Nicaragua, Salvador, and Guatemala. The introductory chapter gives a general view of Spain and civilization at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The course of discovery is then followed up, with accounts of Columbus and his discoveries, the discovery of Darien, the further explorations of Columbus, the administration of the new colonies, the discovery of the Pacific Ocean, etc.; then the stages of further colonization and conquest, till the downfall of the Quiché nation, whose capital is described, and of the Cakchiquels and Zutugils, in 1524; and the volume closes with the account of the revolt of the Cakchiquels, in 1524-'25. The publishers inform us that an Eastern agency for Mr. Bancroft's works has been established, under the direction of Mr. F. M. Derby, at 149 Church Street, New York.
A History of Modern Europe. By C. A. Fyffe. Vol. II, from 1814 to 1848. New York: Henry Holt & Co. Pp. 513. Price, $2.50.
A comparison of the condition and policies of the chief civilized nations as pictured in this book, with the present aspect of Europe, will help to give a realizing conception of the extent to which the world of politics and government has moved during the last forty years. We are slow to comprehend how fast we are making history till some survey of the recent past like this brings vividly before us what has happened in our own lifetime. The period whose events are recorded in the present volume of Mr. Fyffe's history, may be described, as in its earlier years, the period of reaction. It was the aim of its statesmen to restore Europe to the despotic régime which it endured before the French Revolution. Nationalities were cut up or combined, without a thought of how their people would be affected, to suit the ambitions and convenience of sovereigns and ministers whose chief aim was to crush out all life of freedom and enforce the asserted divine right of the few to govern and tax the many. The achievement of Grecian independence was a rude interruption to the successful pursuit of this policy; the French "July Revolution" of 1830 was a dangerous break in it; and the Revolutions of 1848 were the sign of its ultimate defeat, and of the ushering in of the present era when consideration of the desires and interests of the people is becoming more and more the accepted theory of the governments. The four leading features we have mentioned, in their order, constitute the framework on which Mr. Fyffe has wrought his history. The story is told with brevity and clearness.
Principles of Education Practically Applied. By J. M. Greenwood. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Pp. 192. Price, $1.
The author of this book is Superintendent of Schools of Kansas City, Missouri. His motive in preparing it has been to help teachers to do better and more intelligent work in the school-room. It assumes that education is a science; and that school-teachers can understand the principles of the science, and apply them accurately in their daily work to the children under their control. The object of the work throughout is to impress upon the mind of the teacher the question, "How shall I teach so as to have my pupils become self-reliant, independent, manly men and womanly women?" The foundation of the essay is laid in a chapter insisting on the application of the principles of psychology to the work of teaching; and this is to be made in the study of the temperaments of the children and the application of certain fixed educational principles in such a way as to secure an orderly and free development of the faculties. The succeeding chapters are of a more practical and concrete character, and show how the objects aimed at may be promoted in general school and class management, in methods of conducting recitations, In questioning, and in teaching the particular branches of reading, composition, and language, penmanship, geography, history, and arithmetic. Another chapter is devoted to "Health and Hygiene"; and studies of several typical boys are presented in the concluding chapter.
Sociology. By John Bascom. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Pp. 264. Price, 1.50.
This is not a treatise on sociology conveying a full and systematic discussion of the subject, but rather a bundle of essays on a number of topics of a sociological bearing. "It passes familiar principles, and principles to which the author can make no
