66

The

EVERY BOY'S BOOK, a Complete Encyclopædia of Sports and Amusements, edited by Edmund Routledge, is very similar in character to the "Boy's Own Book" just noticed. It was first published twelve years ago, but in the present edition before us it has not only been revised, but almost entirely re-written. same reason is assigned by the respective editors for the revision of both ;-viz., the many changes which our national sports and pastimes have recently undergone. Every Boy's Book" is comprised in five parts, embracing easy games, athletic sports, scientific pursuits, domestic pets, and miscellaneous subjects not included in those definitions. The editor has had the assistance of an efficient staff of contributors, each of whom has furnished his quota of information on those matters best suited to his peculiar turn of mind; and we are unable to detect the omission of any sport or game with which we are acquainted. The illustrations, coloured and plain, are very effective, and will doubtless be a rich treat to its young readers. We may mention that the present mania for collecting postage-stamps has been recognised by the editor, who has devoted a chapter to "Philately," which it seems has now reached the dignity of a science. Most of the curious stamps are reproduced in woodcuts. It is new to us to find that the United States' stamps "bear almost invariably the heads of their worthies, such as the late President Lincoln and Stonewall Jackson."

Beeton's Boy's Annual, edited by S. O. Beeton. (Ward, Lock, and Tyler.) The titlepage of this volume sufficiently explains the nature of its contents. It comprises a quantity of matter in which the useful has been judiciously blended with the amusing. "Edward Claydon, a Story of the Days of Agincourt," is an historical tale in which the author has, to a very considerable degree, kept to the real events of the period, taking care, however, to colour his narrative so as to render the incidents entertaining reading for his young clients. The subsequent history of

most of the persons enumerated in the story may be found in the general histories of the period, and to them the author refers readers who are sufficiently interested in the narrative to desire acquaintance with the fate and fortunes of the personages that figure in the tale. When the story is, as in the present instance, sufficiently interesting to attract the attention of the young, the plan adopted is calculated to foster in boys a taste for the study of history. In addition to this, there are several other tales, one of which, entitled "Jack on his Head," is of a comic nature, and embellished with numerous very comic woodcuts--besides papers on Natural History, several poems, numerous articles devoted to sports, games, gymnastics, puzzles, and a long list of miscellaneous subjects too numerous to be specified. Besides a vast number of woodcuts inserted in the text, there

two or three serial stories, poetry, scientific subjects, popularly treated by the Rev. J. G. Wood and others, amusing adventures, sporting incidents, and a variety of subjects, all of which will doubtless prove entertaining to hundreds of English boys during the approaching Christmas season. The frontispiece and title-page are printed in bright colours, and the woodcuts with which the work is profusely embellished are all of high merit.

Pigeons: Their Structure, Varieties, Habits, and Management. By W. B. Tegetmeier: with coloured representations of the different varieties, drawn from life by Harrison Weir, and printed in colours by Leighton Brothers. (Routledge.) The title to this volume so fully describes its scope and purpose, that we have transcribed it at length. Though the title-page tells us that the work is by Mr. Tegetmeier, that gentleman in his preface more modestly, and we fancy more truly, describes himself as its editor; for he candidly acknowledges his indebtedness to Macgillivray, to Eaton, to Moore's "Columbarium," the "Complete Pigeon Fancier" of Girton and Thompson, and to the articles contributed by the late Mr. Brent to

