accessible. The volume before us treats of the city of Rome in forty-four pages; of the court, in one hundred and twelve pages; of the three orders of the state senators, knights, and burgesses, in forty-three; of social intercourse, in fifty-four; and of Roman women, in eighty-four. Hardly any book could be more welcome to the scholar. It throws much light on the subject treated of by Schmidt in his Essay on the Civil Society in the Roman world.

CHRESTOMATHIE DES PROSATEURS FRANCAIS du Quatorzième au seizième Siècle avec une Grammaire et un Lexique, etc., par Charles Monnard. Genève et Paris. 1862.

The fact that Monnard is Professor at the University of Bonn, is presumptive evidence that his book is a scholarly production. He has evidently been trained in the school of Diez. The work consists of three parts, or three octavo volumes, of 218, 119, and 196 pages respectively. The first part contains a history of the language from its origin, a Grammar of the old French, and a Lexicon. The second part is an elementary reader, beginning with selections from the sixteenth century and going backward to the fourteenth, on the principle of proceeding from the known to the unknown. The third part is a larger reader for the more advanced student, with a series of extracts in a chronological order, beginning with Froissart in 1337, and ending with Montaigne in 1592. An excellent companion to this book may be found in J. L. Ideler's History of the old French National Literature, with Numerous Specimens of the Language (Geschichte der Altfranzösischen Literatur), containing 368 pages of selections from the early poets, with an explanation of the obsolete words. Diez's Grammar of the Romance Language (Grammatik der romanische Sprache), which traces the modern languages of Latin origin to their source, is an excellent aid in the study of the old French, as it gives the laws by which the Latin words pass into the French and other kindred languages. For the sake of completeness of information for the young reader, we will add that G. L. Stadler's French Grammar (Wissenschafttiche Grammatik der Französichen Sprache, Berlin, 1843), treats of the language as growing out of the Latin, which is the only method that is adapted to persons of a classical education.

We propose here to call the attention of our readers to some five or six valuable books of an earlier date, not hitherto noticed in this journal. First among these we do not hesitate to place K. Helmrich's History of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, for the School and Family; pp. 139, 1852 (Geschichte des Grossherzogthums Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach für Schule und Haus). One of the chief difficulties to be overcome in the study of German history, is that arising from the great number of states

belonging to the confederacy. Only at short intervals has Germany been so united as to admit of being treated as a single state. Whatever political changes have taken place, or new divisions of territory, the people themselves have, in their native Gaus, preserved their peculiarities in a remarkable degree. A general history of Germany, which should represent only what is common to the different states, would be as unmeaning as a history of our own country treated as a unity without reference to the separate states. It cannot be expected that foreigners shall, except in rare cases, study minutely the history of all the German states; but it is desirable that they make themselves acquainted with two or three, of the greatest historical interest, as representatives of the whole; Saxony, both the kingdom and the several duchies, belongs to this class. The book before us, being confined to the united duchies of Weimar and Eisenach, presents a somewhat microscopic specimen of German history; but it is all the more distinct on that account. The reader's mind is kept constantly fixed upon the territory and population of old Thuringia, a district which has preserved, as few others have, its characteristic features through all its various fortunes. It was the land of the Thuringian Landgraves; of the Minnesingers; of Luther's ancestors; of Wartburg; of the Goldene Aue and the residences of the Saxon emperors; of Boniface the Apostle of Germany; of Lewis the Springer, who saved himself by leaping from the castle of Gièbchenstein into the river Saale, and who built Wartburg; of Elizabeth the Thuringian saint; of the Iron Lewis, whose history is adorned with so many beautiful traditions.

SANCTI AUGUSTINI CONFESSIONES, herausgegeben und erläutert (edited and explained) von Karl von Raumer.

The editor was for many years accustomed to read these Confessions with a small circle of his pupils, meeting with them one evening in the week, and examining and explaining very carefully a very few pages at each exercise. The substance of the explanations of the words and thoughts of the Latin Father, modified by the study of several years, is given in the notes. In no other way could the editor be so well prepared to judge what parts needed explanation, and what proportion the notes should bear to the text. On an average the notes occupy about one third of each page. Those who know the character of von Raumer, both as a scholar and as a Christian, will need no assurance of his preeminent fitness for his task. The paper and type of this edition are both beautiful. These interesting and invaluable Confessions of the great Bishop of Hippo, can now be read by the German scholar in an edition worthy of the subject.

H. OTTE'S OUTLINES OF THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF ECCLESIASTICAL ART IN GERMANY IN THE MIDDLE AGES; with one hundred and eighteen

wood-cuts. 1855. (Grundzüge der kirchlichen Kunst-Archäologie des deutschen Mittelalters).

These outlines are an abridgment of the author's larger work on the same subject. The book is admirably arranged and well written. All the topics are compactly presented in leading paragraphs or sections, to which are subjoined remarks in a smaller type, with sufficient fulness of details to satisfy the general reader. The manual is a model of its kind; and is as elegantly executed as the volume above noticed.

F. VON SODEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION AND OF THE MANNERS OF THE TIMES, with special reference to Christopher Scheurl II. Nuremberg: 1855. (Beiträge zur Geschichte der Reformation und der Sitten jener Zeit mit besonderem Hinblick auf Christof Scheurl II)

A more perfect book, in the antiquarian line, cannot easily be found. Scheurl was a distinguished student of law at Bologna, afterwards Professor and Rector at the University of Wittemburg, where he was the intimate friend of Luther and Melancthon, and for the greater and more important part of his life, one of the first men in rank and office in the government of Nuremburg, his native city. The author draws from the unpublished documents and records of that city an amount of new and curious matter relating to all the great men and events, religious and political, of the times, which fills the reader with astonishment. The details of the life and manners of the people, and of the doings of the government of the renowned city of Nuremburg, are poured out in one incessant stream — single paragraphs extending not lest than forty or fifty pages. It is a book of facts, not dissertations; full to overflowing, and yet fresh in interest. No man of antiquarian tastes can lay down the volume until he has finished it. Men of other tastes will do well to abstain from it altogether.

