The Book of Health, edited by Mr. Malcolm Morris (Cassells), is likely to be useful, not only to the general public for whom it is primarily intended, but also to the medical profession, which will recognise among its contributors names of well-known authority. The articles are generally sensible and clear, the advice sound and detailed; the Index is full. Dr. Hermann Weber's essay upon "Climate and Health Resorts" is a model of conciseness and thoroughness. DR. B. W. RICHARDSON has written The Field of Disease (Macmillan) for "the intelligent reading public," whose tastes he has long studied, and educated, we hope, up to the point of reading this pretentious essay, which is most certainly neither scientific nor, in the ordinary sense, popular. Wark Rectory, Northumberland: March 28, 1884. The following short story, translated from is so striking in its point and character that Kumarajiva's version of As'vaghosha's sermons, I think perhaps you might be disposed to publish it in the ACADEMY. It provides, as I think, another instance of probable contact between East and West at the time when it was written. As'vaghosha was a follower of Kanishka, who lived, as now generally believed, about the middle of the second half of the first century A.D. If St. Thomas ever went to India at the call of Gondoferus (who flourished just before Kanishka), we might here find a possible explanation of many parallels in the sermons of As'vaghosha and the Christian doctrine. S. BEAL. AS'VAGHOSHA'S SERMONS, K. 10, P. 17 (TEXT). [To shine] without illuminating the earth; We know it is the result of works done before!* We may draw this distinction in all cases, Moral conduct results in birth in heaven; These three [charity, wisdom, and meditation] The "ten-powered lord " [Buddha] speaks thus: Then you will reap beneficent fruit!'" SCIENCE NOTES. 66 "I heard some time ago the following story:A certain poor man resolved with himself,I ought to offer sacrifice to the gods, that my present store of wealth may be increased, and my possessions multiplied!' Having thought thus Fourth Report on the Migration of Birds. with himself, he addressed his brother as follows:The committee appointed by the British "You must be diligent in cultivating the ground, Association for the Advancement of Science and working for the good of the house, so that no have issued another Report, but do not seem want be felt!' Then, taking his brother to the to draw any nearer to the mystery of bird- field, he said, 'In this place you are to sow .migration. Perhaps it is too soon to ask millet, in this place rice, here you must sow AT the meeting held last Monday in the them to generalise. The collection of statistics corn, and here pulse!' Having thus made arrangerooms of the Royal Society in Burlington Society for on the different birds which passed our light-ments, he went to offer up his sacrifices; he House, it was resolved to form a houses and lightships is full of interest to the offered up flowers and incense in profusion, and, the Biological Investigation of the Coasts of naturalist. and Mr. Cordeaux and Mr. J. A. H. morning and evening, bowed down prostrate before the United Kingdom; a provisional [the gods he adored], and humbly craved some council was appointed, with Prof. Ray Lankester substance. At this time the divine spirit (whom required for the establishment of marine present advantage and increase of his worldly as secretary. The sum of at least £6,000 is he adored) thought thus:-'I must look into the laboratories, and subscriptions are invited. previous history of this poor man to see whether, The meeting was adjourned to May 30. in his previous career, he has acquired merit by almsgiving, and so I may be enabled to grant his prayer for increase of wealth.' Having looked into the man's previous history, he found that he had never exercised the gift of charity, and so had no antecedent claim to the gratification of his wishes, and so he thought, 'This man, without any claim, still asks and prays that his wishes may be gratified, and that his cares may be lightened. I will now change myself and go to him, as he is engaged in sacrifice, under the form of his brother, and hold converse with him.' On this, changing himself into his brother's form, he went to the temple and stood beside him. Then his brother said, 'What are you doing here, instead of sowing the land?' On which the brother (in his assumed form) answered, 'I wished also to come to beg the gods to be propitious to me, and grant me food and raiment and although I have the god will produce fruit and increase! Then not sown the seed, yet I doubt not the power of the brother, upbraiding the other, said, 'How can you expect the ground, without being sown, to produce fruit? Such a thing is impossible!' and so he repeated the gatha Brown, to whom the greater portion of this 'Within the great sea-encompassed earth, Where no seed is sown?' At this time the brother