The knowledge possessed by some authors is really wonderful. A writer in a daily contemporary, which boasts the "patronage of the educated classes," shows that he is intimately acquainted with the special tastes of the great Spirit of Evil; for he tells his readers--The devil has no more delectable treat in this world than the sight of a little boy, with a huge hulking brother at his back, snubbing, kicking, hairpulling, and generally maltreating and vilipend ing another little boy without a big brother." How did he obtain this information? It looks very exact.

The

Messrs. Macmillan have recently added "Robinson Crusoe," to their elegant Golden Treasury series. It is edited after the original edition, by Mr. J. W. Clark, of Trinity College, who has writted the following preface-" In this edition of 'Robinson Crusoe 'my aim has been to reproduce faithfully the original text. The edition used to print from was that of 1719, but I have collated it with earlier editions. I have in no case modernised the spelling or phraseology. Archaisms are hardly ever such as to render the meaning doubtful even to the ordinary reader, and it has appeared to me likely to prove useful and interesting to young and old in modern times to have our English classics preserved in all their integrity in popular editions such as this aims to be." With this we have no fault to find, although to our mind some few objectionable passages, e.g., that recording the death of Friday, might have been altered with advantage; but what does Mr. Clark mean by saying that he has collated the 1719 edition with earlier ones. We have always been under the impression that Defoe first published the first part of his immortal work in 1719, and the second part later in the same year, and that he did not finally complete the work till the year 1720, when he published-Serious Reflections during the Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe-which serious reflections, by the way, are not to be found in Mr. Clark's volume. Our impression must have been erroneous if Mr. Clark be right, but we suspect that for 1719 we should read some later date, and as the "Reflections" have never been appended to any recent edition, they would not be expected to be in this; nor are they required, but no edition can be critically complete without them; and the editor ought to have made some mention of them in his introduction.

Three Phases of Christian Love. By Lady HERBERT of LEA. (Bentley.) Played Out. A Novel. By ANNIE THOMAS. 3 vols. (Chapman and Hall.)— Here are two writers in widely divergent paths of literature, holding apparently the same views with regard to the young ladies of the present day. Lady Herbert laments that English girls are neither so retiring, so modest, nor so religious as were their mothers and grandmothers in their youth. Miss Thomas-if the pen-pictures she gives of young ladies are to be taken as true portraitspractically says the same; for she makes her heroines fast and slangy-not to say vulgar-and her heroes feminine and absurd. The whole philosophy of the novelist is discoverable in a phrase. When her heroine is at her worst-having lost the man to whom she was engaged-refused the man by whom she was almost compromised, and with no hope of getting married at all, Miss Thomas says of her-" Her soul was dying, but it should die game." Imagine a lovely young lady "dying game," like a bull-dog, or a spurred cock! Though the novel is by no means deficient of incident or interest, we protest altogether against the views of its writer as to the young-ladyism of the age. We do not believe that the majority of English girls lay themselves out to catch "adorable men with sunny curls," who "speak like gods," or heroes; and so forth, throughout the three volumes. Nor do we think with Lady Herbert, that our girls are any worse than their grandmothers were, because, like them, they are not the meek, retiring, trusting creatures some men would have them to be. With regard, however, to Lady Herbert's book, we may say at once that it is simply a translation of three French biographies

recently published: and that French nature is not always English nature. Miss Thomas makes all her men" fast," and all her women "flirts." We should be sorry to believe her right. It is a pity that lady novelists persist in writing about what they do not understand; for we do not really think that Miss Thomas understands-though she certainly affectsthe language of the stable and the club. Would not a joint authorship in novels, as in plays, be an advan tage to both readers and writers? For instance. suppose Miss Annie Thomas and Mr. Anthony Trollope were to undertake a novel together, each writing about what each understands-Mr. Trollope depicting the men, and Miss Thomas the women, and then, consulting together about the conduct of heroes and heroines, agreeing to strike out all that wa absurd and untrue to nature! By such joint action we might get a fairly truthful novel. Certainly w should have no repetition of " Played Out," indisputa bly clever and readable as is Miss Thomas's story.

