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 Pittnian, FordhaDi, Audubon : Travels 149 provincial politics. To this end, at times its leaders resorted to acts which " verged on the methods of the sharp politician ". While admit- ting that often " the basis of their morality was defective ", that the Friends were often opportunists and sometimes violated their own prin- ciples, yet Dr. Sharpless maintains that in the main they remained true to their ideals and surrendered their political control rather than violate their principles. In discussing Penn's Indian policy, incidentally the opportunity is taken to controvert, with considerable success, the con- tention of Parkman and John Fiske that the success of this policy was due to the character of the Indians rather than to " Quaker justice ". The author, however, in his admiration for Quaker principles is led to declare that " the Declaration of Independence was simply the assertion of Penn's position (in regard to liberty), and the negative of the New England statement and practice ". This conclusion seems both forced and unjust. In the essays dealing with later conditions of Pennsylvania politics, not only does Dr. Sharpless easily refute the contention of the anony- mous author of " The Ills of Pennsylvania ", but in several of the other essays he endeavors to show, possibly with less success, the enduring effect of Quaker principles in American politics. He summons Friends to participate again actively in politics in order to aid in their purifica- tion and in securing greater efficiency in the government. It is of interest to note that since the publication of this volume, the author has put his precepts into practice by responding to the call of his fellow- citizens to stand for political office. There are a few instances of careless proof-reading in the volume, the most noticeable ones occurring on pages 39 and 42. Herman V. Ames. The Present State of the European Settlements on the Mississippi. By Captain Philip Pittman, with introduction, notes and in- dex by Frank Heywood Hodder. ( Cleveland : A. H. Clark Compan}-. 1906. Pp. 165.) Personal Xarratiz'e of Traz'els in J'irginia. Maryland, Pe)insylfania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky : and of a Residence in the Illinois Territory: iSiy-i8iS. By Elias Pym Fordham. Edited by Frederick Austin Ogg. (Cleveland: A. H. Clark Company. 1906. Pp. 248.) Audubon's Western Journal: 1849-18 jO, with biographical memoir by his daughter, Maria A. Audubon, introduction, notes, and index by Frank Heywood Hodder. (Cleveland: A. H. Clark Company. 1906. Pp. 243.) This Western publishing house continues its contributions to the studv of Western history bv three volumes, only one of which is a