addressed the other (in 'Now, according to your own words, What fruit can you now expect? Though now you endure self-affliction, What is this but to trouble me with your services ! BABU ASHTERTOSH MUJHARJI, who stood first in mathematics at the last B.A. examination of the Calcutta University, has been elected s fellow of the London Mathematical Society in consideration of his papers contributed to its Journal. IN view of the recent discussion in the ACADEMY about "the sea-blue bird of March," it is not unworthy of record that two swallows were seen on Thursday of last week (March 27) as far north as Kelso, in Roxburghshire. A TRANSLATION of Rochet's work on the natural proportions of both sexes, by Dr. Carter Blake, will be published immediately by Messrs. Baillière, Tindall, & Cox. THE last number of the Proceedings of the Geologists' Association is notable for containing an elaborate paper, by Mr. H. M. Klaassen, descriptive of the section which was recently exposed at the Park Hill railway cutting at Croydon. This cutting displayed a far finer exposure of the Woolwich and Reading beds than had ever been seen before, and yielded to Mr. Klaassen's indefatigable labours some remarkable fossils, including bones of a gigantic bird and an ulna of the rare Eocene mammal called Coryphodon, the latter of which has been described by Mr. E. T. Newton under the name of C. Croydonensis. The great engineering difficulties attending the Park Hill cutting render it probable that no similar work will again be undertaken. MR. LUCIEN CARR, assistant curator of the Peabody Museum, in the Mounds of the Mississippi Valley historically considered (Cincinnati), contends (as we think, successfully) that there is no need of the hypothesis of an unknown race as builders of these mounds; that the con Probably regarding the sun, moon, and stars as devas; shining thus, in proof of their former good deeds. If you want to get wealth i Is as if we expected the s [To shine] without illam These three [charity, wisdom, struction of the mounds themselves, and of all PHILOLOGY NOTES. As readers of the ACADEMY know, Prof. Sayce MR. E. A. SONNENSCHEIN, Professor of Plautus. the latter half of the sixth century. In the THE Litterarisches Centralblatt of March 29 THE Philologische Rundschau of March 29 contains a careful (and not very favourable) review of Prof. Jebb's Oedipus Tyrannus, by the well-known critic Dr. Wecklein. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. Monuments de l'Art antique. Par O. Rayet. In part vi. the Caryatid of the Erechtheum THE first part of the Transactions of the SCIENCE NOTES BABU ASHTERTOSH MUJHAR tellow of the London Maths Journal. ACADEMY about “the sea-blue h it is not unworthy of record that were seen on Thursday of last AT a recent meeting of the Académie des preserved in three rock inscriptions at Sasse- the frequent mention of treatises on various ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE.-(Wednesday, JOSEPH HAYNES, ESQ., J.P., in the Chair.-Mr. in which Mr. Fergusson has proved this, he as far north as Kelso, in Port Prof. Bühler, that the numbers "256" repre- M. Nys and of Prof. Rivier, of Brussels, and of enthusiasm are evenly balanced, not altogether A TRANSLATION of Rochest Sakhya Muni, but the number of missionaries of the entire text: "Thus says the [king] dear to the devas. For two THE last number of the Pre Geologists' Association is netale an elaborate paper, by Mr. E descriptive of the section exposed at the Park Hill Croydon. This cutting dis exposure of the Woolwich than had ever been seen bef Mr. Klaassen's indefatigable markable fossils, including b bird and an ulna of the ra called Coryphodon, the latter of 5described by Mr. E. T. Nest 25 of C. Croydonensis. The difficulties attending the F render it probable that e again be undertaken. MR. LUCIEN CARE, Peabody Museum, in the sippi Valley historically contends (as we think, s is no need of the hypother race as builders of these * Probably regarding the as devas; shining thus, i od deeds. THERE are at least two articles of interest in K. T. Telang on the date of Sankarâchârya, the Dr. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES.-(Thursday, March 27.) FINE ART. It has been 19TH CENTURY ART SOCIETY, CONDUIT STREET GALLERIESThe SPRING EXHIBITION NOW OPEN from 10 to 6 Dally.