Thom's Official Directory. (Alex. Thom and Co., Dublin. 21s.) —This
is certainly, as we have taken occasion to say more than once, the most interesting of directories. Of course the limits of the subject make it possible to do for Ireland what is not possible for England. But the fact remains. Any one who has Thom's Directory on his table has a really excellent guide to the knowledge of the country. (The usual information, Parlia- mentary, naval, military, Ise., for the United Kingdom is also given in full.) We extract some facts which have to do with the contention that Ireland bears too largo a share of the public burdens. England pays for servants, carriages, armorial bearings, and dog licenses 41,380,526, in Inhabited House Duty 42,000,000, and in Railway Duty 4328,720, from all of which Ireland is exempt, except that half-a-crown is paid for each dog. Add to this that rates in Ireland come to about 3 per cent, and in England to little less than 5, and we see a considerable balance in favour of the " over-burdened " country. A man with 41,000 a year in England is not better off than a man with 4800 in Ireland.
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