they surpass all others--the discovery of America and the first circumnavigation of the globe. Columbus and Magellan are the only possible competitors for the supremacy. Were the vote of the majority taken, it would without a shadow of doubt be recorded in favour of the former." But Dr. Guillemard asserts, after discussing the point, "As an explorer, the merits of Magellan must be ranked as superior to those of the discoverer of the New World. . . . He carried out an expedition infinitely more lengthy and difficult in the face of incomparably greater hardships" (p. 259). Magellan's unsurpassed skill as a navigator is no less insisted upon by his biographer.

...

The care which Dr. Guillemard has taken to ransack the old Spanish documents bearing on his subject, the labour which such an arduous undertaking must have involved-scattered as these documents are-no less than the erudition that is displayed on every page of his work, evince a capacity for mastering detail and a conscientious spirit that are more commonly displayed in German than in English publications of the kind. No less commendable are the excellent series of maps that accompany and illustrate the text. The publishers of the Explorers Series have in this respect raised the standard of English book-production that others would do well to aim at. We find no less than eleven coloured maps, seven of which illustrate the progress of discovery in the New World. There are, moreover, five small maps in the text and seventeen illustrations.

We heartily recommend this volume to all readers. In many respects it is the best, since it is the most unique, of the Explorers Series.

The Ewe-Speaking Peoples of the Slave Coast of West Africa; Their Religion, Manners, Customs, Laws, Languages, etc. By A. B. ELLIS, Major. Pp. 331. London: Chapman and Hall, 1890.

Major Ellis has already published a most interesting book upon the Tshi-speaking peoples of the Gold Coast, and the present volume is written upon the same lines. It is much to be wished that others who have a chance of investigating the habits and customs of savage or semi-civilised people would take the trouble to write in the same scientific spirit, for by so doing they would render far better service than by writing popular accounts of adventures and experiences which have been previously related hundreds of times. The author's original intention was to ascertain the various forms of religious beliefs which obtained among the Tshi-GaEwe-Yoruba-speaking people of the Slave Coast, who, although having different dialects, speak languages belonging to one family, and have apparently sprung from one common stock. The date of separation into their present linguistic groups must have been rather remote, as the four languages are now so distinct that their construction and roots alone point to their common origin. The degree of civilisation reached by these four peoples is lowest among the Tshi, and highest amongst the Yorubas; the Ga and Ewe come in between. The volume before us, after a short introduction dealing with the extent of the country, the configuration of the land, and the climate, deals with the religious beliefs of the natives, their general tribal and local deities, their various superstitions, and their use of amulets and omens. We next find that the indwelling spirits and the souls of men, human sacrifices and the priesthood, are treated of, and then a brief but exceedingly well-written chapter follows, on the ceremonies attending birth, marriage, and death. The government of the country and the military system of Dahomé, with its laws and customs, are succinctly detailed, as is also an account of the language. The proverbs and folk-lore of the people are exceedingly interesting; and the volume concludes with a history of Dahomé from its traditional obscurity to the present day.

The Unknown Horn of Africa: An Exploration from Berbera to the Leopard River. By F. L. JAMES, M.A., F.R.G.S. Map and Illustrations. Second Edition. London and Liverpool: George Philip & Son, 1890. Pp. 273. Price 7s. 6d. This is the second edition, containing the narrative portion and the notes, of Mr. James's well-known volume of travel. To it is added an obituary notice of the author-who met his death last year on the West Coast of Africa-written by his brothers, Messrs. J. A. and W. D. James.

As we reviewed the volume on its first appearance (vol. iv. page 671), it is not now necessary to go back upon it. We cordially welcome this cheaper and popular edition because it brings within the reach of all the narrative of a famous and intrepid journey into a part of Africa that is still as good as unknown. The reprint in its present dress is all that could be desired, and many of the excellent illustrations have been reproduced.

A. M. Mackay. By his Sister.

Pp. 480.

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1890.
Price 7s. 6d.

Of the small band of pioneers sent out by the Church Missionary Society to Uganda in 1876 Mr. Mackay was the sole survivor at the time of his death in February 1890. For fourteen years he held loyally to his post, and, under circumstances of great peril and difficulty, did all that mortal man could do to perform the duties he had undertaken,—with what success the reader will learn from his sister's memoir, which, happily, is almost exclusively composed of extracts from the letters and papers sent home by Mr. Mackay himself. We know of no book that more clearly enunciates the danger to missionary enterprise in Africa of establishing at one and the same spot both Roman Catholic and Protestant stations. If it brought home to Europe this fact alone it would serve a good purpose. The missionary enterprise in Uganda is, moreover, a striking illustration of the interaction between Christian and Pagan influences in Africa. Mr. Mackay held very decided views on the problems before Europe in Africa, and we are bound to confess that his views are based on common sense, and are explained with remarkable ability and fervour. He himself was a type of the very best African missionary, for not only was he an ardent evangelist, but he was also so well skilled in mechanics and other useful branches of knowledge that he was able to teach the Waganda many useful arts. So much has recently appeared in the newspapers in regard to Mr. Mackay's splendid services in the cause of Africa that we have nothing left to add. We cordially recommend this volume to all readers. It is deeply interesting in itself, and a valuable contribution to African literature.

