"Black Beetles in Amber,' the fifth volume of 'The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce' (New York, Neale & Co.), goes far to explain the references to the terrible Mr. Bierce' which occur in writings about Californian society, especially writings by ladies. Doubtless the consciousness of seeming a satanic person to such gentle souls has contributed a special strain of its own to the pleasure with which he has exercised, over a long period of years, a well-developed gift of literary ferocity. Perhaps it is for the same tender sakes that he has gone for once a little out of his convention, which excludes in a singular degree the motifs that attract the musketeers of letters, to chant this brief ambiguous lay (entitled A Rendezvous '), which we quote for the punning felicity and the lilt of it: An Illustrated History of English Plate MR. B. T. BATSFORD and " Country Life, Ltd.," will publish shortly a sumptuous "An and comprehensive work, entitled Illustrated History of English Plate." It deals with the subject from the earliest known times to the late Georgian period. The publishers of this work desire to direct attention to the fact that the author, C. J. Jackson, F.S.A., who is well known as an ardent collector of Old English Silver, has been enthusiastically this engaged in the compilation of History of English Plate for a quarter of a century. For the most part, the books hitherto published concerning English plate refer to no example of earlier date than the thirteenth century, and to very few earlier than the sixteenth; it is, therefore, not from any of those works, but from examples which have been inspected by the author in the principal museums, churches, and private collections throughout the country, and from the records of Antiquarian Societies, that he has gained the information which has enabled him to present to his readers the matter contained in the earlier part of this work. This history is divided into three parts -the first, which is chronological, begins with the illustration and description of objects dating from about 1,500 years before the Christian era, and continues with references to the beautiful objects in gold and bronze which were wrought between 3,000 and 2,000 years ago. The influence of the Roman occupation of Britain upon British art is next discussed, and objects dating from the first four centuries of our era are illustrated and described. The effect upon British art of the Saxon and Danish invasions is referred to and it is shown, by illustrations of existing objects, that while during the period known as the dark ages British art was at a low ebb, there is abundant evidence to prove that in Ireland the art of the goldsmith was in a flourishing state and continued to flourish until about the date of the Norman Conquest. The various changes of form and decoration in ecclesiastical and secular plate from the twelfth to the sixteenth century are explained by references to objects wrought in the several styles of Norman and Gothic art. The art of the Renaissance period, extending from the first quarter of the sixteenth century to the end of the reign of Elizabeth, is similarly dealt with, and following that are several chapters which are respectively devoted to the plate of the Stuart and Georgian periods. The first, or chronological, part of the work, terminates with a description of the art of the silversmith in the second quarter of the nineteenth century, and a reference to its decadence in the Victorian era. GENERAL COMMISSION AGENCY, for BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, NEWSAGENTS, &c., in all parts of the World. WM. DAWSON & SONS, LTD., St. Dunstan's House, Fetter Lane, and Bream's Buildings, London, E.C. Having purchased, and combined with their very Extensive Home and Export Newspaper and Book Agency (established more than a Century) the Export and Continental Departments of the business of Messrs. SAMPSON LOW & CO., they may fairly claim to be in the position of probably the largest Exporters of Literature in the World. THE CONTINENTAL DEPARTMENT has Correspondents in every important City or Town on the Continent, from PARIS to CONSTANTINOPLE; and from MOSCOW and PETERSBURG to CAIRO and ALEXANDRIA, &c. THE EXPORT DEPARTMENT Have you tried OUR "CANNON" OFFICE ST. PASTE? has Correspondents in the UNITED STATES of America, the DOMINION OF CANADA, the various States of SOUTH AMERICA, the WEST INDIES, the COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, the EMPIRE OF INDIA, JAPAN, CHINA, and the STRAITS SETTLEMENTS, the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, and all the BRITISH SETTLEMENTS in Africa, &c. These Two Departments are conducted at ST. DUNSTAN'S HOUSE. THE IMPORT DEPARTMENT This is a special and important feature in the business, through which the Trade and the Public throughout Great Britain, the Continent, &c., can be supplied with American Books, Periodicals, Newspapers, &c. CONTINENTAL PUBLICATIONS are also imported to order for Booksellers at home and in all the Colonies, &c. This large and varied