1887.- -A series of lectures on "Constitutional They are a pleasant change from the washHistory as seen in American Law,"* delivered in drawings so numerous nowadays, and often so 1889 before the students of the University of dingy and unsatisfactory. The narrative is Michigan have been put into book form. They made up of scenes in the life of a soldier and is embody the deepest and freshest thought on a panorama of vivid pictures free from partisan the subject by the masters of this science, who coloring.The "Story of the American Solhave sought to trace the development of constitu- dier" is an account of the growth and developtional law in the decisions of the Supreme Court ment of the American ranks from the Indian of the United States. In the Introduction, the warriors of a thousand years ago to the well disleading historical facts connected with the adop- ciplined regular army of the present time. tion of the Constitution are given, with other There is plenty of spirit and go, as in all of Mr. statements and explanations which pave the way Brooks' writings.—The Rev. E. A. Rand never for a more ready understanding of the work that writes a book without a purpose, and that of his follows. This book, deep, technical, critical, will latest story, "The Drummer-Boy of the Rappabe found valuable and interesting chiefly to spe- hannock," is to encourage its readers to take cialists. In connection with this book an- part against the wrong in whatever form preother asking and deserving the attention of the sented. It is a bright and animated story. student of political science is a little work on the British Constitution. In terse, clear language it sets before its readers vivid and accurate ideas of the past history and the present workings of this unwritten law of that land. War Books. The third volume in Charles Carleton Coffin's series of four books which are to form a narrative of the leading events in the war of the Rebellion, is entitled "Redeeming the Republic," and deals with the military operations of the six months following General Grant's appointment as lieutenant-general. It is not without prejudice, although it accords to the Confederates the bravery, endurance, and sincerity they deserve; but the intense loyalty of the author will not allow him to pass unnoticed that which he considers violation of moral principle. There are many maps, portraits, and other illustrations. An earlier period of this great struggle is described by W. J. Abbot in "Battle-Fields of '61," with a power no less graphic. Beginning with the first ill feeling between the North and South, he devotes the opening chapters to a review of the causes that led to the war, and the balance to the stirring scenes of the first year of open conflict. The style is vigorous and the treatment of the various details shows care and thoroughness. The etchings in "Bullet and Shell" are what will first attract attention. The Forces of Nature. The geological phenomena described in Prof. Shaler's book, "Aspects of the Earth," and the scientific explanations offered have been given in such simple and pleasing language as to make it a decidedly popular work. We do not see how a general reader, however slightly versed in science he may be, can fail to be attracted by the problems of great human interest attaching to the questions discussed; and these will lead him more and more thoughtfully to continue the reading until he will find himself a very student of its pages. Earthquakes, volcanoes, caverns, and winds are among the topics to which chapters are assigned. Noted examples of each are described and the text is assisted by numerous fine illustrations made from photographs. English Poetry. It is a worthy work to open the way to students for the study of a Mr. A. J. poet of the quality of Wordsworth. George is doing much to make the younger generation appreciative of this poet's work. His editing of the "Prelude" was well done and well received; and his "Selections from Wordsworth," just recently published, are annotated clearly. In these he has adopted the poet's last revised text; they are arranged chronologically, and the sonnets grouped by themselves. The value of Mr. George's work is in the notes which are suggestive and judicious.—Professor Cor son has given to the Shaksperean student a work* to introduce him to the study of the Plays as plays. Commentaries are presented on several dramas to show the attitude of Shakspere toward things in general, and his dramatic art as a result. An excellent example of sympathetic and studious criticism is found in Mr. Van Dyke's "Poetry of Tennyson." Mr. Van Dyke believes in Tennyson, places him indeed after Shakspere and Milton, and, as may be expected from this rating, admires him heartily in his essays. He criticises, discriminates, and points out failures freely, however, while he admires. His careful reading has gained him a mass of quotations to sustain his theories, one of which is that "Tennyson's next of kin to Milton." This parallel he traces in not a few particulars, several of them rather trivial though always carefully elaborated. A fine chapter is made by tracing the influence of the Bible in Tennyson. The book is a substantial addition to conscientious studies in the great English Laureate's work. -An examination of Prof. Simonds' "Sir Thomas Wyatt and His Poems,"‡ shows work of the most painstaking