turesquely told by Prof. Laughton, whose services to the 'Dictionary,' extending from the outset, are still fortunately retained. No biography of primary importance has been undertaken by the editor, who, however, throws a light upon many interesting individualities. Three bearers of the name of Phillips are due to him, the most interesting of them being Edward, the nephew of Milton, a writer better, or at least more generally known, probably, by his Theatrum Poetarum' than by his World of Words' or bis Mysteries of Love and Eloquence,' which we have not seen, and which we are sorry to learn from Mr. Lee is "often licentious." The idea, entertained by "a long series of critics," and shared by ourselves, that the hand of Milton is to be frequently traced in the Theatrum Poetarum,' Mr. Lee mentions, without lending it his valuable support. John Phillips, the brother of Edward, is also the subject of a very interesting biography. "He, too," against the teaching of his uncle, was bold," writing a satire against "the religion of the hypocritical Presbyterians," which, curiously enough, "a publisher had the assurance to reprint as Mr. John Milton's satyre." and developing in his literary work "a licentious temper which,' Mr. Lee says, "affords a suggestive commentary on the practical value of his uncle's theories of education." Yet another John Phillips, or rather two John Phillipses, whose names are strange to all except the closest students of poetical literature, are depicted by Mr. Lee. Thomas Phaer, the first translator into English of the entire " Eneid,' is another of Mr. Lee's poets. His translation, which experience tells us is somewhat difficult to read, is said to be "often spirited and fairly faithful." Andrew Perne, whose pliancy in matters of religion anticipated that of the famous Vicar of Bray; George Pettie, writer of romances (and captain), and Sir Edward Peyton, Parliamentarian (and pamphleteer), are also dealt with by Mr. Lee. Writing on Hester Lynch Piozzi, Mr. Leslie Stephen supplies an agreeable "hour in a library." He holds that her love for her second husband is "the most amiable feature in her character," and declares her "a very clever woman, well read in English literature, though her knowledge of other subjects was apparently superficial," and declares that she seems "rather hard and masculine in character." Mr. Stephen's other contribution is a life of Ambrose Philips, "namby-pamby Philips," as he was called. Among many sub-editorial notices we find a capital life of Philidor, the chess-player and musician, whose claims to be an Englishman, though he died in London, are none of the strongest. Peter the Wild Boy is an eccentric creature, concerning whom Mr. Seccombe furnishes full information. Many lives of Petres are in his hands, and he is also responsible for the biography of Letitia Pilkington, as well as that of Matthew, her husband. Among many admirable lives by Mr. C. H. Firth, that of Hugh Peters has, perhaps, the greatest interest. Mr. W. P. Courtney is an indefatigable contributor, as is his whilom ally, Mr. G. C. Boase. The names of Mr. G. A. Aitken, Mr. Rigg, Dr. Garnett (who supplies an account of Mrs. Pfeiffer), and Mr. Tedder are frequently seen, as are occasionally those of Mr. Cosmo Monkhouse, Mr. Lionel Cust, Mr. Thomas Bayne, Mr. Welch, Mr. Thompson Cooper, Mr. P. J. Anderson, Mr. Gairdner, and many other competent writers. The contributions of our old friend Canon Venables are not yet exhausted. Col. Vetch sends a striking life of Picton. In all respects, including that of punctuality, the 'Dictionary' maintains its reputation.

THE January number of the Journal of the Ex-Libris Society (A. & C. Black) supplies the title and index for vol. v. It appears somewhat late, for which an apology is offered, and supplies as a frontispiece a woodcut Exlibris of Balthasar Beniwalt (or Brennwald) de Walestat,

dated 1502, of which, as one of the largest and most remarkable dated plates in existence, an account is given by Mr. W. H. K. Wright, the editor. A fine plate of Baptist, Earl of Gainsborough, dated 1700, is also among the numerous illustrations supplied. The new year begins with happiest promise.

A COMPLETE and much-needed index to Collinson's History of Somerset' has been compiled by the Somersetshire Archæological and Natural History Society, and will be published so soon as the requisite number of subscribers have been gained. Subscriptions should be sent to Messrs. Barnicott & Pearce, Taunton.

AN illustrated ready reference edition of Burns's Poems' will be issued by Messrs. D. Bryce & Sons, of Glasgow, as a centenary commemoration of the poet's death. It will contain some novel and attractive features.

THE series of illustrated papers on the monumental brasses of Notts which are now appearing in Notts and Derby Notes and Queries will be issued in book form shortly after completion. The writers are the Rev. H. Eardley Field, B.A., and Mr. J. Potter Briscoe, F.R.H.S., the editor of the magazine.

THE Antiquary for February will contain an article on 'The Senams, or Megalithic Temples of Tripoli,' with plans and illustrations, by H. S. Cowper, F.S.A.; also Century Tradesman at Ripon,' edited by the Rev. J. T. The Account Book of William Wray, a Seventeenth Fowler, D.C.L.

WE hear with much regret of the death of Mr. Henry Van Laun, who expired on Sunday last at his residence, 5, Ladbroke Gardens, and was buried on Thursday in Woking Cemetery. Mr. Van Laun was well known as the translator of Taine's History of English Literature,' the plays of Molière, and other works, as an historian of French literature, and for his educational services in connexion with the examinations for the Civil Service and the War Office. He had a large amount of erudition concerning out-of-the-way points in English literature, and his notes to Molière on the obligation of English writers to the great French dramatist constitute a mine of curious information. His stores of knowledge were always at the service of N. & Q.,' to which he often contributed.

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