Media. By Zenaide A. Ragozin. (T. Fisher Ifnwin, London ;
G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.)—We do not mean to undervalue this volume (one of the " Story of the Nation " series) when we say that its subject proper does not occupy a very large proportion of its contents. The " Medea " themselves occupy but a small place in history. Their supremacy lasted but a short time ; after the rise of Cyrus, though they were always a power in the Persian Kingdom, and notably so in its religions life, they occupied-the second rank. To a certain extent, therefore, Madame Ragozin has to go over ground already occupied. Indeed, she adds to her title " Babylon and Persia." The most valuable part of her book is itself an addition, though one closely connected with the main subject,—viz., "A Study of the Zend-Avesta, or Religion of Zoroast,er." To this, with its preliminary discussion of Aryan myths, are devoted more than a hundred pages. Another collateral subject is Babylon and its civilisation. This is interesting enough, and the author is well fitted to treat it ; but it takes us somewhat far from the subject proper. But it is ungracious to cavil at a book in which much learning has been successfully popularised.
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