ympathies with the Irish character, gives a perpetual liveliness
and glow to the narrative, redeeming it from every approach to dullness,
and sustaining the interest of the reader to the close of the volume.

_Louisiana: Its Colonial History and Romance,_ by CHARLES GAYARRE
(published by Harper and Brothers), is a republication of the lectures
of the author on "The Poetry, or the Romance of the History of
Louisiana," with the addition of seven new lectures, bringing the
subject down to the departure of Bienville, the founder of the colony,
in 1743. Among the interesting topics discussed in the second series of
lectures, are the formation of the Mississippi Company, the History of
Law's financial career, the foundation of New Orleans, the Manners and
Customs of the Natchez tribe, the wars between the Indians and the
Colonists, and others, which bring the romantic incidents connected with
the colonization of Louisiana into prominent view. The period was
fertile in singular adventures, presenting abundant materials for the
poet or novelist. Mr. Gayarre has made a felicitous selection of topics,
which, under the brilliant coloring of a lively imagination, are
presented in a picturesque and attractive form. The substance of his
work is founded on the conclusions of exact historical research, while
the drapery in which its scenes and characters are arrayed form a
graceful accompaniment to the severity of truth. With a perpetual
vivacity of style, and a profusion of glowing imagery, Mr. Gayarre never
becomes tedious or insipid. His volume is always delightful as a poem,
if it is not complete as a record, and will hold a high place among the
popular contributions to the "Romance of History."

E. C. and J. Biddle have published _An Elementary Treatise on Statics_,
by GASPARD MONGE, translated by WOODS BAKER, a work which has obtained a
distinguished reputation in the scientific literature of France, by its
clear and correct style, its rigorous demonstrations, and its
well-connected propositions. It is adapted to fill a place, for which no
adequate provision has been made by the usual treatises on the subject
in the English language. Most of these are voluminous, and suited only
to the more advanced classes of students, or else composed chiefly of
practical and descriptive details. The present volume treats the subject
in the synthetic method, and can be understood without difficulty by
those who are familiar with Euclid's Elemen