MAY 2, 1870. illustrating the social history of early England, &c. | flourishing business in St. Paul's Churchyard until The further results of this inquiry will be looked for with expectant hope. Now and then a good thing turns up in the autograph catalogues. Mr. Waller, of the Temple Book Depot, 58 Fleet Street, London, has some of these in No. 81 of his catalogue. For example, a warrant issued by order of Queen Elizabeth, in the 37th year of her reign (December, 1594), more than six years after the defeat of the Spanish Armada, to prepare six ships, "in order of warre," under command of Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Haw. kins the charge to amount to £31,650-with a supplementary order in favor of Drake for £4000. Next, a warrant from Charles I., dated 1634-5, to pay "Jaques Duart, our Jeweller, the Somn of One Thousand Pounds for a paire of pendent Diamonds, presented unto the Lady Mary Herbert." In the hand-writing of Benjamin West, painter, a list of the various societies to which he has been elected in England, on the Continent, and in America; dated March, 1816. He died in 1820. Application for a patent by the Earl of Stanhope, father of Lady Hester Stanhope-"Having invented a method of constructing ships and vessels, and of moving them with equal velocity, without the help of sails, and also of moving and conducting them against wind, waves, current, or tide, or against the power of them all united." Dated January, 1790 (and that he is the first inventor thereof). This is signed by Lord Stanhope. The first experiment with steam navigation in Europe took place on the Thames, in 1801. Lastly, from Thomas Campbell, author of "Pleasures of Hope," a letter with original poem, three verses of eight lines each, beginning MR. FRANCIS HANSARD RIVINGTON, head of the eminent English publishing firm, the oldest in London, arrived in the Russia, and is now making a tour of the United States and Canada. The honorable name of the firm with which he has been connected will insure him a cordial reception wherever he goes. As the history of the House of Rivington is in some respects unique we have transferred the following account of it from our file of the "Bookseller," with a few additions and corrections, bringing the account down to the present date. The House of Rivington.-Oue of the last lingerers of the London signs was that of the Bible and Crown in St. Paul's Churchyard, or rather in Paternoster Row. It was originally put up in 1711 as the new sign of the house in which Richard Chiswell, who was styled by Dunton the "Metropolitan of Booksellers," so many years carried on business. On his death, in 1711, the business passed into the hands of the first of a family of booksellers, whose name is familiar to every reader of religious books in every part of the world wherever the English language is spoken-Charles Rivington, who succeeded Chiswell. He was born at Chesterfield, Derbyshire, towards the close of the seventeenth century, and, in early life, evinced such a taste for the perusal of theological books, that his friends determined to send him to London, that he might become a theological bookseller. He was apprenticed to a Mr. Matthews, and in 1711 acquired the freedom of the city, and carried on a He his death in 1742. Unlike too many of the profession in the present day, Mr. Rivington was devotedly attached to his business, and appears to have been desirous of making it serve the best interests of the time in which he lived by producing many excellent manuals of devotion, and similar practical works. Amongst others he published an edition of "Thomas a'Kempis' Imitation of Christ," edited by his friend the well known John Wesley, then a fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. In 1739, he suggested to another friend, Samuel Richardson, the composition of that novel which so delighted our mothers, our grandmothers, and our This was sucgreat-grandmothers-" Pamela." cessfully brought out under his auspices. married Eleanor Pease, a native of the county of Durham, by whom he had six children. He died in 1742, and Samuel Richardson acted as one of his executors. He was succeeded in the business by his sons John and James, who jointly carried it on for several years, when they separated, John