The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-22 00:00:00

LITERATURE,

The Standard Writing Exerczse Books for School
and Home. By S. S. I.Awrie. Ttunaus AlurbYt

Bouverie-v reet.

These are very useful little works, that hare been
arranged with great care, and will doubtless prove
of essential service to those for whom they are de-
signed. Great attention has been shawn in select-
ing the subjects given for writing, and in this, Els
in many similar instances, we can see how great is
the superiority of education now-a-days to what it
used to be. Learning is rendered more available
in every way, and in some degree the task is
lightened by the introduction of pleasing varietes
into the weariness and monotony of study.

Milton's Comus, 4e. With illustrative notes. B 1

the Rev. J. Hunter, 1.A.. Longman.
We have here another of Mr. Hunter's useful
little manuals for training schools and colleges'
The type is clear and good, while the explanateri
notes, which are full and comprehensive, will enable
the dullest or least imaginative scholar readily t°
follow the author's meaning. They are not re;
stricted to mere observations or queries on parts o'
speech, as is too often the case in works cf this kind,
but they explain difficult phrases or obscure cow'
prisons after illustrating them by passages frail
other poets. Tne critical extracts at the beginning
will assist the young reader in forming some idea
of the peculiar beauties of Milton's style.

The History of England. By Lord Macaulay
Part VI. People's Edition. Longman.
This admirable edition of one of the standard
works of our language is uniform with the cheap
re-issue of the same author's world-ramous essays,
and, like that, is suited to the book shelves of the
humblest reader, while the type and paper render
it by no means unworthy of a place in a more ex
pensive library, By following the method of
monthly publication, Messrs. Longman are thus
putting within the reacts of all who are likely t 0
appreciate them some of the first works of our time'
and in thus encouraging the taste for solid reading
and diffusing knowledge and cultivation they ore
conferring a public benefit.

Old Bones ; or, Notes for Young Naturalists. 139
the Rev. W. Symonds, F.G.S. Had wicke, Pies

cadilly.
We are not surprised that this little work should
have reached a second edition, for it combines ill a,
high degree the two important qualities of beillb
interesting and instructive. It combines in some
degree the two sciences of zoology and geologi'
since it traces the changing forms of animal ne.fure
from the living beings of the present day to °(3
ancient remnants of the mastodon or marnmo'Ji f
an earlier age. The illustrations are copious, all
add greatly to the value of the work, whose clear
and simple style and abundant information render
it pleasant and profitable reading for many icl/°
have left their school. days far behind.

The Standard Manual of Geography. Edited I/1

J. S. Lawrie. Simpkin and Marshall.
This little work has been compiled by a gentlei
man who is one of her Majesty's Inspectors 0
Schools, and who is consequently familiar with
the requirements of pupils. It is arranged on t)a
very excellent system, being plain and terse, El°
giving its information, brief though it necessafill
is, in a form sufficiently interesting to impress El;'°
pupil's mind with something more than a mere
catalogue of names and dates. For the benefit f
small schools, &c., we may add that this useful
„ft,;)endium is being also published in four monthli
twopen.'Y parts.

Handbook, of Croquet. By Edmund Routledge'
A capital eicp.lanation of this now very fashion'
able game. Those wishing to bccome proficients
in it have only to study this volume, and the Nvor
s accomplished.