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ASPER'S BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. Drawn from Nature, engraved and described by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., to be completed in 40 monthly parts. Each part will contain three beautifully colored Plates, and one tinted Scientific Plate twelve by fifteen inches, and eight pages of letter-press, devoted to the Popular and Scientific History of over six hundred different Species of Birds, comprising all that are known to exist on this Continent, including a popular account of their habits and characteristics. Sold to subscribers only. Price, each part, $1 00

Numbers 1 to 34 now ready.

The drawings are made and the plates are engraved by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D., an Artist and a Naturalist, who has made the study of Orni thology the business of his life. No similar work, containing so many beautiful and faithful pictures of living birds, and so much descriptive matter at so reasonable a rate, is now extant or has ever been published in this or any other country.

To Libraries, Colleges, Seminaries, Educational and Scientific Institutions, Professors, Teachers, and Families, it will be of the highest conceivable value in arresting the attention and in cultivating a taste for the beautiful and wonderful as exhibited in this most attractive branch of natural history. There is hardly a person, young or old, educated or uneducated, who will not find in this work a rich and varied source of entertainment and instruction.

[From Prof. J. S. Newberry, Chief Geol. Corps of Ohio.]

"The work seems to be accurately and tastefully prepared. With the plan and general execution of the work I am much pleased, and take pleasure in commending it as the most attractive popular exposition of our ornithology yet given to the public."

[From the Turf, Field and Farm.]

"A most valuable work on the birds of North America, profusely illustrated with accurate and admirably colored plates, from drawings by Theodore Jasper, A. M., M. D. This work will undoubtedly become the popular 'standard' on the subject of which it treats, and must supersede Audubon and Wilson. It should be in every school library in the country. It would stimulate in the rising generations a fondness for natural science, and for ornithology in particular, which would prove a better protection to game than all the laws ever devised."

[From Thomas A. Logan, Esq., Cincinnati.]

"My admiration for Dr. Jasper's 'Birds of North America' increases upon a critical examination of the plates. As works of art, they are superbly executed, and with remarkable accuracy and fidelity to nature. No

other book in my opinion gives such life-like portraits. The minutest details are observed, and the author has shown himself to be, not only an ornithologist, but an artist in the highest sense. The letter-press is excellent. Altogether the book deserves great success. I know of no other preferable to it."

[From Dr. Levette, Geological Corps of Indiana.]

"I have examined parts 1 to 5 of Dr. Jasper's 'Birds of North America,' and in comparison with the well-known works of Audubon, Nuttall, and Wilson, this work richly deserves a place in the front rank, comprising as it does the verified results of their day, to which Dr. Jasper adds his own observations and experience among the feathered tribes, and this, with the knowledge of the lithographic art, gives us a popular and scien+ific work on North American ornithology, which should receive the patronage and indorsement of every lover of nature, as well as every one interested in the scientific education of the rising generation."

[From the Cincinnati Volksblatt.]

"A comparison of this work with those of Audubon and Wilson will' convince the expert that, in fidelity to nature, the plates, as well as the descriptions, not only equal, but in many respects surpass them. It will also be evident that neither the drawings nor the description of the individual birds are borrowed from similar works, but that they are the result of many years' observation in the forests and fields. In conclusion we would say, that no work on ornithology that has ever appeared in the United States equals this in point of artistic and scientific excellence.”

[From Dr. J. M. Wheaton, Ornithologist of Geological Corps of Ohio.] "I have examined the specimen numbers of Dr. Jasper's work. The text gives a brief and concise description of the more important points of structure, valuable information concerning the general habits, and a scientific classification of birds. This is followed by a biographical description of each North American species, in which the author's valuable notes have been carefully combined with the observations of other ornithologists. The colored lithographs drawn and engraved by the author, copiously illustrate the text and are well executed.

"The plan and execution of the work is well calculated to render it what it is designed to be, a popular work on this interesting subject."

[From the Inter-Ocean, Chicago.]

"No work evincing such perfect care and finish, at such a reasonable rate, has ever been published either in this country or abroad.

"We cordially recommend 'The Birds of North America' to the notice of libraries, colleges, schools, institutions, professors, teachers, and families, as a work of peculiar value and beauty, which will amply repay the sum expended upon it by attracting the attention of all classes to this in 'eresting and wonderful branch of natural history."

MONT

ONTESQUIEU'S SPIRIT OF LAWS. The Spirit of Laws. By M. De Secondat, Baron De Montesquieu. Translated from the French by Thomas Nugent. A new edition, carefully revised and compared with the best Paris edition. To which are prefixed a Memoir of the Life and Writings of the Author, and an Analysis of the Work, by M. D'Alembert. Svo. Cloth, $6.00

2 vols

This is Montesquieu's greatest work, and was one of the most valuable products of French philosophy which appeared in the eighteenth century. It was the mature fruit of all his previous study, and the result of twenty years' labor. So great was its success that, in eighteen months after its first publication, it passed through twenty-two editions, and was translated into most of the European languages, and has ever since held a prominent place in the philosophy of jurisprudence and politics.

From a long review of the work in the American Law Review, for January, 1874, we extract the following:

"All, even the detractors, have united in praise of the great and varied learning, profound thought, and lofty genius displayed throughout this work. ... Montesquieu shows what law is and how it is. He shows it as it exists, diversified by circumstances both moral and physical. 'I write not to censure anything established in any country whatsoever; every nation will here find reasons on which its maxims are founded.' Such a work is philosophical in the design and useful in the execution. It is to this writer and to those who have followed in his footsteps, that we owe all that we have useful in the philosophy of jurisprudence. But Montesquieu has a peculiar and a remarkable claim upon the American people. It is more than probable that it is to him, with others, that we owe the framework of our government..