remaining in the old business, while James joined a Mr. Fletcher and commenced another, also in St. Paul's Churchyard, where he remained some time and carried on a successful trade. Amongst other works he brought out a "History of England," by Smollett, first in numbers which made four quarto volumes, and then another edition in seven volumes 8vo. By this work alone he cleared no less than £10,000, a larger sum than had ever before been made by one book. Unfortunately for himself he was bitten by the mania then prevalent, and paid more attention to Newmarket races than to business, and a failure was the result. Emigration presented a chance of retrieving his position, and in 1760 he started for the New World, where he again commenced business in Philadelphia, and afterwards at New York. Here, in April, 1762 he commenced the celebrated "Gazette," and, as he advocated British interests and took the loyal side, he became the common butt of the opposition, and eventually so obnoxious that one of the sons of liberty broke into his premises with a troop of light horse, destroyed his presses and carried away the loyal type, which, on trial, was found to make capital republican bullets. Rivington then came back to London, where he obtained the appointment of King's printer for America, and returned, taking with him new type, presses, &c., and recommenced the publication of his "Royal Gazette," which he carried on till the withdrawal of the royal troops. He had managed to make his peace with the other party, his enemies said, by sending them intelligence, and carried on the paper after the removal of the King's coat of arms, but was soon obliged to give it up for want of support. He continued to reside at New York till the time of his death in 1802 or 1803. He was twice married, first to Miss Minshull, of Charlton Hall, Lancashire, and secondly to Miss Van Horn, of New York. Some of his descendants are still living in the United States, and "Rivington" is still the name of one of the streets of New York. The wit of Rivington's "Gazette" appears to have been very offensive to some of the Americans, and they were very liberal of their promises as to what they would do when they got him into their power; but he had a large amount of tact, and we suspect was very much of the gentleman also. He used to tell a capital story of his interview with Ethan Allen, one of the republican heroes who paid him a visit for the purpose of administering a "licking." He says, "I was sitting alone, after a good dinner, with a bottle of Madeira before me, when I heard an unusual noise in the street and a huzza from the boys. I was in the second story, and stepping to the win MAY 2, 1870. day to breakfast with Archbishop Secker, at Lambeth. In May, 1743, he married Elizabeth Miller Gosling, sister of Sir Francis Gosling, alderman and banker, one of the ancestors of the present firm of Gosling of Fleet Street-by her he had fifteen children. He died February 16, 1793, at the age of seventy-two; in 1775 he was Master of the Stationers' Company, of which at one time his two brothers and his four sons, with himself, were liverymen. At the time of his death he was in the commission of the peace-was a member of the Common Council-director of the Amicable Society, and of the Union Fire Office, and a governor of the royal hospitals. He left a very moderate fortune, as indeed have all the other members of the house-money-making being one of the parts of their business that was never very clearly understood. dow saw a tall figure in tarnished regimentals, with | Paul's cathedral, and lived upon the most friendly a large cocked hat and an enormous long sword, terms with most members of the Episcopal bench, followed by a crowd of boys, who occasionally and was accustomed to repair every alternate Moncheered him with huzzas of which he seemed insensible. He came up to my door and stopped. I could see no more, my heart told me it was Ethan Allen. I shut my window and retired behind my table and my bottle. I was certain the hour of reckoning had come. There was no retreat. Mr. Staples, my clerk, came in paler than ever, and clasping his hands, said, 'Master, he has come!' 'I know it.' 