The Hunan Encyclopedia. Edited by the Rev. James Wood. (Frederick
Warne and Co. 3s. 6d.)—It is not a light thing to review an encyclopedia even when—perhaps we ought rather to say especially when—it is in a single volume. How can one complain, for instance, that the notice of any subject is inadequate when there is so much to say and so little space to say it in ? We turn to " Augur," and find " A college of priests in Rome appointed to forecast the future by the behaviour or flight of birds kept for the purpose, and which were sometimes carried about in a coop to consult on emergencies." No one would gather from this what dignified persons the " Augurs " were. The function of the pullarii (who looked after the sacred chickens) was but a small part of their duties. Under the head "Freeman, E. A." we find it stated that he was " elected" Regius Professor. These Professors are appointed by the Crown. Circe did not disenchant Ulysses's companions " on
his departure." Sir William Cubbit," " eminent English engineer, born in Norfolk," ought to be Sir William " Cubitt." On the whole, we may say that the book is useful as it is, and might be made more so.
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