Freshest News.

THE CENTURY Co. have just issued "The Pharaohs of the Bondage and the Exodus," by the Rev. Chas. S. Robinson, who has succeeded in making his descriptions as exciting and interesting as a work of fiction.

D. APPLETON & Co. announce "John Sevier, the Commonwealth Builder," a sequel to "The Rear Guard of the Revolution," by James R. Gilmore, so well known under his pseudonym of Edmund Kirke; "Life and Letters of Charles Darwin," with an autobiographical chapter: "Progress in China and Japan," by Gen. J. H. Wilson; and another of H. Rider Haggard's marvellous stories, under the title of " Dawn."

ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS announce the

for

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sermons preached by Dr. C. H. Spurgeon during 1886, which they will bring out under the name of "Pleading for Prayer ;" and a text-book the weary," prepared by Dr. J. R. Macduff, entitled "Cast Thy Burden On the Lord." juvenile literature the authors who have become favorities, associated with the imprint of this firm, have again provided good material for the Sundayschool library. Jennie M. Drinkwater Conklin has written " 'Isobel's Between Times; " Agnes Giberne has a water story called "Father Aldur;" and Annie E. Swan will again delight her readers with her new volume, The Gates

of Eden."

T. Y. CROWELL & Co. announce for immediate publication "The Death of Ivan Ilytch and Other Stories," translated from the Russian of Lyof N. Tolstof; and "The Picture of Paul, the Disciple," by Rev. H. R. Haweis; the fourth volume of "Christ and Christianity." For young folks they have just issued "Professor Johnny," by the popular author of "Birchwood;" and they have in active preparation "Sigrid," an Icelandic lovestory, by John Thordsson Thoroddsson, translated from the Danish; and "Cuore," an Italian school-boy's journal, translated from the Italian of Edmondo de Amicis.

HARPER & BROTHER'S have just ready "WasteLand Wanderings," by Dr. Charles C. Abbot, author of "Upland and Meadow," etc., in which he brings his ardent love of nature and his remarkable talent at word-painting to a description of a little stream of water which forms one of the tributaries of the Delaware River, and was first discovered in 1654 by the Swedish settlers of the surrounding country; a translation from the French of Paul Celiére of "The Startling Exploits of Dr. Quiés," which is an excellent piece of work of Mrs. Cashel Hoey and Mr. John Lillie's, relating the adventures of a thoroughly commonplace French boy, which are illustrated by a great abundance of pictures that show the light touch of French talent; and a collection of three novelettes translated from the German of Karl Erdman Edler, by the Earl of Lytton, who prefaces them with a critical literary sketch of the talented author he desires to introduce to the English-speaking world. The book takes its name from the longest story, and is entitled "Baldine and Other Tales." The author has decided psychological and dramatic genius. His characters are alive and his workmanship is highly finished. It is needless to say that in 'Owen Meredith" he has found an ideal translator. William Clark Russell has also fur

nished another of his remarkable sea stories, called "The Golden Hope."

HENRY HOLT & Co. will add two important volumes to their edition of Symonds' "Renaissance in Italy," dealing with "The Catholic Reaction;" "Greek Literature," an exhaustive philosophical account of the growth of Greek literature, giving its relations to the physical surroundings and political and social history of the people, by Thomas Sargent Perry; and the second and third volumes of "Doyle's English Colonies in America," which will be eagerly Colonies in America," treating of "The Puritan read by those who received the first volume in the series, with such warm, yet discriminating

enthusiasm.

To the series of

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & Co. will make some important additions to their series of American history, statesmanship, and literature. In the series of American Commonwealths, "New York" has just appeared, in two volumes, by Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, editor of the Utica Herald; and "Connecticut" is promised, by Prof. Alexander Johnston. Like the writers of previous volumes in this series, the authors of the new volumes are exceptionally fitted to produce books of positive value. American Statesmen has recently been added Mr. Roosevelt's Life of Thomas H. Benton and Mr. Carl Schurz has completed the Life of Henry Clay, in two volumes, which by reason of the great ability, long term of service, and remarkable influence of Mr. Clay and the unusual vigor and clearness of Mr. Schurz's style, cannot fail to be very interesting. It is hoped that Prof. McMaster's Life of Franklin may be published in the series of American Men of Letters this spring.

TICK NOR & Co. will begin in May to issue a set of handsome and convenient paper-covered volumes for summer reading, many of them quite new and others the choicest and most successful novels of recent years. These books will be published regularly once a week for three months. They also announce a novel by Edward Bellamy, author of Miss Ludington's Sister;' one by Miss L. G. Noble author, of A Reverend Idol," Steadfast," a novel by Miss Rose Terry Cooke, and Stories and Sketches," by J. B. O'Reilly. A forthcoming work of literary importance will be "Last Memorials of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow," a rare collection of memorabilia, anecdotes, and incidents carefully edited by the brother who compiled the "Life" so conscientiously.

