the town afforded an unusual proportion
of its population to the professional ranks, and was noted for its
religious and educational influence and patronage. The two principal
addresses given in the book are by John H. Thompson, Esq., of Chicago,
and Rev. C. E. Dickinson, of Marietta, Ohio, and will be found valuable
to the general reader, as well as to the native of the town. Excepting
some typographical errors, the book is a model of such a work, and
reflects credit on the editor, Mr. E. P. Guild.

* * * * *

_Leaves from a Lawyer's Life, Afloat and Ashore_, contains some very
interesting personal reminiscences of the War of the Rebellion, and aims
to supplement and correct the too meagre and often inaccurate accounts
of "the naval and military forces whose services, sufferings, and
sacrifices" are there passed in review. The theme is popular and
inspiring, and the story is vigorously and eloquently told. The author
adopts a style of narrative admirably adapted to preserve the "many
honorable recollections" he records, and rescue from oblivion a number
of interesting facts which he complains "are fast vanishing into gloom."
The opening chapter, written from fulness of knowledge, and with a clear
perception of the relative value and importance of facts, will repay
careful perusal, notwithstanding all that has recently appeared in
popular American serials on the subject of the Civil War. In the
account it gives of the blockade of the Atlantic and Gulf ports, after
the notification of Flag Officer Pendergast, at Hampton Roads, April 30,
1861, we have a splendid illustration of the manner in which, in a great
national crisis, a lack of resources is made up for by energy, bravery,
and businesslike despatch. The account of the chase of the gold-laden
steamer R. E. Lee, under the command of the daring Captain Wilkinson, by
the Federal steamer Iroquois, is very exciting; and the charm thus felt
at the outset is evenly distributed and remarkably well sustained
throughout the book. Mr. Cowley's work is valuable, as supplying a place
not filled by any of the larger and more pretentious histories of the
late war. Full of vivid description, spicy detail, felicitous citation,
and sparkling anecdote, _Leaves from a Lawyer's Life_ is sure to prove a
genuine source of pleasure to a wide circle of readers.

* * * * *

_The Origin of Republican Form of Government._[H] This