The North Wales Express

TO CORRESPONDENTS. C. W. HOOP^.K.—Omitted for want of merit. ALEXANDER.— Shall appear in our next. FHUTITE.—It is not lawful for any one in the pay of the Union to contract, nor to supply goods to the board. Nor can any guardian contract with the board under any circumstances.

THE iNE W GOVERNMENT- It cannot be questioned that M1;- Glad- stone has succeeded to the admiration of his friends, if somewhat to the disappointment of his political opponents, in forming a strong working Government, fairly representative of the Liberal party as a whole, and likely to' hold together for some yoprs to come. Even hostile critics affect to find very few ilaws in this latest piece of political Cabinet- making. There was an initial difficulty as to the personality of the new Premier; but this having been overcome by the natural and becoming deference of the two acting comanders of the Liberal party to the higher claims of their former chief, there was little difficulty found in at once fitting the promin- ent Liberal statesmen of the old ruling class into offices. Earl Granville, if not to be Premier, took almost as a matter of course his old office of Foreign Secretary, for which lie had shown special qualifications. The Marquis of Hartington received, in the Secretaryship for India, what may be con- sidered as perhaps an equally responsible and important post, especially at this period of Afghan and Central-Asian difficulties. Earl Spencer and the Duke of Argyll, as respectively Lord President of the council and Lord Privy Seal, were accommodated with positions of high honour, but not entailing special laborious duties. The Earl of Kimberly as Colonial Secretary, and the j-arl of Northbrook as First Lord of the Admiralty, strengthened the aristocratic element in the Cabinet, and secured to that element the directions of two most impor- tant departments of State. The appointment of Mr Childers as War Secretary, and that of Mr Forster as Chief Secretary for Ireland, were only transferences to fresh posts of statesmen of already well-tried ability and generally-recognised moderation. At first, it began to seem as if Mr. Bright, in the almost honorary office of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, would alone represent the Radical section of the party in the Cabinet; but by the appointment of Sir W. Harcourt as Home Secretary and Mr. Chamberlain as President of the Board of Trades, not to put in the same category Mr Dodson at the Local Govern- ment Board, a different complexion was given to the new Government. Outside of the Cabinet, Mr Fawcett as Postmaster-general, Sir Cnarles Dilke as Under-Secretary fur Foreign Affairs, and Mr Mimdella as Vice- President of the Council and virtual Idiniflter for Education, constituted a further infusion of Radical blood, and rendered the new Government more representative of the Liberal party as a whole than any former Liberal Ministry has been. But it is not only in its representative character that the new Gladstone Ministry is noteworthy it undoubtedly comprises a collection of men of distinguished ability. Whether we look at the statesmen of the old or those of the new school, we find men in whom either the great majority or very large sections of the public have complete confidence. The presence in the Cabinet of men like Earl Granville, the Marquis of Hartington, and the Duke of Argyll, allays any apprehension of revolutionary policy, while that Mr Gladstone himself (in his double character as Premier and Chancellor of the Exchequer), Mr Bright, Sir W. Harcourt, and Mr Cham- berlain, constitutes a guarantee of legislative activity in a thoroughly Liberal direction. There is no member of the Ministry who is likely to prove an aristocratic obstructive, a revolutionary destructive, a useless orna- mental member,or an incompetent blunderer. But there are men, no doubt, who differ from each other on certain subjects more than some of them differ on such matters from their predecessors in office. So far as these subjects may involve active legislative or administrative action, there must be a com- promise of views such as practical men gen- erally find a means of effecting when serious business has to be done; and the new Ministers have the advantage of a consider- able space of time in which to discuss among themselves and definitely arrange their programme as a reforming Government. Little more than routine business will be practicable in what remains of this session when Parliament re-assembles after Whit- suntide and the Ministry will, therefore, not be called upon to plange hastily into any action which might have the effect of caus- ing internal division. By the time another session commences they will doubtless have arrived at a common understanding on de- batable matters.