"The original draft of the plan of government which is found in the constitution of Massachusetts was the work of John Adams. The constitutions of other states were molded after this. From these the constitu tion of the United States was formed. All these constitutions embody Montesquieu's system of checks and balances. John Adams was a believer in Montesquieu, some others were not. Montesquieu ran the gauntlet of criticism. Adams' opinion of the value of his work is shown in a letter to James Madison, written many years after, in which he says:

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"I am not an implicit believer in the inspiration or infallibility of Montesquieu. On the contrary, it must be acknowledged that some of the philosophers have detected many errors in his writings. But all their heads, consolidated into one mighty head, would not equal the depth of his genius or the extent of his views. When a writer on government despises, sneers, or argues against mixed governments, or a balance in governments, he instantly proves himself an ideologian. To reason

against a balance, because a perfect one can not be composed or eternally preserved, is just as good sense as to reason against all morality because no man has been perfectly virtuous. Montesquieu have taught them more sense.""

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'Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws is a legal classic. It would be well if every lawyer and every legislator in the land could read and examine the work carefully and thoroughly. The effect upon the jurisprudence of the country would be most healthful. But even this extent of its reading can hardly be expected. Yet there is a class of lawyers in this country, and we refer to those in full practice, who seem to think and act as if they had no time whatever for any reading except that which pertains to their practice. It is to this class that the republication of this work is, and ought to be, especially acceptable and grateful. They can, and ought to read it, and they will find it a great aid in their practice, while, at the same time, it will enlarge their views and extend the comprehension of their field of industry and usefulness. It is legal literature and at the same time very pure law."-Hon. Chester C. Cole, Judge of Supreme Court of Iowa.

"Of the merits of a work of such world-wide reputation, I surely need not speak. It is a masterpiece—the most profound and original treatise on the philosophy of jurisprudence that has ever been composed in any age or language. Your reprint is a beautiful specimen of typography.”— Hon. George Sharswood.

"I should suppose every gentleman of liberal culture would give it a place in his library. And, as for its place in a lawyer's library, I apprehend it is and ought to be this-it will not be of practical value in making him a technical lawyer, if he has no higher aims than to be master of the practical details of his profession. But if he has an ambition or desire to possess himself of the broad and liberal principles upon which jurisprudence as a science rests, and wishes for the culture which trains and prepares a man to comprehend and apply them, I regard the work as one which he ought early to have on his shelves, and when there to be often used and consulted.”—Hon. Emory Washburn, Professor of Law in Harvard University.

"That such books as your series of Legal Classics should be published so handsomely and so cheaply by an American house, is a hopeful sign that the study of law and jurisprudence in this country, is becoming more thorough and profound than formerly."-Charles W. Eliot, President of Harvard University.

"To students of law we most earnestly commend the reading of the Spirit of Laws. They will find it an invaluable treasure of original thought and profound views, of luminous observation and deep reflection, of philosophic observation and just generalization.”—Albany Law Fournal.

SAD

AINT GERMAIN'S DOCTOR AND STUDENT; or, Dialogues between a Doctor of Divinity and a Student in the Laws of England, containing the grounds of those Laws: together with Questions and Cases concerning the Equity thereof. To which are added two pieces concerning Suits in Chancery by Subpæna. By Christopher Saint Germain. Revised and corrected by William Muchall. I vol. 8vo. Cloth, $3.00

The first part of this work originally appeared in Latin, about the year 1518, and was subsequently translated into English by the author, who wrote a second part in English about 1530. Each of these parts, however, passed through several editions before they were united in one volume. The present edition contains many judicious references to modern works, and two additional tracts of Saint Germain on Suits in Chancery by Subpœna. The author explains many of the grounds and reasons of the law in a sound and intelligible manner, and all seeming hardships and difficulties in cases of Inheritance, Contract, Warranty, Wreck, Actions Feigned, etc., are made easy.

"This work has always been a great favorite with me. I have frequently read it, and never without renewed pleasure and profit. I consider it a most invaluable book-one of the best in our libraries—and no earnest student should be without it, in order not only to make himself master of it, but to have it for ready and constant reference. I admire greatly the taste with which your publications are presented to the profession, in their style and typography."-Hon. George Sharswood.

"This work of Saint Germain may be read and studied to advantage and profit by any one who would master the science of ethics in its connection with that of government and law."-Hon. Emory Washburn.

"The 'Dialogue between a Doctor of Divinity and a Student in Law' was written by Saint Germain in the reign of Henry VIII., and discusses, in a popular manner, many principles and points of common law. The seventeenth edition of this work was published in 1787, and dedicated to the younger students and professors of law. It has always been considered by the courts and the best judicial writers, as a book of merit and authority. The form of writing by dialogue was much in use among the ancients, and some of the finest treatises of the Greeks and Romans were written in this form."-1 Kent, 504.

"I must not forget, among the subsidiary books, that of Saint Germain, called 'Doctor and Student,' because it is plain and intelligible, and the points of law that are touched there are sound and well stated. Its object is chiefly to prove that the rules of law are reconcilable with reason and good conscience, and the arguments on this subject, between the Doctor of Divinity and the Student in the Laws of England are treated in a clear and popular manner."-North's Study of the Laws.

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