produce of the West Indies or China to Europe, France seized, if she could, ship and cargo; if a French ship carried them, English cruisers seized ship and cargo, if they could. So it happened that the American ships and the American sailors, who were not at war with England and were not at war with France, were able to carry the stores which were wanted by all the world. The wars of Napoleon were thus a steady bounty for the benefit of the commerce of America. When they were well over, we had become so well trained to commerce here, that we could build the best ships in the world; and we thought we had the best seamen in the world,—certainly there were no better. * * *

NO MEDIUM.

NO MEDIUM. By Annie Thomas (Mrs. Pender Cudlip). No. 20, Harper's Handy series. 16mo. Sold by John Wanamaker, paper, 20 cents; by mail, 21 cents. CHAPTER I.

A SUCCESSFUL SÉANCE.

"Mab! you're the very person I wanted to see. Blessings on the ever-recurring craving for the necessaries, to say nothing of the luxuries, of life, which so constantly brings both of us to the stores. Come to a séance with me to-night."

"I've sworn off séances; and even if I hadn't, I'm engaged at the Dunvilles' to-night; its their youngest daughter's coming-out ball, and you know what an interest I've always taken in those three girls, the 'Dunville Graces.'

"Wretched little woman that you are, Mab," my fair, handsome, overwhelmingly energetic friend Laura Chesterton said, linking her arm in mine (I was the Mab addressed), and wheeling me round easily into exactly the opposite course to the one I wanted to pursue; "wretched little woman that you are, why will you so persistently stand in your own light? Here I offer you a chance that any other woman with a grain of intellect and the faintest flicker of the righteous flame of a desire for knowledge would grasp at, and you put it aside for a frivolous fancy for seeing a girl you've known from childhood start on her frivolous career through fashion's gay mart. But I'll befriend you in spite of yourself, Mab. I've got hold of you, and to this séance you shall go with me tonight."

"I've wasted such a lot of time in Lamb's Conduit Street lately," I protested; "and really, if you only realized the mortifications I go through when, time after time, I have to give a negative to my husband's question as to there 'being any result from my investigations!' Besides, I think I'm tired of the trickery and humbug, the charlatanism and vulgarity, which encompass the whole matter."

"Stop, Mab; these are your husband's sentiments, Mrs. Quentin, not your own. I know you better than you know yourself, or at least I read you more vera

ciously than you dare to read yourself at all times You are no more tired of the subject than I am, only you're impatient and easily discouraged by a lack of results, or rather by a lack of the results you have made up your mind to witness. But you must come with me to-night. The séance is a private one; the medium is a young lady who gives her time and power to a select audience, who are superior to the greed for frothy manifestations, and who do not insult her by supposing that she goes through an exhaustive experience for nothing for the purpose of deluding a few strangers. The séance will take place close by here, in Ebury Street. I sha'n't drag you so far as Lamb's Conduit Street this time."

"I wish I hadn't met you, Lolly," I said, with disagreeable candor. The fact is, my friend Mrs. Chesterton had great influence over me. We had joyed together and sorrowed together for a great many years. We had loved and lost many whom we both knew well. We were bound together by a hundred ties of sympathy-domestic, social, and professional; and in these latter days it had come about that she, being an avowed and strong spiritualist herself, had resolved that I too should dwell in Arcadia, that I too should enter the charmed circle and cultivate the uncanny.

"Poor child!" she said, compassionately, in reply to my last remark, "how lucky for you that I am not one of the huffy or readily rebuffed people! It would be a real loss to you, Mab, if I took you at your word and let you go your own silly way to-night. But I'm not going to be deterred by a trifle; you and I are so sympathetic that my mediumistic power is invariably stronger when you're in the room."

Are you the lady-medium who generously gives her services to-night?" I asked, laughing.

"No, dear! I wouldn't need to ask you, in that case; I could draw you, Mab," she said, with that delightfully airy way of hers that always wafted me whithersoever she willed." The medium to-night is a Miss Sherrock, the daughter of an officer who's with his regiment in India. Mrs. and Miss Sherrock have just come home for a year or two, and I've been fortunate enough to get an introduction to them through one of my old Indian friends. The girl is a marvel; simply you'll make her stand for the heroine of your next. She's an exquisitely formed, daintily tinted, fairyqueen-like creature, fragile and fascinating to a degree!"

"Poor little girl!" I said, pathetically. "What an appalling thing it is that her young life should be given to the graceful gilding of a fraud."

"

'After that speech you shall come to-night, Mab,” she said, with the air of a general deciding on a battle from inspiration in a moment, "I won't trust to your meeting me there, dear, because you walk in the feminine clogs of unpunctuality still. I'll call for you at eight o'clock; the séance begins at half-past."