Memoir of Colonel Wheler (Morgan & Chase). Th motto of the Whelers, an ancient Worcestershir family, facie tenens ("even to the face") was neve more fully exemplified than in the life of the India officer whose memoir is before us. From the gracefull written preface of Mr. Wylie, and from the memoi itself, we learn that Major-General (or as he wa commonly called, Colonel) Wheler enjoyed the di tinction of being trusted by the government he serve and beloved by the men he commanded. The secr of his influence may be found in the fact that he w at once strict and pious, never asking any soldier do that which he would not himself do, and invariab appealing rather to the consciences than to the fea of his men. For nearly half a century Wheler con manded a Sepoy regiment, and lived to see India society gradually improved, missionaries received an respected, and the army generally Christianized a civilized.

Japanese Lyrical Odes. Translated by T. DICKINS. (Smith, Elder, & Co.)-Our aequaintan with Japan and its inhabitants seems to be on the crease. Englishmen of late have had greater inte course with the Japanese than at any previous perio a large number of the sons of wealthy natives a being educated amongst us, and may be encounter in society; and now, it seems, we are beginning have the Japanese mind, as reflected in its literatu introduced to our notice. We have here a century lyrical odes, which, we are told, delighted the inh tants of Japan in ages long gone by, the most anciof them having an antiquity of one thousand yea and the most modern of at least six hundred; and such as feel interest in the most Eastern of East dialects the gaily-adorned volume will be welcor The text is given in Japanese, and in Roman c racters; whilst, for the benefit of those who unacquainted with the language which is classica Jeddo, Mr. Dickins has supplied an English tran tion, with expianatory notes and a full index. are unable to speak in confident terms of the mar in which the translation has been effected; but if Dickins's metrical rendering can be taken as a representative of the original, we have little hesita in expressing our opinion as to the merit of Japar song-writers, the sentiments being almost invari of the most ordinary and simple description. volume, however, is a curiosity in every way, and have pleasure in introducing it to the English stu of oriental literature.

Pass and Class. A Guide-Book to Oxford StuBy MONTAGUE BURROWS. (Parker, 5s.)-The p larity, if not the value of this guide-book is atte by the fact that it is now in a third edition; and examining the work we discover good reason for degree of success to which it has attained. The ce point to which all the information and all the sug The au tions tend is, of course, the examinations. seems to have made himself acquainted wit sources of information, and he has the art of able to communicate it with a clearness that ca fail to make what he says intelligible to the least of those for whom the work is specially designed is enough to say that, after an interesting chapt

attempt made to methodise instruction in English composition is admittedly to cultivate in those who consult the treatise a copious fund of expression, and to improve their powers of discriminating good and ill effects. With respect to the former part of the object, Mr. Bain frankly, and justly, admits that the teacher can do little. It is, therefore, advisable that he should give his chief attention to the latter. And it is this to which he has directed his efforts. Whilst differing from him in several of his definitions, we must bear testimony to the care he has manifested in his labours, and admit that he has attained a high degree of success. As he himself admits, whilst bringing together all the principles and rules of composition which seemed capable of affording aid or direction in the art, he has closely followed Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetoric, Blair's Lectures, and Whateley's Rhetoric; he has not attempted to touch the philosophy of his subject. But for those who are able to read into a book, this is of little consequence. The Manual to them will be of very great use. We have before us, also, a sheet of Additional Extracts, selected by Mr. Bain as examples of the rules and principles of the work. These, which are arranged in the order of date, effectually illustrate the history of English style, and show the improvements that have taken place in English prose during the last three centuries.

A Grammar of the English Language. By WILLIAM FRANCIS COLLIER, Ph.D. (Laurie. Edinburgh. 1s. 6d.) Dr. Collier's aim is one we should like to see carried out. He has endeavoured to present us with a grammar, whose distinctive features should be unusual simplicity of language and clearness of explanation; to furnish notes and collateral matter; to illustrate the text when needed; to make the parsing given at the end of each section concise and appropriate; to supply means for a comparison between the grammatical forms of Anglo-Saxon and modern English; and finally, to give a sketch of the history of the English language sufficiently full for all purposes of school work. Were this task well accomplished, the author would deserve the best thanks of all who are interested in education. We are sorry to say, however, that, in our opinion, he has failed in some very important particulars. The history of the language, in which of course we cannot express originality, is briefly and well told, but the early portions of the treatise cannot be credited, either with possessing clearness or simplicity of plan. In the discussion of "number and gender" of nouns, it is surely unnecessary to perplex the pupil with an account of the Anglo-Saxon number and gender. It would, we think, have been preferable if the author had deferred the consideration of the language and its forms as they were till he had completed his account of them as they are. He has brought together too much has introduced too many elements in each division of his subject. The attention of the student is likely to be distracted by the variety of topics, before he learns the use to which they are to be applied. Mr. Collier has, however, in several respects, shown & good sense we should like to see exhibited by all writers on the science of grammar, and whichalthough it does not redeem his work from the charge of not being sufficiently clear in its arrangement to suit the requirement of schools-proves him to have a knowledge of the true principles upon which all grammars should be composed. He wisely discards the article from the list of parts of speech; he admits only two kinds of pronouns-the personal and rela tive; he fully appreciates the distinction between gender and sex, and very justly refuses to regard the objective as a real case. But in other, and even more important respects, he does not exhibit similar clearsightedness. It is enough to say that he believes an English verb has two voices, and that, although in a note he discredits the arrangement, he insists upon giving six tenses and five moods. We are completely at a loss to see his reason for thus unnecessarily putting stumbing-blocks in the way of learners. If he sees, as he does see, that there are only two tenses, and that the other four so-called tenses are formed by adding on the other auxilliary verb, why does he follow a foolish fashion? If he knows, and does know, that the English verb has no mood, why does he en

