its value is in proportion to the labour that has been spent upon it. We are not in a position to do this. After reading every word of it we are compelled to affirm that as a contribution to the early history and mythology of Scotland its value is very slight. When Higgins, Bryant, and Faber wrote there was much room for excuse for their baseless theories and wild guessing. In their day language had not become a science, and no one knew exactly what to make of mythology, except that some portions of it could not by any possibility be true. A great advance has been made, and though there is yet much to do, certain highways of knowledge have been cleared. Dr. Maclagan does not seem to see this, but guesses as rashly as to the relations, meanings, and derivations of words as if he really thought that there were no principles known to be certain which must guide the workers in these fields. Place-names and names of persons may be more difficult of elucidation than ordinary words. If it be so there is the stronger reason why mere guessing should be avoided.

There once was a king among the Britons called Tasciovanus, who appears as Tascio and Tascia in the inscriptions on certain British coins. It will hardly be credited that Dr. Maclagan asks if the word "tassie," a cup (French tasse), may not be " a possible remnant of this name." Among so very much that is mere random guess-work it is fair to point out that there are many isolated facts which will be of service to future investigators. Dr. Maclagan has little confidence in church traditions, and holds, as we gather, that St. Mungo, St. Columba, and some other early Christian missionaries are the mere creations of the myth-making faculty. That their lives have been clouded by legend is obvious; but he would be a rash historian who put them in the same class as Arthur, Hengist, and Robin Hood. The author tells us that in the Isle of Man the Milky Way is known as "the great road of Gorree." This is new to us, and we should have been glad to have been furnished with his authority for the statement. The Italians call it "Santa strada di Loretto." In Chaucer's day it was called the Watling Street of the sky (House of Fame, ii. 1. 431).

Handbook of Heraldry. By John E. Cussans. Third edition. (Chatto & Windus.)

WE have received a copy of the third edition of this book, which has been out of print now for some years. Mr. Cussans has so thoroughly revised his old work that it may be said almost to have been rewritten, though there has been no change made in its original plan. In the chapter devoted to the subject of " Genealogies and Family Histories" some very useful information is given concerning the different styles of calligraphy which are to be found in old manuscripts. The chapter on the subject of "Liveries" is also well worth reading, and in it will be found much that is interesting to others than students of heraldry. In dealing with the various orders of knighthood, Mr. Cussans has made some curious omissions; for though he mentions the various officers of the orders of the Garter, the Thistle, and St. Patrick, yet he omits all reference to the officers of the orders of the Bath, and of St. Michael and St. George. With regard to the Order of St. Patrick, we may remind Mr. Cussans that the royal warrant of July 14, 1871, effects prospectively considerable alterations in the statutes and ordinances of the order. This warrant directs that the offices of Prelate, Registrar, Genealogist, Cork Herald, Dublin Herald, and Junior Pursuivant shall become extinct upon the resignation or death of the several officers holding the same. The office of Chancellor, which is at present held by the Archbishop of Dublin, is, however, to be continued, but it is

directed that in future it shall be held by a layman. No notice is taken of the Order of the Indian Em. pire, or of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India. In his sketch of American heraldry the author gives the following amusing story, which we cannot help retailing to our readers: "During the residence of our ambassador, Mr. Crampton, in Washington, a carriage which he brought from England was sent to a carriage builder's to be repaired. Some time afterwards, on Mr. Crampton going to the factory, he was surprised to see several buggies, sulkies, and wagons, each bearing his arms. In astonishment he turned to the attendant, and directing his notice to the carriages in question, inquired if they were built for him. I reckon not, sir,' was the reply. You see, when your carriage was here, some of our citizens admired the pattern of your arms and concluded to have them painted on their carriages too!'" The Handbook of Heraldry is not only written in an interesting style, and crammed full of information, but Mr. Cussans has carefully avoided as much as possible the use of technical expressions, so that we can thoroughly recommend his book to any beginner who may wish to learn something of heraldry. A word of praise must be added in favour of the illustrations, which are numerous and remarkably good.

Last Words of Thomas Carlyle on Trades Unions, Promoterism, and the Signs of the Times. (Edinburgh, Paterson.)

WE do not know who J. C. A. is. He states in the preface that he received the manuscript of this pamphlet from its author in 1872. We do not think it can have been meant for publication, and if it was not we are sorry that it has seen the light. The habit of printing every scrap that a great man has left behind him, whether he wished it to see the light or not, is cer tainly one that we cannot commend.

Notices to Correspondents.

We must call special attention to the following notices: ON all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately.

MR. R. C. HOPE, Albion Crescent, Scarborough, writes: "Readers of N. & Q. who will kindly send me any local pronunciations of place-names they may be cognizant of, will receive my thanks and gratitude."

CELER ET AUDAX.-Jessie Fothergill, author of The First Violin, has also written Probation and The Wellfields (Bentley & Son).

DR. RYLEY (ante, p. 360).-We are informed that the Honorary Secretary of the Cremation Society of England is Mr. W. Eassie, C.E., and that his offices are at 11, Argyll Street, W.

J. G. A. ("My name is Norval," &c.).-Home's play, Douglas.

W. G. B. (Glasgow).-Letters forwarded.
J. T. F.-A proof will be sent.

NOTICE.

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