BIBLIOTHECA

AUC 1880

SODLEIANA

PRICE I/

PAGK

PAGE

49

57

Literary Intelligence

50

Books Printed in Malagasy and English in the Island

Bibliography of the Languages of the Philippine
Islands....
American Publications

of Madagascar...

STRASSBURG: KARL I. TRÜBNER, 9, MÜNSTERPLATZ.
LEIPZIG F. A. BROCKHAUS.
PARIS: E. LEROUX, 28. RUE BUONAPARTE.
NEW YORK: J. WILEY AND SONS.

THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, NS. Vol. XII. Part II., is one of the most interesting and important that has lately been issued, although some of its predecessors have not been wanting in either respect. The first article is by Professor Max Müller, "On Sanskrit Texts discovered in Japan," in which the learned Professor, after referring to the publication, in 1853, by Stanislas Julien, of the Life and Travels of Hiouen-thsang, of which he says, "The account given by an eye-witness of the religious, social, political, and literary state of India at the beginning of the seventh century of our era was like a rocket, carrying a rope to a whole crew of struggling scholars, on the point of being drowned in the sea of Indian chronology," proceeds to enumerate the endeavours that have, since that time, been made to procure copies of Sanskrit works which are known to have been carried to China in the seventh century by Hiouen-thsang. search was instituted by the late Prof. H. H. Wilson and Sir J. Bowring; and carried on by Dr. Edkins and Prof. Max Müller himself, "but-with no result!" At length, however Dr. Edkins showed the Professor a MS. he had brought from Japan, which contained a Chinese vocabulary, with Sanskrit equivalents and a transliteration in Japanese, the Sanskrit written in the peculiar alphabet of the old MSS. of Nepál. The Professor says:-"That MS. revived my hopes. If such a book was published in Japan, I concluded there must have been a time when such a book was useful there; that is to say, when the Buddhists in Japan studied Sanskrit." Towards the end of last year two young Buddhist priests were

The

sent from Japan to study Pali and Sanskrit at Oxford under the supervision of the Professor, one of whom, Mr. Bunyiu Nanjio, after inquiries amongst his friends in Japan, took to him, in December last, "a book which a Japanese scholar, Shuntai Ishikawa, had sent to me, and which he wished me to correct, and then to send back to him in Japan. I did not see at once the importance of the book. But when I came to read the introductory formula, Evam maya srutam, Thus by me it has been heard,' the typical beginning of the Buddhist Sûtras, I was delighted indeed. Here then was what I had so long been looking forward to-a Sanskrit text carried from India to China, from China to Japan, written in the peculiar Nepalese alphabet, with a Chinese translation, and a transliteration in Japanese. Of course it is a copy only, not an original MS., but copies presuppose originals at some time or other.' The title of the text is Sukhavâtîvyûha-mahâyânasútra. Some historial notices on Japan, and Buddhist books imported into that country, next succeed, after which comes a translation of the Sutra which, says the Professor, "is the most popular and widely read Sutra in Japan, and the whole religion of the great mass of the people may be said to be founded on it. Repeat the name of Amitabha as often as you can, repeat it particularly in the hour of death, and you will go straight to Sukhavati and be happy for ever;' this is what Japanese Buddhists are asked to believe, this is what they are told was the teaching of Buddha. This is no

is no better than what even some Christian teachers are reported to teach." Notes on the Sûtra, and the text itself, in Devanagarî, follow, and then a Postscript, alluding to further information received from Mr. Wylie on the 3rd of March, bearing "clear evidence that in the year 1727 palm-leaves containing the text of Sanskrit Sutras were still preserved in the temple of Hôriuji. If that temple is still in existence,' concludes the Professor "might not some Buddhist priest of Kyoto, the western capital of Japan, be induced to go there to see whether the palm-leaves are still there, and, if they are, to make a copy, and send it to Oxford ?" A request of this sort, from one of the foremost Orientalists of England, should surely meet with an affirmative response.

