tive. Mr. Crane's La Société Française is an instance in point. He has unearthed a great deal that is new and interesting concerning the society and life of the seventeenth century, and the selections concerning the Hôtel de Rambouillet, M'lle de Scudéry, the Précieuses and the Femmes Savantes, bring home in most vivid manner the artificial gallantry, the overstrained politeness, the theatrical atmosphere, of that superficial time. Very amusing to the Philistine of today is the Carte de Tendre, or the Nouveau Traite de la Civilite, with its imaginary conversations on things polite. The serious side of life, however, has not been forgotten, and due justice is done to the really wonderful work begun and carried out by the Marquise de Rambouillet for the elevation and emancipation of women, and the fact that the basis of reform in French spelling was established by three of the ridiculed Précieuses.—“The late attacks upon the memory of John Brown" furnish an incentive for the publication of a translation of Von Holst's essay on the hero of Harper's Ferry.2 Every great social revolution has its pioneers, enthusiasts who look upon one abuse as threatening the permanence of civilization, and are looked upon as fanatics by their contemporary opponents, as martyrs by their supporters. It is the task of posterity to adjust the balance, and to determine their true place in history. Such a man was John Brown, but the historian who would assign him to his true place must approach the task in a different temper from that shown by Mr. Stearns in his introductory and supplementary remarks. Mr. Stearns justifies the "Pottawatomie executions," as he calls them, quot ing from Sanborn, by referring to the temper of the border during that period of excitement, and by relating an incident of similar revenge taken by Sioux Indians. He condemns any adverse criticism of Brown's course, as unwarranted attacks upon the memory of a martyr. He refuses to recognize the fact that the full measure of John Brown's service to humanity may be appreciated, while the Pottawatomie and Harper's Ferry incidents are condemned; that there may be a clearly drawn distinction between the object sought to be gained and the means employed for gaining that end. Dr. Von Holst's essay is in much better tone, though he too condones somewhat the offenses of his hero in order to give greater prominence to the moral of the narrative.

1 La Société Française, au Dix-Septième Siècle. By Thomas Frederick Crane. New York and London: G. P. Putnani's Sons. 1889. For sale in San Francisco by Strickland & Co.

John Brown. By Dr. Herman Von Holst. Edited by Frank Preston Stearns. Boston: Cupples & Hurd. 1889. For sale in San Francisco by Samuel Carson & Co.

One feels that even yet a just estimate of the unique character of the man has not been given, though this essay is a considerable contribution toward such an estimate. The invasion and defeat of Burgoyne 3 finds a natural and proper place among the Decisive Events of American History. Before that event the result of the struggle was naturally in doubt, not only to the nations of Europe, but also to the people of this country. The success of Burgoyne's expedition would probably have sealed the fate of the colonies, but the success of the colonial army against the trained forces of England indicated the possibility of final success, the certainty that the subjugation of the colonists would cost more in time and money than England could expend. The effect was seen immediately in the success of Franklin's hitherto apparently hopeless efforts for recognition from the French court, and in the willingness of England to grant what the colonies had demanded before the commencement of hostilities. In this country, also, the effect was seen in the banishment of the feeling of despondency that had been gaining ground. The author tells the story of the campaign well, and his criticism of the military manouvers is particularly good. The series of extracts from contemporary writers on English history is well continued by the volume of extracts referring to the Crusade of Richard I. Mr. Archer has made his selections with good judgment, and with his connective notes a clear account of the crusade is presented. The extracts are from twenty-five writers, who were either in the Holy Land or were in a position to know what was going on among the crusaders, and the short sketches descriptive of these writers form a valuable addition to the work. The book is addressed to those to whom the original works are inaccessible, and gives the general reader a fair idea of the tools of the historian.The birthdays of Longfellow and some other American poets are now celebrated in our schools, and the effort is being made to widen the list, with the aim of making the children more familiar with the great names of literature. Caroline Stanley's book is intended as a guide to such services. It contains material for celebrating the birthdays of ten different American authors, leading events of their lives, quotations, and programmes for interesting exercises.

3 Burgoyne's Invasion of 1777. By Samuel Adams Drake. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1889. For sale in San Francisco by Samuel Carson & Co.

4 The Crusade of Richard I, selected and arranged by T. A. Archer. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. 1889. For sale in San Francisco by Samuel Carson & Co.

Authors' Birthdays. By Caroline H. Stanley. Chicago: S. R. Winchell & Co. 1889.