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intimatelv acquainted . Some of the names in this volume are dismissed with commendable brevity , others treated with the fullness they deserve . The name " Mary" is perhaps one of the most satisfactory entries ; its derivation is fully traced , and is followed by

much interesting information concerning—in addition to the Marys of Holy Writ—St . Mary of Egypt , St . Mary of Oignies , Mary of the Incarnation , some queens who have borne the name , and many others . This is a very cheap book , and we should like to see a similar one dealing with the christian names of the sterner sex .

The Herb-Moon . A Fantasia . By John Oliver Hobbes ( 6 d ) . —George Newnes , Limited . WE cannot say that this book compares favourably with the many other excellent works reprinted by Messrs . Newnes in their sixpenny issues . Theologians are fond of making somewhat arbitrary distinctions between sins of " omission" and . sins of

• ' commission . " It would ill become us to criticise unfairly a lady so eminent in the literary world as Mrs . Craigie ; but having read the " Herb-Moon "—a feat which , as Mrs . Craigie is aware , critics seldom accomplish—we venture the opinion that shortcomings are more conspicuous in this book than errors , and we should therefore include it under the former of the two categories which , we have

named . As regards the constituents of a good novel opinions differ , as opinions differ about most matters ; but if a novel cannot be commended for the fidelity of its characters , the briskness of its dialogue , the strength of its tragedy , the wit of its comedy , or the beauty of its descriptions , we fail to see that it can conscientiously be commended at all . We do not see that either Rose or Robsart differ in any essential quality from a score of characters to be found

in the pages of Mrs . Gaskell , or Mrs . Henry Wood , or Charlotte Bronte , or Emma Jane Worboise—to name lady novelists only . The " Herb-Moon , " however , contains several phrases very happily turned—a fact which we are careful to mention lest it should be thought that when we have a volume before us from the pen of " John Oliver Hobbes " we desire , like John Dennis of old , to assail all we read . We hope to make this lady the " amende honorable " at the earliest opportunity .

Digrby Grand . An Autobiography . By G . J . Whyte-Melville . Illustrated by J . Ambrose Walton and Cuthbert Bradley ( 3 s 6 d ) . —Ward , Lock and Co ., Limited . THIS fine issue of the novels of Whyte-Melville will , when completed , make a handsome addition to any library . Folks who make a point of getting plenty for their money should certainly buy

" Digby Grand , " and thereby acquire over four hundred pages of autobiography—in our humble judgment the most fascinating of all the many forms that literature assumes . True , this particular autobiography is but a fiction , but that , as Mr . Andrew Lang once wrote of a mistake of Keats , is of " no moment , except to schoolmasters . " This book is well , even brilliantly written , and the

surprising versatility of Whyte-Melville is perhaps nowhere so apparent as in its pages , unless it is in the pages of "Holmby House , " a book which we had the pleasure of reviewing early last year . To such as have but little time for reading , and are therefore wont to sample authors rather than read them , we would commend the chapters entitled " The Morning of Life " and " The Fortunes of a Danseuse . "

The White Battalions . By Fred . M . White ( 6 s ) . —C . Arthur Pearson , Limited . WARS and rumours of wars have the floor just now . Some novelists—like some christians—have a comfortable creed . Their creed is that the powers that be are presently to combine , and that shortly after that combination old England will receive her coup de grace . 'Tis as well to be warned beforehand . We are glad to

say that Mr . Fred . M . White , while apparently anticipating the onslaught , holds more pleasant views as touching its probable issue . There are in this story of the white battalions some persons of consuming energv and some of surprising foresight ; but when pitted against the energy and foresight of the Englishman they fare but ill . Mr . White can handle a story very cleverly , and we hope we shall have another opportunity of appreciating his gifts .

Messrs . Chatto and Windus announce a cheap edition of " The Death Ship , " bv W . Clark Russell , at 3 s 6 d ; "The Lone Star Rush , " by Edmund Mitchell , with eight illustrations by Norman H . Hardy , at 6 s ; "The Blue Diamond , " by L . T . Meade , at 6 s , and " Quality Corner , a study of remorse , " by C . L . Antrobus , at 6 s . Of special-interest to young folk is the promise , by the same house , of a sixpenny edition of Stevenson's " New Arabian Nights . "

Messrs . Macmillan and Co . have just published " William Shakespeare , Poet , Dramatist , and Man , " by Hamilton W . Mabie . The book is enriched with nine photogravures and 100 illustrations in the text . The price is 21 s net . This is in every way a work of exceptional beauty and interest , and the portraits include Spenser , Jonson , Chapman , Sidney , Raleigh , and Bacon .

Messrs . Greening and Co . will shortly publish "The Aftertaste , " by Compton Reade ; "Ballads of Ghostly Shires , " by George Bertram ; and " The Prettiness of Fools , " by Edgar Hewitt . "Wine on the Lees , " the last novel by Mr . John a Steuart , is to be issued in sixpenny form by Messrs . Hutchinson . 100 , 000 copies are to be printed

Mr . John Murray is to publish Sir Edward Hertslet ' s "Recollections of the Old Foreign Office , " and Messrs . J . M . Dent and Co . promise "The Working Constitution of the United Kingdom , " by Mr . Leonard Courtney . ' Messrs . Thomas Nelson and Sons have sent us their "Illustrated List of New Books" for 1 900-1901 . To glance through such a list is to wish for a long leisure and a bright fireside . We have

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had the pleasure of reviewing several of the volumes advertised in its pages , and if the others are on the whole as good , Messrs . Nelson have assuredly made many readers happy .

BOOKS RECEIVED . Bones and I , or The Skeleton at Home . By G . J . Whyte Melville . Illustrated by A . Forestier ( new edition , 3 s 6 a / . —

Ward , Lock and Co ., Limited . Willingr ' s Press Guide and Advertisers' Directory and Hand book , 1901 . Twenty-eighth year ( is ) . —James Willing , jun . Limited .

The last Indian mail contains some interesting particulars of the installation in Bombay of His Excellency Lord Northcote as Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India . The ceremony took place at an annual communication of the Grand Lodge , and it was , of course , attended

with all the importance and solemnity befitting the occasion . The Sandhurst Lodge Room was admirably prepared , the dais being reserved exclusively for Grand Officers , present and past , and for distinguished visitors . The Grand Master Depute Dr . John Pollen , accompanied by the Officers ,

having entered in procession , opened the Grand Lodge . Lord Northcote expressed pleasure at being accorded so cordial a reception from the Scottish Freemasons in India , and recognised the serious responsibility he had undertaken . The visitors present on the occasion included the Earl of Jersey Prov . G . M . Oxfordshire .

• 0 Last week , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., a most interesting dinner took place to celebrate the new century amongst members of the Craft who are engaged on the various newspapers in and around Fleet Street . The

Chairman was Bro . Robinson Innes P . M . ( Sportsman ) , Vice-Chairmen Bros . William Noble P . M . ( Sporting Life ) , and John Buchanan P . M . ( Daily Graphic ) . After disposing of

an excellent menu , served in the best style , the remainder of the evening was devoted to toasts and songs . Bro . Blewett Paul proved himself to be a pianist of no mean order .

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