Seldom has so much amusement been crowded between a single set of not large covers as may be found in the first volume of the BRIC-A-BRAC SERIES. Owing to Mr. Stoddard's careful and judicious editing, we have here in a nutshell all the best things from the three recently issued books of biography and reminiscence, by or about Chorley, the Athenæum's musical critic, Planche, the popular dramatist, and Young the eminent actor. The pages fairly brim with descriptions, quips and anecdotes anent famous philosophers, poets, wits, actors, singers, politicians--men and women now out of the world in which they were once so busy and conspicuous. It would require the repetition of the entire index to give a full idea of the number of interesting people discussed and described here. Napoleon III., with the diamond eagle, just before he sported the famous real one at Boulogne; George III., with his querulous ways; delightful Malibran; our own Hawthorne; Byron the reckless; Count D'Orsay, still princely in his poverty; Thackeray the rollicksome; Bulwer, Kean, Lady Blessington, Tom Hood, and scores of others, for whose names even there is not room. CRITICAL NOTICES. "No more refreshing volumes could be carried into the country or to the sea-shore, to fill up the niches of time which intervene between the pleasures of the summer holidays."--_Boston Post._ "If this first volume is a fair specimen of his [the editor's] judgment and skill, the series will prove first-class and popular, among lovers of pure literature."--_Providence Press._ "A well-dressed book. In a light May suit, with a spring overcoat.... None more entertaining for the odd hours of leisure, and especially for the after-dinner breathing-time of day has for a long time been published.... We commend the book to the summer tourist who can be content with anything better than a novel, and will condescend to be amused."--_Worcester Gazette._ "Mr. Stoddard's work appears to be done well-nigh perfectly. There is not a dull page in the book."--_N. Y. Evening Post._