'He entered the store and asked if James Rivington lived there, I answered yes, sir. Is he at home? I will go and see, sir, I said, and now master what is to be done? There he is in the store and the boys peeping at him from the street.' I had made up my mind. I looked at the Madeira -possibly took a glass. Show him up, said I, and if such Madeira cannot mollify him he must be harder than adamant. There was a fearful moment of suspense. I heard him on the stairs, his long sword clanking at every step. In he stalked. 'Is your name James Rivington ? It is, sir, and no man could be more happy to see Colonel Ethan Allen. 'Sir, I have come Not another word, my dear Colonel, until you have taken a seat and a glass of old Madeira. But, sir, I don't think it proper' Not another word, Colonel; taste this wine, I have had it in glass for ten years old wine you know, unless it is originally sound, never improves by age. He took the glass, swallowed the wine, smacked his lips and shook his head approv-series, also monthly, was edited by the Rev. W. R. ingly. 'Sir, I come — Not another word until you have taken another glass, and then, my dear Colonel, we will talk of old affairs, and I have some queer events to detail. In short, we finished two bottles of Madeira, and parted as good friends as if we had never had cause to be otherwise." Returning to England, we find John Rivington* carrying on the old business alone till 17-, when he admitted his two sons, Francis and Charles, into partnership. Besides the numerous theological publications issued by him, he was appointed managing partner by the proprietors of the standard editions of Shakspeare, Milton, Locke, and other British classics; and on the death of Mr. Moore about the year 1760 obtained the appointment of publisher to the venerable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge-an office which remained in the family for upwards of seventy years. During the illness of Dodsley, the original publisher, Messrs. Rivington managed the "Annual Register;" and when, on the death of Dodsley, that was sold to Otridge and others, in 1791, Messrs. Rivington started one of their own as a continuation of Dodsley's; this was carried on till 1812, when it was discontinued, but again resumed in 1820, when its publication was resumed and carried on till the year 1823; and the following year, the two, by an arrangement, merged into one, which was published by Baldwins for some time, and is now published by Rivingtons. Through this work they became connected with that brilliant writer and eminent statesman, Edmund Burke, who had been a frequent contributor to its pages, and made them his publishers. Mr. John Rivington appears to have been very dissimilar to his brother James in his tastes, becoming more and more like his father as he advanced in life; he attended the early morning and the afternoon services daily, in St. * John Rivington, brother of Francis and Charles (son of above-mentioned John Rivington) became a printer in St. John's Square, and was succeeded by his widow, Ann Riving: ton, and has since been carried on by Bye and Law; Law and Gilbert; and now, under the name of Gilbert and Rivington, by W. Alexander Rivington. After Mr. John Rivington's decease the business was vigorously carried on by his two sons, Francis and Charles, who in January, 1793, commenced the celebrated "British Critic," which soon attained an extraordinary popularity. It was published monthly at 2s., and before the end of the century had attained a circulation of 3500: the other partners in this undertaking were the Ven. Archdeacon Nares, who was editor, and the Rev. W. Beloe, the translator of Herodotus. Nares edited the whole of the first series, in 42 vols., down to 1813. The second Lyall, afterwards Dean of Canterbury; in 1825 the publication was made quarterly, and a third series commenced, which however only reached 3 vols., when a fourth series, incorporating the "Quarterly Theological Review," was commenced in 1827, and continued under several successive editorships until December, 1843, when, in consequence of the Rev. Mr. Mozley, now one of the editors of the "Times," admitting articles advocating extreme views, the work was discontinued, much to the regret of the clergy generally. In April, 1844, a new work sprang from the ashes of the old one. The "English Review," edited