The Leisure Hour.—This year's volume of this capital periodical is
a distinctly strong one. A series of articles continues the " Sovereigns " and " Statesmen of Europe,"—this time it is the "Peoples of Europe." Then we have an immense number of miscellaneous articles on travel, science, social life, places of interest, historical incidents, and all sorts of subjects worth writing a few pages about. Besides these, under the head of " Varieties," there are about two hundred small-type paragraphs on every conceivable subject, plentifully provided with anecdotes.
"Science Notes" furnish interesting reading. Biographies and biographical sketches form a valuable portion of the volume,— the poets' biographies being particularly good. Some two dozen natural history notes and anecdotes represent a very desirable branch of youthful education. "Household Queries" includes valuable items of knowledge, from the "Prevention of Snoring" to the removal of "Ink-Stains." Of serials we have, "What Necessity Knows," by L. Dougaill, a well-told Canadian story ; and others. "The Way of the World at Sea" is an interesting series on ships and seafaring life in the docks and on the ocean, tisk the life and routine of sailors. "Among the Thibetans " fur- nishes matter for four interesting articles. The Leisure Hour has some extremely good reading in it, and always maintains a uniform level of literary excellence. The "Peoples of Europe" is a typical instance of a sound and valuable account of Conti- nental life. "Sir Richard Owen's Life" has rather a bare and meagre account of his actual works ; but we have noticed nothing else that was not what pains and taste could make it,--thoroughly readable and instructive.
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