CURRENT LITERATURE.
GIFT BOOKS.
The Wigwam and the War-path. By Ascott It. Hope. (Blackie and Son.)—Mr. Hope has searched among the treasures of the past history of the American Colonies, and here presents his young readers—and, indeed, his readers need not be young, to enjoy such a book as this—with the result of his labours. His first story takes us back to Florida, in the early part of the sixteenth century ; the next 6 Canada, about a hundred and fifty years later. There are seven- teen of these tales in all; and we may say, without vouching any more than does the writer for the absolute correctness of their details, that they certainly give a very vivid picture of life among the Indians. In these strange people we see, not, indeed, the romantic creations of Fenimore Cooper, but something very different from the ordinary savage. They show traits which make a good founda- tion for romance. The two Pawnee chiefs (father and son), who, by a mixture of courage and prudence, abolished the custom of human sacrifice in their tribe, might easily be made by a skilful hand into. another Chiogacbgook and Uncas. Mr. Hope's volume is notably good.
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