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Messrs. Frederick Warne & Co.-continued.
Aunt Louisa's Toy Books, new series: the new
and enlarged form of the re-issue of this
series will commence with (1) Cock Robin's
Courtship, (2) The Zoological Gardens, (3) The
Story of King David, (4) Country Pets. The
special features will be varnished covers of
entirely new and striking designs, printed in
colours, added to an increased size of the
coloured plates.

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towards the nationalisation of our older universities has already received so large a share of public approval-nearly a thousand students having assembled at the ten days' inaugural meeting held last month in Oxford. May I add that the scheme especially commends itself to women of all classes, who until quite recently have been practically excluded from access to university teaching in any form.

In view of the Bunyan Bicentenary, Messrs. Cassell & Company will issue a new and cheaper edition of their illustrated ' Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress' and 'Holy War. A new Life of Bunyan has been prepared for this popular edition by the Rev. John Brown, D.D., Minister of Bunyan Meeting, Bedford.

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Messrs. Eyre & Spottiswoode announce a reprint of The Witches' Frolic,' from The Ingoldsby Legends,' illustrated by E. M. Jessop.

A third edition of Part 1 of 'Cathedrals, Abbeys, and Churches of England and Wales' has already been called for.

HOME READING CIRCLES UNION.- Miss Mary C. Tabor, in a letter to the Standard, directs attention to the new development of university extension work, which, under the name of the Home Reading Circles Union, is being established by the aid and under the auspices of the Oxford and Cambridge University authorities. She says:-The object is to encourage and direct home reading in such a way as to give zest and purpose to what is now to a great extent aimless, vapid, or without adequate result. The system, though new in this country, has been in operation for some years in America, where it has worked with remarkable effect, more than 100,000 members The work on the textual criticism of the being at the present time enrolled on the books Divina Commedia on which Dr. Moore, Prinof the Central Board. Briefly stated, it is cipal of S. Edmund Hall, Oxford, is known to this-1. To establish local home-reading circles, have been engaged for many years is now for systematic reading, wherever two or more approaching completion, and will shortly be students can be brought into association. 2. published at the Cambridge University Press. To provide for such circles carefully selected It will contain (1) a critical account of the courses of reading, for simultaneous use, text of the Divina Commedia; (2) the collation planned so as to include the best books on the of 17 MSS. throughout the whole of the Insubjects taken up year by year for study. 3. ferno; (3) the discussion of disputed readings By means of correspondence, lectures, students' of about 180 passages throughout the poem papers, printed memoranda, and a monthly journal, to bring the members of these homereading circles under the direct personal guidance of men able and eminent in their several departments of teaching. 4. To make provision for testing the work done by students and granting certificates of proficiency. 5. To arrange for an annual summer gathering in one of the older university towns, or some place of resort, where members of the various circles may meet, to receive the certificates awarded, to feel the zest of associated work, and to attend lectures by distinguished or representative men on the subjects which have been studied during the year. By these means it is hoped that at the minimum of cost the advantage and stimulus of direct university teaching may be brought home to numbers by whom it would be otherwise unattainable. What we need, more especially if the vast sums spent annually on national education are to

yield their full harvest of result, is some large

which have been collated in about 250 MSS. ; (4) appendices on families of MSS. and other subjects bearing on the textual criticism.

Dr. Garnett has in the press a volume of imaginative tales which will be issued by Mr. Fisher Unwin under the title of 'The Twilight of the Gods.'

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Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to accept from Mr. Alan Cole a copy of his translation of M. Lefébure's new work Embroidery and Lace,' which has just been published by Messrs. H. Grevel & Co., King Street, Covent Garden.