by the Rev. Wm. Palmer, was commenced. It never attained the popularity of the "British Critic," but struggled on for several years, and was finally given up in 1853, and for the first time in sixty years the house was without any periodical of its own. John, the eldest son of Mr. Francis, was admitted a partner in 1810, and nothing particular occurs to notice till 1819, when a determination was come to to open a West-end branch. They had long been urged to take this step by several of their most influential friends, and on the completion of the new street opening into Pall-Mall, took a lease of the premises No. 3, Waterloo-place, of which they became the first tenants. Sir James Allan Park, one of the judges, hurried to the house before nine o'clock on New Year's day, in order to enroll himself as the first customer of this new fountain of orthodoxy. In the following year a proposition was made by the late Mr. John Cochran, a former partner in the house of Ogle, Duncan and Cochran, to establish another house of business in secondhand theological books and general standard literature, in which he was to be managing partner. In an evil hour this was assented to, a large sum was placed at Cochran's disposal, and premises taken at 148 Strand, near Somerset-house. Cochran set to work and secured one of the most splendid stocks ever got together, but he bought injudiciously, and frequently at very high prices, either in rivalry with Thorpe and others, or from the desire to possess the monopoly of particular books MAY 2, 1870. of a Landlord to Retain Possession by Force.-Copy Before Publication.-Digest of English Law Reports for November and December of 1869, and January of 1870.-Selected Digest of State Reports. -Digest of Cases in Bankruptcy.-Book Notices.-List of Law Publications in the United States since Janu- Atlantic Monthly. May. one in particular, Walton's Polyglott Bible, he had lington, 18th October, 1822, having reached the My Secretaryship.-May Grown A-cold.-The En- age of 77. He married Miss Margaret Ellill, sister glish Governess of the Siamese Court: II.-The of an eminent lead merchant; by her he had six Lawson Tragedy: II.-A May Time Pastoral.- children, four of whom survived him. In 1827, Among the Isles of Shoals: IV.-The Legend of Ju- George and Francis, two sons of Mr. Charles, joined bal.-A Week at Duluth.-Aspromonte.-Our Mo- the firm; the former retired in 1842, in consequence ney Problem.-The Duel of the Spanish Bourbons. of ill-health, and died in 1857 at the age of 55.-Reviews and Notices. Boston: Fields, Osgood He married Miss Jane Findlay, niece of Mr. Thomas & Co. Gardiner, of the firm of Bowles and Gardiner, wholesale stationers. Two years after the death of his youngest brother Henry, who was at that time clerk of the Stationers' Company, Mr. Charles Rivington died, May 26th, 1831, aged 76; he mar ried Jane, daughter of Daniel Curling, Esq., of Her Majesty's Customs, by whom he had twelve chil- dren, nine of whom survived him. Francis, above-Giving for the Times.-Brief Suggestions on Pres- mentioned, retired from the firm in 1859. William, a younger son, for many years carried on the busi- ness of a printer in St. John's-square, Clerkenwell, from which he recently retired in favor of his nephew, W. Alexander Rivington. Mr. John, the late head of the house, became a partner in 1836, Psychology in the Life, Work, and Teachings of and only retired two or three years ago. He was Jesus (Rev. O. S. Taylor).-A Fourth Year of Study the only child of Mr. John Rivington by Anna, in the Courses of Theological Seminaries (Jos. daughter of the Rev. John Blackburn, one of the Cook).-Doctrine of the Trinity (Rev. R. Robie). Canons of York. Mr. John (senior) died at Syd--The Year of Christ's Birth (Theo. D. Woolsey). enham, November 21, 1841, at the comparatively-The Silence of Women in the Churches (Rev. A. In consequence of the gradual but increasing movement of their literary connections towards been famous for making money, but it is famous for one thing that is of more value-its good name --for uprightness in all the transactions in which it has been engaged-a correctness that has ever been exercised by every successive generation, even when the carrying of it out has been to their own founder. We have said that the house has never Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review. April. The Element of Time in Interpreting the Ways of God.