Published quarterly at 18 Somerset st., Boston, Mass. Price 25 cts. a year, or 10 cts. a number.

THE EDITOR requests persons sending books for notice to state, for the information or readers, the price of each book, with the amount to be added for postage when sent by mail.

History of Paris, Maine, from its Settlement to 1880, with a History of the Grants of 1736 and 1771, together with Personal Sketches, a copious Genealogical Register, and an Appendix. By Wm. B. LAPHAM and SILAS P. MAXIM. Paris, Me.: Printed for the Authors. 1884. 8vo. pp. 816. Price $4. Sold by George E. Littlefield, 67 Cornhill, Boston, Mass.

This volume well illustrates the great progress that has been made in the department of local history. A few years since a book of more than 800 pages, devoted to the history of an ancient and populous town, would have been considered a most exhaustive and complete work, but here we have such a book giving the history and events of a town incorporated less than a century ago, and with a population never exceeding 3000 persons. This town has however been the birthplace, or residence, of an unusually large number of men prominent in the history of the state and nation, including among its citizens a senator and vice-president of the United States, Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, four governors of Maine, and not less than twelve representatives to congress.

The early portion of the book gives a valuable account of land grants in Maine, and of the contest among the settlers in regard to an act of incorporation, which was finally obtained from the legislature in 1793. Brief notices are introduced of the original grantees of 1735-6 and 1771, and an account of some of the earliest purchasers from them, and it appears that many of the settlers came from Newton, Roxbury, Waltham and vicinity, the well-known families of Jackson, Hyde, Coolidge and Fuller being represented. The annals of the town, taken largely from the town records, occupy pages 90-200, and this is followed by an elaborate account of the Centennial Celebration in 1879, of the hundredth year since the actual settlement of the township. Very interesting notices are given later in the book of the different churches and their ministers, of the newspapers and post-offices, and

also a large number of biographical sketches of prominent citizens, or natives of the town, including men of all professions. The remaining portion of the work is devoted to the genealogies, which fill nearly 300 pages, and form a most valuable collection of family history, the authors having given much time to perfecting these records by examining all available sources of information.

The volume is illustrated with many portraits and views, and the authors, Messrs. Maxim and Lapham, are to be congratulated upon the production of a town history of which the sons and daughters of Paris may well be proud.

The typographical work has been performed in the most satisfactory manner, and the book is most creditable in all respects.

By George K. Clarke, LL.B. of Needham, Mass.

Centennial Volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., 1784-1884. Pittsburgh Wm. G. Johnson & Co., Printers. 1884. 8vo. pp. 259.

At first sight this volume appears to be of interest only to the inhabitants of Pittsburgh and its vicinity. It is, however, of national importance as depicting the results of the Scotch-Irish immigration into one section of our country. Every one who is familiar with history will probably admit that these noble and hardworking people did more to build up our nation than the natives of any other country, excepting of course those of England, to whom we are, under God, indebted for our rise and growth as a nation. They were a kind-hearted and openhanded people. They meant well and did well. They were quick to resent a wrong and equally ready to do a favor. In a word, they seem to have had most of the requisites for the making of good colonists. At any rate, our development would hardly be what it is at present had we lacked their patient and plodding industry.

The book before us contains the historical discourse and other proceedings at the centenary celebration, April 13th to 15th, 1884, of the organization of that church, and a valuable appendix. It has portraits of several of the pastors of the First Church-Rev. Samuel Barr, Rev. Francis Herron, D.D., Rev. William Paxton, D.D., and Rev. Sylvester F. Scovil.

The typography and binding of the book are good.

By Daniel Rollins, Esq., of Boston.

Universalism in America, its History. By RICHARD EDDY, D.D., President of the Universalist Historical Society; Member and late Librarian of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; and Member of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Vol. I. 1636-1800. Boston: Universalist Publishing House. 1884. 8vo. pp. 554. $1.50.

