20 MARCH 1880, Page 25

Classical Examination Papers. Edited, with Notes and References, by P.

J. F. Gantillon, M.A. (Rivingtons.)—A very useful volume, this, containing, as it does, papers set in the examinations for University scholarships, for the most respectable college scholarships, for the Indian Civil Service appointments, &e. Difficult passages set for explanation have the references given, and hints are supplied for the answering of many of the questions. This latter help is sup- plied in a somewhat uncertain and capricious way, some papers being much better furnished with help than others.—Passages for Translation into Latin Prose. By Alex. W. Potts, LLD. (Macmillan.) — Mr.Potts will approve himself to all head masters, when he says that the common selection of pieces for translation is a serious mistake. Here he supplies masters with more than fifty passages, giving at the same -time suggestions for renderings and references to his own excellent Hints."—Second Prose Latin Writer, by W. Bennett, M.A. (Riving. tons), contains a copious selection of passages for translation, suitable for forms up to the Sixth, and indeed for the Sixth itself. Mr. Bennett gives some very well put together rules, cautions, sug- gestions, &cc., but the exercises themselves should have been furnished with more help. From the very first, every one, to be turned into real Latin, wants a thorough reconstruction. Of course, the teacher ought to be able to give this; but Mr. Bennett is more sanguine than we should be, if he thinks that every teacher, or even a large pro- portion of teachers, will be able to do it.—Angiportus, Intermediate Exercises in. Latin Prose, by the Rev. A. N. Malan, M.A., and C. S. Sevran, M.A. (Longmans), is another book of extracts for translation. These are easier than the last-mentioned, and likely, we should think, to be very useful. There is an appendix of Latin passages to be turned from oratio recta into oratio oblique, and vice versa. The teacher is supposed to supply hints and suggestions ; Latin equival- -eats for unusual words are given.—Of a more elementary kind is Short Exercises in Latin Prose Composition. Part II. By the Rev. H. Belcher, M.A. (Macmillan.)—Exempla Latina : a First Construing Book, by F. Glover, ILA. (C. Began Paul and Co.), is a book which a good teacher will find useful—and, indeed, if the teacher is bad, what book will be of any use ? At the very beginning, the vocabulary ought to be made very easy and accessible.—The Synthetic Latin Delectus, a First Latin Construing Book, by Edward Rush, B.A. (Macmillan), does not make its beginning quite as easy as that just mentioned, and will be proportionately less usefal.—A First Latin Grammar, by W. C. Macmillan, M.A. (Macmillan), has the merits of clear arrangement, and the effort—carried, we think, quite as far as is likely to be useful—to be scientific. It would have been too daring, we suppose, to turn the fourth conjugation into a 'third; but how welcome would be the change !—We have also to acknowledge a new edition of Henry's First Latin Book, by the Rev. T. R. Arnold, M.A.; revised and edited by C. G. Gepp, MA. (Rivington.)