The Story of Washington. By Charles Burr Todd. (G. P.
Put- nam's Sons.)—Mr. Todd divides his work into two parts,—" The Historical City," and " The Modern City." Both divisions are interesting, but most readers will probably give the preference to the latter. In this we have an account of the machinery of government, of the churches and schools, of " Washington Journalism," and finally of "Social Life" and "Modern Social Phases." Some of the earlier reminiscences of the " Social Life " chapter are curious. There is an account, for instance, of a visit
to the widow of Washington. This lady .thought Mr. Jefferson "one of the most detestable of mankind." Then we have the races in 1802, when "vast sums were bet by individuals," a Con- gressman losing as much as $700 !—as much, we fancy, is risked on a rubber of whist nowadays. In 1812, we hear that "Mrs. Monroe paints very much." Mrs. Madison is charged with the same practice, but the writer does not believe it, because he saw "her colour come and go when the Macedonian flag was presented to her by Young Hamilton." There is abundance of interest in this book.
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