felicity of statement for which he is so widely distinguished, and which are of such inestimable value in the discussion of vexed theological questions in a time like the present. The book will add to his reputation and influence both among theologians and among intelligent laymen and will prove to be a timely contribution. LEWIS O. BRASTOW. EPITOME OF THE SYNTHETIC PHILOSOPHY.*-All students of Herbert Spencer ought to welcome this most serviceable volumeand equally whether they shall use it as a substitute for the nine volumes from which it is condensed, or as an aid in perusing them. all. The arrangement of the original volumes leaves little to be desired in respect of chapters and numbered sections, differences of type, spaces and sub-spaces. Most of these few aids to reference and revisal are followed in this condensed abridgment, and so closely, that the student can almost at the instant, in opening either the original or the abridgment, know where he is in the argument, or, as school children say, "can find the place." That all adjustments like these are most convenient in the study of an abstract system is obvious to any student. That they are particularly so, where the system is extremely technical in its terminology and abstract and unnatural in its relationships, is still more clear. The merits and convenience of the book can be easily tested if the reader open it at any section or topic in either the abridgment or original; it will be most easy to find the counterpart in the expressed or contrasted counterpart. Then let him read either or both, and he will find that the one reflects light and meaning on the other, the condensed upon the expanded. We do not say that conviction will follow. Rather it is to be expected, even it is to be hoped, that the reverse will be true; but his mental satisfaction will -other things being equal-be more complete, and if the subject matter is to be discussed at a college lecture the preparation of the student will be more satisfactory. We recommend this abridgment most cordially as friends of clear and sound thinking and as friends of philosophical and * An Epitome of the Synthetic Philosophy. By F. HOWARD COLLINS. With a Preface by HERBERT SPENCER. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1889. theological truth. It has the additional advantage of having been prepared under Mr. Spencer's own eye and after his direc tion. NOAH PORTER. THE STORY OF EARLY BRITAIN.*-It was well that the story of Early Britain was intrusted to so well known a writer for youth as Prof. Church, who also has the qualification of sound scholarship. The period is an unattractive one for the youthful reader, yet some knowledge of it is an indispensable introduction to later history. Prof. Church skilfully elucidates the important points and avails himself of the few romantic incidents of the time whose "confused transactions" Hume likened to the "skirmishes of kites and crows." He has thus successfully accomplished a difficult task. Like all its predecessors in the series this volume is tastefully and instructively illustrated. Charlemagne is represented by a portrait from Dürer's hand. It would have been better to give a drawing of the small Metz statue now in Paris, which, while not certainly a likeness from life, is probably nearer to it than anything else we have. On p. 187 Charlemagne's death is given as 812 instead of 814, and on p. 346 the date of the Council of Nicæa is wrongly given as 318 B.C. instead of 325 A.D. Two or three excellent maps have been inserted. The older readers will be interested in the valuable note on p. 32 which brings together all the references to Britain and the Britons that are found in the Augustan poets. EDWARD G. BOURNE. THE CRUSADE OF RICHARD I., 1189-92.t-This fifth volume in the series, "English History by Contemporary Writers," is an admirable piece of work. Every page bears witness to thorough and careful scholarship. Some twenty-six sources are quoted, of whom nine were for the most part in Palestine at the time of the events they record. Nine others were contemporaries, but not in Palestine. The other eight are writers of the next generation. The reader is thus brought face to face in a most vivid way with one of the crusades. The third crusade, it is true, lacks the glowing enthusiasm which makes the first a subject of never ending inter *The Story of Early Britain. By ALFRED J. CHURCH, M.A. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. The Crusade of Richard I., 1189-92. Selected and arranged by T. A. ARCHER, B.A. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. est, but on the other hand it is probably more familiar to English readers owing to Scott's romantic pictures in "The Talisman," and "The Betrothed." Mr. Archer has supplied in notes and appendices a great amount of valuable information on medieval antiquities as well as brief sketches of all the writers drawn upon. The volume cannot fail to be of service to every student of the Middle Ages. EDWARD G. BOURNE. ANCIENT CIVILIZATION.