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recently translated from the French by William Hardy, will be interesting to most of our readers, as containing, among other things, a personal account of the Battle of Agincourt, on October 25, 1415 at this great victory De Waurin was himself present, and confirms the popular estimate of the numbers in the French and English armies, showing that the former were from five to six to one as many as the latter. The loss on the English side he makes 1600, that on the French 10,000, not counting "varlets.”

Clement Williains, "From Burmah to Western China," gives an account of his attempt to open out a trade-route between the Irawaddy and the Yang-tseKiang, an attempt which we have every reason to think would have met with complete success had he been heartily supported by the Indian Government. Clearly, it would be a great saving could we avoid the voyage round from Bengal to Eastern China.

"Sir Walter Raleigh, Life of," by Edward Edwards. Mr. Edwards is one of the most hard-working of literary men, as a mere inspection of the works he has been engaged on during the last twenty-five years will amply show to any one who will look into a good catalogue of books. We are, therefore, glad to add that his Life of Raleigh does not detract from his known previous merits, and exhibits great powers of research, and much ability in stating the results of these researches. We fear, however, that two thick volumes, closely printed, of nearly 1300 pages, will deter a considerable number of students from giving them the attention they well deserve.

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'Principles at Stake," by George H. Sumner, is a collection of Essays on principles, as nearly as possible, opposite to those enounced by Mr. Orby Shipley, to which we have already called attention. On the whole, it must be confessed that the papers collected by Mr. Sumner are much more like what we should expect from a Clergyman of the Church of England than those in Mr. Shipley's volume.

The "Memoir of the Right Honourable Hugh Elliot," by the Countess of Minto, will well repay perusal, as the life of a man who saw perhaps more of life, both high and low, than has been the lot of many. Born in the reign of George II., and surviving till the accession of William IV.; at school in France with Mirabeau; in Paris, first, with David Hume and Horace Walpole; at Berlin, ere the death of Frederick the Great; still later, in Paris during the commencement of the Revolution; in 1803, with Nelson in the Victory; an employé at a dozen Courts; and, finally, Governor first of the Leeward Islands and then of Madras, on his return whence he visited St. Helena, but declined to visit Napoleon "as the greatest enemy his country had ever had, and a curse to Europe;" Mr. Elliot's story comprehends no small portion of the most interesting times of modern European history.

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Bible by Coverdale, MDXXXV.," by Francis Fry, is an excellent addition to English Bibliography.

"Ten Thousand Wonderful Things," by E. F. King, is exactly the book to suit an age in which novel reading has far outstripped (for a large number of the young of both sexes) the serious study of history, language, or physical science. It is also amusingly inaccurate, both in statement and reference. Our wonder is, not that Mr. King, who puts M.A. after his name-possibly to throw dust in the eyes of the ignorant who will revel in this book-should have named all his stories and extracts "wonders," but that he should have found any publishers heedless enough to print and circulate them for him.

"Indian Polity," a view of the system of Administration in India, by G. Chesney, will no doubt find many admirers. We despair, however, of any real good being effected by the centralization suggested.

J. H. Blunt. " A Key to the Knowledge and Use of the Holy Bible." A good and useful work for those who have not accepted the Colenso-Davidson views. Ordinary readers of the Bible will thank Mr. Blunt for his plain re-assertion of facts that few people, thirty years ago, had begun to call in question.

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Benjamin Disraeli, Life of," by J. McGilchrist. The last personage, we should have thought, whose life could have been written before his death. Nor, though we appreciate many of the late Prime Minister's acts better than do some of his opponents, do we believe, that either he or the Conservative party owe, or would be ready to give, any thanks to Mr. McGilchrist for his present lucubrations. It is a weak and feeble essay, though we are told Mr. McGilchrist is a practical hand at such compilations.

"The Witness of the Old Testament to Christ," by the Rev. Stanley Leathes, being the Boyle Lectures for 1868, is an excellent work by an able Hebrew scholar. We have great pleasure in commending it to all those whose critical notions, unfed by réchauffés of German theologies, have not yet forgotten the value of "stare super antiquas vias."

Henderson, Captain J., in his "History of the Rebellion in Ceylon,” gives an account of the deeds of some of Lord Torrington's employés, especially of a certain Captain Watson, which we should be glad to believe an exaggeration : but, from what we remember of the time, and of the obloquy the Governor incurred, though protected at home by his Whig friends, we fear it is but too true. Look at the story of this miserable revolt and of the Jamaica insurrection. In the one case, poor Eyre is to be ruined in purse-thank God, not in character-while Lord Torrington has strutted before the Queen since then for years, an irreproachable Lord in Waiting!

W. D. Sweeting (the Rev.), in his "Notes, &c., on the Parish Churches round Peterborough," has written a book which, if we mistake not, will be known a long way off from Peterborough. Beautifully illustrated with photographs, the historical text is given with great accuracy, and with much force and precision. Mr. Paley has already given some account of the churches of this district, but there was much more still to be gathered into the garners of Mr. Sweeting.