Messrs. Walter Smith & Innes have in the

press a new edition of Mr. Keary's 'Dawn of History,' thoroughly revised and considerably enlarged. The new edition will be free from the typographical inconvenience of the former

one.

the coming season the authorised translation of The same publishers will also issue during Garibaldi's Autobiography. The volumes will contain several facsimiles of letters, and the full appendices by Mme. Jessie White Mario will add materially to the historical value of the book.

elastic organisation-efficient but inexpensive too-which shall spread itself like a network over the whole land, adapting itself to the conditions and requirements of all, and bringing with it guidance and encouragement to all, rich or poor, who desire to turn to the best account the powers they already possess. Such Under the title of Speculum Amantis,' an organisation the Home Reading Circles Mr. A. H. Bullen has completed an anthology Union, the details of which are in process of of love songs, chiefly of the seventeenth arrangement, is pre-eminently fitted to supply. century, and including a new poem of Sir W. It is satisfactory to note that this fresh step | Raleigh. The book is privately printed.

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Continental Notes

On the 19th ult. died Freiherr Carl von Cotta, head of the famous publishing house, J. G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung in Stuttgart.

The Buchhandlung first came into the hands of the Cotta family in 1659, by the marriage of John George Cotta to the widow of Philibert Brunn, of Tübingen, the management of whose business Cotta undertook. At his death in 1692, his only son John George inherited the concern, which on his death in 1712, fell to his son, also named John George.

After his death the

Frederick the Noble, though dead, yet speaks in his Diary, some portion of which has been given to the world in the pages of the Deutsche Rundschau. Whatever may be the result of the prosecution commenced against this periodical, it is nevertheless only too true that the misfortunes of the Emperor Frederick did not end with his death; but that the sad fate which accompanied his last days disturbs the rest of the grave. As the French journal Le Temps observes: Scarcely Already so far back as the life-time of his had the Emperor breathed his last than the great-uncle Christopher Frederick, who had German doctors began a most painful contro- founded a Court Book Printing Office in Stuttversy about his illness and the mode of gart, John Frederick, the youngest son of treatment adopted with his full consent, and John George, having dissolved partnership we await the publication next month of the de- with his father and other relatives, transferred fence of the specialist, who, although he the business to Stuttgart. possessed the confidence of the Emperor and management of the business fell to his only Empress, had the inexpiable fault of not having son John George, while that of the firm of been born (to use the words of the poet) There, G. J. Göschen in Leipzig (G. J. Goschen where the harmonious German language is was grandfather of the present Chancellor heard' (Wo die deutsche Zunge klingt'). of the Exchequer) and two other firms was amalgamated with it. John George Cotta (the fourth of this name) died on February 1, 1863. He was succeeded by his youngest son Carl, and a son of his only sister and co-heiress of the family estate, Hermann Albert Reischach, under whose management the three businesses which had been amalgamated with that in Stuttgart were once more separated from it. Since 1876, when Hermann Albert Reischach died, Freiherr Carl von Cotta had only conducted the business, and under his management its enterprise and activity were maintained and developed. The name of Cotta is a household word to all students of German literature, for most of the German classical authors of the present and last century were first made known to the public under the Cotta imprint. We need but mention such names as Auerbach, Fouqué, Richter, the two Schlegels, Tieck, Uhland, Goethe, and Schiller. With the last-named writer correspondence was carried on by John Frederick Cotta, which has been published.

The Berlin correspondent of Le Temps telegraphed on the 28th ult. that he had been informed that the person who handed over the Diary to the Deutsche Rundschau for publication had been discovered, that he was a very great personage and not a foreigner, but that his name was for the present kept secret.

In this connection we note the appearance of Fürst Bismarck unter drei Kaisern, 18841888,' amongst the contents of which we find "Prince Bismarck and John Bull," "An English Physician and Diplomatist." "The Queen of England at Charlottenburg.

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H. Loescher's Hofbuchhandlung, in Turin, announces the Recollections of the celebrated Italian statesman Marco Minghetti, which are said to form the most interesting autobiography which has appeared in Italy since the publication of the Memoirs of Count d'Azeglio. The fifth chapter is devoted to Pius IX. and the events of the years 1846, 1847, and 1848.

Victor Hugo's posthumous work, La Fin de Satan,' will be published on the 9th inst., by the Bibliothèque Charpentier.

'Le Rêve,' the new romance by Émile Zola,

will be issued by the same publishers on the American News and Notes

15th ult.

