Literary Notices

We cannot too higlily commend the "History of the Paciöc States," nor too atrongly urge for it the serious consideration of all good men; of all who have a family to rear, sons and daughters to educate : of all who have any stake in the country, or care for ita wealth, progresa and intelligence. The reasons are plaiu enough : lst. Such work should be encouraged- The author. Mr. Hubert H. Bancroft has performed this labor at au immense cost of time and money. Literary work of this kind does not pay pecuniarily. It is impossible that it should. TUerefore, if the intelligent and prospcrous meuibers of the coiuuiunity withhold f rom it their syrnpathy and support, what eiicouragement is there for anyone ever to sacrlfice pleasure and gain to the public good ? 2dly. It is a history of our owu country. Now historical knowledge is the most valuable of all knowledge, for the reason that historv is the recorded experiences of mankind. By knowing what others have done, we may profit by their successes, while avoidinj: their mistakes. And of all history that of our own country should be read and studied first, because it more nearly concerns us. Children should be educated not only to respect their pa renta and love their home, but to respect their country and tenderly to cherish its institutions. And how can they know about their country if books are not placed within their reach. 8dly. It will pay pecuniarilv. The well-informed, intelligent man can make more rooney than the care. leas and uuthinking man. It is not necessary to talk of the benefits to society and to individuals of such a work as this; they are obvious. Subscribe for thera all at once, cheerfully, proinptly; then read tliem, and speak of them to your friends, and thereby lend your support to a great praiseworthy uudertaking. The North American Review for March opens with an article on " Money in Elections," by Henry George, who brlngs to the discussion of that hackneyed subject a contribution full of originality, freshuess and keen insight; Roberts. Taylorwrites of the -'Subjugation of the Mississippi," a woik which, in his opinión, and in that of the Mississippi Commission, of which lie ia a member, can be accoinplished only by employing, for the purpose of deepening xivj .truiglitunii'g thu oUtxnnol, the forceS developed by the river itself. Moncure D. Conway contributes a very striking study of Gladstone as a man and a statesman. Hon. George W. Julian's "Railway Iutluence in the Land Office '' is a grave, judicial exposure of the practicea which, against the manifest inteut of tho law and the determinations of the highest courts, have won for corporations millions upou millions of acres of the public domain. Richard A. Proctor writes of the " Pyramid of Cheops;" Prof. Wm. G. Sumner of "Protective Taxes and Wages;" Eüzur Wright of " Some Aspects of Life Insurance;" and finally, there is a symposium on" Educiitional Needs,1' by Prof.G. StaDley Hall, Prof. Felix Adler, President Thomas Ilunter. and Dr. Mary Putnam Jiicobi. Published at 30 Lafayette Place, New York, and for sale by bookselleis The contents of Lippincott's Magazine for March aie unusually varied, and include several articles of special interest. Prof. James D. Butler lias an apparently exliaustive paper on the " Portaits of Columbus," proving that thegreater number of the pretended likenesses of the great discoverer are wholly fictitious. "Invalid Life in the South " sums up the experiences of five years in the recovery ot health. "The Civilized Indian," by Alfred M. Williams, gives an account of the Cherokee "Nation," its social and political condition, with a pleasant idyllic description of its peaceful settlements and the beautiful country over which they are scattered. "An Ocean Swordsman," is the title of an illustrated paper by C. F. Hodder. " The Story of the Palatines," by Charles Bdrr Todd, brings to light a forgotten episode in the liistory of American colonization, while "Polanders in Texas," by R. L. Daniels, shows the different conditions under which emigrants from remóte countries are establishing new homes on our soil at the present day. The new instalment of " The Jewel In the Lotos," by Mary Agnes Tincker, contalnssome striking scènes and exquisite descriptions. Among the short stories, "Canta," by G. H. Pierce, is a very graceful and pathetic sketch, while "The Fiddler of Batiscan," by Annie Robertson Macfarlarie, is romantic and sensational, and the "Stirring-Off," by M. H. Catherwood, a bit of homely realism. The poetry of the number is by Carlotta Perry, Marion Couthouy, and Charles L. Hildreth, and the " llonthly Gossip " includes several timely papers, most of them biographical and anecdotical. The March number of Harper's Magazine is a beautiful and entertainiiig number, The frontispiece engraving is from Geo. II. Boughton's picture, "The Burgomaster's Daughter." Win. H. Bishop coutributes a paper eutitled "Across Arizona," wliich isattractively illustrated. Geo. H. Boughton continues his Holland papers with a fresh and quaint description of Friesland, illustrated by hisowu drawings and those of E. A. Abbey. Col. Higgin8ou's tifth paper on his American History series is entitled "TheFreuch Voyageurs." One of the most valuable and interesting of the il 1 ustrated articles is M rs. M. G. Van Kensselaer's paper on " 'Parsifal ' at Baireuth." It clearly shows Wagner's method of working out his musical and dramatic conceptions. The illustrations for the article include drawings by Cari ilarr, representiug the most striking scènes in " Parsifal," a new portrait of Wagner.and a beautiful full-page portrait of the soprano, F. Therese Malten. E. Mason contributes a paper on Puillip Wouvermans The illustrations, which are from paintings, include a portrait of the old Dutch raaster, and an excellent specimen of his work. Charles Francis Adams, Jr., contributes an interesting chapter of our earliest Colonial history. entitled " Sir Christopher Gardiner, Knight "- a prominent figure in several romances by Miss Sedgwick, Motley, and others. General Benjamin Alvord contributes a blief but very curious paper, entitled "The Morning Star: an Indian Superstitlon." William Black's "Shandon Bello," and Miss Woolson's "For the Major" are continued: and good short Btories are contributed by Mrs. H. P. Spofford and M. Howland. The EdItor'g Easy Chair- apropo of a recent article in the London Daily News- shows that American Laste doe not folio w the diotates of Englishcriticisra; givesa plens ing picture of an old-time Knickerbocker New year'B Day; notices "Dr. Griinshawe's Secret " discusses the effect upon France of Gambctta's deatli; and concludes with a tribute to Mr. Wm, A. Seavor, late editor of the Drawer. The other editorial departments are well sustained. The Drawer contains a noteworthy contribution in the shape of a comic operetta, entitled " King Alfred " (with five illustrations), by Mrs. E. T. Corbett, whose " II Jncobi "- a milar produetion, published sonie time since in the Drawer- was so popular. '