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LITTLE, BROWN & Co. will issue immediately a work that has been eagerly expected since its first announcement, Through the Fields with Linnæus," a chapter in Swedish history, by Mrs. Florence Cady, who writes excellent English and is enthusiastic on her great subject. It is said that this is the first adequate biography of the great botanist. Its twenty-three chapters are divided into two handsome crown octavo volumes. Another important scientific work, "A Nomenclature of Colors for Naturalists and Compendium of Knowledge for Ornithologists," by Robert Ridgway Curator, has just been issued. with ten colored plates and seven plates of outline illustrations. The Badminton Library to which a work in Cycling has just been added, will receive special notice in our next issue.

BADMINTON, October, 1885.

Having received permission to dedicate these volumes, the "Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes," to his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, I do so, feeling that I am dedicating them to one of the best and keenest sportsmen of our time. I can say, from personal observation, that there is no man who can extricate himself from

a bustling and pushing crowd of horsemen, when a fox breaks covert, more dexterously and quickly than his Royal Highness; and that, when hounds run hard over a big country, no man can take a line of his own and live with them better. Also,

when the wind has been blowing hard, often have I seen his Royal Highness knocking over driven grouse and partridges and high-rocketing pheasants in first-rate workmanlike style. He is held to be a good yachtsman, and, as Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, is looked up to by those who love that pleasant and exhilarating pastime. His encouragement of racing is well known, and his attendance at the University, Public School, and other important matches testifies to his being, like most English gentlemen, fond of all manly sports. I consider it a great privilege to be allowed to dedicate these volumes to so eminent a sportsman as his Royal High

ness, the Prince of Wales, and I do so with sincere feelings of respect and esteem and loyal devoBEAUFORT.

tion.

The first volume in the series was "Hunting," which appeared in this country in November, 1885. This is written by the distinguished editor and Mowbray Morris, and also contains chapters by the Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire, Rev. E. W. L. Davies, Digby Collins, and Alfred E. T. Watson, the sub-editor of the Library. It is illustrated by J. Sturgess and J. Charlton. We give four of these illustrations by courtesy of Messrs. Little, Brown & Co., and readers can readily judge that a book containing fifty-four of such

spirited pictures must be a most attractive volume. The work begins with an ablywritten chapter on the history and literature of hunting, which occupies thirty-five pages, and gives information that will be much appreciated by literary as well as sporting readers. An interesting chapter on "The Beasts of the Chase" follows, describing the habits and haunts of the stag, hare, fox, etc., and then come important contributions about horses and dogs, those most necessary servants of the hunting-field. Stables and kennels are described by practised sportsmen, and many useful hints given which will be found of value in all climates and under totally different conditions.

The book gives the duties of hunt servants, chapters on the rider, the shires, the provinces, hunting from London, the otter and his ways, etc., and closes with appendices of great value to huntsmen, giving lists of masters of hounds and servants, names of hounds, hunting terms, and a very full bibliography: There is an excellent index to every volume in the series. The press commended this work highly. The Athenæum said: "Happy indeed are hunting men to be so well provided with this exhaustive manual of their art." The Academy pronounced the book "the most practical on hunting as a science that has been written since Peter Beckford's 'Thoughts' appeared more than a century ago;" and Outing that keen, youthful American sporting magazine, felt that "the work is one which only could have been written by a true sportsman." Speaking of the illustrations the London Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News said: "Mr. Sturgess' sketches are often wonderfully real, spirited, and vigorous, and Mr. Charlton's hounds are as lifelike as black and white can make them."

In December, 1885, the two volumes devoted to "Fishing" were brought out. They are chiefly from the pen of H. Cholmondeley-Pennell, author of "The Modern Practical Angler," and late Her Majesty's Inspector of Sea-Fisheries. He treats his subject only from a sportsman's standpoint, but conveys much information that must be important as well to him who makes a scientific study of fish as to him who occupies his business in great waters. "In consequence of the growing artfulness of man, or of fish, or both," says the author,

"angling has come to be nearly as wide a field for the specialist as doctoring. Each different branch has its own professors, practitioners, and students; and its gospel as preached by apostles, differing often widely from one another, and perhaps eventually breaking away altogether from old tradition and founding a cult of their own. It has been my aim to make these volumes as practical as possible; and if the exigencies of this rôle have involved a certain amount of space being devoted to more or less technical matters-which, however necessary and important, are, perhaps, less attractive to the general angling public than to the enthusiastic student-I hope the other part of the programme has not been overlooked, and that the following pages will be found to be sufficiently diversified with anecdotes and incidents of sport to redeem them from being hopelessly dull reading."" The first volume is devoted to "Salmon and Trout," the second to" Pike and Other Coarse Fish." Mr. Cholmondeley-Pennell has had the assistance of Major John P. Traherne, Henry Ralph Francis, H. S. Ball, Thomas Andrews, William Senior, G. Christopher Davies, R. B. Marston, the Marquis of Exeter, etc., who all sign the chapters contributed by them. The remainder of this exhaustive work is his own. The Nation, never too ready to praise, calls this "a full and rounded treatise on salmon and trout, their history, habits, and the most scientific methods of propagating and taking them, nearly all of which is as well adapted to the wants of the American as the British angler." The Boston Advertiser says: "Every point is copiously illustrated, and the text is enlivened with sprinklings of anecdotes and incidents of sport."