The history of religious denominations and the doctrines which may characterize them, is a literature to be encouraged. The English speaking people have been given to isms. Controversy betokening theological activity has arisen in every generation. Amidst the controversy, doctrines upon various phases of Christian thought have been made prominent. The strength of Protestantism lies in the active life of its students and men of influence. Universalism is defined as the doctrine of the final holiness of all men through the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. This doctrine the author claims has been held and defended in some form in all the Christian ages. Hosea Ballou, 2d, D.D., wrote "The Ancient History of Universalism;" and Thomas Whittemore "The Modern History of Universalism.” Dr. Eddy has only a brief word regarding the ancient history by way of introduction; and occupies a similar ground to that of the latter book, though giving a deeper research into the subject than was possible half a century ago. This first volume traces the doctrine from 1636 to 1800; a later volume to give the history to the present time."Universalism came to America through at least five channels, independent of the teachings of John Murray, who is commonly called the Father of Universalism in the New World:" the Mystics; the Dunkers, or German Baptists, or as they wish to be called, Brethren; the Moravians; the Episcopalians and the Congregationalists. Under the Mystics the author cites the famous Samuel Gorton; Sir Harry Vane; Joseph Gatchell of Marblehead, whose faith was brought in question as per Suffolk Court files, the author quoting the researches of Dr. H. F. Waters, REGISTER, Xxxiii. p. 352; Dr. George De Benneville of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Say, philanthropist, and member of the Society of Friends. In each of these 66 channels" Dr. Eddy finds persons of prominence who have held the doctrine, and who have been more or less outspoken in its advocacy. A full

and discriminating account is given of John Murray, of his embracing the doctrines of Relley, his coming to America, his meeting with Potter, and of his preaching throughout New England, and of his settlements in Gloucester and Boston. His contemporaries-Revs. Noah Parker, Adams Streeter, Caleb Rich and Elhanan Winchester, and Shippie Townsend and Dr. Isaac Davis are mentioned, together with many others, as active in proclaiming the doctrine in New England; while in New York and Pennsylvania the services of Rev. Abel Serjent, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Dr. Joseph Young and others are given a good degree of attention. Hosea Ballou began preaching in 1791, and came to be a preacher of acknowledged influence. In 1805 he published his treatise on the Atonement, the first outspoken book declaring the unity of God.

A second volume is to follow this, which will treat of Sunday Schools, Educational Institutions, Hymnology and Periodical Literature. This later volume will also contain a Bibliography of books and pamphlets published in America, either for or against the doctrine of Universalism. The author requests copies or titlepages of all such books.

This history shows that Dr. Eddy has a terse and happy expression, and that he is no novice in gleaning the essential facts of an incident. These are requisites for a historical writer. Among the several histories of religious denominations which have appeared of late, this one compares favorably in matter, research and literary finish.

By the Rev. Anson Titus, of Amesbury, Mass.

Giornale degli Eruditi e dei Curiosi, Premiato dal R. Ministero della Publica Istruzione con due sussidi di incoraggiamento. FERRO GIUSEPPE, gerente responsabile. Padova: Alla Direzione del Giornale Riviera Businello N. 4055, 8vo. Subscription price, 20 lire ($4) a year.

This is a semi-monthly periodical which was commenced in November, 1882, and which was noticed by us in January, 1883. Four volumes have been completed, and a fifth volume was commenced on the 15th of November last. It is published at Padua, renowned as the birthplace of Livy the historian, and Belzoni the traveller; and the seat of the oldest medical college in Europe. The Giornale is conducted on much the same plan as the English Notes and Queries and the French Intermediare. It has increased from a single sheet, in the early numbers, to two, three, and sometimes four in the later ones.

So plenty are learned men and great scholars in Italy, and so numerous and accessible are old libraries, filled with books and manuscripts, oldest and rarest of all eras, that the convenience of this periodical was recognized at once. The early numbers were remarkable, to us, for the quantity of scraps of humorous literature which they exhibited-mottoes, proverbs, verses-very witty and very juicy. Gradually a staff of correspondents have illumined the pages of the Giornale, on recondite and valuable subjects of History, Biography, Bibliography, Geography, Ethnography, Archæology, some Genealogy and Heraldry, much Literature and Literary History, Philosophy and Science, till it has become an authority on Uses and Customs, Traditions and Legends, Opinions and Folk-Lore of Italy and the various races that have peopled that country.

By George A. Gordon, Esq., of Somerville, Mass.

A Memorial of Rev. Warren H. Cudworth. By his Sister [A. M. CUDWORTH]. With Portrait. Boston: D. Lothrop and Company. 1884. 12mo. pp. 380. Price $1.50. For sale by D. Lothrop & Co., corner of Franklin and Hawley Sts., at the Unitarian Rooms, No. 7 Tremont Place, and by the author, No. 3 Wesley Street, East Boston, Mass.