Light in Africa. By the Rev. JAMES MACDONALD. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1890. Price 68.

This is a volume of reminiscences. Mr. Macdonald spent twelve years in the mission-field of South Africa, and some of the experiences which he records should be interesting to his readers. He lived in troubled times.

The parts of South Africa which the author describes are, however, well known, and his book will scarcely throw more light upon them. Too often he falls into the very common mistake of attributing to the whole of Africa what is applicable to a very small part of it. Thus, the chapter on "The Native Africans-Manners and Customs" deals only with a few tribes in SE. Africa. Mr. Macdonald frankly owns that he is "not acquainted with any books which deals exhaustively with native customs and habits" (p. 148), and he therefore confines himself to original

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speculation. The greater part of the book is, however, taken up by the record of his personal experiences, and, as such, should be welcome to those interested in African missions.

By ANNIE MARTIN. London: George Philip Pp. 288. Illustrated. Price 7s. 6d.

Home Life on an Ostrich Farm. and Son, 1890.

A charmingly written volume on an interesting and novel subject. The authoress and her husband went out to Cape Colony in 1881, and purchased a farm in the Karoo district near Port-Elizabeth, for the purpose of rearing ostriches. She gives full details of ostrich-farming, as well as of Karoo beasts, birds, and reptiles. Her botanical knowledge is extensive and the illustrations accompanying the volume, especially of ostriches from photographs, are admirably executed. Not only is this a most fascinating and entertaining description of life in the Karoo, but it is also highly suggestive of other extensive regions in South Africa, where the life of the British settler is subject to similar vicissitudes and is rewarded with equal advantages.

Handbook of Field and General Ornithology. A Manual of the Structure and Classification of Birds, with Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens. By Professor ELLIOTT COUES, M.A., M.D., etc. London: Macmillan and Co., 1890. Price 10s.

This book consists of two parts. Part I. contains instructions for collecting and preserving specimens, and may be called field ornithology. Full and precise information is given as to the best methods for skinning and preserving birds, and useful hints about their habits, and suggestions and directions for field-work. Part II. gives the principles and practice of classification, with definitions and descriptions of the exterior parts of birds, and some account of their anatomy. We have rarely met a book where practical taxidermy is so fully explained and such care exercised to give the reader a clear idea of the subject. We know of no better handbook for students of ornithology.

"Men of Action"-Sir Charles Napier. By Sir WILLIAM F. BUTLER.
London: Macmillan and Co., 1890. Price 2s. 6d.

In Sir Charles Napier the author has a splendid theme for his able pen. Born with the bluest of blood in his veins, no general of his time so identified himself with the rank and file of the army. Guibert, the French drummer boy, and Pat Hennessy, full private in the 50th, who saved his life at Corunna, and bugler Delany and private O'Neil of the 22d, shared his admiration and praise with Sir John Moore in the Peninsula, and the colonels of regiments at Meanee.

Napier's letters to his mother show a tenderness hardly to be expected from one whose delight was to seek the forefront of the fight; it is interesting also to think of him, in the midst of his busy life in governing Sind, finding time to send whole sheets of arithmetical problems to his young daughters, left in charge of a governess at Poonah.

The pleasantest memories of his life were, we are told, of the years spent as Military Resident in Cephalonia, where, as he used to say, all his schemes of administration, which he put into practice in Sind, were thought out.

Sir William Butler, in his admiration of Napier, glosses over many of his failings. With his undaunted courage and chivalrous bearing towards his inferiors, Napier was throughout his whole life in constant hot water with his superiors; he could brook no opposition, and latterly his temper showed a brittleness that ended

in his resignation of the chief military command in India. Even his generalship might be called in question. His march of 120 miles across the Sind desert, in command of 400 men, leaving his main body on the Indus, while the Biloochee clansmen were mustering in thousands lower down the river, was a masterly performance, but his own place was with the main body. Military critics might also find fault with his placing himself in front of the line at the battle of Meanee, and being once or twice in the press of the fight, where the enemy stood at bay, numbering fifteen to one of the British force; but, as an excuse, Sir William Butler tells us "the men behind him saw in this figure of their chief something that hid from sight the whole host of Biloochee foemen." The fighting at Corunna and Meanee is told in the author's graphic style.

The book contains several errors that should be corrected in the event of another edition being required. Imamgurh is spelt Emanghur; Sewan is spelt Schwan; there were three native infantry regiments at Meanee, not four; and the Sutlej campaign, or first Sikh War, was a year earlier than the date give on page 167.