NOTES OF THE WEEK. The statistics of the general election, which have been carefully compiled, show that as far as it is possible to ascertain, the total number of electors who voted was 2,027,888 of whom ,1478,976 were Liberals, 891,326 Conservatives, and 58,586 Home Rulers. The Liberals, therefore, had a majority of 256,650 over the Conservatives, and one of 196,064 over Conservatives and Homo Rulers combined. As far as can be ascertained, about 467,000 electors refrained from recording their votes, the number of abstentions being thus unusually small.

0 At the last meeting of the Carnarvon Town Council a precept was brought for- ward from the Carnarvon School Board for the sum of Y,460 to cover the expenses for the current year, and the Council very pro- perly has turned its attention to the evident unsatisfactory state of the administration of the board. There is but one school unde the control of the board, the Nationa Schools, which are quite as large and ac- commodate an equal number of children, being still maintained on the voluntary system; and independent of the revenue made by the Board School, it appears the sum of Y,460 now asked is barely sufficient to get ends to meet. This sum will require a rate of sixpence in the £ which for a town like Carnarvon is outrageously high. But by comparing the affairs of the one school with the other the case is more glaring, and shows there must be something radically wrong in the doings of our educational legislature. It appears the whole of the money raised in subscriptions and collections towards the National School during the past two years was £450. This sum had been more than sufficient to clear the expenditure, and the schools were now free with a balance in hand of £ 74. The Board Schools, on the other hand, had required more money for a single year. We can scarcely believe any differ- ence in the actual revenue from the children could make anything like so great a contrast; and as to the comparative efficiency of the two schools there would scarcely be a pin to choose. The subject, we are pleased to find, has been thoroughly ventilated by the Town Council, and we trust this may lead to a satisfactory explanation, or that the newly-elected board will bring about more happy results than their predecessors.

—o Whether it be by some mutual arrange- ment or not, it seems strange that the measure to prohibit canvassing at elections, of which Mr Watkin Williams had signified his in- tention to bring forward, is to be taken up by Mr Morgan Lloyd, the member for the Anglesey Boroughs. The hon. gentleman will no doubt bring the measure to a suc- cessful issue, and probably receive the co- operation,not only of Mr Watkin Williams, but of the Liberal party generally.

THE QUEEN AND THE LIBERAL LEADERS. The Baner in an editorial expresses its strong disapprobation of the conduct of the Qdeen to- wards Mr Gladstone and the other leaders of the Liberal party. The unconcealed repugnance of her Majesty to them will, the Baner believes, tell materially upon the prestige which she has hitherto enjoyed. Already there are manifest in- dications in North and South Wales of a feeling of estrangement and coldness on the part of the masses. Her Majesty may depend upon it that the best way to secure her throne is to vouchsafe at least as much support to the present Liberal Ministers as was given to their predecessors. Her will and feelings cannot be allowed to supersede the judgment of the people. She must bow to that will at once, and with grace, else lamentable consequences may follow.

THE CHAPEL "SCREW" AND THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. The Goleuad referring to the Association Meet- ing of the Oalvini ,tic Methodists at Holywell, where a resolution was passed deprecating the utterly unfounded charge of electoral coercion pre- ferred in more or less explicit and direct terms against the connexion thoroughly bears out the protest, and observes that, considering the inten- sity of the Liberal sentiment, the Methodists during the recent contests exhibited most com- mendable discretion. It is unnecessary to preach politics to the Methodists to make them Liberals they are already Liberals. The Goleuad has never heard a political sermon delivered from a Methodist pulpit; of how many Church of England pulpits can this be said ? In many of them the Hebrew, who has just retired to Hugh- end en, has been a good aeal oftener preached than He whose coming was foretold by the prophet Zechaiiah.