The next article consists of "Extracts from Report on the Islands and Antiquities of Bahrein," by Captain Durand, giving the results of his search after ancient inscriptions on the islands, and his excavations of some of the innumerable mounds with which they are covered, from one of which he obtained the skull and bones of a man. "Unfortunately a slight shake was given to the basket after I had placed it carefully on one side, and the skull, though propped in dust, fell to pieces. Judging by the thigh bones, the man could not have stood much, if at all, over five feet nine inches. The skull seemed a very small one, specially low in the forehead, with a good development of the orbital ridge, narrow and more developed in length than in breath, but still a small skull." The nationality of these bones has not yet been decided. To this article are appended nearly thirty pages of most interesting remarks by Sir H. C. Rawlinson, dealing with the mythological, historical, and geographical aspects of the Islands of Bahrein, and the surrounding countries, especially in connexion with the recent finds of Cuneiform Inscriptions. The third contribution is by the late Captain Damant, Political Officer in the Nága Hills, "Notes on the Locality and Population of the Tribes Dwelling between the Brahmaputra and Ningthi Rivers," a paper which contains short notes on the numerous tribes located in the region mentioned, some of which have only been discovered so lately as six years ago. Their estimated population is given, and sundry characteristics regarding each tribe, one of which has "the custom of wearing, a ring of ivory or ebony over the foreskin, and a curious way of wearing the hair, which is cut into the shape of a cockscomb, the sides of the head being shaved." Of another tribe called the Sema Tágas, "Their men wear tails about eighteen inches long, made of wood, to which bunches of goats' hair are attached. The existence of this tribe was only discovered about six years ago, and it is, so far as I know, not mentioned in any work concerning these tribes." Short vocabularies of each dialect are appended to this paper. The celebrated archaeologist and chronologist, James Fergusson, D.C.L., contributes the fourth article, "On the Saka, Samvat, and Gupta Eras," eras which have been a stumbling block to all students of Indian History and Literature, and Dr. Fergusson clears the way for their ultimate settlement with nearly absolute certainty. Incidentally we came across the following note:-" I may mention that when investgating chronological questions, before writing my work on the True Principles of Beauty in Art,' I was induced to propose the introduction of a Decimal Era, 10,000

years B.C. The first year of Christ was conseqently 10,001. The present year 11,880. In other words, by adding one digit to the left, the whole was reduced to a consecutive series from before the oldest date known to the present date-a simplification, the advantage of which it is not easy to overestimate."

For the next article, "The Megha-Sūtra, by Cecil Bendall, Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Sanskrit students will be thankful. Mr. Bendall presents a text and corresponding translation of those parts of the Sutra which he deems worthy of reproduction. His original intention was to give the whole, but "endless repetition of words and thought, huge and meaningless congestions of epithets and titles, vast catalogues of names, and in fact such an entire absence of literary merit of any kind" in the Sutra, decided him that his present article contained all that was needed. Mr. A. H. Schindler publishes "Historical and Archæological Notes on a Journey in South-Western Persia, 1877-1878," containing many geographical identifications.

But not the least interesting of the many papers contained in this part of the Royal Asiatic Society's Journal is the last, consisting only of eight pages, that, namely, by Mr. J. W. Redhouse on the "Identification of the False Dawn' of the Muslims with the Zodiacal Light' of Europeans." We close our survey of the present number of the Journal, which we have thus far shown to be of no ordinary interest, with the following extract from Mr. Redhouse's paper:-" Taking, now, for granted that the false dawn' is the zodiacal light, as I shall unhesitatingly state in any philological work I may in future write, what follows? To my mind, two things follow directly hence, one of which is of high ethnographical importance. In the first place, it becomes evident that, though the zodiacal light is a very recently-discovered phenomenon for European astronomers, a knowledge of its appearance has been possessed by the inhabitants of Southwestern Asia, if by no others, in the centuries elapsed between the promulgation of the Gospel and Qur'an respectively; and, as there is no reason to limit such knowledge to those times, in relation to a phenomenon almost as patent to nomads, shepherds, travellers, and marching armies, in those latitudes, as the milky way, we may almost confidently venture to entertain a belief that it has been universally known there from very early days. This fact calls for notice in all future historical disquisitions on the zodiacal light. In the second place, since it is an admitted fact that the zodiacal light was totally unknown among Europeans of any class until about two centuries ago, it is clear that their forefathers never could have come from that central point of Asia so dear to modern Sanskritists, from whence they would fain make the Aryan race to radiate, that is, from the snowy table-land of Pamir. The zodiacal light must be as well known to the shepherds of that plateau (lat. 36° to 38° N.) as it is to the nomads of Arabia and Mesopotamia. It must always have been well known to them; and once known to a people, such a phenomenon would never be totally forgotten in latitudes where it was visible. Our Aryan race came not, then, from Pamir as their radiating centre. Ethnologists may well weigh this pregnant indication."

