Christian land. The character of Dr. Ken, it may be urged, is of a noble kind. It certainly is; but the part he plays is so insignificant, and his appearances so few, that he is quite overshadowed and lost amid the crowd. And it may be also said, that the account given of the brief period of Maggie's life, wherein she strove after happiness by self-abnegation and perfect submission, with Thomas à Kempis, the Bible, and the "Christian Year," for her teachers, is imbued with a higher spirit; but this we cannot but feel is introduced simply to show how futile all such attempts must be, while there is nothing which suggests the existence of a more perfect way. The hero and heroine, Tom and Maggie, we confess to disliking heartily. Maggie is a problem. As when a child she licks the paint off Tom's lozenge-box, and pushes her head through his kite, and "never can help it," so she goes through life, bringing constant trouble on others, but always with the best intentions. The proceedings which are related in the third volume, in which she is the principal actor, are something more than questionable. Stated briefly, the case is this;-here are four persons thrown together Maggie and Philip Wakem, Stephen Guest and Lucy Dean, both couples being virtually though not actually betrothed. Maggie and Stephen Guest, her cousin's lover, betray a passion for each other, and Maggie so far yields to it as to allow Stephen to convey her away from her friends down the river, and passes the night with him by her side on the deck of a vessel. When morning comes she returns to her right mind, and, leaving her lover, goes home again. Much virtuous indignation is wasted by the authoress upon the good people of the town of St. Ogg's, and upon society generally, for their uncharitableness in severely judging such conduct. For ourselves, we are inclined entirely to sympathize with them. Maggie's passion was of no sudden growth; it was consciously cherished, in opposition to every dictate of duty, honour, friendship, and maidenly modesty; and it seems to us, it will be a sad thing when such departures from the paths of decorum are looked upon otherwise than with the severest reprehension. We greatly regret that George Eliot should thus display a moral insensibility better worthy of George Sand than of the author of " Adam Bede." There is yet one other complaint we have to make. In our review of "Adam Bede" we had occasion to complain of the melodramatic blunder committed in the reprieve of Hetley, almost at the moment of execution. We have a similar complaint to make of the abrupt conclusion of the "Mill on the Floss." While the whole story is in a state of suspension and of confusion, out of which the reader can see no escape, the Floss swells, in a great flood, and all difficulties are got rid of by the drowning of the two principal characters. There is no reason why they should not die this way as well as any other, but it is a matter of great regret to us that "George Eliot has not finished her story in a manner more worthy of her powers as an artist. CONSTABLE'S EDUCATIONAL SERIES. 1. School Geography. By JAMES CLYDE, LL.D. 4s. 4. German Grammar. By T. H. WEISSE. 3s. 5. French Grammar. By Auguste BELJAMBE, LL.B. 2s. 6. Elementary Latin Grammar. By D'ARCY W. THOMPSON, M.A. 28. WE have had occasion, in this serial, to speak with truthful admiration of MacLean's "Book-keeping," and with appreciative pleasure of Morell's (now, worthily, LL.D.) grammatical works, constituent members of this excellent set of school books. Clyde's "Geography" is a most complete, thorough, and excellent work, remarkable, in these days of everlasting plagiarism and pilferment, for its genuine, useful, yet unpretentious originality. It is such a book as we should have liked to have composed. It is reliable, full, well-planned, sensible, with here and there a stroke of genius in it. That it has these especial features deserves impressive statement, for best and first-rate are so hackneyed now-a-days, that we cannot use them of such a labour of intelligent love, care, and usefulness. Of nearly a hundred school geographies recently published, it, for its bulk, price, and purpose, "bears the bell." Corkran's History is fluently written from the ordinary standpoint, only that it dilates upon social progress, and incorporates a kindly Christian philosophy of history, with its carefully composed sketches and concise expositions. It must have cost a great deal of self-restraint to write so cautiously and so briefly, yet so well, on the many-topiced History of England. This "narration of the deeds" of England deserves to be thought much of by teachers, and should quickly receive adoption in schools. The grammars are useful, and in many instances are superior to the commoner books. Lemmi's seems to us the plainest useful and brief Italian Grammar we have met. Weisse's German does not strike us as much in advance of other works on the same topic, though Sir Wm. Hamilton thought it "admirably calculated to impart a practical knowledge of the German language." Both of the above works are suitable for self-instruction. Beljambe's French Grammar is well-arranged and carefully compiled; it must be useful in the hands of a good teacher, but it will require that. Thompson's Latin Grammar is elementary, and aims strictly at utility. It is clear and simple, yet not dry, and the explanations of the general principles of the language are brought within the range of the mind of the merest tyro, without losing philosophical exactness and philological accuracy. The series is handsomely got up, in uniform volumes, and cannot fail to please those who adopt it. Several volumes of it yet lie for notice on our library table. Arithmetic of Fractions and Proportions. By JOHN COPELAND. London and Glasgow: Richard Griffin and Co. ls. Exercises in Arithmetic for Beginners. By JOHN COPELAND. Edinburgh: Wm. P. Nimmo. 