-LAST WEEK-FREEMAN and MARRIOTT, S. c. GREAT SALE of PICTURES, at reduced prices (Engravings, Chromos, and Oleographs), handsomely framed. Everyone about to purchase pictures GEO. REES, 115, Strand, near Waterloo-bridge. That key-stone of archaic art, the Harpy tomb in the British Museum, is allowed four separate plates, and receives a very ample commentary from M. Rayet, his manner, usually trenchant enough when he sees cause, being here mitigated by a sense of admiration, which everyone will approve, for the author of a theory which he finds it necessary to combat. We refer to the theory of Prof. E. Curtius. So also in the commentary on the Demeter of Knidos it is pleasant to find a very genial acknowledgment of the position and We mention these authority of Prof. Brunn. things specially because sometimes it would seem as if M. Rayet were urged by national antipathy in his remarks. One of the most Successful of M. Rayet's reproductions from the British Museum is that of the large bronze head of Aphrodite, as he quite rightly, we think, insists on calling her. That it is a work of the school of Praxiteles may be accepted for the present. In his undertaking M. Rayet has obtained valuable assistance from MM. Collignon and Martha. In part v. M. Collignon states fairly and clearly the whole case as regards the bronze satyr from Patras now in the British Museum, with its claim to be copied from a work of Myron; while, again, in part vi. he describes with just appreciation the marble head of Zeus from Milo. M. Martha, in part vi., deals with the archaic stele in Naples and the statue of Augustus in the Vatican, treating both as satisfactorily as it is possible to treat them when detached, as they are here, from the general context of the history of sculpture. In M. Rayet's plan the various subjects reproduced and discussed follow each other in no historical order. Each stands alone and complete in itself. The whole work is, therefore, a large book of reference where students may find a considerable number of the principal ancient sculptures presented to him with so much artistic and literary skill that he may regard it as an invaluable possession. A. S. MURRAY. MEMLING'S ALTAR-PIECE AT LUEBECK. Hans Memlinc und dessen Altarschrein im Dom zu Lübeck. Von Dr. Theodor Gaedertz. (Leipzig: Engelmann.) THE polyptych or altar-piece with double wings which forms the subject of the present notice is preserved in the old cathedral of Lübeck, and is fairly well known in this country owing to the chromo-lithographic reproductions of it published by the Arundel Society. The chapel for which it was painted was formerly the chantry of the Greverade family, and was founded in 1493 by Adolphus and Henry Greverade, sons of a burgher and merchant of Lübeck. Adolphus was a priest, who, it appears, became a canon of the cathedral in 1497, but continued as before to reside chiefly at the University of Louvain. His brother Henry was a merchant, and lived partly at Bruges, partly at Lübeck. No document has as yet been found to prove the origin of the picture, which, when mentioned, is designated as de schone tafele, but it was probably a joint gift of the two brothers. Henry died suddenly in 1500 at Viterbo, and was buried at Rome; Adolphus at Louvain in 1501. The latter by his will endowed a chaplaincy which he had instituted at the altar of the family chantry under the title of the Holy Cross, Saints John the Baptist, Jerome, Blaise, and Giles. made me doubt their being by Memlinc. His other works had led me to believe that he had escaped the pernicious influence of the Renaissance; but here, alas! it is only too apparent, for in close proximity to the most sacred scenes are introduced vulgar trivialities, such as the boy teasing a monkey seated behind a soldier on horseback on Calvary, or the dog and the frog in front of our Lord as he is carrying his cross thither. A detailed study of the whole has convinced me that there can be no doubt that the entire work is his composition, and I altogether disagree with Crowe and Cavalcaselle's strange remark that this double-winged triptych suggests more reminiscences of Van der Weyden than any other that Memlinc ever composed: the exact reverse would, I think, be nearer the truth. The execution, however, of the three principal panels is so unequal that I am inclined to think it was in part carried out by his pupils. Dr. Gaedertz' monograph-the only one, I believe, upon this altar-piece-will be most welcome to all lovers of the early Netherlandish school. His carefully written description of the general arrangement of the subjects, and is pictures is accompanied by a plan showing the preceded by a notice of the Greverade family. W. H. JAMES WEALE. THE SOCIETY OF BRITISH ARTISTS. THIS year the Society of British Artists gives us a better exhibition than it has sometimes done. Nobody expects the walls of five rooms to be covered with works of genius, but the proportion of fair things to bad is greater than it has often been. If the poetry of Mr. Woolmer is as sensational as heretofore, that of Mr. Edwin Ellis, in his painting, is somewhat less violent. Mr. Ellis's "In Fold" is, in short, an impressive picture. Mr. Leslie Thomson is a contributor of refined and artistic, if somewhat tentative, landscape work, and Mr. G. S. Walters realises more, but in ways that many may account less modern. Mr. Wyke Bayliss sends at least one drawing in his freer and better manner. This is an interior in the cathedral of Rouen, and is a beautiful study of the richest Gothic architecture