Mr. Dillaye differs with the Hon. A.D. White, President of Cornell University, as to the relative merits of money and promises to pay money; and he begins with the assertion that the President's "object is to depreciate American credit, stability, and honor." Further perusal, to ascertain the meaning of this attack on a patriotic and useful member of society, shows us what Mr. Dillaye thinks he means. He talks of credit being the vital element of national power; and from this he argues that the more "credit" a nation has--that is, the deeper it is in debt--the more powerful it becomes. In short, he confuses credit as opposed to discredit with credit as opposed to cash--a grievous blunder, surely. A nation's credit is like a merchant's; it becomes greater only as his debts become smaller; and people trust a government for the same reason as they trust an individual, mainly because every previous obligation has been honorably observed. It is gratifying to know that persons of Mr. Dillaye's way of thinking are few and unimportant, and their number is diminishing daily. CROTON WATER SUPPLY FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK: an Address by George B. Butler to the New York Municipal Society. New York city: Published by Order of the Society, 87 Madison avenue. A review of the whole subject of our water supply, its sources and the area they drain, the geographical features of the district, and the works erected by the city. Mr. Butler maintains that the Croton valley, with proper storage reservoirs, can abundantly supply the whole city; and that no new aqueduct need be constructed in the present condition of the public debt. EINE KURZE ALLGEMEINE EINLEITUNG ZU DEN AROMATISCHEN NITROVERBINDUNGEN. Von Peter Townsend Austen. Leipzig, Germany: Winter, Publisher. We are glad to see that an American is able to publish a very useful chemical treatise in Germany, the great head center of chemistry. Dr. Austen, one of our most distinguished young chemists in the field of original research, has produced a work which bears the marks of much patient thought and study. The book is dedicated to the renowned German chemist, Professor A.W. Hofmann. OUR YOUNG FOLKS' MAGAZINE: a Monthly Journal of Instruction and Amusement. Subscription price, $1.60 a year. Boston, Mass.: Post Office Box 3090. A readable little periodical, well calculated to amuse the little ones for whom it is intended. GLASS FOR THE STUDIO AND DARK ROOM. By Thomas Gaffield. Philadelphia, Pa.: Benerman & Wilson. There is much useful information in this little pamphlet, and photographers especially should read it. The matter first appeared in the Philadelphia _Photographer_. * * * * * RECENT AMERICAN AND FOREIGN PATENTS * * * * * NEW AGRICULTURAL INVENTIONS. IMPROVED GANG PLOW.