18 JUNE 1892, Page 27

The Remains of Ancient Rome. By J. Henry Middleton. 2

vols. (Adam and Charles Black.)—In 1883, and again in 1888, Professor

Middleton published bcoks on the remains of Ancient Rome. He has put these together, adding other matter, and incorporating notices of such dismveries as have been made since the latter date. The work, as it now stands, is as nearly complete as can be. Probably new discoveries will be made ; but the field in which these are possible has been much diminished, and for the present these two volumes may be taken as a practically sufficient book of reference. Everything has been systematically arranged. After an introductory chapter on the authoritie., we have the site, the building materials, the methods of construction, succes- sively discussed. The third chapter deals with the prehistoric and regal periods. After this the Palatine Hill, the Forum, with its adjacent temples. &c., and the Capitoline Hill, are made the sub- ject of separate chapters, the first of these localities having two allotted to it. Chapter ix. has for its subject "The Architectural Growth of Rome." Passing on to the second volume, we have the Imperial Fora, the Circi of Rome, the Theatres, Amphitheatres, and Baths, described in chapters i.-v. Chapter vi. treats of the Forum Boarium and the Campus Martins; that which follows, of various buildings, sacred and secular. Finally we have, in chapters viii.-xii ," Tombs and Honorary Monuments,"" Triumphal Arches," "The Water-Supply of Rome," "The Roads and Bridges of Rome," and " The Walls of Aurelianus." It is impossible to speak too highly of the learning of the work, and of the lucid arrange- ment by which the learning has been utilised to the utmost.