The writer of this volume, the much-loved sister of Warren H. Cudworth, has wisely given us a biography that is unconsciously but beautifully an autobiography, so that from a description of the deeds performed, the letters written, the words spoken, the honors received, each reader can easily ascertain the nobility of Cudworth's character; can thankfully detect the enthusiasm, love, truthfulness and faith that glorified his life from boyhood till the time he went to God.

Miss Cudworth is to be heartily congratulated on having such a subject on which to write, and all readers of her volume should be grateful that such a life has been recorded.

If we were asked to give at short hand a description of Mr. Cudworth, we should say, he was honest, earnest and pure, self-sacrificing, brave, forgiving and indus

trious; a true child of God; a true friend of man; whose motto was duty, whose aim was heaven, whose spirit was filled with the beauty of holiness! By C. D. Bradlee, of Boston.

Views from Cedar Mountain, Present, Retrospective, and Prospective. By Rev. PHILIP SLAUGHTER, D.D. In the Seventy-sixth year of his Age, and the Fiftieth year of his Ministry and of his Marriage. Privately printed. 1884. pp. 15. We are indebted to the venerable author for a copy of this charming description of one of the most picturesque portions of Virginia, with an account of the historical events and personages associated with the region. "The Eastern view from Cedar (or Slaughter's) Mountain overlooks the valleys of the Cedar Run and of the Rapid Ann rivers, which meet, and, blending into one, stretch away toward the north and the south branches of the Rappahannock, including what in old times was called the Great Fork,' but is now known by the name of Chinquapin Neck." Cedar Run was the scene of the battle between Gen. Jackson and Gen. Pope in August, 1862; and not far distant, on the Rapid Ann, occurred the battles of Mine Run, the Wilderness, and Chancellorsville. The northern view likewise presents a wide-reaching and grand landscape of mountain and valley. The whole region is also interesting for its historical associations, extending to an early period in the annals of Virginia. It was at Germanna, near Cedar Mountain, that Sir Alexander Spotswood located, in 1714, his iron furnace, the first established in Virginia, and it is said, the first in America. In this region, too, was the famous Claverdale Academy, established by Captain Philip Slaughter on one of his farms in 1816, and in which not a few of the most eminent Virginians of the early part of this century were educated. Not the least interesting part of this pamphlet is that in which the author gives his reminiscences of the parishes, churches and clergy, with whom in his early and distinguished career he has been connected. This region of Virginia, lately ravaged by war, is destined at no very distant day, we may not doubt, to attract the tourist, as well as to become the abode of men and women who shall seek to find a dwelling-place and home in the midst of beautiful scenery, and in a salubrious climate.

By Albert H. Hoyt, A.M., of Boston.

The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft. History of Mexico. Vol. I. 1516-1521. San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft & Company, Publishers. 1883. 8vo. pp. cxii.+ 702. Vol. II. 1521-1600. 8vo. pp. xiv.+790. Price per volume, in cloth, $4.50, in library style, $5.50; in half calf, half russia or half turkey, $8.00; in russia leather or tree calf, $10.00. Sold only by subscription and in complete sets, and delivered free of all expense, payable on delivery.

Mr. Hubert Howe Bancroft, of San Francisco, has been for some years writing history on a scale truly gigantic. He has many helpers and subordinate workers, but his mind gives impress and shape to the whole.

The central title which covers this large undertaking is, "The History of the Pacific States." But this comprehensive title, subdivided into its details, means thirty-nine octavo volumes of about eight hundred pages each. From one to five of the volumes are in a sense preliminary, and are entitled "Native Races of the Pacific States." Six to eight cover the " History of Central America;" nine to fourteen, the " History of Mexico;" fifteen and sixteen, "History of the North Mexican States and Texas;" seventeen embraces the " History of Arizona and New Mexico" eighteen to twenty-four, the "History of California;" twenty-five, "History of Nevada, Wyoming and Colorado ;" twenty-six, "History of Utah;' twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth, "History of the Northwest Coast" twentyninth and thirtieth, "History of Oregon" thirty-one, History of Washington, Idaho and Montana;" thirty-second, "History of British Columbia;" thirtythird, "History of Alaska" thirty-fourth, California Pastoral" thirty-five, "California inter Pocula;" thirty-six and thirty-seven," Popular Tribunals;" thirty-eight, Essays and Miscellany" thirty-nine," Literary Industries."