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The prospects of the coming publishing season are equal to those of former years. Many important works are in press at the leading houses in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Every branch of literature will be well represented; even that of fiction showing but little diminution. From the various lists that have already reached us we append the following :—

Messrs. Belford, Clarke & Co., Chicago, will soon issue 'Divided Lives,' a new novel by Edgar Fawcett, author of A Gentleman of Leisure' &c.

Messrs. Dodd, Mead & Co., New York, announce for early publication Mosby's War Reminiscences,' by John S. Mosby, late Colonel C.S.A., with illustrations by W. C. Jackson ; 'Blue Jackets of 1776,' for young people, by

Willis J. Abbot, with full-page illustrations; tions which ended in the Treaty of Utrecht, 'A Frozen Dragon and other Tales,' by Chas. in 1713. F. Holder, author of 'The Ivory King,' &c.. illustrated by J. C. and D. C. Beard and others; and in fiction there will be 'A Gallant Fight,' by Marion Harland and ‘John Winter,' by Edward Garrett.

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Messrs. Fords, Howard, and Hulbert, New York, will publish Sermons from Plymouth Pulpit,' by the late Henry Ward Beecher, in four volumes, three of which have not before appeared in book form; also 'Spirit and Life,' a volume of sermons by the Rev. Amory H. Bradford.

Among the books which Messrs. Harper Bros., of New York, will publish during the next few weeks are Shoshone and Other Western Wonders,' by Edwards Roberts; Peninsular California,' by Charles Nordhoff; and 'The Household of Glen Holly,' a story for young people, by Mrs. Lucy C. Lillie. All of these

books will be illustrated.

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Messrs. Lee and Shepard, Boston, announce 'Mexico, Picturesque, Political, Progressive, the joint work of Mrs. Mary Blake, of Boston, and Mrs. Margaret Sullivan, of Chicago. 'Chips from Educational Workshops in Europe,' by Professor L. R. Klemm ; Zoology Teaching for Beginners,' by Dr. W. P. Manton; Methods and Aids in Teaching Geography,' by Charles F. King, A.M.; A Modern Adam and Eve in a Garden,' a novel by Amanda B. Douglas; and 'Chapters from Jane Austen,' edited for school use by Oscar Fay Adams. The same firm have in press Travellers and Outlaws: Episodes in American History,' which is a volume of various historical papers of Col. T. W. Higginson's, contributed to the magazines with some additions, and a new edition of the same author's Short Studies of American Authors,' to which have been added papers on the late Miss Louisa M. Alcott and E. P. Whipple.

Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., of Boston, Messrs. J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, will issue an edition of John G. Whittier's have in press Half-Hours with the Best poetic and prose works in seven volumes, from Foreign Authors,' translations selected and entirely new plates, with notes by the poet arranged by Charles Morris, in 4 vols. uniform himself. The books will contain two etched with Half-Hours with the Best American and three engraved portraits. There will be Authors;'A Popular History of Music, from a large-paper edition also, with uncut pages, St. Ambrose to Mozart,' by James E. Mathew, bound in labelled cloth, and limited to 400 with illustrations; Embroidery and Lace,' copies. Among further announcements of from the French of Ernest Lefebvre, illusthis firm are 'The Life of Delia. Bacon,' author trated; The Owl's Nest,' translated from the of the Baconian theory of Shakspeare, by her German of E. Marlitt, by Mrs. A. L. Wister; nephew, Theodore Bacon, with portrait; The Tenure and Toil, or Rights and Wrongs of Critical Period of American History, 1783- Property and Labour,' by John Gibbons, 1789,' by John Fiske; A History of the Old LL.D., of the Chicago Bar; 6 An Elementary South Church, Boston,' by Hamilton A. Hill, Treatise on Human Anatomy,' by Professor with illustrations; Colonial Times on Buz-Joseph Leidy; and A Cyclopædia of Diseases zard's Bay,' by W. R. Bliss; 'The Soul of the of Children and their Treatment, Medical and Far East, by Percival Lowell, author of Surgical,' edited by J. M. Keating, M.D. Choson;' 'Ön Horseback, and Mexican Notes,' by Charles Dudley Warner; Björnson's drama, Sigurd Slembe,' translated by Wm. M. Payne; Dante's Divina Commedia,' metrically translated by John Augustine Wilstach, in two volumes; 'Realistic Idealism in Philosophy Itself,' in two vols., by Nathaniel Holmes, author of The Authorship of Shakspeare;Poetry, Comedy, and Duty,' by Prof. C. C. Everett, D.D.; two volumes in the American Commonwealth series, Indiana: a Redemption from Slavery,' by J. P. Dunn, jun., author of The Massacres of the Mountains,' and 'Ohio: Historical Sketches of the First Fruits of the Ordinance of 1787,' by Rufus King.

