Naw EDITIONS.—Memoirs of the Verney Family during the Seventeenth Century.
Compiled by Frances Parthenope Verney and Margaret M. Verney. 2 vols. (Longmans and Co. 12s. net.)—The Verney Papers were first dealt with in 1858 by the late Mr. Bruce. Soon after her marriage in 1858, Parthenope, Lady Verney (née Nightingale), undertook a more systematic examination of them ; and some thirty years afterwards a portion of the first edition of the book now before us appeared. Lady Verney died shortly afterwards. The work is now republished under the care of Mrs. Margaret M. Verney. It is illustrated by reproductions of portraits preserved at Claydon House, the seat of the Verney family, a mansion dating from Henry VII.'s time, though much altered, and occupying the site of a much earlier dwelling.—Methods of Social Reform, and other Papers, by W. Stanley Jevons (Macmillan and Co., 10s. net), reprinted without change from the original edition of 1883. It is interesting to look back at these utterances of the wise as they appear in the light of subsequent experience. Professor Jevons was a shrewd person, thoroughly well acquainted with his subject of political economy ; and we have no idea of writing one depreciatory word about him. Yet his predictions were sometimes curiously falsified. He sees the gravest difficulties and dangers in postal notes. The issue of them is unconstitutional, abrogates common law, Sce. Where is the equivalent reserve in money ? But who sees any mischief in them now ? On the other hand, the method which approved itself to Professor Jevons, the Cheque Bank, has disappeared.
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