cumber his page with five moods? The work contains numerous instances of similar perversity. The appendix on prosody will be found useful by advanced students, and the sketch of the History of the English language, without being original, contains a very concise outline of the subject treated.

The Principles of English Grammar. By JAMES DOUGLAS, Ph.D. (Black. Edinburgh. Is. 6d.) Here is another grammar, in the composition of which the sole aim of the compiler was to be perfect. He was desirous of producing a text-book, "thoroughly adapted to the purposes of school instruction;" and it seems that some of the public are of opinion that he has succeeded, for the present is the fifty-sixth edition of the work. The defects that we have ventured to point out in our paragraph on Mr. Collier's grammar are equally to be found in this. Indeed, they exist here in greater abundance. Mr. Douglas is still of opinion that an article placed before a noun marks the extent of its signification, and believes that "I am loved" is the passive voice of "I love." In his method he closely follows the forms of the Latin grammar.

English Grammar and Composition. (Chambers's Educational Course. 1s. 6d.)-Exceptions having been taken to the bulk of the text-book of English Gram mar, published a few years ago as part of the Messrs. Chambers's Educational Course, the editors of that work were led to consider the propriety of presenting the subject in a more condensed form. The result is the present volume, in which the whole matter has been almost entirely recast, and is now so presented as to meet the requirements of the present state of education. Whilst ready to press against this manual the same objections we advanced against those just noticed, and admitting that the work is not altogether adapted for beginners, we feel bound to say, that for those who have already mastered the elements, it will be of the highest service. It contains elucidation of most subjects that pays intelligent young men in their endeavours to master their native language, and the explanation is uniformly given with great clearness of expression. The part devoted to composition," though brief, will be found of much use to students of style, whether they are boys or adults.

The Progressive English Grammar. By WALTER SCOTT DALGLISH, M.A. (Oliver and Boyd. 2s.)Mr. Dalglish has a speciality. He is progressive. "The work is designed to lead pupils progressively from the simplest elements of English grammar to the most advanced stage of the subject, and to give them in outline so complete a view of the grammar of their mother tongue, that it shall (!) not be necessary for them to refer to other works, unless it is intended to make the language the subject of minute and special study." This is a sufficiently comprehensive scheme, and we think the writer has attained a considerable degree of success in his attempt to pursue an independent course, and avoid the beaten track made by former English grammarians. In delaying his treatment of the alphabet, till he discusses the history of the language and its grammatical development, we think, considering the plan of the book, he has done wisely. We agree with him that, although the alphabet generally stands at the beginning of grammar-books, "it is seldom or ever the part of the subject which is first taught;" and its consideration should, therefore, be deferred till it can be entertained with understanding by the pupil. We believe, too, that his method of adding the Anglo-Saxon inflections as an appendix is preferable to that adopted by Dr. Collier, who has brought them into juxtaposition with modern grammatical forms. The work is essentially a tutor's assistant, adapted less for being com mitted to memory by the pupil, than to aid the master in the class-room.

The Scottish School-Book Association's Young Child's Grammar. (Collins. 3d.)-The title fully explains this little work, which is without note or comment, and consists simply of the elements of grammar con veyed in the language, with which most middle-aged men and women who have learned English grammar were once familiar. There are exercises on each part of speech.

Colenso's Shilling Arithmetic.

the least attempt being made to distort them, or give them colour. We have examined the volume with some care, and have detected few omissions. To the student about to undergo examination it will be of great service. There is an index; and much collateral information-constitutional and otherwise-has been embodied in the notes.