-Pantheism as a Phase in Philosophy and Theory of History.-Memoir of Dr. Raffles.-The Publication on School Questions.-Notices of Re- byterian Reconstruction and Unification.-Recent cent Books.-Literary Intelligence. New York: C. Bibliotheca Sacra. April. H. Ross).-Prophecy as Related to the "Eastern Question" (Rev. G. F. Herrick).-Notices of Recent Publications. Andover: W. F. Draper. Congregational Quarterly. April. Silas Aiken (J. D. Kingsbury).-Fidelity to Mini- Galaxy. May. April 24, at his residence, Philadelphia, aged 74, Put Yourself in His Place (Chas. Reade).—Stage Mr. James Russell. Deceased was many years ago Coach Travelling Forty-six Years Ago (Thurlow a partner of Mr. William S. Martien in the publi- Weed).-Ab Astris (E. C. Stedman).-An Editor's cation of the "Presbyterian," and afterwards was Tales: V. (A. Trollope).—Nature and Dress (John for a time publisher of the "Philadelphia Gazette." C. Draper).-Chanet (J. W. DeForrest).-Gondo- He then became publishing agent of the Presby- lieds (H. H.).-Ten Years in Rome: The Inquisi- terian Board of Publication, and resigned that ap- tion.-May Song (Robert Weeks).-George Sand pointment to become cashier of the Penn Township (Justin McCarthy).—Arbutus (Anne C. Seemuller). Bank, which office he filled for more than twenty--A Marshal of France (G. B. M.).—A Warble for Recently, Mr. F. A. Brady, the New York pub- Husband (Rd. Grant White).-The Galaxy Miscel- Carlino concluded (the author of "Doctor An- Doubtful Points under the Bankrupt Law.-Right | tonio," etc.). Illustrated.-Letters from the Tro pics (Rev. Charles Kingsley).—April: a Poem (Ed- | Methodist Quarterly Review. April. ward Capern).—Our Working People, and How They Live ("Good Words" Commissioner). Illus- trated. Old Memories (J. P. W.). Illustrated. The Poor of Prague (W. R. S. Ralston).-A Visit to the Country of the Vaudois (Samuel Smiles). Il- lustrated.-Half-Hours in the Temple Church (C. J. Vaughan, D. D.).—Dragons and Dragon-Slayers: First of Two Papers.-The Two Margarets: a Poem (Jean Ingelow).-Dorothy Fox (the author of "How General Conference of 1844 (J. T. Peck).- Politics and the Pulpit (Prof. Steele).-Romanism and Common School System (A. Stevens).—On the Power of Mind over Nature (B. F. Cocker, D.D.).— Ministerial Transfers (R. D. Sherman).-Did the “Church South" Secede? (A. Whedon).—Wesley's Separation from the Moravians.-Joseph and Apion (Enoch Pond).-Foreign Religious Intelligence.- Synopsis of the Quarterlies.-Quarterly Book Ta- Old and New.-Looking Back Across the War Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood (Geo. MacDonald). (Robert Dale Owen). Crimean Captives (N. Illustrated.-Among the Butterflies (Rev. B. G. Noyes).-Now: A True Story.-A Blameless Life. Johns). Illustrated.-Paul and Jean: a Tale (Ma--No More Sea (J. W. Chadwick).—Christ the dame Louis Belloc). Illustrated.-The Stone-Cut- Life (C. C. Everett).-Nature in Art.-She Writes. ter's Six Wishes (D. Laing Purves). Illustrated.-Catholicism and Protestantism (J. B. Torricelli). -At the Back of the North Wind: Illustrated.--Riding Down (Nora Perry).-Ili-ili-opæ (W. T. The Swallow-Wort: a Fairy Story (Helen Zim- Brigham).-The Tartar Legends (J. P. Lesley).— mern). Illustrated.-Hymns for the Young: with The Organist (F. Townsend).-Ten Times One are Music by John Hullah.-The Children's Journey: Ten (Col. F. Ingham).-Religion in Schools (A a Story. Profusely Illustrated.-Dapple's Opinions Practical Teacher).-Up Garret.-Authority in (Richard Rowe). Illustrated.-About Philip (G. Religion (Orville Dewey).-Grass and Roses (J. T. Crockford). Illustrated.-Ursula Swayne's Trou- Clarke).-The Examiner.-Record of Progress. bles: a Story (Katharine S. Macquoid). Illustrated. Boston: H. O. Houghton & Co. Harper's Magazine. May. Our Barbarian Brethren.-A Song.-Albert Du- rer.-The Spots in the Sun.-In a Country Store. Frederick the Great: VI.-Handsome John Gatsi- mer. The Church of Jerusalem.-A House to Let. -Industrial Schools for Women.-A Breach of Promise.-Cuba and the Ostend Manifesto.-A Word for Grandfathers.-"Fais Ton Faict."-"Only a Woman's Hair."-Secular and Sectarian Schools. -Old English Lawyers.