A Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage. By Sir Bernard
Burke. Edited by his Son. (Harrison and Sons. 33s.)— This is the sixty-first issue of a book whichlit is now quite super- fluous to praise. There is nowhere to bo found a more complete and trustworthy record of the hereditary-titled class, in their personal and historical aspects. Another portion of the book gives lists of " Privy Councill ore and Knights," and various information about distinctions and decorations.—With this may be mentioned Doers Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage (Sampson Low, Marston, and Co., 10s. 6d.), a very convenient volume, on a smaller scale than " Burke," as confining itself to the purpose of giving personal information about titled persons, whether by inheritance or otherwise.—Yet a third " Peerage " is Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionship (Dean and Son, 31s. 6d.), also a work of well-established reputation. The editor has a preface in which he discusses the qusstion in dispute between the Baronetage and the children of life-Peers.—We may also mention The Hgya; Blue-Book and Fashionable Directory (Kelly's Directories, 5s.) —Post Office London Directory, 1898. (Kelly's Directories 32s.) —This is the centenary issue of the Directory, a fact 'which give" occasion for an interesting outline of the history of the publica- tion. Beyond this there is really nothing new to say about this volume. It grows year by year ; it is kept up to date in a most praiseworthy way. But there are interesting things without number that might be said about it. Publicans, for instance, occupy more than eighteen three-columned pages, and number, we imagine, at least four thousand. As many as seventy brokers occupy themselves with buying and selling their businesses, and seven firms are employed in manufacturing "publicanS' glass." " Publishers " come next in order, and of these there are not less than six hundred. lJnder the heading of "Public Miscellaneous Companies" we have about twelve hundred. Would some statis- tician tell what is the average mortality per thousand? A word of praise must be given to the admirably clear map, which may be profitably compared, by the way, with the reproduction of one that was issued just a century ago.
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