YEAu BOORS.—Burke's Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage, 1916. (Hrrrison and Sons.
£2 2s. net.)—In compensation for appearing a few days later than some other peerages, Burke claims tohave broughtits records more up to date in this distressful year of many changes ; it even gives several columns of the descent of the Wharton peerage to the claimant who is likely to receive it out of abeyance. It carries out its sub-title, " A Genealogical History of the Peerage, Baronetage, the Privy Council," &c., for its particular characteristic is antiquarian. It also gives ftll information as to Orders and medals, institutions of which the recent growth is notable. This is the seventy-eighth cdition.—Kelly'a Handbook to the Titled, Landed, and Official Classes, 1916 (Kelly's Directories, 15s.), casts a wide net, for it contains thirty thousand names, many of which would be hard to classify under the heads mentioned in the title. It is a very useful and comprehensive book of its kind. Hazdrs Annual, 1916. (Hazel, Watson, and Viney. 3s. 6d. net.)—An index of ten thousand subjects gives an idea of the attempt to provide universal information in this annual. What can be learnt here of the British Empire is only a part of the whole, for all foreign countries pass under review, There are records and statistics of all things political, social, scientific, judicial, and warlike. Among the novelties are the extensive personnel of the Ministry of Munitions and a concise history of the war to a recent date.—The Clergy Directory and Parish Guide, 1916 (J. S. Phillips, 4s. Cid. net), is a small handy volume which might be described as a " skeleton Crockford " with some additions.—The Catholic Directory, 1916(Burns and Oates, ls. 6d. net), gives particulars of the whole Roman Catholic Church in Great Britain, and shows how widespread and well arranged is its ecclesiastical organization. The Bishops and priests, their spheres of work, Roman Catholic schools and charities, can all easily be found here. There are also details of prominent Roman Catholic laymen and their offices.— Wi/ling's Press Guide, 1916 (J. Wiling, ls. net), is again ready for journalists, advertisers, and others. The changes recorded are not very remarkable, even in Ireland, when one considers the circumstances. The Advertiser's A.B.C. (T. B. Browne, 10s. 6d.) should open the eyes of the ignorant as to the vast sphere of advertisement. The A.B.C. desires to encourage the practice, for which some people will bless it ; others may not. It is extremely persuasive and effective in examples and practical information, which includes a detailed directory of magazines and journals.—The British Dominions Year Book, 1916 (The British Dominions General Insurance Co.), is almost entirely devoted to the war. Its articles, by Lady St Helier and others, are of considerable interest For instance, Sir L. Chiozza Money writes upon a self-supporting Empire such as we should all like to find in war time, but which economists and Free Traders would distrust in peace. Mr. H. Neville gives interesting accounts of the organization of military forces, especially the British armies. There are maps and other illustrations, and the whole is a good advertisement of the Company that issues it.
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