DEAN STANLEY. The Goleuad ridicules the idea of holding up Dean Stanley as an exemplar to Welsh preachers. Let the Bean have all proper respect. But what- ever may be the power of his sermon, it is not the power of the Gospel. And is there not, asks the Goleuad, an unreality in his discourses which forms a striking contrast to the realities of evil and misery of the outer world P The Dean hardly re- cognises any fundamental difference between sin and wretchedness, yet this is the man who is adored by the lovers of "sweetness and light." What an effective pulpit The Goleuad quotes with approval the words of Air Spurgeon The sublimest views of Divine sovereignty have a practical bearing, and are not, as some think, mere metaphysical subtleties; the distinctive utterances of Calvinism have their bearing upon every-day life and ordinary experience," and the Goleuad also states its belief that Welsh preachers endeavour to the utmost of their ability, and as far as is consistent with conscience, to make them- selves all things to all men in their sermons. It hopes, however, that they will still be able to echo the apostolic iemark: God forbid that I should boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world was crucified to me and I to the world."

0 Of all the new developments brought out by the results of the recent elections, one of the most useful is the political map. There has been a great variety of these lately, and, compared with those in vogue prior to the dissolution, they present a most remark- able feature. The ground work, represent- ing the counties, is tinted respectively blue to represent Conservatism, yellow for Liberalism, and pink for Home Rule. Formerly, the map presented an almost uni- form surface of blue over the whole of Great Britain, the patches of yellow being very "few and far between;" whilst Ireland, excepting about one-fourth the area in the North East was entirely pink. Only three of the Irish counties represented the Liberal colour. The borough constituences are shown by small squares similarly coloured with a deeper tint; and it was in these the Liberals showed a preponderance of colour. With the exception of three or four boroughs, all those North of Lancashire and Yorkshire were Liberal. Brecon formed the only solitary Conservative borough in Wales. Surrounding Birmingham were a great many towns representing the colour for which that centre is notable. But in the new map, all placei where a change has taken place is indicated by a stronger tint. The midland, eastern, and southern counties of England display but slight differences, the county seats won by the Liberals being very few, whilst the Tories have only taken one Liberal seat. The Principality of Wales presents a most different aspect, the bulk of its surface now being of a strong yellow, which was for- merly pale blue. The southern counties of Scotland are uniformly changed, and there is a similar patch of conquered territory in and about the Yorkshire district. The south- east of England, boroughs as well as counties, is almost entirely Conservative, whilst the representations bearing that shade from Lancashire northward can be counted upon the fingers of two hands.

Much has been said and written about the dissappointment generally felt in this dis- trict by the non-appointment of Mr Wat- kin Williams to the Solicitor-Generalship, especially as it had been so generally antici- pated in the Principality that he would have been selected for that honourable post. As to the qualifications of the hon.. gentleman for the post, they are in no way diminished or slighted by the appointment of Mr Herschell, who was no doubt selected upon other and special considerations. The popular regret is probably stronger than that of Mr Williams himself. Wales has nevertheless not been overlooked in the dis- tribution of ministerial honours, for we find Lord Richard Grosvenor has been appointed Patronage Secretary to the Treasury and Liberal:Whip, Lord Kensington has been appointed Comptroller of the Household, and Mr Osborne Morgan has beenmadePrivy Councillor and Judge-Advocate General. It may nevertheless be expected that the Government will signalise at the earliest possible time the triumphs achieved by the Liberal party in the Principality.

