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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io s. x. NOV. 7,

us particularly. Lady Robert Cecil pays a just tribute to ' Dorothea Beale ' in reviewing the recent biography of that modern mistress of education. Mr. H. G. Hutchinson writes interestingly on 'English Bird Names,' and Miss Dorothea Deakin has an amusing story in ' Miss Primrose.' Mr. Walter Frith's ' An Irish Rajah ' deals with George Thomas, once independent sovereign of Hurrianah, but does not seem quite equal to presenting the attractions of a picturesque figure.

IN The Nineteenth Century ', 'The Crisis in the Near East' occupies a leading position, and is treated by three writers Dr. E. Reich, Col. P. H. H. Massy, and Prof. Vambery. Mr. J. R. Macdonald's views of * Sweating and Wages Boards ' are well worth consideration. Major Baden-Powell deals with ' The Problem of Aerial Navigation,' in reply to Prof. Newcomb, and considers that the new type of flying machine has possibilities in the near future. Having travelled some miles! through the air in the machine of Mr. Wilbur Wright, the writer of the article has possibly been exhilarated beyond reason. We cannot consider his reply to the points of uncertainty, danger, expense, and in- efficiency as satisfactory ; still, it is pleasant to see optimism as to any new discovery. ' India under Crown Government, 1858-1908,' is summarized by Mr. J. Nisbet, a distinguished expert in forestry ; but the summary is too brief and general to have any special attractions. Under the title 'An Unknown Poet,' Mr. Frederic Harrison deals with a tiny volume of thirty-five sonnets, bemoaning the loss of a beloved wife. Mr. Harrison thought so highly of these that he urged the author to add to them, and this year they have apparently appeared as ' Thysia : an Elegy ' (Bell & Sons). Accomplish- ment in the sonnet form is now so high that we can hardly regard the verses quoted as of extraordinary merit. It is clear that the author owes much to Tennyson, though he has also the gift of simplicity of statement. Mrs. Henry Birchen pugh has an entertaining as well as instructive view of 'Berlin revisited by a British Tourist ' ; and that venerable artist in English, Mr. Goldwin Smith, asks ' Has England wronged Ireland ? '

IN The Burlington Magazine, the editorial articles deal with the death of Dr. S. W. Bushell, a great authority on Chinese art ; ' The Commission on Ancient Monuments,' which we regard as of little value unless some permanent official is appointed to look after them ; and ' The Profession of Archi- tecture.' Mr. Guy Dickins has an important account of ' The Art of Sparta ' as discovered in the recent excavations. The illustrations show that the Spartans by no means confined their talents to physical culture and war. Mr. Roger Fry's ' Notes on the Pinakothek at Munich ' is a review of an excellent guide-book. A magnificent chimney- piece in the council chamber of the Hotel of the Liberty of Bruges, designed by Lancelot Blondeel in 1528, is an illustration to an article on Blondeel by Mr. W. H. J. Weale, which is, we are glad to see, to be continued. Another illustration is of ' The Alchemist ' of A. van Ostade, in the possession of Messrs. Dowdeswell, a fascinating picture which has a special interest since another of the same subject by the same painter is in the National Gallery. ' A Dell in Helmingham Park,' by John Constable, is also reproduced, as well as 'The Tavern Concert,' a picture attributed to Isack, the brother of the Ostude mentioned above. This does

not strike us as of particular merit, though it may, of course, be strong in points which the reproduction cannot render.

The articles in The Burlington are so valuable that we hope to see from time to time collections off those which refer to the same subjects reproduced in book form that is, where the several authors do not contemplate books themselves. But often these books never arrive, and the world loses the chance of having the best notes readily accessible without searching through a multitude of numbers of a magazine.

BOOKSELLERS' CATALOGUES. NOVEMBER.

IF the number of catalogues we have received during the past fortnight is a test of the present state of the book trade, it must certainly be in a very flourishing condition, and among the works offered for sale are many rarities.

Mr. P. M. Barnard of Tunbridge Wells has in his 25th Catalogue a number of books under Genealogy and Heraldry, and British Antiquities, besides important works under different counties. There is a fine copy of the first edition of BossewelPs ' Armorie,' 4to, London, "Rychard Tottyl at the signe of the hande and starre," 1572, 3?. 10s. There is also a fine copy of Edmondson's 'Complete Body of Heraldry,' 1780, with book-plate of Lord Sheffield, 1780, 21. 12s. Under Roman Britain is much of interest. There are long lists under the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Scotch items include some of the publications of The Maitland Club, all these being bound by Zaehiis- dorf in levant.

Mr. Henry Davey's Catalogue 12 contains works on Africa, America, and the Civil War (the last published from 1642 to 1692). There is an interest- ing list under London. Other books include the first edition of Alken's 'Sketch-Book,' 1821, pub- lishers' binding, II. Is.; Steevens and Chalmers's 'Shakespeare,' 9 vols., 8vo, Blake's illustrations, 1805, 3?. 3s.; and first edition of 'Rokeby,' 4to r original boards, 1813, 10s. 6d. There are also first editions of Swinburne's poems.

Messrs. S. Drayton & Sons of Exeter issue three Catalogues 196-8. The first is general. No. 197 relates to the West of England, and No. 198 to Theology. In the last we find Hastings's ' Bible Dictionary,' 5 vols., half-calf, 51. 5s.; 'Encyclo- paedia Biblica,' 4 vols., 21. 18s.; Alford's Greek Testament, 4 vols., 10s. Qd.; Tract Ninety, bound up with five other pamphlets, 3s. 6c?.; and Spur- geon's ' Treasury of David,' 7 vols., 18s.

Mr. Francis Edwards's Catalogue 298 comprises the contents of a private library recently purchased. It contains works relating to America, Australia, and China. Other items include the first issues of Ackermann's coloured books on the Colleges and Public Schools of England, with History of West- minster Abbey, 1812-16, 70?. ; a set of Hansard, 1066 to 1904, 200?. ; Dugdale's ' Monasticon,' 8 vols., folio, 1846, 17?. 10s. (published at 150?.); a complete set of the Hakluyt Society Publications, 857. ; a set of the Harleian Society, 45?. ; Boydell's ' Shake- speare Gallery,' also the Seven Ages, with a double set of the plates, open letter proofs, and etchings, 75?. ; and the Edition de Luxe of George Meredith, 32 vols., 15?. Under Oxfordshire is Ackermann's ' Oxford University,' 2 vols., 4to, a fine large copy with the rare series of the portraits of the founders,