Manners, Customs, and Observances. By Leopold Wagner. (Heinemann.)—One would like
to know on what principle of selection Mr. Leopold Wagner constructed this compilation of commonplaces. We say commonplaces because, though many of these manners and customs are interesting historically, yet there are thousands far more worthy of study. The work has cost time and trouble and contains much interesting matter, and therefore deserves commendation, but the selection of things and names that require notice is arbitrary and occasionally absurd ; nor are they, on the whole, of a nature to excite any permanent interest, or, indeed, to be worth it. The paragraphs come under three or four general headings, such as "Legal," "Regal and Ecclesiastical," "Courtship and Marriage," "Patron Saints and their Attributes," Ark., —a convenient enough arrangement.
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