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OF THE PRUSSIAN STATE, historically developed. By L. von Rönne (das Unterrichts-Wesen des Preussischen Staats in seiner geschichtlichen Entwickelung) in 2 vols. Berlin: 1854, 1855.

These volumes form a part of a large and elaborate legal work on the Constitution and Administration of the Prussian State. Its materials are drawn from the laws of the state, and the instructions issued from its several bureaus, as found in the public archives. This is the only complete work that has been published on the Prussian system of instruction, founded directly on the school-laws. In its character it holds an intermediate place between a codification of the school-laws and a popular representation of the system, like that of Cousin. It is the highest authority on the subject, and gives a complete legal and historical view of all that pertains to it.

The rescripts of the ministers of instruction are not like our general laws, giving no clue to the actual working of the system of education; but they enter minutely into all the details of the methods of instruction in the several branches taught, specifying the authors and even the passages to be read, as well as the manner in which they are to be taught. The principal of a school could not prescribe more exactly the labors of his assistant teachers. The first volume contains the history and general view of edu-cation in Prussia, and that part of the special view which relates to the lower schools. The second volume is wholly devoted to the higher schools, including the gymnasia (and other schools of similar rank), the universities, and all professional and technical schools. The work is a vast storehouse of knowledge; but it must be studied, like a text-book of law, in order to be understood. It is not a book to be read in course.

THE second volume of Prantl's History of Logic (Geschichte der Logik im Abendlande, 1861), includes the flourishing period of scholasticism. It is a work of immense research, and leaves little to be said on the subject. The author maintains, not without reason, that what is usually called the scholastic philosophy, is not philosophy, but logic merely. This history of logic is, therefore, for the period of the Middle Ages — what has been called a history of philosophy, presented in a new, interesting, and instructive light. In the newly-awakened interest in the study of logic, such a work can hardly fail to attract attention.

Carl Ritter's History of Geography and Geographical Discovery (Geschichte der Erdkunde und der Entdeckungen, 1861), edited according to his direction by his pupil, H. A. Daniel, with a portrait of the author, is cordially welcomed by the numerous pupils of the distinguished geographer It is in one volume, and extends to the age of Columbus.

Friederich von Raumer's Memoirs and Correspondence (Lebenserrinnerungen und Briefwichsel, 1861), in two volumes, will be read in England and America with almost as much interest as in Germany. A fearless and independent writer, a good compiler, though not always sufficiently critical as an investigator, he has received more praise and more blame than falls to the lot of ordinary men. In his reminiscences and letters he appears to be fully aware of his position in the literary world, and, with general good humor, stands up bravely in his own defence. The active part of his life till 1811, is presented in a sort of irregular autobiography; the second volume is almost wholly taken up with his letters from 1811 to 1836. The book furnishes, in about equal proportions, entertainment and historica information.

The History of Greece, by E. Curtius (Greichische Geschichte von Ernst Curtius), second volume, 1861, bringing the narrative down to the

end of the Peloponnesian war, not only sustains its high character, but even improves as it advances. The ingenious theories, for which the traditional period offered such temptations, disappear in the period of authentic history. The age of Pericles, so splendid in poetry, literature, and art, is described with great truth and beauty. The political condition of Greece, and the great men of Athens, are represented with the author's well-known artistic power.

E. C. Baur's Christian Church in the Middle Ages (die christliche Kirche des Mittelalters, 1861), in its leading historical developments, published after the author's death, is a continuation of his two former publications, "Christianity and the Church in the first three Centuries" and "The Christian Church from the beginning of the fourth to the end of the sixth Century," and reaches to the Reformation. This is one of the author's best productions; being equally distinguished for the learning it displays. for the keen penetration of the views it presents, and the historical skill with which the materials are wrought up. His peculiar theory is less prominent and less offensive here, than in the first of the above-named works.

POLENZ'S HISTORY OF FRENCH CALVINISM.'

THE author of the above work will be recognized by many of our readers as the genial Major Polenz of Halle. Not a few of our countrymen who have resorted to the auditoriums of Tholuck and Mueller, have had reason to reckon the society of this truly amiable and Christian gentleman among the highest privileges of their residence abroad. All such will be pleased to learn that the great work upon which he has been so long engaged is steadily approaching its completion.

But the work has an intrinsic value, which will carry it far beyond the circles of personal friendship, beyond the limits of a confession, beyond the boundaries of a nation. When finished, it will be the most complete delineation of its subject in any language. The author's point of view, who is neither a theologian nor politician, by profession, neither anxious to write his theme up nor to write it down, is eminently favorable to historic fidelity, philosophic insight, and Christian catholicity. The work is what it claims to be, a history. This very excellence will prove, if we mistake not, a disadvantage to it at first. The spirit of confession and party prevails so strongly at present in Germany, that an impartial author finds but a small public. For the present the motto of each little clan be it literary, political, scientific, theological, or churchly seems to be: "Whoever is

1 Geschichte des französischen Calvinismus bis zur Nationalversammlung im Jahre 1789. Zum Theil aus handschriftlichen Quellen: von Gottlob von Polenz. Gotha: F. A. Perthes. 3 volumes, 8vo. pp. 736, 720, 480.