With this admirable work may be contrasted Mr. English's "Light on the Historians and History of Crowland Abbey, and an account of Burgh (now Peterborough)," &c., a very meagre and feeble book, with many odd things in it. Of these the oddest, surely, is the idea that "the Romans were for the most part much like ourselves, and spoke a dialect which differed as little from our own as the English of Londoners differs from the tongue of the Scots!"

"Summers and Winters in the Orkneys," by Daniel Gorrie, is a work written by a man who is well acquainted with his subject, and is therefore interesting. This is also composed in a pleasant and lively style.

But of books of travels which have recently issued from the press, that by Lady Di Beauclerk, "A Summer and Winter in Norway," will, we think, be deemed the most enjoyable. Perhaps, scarcely any book has been published, since Lady Eastlake's notes of her tour along the Baltic, which conveys to the reader such a pleasant idea of the temper and spirit of the writer. The sketch of the journey is admirably told all through in the simplest, most natural, and most unaffected way; and the thorough appreciation of the magnificent coast

scenery of Norway demonstrates a mind well trained and, therefore, well qualified not only to enjoy herself, but to make her readers follow and envy an enjoyment so genuinely portrayed.

Mr. E. C. Walcott's "Sacred Archæology" is the kind of work we should naturally have anticipated from the profound studies of one of the most laborious of English Archæologists. It is, in fact, a closely printed dictionary, the carefully assorted result of years of labour, devoted to the illustration of the whole of Ecclesiology. The range is naturally enormous, greater, indeed, than could be with ease compressed within the limits of a single work. Yet, for all this, Mr. Walcott's contribution to our general knowledge will be thoroughly appreciated by all students who are desirous of finding succinctly stated what he has well called "A Popular Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Art and Institutions from Primitive to Modern Times." Mr. Walcott, in a modest preface, asks for corrections from those who may detect errors. We do not doubt that this assistance will be afforded to him, and that a second edition will enable him to give to the public a yet more valuable work than his present one. We should add that considering the Herculean task he has undertaken, the errors in his book, though numerous, are such as could hardly with justice to him, be severely judged.

Riley's "Memorials of London and London Life from A.D. 1276 to 1419” is a book of great value as an illustration of the actual life of and in London in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries. The public owes its thanks to the Corporation of London, who have given free leave to Mr. Riley to make this full inspection of and these ample extracts from their archives, and who have further ordered the printing and publication of his transcripts to be made" at their sole expense." The book has been thoroughly well done, and with no sparing of labour. We trust that this volume of 700 pages may be considered only as the commencement of a series, and that health and strength may be given to Mr. Riley to persevere in his valuable researches; which, even now, necessitates the re-writing of the history of the City of London during the 140 years he has as yet examined and described.

The Rev. S. C. Malan, if we mistake not, one of the earliest to gain the Boden Sanskrit scholarship at Oxford, has been long and favourably known as a most accomplished Oriental scholar, as well as an excellent draughtsman, who has seen much and drawn much of Eastern life and manners. His present translation from the Armenian of "The Life and Times of St. Gregory the Illuminator," will, no doubt, maintain his reputation as a scholar. We fail, however, to see the value of a work which chronicles to the full the fables and superstitions of the early Christian people of Armenia, but which cannot be said to do much more. Mr. Malan is thoroughly competent to give to the world a complete history of the Armenian Church, will he do so?

The contributions in 1868 to that class of lighter literature usually known by the name of novels, has been considerable; and, when we look at the actual numbers of such works of fiction, not a few of which have been generally admitted to be, at least, readable, the collection for this year is, probably, as good as that in former years. Among these we may notice the following:

"Haunted Lives," by Sheridan Le Fanu, a fair representation of the class of stories whereof this writer has made himself a name. "The Bramleighs of Bishop's Folly," by Charles Lever, a lively, pleasant book, by a writer who is often careless to the verge of blunders, but who has rarely printed any thing

which would not be deemed readable. "The Author's Daughter," by Catherine Spence. "Fathers and Sons," by Mr. Turginess, in many senses one of the best books of its class which have been recently put forth. "Bones and I," by Whyte Melville, one of the best stories which this entertaining writer has given to the world. Moonstone," by Wilkie Collins, a reprint from a serial, but one, notwithstanding, quite fit to have a separate place for itself, with a story, indeed, improbable and in some degree sensational, but carefully worked up and admirably written.

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"The Lost Link," by Tom Hood, a name memorable in the literature of the nineteenth century; a worthy son and follower of a father who, in his own time, has had no equal, and need fear no imitator. We do not think Tom Hood could write what his father wrote, but we thank him for a pleasant, carefully-performed work.

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'First Love and Last Love," by Mr. Grant, is a good specimen of the style with which he has made us familiar. It will not add to, or detract from his fame. We cannot congratulate Mr. H. Kingsley on his "Mathilde," which is, to say the least, feeble in scheme and execution; but we think Miss Braddon's "Dead Sea Fruit" less nauseous, because less sensational, than many of the tales whereby she has won renown with a certain class.