under an effect of potent light. Mr. Bayliss is an artist in whom we have not hesitated to remark certain faults or deficiencies that mar the triumph of his labour; but it is desirable to recognise that as a pictorial student of Gothic architecture he stands somewhat alone as the successor of Roberts and Prout, and he has indeed, both in his aims and in his achievements, characteristics which we can discover in the works of neither of these earlier masters. At the Society of British Artists he is, however, represented less liberally than is usual, much of his most recent work having gone with his earlier to the show that is only just closing at the Messrs. Dowdeswells'. The altar-piece when open displays the entire The best pictures in Suffolk Street are history of the Passion of our Lord, the cen- generally to be found among the figure pieces. tral panel being devoted to the dread scene Of these perhaps only Mr. Arthur Hill's enacted on Calvary, while the carriage of the subtly wrought "Shell" combines a reasonable cross and the entombment occupy the fore-share of idealisation with a large measure of ground on the inside of the inner wings, the realistic study. It is beautiful, and even other scenes being depicted in miniature in the distinguished, in colour and in line. Mr. landscape background. Full-length figures of Gordon's "Lauretta" and "Fair Florist" are the four saints above mentioned occupy the less refined, though it may be-to a large outer sides of these wings and the inside of the public-more immediately impressive work. shutters, on the exterior of which is the Annun- The "Haymaker," by Mr. Fred Brown, is the ciation in monochrome. In size this is Memlinc's contribution of an artist whose picture of most important work; it is also his latest known girls dancing at a London street corner to the production. Waagen said that it shows him tunes of an American organ was much and in his great perfection," while Messrs. justly commended by unprejudiced observers Crowe and Cavalcaselle pronounce it to be a at the last Royal Academy. It was an unwork "of marked inferiority." Having very wonted exhibition of healthy and vigorous carefully examined this altar-piece last June, art. Now, we do not say that his HayI must say that the inner panels exhibit a maker" is less healthy, but we say that it is marked decadence in feeling which at first more derived, if not precisely more imitative. It recalls a little too closely the methods of M. Bastien Lepage, not to speak of those of that extremely promising young English painter, Mr. Clausen. The simplicity of the peasantwho has likewise a measure of sturdiness-is, of course, a relief after the too numerous idealisa tions of rustic and pastoral life with which the galleries were flooded when these things were in the taste of a past generation. country-outside the art of M. Bastien Lepage it is not true that "a common grayness 99 so that about the scheme silvers everything; But in the of colour and tone which Mr. Brown has adopted Mr. John Burr's "Politician" is a study of a single figure of unquestioned reality. As has fre quently been the case with a Scotchman's work. from the days of Wilkie to those of Erskine Nicol, it aims at the presentation of a shrewd humour; but the humour is well removed from the region of caricature, and the study of character is as true as it is entertaining. Mr. Ludovici's pictures are generally among the features of the gallery. His "Invitation to the prosaic incident of an evening party at a house Valse" is a bold enough grappling with the where most people would seem to be pretentious, and few would seem to be attractive; but, in his "Fantasia in White," the note of refinement is no longer lacking. Some elegance of form and some grace of design confer interest upon a canvas from which the fascination of glowing hues has been avowedly withheld. there is a measure of conventionality. Now THE DENT PRINT SALE. THE sale of the large and, in some respects, very important cabinet of prints amassed by the lat Mr. St. John Dent began at Sotheby's on Friday last, and has continued all the week. It has been attended throughout its course by a fair number of connoisseurs both private collectors and English and foreign dealers. More than eleven hundred lots have been comprised in the sale. The interest of the occasion has greatly varied with the different days. Saturday has been the great day. Then were sold some of the rarest of the Italian prints for which the collection has been renowned. Chief of these was Botticelli's original engraving, "The Assumption of the Virgin," which is not only of extraordinary scarcity, but which was, in the present instance of it, of excellent condition. The great print was, indeed, intact, and rich and brilliant in impression. Very few impressions are known of it, though it does fortunately happen to be possessed by the greater public museums. That is to say, it is not absent