the period of the Arian controversies. Beginning with the first Synod after the Council of Nicæa, it includes the contests of the parties, and, incidentally, the fortunes of Athanasius until the Second General Council at Constantinople, in 381. The interval between the Second and the Third General Councils, which embraces the Synods which dealt with Pelagianism, is then described. Dr. Hefele's thoroughness and exhaustive researches are generally admitted. It is his purpose to be candid, although it is not difficult to discern that his attachment to the Roman Catholic Church creates an involuntary bias of questions which affect the claims of that Communion. The work is one which scholars in ecclesiastical history will highly prize, and welcome in the English translation. It forms one of Clark's series, and may be obtained of Scribner & Co.

GERMAN POLITICAL LEADERS.*-This is the fourth volume of the series of "Brief Biographies of European Public men" which Geo. P. Putnam's Sons are now publishing. It supplies, in nineteen biographical sketches, much information, which it would be difficult to obtain elsewhere, respecting the men who are at this moment especially prominent in political life in Germany, and who may be taken as the leaders of the different parties into which the German people are divided. The first twenty-one pages are devoted to the Chancellor, Prince Bismarck. Of course, within these limits it is impossible to present more than an outline of the leading events in his career. But the writer, Mr. Tuttle, has succeeded in giving a clear impression of the policy which this extraordinary man has always proposed to himself. He says: "The case of Bismarck has sometimes been cited against the value of professional training for politicians. He appeared so suddenly on the field of European events, and assumed at once such a commanding position, that many have treated him as a prodigy in whom inspiration might almost be assumed. The premises here are as false as the inference from them is pernicious. It is true that no amount of study will wholly supply the place of natural genius or talent, but it is true also that simple genius without training and discipline, is often credited with achievements that it never performs. Otto von Bismarck is one of the most distinct results of thorough political education. His whole career previ

*German Political Leaders. By HERBERT TUTTLE. New York: Geo. P. Putnam's Sons. 1876. 16mo, pp. 264.

ous to entering the Prussian ministry was one of study and preparation. At the Gymnasium he acquired control of the English and French languages; and throughout his career they have served him in many a diplomatic crisis. At the University, he was a profound and philosophical student of history, particularly that of his own country; and even to-day, in Parliamentary debates, he often astonishes his colleagues by his mastery of such details. While he was at Frankfort, his letters show that be prized the position chiefly for the experience and the valuable lessons that it afforded him. At St. Petersburg, there is but one report of his behavior. He lived in frugal style and gave few entertainments, but devoted himself assiduously to study and inquiry, and even became a proficient in the Russian language. These occupations did not give him notoriety, but they were not quite profitless. When in 1862 he assumed the direction of Prussian affairs, he brought to the duties a ripe experience, a familiarity with the language and habits and politics of other nations, the resources of a mind which had never ceased to acquire and assimilate useful knowledge, and habits of industry which have since astonished all Europe. This and nothing else is the secret inspiration of the great German statesman." The "Ministers" who are described in this book are Dr. Falk; President Delbrück; and Herr Camphausen. Prince Hohenlohe and Count Von Arnim are the representatives of the diplomats. Herr von Bennigsen and Dr. Simson are chosen from among the "parliamentarians." The "Party leaders" are Herr Lasker, Herr Windthorst, Dr. Loewe, Herr Schulze-Delitzsch, Herr Jacoby, Herr Hasselmann, Herr Sonnemann. Professors Gneist, Virchow, Treitschke, and von Sybel are taken as examples of "scholars" who have given themselves to politics.

MEMOIRS OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, VOL. VIII.-This volume covers a period of about five years, embracing the latter part of the presidency, two years of retirement, and Mr. Adams's service in the twenty-second and twenty-third Congresses. The volumes increase in interest as they approach the closing era of his public career. They contain numerous, and not unfrequently caustic, notices of Mr. Adams's contemporaries in public life, with few, if any of whom he stood in relations of cordial intimacy. Independent, intrepid, patriotic, he was, also, somewhat suspicious and jealous, and unduly impatient of everything that could be con

strued into an attempt to control his opinions or conduct. His judgments of public men, therefore, are tinged with personal prejudice. The circumstances which led to his defeat as a presidential candidate for the third term were not adapted to sweeten his temper as regards the politicians by whom he was surrounded, by the intrigues of some of whom he was supplanted. In one point, at least, Mr. Adams excelled them all. His knowledge of political history and of political affairs generally has probably not been equalled by that of any other statesman since the formation of the government. As we enter the period of his great contest with the slave-holders on the floor of Congress, the attractions of the Diary are much enhanced.

The tenth volume just received, presents the Diary of Mr. Adams during his service in the 25th, the 26th, and the 27th Congresses. It abounds in racy passages in which the author sketches, from his own point of view, the characters of many of his contemporaries, and delineates scenes on the Congressional arena, in many of which he was a conspicuous actor. His infirmities of temper are obvious; but we find him a severe critic of himself. Of his genuine patriotism, high-hearted intrepidity, eminent talents, and learning in history and politics, there can be but one opinion.