-Anteros.-Editor's Easy Chair.-Editor's Literary Record.-Editor's Scien- tific Record.-Editor's Historical Record.-Editor's Rufus A. Lockwood.-Vashti's Message.-From Mexico to Costa Rica.-Point Lookout.-The Story of the Second Mate.-In the Under Guanajuato.- " While Lilies Bud and Blow."-The Pacific Coast Fishery.-Old Bob.-A Boar Hunt.-Silk Culture in California.-" A Lady in Camp."-Waysides in Phrenological Journal. May. Samuel Merrill.—Spirituality and Simplicity.— Popular Education versus Sectarianism (S. S. Peter Crisp's Spectacles. Mark M. (" Brick" Randall). Strange Wanderers: IV. Insects (Schele De Vere).-Albert Durer's Studio (J. G. Holland). -Hero (Georgiana M. Craik).—Oriental Weddings (J. A. Johnston).-Diet en Masse (Sanford B. Hunt).-Pink or Blue (Sarah Chester).-The De- struction of Port Royal (A. St. Clair Abrams).- Asleep and Awake (Margaret L. Pray).-Three Kinds of Skepticism (W. C. Wilkinson). William Blake, Poet and Painter (E. P. Evans).-A Day in York Minster (F. E. Willard).-Symbolism of Numbers (Mary A. Lloyd).-"The Art to Blot" (R. W.).-M. Comte and his Philosophy (E. A. Lawrence).-Leisure Moments.-Books and Au- thors Abroad.-Literature of the Day. New York: Pomeroy).-True Heroism.-Hereditary Genius.- Necessity of Sleep.-Eminent Engravers.-Yale Sketches.-Good Heads.-Honesty.-Death of Gen. Thomas.-A Prodigy in Calculation.-An Assassin and his Victim.-Young Womanhood in America (Howard Ghyndon).-The American Office Seeker (J. H. Lambert).-Eleanor Kirk at the Five Points. To Dahomey and Back: No. 1 (J. W. Watson).- My Ship at Sea.-Editorial Items.-What They Say.-Answers to Correspondents.-Literary No- Lippincott's Magazine. May. - Our Celtic Inheritance.-The Tale of a Comet.- (Anthony Trollope).-May: A Poem (George N. Organ.-Polyglots.-The Academy of Design and Sears).-The Echo of Appomattox Across the At- Art Education.-The Gold Flurry.-On Political lantic (Justin McCarthy).-The Virginia Tourist Degeneracy.-A French Chateau.-Editorial Notes. (Edward A. Pollard). Illustrated. Nathaniel-Literature at Home.-Literature and Art Abroad. Hawthorne (Henry T. Tuckerman).-How I Found New York: G. P. Putnam & Sons. My Fate (Mrs. W. A. Thompson).-The Cross in Riverside Magazine. May. Legend, Poetry, and Art (Mrs. Mary A. Lloyd).- Eccentricity as a Pursuit (Walter E. McCann). The Coming Woman (Miss Mary P. Wells).-The Vicar of Bullhampton: concluded (Anthony Trol- lope). Illustrated.—Guesses and Queries: Part I. (N. S. Dodge).-Ethramonia: A Tale (Louisa S. Dorr).-Mary: A Poem (Rose Terry).-Widow Bedott in Philadelphia.-Our Monthly Gossip.- The House that John Built (F. R. Stockton).— Origin and Curiosities of Nicknames (G. A. R.).— MAY 2, 1870. Baby Nannie (Annie Silvernail).-Little Folks (A. L. Waring).-The Companions of St. Paul Songs. Indian Club Exercises (C. R. Treat):-The (John S. Howson, D.D.).-Gethsemane (M. BeSettle. The Calendar for May. New York: Hurd tham-Edwards). Illustrated. The Struggle in & Houghton. Ferrara (W. Gilbert). Illustrated.-The Festival The Sunday Magazine. April. of the Jewish Sabbath (Rev. Charles Hole). IllusEpisodes in an Obscure Life (A Curate). Illustrated.-John de Liefde. In memory of a Contrated. The Lord's Forerunner (Dean of Canterbury).—Diana's Portrait (B. Orme). Illustrated."Don't Cry Over Spilt Water" (Rev. Samuel Cox). Illustrated.-Sundays on the Continent (the Editor). Illustrated.-Mortality Swallowed up of Life tributor. With Portrait.-One Christ in Four Records. On the Miracles of our Lord (George MacDonald, LL.D.). Illustrated.-Death and Immortality (Rev. W. B. Mackenzie). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. RELIGIOUS. BOOK NOTICES. Crowned and Decrowned, or the Rebel King and the Prophet of Ramah. By Rev. S. W. Culver, A. M., with an Introduction by the Rev. G. W. Eaton, D. D. pp. xiv., 149. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. The life of Saul, and his converse with Samuel, the prophet of Ramah, form the groundwork of this volume. The author states that he has sought to realize, by this illustration, the use that may be made of Old Testament narrative when veiwed in the light of history, and from the position of Christian enlightenment, and thus to show that truth possesses an interest surpassing that of fiction. There are animadversions upon Episcopacy and Infant Baptism, "but," says Dr. Eaton, very complacently, "the principles and tests applied to these cases of aberration from revealed truth cannot be gainsaid by any sincere and earnest Christian of whatever A Critical Dictionary of English Literature and British and American Authors, Living and Deceased, from the Earliest Accounts to the latter half of the Nineteenth Century; containing over Fortythree Thousand Articles (Authors), with Forty Indexes of Subjects. By S. Austin Allibone. Vol. II. pp. 1006-2326. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. The first volume of Dr. Allibone's Dictionary appeared in 1858. During the twelve years that have since elapsed, the non-appearance of the remainder of the work led many persons to suppose that it would never be completed, and that it was to be reckoned among those imposing fragments of projected schemes, conceived by some daring writer whose steady industry was unequal to his adventurous desire. But our author worked on, regarding himself as dedicated to the accomplishment of his great undertaking. War rolled over the land, but neither armed tramp nor resounding trump, disturbed his daily preparation or his nightly labor. Naught stirred the constant mood of his calm thought. With a persistency of effort which is its own best reward, with a long-continued act of literary devotion almost unexampled in these days of speed and clamor, he still labored onward We and onward, like the great builders who built slowly and in silence, until, in the fulness of his time, he triumphantly points the world to the finished edifice, complete "from turret to foundation stone." But Dr. Allibone, while he labored not as those without hope, did not labor as those who were without strengthening helpers, fit in quality, even if few in number. We cannot venture into the privacy of his study and refer to her whose grace charmed and whose gifts smoothed his toilsome path. We may, however, allude to the fact that his first volume was dedicated to his then publisher, George W. Childs, "who," as the author states, "has greatly furthered my labors by his enterprise and zealous and intelligent interest." We may refer also to the additional fact that the author's dedication in the present volume is "to my friend, Joshua B. Lippincott, whose enterprise enables me to give to the world the completion of this work." The aid of such ge ntlemen as Mr. Childs and Mr. Lippincott will be readily understood as meaning something, and it is gratifying to be able to record another striking instance in which the writers of books have done justice to the publishers of books. As respects the merits and characteristics of the work we might say much. have used the first volume and can speak underWe have made standingly with regard to it. some examination of the second volume, and are strengthened in our opinion of the value of the work. Minute criticism may suggest one thing or another; we ourselves could make various remarks touching particular articles; but taking the work as a whole, we have no hesitation in saying that English literature contains nothing in this department so valuable, or executed with so much zeal or so much general accuracy. Nothing seems to have been overlooked in the ubiquitous search of Dr. Allibone. Publishers' announcements, second-hand catalogues, advertisements of libraries, literary reviews, miscellaneous periodicals, stately quarterlies, ephemeral periodicals, stray bibliographical notices, all have been laid under contribution to add to the completeness of the volumes. And with these sources are blended original suggestions, sprightly thoughts, and bits of taste, learning, or fancy, which impart a charm and freshness to what in other hands would have been an enumeration of dates, titles, names, and editions, as dry as the specimens in a young lady's herbarium. The articles on Milton and Shakspeare will illustrate what we mean. The latter is remarkable in its range and exhaustiveness. It includes over a thousand printed volumes and tracts, and in typographical bulk, would make a duodecimo volume of over 200 pages of ordinary type. We could expand into many pages our notice of this valuable work. What we, however, mainly desire, is to call |