of that of Kincardine. Neither is it quite correct to place the Trossachs on the banks of Loch Lomond, "and in the neighbourhood of Loch Katrine." These, however, are but slight blemishes. They show how difficult it is for any man to write quite accurately about a region which he has not visited. Mr. Gill has relieved his pages of statistical matter to a large extent by throwing that matter into appendixes. This is convenient both for consultation and for purposes of comparison. Chambers's Brief Geography of the World. London and Edinburgh: W. and R. Chambers, 1890. Pp. 168. Price 1s. Moffat's Geography of the British Empire. London: Moffat and Paige. Pp. 103. Price 18. These books are examples of geographical pemmican, which may be useful enough in the Arctic regions of competitive examination, but is not a pleasant form of mental nourishment in more genial climates. In both cases, boiling down and compression are carried to excess. The use of such "cram-books" cannot be good either for education or for geographical science. Aids in Practical Geology. By GRENVILLE A. J. COLE, Professor of Geology in Royal College of Science for Ireland. London: Charles Griffin and Co., 1891. Pp. 402. This excellent work is intended as a companion to ordinary geological text-books. Everything required and used by the practical geologist is described in it. A section on blowpipe-work has been inserted as an aid to travellers, whilst a large section has been devoted to rocks and to the ordinary minerals of the earth's crust, since these will always present themselves to the observer during any expedition or in any country. A more useful work for the practical geologist has not appeared in handy form. Walks near Edinburgh. By MARGARET WARRENDER. Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1890. Pp. 181. Price 3s. 6d. There is no lack of material for an account of the traditions associated with almost every spot around Edinburgh; and what we look for, and find in this volume, is a discrimination and tact in selecting from the vast stores accumulated during many centuries, and the setting of the selection thus made in due order and in graceful language. Miss Warrender well knows the walks she has undertaken to describe, and handles her theme in a manner that would in itself show how sacred to her are the records of departed persons and past events, without the significant motto, "Haud fast by the past," which appears on the title-page. We venture to think that few, however great their acquaintance with local history may be, can read these pages without acquiring a considerable addition to their knowledge. The illustrations by the authoress are fairly good, the frontispiece being especially worthy of praise. That the volume comes from Mr. Douglas is to say that it is faultless as to mechanical production; and a good index adds to the value of a very dainty addition to the extensive literature dealing with the capital of Scotland. Scottish Rivers. By Sir THOMAS DICK LAUDER, Bart. of Fountainhall. Glasgow: Thomas D. Morrison. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton & Co., 1890. Pp. xii. +357. Price 6s. This is a delightful book, and well deserves being reprinted, for, familiar as it must have been at one time, a new generation will now welcome it as something fresh and novel. It is full of descriptions of scenery and of ancient and modern buildings, with appropriate legends and historical events grouped around each. Nor are character-sketches altogether wanting, and these latter are frequently drawn with as much grace as insight. In fact, little that could be thought of to give interest to the descriptions of the Jordan (Pow Burn), the Tweed, and the Tyne, has been omitted by the author, the whole forming a rich treasury of local lore. The Vikings in Western Christendom, A.D. 789 to A.D. 888. By C. F. KEARY, M.A., F.S.A. With Map and Tables. London: T. Fisher Unwin. 1891. Pp. x+511. We have not space in this Geographical Magazine to discuss at a length proportionate to its merits this very praiseworthy contribution to the history of a most important epoch and a most interesting race of men. We must confine ourselves to a few disconnected observations. The book is the first volume of a wide historical work planned by the author-the history of the conflict between Christianity and the Heathendom of the North. The scheme is grand and philosophic, the theme attractive. Yet the idea that forms the underlying foundation is scarcely appropriate to the strictly historical events that Mr. Keary regards as its embodiment. For the Vikings were not crusaders of Scandinavian heathendom, except in a very limited and irregular sense, a fact expressly stated by Mr. Keary himself. In other words, he has hung his history upon an idea that has little existence in real fact; and the idea has led him away from his subject. He enters with all too great minuteness of detail into the history of the Frankish kingdoms, narrating events that have no connection whatever with the raids and expeditions of the terrible Northmen. Mr. Keary has made a mistake in regarding the struggles between the Scandinavian sea-rovers and the princes and people of the central and western European countries as one great conflict co-ordinate with that waged by the Christians of South Europe against the Saracen and Arab invaders, and with that which was carried on by the Christians against the heathen Slav races in the east and south-east. The causes of the Viking raids were social, political and national, rather than religious. Mr. Keary's conception of history is, however, in all respects sound and just. His principal aim is to give us some idea of what the men, the living, acting men, of those far-distant days were really like. He writes as one who believes they were people who had wills, and passions, and affections, as we have at the present day; he does not regard them merely as lay figures who made history, who realised ideas, who fought for doctrines. He writes from the human standpoint, not from that of the antiquary or the dry-as-dust scholar. And yet his book shows evidences of the widest reading and even of ripe and rare scholarship. The fact is, he writes, apart from his structural plan, with sound judgment and common sense. He has followed the best authorities too, Steenstrup, G. Storm, and others of the new Scandinavian historical school, though we think he is inclined to underrate Munch (cf. note 1, p. 118). The chapter we have read with the greatest pleasure is Chapter v. entitled "Character of the Vikings," a capital survey of the social and public life of the "Phoenicians of the North." We have noticed several minor slips-e.g. in the chapter just alluded to "tyrrany" (p. 121), "fillibuster" (143), "Hardanga" (157), "Sögne" (three times, p. 158); the book should be revised again for these things. Mr. Keary is all wrong too in his geography of Lincolnshire. Lindsay, more usually Lindsey, is not the southern (p. 337), but the northern division of the county. Kesteven again is not, as p. 144 implies, a place, but the south-western division of the county. The "marsh country” (p. 246) is not in the south of Lincolnshire, but in the north-east, along the coast southwards from Grimsby. The low-lying tracts in South Lincolnshire are the Fens. The map is not free from errors: the most glaring is that it shows the Zuider Zee as an arm of the sea, which it only became in the 12th century. British Work in India. By R. CARSTAIRS. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1891. Pp. 302. Price 6s. This is the production of a thoughtful, independent observer of life in India. He is not an official, and is, therefore, exempt from the bias in favour of existing British institutions which an official position is apt to engender. On the other hand he shows no disposition to misconstrue or misjudge the motives and aims of those who are responsible for the initiation and working of administrative measures. He approaches the problems of administration in a calm, philosophic spirit, describes the social conditions and forces which the administration has to reckon with and to utilise, shows how a disregard of these, however excellent in other respects the motives and objects of the government may be, brings inevitable failure on theoretically laudable schemes, and, with a firm grasp of the conditions and forces that must be taken into account, he indicates the directions in which success in improving the material condition and elevating the character of the people may be expected. Having lived among the people and seen how they are affected by the work of British administration, he judges the results by a very different standard from that of the head of a department or of the Government, who has before him merely written reports and tabular statistics that show quantity of work performed, but can tell little of its quality and of its effect on the people. From his own standpoint the writer is able to show how well-intended schemes, notwithstanding an imposing out-turn of work, have produced harm rather than good, because, having been undertaken on a scale too great for the resources available, the execution has necessarily been intrusted to unqualified and underpaid agents; how others have failed because they did not connect themselves with nor take |