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Messrs. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, have a number of books in hand for publication, including 'Omitted Chapters of History Disclosed in the Life and Papers of Edmund Randolph, Governor of Virginia, First Attorney-General United States, Secretary of State,' &c., by Moncure D. Conway, with portrait and other illustrations; the concluding volume of Professor C. F. Richardson's 'American Literature' (Poetry and Fiction); the tenth and concluding volume of the Hon. John Bigelow's edition of Benjamin Franklin's works; Proverbs and Phrases from All Nations' (2 vols.), compiled by Robert • Each volume will contain a Christie; three volumes of British Letters illustrative of Character and Social Life,' edited by E. T. Mason; Sketches from Horseback,' by John Codman; Christian Doctrine Harmonised and its Absolute Rationality Vindicated,' by Professor J. S. Kedney; 'Essays on Practical Politics,' by Theodore Roosevelt ; and the first six books of the 'Eneid,' translated into rhyme by Henry Hamilton.

map. The same firm will also issue the following works of fiction, viz. :-The McVeys,' by Joseph Kirkland; The Despot of Broomsedge Cove,' by Charles Egbert Craddock; 'Our Phil, and other Stories,' by Katharine Floyd Dana, with illustrations; and 'The Peckster Professorship,' by J. P. Quincy.

The second volume of Kingsford's 'History of Canada' will be published this month. The history is continued in this volume to the close of the Government of the first M. de Vaudreuil, 1725, and contains an account of the negotia

Among the works to be brought out by Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, are Hugh McCulloch's 'Men and Measures of Half a Century;' 'Dogmatic Theology,'

in two volumes, by Prof. W. G. T. Shedd; ing a Library in every Presbytry, or at least the sixth volume of Dr. Philip Schaff's 'History of the Christian Church,' forming volume i. of the History of the Reformation' in Germany between 1517 and 1530; Amos Kilbright his Adscititious Experiences, with Other Stories,' by Frank R. Stockton; Mr. G. P. Lathrop's Gettysburg: a Battle-Ode,' in pamphlet form; a select edition of J. T. Headley's historical works in six volumes; and the following juvenile publications- Children's Stories of the Great Scientists,' by Miss Henrietta C. Wright; 'Little People and their Homes in Meadows, Woods, and Waters,' by Stella Louise Hook, illustrated by Dan and Harry Beard.

County in the Highlands,' published at Edinburgh, by George Mosman, in the year 1702. The whole tract is very curious and interesting, and forms a valuable piece in the history of libraries in Scotland. The anonymous writer in one place in speaking of the (now) vexed question as to the sort of books to be admitted says: "I thought fit to mention the kinds of books which we intend to purchase; that they who give books and not money may know what sort of treatises we aim at, and may not put us off with trash. As for Popish books, and perhaps some others likewayes, though they be not fit for the weaker sort of people, yet for the library of a Divine, they are convenient and neccessary.'