the Poultry Chronicle. It must, however, be admitted that, so far as we can judge, the editor fairly quotes all he takes from the writings of these and other authors; the result being a very complete and satisfactory book on the Columbine tribe of birds familiarly known as Pigeons and Doves. Mr. Tegetmeier is a capital compiler, especially on his pet subjects -poultry and pigeons; though the present volume contains no evidence that he has kept or bred any number of either of these kinds of birds. The late Mr. Fitzgibbon, the "Ephemera" of Bell's Life in London, wrote a most charming book on the salmon, though he confessed that he never knew how to tie a fly or throw a line; and, when on a visit to the Earl of Sutherland at Dunrobin Castle, was obliged to excuse himself from joining a party of anglers, on the plea of illness and "literary occupation; " but we have in this work no reason to believe that the editor's knowledge of pigeons and poultry is altogether so theoretical as was that of "Ephemera" about fish and fishing. Here and there we fancy we detect the amateur; but we are immediately re-assured by coming to a quotation-sometimes a page or two long-from acknowledged authorities on the subject of the chapter. But whether the editor of this book writes from his own observation or from that of others, he is always amusing instructive, and lively; and never pedantic. prosy, or offensively technical-qualities which are peculiarly the property of writers on special and out-of-the-way topics. In addition to the sixteen full-page coloured illustrations of the several varieties of the pigeon, there are nume rous wood engravings inserted in the text; 80 that, upon the whole, we have in this a thorough and exhaustive compilation, without the study of which no pigeon-fancier Isaid to fully understand his particular hobby, of the most noticeable books on the subject of which

it treats.

can be

MOST of our married readers have at one time in their lives been placed under some personal obligation to the clergyman of their parish, and have been anxious to make a suitable acknowledgement of it. They have, at the same time, felt a little difficulty about the business, and scarcely knew what to give. In such a case we all like to make a present of something that will be useful and appropriate. Books are generally acceptable, still it is not every book that may be given, or, if given, will be appreciated. The last new volume of travels will naturally be of interest, but before the admiration of it ceases, or the people at the Rectory have had time to read it, Mudie's or some other list comes in, and your guinea volume is marked at five shillings, "quite new and uncut." A volume of theo

logy is dangerous- -it may be

or

too high, too low, or too broad, or too dry; and to present a voiume that is not quite up to the mark will ensure a lecture or a talking to, that may induce the feinale members of your family to consider you not quite sound.

Fortunately,

Messrs. Riving

istic learning. The editor tells us that the object of it is "that of illustrating and explaining the devotional system of the Church of England by: (1) A careful comparison of the Prayer-book with the original sources from which it is derived; (2) a critical examination of all the details of its history; and, (3) a full consideration of the aspect in which it appears when viewed by the light of those scriptural and primitive principles on which the theology of the Church of England

vided a volume

that, as the old book catalogues have it, "should find a place in every Clergyman's library." Of this book such a statement is so far true that certainly no young clergyman will venture to say that he does not possess a copy of the Annotated Prayer-book. Without it, he will be like the shipmaster without his code of signals, or like the young barrister without his "Blackstone."

The Annotated Book of Common Prayer, edited by the Rev. John Henry Blunt, may be regarded as almost as a cyclopædia of ritual

is enough remaining to show in what manner the young were formerly instructed in the "Prymers set forth by authority." As we have suggested that the book itself is a suitable volume for presentation, we may add that the best form in which to present it is in that calf-antique binding for which the house of Messrs. Rivington is so famous.

*The Annotated Book of Common Prayer. Being a Historical, Ritual, and Theological Commentary on the Devotional System of the Church of England. Edited by the Rev. John Henry Blunt. (Rivingtons.)

Sidereal World. The numerous vignettes and large engravings on wood, with the four coloured plates by M. Faguet, are well designed and executed, especially "The Nest of the Red Tomtit," which we have borrowed for the pages of The Bookseller. The tints in this cut have all the delicacy of copper-plate engraving, and the reeds, grasses, trees, &c. are all accurately as well as beautifully rendered In this country,

where our artists aim more at a broad effect, we seldom see such delicacy exhibited as in the larger pictures of this book. Our book illustrators may take a hint, which will be valuable to them, as to the proper treatment of backgrounds. An English edition of the volume would, we think, be a welcome addition to our works on elementary physical science.