THE MENAI S MJIET? OF NATURAL SCIENCE AND LITERATURE. The annual meeting of the members of this Society was held on Thursday evening, the 29th ult., at the Queen's Head Cafe, Castle Hill, Bangor. The chair was taken by Colonel the Hon. W. E. Sackville West, and amongst those present were: The Misses West, Captain and Mrs Verney, Mr J. H. A. Hall, the Rev. Foulkes Jones (Minor Canon), Dr. Grey Edwards, Mr Thomas (Normal College), Mr Glynne Jones, Mr H. Lewis, Mr W. Cadwaladr Davies, Mr John Roberts, Mr Lewis, jun., Mr J. E. Griffith, Mr Johnson, Mr Foster, &c. The chairman said the anniversary of any young institution was always interesting, because they had arrived at a period when they could look back and count their successes, and also mark their failures and provide against them in thefuture. The report which would be read went fully into the past history of the Society, and there was, therefore, no necessity for him to enter into details. He did not like, however, to let the opportunity pass without expressing his gratification at the amount of success they had attained in the past year. The Society had, he hoped, spread abroad a desire for the acquisition of knowledge and if each member would exert himself its influence would be still more widely diffused (hear, hear). It was not sufficient for the members to join the excursions and attend the lectures. Individual members should go deeply into some scientific subject and try to master it. Their example would encourage others, and in the pursuit of knowledge they would acquire what would be even of greater use than the facts they ascertained, viz., habits of industry and of reasoning and accuracy (hear, hear). He looked upon the Society as an educational society, not simply one to pour instruction into the mind but to fit the mind to receive it (hear, hear). Mr J. H. A. Hall, in the unavoidable absence of the secretary (Mr D. G. Davies) read the first annual report, which stated that the com- mittee had much pleasure in congratulating them upon the surprising growth of the infant society. The adhesions which rapidly poured in from Carnarvonshire and Anglesey proved beyond question the existence of a want which this society aspires to satisfy. It now num- bered eight honorary and 190 ordinary mem- bers. It was inaugurated on the 15th of May by a conversazione held at the Penrhyn Hall, at which many objects of local as well as general interest were exhibited. As it was to be hoped that the Society may be a long lived one it may interest members of the remote future to know what some of them were. It was therefore thought right to place them on record. A col- lection of the eggs of British birds by Rev Foulkes Jones botanical specimens and some British and Roman remains, Rev John Pryce; British birds, the Bangor Museum; a micros- cope, microphone, and telephones, Mr Warner several beautiful photographs of foreign scenes, Mr J. W. Hughes; British mosses, Miss Hughes, Bryn Menai; mosses and lichens, Mr J. E. Griffiths, F.L.S.; models of human eye and ear, Mr Thomas, Normal College an astronomical telescope, constructed by Mr J. E. Griffith, Mr W. E. Thomas; a microscope, Mr Henry Lewis; marine specimens from the Menai Straits, Mr Edward Jones. The conversazoine was so well attended and appreciated that your Committee are encouraged to arrange for holding another in the course of the next month. On the even- ing of the same day the first lecture given under the auspices of the Society was delivered by Mr Proctor in the Penrhyn Hall on The birth and growth of worlds.' The chair- man, Col. the Hon. W. E. Sackville West, in introducing the lecturer, took occasion to ex- plain to the audience the nature and aims of the Menai Society. The first excursion of the Society took place on the 28th of June; the day was unfortunately so stormy that but few ven- tured to cross the Straits at Moelydon to go to Llanidan. The programme was, however, par- tially carried out, and thanks to the courtesy of the Rev W. Wynn Williams, who met the party and showed them all the objects of interest, the members who made the venture were richly re- warded. On the 9th of August the members were invited by Captain and Mrs Verney to the Rhianfa, were Professor Ramsay delivered a lecture on The Glaciers of North Wales.' The thanks of the Society were due to Captain and Mrs Verney for the kind hospitality shewn to them on this occasion. On the 14th of August Professor Ramsay again laid the Society