Messrs. Ticknor & Co.'s (Boston) announceAmong the reasons for setting on foot this ments include Four Years with the Army of design are set forth the great scarcity of books the Potomac,' by Gen. Regis de Trobriand; amongst the ministers in these parts, some of 'The Other Side of War,' being letters from them hardly having so many as are worth the headquarters of the U. S. Sanitary Com- twenty shillings; also the great industry of mission with the Army of the Potomac cam- the Romish Missionaries' with the 'gross paign of 1862, by Miss Kate P. Wormeley; ignorance' of the inhabitants. It was reAncient and Modern Lighthouses,' fully illus- quested that money or books which were trated by Major D. P. Heap; Pen and given should be put into the hands of Mr. Powder,' by Franc B. Wilkie of the Chicago Taylor, a bookseller at the Ship' (presumably Times; Songs and Ballads of the Old Planta- on the site of Longmans' house), or 'Mr. tion,' by Joel Chandler Harris and Eli Shep- Robinson at the Golden Lion in S. Paul's herd; Letters of Felix Mendelssohn to Ignaz Churchyard.' and Charlotte Moscheles,' translated and edited by Felix Moscheles; a new volume of Essays by the late Edwin P. Whipple; 'Stories and Sketches,' by John Boyle O'Reilly; 'A Man Story,' a new novel by E. W. Howe; and 'Steadfast,' a romance by Rose Terry

Cooke.

Colonel George E. Waring, jun., has prepared for publication by D. van Nostrand, New York, a general treatise on city, town, and village sewerage and drainage, and land drainage. It will include descriptions of both English and American sewerage, and especially of the important drainage works of Holland. It will be copiously illustrated with maps and plates, based largely upon the author's own professional works.

FREE LIBRARIES IN SCOTLAND.

The principal rules of this interesting and enlightened scheme were that the books were to be under the care of the minister and schoolmaster of the place. Again, the books to be kept under lock and key in good and strong presses, in a pure and dry air free from dampness. No one but a preacher, schoolmaster, or student was to have access to the books.

The latter term, however, being a wide one, could be made to include almost any respectable or responsible person.

To prevent people keeping books, a strong temptation where they were so rare, they had to deposit a fourth part above the value until returned. At the same time the borrower had to enter his name and address in a book kept for the purpose, also the time at which it was to be returned.

Rule 9 is worth quoting in its entirety: 'That they who live at places fifteen or twenty miles distant be obliged to restore the book they borrow within a fourtnight, if an 8vo. within three weeks, if a 4to. within a month, or six weeks if a folio. They who live a great way further may be allowed a week or fourtnight more, but a long time ought not to be granted, that so others who need the help of such books may have the benefit of them.'

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A committee of the Synod or the Presbytry of the bounds in which the libraries were placed was formed to look after them, and once in two or three years send some of the number to inspect the publich library or libraries in the bounds, and to report in what case they are.'

In an article of our last number reference was made to an interesting tract produced at the meeting of the Library Association at Glasgow. This tract, entitled 'An Overture for founding and maintaining a Bibliothecks in every Paroch throughout this kingdom' (1699), was said by Mr. Blades to have been discovered' by the Librarian of the Wigan Free Library in that institution. This perhaps is paying rather an undeserved compliment to the industry of the Librarian at Wigan, as the tract in question, we are informed, was sold to him by a London bookseller only a few days before the Congress. However, our object is not to Further, it is provided the librarians must open up a profitless controversy as to how and be responsible men, and of blameless repu by whom the 'Overture' was discovered, but tation.' On each book too must be marked to draw attention to another tract published to what library and county it belongs. The a few years after the 1699 one. It is entitled A copy of a Letter anent a project for erect

postscript at the end contains a clue to the author of this tract and scheme. It runs as

follows: The author of this letter is a and poems by Rossetti, Browning, and Swinperson who hath a great zeal for propagating burne, and first editions by many of the the knowledge of God in the Highlands, and is the same who did promote contributions for the printing of Bibles in the Irish language, and sent so many of them down to Scotland.' By 'Irish language' of course it is easy to see what is meant.

BOOKSELLERS' CATALOGUES. Messrs. J. and J. LEIGHTON, London.-A catalogue of rare and interesting books, many in fine old bindings. A very rich collection, which might be rendered more conspicuous under subject headings. Many first editions are noted. (56 pp.)

Mr. JAMES WILSON, Manchester.-In this catalogue will be found an extraordinary collection of reprints of extremely curious and rare old books with original editions of the best authors. It also contains some of the best works on theology and history. (20 pp.)

