History of the New World Called America. 2 vols. By
E. J. Payne. (Clarendon Press.)—Mr. Payne has conceived and elaborated a profound philosophical history of Early America, in which, after relating at length the parts played by the several discoverers and conquerors, he discusses the origin and progress of aboriginal civilisation. He has a theory of his own that the step from a natural to an artificial food-supply constitutes the true advancement of the savage ; and in support of this he gives us an exhaustive description of the food-stuffs belonging to dif- ferent tribes, and also of other marks of civilisation, such as means of communication, clothing, and elaborated religions. Pure history, if we may be allowed to say so, takes a minor part, but ethnography, sociology, and other sciences connected with the story of man, to say nothing of botany, the chemistry of common life and agriculture, are put under contribution. The second volume is devoted to the completion of the theory that the organisation of a food-provision on an artificial basis, combined with defence, has enabled races endowed with such a combination to increase their vitality and extend their boundary. This is a book that the reader, fond of a-good style, reflecting thought and research, may open at any page and find instruction and matter for discussion.
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