A Handy Dictionary of Commercial Information. By Edward T. Blakely.
(Simpkin and Marshall.)—" This dictionary," we read in the preface, "is meant as a compendium of commercial information for all those who are preparing for a business life, as well as a useful remembrancer to those who are engaged in it ;" and the author, who holds a position in the Board of Trade Office, ha utilised the knowledge which comes officially in his way, especially the Consular Reports, to make his in- formation more complete and recent. To take a specimen at random,, we may give a summary of two or three pages. "Bamboo." The name is given in eight languages. A popular description of the plant fol- lows. Then we have an enumeration of its uses. Then comes- " Banana," with a description perhaps out of proportion to the com- mercial importance of the plant (as far as England is concerned). The "Bandanna," "a handkerchief, with bright figures or spots upon a darker ground," an article which we once used to import from India, but which we now supply to that country. -Under the head of "Ice," we are surprised to sae it stated that this article is still shipped from America to England. We had thought that though this used to be the case, witness the name " Wenham Lake," which still is used to describe- the class, the supply practically now comes from Norway. There is an obvious error in this :—" Iodide, or Potassium. A medicinal preparation, from kelp or the ashes of sea-weed." The plan of the book seems good. We do not feel able either to question or to guarantee the correctness of its information.
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