. At the other end of the table sat John J.
Crittenden. He was then chairman of Foreign Affairs in the House. The
author was on his right, as he was nearer by sympathy to him than others
on the committee. He used to say to the writer: 'My young friend, when I
was of your age, I did all the work and the older members received the
merit marks. You may do the work, sir, and I will take the credit.' With
his grave humor and hearty confidence, he was wont to parcel out to the
writer no inconsiderable quantity of the work of this most arduous of
committees. Thus it happened that a bill for the relief of the owners of
the Perthshire, seized by us, came to the hand of the writer for a
report. The chairman was not a little astonished when he found that his
subbordinate, on the 17th of December, 1861, was dilating on the Trent
case, and quoting Robinson's Reports to justify the detention of the
contraband plenipotentiaries, upon British precedents and conduct."

From the foregoing selection, it will readily be seen that the author's
style is strong, clear, rapid, and stimulating, his judgment sound and
unprejudiced, and his materials authentic. His condition, experiences,
and industry combine to throw new light on the events of the most
remarkable epoch in natural history, and the volume, independent of Mr.
Cox's reputation, is bound to be a success. It is at once the most
picturesque and harmonious political history of our times that has thus
far been written, and will, also, be generally looked upon as a solid
and substantial contribution to American literature. We feel that we
cannot commend it too highly.

* * * * *

In the Century magazine, last spring, Gen. George B. McClellan undertook
to present his explanation of the failure of the Army of the Potomac
while under his command. In his article, he assaulted the memories of
Lincoln and Stanton, and attempted much more than he accomplished,--at
least, so thinks the HON. WILLIAM D. KELLEY, who examines
McClellan's statements in a book recently published. It bears the simple
title, _Lincoln and Stanton_.[8] Of this volume, which for the
first time makes many fresh disclosures, we hope to have something to
say at another time.

Senator SUMNER was once asked by Lord Brougham the origin and
meaning of "caucus," and he replied: "It is difficult to assign any
elementary to the word, but the most approved one referred its origin to
the very town, an