Booxs OF RESEBENCE.—Who's Who ? 1900 (A. and C. Black,
3s. ed.), appears with some alterations of form, made for the purpose of including more practically useful information. Among the tables are "Ambassadors," "Military Commands," "Acade- mies and Societies," "Bishops," "Clubs," "Colonies," "Editors" (of newspapers and magazines), &c. Then come the " Bio- graphies," or "Autobiographies," as they might, not incorrectly, be described.—The Englishwoman's Year Book, edited by Emily James (same publishers), contains a full account of the employ- ments (public and private) open to women, political associations,. and other matters which have so largely. increased the outlook for women during the last half-century or so.— Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage (Dean and Son. 31s. 6d.)—Debrett, now in its hundred and eighty-seventh year, must be the doyen, of peerages, indeed of periodical volumes. (It would be interesting to have some day a- reprint of the first volume, or at least of a part cif it.) *The volume increases as the years go by ; however much the .demo- cratic spirit may grow, it does not diminish the desire for dis- tinctions.—Another useful volume, comparatively young, for it can count but sixty years, is Docl's Peerage, Baronetage, and Enightage (Sampson Low, Marston, and Co., 10s. 6d.)— Whitaker's Peerage (J. Whitaker and Sons, 2s. 6d.), is a very handy volume, as one might expect from its name. We may describe it asslim, as, indeed, becomes its Youth.—Of Whitaker's Almanack (same publishers, 2s. 6d.) we can only say that it goes on adding new features of interest or reproducing old ones. One revival is a list of "Octogenarians."—The Almanach Hachette (Hachette et Cie.) is a comparatively new friend, which we are ''to- wel- come again.—Herbert Fry's Royal *Guide to. London 'Charities. Edited by John Lane. (Cliatto and Windus. is. 6cL)—A season- able reminder that our gifts to special needs arising oilt of the war in the Transvaal must not make us forget our home obligations. —Hazell's Annual for 1900. (Hazell and Co. 3s. 6d.) —This annual, which now appears for the fifteenth time, keeps up to its standard, and 'even, we may say, improves. Nothing could be more praiseworthy than the diligence and readiness with which persons, events, and places brought into prominence by current events are dealt with. Of course there is a map of the scenes of the Transvaal War. It was less obvious to give one of the terri- tory in West Africa that was made the subject of the recent Convention between this country and France, but it is here. The Alaska boundary is also presented. Another appropriate addition is an account of the highly-placed permanent officials on whom so much of the burden of actual government lies. The chronicle of events, personal or other, is brought well up to date, occur- rences sip to December 5th being duly noted.—The Royal Blue Book Court and Parliamentary Guide (Kelly and Co.) is a veteran—this is the seventy-eighth appearance—which it is euf6- cient to mention. It contains, it will be remembered, official, diplomatic, and Parliamentary lists, with a street and an alpha. betical directory.
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