"Oh, Lolly, let me off. My brother is going to the Dunvilles' with me to-night, and he'll be-"

"Well, put it even so, and no harm's done to your dignity. I do 'will' most strongly that you go to the séance to-night. Think of what may be revealed to me, Mab." She went on plaintively, "Think of how you supplement me, dear."

I thought-well, what did I think? That it would be hard to give up the sight of Rose Dunville bounding or gliding into the first bit of the tortuous path which circumstances and conventionality would compel the child to follow in her way through society. That was one thought. Counteracting it, the other rushed through my brain that it would be fine to see Laura Chesterton playing the part of show-woman to a (probably) feeble and futile young person who had not learned the rudiments of mediumship.

NOTES.

*

*

*

The papers on United States history, written by Colonel Higginson for Harper's Magazine during the last few years, will soon be published in book form. Some additional matter will be included, and the whole entitled A Larger History of the United States.

"Max O'Rell," otherwise M. Paul Blouët, a Frenchman resident in England, and author of two widelyread books on English customs, has a new volume, Les Chers Voisins. Like the others it will be a humorous treatment of the differences of character and manners to be observed in the two countries, and is avowedly written with the purpose of dissipating national prejudices existing between the "Neighbors."

A new English quarterly will begin its first volume on the 1st of January. It will be called The English Historical Review, and will be edited by the Rev. Mandell Creighton, M.A., LL.D. It will work in the field of English, American, and Colonial history with the following plan: (1) Original papers on historical subjects; (2) Unedited documents of special historical value; (3) Full notices of the more important historical books appearing at home and abroad; (4) A historical bibliography, giving briefer critical accounts of minor works, and a classified summary of articles in English, American, and Continental periodicals, dealing with subjects that lie within the scope of the Review; (5) Surveys by foreign scholars of the progress of historical literature in other countries, to be supplied from time to time; (6) Communications from scholars connected with the great libraries and with other storehouses of official information in England and elsewhere; (7) Notes on subjects connected with historical research.

It is also announced that the Westminster Review is about to be changed from a quarterly to a monthly; and that Mr. John Morley will retire from the editorship of Macmillan's, to be succeeded by Mr. Mowbray Morris.

Mr. Stedman's forthcoming book on the Poets of America will be a companion volume to his Victorian Poets. Both works will be issued also in a special edition of luxurious form, illustrated with portraits of the authors treated.

A new and enlarged edition of Mr. Howells's poems is promised. Earlier editions have been long out of print.

Bryant and His Friends is the title of a work, by General James Grant Wilson, on the early writers of New York. It is said to consist of much hitherto unpublished matter of interest, such as personal recollections, letters, and poems, accompanied by portraits and manuscript fac-similes.

The Critic suggests that Mr. Howells, in choosing the title of Indian Summer for his new novel, had in mind the following passage from Henry Esmond: "In our transatlantic country we have a season, the calmest and most delightful of the year, which we call the Indian summer; I often say the autumn of our life resembles that happy and serene weather, and am thankful for its rest and its sweet sunshine."

Many a graceful jeu d'esprit occurs in Life, and from its pages a collection of verses will be published with illustrations.

The Lady with the Rubies, a ghost story, by the way, is the ninth of Mrs. Wister's translations from the German of E. Marlitt. Her translations of German novels now number twenty-six.

The October and November numbers of Wide Awake, will contain stories by the late Mrs. Jackson that are among the last of her literary work. Apropos of the copyright question, treated elsewhere in the present number of BooK NEWS, Mrs. Jackson is reported as saying in conversation that, "after reading the correspondence between her friends, Mr. Stedman, Mr. Putnam and Mr. Lothrop, in the New York Tribune, she abandoned all attempts to understand the subject, and never since that time devoted a moment's thought to it if she could help herself."

The most popular American book of the past summer has been not a novel, but a "true story," with the thrilling interest of truth,-Boots and Saddles. Its author, Mrs. Custer, is reported to be the New York correspondent of the Chicago Tribune.

Lend a Hand is the appropriate and attractive title of a new monthly to be the organ of various philanthropic interests, and to be "devoted to the discussion of plans of charity and social reform, as Nature is to matters of natural history, and Science to matters of physical science." The editor will be Edward Everett Hale, with whom is associated the famous

saying he puts into one of his books: "Look up and not down, look forward and not back, look out and not in, and lend a hand.”

Announcements of Christmas books come thicker and faster. Among those of interest are a large octavo volume of De Amicis' Spain, with illustrations by well-known artists; Holmes's Last Leaf, with notes by the author prepared expressly for this volume; Tennyson's Day Dream, illustrated "in a new style of monochrome;" Longfellow's Village Blacksmith; Songs of the Master's Love, by Miss Havergal, with colored illustrations; more of the Forget-MeNot series; Little Chicks and Baby Tricks, by Ida Waugh.

