5 NOVEMBER 1887, Page 44

The Misrule of Henry III. ; and Edward III. and

his Wars,--the first edited by the Rev. W. H. Hatton, the second by W. J. Ashley, M.A. (David Nutt),—belong to a series which is appearing under the super- intendence of Mr. York Powell, under the title of " English History from Contemporary Writers." The idea is an excellent one, and quite in accord with the spirit which has of late years come over historical study. We are not satisfied, and rightly too, unless we get as near as may be to the fonntaiu•head. The editors select from writers of the time and give their very words, only modernised as far as is necessary for easy comprehension. The books are meant for history, not for exercises in language, and we quite approve of the plan which the editors have followed.