*-Upon its publication in 1886, Ducourdray's "Histoire Sommaire de la Civilisation depuis l'origine jusqu'à nos jours," was recognized to be a compendium written with more than ordinary knowledge and skill. An adaptation of it has now appeared in English in an attractive form and with the original illustrations. Comparing it with the original we find that about one-fourth of the matter has been omitted on the whole, while the chapters on literature have been thoroughly worked over and in some respects improved. The style of the translation is smooth and readable and the work seems to have been done with accuracy. Mr. Verschoyle's work will prove a useful companion to the ordinary text books on ancient history, while the general reader will find it a convenient bird's-eye view of human progress from the earliest times. It is proposed to publish soon a second part on medieval and modern civilization. EDWARD G. BOURNE. *The History of Ancient Civilization. A Handbook based on M. Gustave Ducourdray's "Histoire Sommaire de la Civilisation." SCHOYLE, M.A. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Edited by Rev. J. VER UNIVERSITY TOPICS. ARTICLE VIII.-INAUGURAL EXERCISES AT OSBORN HALL-APRIL 28th, 1890--PRELIMINARY TO THE OPENING OF THE MUSIC ROOMS Nos. 3 AND 4 IN THE TREASURY BUILDING, WHERE THE BATTELL PROFESSOR OF MUSIC IS HEREAFTER TO GIVE INSTRUCTION. A LARGE assemblage of the officers and students of the University attended the inaugural exercises at Osborn Hall preliminary to the opening of the new music rooms in the Treasury Building. President Dwight presided, welcoming with some felicitous remarks the admittance of the youngest sister of the fine arts to a place in the University. PROGRAM. 1. Overture-Eleonora No. 3, [Piano Duo], Beethoven ; R. T. Percy, '90, H. B. Jepson, '93. 2. Prayer-President Dwight. 3. Study-By Richard Storrs Willis, '41. A. G. Robinson, '91, W. S. Moyle, '91, J. R. Ensign, '89, A. C. Crehore, '90, O. S. Lyford, '90 S. 4. Address-Professor Stoeckel. 5. A Poet's Love-Song, R. Schumann; A. G. Robinson. 6. Organ Toccata and Fuga in D minor-J. S. Bach, [Transcription for Piano by Tausig]; Charles S. Elliot, '67. 7. Serenade-Cornet Solo, F. Schubert; B. E. Leavitt, '93. 8. Evening-Quartette for men's voices, Robbins Battell, '39. Moyle, Ensign, Crehore, and Lyford. 1. The sun descends behind the hills, The long, long day of summer closes; The gentle dew from heav'n distils, 2. A low, soft murmur fills the evening air; The birds in woodland haunts are sleeping; Silent night. 3. O calm, still hour, when daylight dies, The mystic light of other worlds is breaking. 4. The near is far, the far-off things are near, The heav'ns and earth are sweetly blending; 5. So when our earthly work is done, May our last hours in peace declining, Where fairer skies in heav'nly light are shining. Rev. I. N. TARBOX, '39. 9. Troisiéme Ballade-Op. 47, Chopin; Mr. Elliot. 10. Hymn-Sweet is the work my God, my King-Choral; R. Battell. Ushers-John H. Strong, '90, James R. Barbour, '90, Maximilian Baird, '90, Henry T. Fowler, '90, Elliot P. Joslin, '90, Lewis B. Woodruff, '90. "The musical portion of the program was agreeably varied, and was highly enjoyed by the audience. Mr. Elliot's two solos were received with much favor, and both were enthusiastically encored. The pieces assigned to the undergraduates were executed very creditably, and were fully up to the high level of musical excellence which Yale has always maintained. The opening duet was given with force and intelligence by Messrs. Richard T. Percy and Harry B. Jepson. Mr. A. G. Robinson displayed notable vocal ability in the Schumann song and in the solo part of the Willis selection, and Mr. B. E. Leavitt handled the cornet solo with skill and discretion, receiving an encore from the audience. Among the most pleasing numbers was Mr. Battell's "Evening," a composition of much melodious beauty, which was capitally sung on this occasion by a quartette consisting of Messrs. Moyle, Ensign, Crehore, and Lyford. The final choral, in the singing of which the whole audience joined, was also very effective. At this point there was an adjournment to the treasury building across the campus, where President and Mrs. Dwight, Mrs. Frederick P. Terry, Dr. Stoeckel, Miss Stoeckel, and Miss Dwight received the guests in the new home of music at Yale. The rooms, two in number, one for the professor and one for the class, are on the lower floor of the old Trumbull Gallery, directly beneath the President's room, and they have been fitted up and furnished very tastefully, and provided with a generous musical equipment, including a grand piano, text books, apparatus, medallions, pictures, etc. This evening the rooms were lavishly decorated with floral adornments, bountiful refreshments were served, and the atmosphere was heavily charged with mutual congratulations. |