(Longmans.)-The value of Colenso's treatises on Arithmetic is well known. He has himself been a teacher of arithmetic, and is thoroughly acquainted with the difficulties that occur, and with the best manner of meeting them. The Shilling Arithmetic is a new edition of the textbook of Elementary Arithmetic, in which the exercises have been incorporated with the text. The work has been carefully revised throughout, and, in a few instances, alterations have been made with the view of improving the explanatory portion of the book. An edition is published at the same price, containing the answers to the examples.

Hunter's Arithmetic. (Longmans.)-Mr. Hunter has here endeavoured to include in one book all modern improvements in their most natural and useful forms, so as to promote greater facility and power of comprehension in the pupil's mind than the methods usually prevalent. The problems, nearly all original, are carefully graduated, and even the miscellaneous exercises are divided into brief sets, each of which forms a progressively arranged exami nation paper.

Hunter's Easy Introduction to Conic Sections. (Longmans.)-The same gentleman has here given us an elementary treatise on a higher branch of study. The present introduction is the result of applications for assistance made by students of such elaborate works on Conie Sections, as those of Salmon and Todhunter. With thorough knowledge of the difficulties that perplex many readers of those famous productions, Mr. Hunter has in this publication provided a first course of lessons and exercises to qualify" the young student for reading, and profiting by the masterly works referred to. A key to the work is also published.

Arithmetic. By PERCY HUDSON. (Longmans.)In this work, undertaken at the request of the publishers, the object of the author has been "to give, in all cases where it is possible, the explanation of the method employed, at sufficient length and with suffi. cent clearness, to enable a careful reader to master the principles of arithmetical calculation for himself." This, of course, would be a desirable consummation; but we do not see that Mr. Percy Hudson has achieved greater success in this direction than any of his predecessors. It is always desirable to cultivate in students the habit of inquiring for themselves into the truth of the methods they make use of, and we should be disposed to welcome every successful attempt made to aid them. As we have said, however, we fail to discover in what way this arithmetic, good enough in its way, is capable of assisting them. When will writers cease to talk of "Double Rule of Three? "Double Rule of Three" is simply a complication of simple Proportion. It is a second Proportion, formed by the addition of other elements, which arrange themselves under the same heads as the first. We are glad to see that Mr. Hudson has recognised the necesty of devoting a chapter to the metric system and deemal coinage.

Armet. By. W. M. LUPTON. (Longmans.)— This volume is a valuable adjunct to any work on arithmetic. It is essentially a book of exercises, and contains no fewer than 2,500 examples. The author, having found from experience that a knowledge of arithmetic can be acquired only by constant exercise in the different rules, and that the failure of candidates for examination usually arises more from a want of correctness in working than from a want of know. ledge of the science itself, has designedly selected his examples with a view to insure accuracy of work. The Army and Civil Service examination papers, with the entire arithmetic, published in the last Civil Service Report, have been resorted to for examples, so that the style of the various examinations may be ascertained by students.

Analysis of English History. By WM. C. PEARCE and SAM. HAGIN. (Murby, 1s.)-This compilation not only gives a detailed analysis of historical facts, but presents the subject to us in a manner which cannot fail to impress it on the memory-the chronological sequence of events having been in a great degree observed by the authors. English History is brought down to the end of last year, and the facts, admirably selected, are narrated in a clear, terse style, without

Manual of English History Simplified. By A LADY. (Murby, 1s. 6d.)-Simplicity of diction and lucidity of description are the recommendations of this little work. The advanced scholar will at times smile at the simple manner in which many well-known episodes in our history are related; but teachers will at once see the advantage of a work which enables little children to understand what they read.

Laurie's Manual of English Spelling. (Murby, Ils.)— Mr. Laurie, editor of the "National Standard Course of Elementary Instruction," is the editor of this Manual; the compilation, however, is the work of Mr. Marshall, master of the Duke of Bedford's school, Tavistock. There can be no doubt that a deficiency in orthography is at the present day severely censured, and that a systematic course of special training is indispensable for the attainment of proficiency. Some of our most eminent men, it is well known, were unable to spell correctly, and the reason generally assigned for this deficiency-early neglect of their teachers-is probably the correct one. No amount of genius can compen sate early neglect; the importance, therefore, of a good guide will be at once admitted.

