o avoid attachments sued out against
them by other passengers who were dissatisfied and left behind. The
voyage consumed 194 days, and the narrative of its incidents is much
the most interesting part of the book. As to the author's experience in
California, we can sum it up in the common phrase, "The old story." He
was one of the first argonauts. He saw Sacramento when it had
half-a-dozen shanties, San Francisco when millions of dollars worth of
goods lay on the hillsides, for lack of sufficient warehouses, when the
mines were yielding well, and cooks were cheap at $300 a month. Dr.
Stillman's narrative is one of the best that has appeared of California
in the days of the pioneers.

[18] "_Seeking the Golden Fleece._ A Record of Pioneer Life in
California." By J. D. B. STILLMAN. A. Roman & Co.

* * * * *

Mr. Habberton shows how fit he is to be the editor of selections from
standard authors by publishing the Roger de Coverly papers[19] without a
note or emendation. We have these celebrated numbers of the "Spectator"
in all the grace and humor of the originals, and with the quaint flavor
which age has necessarily added to them unimpaired. The editor informs
us that after a careful hunt through the book market, he finds the
previous editions of Sir Roger out of print, and for that reason he
publishes this one, though his first plan for the "Select British
Essayists" did not include it. He thinks the publication peculiarly
timely now, when "the standard of letters threatens to become vastly
different from that under which English literature has gained whatever
it possesses of real value." We do not agree with him in anticipating
the complete shelving of Sir Roger in case this threatened change
really takes place. In all times the really great authors will be read
by the few, and talked about by the many. But however that may be, Mr.
Habberton's handsome and convenient collection of these papers will be
welcomed by the many who are glad to learn how famous authors wrote,
and yet have not taste enough for classical reading to attack the whole
"Spectator" itself.

[19] "_Sir Roger de Coverly:_ Consisting of the Papers Relating
to Sir Roger, which were Originally Published in the 'Spectator.'"
With an Introductory Essay by JOHN HABBERTON. New York: G. P.
Putnam's Sons. $1.25.

* * * * *

The disciples of