4d. Arithmetic for Beginners. By CORNWELL and FITCH. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 1s. 6d., or, in Two Parts, 9d. each. ARITHMETIC is a science not over easy to be taught to young people, and hence it has often been reduced to a mere empirical art, gaining an absurd puffing apotheosis in some such mass of mere nick-nacks as "O'Gorman's Intuitive Calculator." It is neither right to dwell on the abstruse theses of the reason for ever, nor to pother on in mere empiric manipulations. A good text-book for arithmetical tuition ought, we imagine, to teach the science, as well as supply copious exercises. It would be possible to do this either by publishing the theoretic portion separately, as a lesson-book-a sort of readily understood philosophy of arithmetic-or by interweaving the theoretic with the practical part, so that both might be learned together. We do not know any work combining, in due proportions, the qualities of philosophical accuracy in definition and demonstration, with teachability. But we are dashing into general observations, when we ought only to review. Mr. Copeland, author of the two first-mentioned books, is a painstaking, intelligent, practical teacher, who has won his way well up in his profession, and we think that he has done a good service to pupil teachers, senior classes, and self-educators, by producing this investigation and explanation of "Fractions and Proportions." We can recommend it as ingenious, able, and honest; and if we were to hint a fault, or hesitate dislike, it would be, that the book contains no answers, and is therefore unhandy for those who have no master, or who have little time to prepare their class sums. The other little book is simple, neat, and plentifully filled with capitally constructed exercises. Cornwell and Fitch's book is initiatory, and intended to lead up to their larger volume, "The Science of Arithmetic," which we have not seen. It is eminently plain, practical, and full. It supplies easily comprehended explanations, simple mental exercises, and copious slate work. The questions come not only within the range of ordinary life, but of every-day needs, and are yet important enough to require consideration and care. We have tested it for six months, and can assert safely that it is capable of being so used as to make interesting progress. We look upon the references to the higher work as a blemish, and we have found some few typographical errors in it. In the three works now noticed, "the decimal system" receives notice and elucidation. The Topic. OUGHT PUGILISM TO BE SUPPRESSED BY LAW? AFFIRMATIVE. Prizefighting degrades humanity, encourages brutality, and fosters a spirit of inhuman emulation and daring. It ought not to be allowed in any civilized country. Let the strong arm of the law crush it at once and for ever.W. F. All Order is professedly the object of legislation. Pugilistic exhibitions are breaches of the peace, ergo, pugilism ought to be suppressed by law. the concomitants of a prize-fight are most demoralizing in their influence. It is the nucleus of the vilest specimens of humanity; and the many crimes committed in connection with every fistic display render it very desirable that measures should be taken towards the speedy abolition of such a diabolical practice.-C.R.G.S. Without entering into the question of whether there is anything in pugilism, as a system, radically wrong or not, we think the associations inseparably connected with its operations are sufficiently brutal and barbarous to demand the interference of the legislature. We do not see the justice of the analogy attempted to be drawn between pugilism and warfare; and we defy any right-minded individual to read the columns of vile slang disgracing the pages of the sporting journals, and say that anything which calls such language forth can be deserving either of support or commendation.-G. H. S. Years ago the practice of duelling was rendered illegal, and that act has met with the unqualified approval of all classes of the community. Now, it appears to me that pugilism is but another form of duelling; undertaken, certainly, for other objects, but still having very much in common with the obsolete and illegal practice. Consequently, it should be placed under similar restrictions. It is also a breach of the peace itself; an illegal act, and also a public nuisance to the neigbourhood in which the contests take place. On these grounds, and without any appeal to its moral bearing, pugilism ought to be brought under the same punishments that are awarded to other misdemeanours.