Mr. CHARLES HIGHAM, London.-This wellknown catalogue of theological literature maintains its old reputation. It contains numerous works which are indispensable in a library of any pretensions to value in theology. (48 pp.)

Mr. BERTRAM DOBELL, London. This catalogue is exceedingly well arranged; it would be a pity were it otherwise, for the valuable works should have that prominence which Mr. Dobell so well knows how to give. There is a goodly collection of the Camden Society's publications, also a list of some of the Shelley Society's. (27 pp.)

Messrs. WILLIAM GEORGE'S SONS, Bristol. This is the 21st issue of the collection of old and curious literature, consisting of books and manuscripts. To those forming libraries this catalogue is invaluable as indicating works which are needed. Some rare old chap-books are included, besides an immense variety in other subjects. (26 pp.)

Mr. JAMES ROCHE, London. --A catalogue of general literature, but containing a great number of widely sought books by the best standard authors in history, biography, travel, and fiction. (44 pp.)

foremost writers of the century, including Dickens, Thackeray, Cruikshank, Leigh Hunt, and many more whose old editions are daily growing in value. There is also a useful collection of Alpine, Sporting, and Topographical works. (64 pp.)

rare

Messrs. ROBSON & KERSLAKE, London.We have here the forty-fifth catalogue of books in fine condition.' It contains many of Cruikshank's best works, also some of Doyle's. (44 pp.)

Mr. C. HERBERT, London.-The ninetyseventh issue, containing standard works in all branches of literature, English and foreign. Also scarce sets of important works, and important remainders, now in cloth. (44 pp.)

don.-No. 476 issue is before us, containing a Messrs. HENRY SOTHERAN & Co., Lonlist of ancient and modern second-hand books in all classes of literature, including the best library editions of standard authors in all languages. This is probably the finest collection of second-hand books in England. (32 pp.) We have also No. 64, New Series, Catalogue of books of the same class of the Manchester branch. (16 pp.)

Messrs. B. & J. F. MEEHAN, Bath.-A catalogue of rare, valuable, and useful books in all classes of literature, ancient and modern. There are first editions of standard and popular authors, and a large assortment of second-hand school books. (28 pp.)

Mr. J. R. EVANS, Oxford.-A catalogue of books, theological, architectural, heraldic and miscellaneous, comprising purchases from the Aylesford collection. Also a few choice autographs and holographs. (19 pp.)

Mr. WILLIAM POTTER, Liverpool. The September catalogue of second-hand books, with sundry new books offered for the first time. The list includes a wide variety of subject, and the prices named are very low. (32 pp.)

Mr. J. E. CORNISH, Manchester.-In this and curious works. It may fairly be suggested, catalogue are found vast quantities of old though, that such a collection deserves a Mr. W. P. COLLINS, London.--This issue, better style of indexing. It shows a curious headed 'Darwiniana,' contains not only Dar-old way of alphabetically arranging everything win's works, but the cognate literature that that falls under a subject. This is embarrasspreceded and followed it. It is briefly called ing to many people: e.g., "A practical. . a catalogue of scientific and philosophical &c.,' without indent, comes awkwardly under works selected and arranged to illustrate the M.' (86 pp.) evolution of research to the theories in course of solution at the present time, especially in reference to biology and anthropology.' It is a model of arrangement. (17 pp.) Mr. Collins issues his catalogues of books on microscopy, micro-natural history, and the allied sciences; many very rare. (32 pp.)

Mr. THOMAS SIMMONS, Leamington. This short catalogue contains a number of books which bookworms would delight in. A welldeserved compliment may be paid to the compilers for the clever manner in which it is given. (12 pp.)

Messrs. MATHEWS & BROOKE, Bradford and ! Mr. H. W. BALL, Barton-on-Humber.-A Leeds. This is a catalogue of rare, standard, catalogue of books, pamphlets, engravings, and valuable books, including scarce pamphlets manuscripts, relating to Lincolnshire. (18 pp.)

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