LETTER FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS TSÊNG To MR. GILES.-Chinese Legation, Paris, March, 1880.Dear Sir,-Although I am not so fortunate as to be personally acquainted with you, the laudable exertions which, on various occasions, you have made to interest English readers in the works of Chinese writers have long made you known to me by reputation. I need not therefore offer you any apology for now writing to present you with my tribute of praise for the manner in which you have executed your last work, the translation of the Liao-Chai-Chih-I, or “ Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio." I congratulate you on having in this made the best translation of a Chinese work into English which has ever come under my notice. Whilst remaining faithful to the original, you have succeeded in a remarkable degree in preserving the spirit of the author. The manner in which this has been done has surprised and delighted me, for even the verses which are interspersed through the book have been rendered with a grace and a fidelity which cannot but excite the admiration of every one who is capable of appreciating the difficulty of giving them expression. You have placed Chinese scholars under a deep debt of gratitude to you for the elegant manner in which you have set the work of their countrymen before the English reader; and they, as well as Englishmen, must sincerely hope that your success in translating the Liao-Chai will but stimulate you to other similar

undertakings in which it cannot for a moment be doubted that even greater triumphs await you. In making these translations you perform a great service not only to my countrymen, but also to your own, for nothing is more conducive to a good understanding between different peoples than the sympathy which arises from a knowledge and intelligent appreciation of the Literature of their respective countries. Nor less useful will your book be to English and Chinese students who may wish to obtain a knowledge, the one of the other's language, and I would strongly recommend it to them as the means which, in my opinion, will be found to be most admirably adapted for the attainment of that object. Hoping that you may be long spared to prosecute the useful labours in which you are now engaged, I am, dear sir, yours very respectfully, (Signed) TSENG-To Herbert A. Giles, Esq., H.B.M. Act. Consul, Amoy.

solar motion; the sun in the crude astronomy of the ancients being intuitively associated with the idea of a wheel-like motion through the heavens. The Chaldæan emblem of the sun was originally a simple circle, and four wheel-like spokes were afterwards added within this ring. These "spokes' Mr. Thomas considers to be identical with the Swastika and the Mystic Cross. Whatever may be thought of the theory, there can be no difference of opinion as to the great ingenuity and research displayed by the writer. He tracks this emblem through many lands and discovers it where its presence had not before been suspected. If he is right in his interpretations, solar worship must have prevailed over a very large field. The paper is illustrated with two plates containing the different forms of Sun symbols, Chaldæan, Trojan and Indian, and as found on Greek Coins. It is a curious contribution to the history of religion, and is especially interesting to minds which feel a charm in speculating on the enigmas of symbolism.

INDIAN ARMS.-No country in the world can vie with Hindoostan either for splendour or variety in the production of implements of war, as any one will see by paying a visit to the collection of Arms exhibited at the India Museum. The Hon. W. Egerton, M.A., M.P., has compiled a "Handbook" of this collection; it is illustrated by coloured engravings of the choicest arms in the collection, and has an introductory sketch of the Military History of India. The thanks of antiquaries are due to Mr. Egerton for compiling this catalogue and thus bringing together in one volume, matter that forms an important Indian Historical monograph. Messrs. Trübner & Co. supply this "Handbook" to foreign purchasers.

THE NEW SANSKRIT JOURNAL..-It is proposed to publish a bi-weekly Journal under the title Piyusha-sikara, "Drops of Cream.' For this purpose the Pandits of Benares invite the co-operation of the Sanskrit scholars of Europe. Prof. Max Müller gives full particulars of the proposed new journal in a letter to the Athenæum (April 17th, 1880).

CAMOENS.-The ter-centenary of the death of Camoens, the national poet of Portugal, author of the " Lusiad," a poetical history of the celebrated navigator Vasco de Gama, was celebrated at Lisbon, on June 10th, the poet having died on the 10th of June, 1580. The remains of Camoens and those of Vasco de Gama were removed the day previously to the Monastery at Belem. The civil authorities arranged an imposing procession, in which the King, the Royal Family, the Ministers of State, and the representatives of Foreign Powers took part. It is proposed to purchase Camoens Grotto at Macao, and place it under the care of the Senate of the Colony.