The extraordinary success of cheap editions of new novels in England, is favorable to the hopes of those who believe that all tendencies are towards making books more and more accessible. The sale of Called Back reaches the highest figures-more than 300,000; while the popularity of this and other books of "Hugh Conway" continues. Thus the time-honored custom of publishing English novels in three volumes, at high prices, seems likely in the future to give way before the popular demand for a more sensible method.

Mr. Frederick Saunders, so pleasantly known by his Salad for the Solitary and the Social, will issue Pastime Papers, a new volume of literary essays.

Miss Cleveland's book is expected to yield her a profit of at least $25,000. Translations into French, German and Russian, possibly Italian, will appear. The author is said to be highly pleased with her success, and to be, in consequence, already at work on a novel.

An effort is being made in England to obtain a subscription fund for the benefit of Walt Whitman, who has signified his willingness to accept the aid thus proffered. His income from the sale of his two volumes of poems during the last half year was $22.06.

A correspondent draws our attention to a slight but strange inconsistency in Miss Macquoid's recent novel, Louisa. At one stage in the story a "point" is made of the inability of one of the characters to speak English, while later he is found to be using the language quite familiarly if brokenly.

PRÆTERITA: OUTLINES OF SCENES AND THOUGHTS PERHAPS WORTHY OF MEMORY IN MY PAST LIFE. By John Ruskin, LL.D. Chapter I., The Springs of Wandel; Chapter II., Herne-Hill Almond Blossoms; Chapter III., The Banks of Tay. 8vo, paper, each 20 cents; by mail, 24 cents.

MEMOIRS OF KAROLINE BAUER. From the German. 12mo, $1.10; by mail, $1.24.

Karoline Bauer's book in so far as its pictures of society are corroborated by other chroniclers of her time, has a value for the historian of manners and national character. The fair Lina had a sense of humor; she had also a good deal of twaddling sentimentality of the worst German type; and in her old age, at least, she was very ready to relate risky anecdotes. Of these gifts and capacities her book is redolent; it is hardly a volume to be recommended for the reading of the young person to whose cheek it is not desirable to bring a blush. N. Y. Tribune.

SARAH AND ANGELINA GRIMKÉ: The first American Women Advocates of Abolition and Women's Rights. By Catherine H. Birney. 16mo, 95 cents; by mail, $1.05.

Reviewed in this number. EULOGY ON GENERAL GRANT. Delivered at Westminster Abbey, London, August 4, 1885. By Canon Farrar. 24mo, paper, 20 cents; by mail, 22 cents. A fine example of the archdeacon's eloquence; gives a strong outline of Grant's military character. Publishers' Weekly.

DESCRIPTION.

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY ENLIGHTENING THE WORLD. Described by the Sculptor, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. 4to, 60 cents; by mail, 66 cents.

A neatly-printed and attractively-illustrated publication. It is printed for the benefit of the pedestal fund, and it is to be hoped that the unique value attached to it as a sketch from the pen of the sculptor himself, may help considerably to complete the long-sought list of necessary subscribers.

Boston Advertiser. SOUVENIRS OF SOME CONTINENTS. By Archibald Forbes, LL.D. No. 18, Harper's Handy series. 16mo, paper, 20 cents; by mail, 21 cents. Reviewed in this number.

SCIENCE.

THE WONDERS OF SCIENCE: WONDERS OF HEAT. By Achille Cagin. Translated and edited by Elihu Rich. New and revised issue. The Illustrated Library of Wonders. 12mo, 75 cents; by mail, 87 cents.

THE WONDERS OF MAN AND NATURE: THE INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS. From the French of Ernest Menault. New and revised issue. The Illustrated Library of Wonders. 12mo, 75 cents; by mail, 86 cents.

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A very suggestive and valuable little book is OldWorld Questions and New-World Answers, by Daniel Pidgeon. The writer is an English engineer who has traveled in New England, paying particular attention to manufactures and manufacturing settlements. (See also BOOK NEWS, Vol. 3, p. 169.) N. Y. Sun. OUR SILVER COINAGE, AND ITS RELATIONS TO DEBTS AND THE WORLD-WIDE DEPRESSION IN PRICES. By John A. Grier. 12mo, paper, 20 cents; by mail, 24

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WHY WE BELieve the BibLE. An hour's reading for busy people. By J. P. T. Ingraham, S. T. D. 16m0, 45 cents; by mail, 51 cents.

