ers as an active partner
in certain of his creative works." The replies from Collins cannot be
printed, since it was Dickens' rule to destroy every letter he received,
not on actual business. It is fortunate that his correspondents did not
do the same with his letters, so great is the interest of everything
that he put on paper: as Mr. Hutton happily puts it: "It is greatly to
be regretted that he did not write letters to himself--like his own Mr.
Toots--and preserve them all."

The letters included in the present volume are so interesting that the
temptation is strong to reprint many extracts from them. They give
charming glimpses of Dickens' personality, and illustrate the literary
ideas and methods of work of two famous story-writers. Mr. Hutton
connects the letters with all necessary explanations, and has performed
his work as editor with admirable skill. A good portrait of Dickens, a
better one of Collins, and some interesting fac-similes illustrate the
book.

W. H. H.

EVERYBODY'S WRITING-DESK BOOK. By Charles Nisbet and Don Lemon.
Revised and Edited by James Baldwin, Ph. D. 310 pp. Cloth, $1.00.
New York: Harper & Brothers. 1892.

In this handy little volume are combined instruction regarding
composition, English grammar, and punctuation; a list of synonyms and
antonyms; a list of forms of addresses; information about writing for
the press, proof-reading, writing and printing papers and books; rules
for pronunciation and spelling; rates of postage, etc. The book is a
compilation rather than an original work, and its chief merit is that it
puts together in a single volume a good deal of information of different
kinds, not elsewhere to be found in one book. Its spelling list and its
list of synonyms and antonyms are the parts most valuable for reference;
while the parts devoted to composition and grammar may be studied with
profit by those in need of such instruction. The chapter on "Writing for
the Press" is short and weak, and the book generally is adapted for use
rather by non-professional than by professional writers.

W. H. H.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS; AND HOW HE RECEIVED AND IMPARTED THE
SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY. By Justin Winsor. 674 pp. Cloth, $4.00.
Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, & Company. 1892.

Mr. Winsor's rank as an historian is so high that whatever he writes is
read with respectful attention. Especially regarding the early history
of America he is an authority, and