"Racing and SteepleChasing" in one volume was published in May, 1886. Racing is treated by the Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire and Mr. W. G. Craven, with a contribution by the Hon. F. Lawley, and Steeple-Chasing by Arthur Coventry and Alfred E. T. Watson. The book is illustrated by fiftyseven spirited illustrations by John Sturgess and has also a colored frontispiece. The first part, "Racing," gives the history of horseracing, progress of the sport, history of the Jockey Club; chapters on racing officials, Newmarket, racing in the Provinces," racing servants, old style

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and new, breeding, treatment of yearlings, threeyear-olds, trainers, jockeys, bettings, etc. The second part, "Steeple-Chasing," treats of the original development of steeple-chasing, the selection of the chaser, schooling, fences and fencing, riding the race, hurdle-racing, local meetings, etc., gives a list of famous chasers and their riders, and an appendix containing the pedigrees of horses which have become famous. The Spirit of the Times calls it "the most perfect volume of the sort published during this generation." The Boston Daily Advertiser says the description of a 'Newmarket' on a bright morning in October, is almost as exhilarating as being present at the race, certainly as 'horsey.' The New York World asserts it is "by long odds the best book on both subjects that has yet appeared, for while it is thoroughly entertaining, it is so complete with technical instructions that it should not only be read by all racing officials, but also by trainers and jockeys. Even those who bet, both buyers' and 'takers,' will find it useful."

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Shooting," in two volumes, was published in October, 1886. It is by Lord Walsingham and Sir Ralph Payne Gallway, with contributions by other writers and is beautifully and profusely illustrated by Stuart, Wortley, Whymper, J. G. Millais, Oswald Brown, G. E. Lodge, and others, including seventeen full-page plates and one hundred and fifty-one illustrations in the text, all engraved on wood in the best style of the art. It gives photographs also of three generations of head keepers. The first volume deals with "Field and Covert," the second with "Moor and Marsh." In the introductory chapter to this elaborate work on shooting the author says: "In all that apper

tains to the pursuit of game by English methods a vast change has of late years taken place. The invention of breech-loaders has tended much to revolutionize shooting, and, for reasons which we shall explain, the introduction of a new system of agriculture has actually changed the habits of the game." Everything connected with the sport is described with most minute detail. It begins with the guns generally employed for shooting game, giving many diagrams of the various kinds, the methods of loading, the varieties of shot and balls used, etc. When the guns have been dealt with, the different birds and animals on which they are used are considered and the methods of obtaining the best sport described. Dogs, of course, again occupy a large share of attention and interesting chapters are devoted to game laws, poaching, etc. Pheasants, partridges, pigeons, hares, rabbits, etc., are the animals shot in fields or covert," while on moor and marsh," the sportsman looks for grouse, deer, woodcock, snipe, ducks, wild-fowl, etc. The illustrations in this part are specially attractive.

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The latest issue in the Badminton Library is the volume on "Cycling" of which we have reproduced the frontispiece. It is by Viscount Bury and G. Lacy Hillier, made attractive by many illustrations, some by Viscount Bury and some by Joseph Pennell, whose good work in "The Two Pilgrims' Progress" has already given so much pleasure to devotees of the "wheel." "Though 'Cycling' is by far the most recent of any of the sports treated of in the Badminton Library," says the introductory chapter, "there is none which has developed more rapidly in the last few years, nor is there any which has assumed a more assured position in popular favor. England may be looked upon as the home of cycling. The shady lanes of the south country and the hilly roads of the north appear to offer equal attractions, and now, though scarcely ten years have elapsed since the first bicycle made its appearance, there are few districts in which some form of cycle is not a familiar object. This volume is designed not only to interest the general reader, but to form a useful handbook for all who are interested in any of the various ramifications of cycling. The intending purchaser may consult it as to the points

about which he should satisfy himself before concluding his bargain. The racing man will find his prowess recorded, and be able to fight his battles over again; the tourist will discover all that can help him to prepare for his outing, the advice given being founded on the accumulated experience of many predecessors. The mechanic, and the rider who is interested in the details of the construction of his machine, will read descriptions of all the processes by which iron, steel, and silver are made to assume the shape of the graceful piece of mechanism which adds so largely to the power of locomotion possessed by unaided muscles. It is not only for amusement that cycling is available; both in the pursuit of health and of business it is of great value. In Coventry, which may be looked upon as the peculiar home of cycling, it is fast becoming the custom for workmen to go home on their bicycles during the dinner-hour. As a ve. hicle for business purposes the tricycle has even a larger future before it than the bycicle. It will carry a considerable quantity of luggage, and can be drawn up to the side of the street, and left unprotected until the owner returns. Cycling more than any other of the sports treated in these volumes has become popular in America, and every man who can afford to buy a wheel can also afford to buy this most excellent and in many parts most amusing book on cycling, and when the roads are too bad for his "wheel" he can almost feel that he is exercising and quite feel that he is learning what will be of use to him in many directions, if he takes up this volume until "the clouds roll by."

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The volumes to follow in the Badminton Li