11 JULY 1885, Page 23

Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. With Notes

by Dean /Allman. 2 vols. (Ward and Lock.)—These are two stout octavo volumes of more than a thousand pages each. They will bring what is not only one of the most learned, but also one of the most interesting, of books within the reach of many readers. Per- sonally we are inclined to prefer the variorum edition in seven volumes, published by Mr. Bohn. It has the advantage of a con- venient size, and the notes leave little to be desired. It is surprising how little the hundred years and more which have passed since

Gibbon laid down his pen have furnished by way of supplement and correction. It is a pity that the historian's prefaces, and the

memorable passages in which he describes his beginning and his completion of the opus magnum, have not been given in this edition. The Public School Historical Atlas. Edited by C. Colbeck, M.A.