SCHOOL-BOOK8.—Soled Geometry and Conic Sections. By J. M. Wilson. (Macmillan.)—Mr.
Wilson follows up his former contributions to a simpler and more rational system of geometry, of which we have before had occasion to speak with praise, by another valuable treatise. "This part of geometry," as he remarks in his preface, "is especially valuable and attractive," and though the difficulties which it presents are con- aiderable, more in fact than a lad without distinct mathematical talent will satisfactorily master, for any one so qualified it has special advan- tages, advantages of which the chief cannot be better expressed than in Mr. Wilson's own words,—that "the attention of the student is strongly called to the subject-matter of the reasoning."—The Rev. J. Hunter has put together An Introductory Algebra (Longmans), adapted to the use of schools from Bishop Colenso's work. It includes besides the usual subject of elementary Algebra, chapters on progression, on indices and surds, and on ratio and proportion. We wish that the answers had not been printed with the book. In our judgment they should always—in elementary books, at least—be kept separate.— Arithmetic in Theory and Practice, by J. Brook Smith (Macmillan), is a valuable treatise. There is always an increasing inclination, even in those teachers who are capable of better things, to rely, as they grow older and less hopeful, more and more upon rules. They find that very few of the minds with which they come into contact are in any satis- factory degree capable of comprehending explanations. But the tendency is one to be struggled against, and a volume like that before us is a valuable help.--The Competitive Geography, by R. Johnston, (Longmans), is intended for "advanced classes in schools, and for can- didates at competitive examinations." Our impression—which, as not being derived from actual use of the book, must not be taken for more than its worth—is that there is too much of it. A " cram" book, which, without meaning to speak disrespectfully, this is, should not contain a morsel that it is not necessary to swallow. And the style in which the information is conveyed is certainly curious. Here is a specimen," New Guinea still belongs to the natives. It is a very large island, but [why "but "?] very imperfectly known to Europeans. The chief productions are natmegs,:tortoise-shell, and edible birds'-nesta. Gold has been found ; and this island is the native place of the Bird of Paradise." Why are we not told that its other name is Papua 2—A Course of Natural Philosophy, by Richard Wormell (Groombridge), is "intended chiefly for students preparing for Matriculation at the Uni- versity of London." It contains the "Elements of Mechanics, Hydro- statics, and Optics."—Mr. Paul Baume's French Manual of Grammar, Conversation, and Literature (Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.) contains a large choice of questions on grammar, conversation, and extracts from French writers, and has the advantage that it can be used with any French grammar.—Lecons pour des Enfants, by M. Pasquier, is a translation of Mrs. Barbauld's well-known book. The present is a new edition, "le tout revu par Clotbilde Norris "(Lockwood).—.--We have also to notice the second edition of the .Eton Italian Grammar, by Girolamo Volpe (Williams and Norgate).
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