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In this large scheme of publication fifteen volumes have already been completed and given to the public, and others are in various stages of forwardness.

At first thought one might suppose that a scheme like this must be that of a dreamer or literary adventurer who would lack the ability and culture to carry out the plan. But if any one will open one of these published volumes and read a few pages, he will discover that the author, with whom he has to do, is not a pretender. Though it may be true that the style of the work is not altogether so refined and

scholarly as may be found in some historical works of smaller range, yet he will soon discover that these volumes are the results of a vast scholarly industry and

care.

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The two volumes before us, the ninth and tenth volumes of Mr. Bancroft's work, embrace the History of Mexico" from the year 1516 to 1600; and include of course the exciting stories of the Spanish Conquest of Mexico under Cortes, which has been so graphically traced by Prescott. In writing his volumes on Mexico, Mr. Bancroft in his first volume gives us a list of between 3000 and 4000 volumes which he has used for reference, mainly Spanish, but many English and American.

In carrying out his far-reaching plan Mr. Bancroft has already expended more than $600,000, including the collection of an immense private library, and the erection of a large fire-proof building in San Francisco for its safe keeping.

By the Rev. Increase N. Tarbox, D.D, of Newton, Mass.

New England's Vindication. By HENRY GARDINER. Edited, with Notes, by CHARLES EDWARD BANKS, M.D. London, 1660. Printed for the Gorges Society, Portland, Maine, 1884. pp. 83.

Our historical friends in Maine evince commendable enterprise. Their newly formed Gorges Society has lost no time in sending forth a specimen of its handiwork, and one creditable in execution and affording cheering promise for the future. The tract which forms the groundwork of the present volume is not, indeed, of first-rate interest or importance, in itself; though it comes fully within the scope of the Society's plan, and is peculiarly adapted to receive historical annotation. Its purport is to describe to the restored king, Charles II., the oppressions to which his loyal subjects were exposed at the hands of the authorities of the puritan colonies in New England. In doing this the author passes in review many of the early settlements on the eastern coast; among them that of the Popham Colony at Sagadahoc, the fate of which he describes in terms much the same as those used by Samuel Maverick in his lately discovered Description of New England; which is certainly one of the most valuable recent contributions to our early history.

The notes, by Dr. Banks, treat of a variety of topics connected with the early settlements of New England, and indicate a thorough familiarity with the subject. They bear the marks of careful research and freedom from undue bias,-the true spirit of the model historian.

The volume is comely in thick paper and handsome typography, and contains a heliotype fac simile of the title-page of the original work.

One the whole, we heartily congratulate the Gorges Society on the success of its first venture in the field of historical literature.

The next work to be issued by the Society is Rosier's Relation of Weymouth's Voyages to the Coast of Maine, 1605; with Notes by HENRY SWEETSER BURRAGE, D.D. These volumes will not be offered for sale to the public, but will be reserved for members of the Society; as is the case with the series issued by the Prince Society.

By the Hon. Charles H. Bell, LL.D., of Exeter, N. H.

Collections of the Virginia Historical Society, New Series, Volume IV. The Official Records of Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, 1751-1758. With an Introduction and Notes, by R. A. BROCK. Vol. II. Richmond, Va. Published by the Society. 8vo. pp. xviii.+768. Map and Portrait. 1884. The publication of original manuscripts is the most important of all the functions of an Historical Society, laying as it does the documentary foundation upon which future students may construct their monographs of periods and events, with all the evidences connected and grouped in proper relation. The desire to present readable essays in the "Collections" of a society should not be fostered to the exclusion of the more valuable, but, perhaps, disjointed series of original manuscripts, which must become the bulwark of our early history. It should be the policy of publication committees charged with the preparation of the annual volumes to carefully file away all discursive essays, memorial biographies of deceased members, and confine their issues to the publication of town records, court and probate proceedings, church registers and manuscript letters or documents. The Massachusetts Historical Society, with its invaluable Heath, Belknap, Winthrop, Sewall and Trumbull Papers; the Maine Historical Society, just beginning to walk the right track in producing the Trelawny Papers, are examples, while before us now is the Dinwiddie Papers published by the Virginia Historical Society, whose prior issue of the