G. T. ADAMS, Hesperian,	}
	} Editors.
D. C. ROPER, Columbian.	}

The Practical Elements of Rhetoric, with Illustrative Example, By John F. Genung, Ph. D. (Leipsic), Professor of Rhetoric in Amherst College. Boston: Ginn & Company. 1887. pp. xii, 488. Cloth.

This book has two parts, Style and Invention. Part First analyzes style, elements of style, qualities of style, kinds of composition. Of the eight chapters that make up the second half, the first two are devoted to a discussion of the principles that belong to any literary work, and the remaining six to the practical application of them, as seen in the leading forms of discourse. The author attempts to give only the practical elements of rhetoric, and in so doing his supreme effort is directed to the demands of his subject in order to bring out in its fullness what is really beneficial to the student. As old things, in proportion to their living value, need from time to time to be newly defined and distributed, so the author has made a new and admirable division of topics, each of which he introduces with a simple and yet strictly accurate definition. The arrangement of topics and the treatment of the same are, to say the least, fine, and plainly show that the purpose of the author has been very successfully accomplished, both in the expository and in the illustrative matter. Genung’s style is clear and impressive. He has not merely compiled from other authors, but, for the principles laid down, has gone to the true sources, the usage of the best contemporaneous writers, to verify old rules and to lay down new ones. He has by no means tied himself to rhetoric descended from the classics, his practical standard excluding on the one hand, points whose interest is merely speculative, and on the other, discriminations that are only named and defined, without directions looking to use or avoidance. Furthermore, the publishers have done well their part, using every artifice to place the treatise clearly before the student. It is to be regretted, however, that a word and phrase index was not added to the other indexes.

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A German Grammar for schools and colleges based on the Public School German Grammar of A. S. Meissner, M. A., Ph. D., D. Lit. By Edward S. Joynes, M. A., Professor of Modern Languages in South Carolina College. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co., 1887. pp. ix, 322.

While the author has based his work upon that of Meissner, he has by no means slavishly followed that Grammar, but has greatly extended the syntax so as to suit the higher schools. In doing this, Prof. Joynes has consulted the standard grammars of Whitney and Brandt, and has received the aid of distinguished scholars. The subjects are excellently arranged, the rules briefly worded, but clearly and accurately expressed. There is nothing superfluous. It is to be regretted, however, that Prof. Joynes did not see fit to treat more fully the prepositions; for many dictionaries, especially such as the student can own, are incomplete in this very regard. A discussion, therefore, of the prepositions with a list of their constructions arranged for reference would be of incalculable value to the student. This Grammar is already having a run and will prove itself a formidable rival to those in the field. Last but not least, the part intrusted to the publishers has been admirably executed, leaving in typography nothing to be desired.

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King Solomon’s Mines. By H. Rider Haggard. Cassell & Co., N. Y.

This is a book that all may read with pleasure, mainly because it is something out of the usual order. Being rather a compromise between Robinson Crusoe and the Arabian Nights, you are constantly catching glimpses of these books and yet at the same time, reading a new story. The author takes an Englishman to South America in search of a lost brother who, as the Englishman thinks, has found his way to King Solomon’s Mines. Guides and other necessaries being procured, the party set out across the desert for these inaccessible mines. After overcoming many and varied difficulties, they find the diamonds. The party is shut up by the old witch in charge of the cave; but, finally escaping with many of her jewels, they by chance find the lost brother and return to civilization. The author is not so unkind as to force his truths upon you, but rather takes it for granted that his statements will be received as given, for no other purpose than that of entertaining. There is a vein of humor running through it that makes the whole story very agreeable, and even when most astonished at his statements, you are compelled to laugh at the courteous way in which they are expressed. In originality of expression, this novel surpasses the majority, and adds a full book to Cassell’s “Rainbow Series.”

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The Labor Movement in America. By Richard T. Ely, Ph. D., Associate in Political Economy, Johns Hopkins University. 1 Vol. Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. pp. 375.

Every one who is even partially acquainted with the present condition of the laboring masses and with the “marvellous war now being waged in the heart of modern civilization” can not fail to see readily the necessity for some one to undertake to solve the difficult problem with which this volume deals. In view of this fact, and being duly impressed with the weight and importance of this issue upon which the welfare of humanity depends, the author has devoted much time and labor, not only to the consideration of this problem, but also to condensing the results into a history, or rather, as he says, a “sketch” of the different labor organizations in America. The work deals chiefly with the main current of social life, not finding room in this volume to deal with the many separate lesser ones. He presents rather than refutes the important statements connected with this main current, although he does not abstain entirely from criticism.

The topics are systematically arranged, enabling the reader more clearly to understand and more easily to retain the accurate record of facts. His sketch on “Early American Communism” and that on “The Growth and Present Condition of Labor Organizations in America” are especially interesting and instructive. His treatment of the economic and educational values of the labor organizations is masterly and explicit, evincing a thorough understanding of the great principles upon which our social fabric is based. In the Appendix are given the Platforms, Constitutions and By-Laws of the various labor organizations, which are read with interest and profit, inasmuch as the principles and complaints of the laborer are clearly set forth therein. The last words penned in the preparation of the work are addressed to the working men. The caution and the counsel given in this address would prove of incalculable value to all whom they concern. Were these heeded, inestimable benefits would most certainly accrue to all the laboring classes. If they would pursue the course prescribed by the author, they would be much happier, wealthier and wiser. They would learn to appreciate instead of abuse the many blessings of this life. Then the riots, strikes, boycottes and outbursts of general discontent, for a long time so prevalent in the land, would soon become almost a matter of history. The author’s abhorrence of the many objectionable features connected with the labor movement can be plainly seen, although he does not feel it incumbent upon him to call attention to each one of them; but, when it is necessary, he does not hesitate to express his opinion touching many of the schemes for destruction, which he regards as “damnable.” This valuable work closes with the remedies for the cure of social evils. While they can not be properly called a panacea for all the ills, nor an elaborate scheme of social regeneration, yet, as suggestions, they are timely and well worthy the careful consideration of the reader. Every laborer, either contented or dissatisfied with his present lot, should read this book.

COLLEGES.

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Princeton wants to be a University.

Yale is to have a $125,000 gymnasium.

Emery and Henry College, Va., wants to raise an endowment.

Central College, Mo., (Methodist) opened with 89.

North Carolina institutions have opened finely this year. Those with the best endowments reap a commensurate harvest.

Wofford College, Spartanburg, S. C., (Methodist) has 70 in college and 35 in the preparatory department. The experiment of keeping it altogether distinct from the college is being tried there. Hence the “Fitting School” has been removed to a distant part of the town.

Randolph-Macon College, Va., has 143 students. Of these, 126 have joined the Y. M. C. A., and ten more have signified their intention to become members. Prof. Robert F. Sharpe, of Rhode Island, has been appointed Adjunct in the Department of National Science. The new gymnasium, the handsomest building on the campus, is supplied with all the modern appliances, including hot and cold baths. It is under the charge of a competent instructor in physical training.