character and close investigation of authorities. The biography of the poet, forming Part First of the book, is complete in detail. Part Second is the interpretation of the poems, comparing the various texts and offering plausible explanations of obscure lines. From the poems he gets additional light on the poet's history. This book will interest the exact student. The Ancient Egyptians. The recent edition of Sir Gardner Wilkinson's "Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians" || is in a form worthy of that great work which for so many years has held so important a place in literature. It is here comprised in three substantial volumes in plea-ing covers of dark green cloth. The pages are in large, clear type, and with their short paragraphs, copious footnotes, and many illustrations, present a most inviting appearance. The original work has been carefully revised by Dr. Birch, the keeper of the Egyptian and Oriental antiquities in the British Museum, himself a high authority on Egyptian * An Introduction to the Study of Shakspere. By Hiram Corson, LL.D. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co. + The Poetry of Tennyson. By Henry Van Dyke. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1889. Price, $1.50. Sir Thomas Wyatt and His Poems. By William Edward Simonds. Boston: D. C. Heath and Company. Price, 90 cents. The Ancient Egyptians. By Sir J. Gardner Wilkinson, D. C. L., F. R. S. Revised by Samuel Birch, LL.D. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Co. Price, $8 oo. as well as on Greek and Roman archæology. Considerable fresh matter has been added from his pen, and also some gathered from the MSS. and notes left by the author at his decease. Every thing has been done to make the work of such popular character as would be in keeping with the general interest felt in that ancient nation with its intimate connection in many points with Bible history. From a description of the country and a history of the people, the reader is led on to a detailed account of their customs and manners as shown in every department of their life. The effects produced upon the character of the Egyptians by these observances is made evident, and to them is traced the origin of many of the customs and superstitions of later times. The knowledge of the author concerning all these points was gained during a twelve years' residence in Egypt, devoted to a tireless study of its antiquities, its history, and its present condition. -Two kinds of work further removed from each other than that of an antiquary and a writer of stories for young people can scarcely be imagined, and yet a very successful attempt to blend the two has been made by Professor Rawlinson in his works on ancient Egypt* and Phoenicia, † written for the series of The Story of the Nations. The distinguishing marks of the archæologist are largely in predominance, and yet it is doubtful whether it would be possible in any other way to tell the story at once so truthfully and so well. The general plan followed in both of the volumes is to consider first the geography, then the ethnology, and last the rise, development, and fall of the governments. Considerable space is devoted to mythological accounts and to old legends, which furnish about the only opportunity for lightening the character of the work. The Bible events connected with both nations are woven into the narrative in their proper connection and form a most interesting part of it. The gigantic works of the Egyptians, such as the Pyramids and Sphinxes, the temples and tombs, undertaken it would seem as if from a desire to overcome the dullness and tameness of the land, are graphically described. The history of the "Shepherd Kings," and their long rule is made very clear. One is impressed from his description of Phoenicia, perhaps as never before when reading of the strong cities Tyre and Sidon, and the ruling place they held in the gov ernment, by the similarity in this respect between this land and Greece; it, too, was rather a league of cities than a nation. *The Story of Ancient Egypt †The Story of Phoenicia. By George Rawlinson, M. A. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Price, per volume, $1.50. Few novels offer a more attractive field for the artist than does "Lorna Doone,"‡ with its wild coast and mount ain scenery, its picturesque seventeenth century costumes, and its spirited action. The new holiday edition is a worthy setting for this ever popular romance. It is profusely illustrated by such artists as Henry Sandham, Harry Fenn, W. Hamilton Gibson, George Wharton Edwards, and others equally well and favorably known. "The Chautauqua Calendar"* primer type; and the selections * are just what Good Things. for 1890 is the work of a different one would like to have in this form. Each one compiler, but follows the plan of former years,— is in a separate box. The Knickerbocker giving for each day a Bible verse and on the Nuggets have a patriotic addition in two volsame line of thought a few words from some umes of "American War Ballads and Lyrics. popular author. The calendar is arranged in two They are edited, with notes, by Geo. Cary Egglesstyles. The Chautauqua Booklet form with its ton.Miss Ward has compiled an unusually white and gold cover, and the text printed in good work of prose quotations.