with duty, there is a memorandum on the materials used in the manufacture of paper, indicating the essential requisites to the successful introduction of any substitute.

In the documents inserted under Series B, "Diplomacy and War," we find the action of Diplomacy directed to both hemispheres. We have a continuation of the facts and circumstances connected with those most interesting episodes in the history of Italy, whereby the Government of Victor Emanuel was extended over Tuscany, Parma, Modena, and the Romagna, the romantic landing of Garibaldi in Sicily, and the fall of the Bourbon King. A correspondence is inserted relating to the opening of political and commercial relations with Japan, which has been attended with considerable difficulties, in consequence of the jealousy of the Japanese, and of the unscrupulous conduct of the European traders in that country, who endeavoured to take advantage of the imperfect state of the Japanese currency. The correspondence respecting Central America and the Mosquito Islands, and the treaty with the Republic of Nicaragua carry us far away to quite a different field of diplomacy. Under this Series, also, there are inserted the reports and correspondence on the Slave Trade, which shows that that inhuman traffic is still extensively carried on. The Policy of the French Government in sending vessels to obtain slaves under the pretext of recruiting labourers, gave a temporary encouragement to the trade, but it is gratifying to find that the French Government has at last withdrawn from this doubtful policy.

The principal document under Series C, "Ecclesiastical Affairs and Education," is the report of the Committee of the House of Commons on the expediency of opening in the evening the British Museum, the National Gallery, and kindred institutions,

as means for promoting the healthful recreation and improvement of the people. The Report and evidence contain many facts of interest in connection with such museums and institutions. The Report on Military education shows the steps taken to improve Military education by the organization of a Royal Military College and the institution of examinations for the grant of commissions in the army. The Report of the Department of Science and Art indicates the means used for affording aid to the industrial classes, and for stimulating a taste for the fine arts throughout the country. We have also inserted a valuable Report of Dr. Lankester, on the relation of the Animal and Food Collections to the other Natural History Museum, maintained by Her Majesty's Government, as well as on the collection of food products, and on the collection of animal products.

Series D, "Railway, Shipping, and Postal Communication," contains the Report of the Committee of the House of Commons on the state of Merchant Shipping. The Report shows the effect of the repeal of the Navigation Law in 1849, and the restrictions still in force in foreign countries, some of which have failed to grant to British shipping that freedom which their shipping obtain in this country. The Committee recommended that efforts should be made to secure these advantages by diplomatic negotiation. The Committee inquired also upon the Liability of Shipowners, the System of Pilotage, Light Dues, Passing Tolls, Shipping Offices, and more particularly on the question of belligerent rights at sea, examining the effect of the Declaration of Paris in 1856, which granted protection to neutral vessels, but left the private property of belligerents at sea still exposed

Under Series E, "Justice and Crime," there is a Report of the International Statistical Congress on Civil and Criminal Judicial Statistics, and on the Statistics of the Subdivisions, Transfers, and Burdens of Real Property; and a Report of the Commissioners on the Process, Practice, and System of Pleading in the Superior Courts of Westminster, being the completion of the labours of that Commission which, since 1850, has introduced so many wholesome reforms in our civil procedure.

Under Series F, "British India, Colonies, and Dependencies," we have the Report on Railways in India, which gives the conditions for the pecuniary assistance given by Government to railway companies. The great advantage of constructing railways in that vast empire, and the risk and difficulties attending such undertakings in that country, have rendered it necessary for the Government to guarantee a certain rate of interest upon the capital expended. In the comparative table of the extent, cost, and traffic of Railways in different countries, it will be seen that whilst in the United Kingdom the cost per mile was upwards of 35,000l., in India it was only about 9,000l. The papers relative to the affairs in New Zealand account for the unhappy differences in that Colony between the natives and the English; and in connection with this, we call the special attention of our readers to the interesting Memoirs of Dr. Thomson on the State and Progress of Civilization among the Maori, and to the table showing the state of the New Zealanders in the years 1770, 1836, and 1856. The Reports on the Present State of Her Majesty's Colonies for 1858, gives the fullest information on the extent, population, expenditure, trade, shipping, and productions of each Colony and Possession.

Series G, "Population, Municipal, and Parliamentary," has the Reports of the Poor Law Boards, in which there will be found some valuable facts, showing the ratio of pauperism to the population and wealth of the country, as well as a comparison of the state of pauperism in England, Ireland and Scotland.

Series H, "Health, Inclosures, &c.," contains a Report of the Commissioners in Lunacy for Scotland, and an abstract of several Bills on Medical Practice, and on other kindred subjects.

The Acts of Parliament for the Session have also been distributed under the Eight Series in which the work is divided, distinguishing those for the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Ireland, England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. And thus we conclude this tenth volume of the "Annals of British Legislation."

10, Farrars Building, Temple,

April, 1862.

LEONE LEVI.