"Foul Play," by Messrs. Reade and Boucicault, is a singular instance of misplaced talent. We defy any one to unravel the mysteries of this composite jumble, which reflects little credit on Mr. Reade, and is altogether beneath the credit of so accomplished a plot-monger as Mr. Boucicault.

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Miss Annie Thomas, who, like some actresses and singers, has found her maiden more profitable than her married name, has added to the list of her former works, "Dower House," which is a good tale, singularly unpleasant, however, to read. One too Many," by Armah Grey, is good; and so, with some qualification, we may call "Tonic Bitters," by Legh Knight. Mrs. Craven's "Sister's Story," Mrs. Newby's "Only Temper," will attract some readers, but we doubt much whether this happy result will be attained by Lady Wood's "Sorrows of the Sea." Other novels which have obtained a certain amount of popularity are the following:-Mrs. Dutton Cook's "Over Head and Ears;" Miss Muloch's "Woman's Kingdom;" Miss Braddon's "Run to Earth;" Mrs. Henry Wood's "Anne Hereford;" Mr. Moy Thomas's "Fight for Life;" Mr. George MacDonald's "Seaboard Parish;" Mr. Lancaster's "A Screw Loose;" Mr. Arthur Help's "Realmah ;" and Mr. Jeaffreson's "A Noble Woman."

W. R. Russell-" Adventures of Dr. Brady"-has produced a story which will be read perhaps more from sympathy with a writer so well and so justly known in various fields of literature, than from any special interest in the tale itself. The well-known "Times Correspondent," over whose pages we have hung so often and with so much pleasure, is sure to write well whatever he undertakes. We may, however, have our doubts whether he has greatly increased his fame by turning from his true path as the chronicler of passing and stirring events to the lighter fields of fiction.

"Breakspeare," by Guy Livingstone, will assuredly not improve the reputation of the writer, whose first literary effort has given him the patronymic whereby he is best known.

"Faith and Science," by Gilbert Sutton, is a collection of Essays on various important moral subjects, and indicates extensive reading and much skill in the

selection of what is most apposite to the question the writer is discussing. At the end of the volume is a "critique on the writings and life of the late Rev. Mr. Robertson, of Brighton," in which the reader will find a just and sensible estimate of that good and true man.

On the subject of Poetry there is less to record this year than usual, comparatively few works of great power having made their appearance, though of poetasters there has been the customary inexhaustible crop. Possibly the poems which will endure the longest, are also, curiously enough—or rather will be, when finished, the longest poems in the English language. These are Mr. Morris's "Earthly Paradise," and Mr. Browning's "Ring and the Book." The first, we have little doubt, will take its place among our best writers, whether for the brilliancy of the descriptions to be found in it or for the exquisite melody of its verses. One volume only is as yet published, but this volume gives excellent promise for the future. Of Mr. Browning's Poems, of which one volume, too, is "out," we would rather say nothing till we see what the four promised remaining ones are like. Both poems, we may add, are expected to comprehend something like 20,000 verses. Two compilations of ballads, those of "The Legendary Ballads of England and Scotland," by Mr. J. S. Roberts, and "Scottish Ballads and Songs," by Mr. Maidment, are worthy of notice as being far superior to the ordinary character of such collections. Of the two we are inclined to consider the former the most completely executed. We also notice with pleasure Mr. MacDonald's "The Disciple, and other Poems," affording as they do evidence of a highly cultivated mind, and of an ear attuned to harmonious sounds; hence, though his fancies are sometimes far-fetched and overstrained, his verses very rarely lack the proper flow. Nor should we omit to mention a very excellent little book in its way, called "Poems written for a Child, by Two Friends," which will, we hope, soon take the place of the rubbish which, for many years, has been thought advisable for the perfection of youthful tastes. Lastly-though across the Water in their origin-we cannot wholly omit Longfellow's "New England Tragedies," which revive many pleasant recollections of his former writing.

We should like to mention, though not strictly falling within any one of the classes of literature to which we have called attention, the presumed discovery, by Professor Henry Morley, of an unpublished poem by John Milton, written on a blank page at the end of Milton's "English and Latin Poems," printed in 1645, and now in the British Museum. The world was naturally at first taken aback, and was inclined to accept the statements of the distinguished Professor. A more careful examination, however, by the experienced scholars of the MSS. Room in that institution showed clearly that it was a fallacy to suppose the writing Milton's; that the "J. M." for John Milton was really S. M. or P. M., and that the Professor had, therefore, found a mare's nest, though supported in his view by the discriminating editor of the " Athenæum."

In concluding this concise summary of the first branch of our subject-the Literature of the year 1868-we may be allowed to quote the following statistics from the "Publisher's Circular," which better than any thing else demonstrates at once the total number of books issued, and of the classes into which they may be divided. "Our record of title-pages," we read in it, " for the past year shows that 4581 new books and new editions have been published in Great Britain during 1868, exclusive of mere re-issues and entries for alterations of price, and importation of foreign printed books; of this number of 4581, no less than

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