† The extracts gold-brown ink is as pretty as need be. The se- are pointed and fresh. It is capitally arranged lections are excellent but it is to be regretted that and indexed and will be easy of reference. some of the quotations are miscredited.- -There is a cheeriness about one of Kate Sanborn's Miscellaneous. calendars that helps and a new one is always welcome. It is not surprising that many new friends as well as old have asked her for another, and that she has responded with "The Rainbow Calendar," of the same style as the previous one, and full of good sense and spicy quotations. It is an easy matter to satisfy an artistic taste when selecting from the publications of L. Prang & Co. (Boston) They send out this season as charming a variety as ever. All sorts of Christmas and New Year cards, novel calendars, and books and booklets in colors. They especially emphasize the American character of the work this year. The designs are painted by Americans and also the reproduction is done in this country.—The six hundred questions in "A Game of Cities"‡ show excellent judgment in their selection. Much information as well as recreation can be had from a frequent use of this game. Interest and rivalry can be kept up by playing the game the different ways suggested by the author, a good use to put the long winter evenings to.- -No. 17 of "The Elocutionist's Annual "'|| contains many good things, though not many new selections.A really valuable arrangement for this season of entertainments is "Tableaux, Charades, and Pantomimes." There is a large number of them and explained so carefully in detail that they can be easily carried out. The six booklets that form the Literary Gems are very attractive in appearance. They are bound in dark blue leather ornamented with gold trimmings; the print is clear, with long *The Chautauqua Calendar. Compiled by Miss May E. Duncan. Syracuse, N. Y. : Mosher & Co. Price, 50 cts. The Chautauqua Booklet. Price, 35 cts. The initials adorn Their portrayal of the various characters satis- most harmonious whole. The strong points in Myers' "General History," || are the clearness with which all the events are described, and the remarkable presentation of them in such a way that the relations of each to the others are at once plainly This happy arrangement together with distinct outlining prevents that obscure impres seen. sion so often made by works of universal history, to lighten which the student must use much of his time in setting in order the events. The work is condensed and arranged from the author's larger works on ancient, mediæval, and modern history. "English Lands, Letters, and Kings" is like an illustrated lecture. Bright, clear, life-like pe u * The Gold Bug, Rab and his Friends and Majorie Fleming, The Good-Natured Man, The Culprit Fay, The Best Society, Sweetness and Light. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Price, in set, $4.50. American War Ballads and Lyrics. Price, $1.00 each. † A Dictionary of Quotations in Prose from American The Rainbow Calendar. A Companion to "A Year of and Foreign Authors, including Translations from AnSunshine." Compiled by Kate Sanborn. Boston and cient Sources. Edited by Anna L. Ward. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. Price, $2.00. Lorna Doone. By R D. Blackmore. Cleveland: The A Game of Cities. Geographical, Historical. Chicago: Burrows Brothers Company. Price, cloth, $5.00. I. J. Colby, 3226 Forest Avenue. Price, 75 cts. The Elocutionist's Annual. Compiled by Mrs. J. W. Shoemaker. Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company. Price,paper binding, 30 cts. Tableaux, Charades, Pantomimes. Price, paper, 30 cts. | General History. By P. V. M. Myers, A. M. Boston: Ginn & Company. English Lands, Letters, and Kings. By Donald G. Mitchell. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Price, $1 50. 508 SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT NEWS FOR NOVEMBER, 1889. of its heavy and perplexing character under the treatment of Dr. McCosh.* He claims that under one aspect it is the most certain of all departments of knowledge, and with his clear insight and simple and definite analysis he substantiates his claim. His own concise and forcible exposition of each branch of the subject is followed by a critical study of the opinions held on the same point by other philosophers, and in this way the development of the science is also traced. Its style and method are well adapted to class-room work. pictures of renowned persons and places corres- The study of metaphysics is largely relieved pond to the stereoptican views, and they are deftly woven together by explanations of the events which threw them into prominence. But the movement is too rapid and too crowded to make the attempt a success. Though each scene as it appears in outline is graphic and impressive in itself, there results from the whole a feeling of confusion and an impression that the work in its details was hurried and slighted in many parts. The ending is most unsatisfactory. One is surprised occasionally by the use of an incorrect expression or of a parvenu word in bad taste as in the Preface,-"I feel somewhat awkwardly" etc., and the word verselet on p. 160. Such marrings could never have appeared in a carefully D.D., LL.D., Lit. D. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. prepared work of this gifted author. *First and Fundamental Truths. By James McCosh, Price, $2.00. SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT NEWS FOR NOVEMBER, 1889. HOME NEWs.