connection, embracing the whole world STRONG, CLEAN, LASTING, and Pleasant to use in all Climates. For Prices, Sizes, &c., &c., apply to where Literature in its various languages finds a home, places the WM. DAWSON & SONS, Ltd., Company in the forefront, and enables them to offer unequalled facilities for the execution of orders, whether from private individuals or from Booksellers, Stationers, &c., in the Countries indicated above. THE NEWS-ACENCY DEPARTMENT is conducted at Bream's Buildings, and has connecting branches at 121, This department supplies "The Little Red Book," which contains a Ist of nearly 5,000 Newspapers, Magazines, Periodicals, giving the rates and postages to all parts of the world. It will be sent free on application. BOOKSELLERS and Stationers in any Country wishing to avail themselves of the unusual facilities afforded by such an Agency as the above, will receive full information as to terms, &c., by addressing CANNON HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. Have you tried WM. DAWSON & SONS' FIRST-CLASS PEN? WM. DAWSON & SONS, Ltd., Cannon House, Bream's Buildings, LONDON, E.C. Cricket in the Trade Publishers v. Authors THE Committee of M.C.C. have most graciously allowed the above match to be played at Lords on August 22nd. Sir Home Gordon and Mr. Arthur Waugh have chosen the following to represent the Publishers: Messrs. S. S. Pawling (Heinemann), W. Longman (Longmans, Green & Co), Francis Meynell (Burns & Oates), A. C. Dene (Lane), R. Truslove (Chapman & Hall), L. E. G. Abney (Dawson), H. H. Thomas (Cassell), F. J. Harvey Darton (Wells Gardner), W. Cutbush (Longmans), A. G. Agnew (Constable) and W. Farquharson (Murray). The Authors will include: Sir A. Conan Doyle (Captain), Cecil Headlam, E. Temple Thurston, P. G. Wodehouse, J. C. Snaith, Horace G. Hutchinson, J. R. Stagg, and R. B. J. Scott. Falcon (G. Philip & Son, Ltd.) The above match was played on July 22nd, on the former's ground, and resulted in a win for the home team, who put on 139 for 9 wickets, declared. The score was a good all-round one, 6 of the 9 men out scoring above 10 each B. Waud 29, W. Tacey 21, G. Lewis 17, F. Turner 13 not out, A. Savill 12, and J. Tacey II. Our opponents replied with 52 all out, chief scorers being H. Andrews 27, A. Fudge 9. MR. F. C. CARTER, 13, Campsbourne Road, Hornsey, London, N., has just issued the Hornsey Book List, No. 30. This contains particulars of nearly 700 Oriental items, including books about India, The Mutiny, Indian Islands, Ceylon, Persia, Afghanistan, China, Japan and the Farther East, Arabia, Syria, Cyprus, &c. A Literary Novelty MESSRS. D. BRYCE & SONS are always bringing out attractive novelties-the latest being a metal bust of R. L. Stevenson supporting a miniature copy of the Pentland Rising, 1666. "The Pentland Rising," as originally issued in 1866, was a pamphlet of twenty-two pages, in sixpence; a copy was sold at Sotheby's in London, in May, 1911, for £6 15s. The booklet also contains some memorials of R. L. S., and with the bust forms an interesting curiosity. Messrs. Bryce have many other novelties and are famed all the world over for their miniature books. Lawn Tennis Publishers v. Authors THE Lawn Tennis match between Publishers and Authors, arranged by the Publishers' Circle and the Authors' Club, was played at Queen's Club on Tuesday, July 25th, and resulted in a win for the Publishers by five matches to two. The hearty thanks of all concerned are due to Queen's Club, and especially to Mr. A. E. Stoddart, the Secretary, for the loan of their courts, and their courtesy and welcome. The results in detail were as follows: Publishers (J. H. Blackwood and A. W. Stone) beat Authors (E. AshmeadBartlett and E. H. Lacon Watson, 2-0; beat Sidney W. Mattingly and the Rev. Anthony Deane 2-1; lost to E. Temple, Thurston and Clifford Bax, 1-2. Publishers (Roland Truslove and R. Spicer) beat Authors (Mattingly and Deane), 2-0; beat Temple Thurston and Bax, 2-0. The match against AshmeadBartlett and Lacon Watson was not played. Publishers (C. C. Darton and John Allen), lost to Temple Thurston and Bax, 0-2; beat Ashmead-Bartlett and Lacon Watson, 2-1. The match against Mattingly and Deane was unfinished-the Authors winning the first set at 6-4; and the second set being abandoned at 3-2, Publishers leading. The teams were arranged by Mr. W. H. Koebel and Mr. C. C. Darton. Owing to the short notice at which the fixture was decided upon, many on both sides who might otherwise have played were unable to do so, but plenty of talent has been discovered for subsequent encounters. It is hoped that the fixture will become annual. THE YORKSHIRE COAST IN ROMANCE.It is remarkable how many admirers of 'Lorna Doone there are in Yorkshire who do not know that Blackmore fixed the scenes of one of his charming romances in their own county. Mary Anerley opens tragically upon the Yorkshire side of the Tees, but most of the stirring or romantic incidents occur on Flamborough Head, or at Bridlington, Filey or Scarborough. No doubt many of the thousands of people who flock to Yorkshire during the summer and autumn will be glad to know of a book which they may read appropriately during a holiday upon this charming coast. Macmillan's Colonial Library of Copyright Books FORTHCOMING VOLUMES The Song of Renny, by Maurice Hewlett. The Inside of the Cup, by Winston Churchill. Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton. The Lost Iphigenia, by Agnes and Egerton The Secret Garden, by E. Nesbit. Nina, by Rosaline Masson. Doctor's Christmas Eve. A Sequel to I The Bride of the Mistletoe," by James Lane Allen. The Magic City, by E. Nesbit. (In special cloth binding only.) The Human Chord, by Algernon Blackwood. Nelson's New Books for Season 1911-12 The following is an abridged list of new books to be published by Messrs. T. Nelson & Sons during the forthcoming season. BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE The Boy's Guide, by A. Williams. Captains and Kings, by D. Stedman, B.A. With Norman's Good Name, by Margaret Comrie. 2 coloured illustrations. MISCELLANEOUS John the Companion of Jesus, by R. Bird. 12 coloured plates and numerous other illustrations. THE WORLD'S GREAT ROMANCES SERIES Siegfried and Kriemhilda, by W. E. Sparkes. 8 coloured plates by Frank C. Pape. Tristram and Iseult, by W. E. Sparkes. 8 coloured plates by Gilbert James. ACTIVE SERVICE" SERIES Battle and Breeze, by Richard Wilson. 2 coloured illustrations of famous pictures. Life of Frederick the Great, abridged from Carlyle. 2 coloured reproductions of famous pictures. NEW GIRLS' LIBRARY Sea Queen's Sailing. ROYAL LIBRARY In Savage Africa, by Commander Cameron. The English Catalogue of Books For the Five Years (Volume VIII) IS IN ACTIVE PREPARATION FOR PUBLICATION IN THE AUTUMN OF 1911 This volume will contain particulars of Size, Price, Publisher, and Date of Publication of As the information is given under SUBJECT as well as AUTHOR the total Number :: The Work is practically a KEY TO ENGLISH LITERATURE, as it includes all the Latest Editions of all In one handsome Royal 8vo Volume of about 1500 pages Price 14s. 6d. net £4 14s. LIBERAL TERMS TO THE TRADE To the Trade the price before date of publication will be £3 3s. net, i.e., at £4 4s. less 25°. After date of publication the price will be £4 14s. 6d. less 17 %. Note the address to which orders must be sent: MESSRS. SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & CO., LTD., 100, Southwark Street, London, ENG. In 26 Volumes, gilt top, demy 8vo, 6s, net each. William Makepeace Thackeray. With Biographical Introduction by his Daughter, Vols. I. to XIX. Now Ready. Vols. XX. "Roundabout Papers," &c., and XXI. "Denis Duval," &c., Ready August 15th. And two or three volumes will be issued each succeeding month until the completion of the Edition on October 16th, 1911. Westminster Gazette-"The edition continues to be a delight to all lovers of Thackeray." Sphere These biographical introductions cannot be praised too highly. They make a perfectly adequate life of Thackeray." PROSPECTUS POST FREE ON APPLICATION LONDON: SMITH, ELDER & CO., 15 Waterloo Place, S.W. THE BIG GAME OF AFRICA. By RICHARD TJADER. 8vo, cloth, illustrated with 300 photographs taken by the author. 12/6 net. The author has made many trips to Africa, knows the country intimately, and has studied very closely the characteristics of the big game. There is a chapter on the Ki Swahili trade language which will be found of great value and interest to prospective travellers. ALONG THE ANDES AND DOWN THE AMAZON. Cloth, gilt top, 12/6 net. By H. J. MOZANS. Profusely illustrated. A companion volume to" Up the Orinoco and Down the Magdalena." Starting from Panama, Mr. Mozans journeyed to Ecuador and thence to Peru. crossed the Andes to the Amazon, and continued his journey down the great waterway to the coast. His volume gives a vivid picture of one of the most interesting sections of South America. UP THE ORINOCO AND DOWN THE MAGDALENA. By EMORY JOHNSON and G. HUEBNER. Two volumes. THE FIRST VOLUMES IN APPLETON'S RAILWAY SERIES. EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS. By G. STANLEY HALL, Professor in Psychology and Pedagogy at Harvard University. A companion work to " Adolescence,' etc. Two volumes. Royal 8vo, cloth. 31/6 net. These volumes contain the ripened results of twenty-five years of teaching education. The matter treated is brought up to date, and not only comprises the chief topics of present interest in education, but attempts to strike out in the line of various reforms that are now impending. CORPORATION FINANCE. By EDWARD S. MEADE. Cloth, large crown 8vo, 468 pages. 7/6 net. Can be read with profit by any person interested in corporation matters. The volume gives a full description of the procedure of financing a corporation. THE MIND AND ITS EDUCATION. By GEORGE HERBERT BETTS. Head of Department of Psychology and Education at Cornell College. Pages xiii, 264, cloth, 8vo. 5/- net. This book should be in the hands of all teachers for its practical value as an introduction to psychology. WRITE FOR OUR AUTUMN ANNOUNCEMENT LIST. 25, Bedford Street, Strand, London. |