-LYNDOCH. As it is evidently an important part of the duty of a good government to protect the morals of the people, and as exhibitions of this nature cannot possibly be otherwise than immoral in their tendency, I think it follows, as a natural consequence, that it is the incumbent duty of the State to step in, and suppress such brutal and demoralizing contests.-ECLECTIC. If "Law" be "a rule of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a State, commanding what is right, and prohibiting what is wrong," it is evidently necessary that its force should be extended to pugilism, which constitutes a breach of virtue and a stronghold of vice.-IOTA. The laws of a country that recognizes and countenances pugilism are in direct opposition to civilization. They partake more of the dark and barbarous ages, when brute courage was esteemed as a virtue of high price-when the arena of the amphitheatre was the scene of bloody encounters, and applauding crowds exulted in the groans of expiring gladiators. As practised, what is noble in pugilism? What sentiments proper to man-1 -the image of his Creator-has it called forth? Does it not sink the man, and exalt the brute? In all the black catalogue of the prize ring is there one redeeming virtue, one ennobling act, to save it from unqualified condemnation? For no love of the general good does the prizefighter undergo his severe course of physical training; his highest thought, his only aim, is to beat his opponent, and pocket the stakes, and to be held in the estimation of those who can appreciate such jungle work, as the best bruiser of his country; to wear the belt of human degradation, and glory in the shame. The Englishman of to-day needs not to cultivate pugilism for the purpose of developing his muscular strength; there are many ways far more elevating and innocent whereby he can attain the full measure of active bodily energy. Pugilism is at variance with the spirit of the age, and our high claim to intelligence; it is opposed to the growth of sound morality, by inculcating a love of the brutal, therefore debasing it is inconsistent with the precepts of Christianity, for no good Christian can be a pugilist by profession. Therefore, it ought to be suppressed by law.-D.R.R. : No doubt the coroner that has so recently been engaged in the investigation of the circumstances attending the deaths, by violence, of Thomas Weller, at Knightsbridge, and Charles Dickens, in the Edgeware Road, will severely comment upon the pugilistic encounters that have been attended with results so fatal. From the above we may categorically infer that pugilistic encounters, such as are of the Heenan-Sayers character, are highly demoralizing, and even cruel, to an extent indescribable; and therefore we advocate their suppression by special legislation.-S. F. T. Of the many manias which have recently prevailed in this country, the pugilistic is the most inconsistent, absurd, and humiliating, being opposed to reason and morality, and calculated only to awaken the baser feelings of our nature. We naturally wonder how people, presuming to be civilized, can derive pleasure or delight from beholding such brutal exhibitions as Spanish bullfights; yet, in this country, a few weeks since, the all-engrossing topic of conversation was regarding the particulars of a prize-fight; and hundreds, nay, thousands, representing almost every class of society, eagerly rushed to witness the shocking spectacle of two men fighting in a ring, until their disfigured faces ceased to have a human likeness. And this is the noble art! Is it pluck to throw your man, and fall heavily on the top of him? Is there anything manly or noble in getting your antagonist in a corner, and trying to choke him? Is any one of these things science? So far from that, they are gross brutalities that ought to be suppressed by law; but are, unfortunately, fostered by some of our lawmakers. What a caricature on our age of progress, enlightenment, and intellectual refinement! There never was a greater delusion than the pretence that society can be in any way strengthened or improved by such spectacles, which, on the contrary, cannot but produce the most demoralizing effects. True courage does not require the aid of such horrid scenes for its display, but is ever ready to exert itself on behalf of humanity and justice, to assist the oppressed, or defend the right. British courage never wavers in the hour of danger or disaster. When duty calls, there is not a danger but Britons will face unflinchingly, like "the thin red line" at Balaklava-or a disaster, even though it be a disaster such as that of the immortal Birkenhead-British courage can meet it with calmness and resignation.-J. M. It is universally acknowledged that war is only justified when it becomes a necessity; and, considering pugilism in the light of war, where are the proofs of its necessity? There is not a single circumstance attending pugilism which induces soldiers to risk their lives in warfare, unless contrarily considered, thus: On the one hand the soldier feels, in the heat of battle, a glorious ardour and enthusiasm in the fulfilment of a duty which he is called upon by his country to perform; while, on the other hand, the pugilist has no such feelings, but others, the most degrading to his manhood, as by the debasement of his nature to the common feeling which inspires animals in their fights, |