from the cabinets of the British Museum, of the Paris Bibliothèque nationale, and of the Berlin Museum. An impression, also, that was in the Durazzo Collection was sold from that cabinet at Stuttgart into that of one of the Rothschilds of Paris eight years ago. The price was then about £420. But, last week, that price has been-as was, indeed, anticipated-much surpassed. M. Thibaudeau and M. Clément were on Saturday the competing bidders, and it is now hardly concealed that they were acting respectively for two of the most eminent of European collectors-Mr. Malcolm of Poltalloch and M. Dutuit. The prize fell to M. Thibaudeau's bid of £860. As a composition it is remarked that the work differs extremely from that painted picture by the same master Sandro Botticelli-which passed from the Hamilton Collection into our own National Gallery. A print which had been a good deal counted on by those who placed implicit reliance on the Catalogue or on the judgment of Mr. Dent was received as a disappointment. It had been announced as an early impression of a work by Gian Antonio da Brescia. It fetched only £1 12s. Doubtless fifty times as much had been expected for it. Among the other It recalls a little too closely Bastien Lepage, not to ge extremely promising yg Mr. Clausen. The simply who has likewise a measured course, a relief after the to tions of rustic and pastor galleries were flooded when the the taste of a past geneti country-outside the art of Maz -it is not true that "s silvers everything;" so that won: of colour and tone which Mr. Br there is a measure of conve Mr. John Burr's "Politician single figure of unquestioned quently been the case with from the days of Wilkie to the Nicol, it aims at the present the region of caricature, and the humour; but the humour is and more notable Italian prints was the beau-founders seem to have erected for an endless Mariette covered up again several of the On Monday the Dürers-a very fine collection indeed were parted with, but, though they comprised many things of intellectual interest, there was no rarity of the nature of the Botticelli we have mentioned above. Since then the Rembrandts have been sold. The mention of them brings us to one of the weak points in the collection, which has indeed elsewhere been described, not unjustly, as of a somewhat oldfashioned though of a rich kind. For in his Rembrandts, for example, Mr. St. John Dent revelled in those sacred subjects which-with a was notably deficient. He appears to have few exceptions-can hardly be deemed worthy acter is as true as it is ter to be the prime favourites of the collector of to-day. He had almost no Rembrandt porLudovici's pictures are gener features of the gallery. His traits except a short series of Rembrandt's portraits of himself from youth to mature age. Of Valse" is a bold enough course these are interesting. They include one or prosaic incident of an evening two of the master's finer works; but not to have where most people would seen t the elder Haaring, the Lutma in the first state, and few would seem to be stand the Clément de Jonghe in the first state is his "Fantasia in White," the indeed to abandon the pretension of possessing ment is no longer lacking. S a Rembrandt collection of extraordinary interest form and some grace of design from the point of view of its completeness. a canvas from which the fast Moreover, Rembrandt's landscape art was hues has been avowedly with represented only by one great print, "The Three Trees." Where, one may ask, was the Cottage with White Palings," the "Cottage and Dutch Hay-Barn," and " Rembrandt's Mill," not to speak of yet greater rarities? A weak point in the St. John Dent Collection--we speak always with reference to its admitted fame-was the absence of governing taste in the selection of the examples of some of the greatest masters. Though the curious choice among the etchings of Rembrandt affords the most conspicuous instance of this, the same thing is eleven the interest of the want. noticeable with the Hollars, and even with the Again, of varied with the different days Lukas van Leydens to some extent. been the great day. Then the earlier English masters of line-engraving entrance, of the cultivated fields. It seems to THE DENT PRINT THE sale of the large and, in important cabinet of prints and Friday last, and has continued 1 has been attended throughout f Mr. St. John Dent began st number of connoisseurs-both i hundred lots have been c and English and foreign dea The monuments referring to those dynasties will be specially interesting. A small fragment with a name is sometimes of greater value than a fine statue. In this respect Mr. Petrie has already made an interesting discovery. It is a fragment of a statue belonging to the XIIIth Dynasty, the inscription of which records that the royal son Nehsi (the Negro) erected a monument to Set, the lord of Roahu. Set or Baal is well known as the god of the AegyptoSemitic