The record-union., 1891-01-24
NEW PuBIIOATIoNs

the February st. Nicholas" with the
poem An Old-Tme Valentine" by Helen
Gray Cone, with the frontispiece illustra-
alton by Edwards, and then Max Bennett
describes .sHow the Mails Are Carried"
in an account of the railway postofiices,
with illustrations by G. L. Hill. Mary
e. Wilkins, in her story ''Mehitable
Lamb" shows deftness of touch and per-
fection of choice, characteristic of her
sketches of character. Malcolm Douglas
'sThe Family Drum Corps almost as
much of delightful nuisance in reality
as it is in the poem itself. "a Little Girls
Diary in the East" by Lucy Morris ELS
worth, is delightful reading. Miss Els
worth, who ''climed the pyramids at the
age of ten," and who tells us that while
the Sneak listed with great attention,
mamma took his picture" is most dis
eliminating chronicler. Andrew Lang
completes his recital of the story of the
| .Golden Fleece J. L. Trowbridge ably
proceeds with his stirring serial; Noah
Brooks carries on the Kansas adventures
of his heroes, and Elfie and E-ma-ji-na-
shun find Cloudland a country of pleas
ant surprises. Lady Jane' in this num-
Der finds true happiness with her grand
father. The verse of the number includes
poems by Louise Chandler Moulton,
Mary II. Wilkins, and most amusing
one by Oliver Herford, whose verse and
pictures strive equally for superiority.
Besides, there are uninventoried riches
in the pictures and departments, enough
to rank the number with its brilliant pre-
decessors. The Century" Company,
New York.
The Popular Science Monthly for
February is at hand. Its vigorous, in
tellectual and practical character is well
shown in the contents. From Babel to
Comparative Philology," DIR. Andrew D.
White tells how science has compelled
the gradual abandonment of the belief
that Hebrew was the first language of
man. William f. Durfee's "Iron-Smelt-
ing by Modern Methods follows.
'tGreeting by Gesture is the subject of
an interesting article by Colonel Garrick
Mallery. Professor HuXley's paper on
1.-The Aryan Question and Prehistoric
Man" is concluded i'll this number.
There is translation of an article by NJ.
Georges Demeny on Precision in Physi-
cal Training telling how the best re-
suits can be obtained from muscular ex-
ercise. An illustrated account Of recent
Progress in Agricultural Science" is
contributed by DR.. Manly Miles. Then
follows 1.-THE Storage of Cold" by Mr..
Charles Morris. Education is represented
by an account of .'Co-education in Swiss
Universities" by Flora Bridges. What
Shetland ponies are and what they are
not can be learned from a breezy descrip-
ton here given. Mr.. Warren q. Benton
tells the nature of religion-"Chinese
Buddhism" The subject of the portrait
and biographical sketch is Jean-Charles
HouZeau, a Belgian geologist. The editor
discusses Religious Teaching in the
! Public Schools" and makes strong plea
for international Copyright" IN the
departments Of" "Miscellany'' and IN otes'
many scientific topics Of interest are
briefly touched upon. ID. Appleton 4,
Company, New York.
What could be more appropriate for the
opening article in an art magazine than
an illustrated paper on ''fhe Portraits OF
ohm R,islzin," which ushers in the Feb
rJiary number OF 1.-The Magazine of Art?'
| The frontispiece of the number is a
! photogravure reproduction OF Sir j. e.
! AIiilaiS' portrait of Ruskin, painted at
| just about the time when mis- writings
| were attracting their first attention. All
art students viii be interested in ''The
| Proper Mode and Study Of Drawing" by
| w. Holman Hunt, illustrated by the
writer. Another interesting paper de-
scribes 'Mr. Brocklebank's Collection at
Childwall Hail. including many valua-
bic Illustrations, among them one full
| Den" Belvoir Castle and Its History is
| is carefully-written account, by f.
Stephenson, of one OF the most interest
| ing of England's stately homes. Harry
| Furniss contributes paper on The
! Illustrating of Books from 1.-THE HUI
| morous Artists Point of View" Draw
| ings by the author illustrate the text most
amusingly. Alfred Hunt, the popular
English painter, is the subject of an arti-
| Gle from the pen Of Frederick Wedmore
which is illustrated with reproductions OF
| Mr.. Hunts most characteristic work. The
Notes." both American and foreign, are
as full as usual. Cassell Publishing Com
pany, New York.
"a Titled Plebian" is novel by Madge
! Morris Wagner, published by the ''Gold-
en- Era,' San Diego. 1t is strange pro-
duction, but one that proves the capacity
| of the author to be of breadth and depth.
It is Impossible to sketch the story, which
is largely a study OF special conditions,
proposed and reforms and resolutions.
The vein Of love that runs through it is
charmingly worked in, but the better
labor, and that which is decidedly origi-
nal in this novel, is in the recital Of the
story OF the unfortunate foreigner whose
sad tale is told by Eiaself ii
is at once tragic, pathetic and
philosophical; marred by crudities and
absurdities, but gemmed with poems oi
beauty and character, sketches OF strength
and symmetry; it is OF sustained interest
and yet at times descends to such common
place as to make the ereader.indignaDt. Il
discloses thegenius Of the author and sets
her originality prominently to the front
It criticizes some modern social reforms
so-cafled, with delightful incisiveness
and vigor, and puts cold steel into some
social follies relentlessly. All in ALL it is
a book worth reading, and which justifies
us in saying that if Mrs. Wagner will try
her hand on fiction without social and
political philosophy she will win brilliant
success,
Fiction opens up the bright pages O
''The CULVER for February. ''The Ole
Ounce Tree is the title OF love story
of course. Then comes 'An Address tc
Members of the Metropolitan Police
Force,r by the Lord Bishop OF Rochester
"a Chinese New Year. is described
Then we come to ''ssifted as Wheat;'
"The International Scripture Lessons fol
1917 the fourth paper on 'God in the