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276 fashions. " Henrik Ibsen : His Early Literary Career as Poet and Playwright," is the opening article of the number. It shows the formative period of Ibsen's development, without a knowledge of which one cannot understand his literary character or his later career as a dramatic poet. Sir Peter Osborne (father of that Dorothy Osborne whose letters to Sir William Temple made some stir in the literary world a year or two since) is the subject of a picturesque sketch of a sturdy old Royalist in his island castle. Mr. Morton gives us his second paper on " Some Popular Objections to Civil Service Reform." Mrs. Deland's serial is continued, and Mr. James's "Tragic Muse" is concluded in a manner which is more of a conclusion than Mr. James usually vouchsafes us; while Dr. Holmes, in "Over the Teacups," finishes this always enter taining series of papers with some charming little verses called " I Like You, and I Love You." The short stories of the number are the pathetic sketch called " Rudolph," and part first of "Rod's Salvation."

BOOK NOTICES.

The Complete Digest : a Digest of all the reported American Cases and Selected English Cases, with Synopses of Statutes of General Interest, Reference to Articles and Essays in Current Law Periodicals, and to Text-books and other matters of value to the profession contained in the Official Reports, and various other Law Publications, from July, 1889, to January, 1890. E. A. Jacob, C. F. Williams, Peter Kemper, Editors, 1889, Part II. Digest Publishing Co., New York, 1890.

There is no digest published so comprehensive in its plan as this work; and it is in fact, as its name implies, a complete digest of all legal thought, whether in the form of judicial decisions, statutes, treatises, or articles in magazines. The present volume has all the merits of those of the series which have preceded it; it contains a vast amount of matter admirably arranged, and is printed in clear, goodsized type which is a boon to the lawyer's wearied eyes. This series is so well and favorably known to the profession that further words of commendation would seem superfluous. It should find a place in the library of every lawyer.

The Modern Law of Railways as determined by the Courts and Statutes of England and the United States. By Charles Fisk Beach, Jr., of the New York Bar. In Two Volumes. Bancroft-Whitney Company, San Francisco, 1890. $6.00 net.

This work is the latest addition to the " Practitioner's Series" (familiarly known as the " Pony Series"). The author, Mr. Beach, has a well-established reputation as a law-writer, and his name is a guaranty that the work is thorough and exhaustive. Especial attention has been given to such branches of the general law of railways as seem to have been lightly or inadequately treated elsewhere. The law of Interstate Commerce is fully set forth; and the law of railway finance, including that of railway securities and the foreclosure of railway mortgages, is ably presented. The work will prove of great value to rail way lawyers throughout the United States.

A Treatise on the Law of Record of Title of Real and Personal Property. By Britain R. Webb. The Gilbert Book Co., St. Louis, Mo., 1890. $6.00.

In preparing this treatise, Mr. Webb has rendered the profession, particularly that portion of it known as Conveyancers and Real Estate Lawyers, a real service. The matter of Registration of Title has heretofore been treated only as a branch of the general law of real and personal property, but the subject has reached such an importance that it properly demands a separate work. From a careful examination of this volume, we fully agree with the publishers' claim that the treatise is a clear and concise presentation of the law on this important and practical subject. It is brought down to date, the Statutes of the various States are carefully given, and the notes and references are exhaustive. The book will prove valuable not only to Conveyancers and Real Estate lawyers, but to the profession generally, and also to Notaries, Commissioners of Deeds, and all officers authorized to take acknowledgments. The American State Reports. Vol. X. Bancroft-Whitney Company, San Francisco, 1890. $4.00 net.

We have had occasion more than once to speak in terms of the highest praise of this admirable series of Reports. The present volume is fully up to the high standard of its predecessors. The selection of cases is most judicious, and the annotations by Mr. Freeman are in themselves a mine of valuable legal information.