population of the Delta. Roahu is the name of a region; it means the opening, the A COLLECTION of choice prints, consisting principally of examples lent by Mr. Tuer to the recent Bartolozzi Exhibition, will be sold shortly by Messrs. Christie. ACCORDING to the last issue of the Chronique des Arts, the Maspero Fund in Paris amounts to 20,000 frs. (£800). Oddly enough, the French are enquiring to what purposes the money thus subscribed will be applied-a question they might answer for themselves by carefully reading Prof. Maspero's own letter, and by comparing it with his interesting statement read before the Académie des Inscriptions on September 7 of last year, and afterwards published in the October number of the Revue archéologique. OUR Paris correspondent writes: "Last week a dinner was given to M. Th. Ribot by a group of critics, painters, and amateurs of good painting. M. Bardoux, a former Minister, sketched the modest life of the artist; M. Kaempfen, Director of Fine Arts, spoke of his originality and talent; and M. Fourcaud, the distinguished critic, congratulated him on his independence and on his The ki to the principles he has made his own. M. Th. Ribot replied: Je bois à l'art, puis à l'art que Daubigny, Courbet et Manet.' A medal is to be j'aime, à l'art de nos maîtres-Millet, Corot, struck in commemoration of the banquet, in which all the painters and critics attached to the new school took part." THE Société internationale de Peintres et been the of the Italian print and nonttempt ots inadequate representation, indicate that at that time Tanis was a border-Sculpteurs opened its second exhibition at Paris 1 collection has been renowned and no attempt was made to represent at all the land, and that the cultivation did not extend on Tuesday, April 1. THE Société de l'Art ancien en Belgique has was Botticelli's original engar later masters. This last omission, however, farther. As for the royal son, the Negro, we sumption of the Virgin," which one can understand. It is difficult for the must consider the words "royal son" as a mere been established for the purpose of reproextraordinary scarcity, but w largest collection to be all-comprehensive. But title. The name Nehsi has the determinative ducing, by chromo-lithography and the different present instance of it, of er the singular deficiencies in the representation of of foreigners, and it is curious that a Negro phototypic processes, works of art either of The great print was, indeed, in the masters of old standing have at least to be should so early have attained such a high Belgian origin or actually in Belgian museums brilliant in impression. Very borne in mind if we would think of this collec- dignity. are known of it, though it de tion with impartiality. It is true that Mr. St. happen to be possessed by John Dent appears to have moved upon somemuseums. That is to say it what old-fashioned lines. Still, there are the cabinets of the British points in which his collection will remain Paris Bibliothèque nationale, Museum. An impression, als a Durazzo Collection was sold tr 3at Stuttgart into that of ot of Paris eight years ago. about £420. But, last week was, indeed, been-as surpassed. M. Thibaudesz a were on Saturday the compe it is now hardly concealed memorable. EGYPT EXPLORATION FUND. THE EXCAVATIONS AT SAN. EDOUARD NAVILLE. NOTES ON ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY. WE are glad to hear that a memorial is being signed, addressed to Mr. Gladstone, praying that, if the Blenheim collection of pictures be sold, money may not be wanting to secure at least the masterpieces for the National Gallery. THE article on "The State of Art in France," wood's this month, and which has at least as to which the place of honour is given in Blackmuch to do with politics as with art, is written acting respectively for two managing Arabs which he got at the Pyra- by Mr. J. Beavington Atkinson. MR. FLINDERS PETRIE is now actively engaged of European collectors-M. Y talloch and M. Dutuit. T Thibaudeau's bid of £360. A is remarked that the work from that painted picture -Sandro Botticelli-which Hamilton Collection into Gallery. A print which d 1 counted on by those who 3 on the Catalogue or on the Dent was received as a disa been announced as an e work by Gian Antonio d only £1 12s. Doubtless expected for THE Council of the Hellenic Society voted £50 last week towards the expenses of Mr. W. M. Ramsay's archaeological exploration in Asia Minor. The Geographical Society had previously granted £100, and another £100 has been raised by private subscription. MR. AUSTIN DOBSON has in preparation a volume on Thomas Bewick and his Pupils, which will be abundantly illustrated. MR. JOHN ASHTON, coming down in his history of English satire to more recent times, has nearly ready a work on English Caricatures on Napoleon I. It will be in two volumes, with or collections. The first issue for the year 1883-84 consists of seven plates of folio size, accompanied by a brief descriptive text. The phototypes executed at Dresden are excellent of their kind. The objects reproduced are the wellknown ivory plaque of the end of the ninth century on the Book of Gospels at Tongres; another, almost as fine, belonging to the cathedral of Liége, which represents the three miraculous restorations to life wrought by our Saviour and summed up by St. Augustine as "mors in domo, mors in porta et mors in sepulchro; dral of Namur; and a ewer and basin of the a fine silver statuette of St. Blaise at the cathe THE STAGE. 