under a deep obligation by leading a party up the Pass of Llanberis and pointing out to them the various traces of glacial action there apparent. On the 16th of September Mr Barber exhibited to the members at the Penrhyn Hall, his fine collection of photographs of cathedrals, &c., and kindly pointed out their distinctive architectural and historical peculiarities. On the 17th a highly enjoyable excursion to Penmon took place. On the 11th of December Mr Rudler delivered a very interesting lecture at the Penrhyn Hall, on Pre-historic Times in Wales.' Owing in a large measure to the want of,a suitable room, the reading of papers by members had not been quite so regular as might be wished. The thanks of the Society were due to Mr W. Glynn Williams for placing the schoolroom at Friars at their disposal as a tem- porary resource. Lectures on the following subjects were given, viz. :—On Spectrum Analysis,' by Mr Hall; on 'The Eye,' by Dr Grey Edwards; on The Kindergarten System,' by Miss Smith. It is to be regretted that the series was broken by the indisposition of the Rev John Pryce who had arranged to give one on The Religions of India,' and latterly by that of Dr Ellis who had promished one on Bioplasm.' While regretting the causes which have prevented the delivery of these lectures, the committee trust that they are still held in reserve to strengthen their programme for the ensuing winter. The Chairman said there was one paragraph in the report which Mr Hall had omitted. It was as follows:—" The committee feel that it is but just and right that the members, and society in general, should be informed of the debt of gratitude which they owe to Mr Hall for the unwearied attention he has paid to the working of the society, and that it is owing to his efforts that the society has been able to carry out so successfully the objects for which it was originally established" (applause). Captain Verney said he had great pleasure in proposing that the report should be adopted and printed. He thought all the members of the society felt that they owed a great deal to Mr Hall for what he had done (hear, hear). He noticed that only one lady had read a paper at the meetings of the society. He hoped, how- ever, that in the future many other ladies would follow the excellent example set them by Miss Smith. Mr H. Lewis seconded the motion. He wished to endorse all that had been said about Mr Hall, who initiated the society and had been the means of keeping it alive (hear, hear). Mr Hall stated that there- was a balance of Y,3 12s Id in favour of the society. During the first year the expenditure had been necessarily larger than it would be in the future. The total receipts amounted to S54 4s. The officers of the society were then re- elected, the name of Miss Smith, Erw Fair, be- ing added to the committee. On the motion of Mr W. Cadwaladr Davies the fourth rule was altered. Mr Hall remarked that perhaps he should be allowed in taking notice of the kind expressions which has been used, to say, as he did in all sincerity, that what had been said made him feel very uneasy. He did not know what was due to him entirely, but he felt that he had in been coming forward too conspicuously in con- nection with that society (no, no), and that it was expedient and highly necessary that others should come to the front. He thought great credit was due to Miss Smith, and he hoped her example would stimulate other ladies to come forward (hear, hear and applause). Mr W. Cadwaladr Davies proposed Mr Lewis Morris (author of the Epic of Hades") as an honorary member, and the motion, which was seconded by Dr Grey Edwards, was carried un- animously. On the motion of Captain Verney a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting ended.

THE LATE REV ROBERT THOMAS, BALA- We briefly referred last week to the death of the above-named Welsh divine, which took place last week. The rev gentleman had distinguished him- self, chiefly by his own devotion and industry, and had risen to a high position in the denomina- tion and amongst his countrymen as a minister of the Gospel and an able contributor to Welsh literature, in which capacity he will be missed. In his youth he was a prominent member of the Cymreigyddion Society at Llallllwchllyn, and a contributor of prose and poetry to Seren Gomer and other serials of the day. At the age of fourteen he learnt the trade of a smith, under the tuition of Mr Simon Jone-, Lon, Llanuwchllyn, but did not miss the