SCOTLAND HER SONGS AND SCENERY.Scotland: her Songs and Scenery. As sung by her Bards and seen in the Camera. (Small 4to. 188. A. W. Bennett.) Mr. Bennett, who was one of the very first to see the use to which Photography might be applied in the illustration of books, and who was himself one of the first so to apply it, has here presented us with a small volume of sterling worth. Externally it is elegant, and the contents, well printed on good paper, include some of the best poetry extant. To make it acceptable to all lovers of Scotland or Scottish literature, it is sufficient to say that the work comprises the best songs and ballads of Robert Burns, several pieces by Thomas Campbell, a dozen descriptive pieces from various Scotch and English poets, and no fewer than forty "Songs and Ballads" by native writers of several periods, most of which are as well known and appreciated in England as they are in the land which gave them birth. The illustrations are, for the most part, judiciously selected. "Burns' Cottage," a fine specimen of photography-appropriately forms the frontispiece, and is followed by such subjects as "The Banks of Doon," "Alloway Kirk," "Pass of Glencoe," Iona," "The Soldier's Leap," "Killiecrankie," and by others, all of which have intimate relation with the text. "Scotland: Her Songs and Scenery," is a volume with which even the most fastidious Scotsman will be pleased. We should mention that the letter-press is from the house of Unwin Brothers, a firm to which we unintentionally did an injustice, when we, some time since, noticed a book of their printing and spoke of its bad press-work, not observing that it was merely a specimen-copy made up of proof-sheets.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF KILLARNEY.-Photographs of Killarney, with descriptive Letter-press. (4to. 218. Glasgow: A. Duthie.) We have here twelve Views of some of the most exquisite scenery in the British Isles. Mr. John Hudson, in selecting his subjects for the camera, has been guided by the best taste, and the execution of the pictures is worthy of high praise. The Upper Lake, the grandeur of which is never forgotten by those who have once seen it, is indeed a splendid example of the photographer's art. The lake, embosomed amid majestic mountains, with the Derricunnecbeg ranges, the lofty Reeks, the Purple Mountains,

and the Gap of Dunloe, forms one of the most charming pictures imaginable, and is here reproduced with amazing accuracy. The same may be said of the Lower Lake; and, in a less degree perhaps, of the Torc, or Middle Lake. The clearness with which the mountains-some of them at great distances from the spectator's point of view—are rendered, is surprising That spot of beauty "The Meeting of the Waters," the island of Innisfallen with its ruined Abbey, Muckross Abbey, Ross Castle. Torc Cascade, O'Sullivan's Cascade, the Purple Mountain, and the Gap of Dunloe are the other views given. The letter-press-which comprises a page of letter-press accompanying each illustration, and a page giving one of the most popular legends connected with the spot, -is well written, and will be found to contain all that is necessary to be known on the subject. The volume will, we are sure, prove acceptable to those who have wandered amid the charming scenery represented; and for those who have not yet visited the famous district of Killarney it will act as a stimulus to induce them to make their next tour thither.

The Scottish Border: A Memorial of He Majesty's Visit to the District in August, 1867. (Kelso: J. and J. H. Rutherfurd.) The narrative of the Queen's visit to the Border last autumn has been well condensed, in this little volume from the various newpaper accounts which were then published; and illustrated by fourte photographic views of the principal places s which she stopped, and a picture of the treethe Wellingtonia Gigantea-she planted the west lawn of Floors Castle, the seat of the Duke of Roxburgh. Among the photographic views are Kelso, Floors Castle, the Abbey and New Church of Kelso, Melrose Abbey, exterior and interior, Abbotsford, Dryburgh Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, and the ruins of Roxburgh Castle. These are all taken successfully, and the book will doubtless be prized as a memento of Her Majesty's first visit to that portion of her dominions.

WOMEN OF THE GOSPELS.- Women of the Gospels: Meditations on some Traits of Feminine Character recorded by the Evangelists. Selected from the Works of Chrysostom, Augustin, Calvin, Jeremy Taylor, and other writers. With twelve photographs. (Small 4to. 12s 6d. Seeleys.) The plan of this volume enables the editor to bring into conjunction some of the most eminent divines and some of the most famous painters that ever lived. The text consists of poems and passages selected from the works of men known for their piety and learning; and the illustrations are after artists universally acknowledged to be men of genius. The twelve photographs, most of them successful specimens of the art, are all from pictures that are famous for their transcendent merits, and the "Meditations," whether in prose or verse, are free from polemical matter or sectarian bias-so that the volume may be unhesitatingly placed in the hands of members of any creed. The "Madonna and Child," after the Madonna di Santo Sisto, which forms the frontispiece, is one of the most beautiful bits of photography that has come under our notice.