TROPICAL AGRICULTURE. We hear that Mr. J. H. De Bussy of Amsterdam has works in the press on the following subjects: The Culture and Preparation of Cacao (with coloured plates), by C. H. Hering, formerly a West Indian Planter; and "A Handbook of the Culture and Preparation of Coffee, Sugar, Rice, Tea, Tobacco, Indigo, Chinchona, Pepper," etc., by K. W. Van Gorkom, late Inspector of the culture of those products in Java.

THE GOSPEL IN ALL LANDS. This is the title of an illustrated Evangelical Magazine of Universal Missions conducted by the Rev. Albert B. Simpson, and published by A. D. F. Randolph & Co., New York. The first part was imperial octavo in size, but the second one, which we presume is to be the permanent form in which this periodical will be issued, is a full quarto, printed on pressed paper; it contains a missionary map of China, with a list of the Protestant Societies there. The bulk of this second number is devoted to China, and the matter and illustrations leave little to be desired, the text being full of useful and interesting information, and the illustrations in good style.

THE ALDINE PRESS.-Mr. James Toovey, of Piccadilly, offers for sale a very fine collection of the productions of the Aldine Press, from its first establishment in Venice, in 1494, together with Lyonese and Venetian counterfeits, the Giunta and other works illustrative of the series. This collection was formed by a collector, who was careful to select only the finest copies, either uncut or on large paper, and many of them are in the original bindings of Aldus, De Thou, etc., so that the collection as a whole may be said to be unique. Mr. Toovey proposes to sell this library intact for four thousand pounds.

ROMAN COINS.-The first volume of the new edition of Cohen's Description Historique des Monnaies frappées sous Empire Romain communément appelées Médailles Impériales has just appeared at Paris.

STELLA'S SAPPHO. We have been informed that this work is being translated into Greek with a view to its being produced on the Hellenic stage, which its highly classical style well merits.

A PATENT LAW FOR HOLLAND.-We understand that an important article on this subject will shortly be published in "De Indische Mercuur."

INTERNATIONAL LAW.-Not the least important publication of this year is the Report of the Seventh Annual Conference of the Association, for the Reform and Codification of the Law of Nations, held at the Guildhall, London, August 11-16, 1879. The Association seems to be quietly and surely extending its influence and gaining new members. The eighth Congress will be held in Berne, Switzerland, on the 24th of August this year.

CIRCULATION OF GERMAN ILLUSTRATED PERIODICALS.The circulation of the leading German illustrated periodicals has lately very much increased. There are no French or English illustrated periodicals whose issues can compare with some of them, and very few in the United States. The following table will show the circulation of the chief European periodicals.

Illustrated Weeklies.

Circulation. 15,000 copies 136,000 19

Illustrirte Zeitung, Leipzig, Founded 1842 Ueber Land und Meer, Stuttgart

Family Papers, Weeklies: Illustrirte Welt, Stuttgart Gartenlaube, Leipzig Daheim,

Gazettes of Fashion:

Bazar, Berlin

Comic Weeklies:

1858

1852 107.000

1853

350,000

1863

1855

35,000

Fliegende Blätter, Munich Kladderadatsch, Berlin Berliner Wespen,,,

The largest circulations are therefore those of the Gartenlaube, 350,000 weekly, and the Modenwelt, with its Literary Supplement, the Illustrirte Frauenzeitung, 290,000 weekly. After these comes Ueber Land und Meer, 136,000 weekly; none of the English and French weeklies come up to even 100,000.

COMMASSIE.-Lieut.-Col. J. H. Kromhout, of the Dutch Engineers, is preparing a contribution towards the history of the British expedition to Commassie, which will appear in De Indische Gids."

LUXURIOUS BATHING.-Mr. Andrew W. Tuer has issued a new edition of his "Luxurious Bathing" in oblong 8vo.; this time with eight etchings by Tristram Ellis. The same care that was observable in the production of the original book is seen in this one; the etchings and typography are récherché.

AN INSURANCE CYCLOPEDIA.-Amongst our advertisements will be found a description of one of the most valuable works of modern times. Although it is called an Insurance Cyclopædia, and the claims and interests of Insurance have been kept prominently in view in its compilation, yet there are very few subjects, especially those connected with social science, on which it does not treat. Mr. Cornelius Walford, the compiler, has gathered together an enormous amount of information in its pages which is not to be found in those of any other Cyclopædia; so that, whilst appealing specially to the Insurance fraternity, he has made it of such general interest as to become a necessity for many outsiders.

