Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

II mas Deen our duty ana pleasure 10 eX-
anime many library catalogues, but none
We have seen surpasses that of the Law De-
partment of the California State Library,
just issued By the State Librarian, Talbot
II. Wallis. In several respects it is su-
perior to any predecessor anywhere. Of
course Mr.. Wallis and his accomplished
deputies had the advantage of the best
catalogue work of the world before them.
and the best works on library adjustment
and indexing, and have reaped profit from
the experience of others. But there
are not few original features
in the present book, and most material
ones. In his preface Mr.. Wallis acknowl-
edges the assistance he received from that
invaluable work, Soule's Lawyers Refer
ence Manual" The plan of the new work
is formulated upon the basis of four grand
divisions. First-Tabular arrangement of
law works Excluding general text-books),
and this is subdivided into American and
foreign, and each of these have several sub
divisions. The second grand division EN-
braces an index of authors, textbooks and
journals, and also titles and sub-titles ofthe
tables in Division |. The third grand division
is an index of subjects, in two parts-the
first an alphabetical arrangement of legal
subjects; the second catalogues of debates,
proceedings of constitutional conventions,
digests, tables of cases, indices and cita-
tions, French law, journals, magazines,
opinions of attorneys-general. periodicals,
Spanish law, and trials. The final grand
division contains abbreviations of reports,
reporters, periodicals, etc. One of the very
happiest thoughts manifest in this COM
pact volume of nearly seven hundred
large octave pages is the elaborate
system of sub-heading. For instance,
instead of the English reports being given
in straight alphabetical tables, they are
subdivided into Chancery. Rolls Court,
Vice Chancel.o-s Kings or Queen Bench,
Bankruptcy, Common Pleas, and so on.
And some of these are again divided into
sub-sections, as the Law Reports for the
decades from 1865 to 1885 are subdivided
into Appellate series, Common Law series,
Equity series, and these subdivisions again
divided into still more definite titles.
The tabular arrangement of all the re-
ports shows in parallel columns the number
of volumes, the report and reporter titles,
the modes of citation Il. E., the abbrevia-
tions in common Use) the period covered.
Nearly all the departments are prefaced by
notes explanatory of any lack of uniform
ity, and instructing the searcher how to
find other and corresponding references TO
works not possible to include in the title un-
der the eye. There are also historical notes
of much value, as explaining the changes
in and formation of circuits and other juris-
dictiOns, and stating especially what juris-
dictious are included in the divisions and
subdivisions, where the title does not dis
close it. These are only few of the careful
and laborious elaborauons of the book, all
of which not only lessen labor, economize
time in using the library, but give valuable
historical and biographical data. The cross
Il
tended and simply exhaustive-and in a
very high degree labor-saving. Perhaps.
however, the most satisfactory work in the
book is found in the index of subjects.
Here the hard work of the Librarian and
his assistant was most expended. The sub
jects are all in full-faced type the refer
ence to cross-titles in italics, and so elab-
orately is this cross-referring done as 10
make the index as exhaustive as can prob
ably be possibly done. There are other
features of interest in this admirable cata-
logue which we would be pleased to refer
to in detail did space and time permit
The volume is credit TO the State and the
Librarian, and will take first place among
the catalogue work of the world. We can
readily understand, after examination, why
it has taken so long to prepare it, and COM
prehend the great labor its preparation de-
manded to say nothing of the nice judg-
ment and good taste exercised. Typograph-
ically, it is very handsome book nothing
neater, more tasteful or better in printing
has been issued by any publisher, in this
line, than this from the State printing Of
flee, under the Superintendency Of Colonel
J. J. Ayres The binding is also State
work, from the bindery department of the
State printing office, and is the very high
est order of work, of the law-library style.
The " Popular Science Monthly for De-
cember is at hand from ID. Appleton & Co.,
New York The Youmans have in this
as before demonstrated, their fine
editorial capacity. the contents being that
nice adjustment in variety that gives zest
to the reading. Among the more promi-
nent papers are " Science and Theology"
by John Burroughs, in which he holds
that we are conscious of emotions and
promptings of deeper birth than the reason;
- Geological Superstitions," bv DR.. Felix
man, by Mrs. f. Lynn Linton a." Geology
of the Atlantic Ocean" by Sir William
the second paper Life in the
South Sea Islands," by Captain Cyprian
Bridge, r N; Some Outline Objects from
the History of Education by Prof. Bene-
dict, the concluding essay How TO Warm
Our Houses, by E. r. Robbins Measur-
ing the Earth's Surface" by francesca
Saurome. There are several other papers
of high value and the usual notes and pop
ular miscellany and editorials.
The Magazine of Art for December
(Cassell & Co., New York and London}
opens the new volume, and we have here
a fine performance of the promises held
out in the prospectus. A strong etching of
the Dutch painter, Cecil Van Haanen's
. Venetian Beadstringers," forms the 'front.'
ispiece. The opening paper is on Van
and his art, illustrated. "An Out
side View of the South Kensington Mu-
scum = Old Blue-and- White Nankeen
China illustrated in color-an exact
of the blue and white being
given page wood engraving of Turner's
famous painting. The Fighting Teme-
raire, is given with descriptive text; the
first of some papers on Houghton Tower,
illustrated, precedes the second paper on
- Some Historic Gloves - a page engrav-
ing of G. Courtois' " Dancing Girl :" "A
National Art Exhibition - Art in New
Zealand follow and in addition are the
notes and reviews. The number is rich in
fine illustration and Justly maintains the
high reputation OF the journal.
The November number of American Art
American Art Magazine Co.,
Boston, is at hand. Its supplements con-
sist Of two fine art works. on tint plate
landscape, scene in Scheidam, and one of
dainty brace of birds. done in steel plate,
both exquisite work. The text matter is
"An Artistic Home" by Frank T, Robin
son Gllustrated); "Chats on Art and Artists
in Japan by Louis Wertheimher (illus-
trated); american Cut Glass" by L. II.
Weeks illustrated); Metal Gllustrated);
Roundabout Sketches" by Alfred Trum-
bic; Comment and Review "Miscel-
laneous Topics American Home Deco
ration, and American Art Notes. 1t is
in all respects valuable and beautiful
number.
The management of the Overland
Monthly have issued 4 review of that
magazine from its birth in 1868 to the pres
ent time, showing the history and growth
of that recognized exponent of this litera-
ture and literary talent for the Pacific coast.
Since its revival few wears since. the