DR. TARBOX'S LIFE OF ISRAEL PUTNAM.*-The object which Dr. Tarbox has had in writing this new Life of Putnam, cannot be better or more succinctly stated than in his own words. He says that it has been simply "to bring back to its old anchorageground an important piece of American History, which for a quarter of a century, by a subtle undertow has been drifting from its place." The fact is that, under the influence of what is really a provincial spirit, there has grown up around Boston, within a few years past, a disposition to claim for Massachusetts men all the glory of the battle which was fought in 1775, on the hill which is within sight of all the house-tops of their capital city. The curious way in which all the evidence on the subject has been perverted is interesting as a fresh illustration of the manner in which "popular delusions" are started and propagated. By a beautiful piece of reasoning, as conclusive as it is clear and simple,

*

Life of Israel Putnam (“Old Put"), Major-General in the Continental Army. By INCREASE N. TARBOX. With map and illustrations. Boston: Lockwood, Brooks & Co. 1876. 8vo. pp. 589.

Dr. Tarbox has vindicated the right of Gen. Putnam to be considered the real hero of that battle. There can be no question that he planned it, and that he was there to superintend the operations. No sane man ever supposed that he was at all points of the field of battle; or that he was the only man that day who deserved well of his country; but the mark of "Old Put" is to be seen, everywhere in that battle. It was his strategy and his tactics. Every student of American history should read this book.

CENTENARY EDITION OF MR. BANCROFT'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.-Every student of American history will be pleased to know that Mr. Bancroft has commenced the revision of his History of the United States; making use, for that purpose, of all the notes and papers on special subjects which he has been accumulating for forty years. He says that he has devoted to this work of revision "a solid year of close and undivided application;" and that "every noteworthy criticism that has come under observation has been carefully weighed, accepted for what it was worth, and never rejected except after examination." He says, also, that his "main object has been the attainment of exact accuracy, so that if possible not even a partial error may escape correction." Five volumes of the new edition have appeared in

12mo.

CAROLINE HERSCHEL.*- These memoirs reveal a character altogether unique. The leading facts in the life of Caroline Herschel, and in the life of her distinguished brother, Sir William Herschel, were generally known; but it was not known with what absolute devotion this remarkable woman sank her own personality in that of her brother. "She lived for him; she loved him; she believed in him; she helped him with all her heart and with all her strength." But of herself she never thought. When receiving honors from learned men and learned societies in recognition of her own independent services for the advance of astronomical science, she said: "I am nothing; I have done nothing; all I am, all I know, I owe to my brother. I am only the tool which he shaped to his use. A well trained puppy-dog would have done as much." After the death of her brother, she returned to her native city, Hanover, at

* Memoir and Correspondence of Caroline Herschel. By Mrs. JOHN HERSCHEL, with Portraits. New York. D. Appleton & Co. 12mo. 1876. pp. 355.

the age of seventy-two. There she lived till 1848, dying in her ninety-eighth year.

MEMOIR OF DR. NORMAN MCLEOD.*-The sympathies of Americans, as a general thing, have been so thoroughly with what is called the "Free Church Movement" in Scotland, that little has been known here of the prominent men who remained, at the time of the "Disruption" in the "Kirk." Dr. McLeod was one of those men who felt constrained by conscience to oppose the disruption, but finally won the confidence even of the whole "Free Church." By his whole souled, honest, genial character, he drew irresistibly the love of everyone with whom he came in contact, even of those who differed from him most in their views. His relations to the Queen as one of her "Chaplains" in Scotland; his views of the rightfulness of the cause of the North in our civil war; his missionary tour in India; his frequent journeys on the Continent; his visit to this country; all give an interest to the memoir which is not supplied by any biography which has appeared for years.

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE CONFLICT BETWEEN LABOR AND CAPITAL -This work is designed to communicate information which may contribute to a better understanding of the true relations between employers and the employed. The facts are derived partly from the author's personal observation and inquiry in Europe, partly from official reports and other equally trustworthy sources. The subjects considered are: Present Relations of Labor and Capital; The Superabundance of labor: How the working classes are affected by a rise of prices; the payment of Labor; the good and evil of Trades-Unions; Co-operation; Industrial Partnerships; Education of the working classes; Arbitration and Conciliation. The author holds that a regard to moral obligation on the part of both employer and employed is an indispensable element in the solution of the problem. In this we heartily concur. Political economy teaches that a right exchange is an ex

* Memoir of Norman McLeod, D.D. By his brother, Rev. DONALD MCLEOD. New York. Scribner & Armstrong. Two vols. 8vo. pp. 362, 432.

66

The Conflict between Labor and Capital. By ALBERT S BOLLES, author of Chapters in Political Economy," and editor of the Norwich Morning Bulletin. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1876. 12mo, pp. 211.