SHAKESPEARE AS HE SPELLED.-Mr. F. J. Furnivall proposes to bring out an edition of Shakespeare, or, as he spelt his name, Shakspere, in the spelling of the original editions. Mr. Furnivall says, "The basis of each Play in quarto or folio,

will be quarto or folio, as either is, on the whole, better than the other. Of the plays only in the folio, that will of course be the basis-text. Every change from the basis-text will be plainly marked, and the reading altered will be given at the foot of the page. The collations will not include mistakes, or, unless exceptionally, emendations." RALPH WALDO EMERSON. -The " Literary World," of Boston, Mass., under date May 22nd, 1880, gives the addresses of friends to Mr. Emerson on his 77th birthday, with an engraving of a bust which is to appear in a forthcoming Concord Guide Book, to be published by Messrs. D. Lothrop & Co. Emerson, the New England philosopher, may be said to have grown with the literature of his country. In 1818 Sydney Smith wrote to Lord Grey :-"There does not appear to be in America at this time any man of considerable talents." In that year Harvard College Library, the largest then in the United States, contained less than 25,000 volumes. The "North American Review" was an infant periodical of three years old. Bryant had the year before published his first work. Irving had just brought out his "Sketchbook," and accounted for his own popularity in England by saying the English were amazed to find an American holding a quill in his fingers instead of wearing it on his head. The influence that Emerson and his writings have had on the literature of his country, with which, as we said before, he may be said to have grown, is we think well described in the words of Walt Whitman, contained in his contribution to the anniversary celebration. He says "The best part of Emersonianism is that it destroys itself. Who wants to be any man's mere follower? lurks behind every page. No teacher ever taught, that has so provided for his pupils setting up independently-no truer evolutionist. Democracy (like Christianity) is not served best by its own most brawling advocates, but often far, far better, finally, by those who are outside its ranks. I should say that such men as Carlyle, and Emerson, and Tennyson,-to say nothing of Shakespeare or Walter Scott-have done more for popular political and social progress and liberalization, and for individuality and freedom, than all the pronounced democrats one could name."

WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.-We are informed by the late Mr. Garrison's youngest son, that the story of the pistol which appeared in our last issue has no foundation in fact. We heard it from a member of a Massachusetts transcendental community, which has long ceased to exist; our informant probably confounded Mr. Garrison's name with that of some other reformer. We are pleased to be able to state that Mr. Johnson's book on Mr. Garrison has been well received in Great Britain, and we hope the sales at home and abroad will return a good sum to the author, who we believe stands in need of it.

WALT WHITMAN.-A series of articles on Walt Whitman, with strictures on his critics and a review of his life and writings, are appearing in "Cope's Tobacco Plant." The first article appeared in the May, and the second in the June number of this periodical, which, though it professes to be only a trade journal, compares favourably as far as literary merit is concerned with many more pretentious monthlies. CABINET POEMS. The volume of Cabinet Poems, by Eugene H. Munday, now published in an edition "de luxe," by Messrs. J. B. Lippincott & Co., contains twenty-nine poems, most of which appeared in the " Proof Sheet," an American Journal celebrated for its fine typography. Mr. Munday is not the first person connected with the typographic art who has shown an inclination for authorship. Most of the poems are short and fragmentary, but they show considerable taste and literary merit. The chief poem in the volume, "The Heart of Bruce," is written in the ballad style, and its flowing verse rather reminds us of Sir Walter Scott.

Messrs.

CHANGES IN THE BOSTON PUBLISHING TRADE.-The firm of Houghton, Osgood & Co., has changed its name to Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Mr. Mifflin is no new comer, having been long known in the old firm, and at the Riverside Press. Mr. J. R. Osgood, having retired from the firm, has established himself as J. R. Osgood & Co., in association with Col. Jno. H. Ammon and E. L. Osgood. Houghton. Mifflin & Co. retain the old stock, with the exception of "Artist Biographies," and Osgood's Guides, which Messrs. J. R. Osgood & Co. take with them, together with the Heliotype Company's business. Messrs. J. R. Osgood and Co. propose to carry on a general publishing business as of old, when the firm of Fields, Osgood & Co. became J. R. Osgood & Co.