First Steps in Reading and Learning. (Longmans.)— The title of this book is so explicit that there is no need to give a further description of its contents. Mr. Isbister has well done what he aimed at accomplishing. The symmetrical arrangement he has adopted is a good one. The lessons are numbered throughout for easy reference, and so disposed that each is begun and completed on the same page. Every day's work may, therefore, be regularly, systematically appor tioned.

Murby's Execlesior Reading-Books. 1st Reader. (Murby, 4d.)-An excellent little work, in which the pupil is led on from the alphabet, till he is able to read useful lessons, or common things, and narratives, fables, and poems. And the wonder is, that on the 64 pages of which the Reader is composed, there is no word of more than one syllable. Nor is this all. Writing copies and lessons in arithmetic are placed on the same page as the reading lessons, so that a day's lesson in reading, writing, and arithmetic is to be found together. The little work is very complete, and can be recommended as a first lesson book to all elementary schools. The binding, too, is unusually strong.

The New First Standard Reader. (Murby.) The New Second Standard Reader. (Murby.)-In these Readers, the stories and rhymes are quite easy, and the woodcuts, though they occasionally have little reference to the text, are good and well suited to the taste of children, as far as regards the subjects selected for illustration.

Maclear's Shilling Book of Old Testament History (Macmillan) is a well written and clearly arranged Scripture history, from the Creation to the time of Nehemiah. A similar volume containing the New Testament history is promised. It well deserves the notice of teachers, and we think that as the work becomes known it will be generally adopted in schools and private families.

Logic and Utility. (Truelove, 6d.)-A reprint, somewhat abridged, of a series of articles from a weekly literary journal, and designed to induce the readerespecially if he is a working man-to study the works of Mr. J. S. Mill.

The Writer's Enchiridion. By J. S. SCARLETT. (S. S. Carter, 1s. 6d.)-The compiler of this sheet forgets that "what is one man's food is another man's poison;" or, rather, what perplexes A. may not have the effect of perplexing B. The object of the Enchiridion is to tell when consonants should be doubled.

Mind your H's, and take care of your R's. By C. W. SMITH. (Lockwood.)-This probably may be of use to those whom it concerns. It would not be polite for us to indicate the individuals who require such a manual,

Oppen's Select Tales in French. (Asher & Co.)The success of their" Select Tales "from the German, has induced the publishers to issue a similar volume in French, for the use of students in that language; and we are sure the little volume now before us will be as fortunate as its predecessor. The pieces selected by Mr. Oppen are at once interesting in themselves, and valuable as examples of French Idioms. It is a pity, however, that the sources from which the tales and anecdotes have severally been taken are not given. French Orthöepy; or, the Certain Guide to an Accurate French Pronunciation. By J. GAILLARD. (Philip & Son.)-We are quite sure at a glance that we should never be able to learn French pronunciation from this volume. It is quite possible the author himself may be able to teach it, because he has the assistance of the living voice; but, notwithstanding the testimony given in the volume by a lady as to the successful results of its introduction among her pupils, the work will be found not only difficult to be understood by pupils, but also by most masters.

An Elementary Hebrew Grammar. By WILLIAM HENRY GREEN. (New York: John Wiley & Son.)This elementary treatise, designed by the author as an introduction to his larger grammar, will be equally useful in preparing the way for any other more elaborate work. It has been compiled with special reference to the wants of beginners, and in order to exhibit to the eye whatever is capable of such a mode of representation, the tabular form has wisely been adopted. It is comprehensive enough for ordinary use. Mrs. Lebahn's Little Scholar's First Step in German. (Lockwood.)-There is no occasion for us to explain the object of this work. The exercises are short, and will be of service in familiarising the learner with the fundamental rules of German grammar. The auxiliary and regular verbs, in their active and passive forms, are given in the appendix. The book is clearly printed, and the sentences used for examples have been well selected.

Mrs. Lebahn's First Steps in German Reading. (Lockwood.)-The first step in reading German consists of little tales presented in German, with interlineal English translation. We fail to see the amusement promised in the preface; but the chief end in view being the advancement of the reader in the German language, the absence of anticipated fun is not much missed. The vocabulary embraces every word occur. ring in the text.

Fischer-Fischart's Elementary German Grammar. (Longmans.)-At once a grammar and an exercise book, this work, within a small compass, gives a good insight into the nature of the German language. The arrangement adopted is very clear, and the examples given are appropriate.

Oppen's Sixpenny German Lessons (Cassell) appears to be just the right kind of book for any one who wishes to teach himself German without the aid of a master.