intellectual cultivation and poetical flights of imagination during his leisure hours. It was about this time, under the tuition of the late Rev Michael Jones, Independent minister, that he directed his attention to theology. When he was twenty years of age he removed to Oswes- try to attain improvement in his occupation as smith, and being anxious to join a religious com- munion, as there were no Welsh Independents at that time in the town, he cast his lot with the Calvinistic Methodists, after receiving the consent of his father. In this town he acquired knowledge of the English language, and became known as a temperance advocate in that language, and for forty years he was a total abstainer, and always ready to support the cause when called upon to do so. While in Oswestry he studied the works of Dr Daniel Williams, Andrew Fuller, and President Edwards, of America. From Oswestry he went to Conway, still following his occupation, with Mr W. Jones, The Foundry, whose daughter he married when he was in his twenty-seventh year About this time he was encouraged by Dr Arthur Jones, Bangor, to commence preaching, and was very successful. He received a call from the Independent Church at Dinas Mawddwy, where he was ordained. Next he went to Salem, Liverpool, and to Rhosllanerchrugog, and from thence to Bangor, as successor t i) his old friend, Dr Arthur Jones. 4S a minister he was success- ful at all these places. We believe it was during his stay at Bangor that he took a high position as a Welsh bard. He was appointed theological lec- eurer to the Bala Independent College, when he removed to Bala, and also took charge of the Congregational Church in that town. Mr Thomas buried his first wife while he resided in Liverpool, and when he resided at Bangor he was married the second time, to Miss Vaughan, who then re- sided in London, an old acquaintance of his from Llanuwchllyn. They lived happily together, and she devoted herself in every way to his success and comfort in the work of Ithe ministry and his travels, and it was with grief and sorrow that he followed her remains to Llanuwchllyn churchyard about three years ago. The funeral took place on Tuesday, the 27th April. A large number of ministers, deacons, and friends from all parts of Wales assembled together to take part in the solemn ceremony. Refresh- ments were provided for strangers in the vestry- rojm attached to the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. A public meeting was held in the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at noon, presided over by the Rev Michael D. Jones, Bodiwan. After singing a hymn, the devotional exercises were conducted by the Rev E. T. Davies, Abergele, and addresses, referring to the character of the deceased, his ministerial work, and the general loss occasioned by his death, &c., were delivered by the Revs S. Evans, Llandegle J. Roberts, Brymbo; L. Ed- wards, D.D., Bala.. The Rev J. Myrddin Thomas, Mold, engaged in prayer at the close. About half- past twelve o'clock the funeral cortege was ar- ranged, preceded by a long procession of ministers of the different denominations. Next came a long procession of the students from the colleges, and among the laity were Capt G. B. Thomas, Carnarvon; Messrs J. Davies and Humphreys, Liverpool; Caleb Williams and R. Spooner, Bangor; J. J. Jones, U.C.W., Aberystwyth, &c. In the first mourning coach were the Rev. Michael D. Jones, Bodiwan; and Dr Roger Hughes, Bala. Then followed tke hearse, Messrs Moses Roberts, William Davies, and John Williams, deacons, and H. Evans, printer; L. Davies, tailor; E. Thomas, shoemaker J. Evans, Hyspysfa; and R. Evans, joiner, walking alongside as bearers. In the mourning cout h next to the hearse were the chief mourners—Mr Evan Thomas, Meifod, brother to the deceased; and Mr Evan Thomas, jun. Rev. W. Griffith, Rector of Llangnrig, son-in-law of the deceased; and Mr J lsse Davies, Ruabon, brother-in-law of the deceased. Wagonettes, coaches, &c., with friends and acquaintances. In the evening a funeral service was held at the Congregational chapel, Bala, the devotional part by the Rev. R. M. Jones, Dolyddelen, and effec- tive sermons were delivered by the Revs. D. S. Davies, Bangor (text 51st Psalm, 10th verse) and W. Edwards, Aberdare (1 Thes. ii., 17-20; 1 Cor. xiii., 9-10; Matt. xxxi., 29). In the course of the sermons references were made to the death of Mr Thomas, the loss sustained, and the lessons to be derived from his example.