RAND AND MCNALLY'S GUIDES, MAPS, ETC.-"Winter Resorts of Florida," illustrated, has just been added to this series of useful guides for visitors and invalids. The same publishers have issued Panoramic pocket views of "The North-west, Chicago, Niagara Falls, The Great Western Railway," and

the other chief lines of Chicago. The Railway Map of the United States and Canada, 44 inches by 28, in a stiff covered case for the pocket, is a marvel of correctness and cheapness. Trübner & Co. have these publications on sale in London, and a list will be found amongst the advertisements in this Number of the Record.

THE HOUR. "The Hour" is a weekly journal, devoted to social interests, published in New York. It is a well-printed sheet, about the size of the London "World," and the character of its contents is somewhat similar. Each number contains a well-drawn cartoon, similar in style to those issued in "Vanity Fair." The number of May 8 contains an article on M. Renan, with a cartoon of Secretary Evarts.

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. This journal, founded by Professor Silliman in 1818, completed its first series of 50 volumes in 1845, and its second series of 50 volumes in 1870. The present series is published monthly, and each number contains one or two illustrations, the editors being determined to make their journal equal in every respect to those that have a less ancient record; and though perhaps more popular, have not such a solid scientific reputation. This journal is one that no reference library ought to be without a set of; and we are glad to find that the great Colonial Libraries are inquiring after it.

BUREAU OF EDUCATION OF U. S.-Besides the last Report on Education for 1877, full of useful statistics, dated 1879, General Eaton, the Commissioner, has lately issued Circulars of Information of the Bureau of Education," of which five appeared in 1879, and one is already out this year. "Training Schools for Nurses," "Training Schools of Cookery," will be found amongst these important little monographs.

AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.-The Bulletin, No. 1, for 1880, contains the annual address of Chief Justice Daly, LL.D., on the Geographical Work of the World in 1878 and 1879, with an appendix, containing a letter dated March 31st, 1879, Cape Daly, North Hudson Bay, from Lieut. Schwatka, U.S. Army, Commanding the Franklin Search Party.

NUMISMATIC AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA. We have received a paper by Mr. Zoppan on "Some Modern Monetary Questions viewed by the Light of Antiquity," one by Mr. F. Jordan, jun., on the "Remains of an Aboriginal Encampment at Rehoboth, Delaware," and also the Proceedings of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia," March 20th, 1879, on the occasion of the Presentation of a Silver Medal to the Hon. Eli K. Price, the President, with the Addresses of Mr. H. Phillips, jun., Dr. Brinton, and the President's reply, in which he deprecates the stopping Chinese immigration in the U.S.A., and states that it should be an important means of spreading western civilization in China, as all the immigrants who survive return to their native country.

THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.-The Centennial Anniversary of Incorporation of this Society, which was founded in 1743, and incorporated 1780, was commemorated by a dinner held at the St. George's Hotel, Philadelphia, under the direction of Messrs. W. A. Ingham, J. S. Price, and H. Phillips, jun., who formed a committee of management. The proceedings, a pamphlet of 84 pages, giving the addresses on the occasion, has been published by the Society.

AMERICAN LIBRARIES.-The Bulletin of the Boston Public Library, April, 1880, contains a classified list of British Parliamentary papers for the Session of 1878.-The Harvard University Library Bulletin, No. 15, for April, contains "Scudder's Bibliography of Fossil Insects," and continuations of "Halliwelliana," and the "Calendar of the Lee MSS."

SYDNEY (N. S. W.) FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.-The Trustees' Report for the year 1879-80 has just been printed. During the past year 4509 volumes have been added to the Library, and it has been visited by the largest number of readers and borrowers who have ever sought the benefits of this Institution since its foundation. The attendance at the Reference Branch was 124,702, and of Borrowers to the Lending Branch 27,334, making a total of 152,036, which gives an increase of 34,089 on the number of visits during the previous year. these circumstances it is pleasing to hear that the Trustees have been invited to " offer suggestions as to the site, etc., for the proposed new Building, as the question of erecting a new Free Public Library would shortly engage the attention of the Government."

Under

VICTORIA MINING.-The Reports of the Mining Surveyors and Registrars of Victoria for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1879, show the total gold yield of the colony from alluviums and quartz reefs to be 209,421oz. 7dwt.; and the quantity of gold exported to be 83.700oz. 10dwt. The Appendix directs attention to a crushing machine and battery capable of treating 30 tons per week, the heaviest piece of which does not weigh over 6cwt., and costing, with all appliances, £300. It is the invention of Mr. W. Rasche of Melbourne.