24 APRIL 1909, Page 13

A Formula Book of English Official Historical Documents. Edited by

Hubert Hall. (Cambridge University Press. 12s. net.)— This, the first of two volumes, contains "Diplomatic Documents." The word " diplomatic " is not to be taken in its ordinary sense, as will be seen from a synopsis of the contents of the volume :— (1) "Instruments under the Great Seal,"—viz., charters, letters patent, letters close, serial writs ; (2) Instruments under the smaller seals; (3) Departmental Instruments; (4) semi-official Instruments I (61 State papers, &c. But the work must be studied

before any idea can be obtained of what it contains, or any adequate outimato of its usefulness.