The Ode of Life, by the author of The Epic of Hades."—London: C. Kegan Paul and Co., Paternoster row. This book, which has already reached its second edition, presents to us a two-fold interest, for besides its intrinsic worth, we rejoice in the fact that it is from the pen of a descendant of one of the most revered of our old Welsh Bards,—Lewis Moiris, Llewelyn Ddu o Fon. The author, like most real geniuses, had not exposed himself much to the glare of public notice before he ushered forth upon the world his first work, The Epic of Hades," which he did somewhat anony- mously. The Songs of two worlds came from the same unknown pen, but simultaneous with the remarkable and deserved appreciation of these works, popular curiosity brought Mr Morris to share the eucomiums of the press and the critics upon works which are destined to rank with the rarest gems of English poetry. In his preface ts the present work the author says:—" Whatever may be the fate of the work, the writer knows well that nothing more mature can be expected from him, nor can he hope again to find unappropriated so fruitful a subject for verse." "The Ode of Life is the essence of poetry, and the author may justly claim this as his chef d'auvre. Like all his former compositions the present work possesses that remarkable originality, touching beauty, and fineness of expression which are liuked to the author's fame. The language is so pure and un- tainted, and the style so easy that it falls upon the ear like the most beautiful chimes. The book opens with the Ode of Creation in which is dis- played a grand conception of the process. Then follows the Oies of Infancy, Childhood, and Youth, and subsequently of Love (full of tender pathos), of Perfect Years, of Good, of Evil, of Age, and Decline and finally we have, not The Ode of Death but The Ode of Change." No praise of ours can be adequate to the merits of Mr Morris' last work. It certifies the genius of the poet, and conveys a sense of inspiration to the thoughtful reader. It is difficult without injustice to single out examples from a work which is so uniformly rich, but we can hardly resist the temptation of quoting the noble sentiment of the following lines from The Ode of Age And when the precious hours are done, How sweet at set of sun To gather up the fair laborious day!- To have struck some blow for right With tongue or pen; To have smoothed the path to light For wandering men To have chased some fiend of III away A little backward to have thrust The instant powers of Drink and Lust; To have borue down giant Despair To have dealt a blow at care How sweet to light again the glow Of warmer lire than youth's the' all the blood runs slow Risen by Perseverance, or Lives of Self-made Men, by ROBERT COCHHANE. Edinburgh: W. P. Nimmo and Co. The reading of biographies at all times exercises a healthful influence upon the growing mind, but rarely do we see a work which is so well aimed as the present of Messrs Nimmo's. This book forms the first number of a series of popular biographies styled" Nimmo's Library of Biography." In it we have complete and concisely written histories of the lives of men in every branch of life who have risen by individual efforts to the highest pinnacle of fame. There is no waste of words about this book, and, it is unlike many biographies which too often become dull and uninteresting by their great length aud elaborate detail There is all the reader requires to know, and nothing he does not care to read. The subjects in the present volume are Benjamin Franklin, William Cobbett, Hugh Miller, James Brindley, Sir Titus Salt, and Charles Dickens, all men who rose from the depth of obscurity by perseverance, and in whose lives there is a permanent lesson to those who approach the real battlefield of life. We heartily commend this book which contains such treasures in cheap form, and predict for it the extensive perusal which it deserves. The Year Book of Facts in Science and Art, for 1879. London: Ward, Lock, and Tyler. This is a most useful annual work compiled by Mr James Mason. It gives a complete description of all discoveries, theories, and inventions which have marked the year's progress in science and arts. In every branch of useful learning there is something new to chronicle, and it is instructive to note what progress the year has wrought. It would be surprising to many that any year could be productive of such an extensive variety of mat- ters, but the present work presents all the esta- blished facts of the year in the respective depart- ments of science. Geology, chemistry, medicine, natural history, botany, geography, electricity, astronomy form chapters in the volume, as do also the records of the world of industry, and of the transactions of the principal learned societies. Bartholomew's Election M;p of the Britith Isles. Liverpool: Geo. Phillip and Son. To Mr Bartholomew is due the credit of bring- ing out originally this novel and useful combina- tion of politics and geography, which has since been imitated by many others. At this juncture the political map is specially interesting, as it shows at a glance the remarkable change which has taken place in the political aspect of the coun- try. This is by far the most perfect of political maps, and it is an improvement upon the old. In addition to the simple tints of blue and yellow denoting respectively Conservatism and Liberalism, all representations which have changed during the past election are put in strong tints. The direc- tory accompanying the map is also very useful as it contains a full register of the polling through- out the kingdom, with the population and number of electors in each constituency. Hirschhorn's Business ilfap of London and Suburbs, with a Directory. London Letts, Son, and Co. (Limited). Messrs Letts have just brought out