any doubt, perfectly consistent with the strictest and most orthodox Christian theology," yet his present book is a battle with the Evolutionists, and the consequences of the theory, and in the interest of Catholic orthodoxy. And the champion proves to be not a whit too good for the cause he represents. In the survivals from savagery the same spirit only changes its instruments—the tomahawk is replaced by the pen. Those who delight in vicious polemics will find Mr. Mivart's volume an unusual treat.
A New Encyclopædia of Chemistry, Theoretical, Practical, and Analytical, as applied to the arts and manufactures. By Writers of Eminence. Illustrated with numerous Steel-Cuts and Engravings. Complete in 40 Parts. 50 cents each. Philadelphia: Lippincott & Co.
We have received five numbers of this work, which promises to be valuable and exhaustive. It is constructed upon the basis of the elaborate work, "Chemistry as applied to the Arts and Manufactures," by the late Dr. Muspratt, which was published twenty years ago. But twenty years antiquates a chemical book, especially when it deals with the application of science to the arts. Numerous and important improvements in chemical manufacture have been made within the last quarter of a century, which make new statements indispensable to those who are concerned with practical processes. The thoroughness of treatment adopted in this work is illustrated by the fact that nearly the whole of the first part is devoted to acetic acid and its salts. Alcohol occupies the second part; and alum, ammonia, aniline dyes, antimony, and arsenic, are treated with a corresponding fullness. In their prospectus the publishers remark: "Convinced that the infinite variety of subjects now embraced in such a work could be adequately treated by no one writer, however learned or painstaking, the assistance of the leading chemists of the present day has been secured, as well as of writers who are practically acquainted with all the details of our great manufactures." But no names are given, either of editor or collaborators. Something would, no doubt, be gained by knowing to whom the execution of so large an enterprise has been intrusted, but we admire the pluck that puts the work forth—and a subscription-book at that—without the parade of names, and lets it go squarely upon its merits. It deserves to succeed.
Angola and the River Congo. By J. J. Monteiro. With Maps and Illustrations. Pp. 354. New York: Macmillan & Co. Price, $2.50.
We have not seen lately a more thoroughly interesting and instructive book of travels than this. The author spent several years in the country he describes, and his travels extended from the Congo River on the north, down the coast through about 10° of latitude. Most of his time was spent among the trading-towns at the mouths of rivers and along the coast, but be had frequent opportunities of studying the simpleminded savages of the interior. He found the natives kindly disposed if well treated. He was accompanied by his wife in his journeys, to whom the book is dedicated in a few touching and appropriate words. His travels seem to have been connected with a discovery made by himself in 1858, that the bark of the baobab-tree is of value in the making of paper. Many parts of the regions visited were covered by forests of this tree.
Among the natives fetichism prevails everywhere. Anything, as a tree, or animal, or an old rag, may be a fetich. No body dies a natural death, but is fetiched.
These people are not degraded, but represent a low stage of culture. They are undeveloped—not distinguished so much by the presence of positively bad as by the absence of good qualities. They are strangely wanting in the feelings:
"The negro knows not love, affection, or jealousy. I have never seen a negro manifest the least tenderness to a negress. They have no words or expressions in their language indicative of affection or love. Their passion is purely of an animal description, without affection. Mothers rarely play with or fondle their babies; as for kissing them, such a thing is not known; yet I have never seen a woman grossly neglect her child."
The book abounds with information concerning the climate, productions, physical geography, and general natural history of the region, and is a treasure equally to the general reader and to the student of this part of the vast African wilderness.
