Scaook-Boons.—A Summary of Modern History. Translated from the French of
31. Michelet, and continued to the present time, by M. C. 3L Simpson. (Macmillan.) "Modern History," with M. Micholet,
begins with the fall of Constantinople, probably as convenient a date as any that could be fixed, though certainly of the latest. Ho concludes with 1789, and at that point the translator's continuation begins. There is no question of the value of whatever 31. Michelet wrote, but for English students his work required some modification. The list of French poets, orators, and men of letters, on pp. 269-273, might have been well reduced. Three-fourths of the names are of no consequence to the student for whom the book is meant, though all of them may be recognised by specialists of one kind or the other. English litera- ture is represented by a modest list, which does not occupy half a page. Among these it is curious to find Addison mentioned as a celebrated poet.—We hardly know whether we should include under this heading Shakespeare and Fletcher's Two Noble Kinsmen, edited by Mr. Walter W. Skeet. (Cambridge University Press.) The play has a general interest, on account of the share which Shakespeare is said to have taken in its composition,—a share which Mr. Skeet assigns with confi- dence, and which amounts to about one-half of the whole. The story, we may remind our readers, is that of Palamon and Arcite. Some of the scenes, especially in the fifth act, are quite worthy of Shakespeare. Mr. Skeet's notes will be found very useful to the student—We have to mention a new edition of the Public Schools Atlas of Modern Geo- graphy, edited by the Rev. G. Butler (Longmans), a volume containing thirty-one excellent maps.—In Classics, wo have the Anabasis of Xenophon, Book 3, with English notes, edited by Alfred Pretor. (Cam- bridge University Press.) Tho notes seem judiciously copious.—.--In the First Book of Xenophon's Memorabilia, by the Rev. C. C. Moberley (Rivingtons), the notes are adapted for the teacher's purpose with the skill of an experienced hand. References are made to the Rugby "Syntax." Unhappily we do not all use it. When are we to have a Public School Greek Primer F—In this class we may reckon a very full Notes on the Greek Testament, the Gospel according to St. Luke, by the Rev. A. Carr. (Rivingtons.) We shall hope to have the opportunity of examining this more in detail, but we can already see that it is worth examination.—The Graduated Course of Trans- lation from English into French, edited by Professor Ch. Cassel and Pro- fessor Theodore Karcher (Longmans), is likely to be a most useful book. In French, as in Latin, the teacher should begin as soon as possible with presenting to the scholar connected pieces for translation. "Exercises," as we commonly have them, may be dono ad infinitum without pro- ducing any effect. However copious the aid which it may be necessary to give, the sooner the pupil is started on this line tho better. The "graduated course" is excellent, and the help supplied by the vocabu- lary judicious.—In the "London Series of French Classics," we have Toussaint Louverture, by A. de Lamartino, edited by Professor C. Cassel. (Longtnans.)—In German, NVO have A Practical Compendium of German Grammar on Mnemonic Principles, by David 31iluo. (Long- mans); and Sc/tiller's Song of the Bell, by C. Bolton (Longmans), furnished with running notes, a vocabulary, and a synopsis of German grammar, just the book for a student who wishes to plunge in mediae res, not a bad plan for those who have some experience and readiness in acquiring languages.—We have also to mention Tasso, La Gerusa- leanne Liberata, Cantos I., II., with Introduction and Notes by H. B. Cotterill (tho Clarendon Press); and A Short Introduction to the Ordi- nary Prakrit of the Sanscrit Dramas, by E. B. Cowell (Williams and Norgate); and in mathematics, &wird Simplified, by J. B. Morrell. (H. S. King and Co.) "In France and Germany, the text of Euclid has long since boon discarded," meanwhile it holds its place here in local and University examinations, and teachers are helpless.—Navigation in Theory and Practice, by Henry Evans, LL.D. (Collins), belongs to that useful series, "Collins's Advanced-Science Series."
Previous page
