municipal reform must, as the author says, of neces sity depend upon an accurate delimitation of the sphere of action which can, with due regard to the interests of the State as a whole, be assigned to our municipal organizations. The attempt to delimit such a sphere of action is the purpose of this work. The treatise will be useful from both a legal and po litical point of view, and we heartily commend it to the attention of our readers. The American Congress. A History of National Legislation and Political Events, 1774-1895. By Joseph West Moore. Harper & Brothers, New York. 1895. This volume is one of exceeding interest. In a popular and interesting form, Mr. Moore gives a clear and concise account of the national legislative and political affairs of the American people from the colo nial period to the present time. The many notable occurrences in the halls of Congress are graphically described, and the origin and growth of parties, the memorable acts of presidents, and innumerable other matters pertaining to the broad and diversified field of American politics are discussed. Scattered through the work are extracts from famous speeches and de bates. Mr. Moore writes with a delightful freedom from all partisan bias, and the accuracy of his state ments cannot be doubted. Altogether his book is one of exceeding interest, and as instructive as it is enter taining. The Rise of Wellington. By General Lord Roberts, V.C., with portraits and plans. Rob erts Brothers, Boston, 1895. Cloth. $1.25. General Roberts in this work confines himself to the military career of Wellington. This career naturally divides itself into three periods — the Indian period, the Peninsular period, and the period during which he commanded the allied forces in the Netherlands, terminating in the battle of Waterloo. The story of the rise of this great commander reads like a romance, and General Roberts writes of his subject con amore. The book is replete with dra matic incidents. Excellent maps and portraits ac company the text, and add greatly to the value and interest of the work. Life of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. By Millicf.nt Garrett Fawcett. Roberts Brothers, Boston, 1895. Cloth. £1.25. The story of Queen Victoria's life is one of a true and noble woman. The charming simplicity of her private life, the ideal happiness of her wifehood, and the pure atmosphere of her family circle, all serve to
endear her, not only to her subjects, but to the world. To read of such a life is thoroughly ennobling and inspiring. The author of this sketch has done her work well, and gives a most interesting account of England's queen. Commentaries on the Law of Private Corpora tions. By Seymour D. Thompson, LL.D. In six vols. Vols. I, II, and III. Bancroft, Whitney Co., San Francisco, 1895. Law Sheep, $6.00 a volume. It is impossible within our limited space to ade quately notice this stupendous work of Judge Thomp son, the first three volumes of which are now before us. The reputation of the distinguished author is so well established that anything from his pen is sure of a hearty welcome by the profession, and this, his great life-work, will serve to add new lustre to his fame as a law writer. The work was commenced more than sixteen years ago, and the subject is one of such enormous proportions that it has required much condensation to bring the text within the limit of six thousand pages. Every topic, however, is treated with such fullness of detail that the state of the law in respect of it can be learned from the pages of the work, without the necessity of searching the adjudged cases. In other words, it is a full and com prehensive statement of the whole law governing the law of private corporations, and as such is an invalu able working tool for the practitioner. The subject is considered under nineteen titles, as follows : — I. Organization and Internal Government. II. Capital Stock and Subscriptions Thereto. III. Reme dies and Procedure to Enforce Share Subscriptions. IV. Shares Considered as Property. V. Liability of Stockholders to Creditors. VI. Directors. VII. Rights and Remedies of Members and Shareholders. VIII. Ministerial Officers and Agents. IX. Formal Execution of Corporate Contracts. X. Notice, Es toppel, Ratification. XI. Franchises, Privileges and Exceptions. XII. Corporate Powers and the Doc trine of Ultra Vires. XIII. Corporate Bonds and Mortgages. XIV. Torts and Crimes of Corpora tions. XV. Insolvent Corporations. XVI. Disso lution and Winding Up. XVII. Receivers of Corporations. XVIII. Actions by and against Cor porations. XIX. Foreign Corporations. A careful examination of the first three volumes impresses one with the fact that the author's work has been thoroughly and honestly done, and that these commentaries are thoroughly to be relied upon. We congratulate both author and publishers upon their successful venture, and we also congrr tulate the legal profession upon the addition of such a master piece to our legal literature.
