Literary Notes

JEvery succeeding ïiuuiber of Cruui;vr History emphasizea the valueof this estimable work of reference, whicfa began publicatiou se ven yearsago. A glauce at the current number (4th quarter, 1896) wi.Il impresa the convictions tliat no lilirar-y, whether in public insdtution or private home, should be without it. Tlie Dforination here eondensed into a few hundred pages is not only most judicioiwly selected and impartially presented, but also most admirably arrangéd for reference ; so that the four quarterly uumbers for the year, bound vvith the complete analytical index, make an ideal animal. The low price of the work puts it within reach of everyone. No more reliable and comprehensive haudbook of the world's progress has ever been put on the market. It is not an almanac, but an all-embracbistory of tlie world from ihe view-point of an intelligent observer wlio is able to grasp essentials, to present them eoneisely and systematically, and to Ilumínate them" with much philosophical insight into their aignflcance. The latest nuoiber opeas with a critical study of the life and work of George du Maurier. Then follows the customary historical review enibracing every country in the world, and every conceivable subject of general interest. We can mention here only a few of the most important topics: The November Elections, with full tabulated statement of results; Revolt in Cuba; Venezuelan ïreaty ; International Arbitration; Armenian and Cretan questions; General political situationin Europe; Currency problem in United States; Manitoba School Settleinentetc. ïhere are fortysix port'-aits in the number. Buffalo, N. Y.: Garretson, Cox & Co. publishers; A. 8. Johnson, Ph. D., editor; 1.50 a year; single number 40 cents; sample 10 cents ; specimen pages and circulara iree.) The growing taste in the United States for decorative painting, as shown in the costly decoration of many recent structures, public and private, gives special timeliness and interest to a paper by Mr. Will II. Low in McClure's Magazine for April. Mr. Low, by bis well-known ceiling in the Waldorf "Hotel and other work of this kind, is himself closely identified with the new movement; and in this paper he touches npon the origin and extent of it, and then coiisiderd, biograpbically and critically, the three greatest masters of decorative painting, in recent times. The paper is riehly illustrated with reproductions of celebrated paintings by Paul Baudry, Puvis de Chavaunes, and others. A series of hithertounpublisbed letters written by General Sherman to a young girl who applied to hira anonymously for information regarding an army officer of whom sbe had ouce l)een the correspondent, is the most novel feature of this number of McClure's. There is a touch of humor and a touch of romance in the story the letters unfold, and one is moved both to sigh and to laugh at the posture to which the general's good nature finally brings him.