me, thus preserving records that are indeed precious.

The advanced state of our civilization, and the general prevalence of
intelligence, naturally leads to the desire to contrast the past with
the present; and to trace to their origin, the laws, customs, and
manners of the leading civilized nations of the world. Much research and
strength have been expended in this direction, with gratifying results.
Two such accomplishments have been recently published, which discuss the
early history of property. The first is entitled The English Village
Community, by Frederic Seebohm, (London: Longmans, Green, & Co. 1 vol.)
The other, by Denman W. Ross, PH.D., treats of The Early History of
Landholding among the Germans. (Boston: Soule & Bugbee. 1 vol.) It is
generally admitted that the earliest organization of society was by
family group, and that the earliest occupation of land was by these same
family groups, and it is with the discussion of the theories growing out
of these two that both books are occupied.

An Old Philadelphian contains sketches of the life of Colonel William
Bradford, the patriot printer of 1776, by John William Wallace.
(Philadelphia. Privately printed, 1 vol.) "He was the third of the
earliest American family of printers, and his memoir serves as an
admirable account of the interesting period in which he was one of the
prominent figures in Philadelphia, and when that city was, in every
sense, the capital of the country." It should be printed for public
sale.

The initial volume of American Commonwealths, edited by Horace E.
Scudder, and published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, was Virginia:
A History of the People, by John Esten Cooke. This is followed by
Oregon: The Struggle for Possession, written by William Barrows. The
books are intended to give a rapid but forcible sketch of each of those
States in the Union whose lives have had "marked influence upon the
structure of the nation, or have embodied in their formation and growth,
principles of American polity."

A History of the American People, by Arthur Gilman, published by D.
Lothrop & Co., Boston, I vol. Illustrated. This is a compact account of
the discovery of the continent, settlement of the country, and national
growth of this people. It is treated in a popular way, with strict
reference to accuracy, and is profusely illustrated.

History of Prussia to the accession of Frederick the Great, 1134-1740,
by Herbert Tuttle. Published by Hough