North-Eastern France, pp. 518. South-Eastern France, pp. 598. South-Western France, pp. 664. With Maps and 500 Illustrations. By AUGUSTUS J. C. HARE, Author of Paris; Walks in Rome, etc. London: George Allen. 1890. Price 10s. 6d. each Volume.

A guidebook in four volumes, making in all some 2300 pages, is, to use the slang of trade, "rather a large order." Yet that is how the accomplished author of Walks in Rome proposes to deal with France. The three volumes already published extend to 1780 pages; and a fourth volume, on North-Western France, is in preparation. There is scope here for a thorough and exhaustive treatment of the subject, and there can be no doubt of the minute care and thorough knowledge with which the work is done. The descriptions are full and serviceable, and are written specially with a view to the needs of English travellers. The chapters abound with interesting historical and antiquarian details. Much attention is given to description of buildings, and more especially of churches; and these descriptions are illustrated with admirable wood-cuts. These are likely to be the guidebooks for France, in the estimation of English travellers. Each volume is an independent work with a separate index, so that no one need burden himself with unnecessary guidance. The maps scarcely reach to the high level of the letterpress. They are bald and weak. Nor do they always correspond with the text. One of Mr. Hare's strong points is that he uses only French names. find "Lyon" in the book, but "Lyons" in the map. to see how "Agincourt" and "Crecy " were treated. as we have spelled them, but they are not in the map at all. It may be added that these books differ from most guidebooks in being printed in bold, clear type, which it is a pleasure to read.

We

After this, we were curious They are spelled in the text

Blackie's Geographical Manuals. London: Blackie and Sons, Limited, 1890 :—
No. 2. The British Empire, Part I. The Home Countries: England, Wales,
Scotland, and Ireland, pp. 224. Price 28.
No. 3. The British Empire, Part II. The Colonies and Dependencies,
pp. 224. Price 28. By W. G. BAKER, M.A.

These books are an attempt to apply to the requirements of Secondary Schools the method of teaching geography now common in Primary Schools, both in England and in Scotland. Each book is at once a text-book of geography and a geographical

reader. The stiff pages of fact and figure are relieved every now and then by interesting descriptive passages quoted from books of travel or from magazine articles. The matter is presented in an attractive way, and is generally accurate, though we were not aware that Balmoral was one of the "chief towns on the Dee. We are also sorry to find Mr. Barker writing, "the Cumbrian group are a beautiful cluster," and " a line of chalk hills extend from Salisbury Plain." The illustrations are good. The coloured maps are also excellent; but not so the block maps, which are over-crowded and lack clearness from the want of distinction between land and sea. In the copy under notice the two parts are bound together. They are also sold separately.

Macmillan's Geographical Series: An Elementary Geography of India, Burma, and Ceylon. By HENRY F. BLANFORD, F.R.S., Late Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India. London: Macmillan and Co., 1890. This book can be called an "Elementary Geography" only by comparison with such exhaustive works as Dr. George Smith's Student's Geography of British India, and Sir W. W. Hunter's Indian Empire. It contains as much information on the subject of which it treats as most students are likely to require. It is truly "elementary," however, in the sense of dealing with the elements or first principles of the subject. The general plan of Dr. Geikie's "British Isles" is followed, with modifications rendered necessary by the extent and unfamiliarity of the country, and the diversity of its characteristics. Residence and travel in India have qualified the author for his task. He has also the power of making his subject interesting by presenting it in a thoughtful and suggestive manner. The illustrations, most of which are from photographs in the Government collection, are really valuable aids to the text, besides being well engraved. The authorised lists of the Government have been followed in the spelling of names; but the names of well-known places that have acquired a fixed English spelling are in the usual form, as Calcutta, Delhi, Lucknow. There is no index; every book of this kind ought to have one.

Macmillan's Geographical Series: Geography of Europe. By JAMES SIME, M.A. London: Macmillan and Co., 1890.

This is another volume in the series of geographical books edited by Dr. Archibald Geikie, and it resembles the others in its admirable method and its high aim. One of its most valuable features is a careful summary of the history of each country, with special reference to successive races and forms of government. The chapter on the British Isles is almost wholly historical, as they form the subject of a separate volume in the series. The illustrations, which are specially prepared, are admirable. There are no maps.

Notice Historique sur les Divers Modes de Transport par Mer. Par G. TROGNEUX, Ingénieur des Constructions Navales, Professeur à l'École d'Application du Génie Maritime. Illustrations de H. Derenaucourt. Paris: Typographie de E. Plon, Nourrit et Cie., 1889. Pp. viii+238.

The scope of the book is indicated in the title, and all who are interested in those who "go down to the sea in ships" will read its pages with pleasure, and, with perhaps greater pleasure, will examine the numerous useful and well executed illustrations with which they are adorned. There are specimens of vessels of all nations and of all ages of the world's history, in so far as man has record of them, from the rock-traced vessels of the men of the bronze age in Scandinavia to the