a most use- ful book, which will be a great boon to business men having to travel the metropolis. The great difficulty experienced with all maps of London I is that being so cumbrous they cannot be con- veniently consulted at the time a traveller finds such consultation necessary. It is not a very easy matter to open out a closely-folded map and con- sult it in parsing along a crowded street, and still more difficult is it to fold it back again. The above work contains a complete map of London, made up in sections, so that one can open his book upon any part of the metropolis without incon- venience. A trade directory is added, which gives a list showing the number of places of business and their nature in each street, and in the end of the book is an alphabetical street directory with a reference to the sections of the map. The book is a most useful one. Popular Sovereignty, being some thoughts on Demo- cratic Reform. By CHARLES ANTHONY, JUW. London: Longmans, Green, and Co. Just now that the popular voice has been so emphatically pronouliced on questions of the utmost national moment this work is seasonable. It is written by a man'who takes a broad com- prehensive view of the principles of government, and who can deal with great principles on their merits without stooping to the narrow confines of party. The main purport of the woo k is to prove that for all the evils to which the State or the community is subject, the fit and sufficient reme- dies are to be secured by a recourse to the final authority of the people. But he does not here argue Republicanism; the author points out in a clear manner the difference between Republican- ism,—which is another form of anarchy and mob- rule,—and sound democratic self-rule, the irresis- tible supremacy of which is the just and proper form of a government for a nation as free and developed as our own. The author passes on to the minor questions of Parliamentary Deadlocks and Local Legislation but the succeeding chap- ters develop into the weightier questions of the Limits of Parliamentary Government, Land Reform, Free Trade in Land and Labour, Edu- cation and Taxation. In an able chapter on the Electoral Weakness of Liberalism and on Liberal Foreign Policy, Mr Anthony furnishes a most fair and thoroughly distinct estimate of the merits of each political party. The time when the op- posing strength of these part es may be most effectively compared is when the country is bent upon a great forward movement, and the author in these chapters points out that under those cir- cumstances invariably the Liberal party is sum- moned for the task. But this must naturally be followed with a period of want of rest from legis- lation, when popular opinion bt^omes alarmed by the rapidity of progress, and disposed to think we have advanced too far. At such stages of political history the Conservative party is generally in request, and the inevitable ebb and flow of legis- lative activity at once justifies the attributes of each political party. Mr Anthony's chapter on Liberal Foreign Policy is a masterly exposition of the great principles which have underlied the recent elections. This volume will be found in- valuable to those who desire to find some true reason for their adopted creeds, and will materially help one to take a clear unbiassed view of the merits of parties. Through the Light Continent; or the United States in 1877-8. By WILLIAM SAUNDERS. London: Cassell, Petter, and (Jalpin. Ambitious as the title of this book may at first, seem, its perusal will at once justify it, as did the Dark Continent fully describe Mr Stanley's exploit across Africa. Mr Saunders seems to have turned every moment to good account during his tour through America, and he gives the reader the benefit of every incident and every observation which came within his range. He seems to have put his foot on American soil with a mind full of enquiry, and he has escaped nothing which would be desirable to enable one to contrast fairly every aspect of life in the New with that of the Old Continent. It would be utterly impossible to sketch the magnitude of the author's work, or to give anything like a fair idea of the contents of so varied a work. It con- tains much information which the intending emi- grant or tourist will find invaluable but beyond this the book is designed to illustrate thoroughly the general life and character of our cousins, and to show wherein the New differs from Old Eng- land. In the mode of Government, in their social spheres, in commerce and industry, as in every- thing else, the Americans adopt the simplest and most business-like way of doing things, and Mr Saunders has brought us nuny lessons which con- trast singularly with our own round-about way of doing things. Some valuable information is given upon the vast productive resources of the Con- tinent, and of the simple processes of manufacture, of commercial intercourse, and of the various sys- tems of national progress. There is scarcely a direction in which the author has not turned his attention. The chapters on the Food Supplies, on Agriculture, on Land Laws, of Taxation, and Imports and Exports are full of valuable informa- tion for the economist, and considerable trouble has apparently been taken to secure statistics and general information which is so generally sought for in this country. Mr Saunders' book haa been highly spoken of by Mr Gladstone, and other prominent statesmen, and nothing short of perusal can convey an adequate idea of the even romantic interest the book affords. Messrs Allan and Co. have just issued a nea handbook for the use of tourists in the United States and Canada, which contains some useful information as to the best and cheapest modes of seeing what is most worth seeing in those countries. The book is beautifully got up, and contains a