66 WE regret very much to record the death of the distinguished actress known as Miss Marie Litton. It occurred this week at her house at Brompton. Miss Litton was hardly yet middleaged. She was almost a young woman, and had been known on the stage for only about fifteen years. Miss Litton played modern comedy with brightness and distinction. Her sense of humour and satire was keen; the delicacy of her perceptions found its reflection in the refinement of her method. In many of the creations of modern comedy at the Court, in Sloane Square, her utility and charm were recognised, and at length-during a brief management of the Imperial Theatre, by the Westminster Aquarium-it not only pleased, but caused a delighted surprise. That was by her performance of Rosalind, which was repeated very many nights. The whole revival was undoubtedly done with intelligence, but it was the Rosalind that drew. Little support was afforded by scenery which had been arranged on the supposition that the performance could not endure for a fortnight. There were some other good players, but no stars." But the Rosalind was a distinct and legitimate success. That was about four or five years ago. It is lamentable that somehow or other, Miss Litton did not do very much afterwards. She went, of course, into the provinces-whither an actor goes when as yet he has not succeeded, and whither he again when he has succeeded very much. From time to time, however, Miss Litton was seen in London, the most favourable occasions being those revivals of old comedy which were undertaken at the Gaiety to display her art. We saw her there with great pleasure as Peggy in "The Country Girl"—that is, in Garrick's very harmless adaptation of a piece which co uld not be suffered in the condition in which it left the hands of the elder dramatist. Miss Litton played then with equal spirit and discretion. Her Peggy was really simple and really piquante. Later, the lady fell into illhealth, and it seemed that her chance was over. In private life she was greatly liked, nor can there be any question that we have lost an actress of very penetrating intelligence and of some personal charm. MUSIC. goes RECENT CONCERTS. THE Henry Leslie Choir gave their first concert this season at St. James's Hall last Thursday week. The chief feature of the programme was Spohr's Mass in C (for two five-part choirs and five solo voices). It was written about sixty years ago, and performed under the composer's direction at Cassel in 1827. There is no record of any subsequent performance of the work. Spohr speaks about the difficulties of the music, which form no obstacle to choirs of the present day; the rehearsals, indeed, he says, madrigals, part-songs (including a new one MACMILLAN & CO.'S LIST. composed expressly for the choir by F. Berger), songs, and pianoforte solos by Miss Maggie Now ready, with Two Portraits, 2 vols., Demy 8vo, THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DENISON MAURICE Okey. minor. CHIEFLY TOLD IN HIS OWN LETTERS. Edited by his Son, FREDERICK MAURICE DR. MORITZ BUSCH'S NEW WORK ON Mdme. Schumann played on Saturday and Monday at the Popular Concerts. On Saturday her solos were Brahms' Rhapsodie in G minor and Bach's Organ Prelude and Fugue in E the ornament on the second note of the fugue We were surprised to hear her take theme as a Pralltriller instead of a Mordent, OUR CHANCELLOR. and wonder on whose authority she made this change. She also took part with Sig. Piatti in Mendelssohn's Sonata in D (op. 58); and her playing in the two middle movements was Schubert's Quartett in D minor and Beethoven's particularly fine. The programme included Sonata for piano and violin in G (op. 30, No. 3), performed by Herr Joachim and Miss A. Miller, a promising pianist. mann's 66 SKETCHES FOR A HISTORICAL PICTURE. BY MORITZ BUSCH. Translated from the German by WILLIAM BEATTY-KINGSTON, Author of "William I., German Emperor," "The Battle of Berlin," &c. 2 vols., Crown 8vo, 18s. "A profoundly interesting book. Mr. Beatty Kingston has most admirably clothed the Doctor's book in an English dress."—Daily Telegraph. A NEW AMERICAN NOVEL." BETHESDA. By BARBARA ELBON. TEXT-BOOKS FOR STUDENTS.-New Volumes. Now ready, Part II., SPECIAL PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY, Secs. I.