-November 2. Proclamations November 30. Ten lives lost in a fire at Minneapolis. issued by the President admitting North and South Dakota to the Union. November 4. Opening of the International Maritime Conference in Boston. Emperor FOREIGN NEWS. November 2. William and his party reach Constantinople.November 7. Thousands of sheep and cattle Count Kalnoky is the guest of Prince Bismarck perish in a snow storm in New Mexico. November 8. Opening in Chicago of the national congress of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. at Friedrichsruhe. November 6. Closing of the Paris Expcsi tion. November 7. Death of Princess Marie, wife November 10. Roman Catholics celebrate of Prince Alexander of Battenberg. their centennial at Baltimore. November 9. The Prince of Wales arrives at November 12. The Emperor and Empress of November 12. The National Academy of India. November 14. F. Marion Crawford, the novelist, receives a prize from the French Academy. November 16. National Prison Congress in session at Nashville. November 14. The Emperors of Austria and Germany meet at Innspruck. November 15. A revolution takes place in Brazil, a republic succeeding the empire. November 16. A statue of William III. un November 19. The china works at East Liv- veiled at Belfast in the presence of 30,000 Orangeerpool, Ohio, are burned. November 20. North Carolina celebrates the centennial of her ratification of the Constitution of the United States. November 25. Brazilian delegates are admitted to seats in the Pan-American Congress. November 26. National Silver Convention meets in St. Louis.-Lynn, Mass., sustains a $10,000,000 fire. November 28. General observance of Thanksgiving Day.- -Boston suffers a loss by fire of $10,000,000 worth of property. men. THE CHAUTAUQUAN. VOL. X. FEBRUARY, 1890. OFFICERS OF THE CHAUTAUQUA LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC CIRCLE. No. 5. JOHN H. VINCENT, Chancellor. LEWIS MILLER, President. JESSE L. HURLBUT, Principal. Counselors: LYMAN ABBOTT, D. D.; BISHOP H. W. WARREN, D. D.; J. M. GIBSON, D. D.; W. C. WILKINSON, D. D.; EDWARD EVERETT HALE, D D; JAMES H. CARLISLE, LL. D. Miss K. F. KIMBALL, Office Secretary A. M. MARTIN, General Secretary. The REV A H GILLET, Field Secretary. required reading for the CHAUTAUQUA LITERARY ANd scientific CIRCLE. THE POLITICS WHICH MADE AND UNMADE ROME. F FIFTH PAPER. BY C. K. ADAMS, LL. D. ROM what was said in the last paper it must have been inferred that the fate of Rome did not turn on any such incidental question as whether the dominant man was to be Lucullus, or Pompey, or Cæsar, or indeed any other. The end of the republic had come; and there had to be death before there could be even a temporary resurrection into new life. The events of the last hundred years had made it only too plain that the old constitution was utterly unable to cope with the evils that prevailed. What was called for was not a minister but a master. In the chaotic condition of affairs the weaker men perished and Cæsar prevailed by means which, with many differences, present striking analogies with the course of events under Napoleon the First. Neither of these great soldiers undertook to reign by any inherent right; both claimed to be representatives of the people; both put themselves forward as the conservators of society; and both built up their power on the general faith of the people that their new masters would rescue society from the general anarchy that prevailed. It must not be supposed, therefore, that the battles at Pharsalus, Philippi, and Actium had anything to do with the destruction of the commonwealth. They were simply battles fought over a dead body. After we have traced very briefly in a very general way the course of the empire, we shall be in a condition to take a retrospective survey of the whole. B-Feb. The imperialism which took shape under the organizing hand of Augustus consisted essentially in a concentration of the important offices of the state in a single person. As we shall see more fully a little later, the most fundamental error of the republican constitution was the system of checks and blocks which always made it possible for somebody to thwart every thing. The result was that times of intense political excitement were always times of personal violence. The emperor, by getting the senate to confer all these protesting and objecting offices upon himself, swept away what was really the most characteristic feature of the republic. The problems that most deeply perplexed the empire, like those which had perplexed the republic, were financial ones. The poor that had swarmed into the city had to be fed and amused at the expense of the state. Every emperor knew that the cry for bread and games was one that he could not afford to disregard. The Coliseum, which, according to the best ancient authority, had seats for eighty-seven thousand spectators, was built in answer to one of these cries. In response to the other, wars were carried on and new territories were conquered in all parts of the known world. It was in obedience to this necessity that the Roman eagles were carried to the Grampian Hills and to the valley of the Euphrates. The constitution of the empire was devised and administered with consummate skill; but the end in view was, at bottom, always the |