The dedication to this manual indicates briefly its purpose: "To the Jews, from whom the Bible came; to the Gentiles, to whom it came, and to all who would like to confirm their faith in the Bible, but who have not leisure for large volumes, this book is respectfully inscribed." Publishers' Weekly.

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Whatever we may think of Mr. Carleton's claims to consideration as a poet, it remains unquestioned that he strikes a popular vein in his ballads. In the city, as in the country, he finds plenty of subjects suited for homely humor and honest feeling. This collection of his verse, most of which has appeared in the weekly and daily journals, is very handsomely printed and illustrated. Christian Union.

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WONDERS OF ART AND ARCHEOLOGY: EGYPT 3300 YEARS AGO. Translated from the French of F. De Lanoye. New and revised issue. The Illustrated Library of Wonders. 12mo, 75 cents; by mail, 85 cents.

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CUT BY THE COUNTY. By Miss M, E. Braddon. No. 19, Harper's Handy series. 16mo, paper, 20 cents; by mail, 21 cents.

A regulation English novel, with a county magnate, his brisk soldier friend, a young hunting acquaintance, a fox chasing daughter, a mean sister, a beautiful second wife, and her scampish son as characters. The scene is laid in a hunting country, forty miles from London, and the events of the story include a robbery, a shooting, detective work, many misunderstandings, and a happy ending-just what the average novel reader requires or desires. Beacon.

NO MEDIUM. By Annie Thomas (Mrs. Pender Cudlip). No. 20, Harper's Handy series. 16mo, paper, 20 cents; by mail, 21 cents.

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A new departure is taken by Mrs. Alexander in the first of these two stories. While not entirely deserting the pleasant scenes of English domestic life she describes so well, she introduces a new and sensational element in the person of a man, Lambert, an American sharper, with a shady past and a feigned name, who by some strange chance is found in good society in London, with a beautiful, refined daughter who attracts all eyes. The incidents are all exceedingly dramatic, the story winding up in a very tragical style. The characters are unusually well depicted, and the writing is strong and concise.

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Robbery and murder are the principal themes. The Prince of Darkness, the leading criminal, passes as a wealthy man of position in the best Parisian society. The instrument by which his downfall is compassed, is a wronged and revengeful woman, who follows him like a bloodhound to the death. Those who liked The House on the Marsh, will enjoy this story, as it is full of the most sensational incidents. Publishers' Weekly.

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A WHEEL OF FIRE. By Arlo Bates. by mail, 86 cents.

12mo, 75 cents;

A marked advance on his first book, The Pagans. Strong, simple, and direct, this story of New England life develops at the same time a psychological problem and a social question of the greatest interest. Mr. Bates is an artist as well as an analyst, and on nearly every page of this book there is some passage which illustrates his uncommon power of epigrammatic expression. N. Y. Sun. THE SCARLET LETTER. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. New edition. 12mo, 75 cents; by mail, 86 cents. Wearied with what is new in fiction, we still can turn with ever-increasing pleasure to the masters. A new, popular edition of The Scarlet Letter is sure to receive an appreciative welcome. It is printed from comparatively new plates, and substantially bound as befits the greatest romance which our country has produced. If the people once become thoroughly inoculated with Hawthorne, they will be proof against cheap and worthless literature.

Life. IDYLLES. Par Henri Gréville. Contes Choisis, No. 6. 16mo, 18 cents; by mail, 21 cents. A charming little book.

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The first story of Jessie Fothergill's that was reprinted in this country; but as it only appeared in a cheap paper form, every one will be glad to welcome it again in the favorite covers of The Leisure Hour series, where it properly belongs with the writer's other books. It is one of the strongest stories we have from Miss Fothergill. The scene is laid in Lancashire, England, and there is both pathos and tragedy in the narrative.

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Since the first volume was issued, some seventeen years ago, Elsie has been carried on from childhood through life's various stages, until now the volumes deal with new generations. Apparently the young people find them of even more interest, for the demand for each new volume exceeds the last.

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ANECDOTES NOUVELLES. Lectures Faciles et Amu

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544 Cut by the County; or, Grace Darnel. Miss M. E. Braddon. 9 cents; by mail, 10 cents.

545 Vida's Story. By the author of Guilty Without Crime. 9 cents; by mail, 10 cents.

546 Mrs. Keith's Crime. 9 cents; by mail, 10 cents.

547 A Coquette's Conquest. Basil. 18 cents; by mail, 19 cents. 548 The Fatal Marriage, and The Shadow in the Corner. Miss M. E. Braddon.

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564 At Bay. Mrs. Alexander. 9 cents; by mail, 10 cents. 565 No Medium. Annie Thomas. 9 cents; by mail, 10 cents. 566 The Royal Highlanders; or, The Black Watch in Egypt. James Grant. 18 cents; by mail, 19 cents.