-VIII., 12s. 6d. ANATOMY and PATHOGENESIS. By Pro fessor ERNST ZIEGLER, of Tübingen. Trans lated and Edited for English Students by DONALD MACALISTER, M.A., M.B., B. F.R.C.P., Fellow and Medical Lecturer of Mt. John's College, Cambridge. With numeroa Illustrations. Part I. GENERAL PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY. 12.6 Part II. SPECIAL PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY. SE I-VIII. 12s. 6d. 8vo. of exceptional interest. First came Beethoven's On Monday evening the programme was one great Quartett in C sharp minor, a tone-poem with Herr Joachim as leader, was perfect. as wonderful as it is long. The performance, Mdme. Schumann played the "Waldstein Sonata. In the first movement the pianist did not seem quite at her ease; but the rest of TEXT-BOOK of PATHOLOGICAL delicacy, and power. The public was delighted, the work was given with extraordinary finish, but not satisfied, and so the pianist returned and played, as she alone can play it, Schupiece was not a short one, as it should have Traumeswirren." The concluding been, considering the length of the programme, but a long and elaborate Pianoforte Trio in F minor (op. 65) by Dvorák-the_one, in fact, recently noticed in the ACADEMY. It was played to the composer, and we then suggested that it at Mr. Beringer's residence at a reception given should be brought to a hearing at the Popular Concerts as speedily as possible. It is a work of immense interest. Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms exert a strong but healthy influence over Dvorák; he has, however, much to say on his own account, and, like Schubert, sometimes a little too much. From what we have recently remarked of his other compositions, it will be seen that we regard him as one of the musical lights of the age; and this Trio, one of his latest works, is at the same Now ready, Vol. III., Part II., Profs. ROSCOE SCHORLEMMER'S TREATISE on CHEMISTRY. A TREATISE on CHEMISTRY. By H. E. ROSCOE, F.R.S., and C. SCHORLEMMER Vols. I. and II. INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. Vol. I. The 18s.-Vol. II., Part II. Metals. 183. Non-Metallic Elements. 21s.-Vol. II., Part I. Metal Vol. III. ÓRGANIC CHEMISTRY. 2 parts, 21s. each. MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS. BOOK IV. of the MEDITATIONS. A Revis APRIL. Price 18. CONTENTS OF THE NUMBER. HISTORIC LONDON. By FREDERIC HARRISON. A VOYAGE to AUSTRALIA for HEALTH. BRITISH BUTTERCUPS. time one of the most striking and original. The MACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE. No. 294. programme-book gave an admirable analysis of the first two movements, but reserved for a future occasion the description of the last two. Yet, the work being unfamiliar and difficult to follow, this was the time when explanations were most needed. The Trio was admirably interpreted by Herr Joachim, Sig. Piatti, and Mr. Oscar Beringer. Miss Santley was the vocalist, and sang some graceful and effective songs by Cowen, and Gounod's "O, that we two were maying.' A SOCIAL STUDY of OUR OLDEST COLONY.-II A RENEGADE. (Conclusion.) CHARLES I. REVIEW of the MONTH. and HUGH CONWAY, the Author of “CALLED BACK,” contributes a Short Story to THE ENGLISH ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE for APRIL. Price SIXPENCE; by post, EIGHTPENCE. THE ENGLISH "taught me to avoid too great abundance of Barnby has been preparing for this perform-ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE. modulations," but the lesson learnt must have been soon forgotten, for the composer never departed from the "chromatic " way. The music is melodious and interesting, and the part and fugal writing smooth and skilful; while the two choirs alternate and blend in a very effective manner. If not a composition of marked originality, it is, at any rate, free from dryness, and we find throughout it a spirit of great earnestness. The Mass was admirably sung under Mr. Randegger's direction; it had evidently been carefully rehearsed, and the few bass notes struck on the pianoforte to sustain the choir had a disagreeable effect, and might, we think, easily have been dispensed with. The solo vocalists were Miss W. Payne, Mrs. I. Ware, Miss J. Russell, and Messrs. Guy and Lucas Williams. The programme included ance, and the choir certainly did justice to themselves and to their excellent conductor. Beethoven's colossal work has been given several times in London within the last two or three years, but never before with such an imposing chorus. They attacked the tremendous difficulties bravely; and, if they did not completely conquer them, the composer is alone to blame for writing with such total disregard of the capabilities of the human voice. The solo singers were Miss Anna Williams, Mdme. Patey, and Messrs. Lloyd and F. King; and Dr. Stainer presided at the organ. A. Sullivan's "In Memoriam" and the Dead March in "Saul" were performed as an expression of sympathy with the recent great loss sustained by the Queen. large audience. |