under the signature of •• A London Police Magistrate," gives a description of " Drink and Drunkenness in London," dwelling especially on the class known as habitual drunkards. PRESIDENT DAVID STARR JORDAN contributes to APPLETOX'S POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY for March an article on "The Stability of Truth," in which he opposes the contention of Salisbury, Balfour and Haeckel that " belief" may rest on foundations un known to "knowledge." Under the title " A Year of the X-Rays," Prof. D. W. Hering tells in what directions progress has been made upon Röntgen's famous discovery.
THERE is nothing that Richard Harding Davis de scribes with more skill than a gorgeous pageant, and "The Banderium of Hungary," which leads the March SCRIBNER'S, is one of the brightest exhibi tions of his pictorial ability. A new serial begins in this number — " The Story of a Play," by W. D. Howells. This is a humorous presentation of theatrical life of the better kind, and records the experiences of an American playwright in producing his first play.
THE complete novel in the March issue of LIPPINcorr's is " Dead Selves," by Julia Magruder. " Farm ing under Glass," by George Ethelbert Walsh, is a clear and instructive exposition of what has been done — which is very much — for human food by means of hothouses. John E. Bennett writes of "The Deserts of Southeast California," and Prof. L. Oscar Kuhns of the " Origin of Pennsylvanian Sur names." D. C. Macdonald tells what is to be seen "In the Manuscript-Room of the British Museum."
WHAT SHALL WE READ?
This column is devoted to brief notices of recent pub lications. H'e hope to make it a ready-reference column for those of our readers who desire to in form themselves as to the latest and best neu.1 books. (Legal publications arc noticed elsewhere.) PROF. CHARLES G. D. ROBERTS, in his new novel The Forge in the Forest* has demonstrated that it is possible to write a story of absorbing interest and at the same time keep it pure and wholesome from be1 THE FORGE IN THE FOREST. Being the narrative of the Acadian Ranger, Jean de Mer, -Seigneur de Briard; and how lie crossed the Black Abbe, and of his adventures in strange fellow, ship. By Charles O. D. Roberts. Lamson, Woffle & Co., Boston and Xew York, 1896. Cloth. $1.50.
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ginning to end. An accomplishment which is worthy of note in these degenerate literary times. The scene of the story is laid in that region immortalized by Longfellow in " Evangeline,"and the dramatic events described are based upon historical facts. The author's style is delightfully simple and at the same time un usually impressive. His delineation of the characters who are participants in the exciting drama shows the touch of a masterhand. We will not mar the reader's enjoyment by a description of the plot, but we can safely say that he who commences this book will not lay it down until he has read it to the very end. It is one of the very best stories of the day, and we are glad to learn that it is but the first of a series of his torical novels which Professor Roberts has in prepara tion. The publishers are to be commended for the exquisite manner in which the book is made up. The man who garners and preserves in an abiding form the folk-lore of his country is a public benefactor, and the American people should pass a vote of thanks to Mr. Charles M . Skinner for his Myths and Legends of Our Own Land.'1 With infinite pains he has collected a vast number of American legends which, but for his ferreting them out, would doubtless have passed into oblivion. The book is as interesting to the mature mind as a fairy-book is to children. There is not a dull page in it. There are legends of the Hudson and its hills, of the Isle of Manhattoes, tales of Puri tan land, of the South, the Central States and Great Lakes, the Rocky Range, the Pacific slope, etc. King ffoanett 3 is a most interesting love-tale, the scene of which is laid, in the beginning of the book, in Exmoor, England, in the time of Cromwell, and then changed to Virginia and later to Massachu setts. It gives a very vivid and, we should judge, faithful picture of early life in the colonies. The Indians play an important part in the plot as the title indicates. It is an 'extremely pretty story, and the ending is totally unexpected and surprising. The story reminds one of " Lorna Doone," especially in the first part, though the development of it is very different. One of the most important publications of the month is The Life of Nelson,* by Captain Mahan of the United States Navy. The distinguished author has examined with patience and with care Nelson's volu minous correspondence and despatches, and many - MYTHS AND LEGENDS OK OUR OWN LAND. By Charles M. Skinner. J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, 1896. Two Vols. Cloth. £3.00. « KING NOANETT. By F. J. Stimson. Lamson, Wolffe & Co., Boston and New York. Cloth. < THE LIFE OF NELSON. The Embodiment of the Sea Power of Great Britain. By Capt. Л. T. Mahan, D. C. L., LL.D. Little, Brown & Co., Boston. 1897. Two Vols. Cloth. $8.00.