A Dictionary of the English Language. By ROBERT GORDON LATHAM, M.A., M.D., &c. &c. &c.; founded on that of Dr. Samuel Johnson. (Longmans. Vol. 1. 70s.)--Johnson's Dictionary is too well known to need description. Since the first edition appeared, in 1755, words and phrases then unknown have been added to our language, many then current have become ob solete, and many that are as much in use now as then have had their meanings modified, or fresh meanings altogether given to them. Todd did much to supply Dr. Johnson's deficiences. But much remained to be done. Many words which did not appear in Johnson's edition were also omitted by Todd; the defects in ety. mology were not corrected; and the various shades of meaning which a word receives in course of time, were not adequately represented in the definitions that were given. For several years past, it has been thought that the work required complete correction, emendation, and addition, to fit it for the requirements of the present time. It was generally admitted that a dietionary was wanted, which should do for the language of our day, what Johnson in his work so well did for his. An editor was required, who from his knowledge of our literature, should be well acquainted with the needs of the advanced scholarship of this day, and who, from his attainments as a scholar, should

be able to supply them. At length an editor has been found to undertake the task required, and we already have before us the first volume of the new Dictionary. In the present edition much confusion will undoubtedly be produced in the minds of those who are not thoroughly acquainted with the former issues. The title-page tells us not that the great work is by Dr. Johnson, but that Mr. Latham is the author; and that the Doctor occupies only the subsidiary and subordinate position of being "founded upon." We are not, therefore, amongst those who were surprised when a weekly contemporary, now defunct, attributed to the present editor the famous Preface written by Johnson, for immediately following the title-page, which tells us the work is by Latham, comes the "Author's Preface." How, then, could it be expected that a critic, unacquainted with Johnson's style, or with Johnson's Dictionary, should recognise the composition? It is true that if he had compared the " Author's Preface with the "Editor's Preface," he would have dis covered a slight difference, as well in logical thought as in the composition itself; but, to say the least, after reading the title-page, it would have been indecorous in him to deny to Dr. Latham the credit of being the author of Johnson's Dictionary. We, however, have before us the original edition, side by side with that issued in the present year, and are thus enabled to give credit to whom credit is due.

The principles upon which this edition has been constructed are clear and commendable. We have first the word itself, placed in alphabetical order, with its accent; then an abbreviation is given, showing what part of speech it is; the derivation follows; then an explanation of its meaning is attempted; and, lastly, a quotation or extract follows, illustrating its use. This was the plan adopted in the earlier editions, and is, of course, the proper plan to pursue. Without wishing to depreciate Mr. Latham's labours, we must say that the performance does not deserve the same commendation as the method. In one respect he has certainly improved upon former editions. The extracts he gives are usually fuller and more complete than those collected by Johnson, and the reader is informed, moreover, not only from what authors the passages have been taken, but exact reference is almost invariably given to the part of the work from which such is quoted. This improvement, however, is one that was scarcely needed. It is admitted, that in his examples Johnson was singularly fortunate. One of the merits commonly attributed to his book is, according to Mr. Latham himself, that it may be taken up anywhere, and found both amusing and instructive. The chief use of a dictionary is for the explanation of words current in the language, or enshrined in the literature of the nation by whom it is spoken. A very slight examination of this volume will show that in this respect Dr. Latham's work is singularly deficient. Numerous well-authenticated meanings are wanting. He tells us, for instance, that bend" means "flexure, incurvation," but he does not tell us that "bend" is also one of the nine honourable ordinaries in Heraldry; he does not appear to have heard of a "bend sinister," nor has the word "bendlet" been noted by him. He tells us that "brass" is "an alloy of copper and zinc," but he does not appear to have heard that the word also means "impudence," or that a monumental slab composed of copper and zinc, with effigies engraved in outline upon it, is also known as a "brass." "Bagatelle," he defines"trifle; thing of no importance," giving no intima. tion that he had ever heard of a game called by that name. "Bastile " is "Fortification of a castle; castle itself," but we are left in ignorance that the prison founded by Hugh Aubriot is, par excellence, the prison to which the term is always applied. Even when he seems acquainted with the ordinary meaning of a word, his explanation is frequently so defective as to be of little service to those who consult his work. Musicians will, we think, be rather surprised to find that a "barytone" is a "bass voice." A young lady, complimented by being spoken of as the belle of a ball-room, will not be pleased when she discovers Mr. Latham considers her nothing better than a "4 smart, or gay young lady." "Ballot," we think, is not very